Another new Aussie member.
Thank you for accepting my request to join your group.I have  reconnected with the hobby after many decades away. Now retired, I am keen to build a small shunting type  railway layout as I don't hav the room to build a permanent model.
Back in a former life, I started off with British OO scale though then went to Americian N gage though had  no layout for either.
I have now "graduated" and my interest is now set on The VR (Victorian Railways Australia) in the  mid 50's through to early 60's with predominately steam (7 locos) with 3  early diesel models plus a couple of railcars (DERM plus Walker sets).I have 2  mobile benches (1300mm X 500mm) which bolt together. At both ends will be a folding extension giving me a total length of 4100mm.
As I am unable to access from underneath, the tops hinge  back 90 degrees giving me the ability to wire point motors etc more easily.
I made a number  of mistakes; one by  by opting for Shinohara code 83 points( switches). But as I found, they are very long physically and took up to much space. Hence have now gone with PECO Code 75 electrofrog points. However I have decided to stay with TORTISE servo's, controlled manually via toggle  switches  despite running the layout by DCC.
A steep learning curve foe which I have become somewhat bewildered, confused and thoroughly frustrated.
Despite referring to "Dr Google" many times and watching YouTube videos, I am still in the dark as to the best/ least confusing and easier way to wire the Tortises  with toggle switches.
 (I have just purchased a book from the UK entitled "Electronics and wiring Model railways' By Andrew Duckworth so hopefully "dawn will burst forth").
In joining your group, I hope I can be enlightened plus  strike up friendship with like minded folks around the world. Down the track even share something of my interest.
Bruce (BigMac)

Hi,

Perhaps you can copy over your intro message to here from the other topic "Kiwi in Oz" or maybe admin can do it for you?
You join a select group of us from Melbourne on YMRC,

Welcome and regards,

Colin

'Hi' from another Melbournian!

Welcome Bruce.

I have placed a message after your other post in the Kiwi in Oz post regarding your point motor wiring.

Dear bewildered, confused, and thoroughly frustrated, 

Welcome to the club.  Where no doubt you will get bewildering, confusing and frustrating advice.


Bruce, a warm welcome to the club. The above should not apply. Well, most of the time. We all have different opinions.


Tortoises and DCC do not readily mix. You are better off with a separate 9-12v DC circuit, where you can use a crossed DPDT switch. Look up Crossed DPDT Switch and follow the diagram. 


If you want DCC control you need the SMAIL from Circuitron, not the Tortoise, or use a Hare or a Wabbit add-on to control one or several Tortoise. A Tortoise current draw is small, but a lot of them will take a fair chunk out of a small DCC powerpack. Not usually an issue with a small layout. What they all do is limit the voltage. Tortoises are stall motor designs, too much voltage and forget that long warranty when the motor burns out. Most folk change the wire lever for something a bit more robust. 


Nigel

Welcome to the club Bruce.I've moved your original post to the top of this one.

Well, Bruce has certainly pulled the Melbournians out from their hibernation!

Hello from yet another one.



 :Welcome :Welcome

Hello and welcome!  Where have all these Aussies suddenly sprung from? If you want someone to ask a dumb question, I'm your man!
A great group of people here with loads of help and guidance, often going well over and beyond….

Looking forward to seeing your modelling

Michael

The Aussies have been quietly taking over for years, Michael. You just haven't noticed! 

Actually I should have known.  Especially with the Ashes this year!
I've also noticed that they know quite a lot about building a model railway, so I am not complaining!


Michael

Hi Bruce,

I have sent you a private message regarding the wiring and a sketch as requested.

Hey,
Welcome to the forum.  I look forwards to seeing some photos of your layout.

Chris