31 December 00
As the year drew to a close, the wipers have been provided for all
switchmaster machines, and frog wiring and turnout machine control wiring
is in place
The PCB for the route control system was built, and during testing a
fundamental design flaw found. Unfortunately too late to purchase the
extra componentry needed. Work will resume when the shops open...
27 December 00
Yesterday was spent building the power supply for the Staging Yard
route control system, based on that in Model Railroader for
November 2000.
Today saw time spent on designing the actual turnout operation,
positioning the ICs on the PCB, and determining the requirement for diodes
This evening work began on installing the phosphor-bronze wipers to
provide power to the frogs. See photos
here and
here. These are not my idea, being seen by
me first on Laurie Green's layouts.
23 December 00
The basic traction wiring has been completed, thanks to my son spending
three hours with a soldering iron. Now I need to wire in the frogs and
and the switchmasters. There are pictures here
22 December 00
All the droppers have now been soldered to the rail, and the bus wiring
has been run underneath, although not soldered into place yet.
All the components for my thumbwheel operation of the Tumby Bay staging
yard. Now onto soldering ICs onto PCBs
18 December 00
Over the weekend eight switchmaster machines were installed under the
staging yard.
A "top coat" of the sky blue was applied over the backdrop over the
"window wall". Just the top 30% or so. Looks better now
Work also began on installing droppers, or track feeds. Currently there
are about 30 or 40 small wires dangling...
13 December 00
The backdrop is now complete - hooray. A study of the painting though
shows that there are some places where the coverage is very thin, so a second
coat will be needed. Boo!
4 December 00
More backdrop painting. I am now "around the corner" onto the "window
wall" - that leaves about 15 feet to go.
3 December 00
Tracklaying on the Staging Yard is well progressed now. All track at the
Tumby Bay end is laid, leaving only the Kalanda end and the connecting track to
be completed. Photographs are on the Backdrop and
Staging Yard page.
A coat of brown paint has softened the colour of the framing where the
backdrop curves around at the staging yard.
The backdrop "sky-ing" has extended so that slightly more than half has
been completed. See photographs on the Backdrop and
Staging Yard page page.
30 November 00
The backdrop on one of the three walls has been painted - a graduated
blue. Pictures are here and
here although there isn't much to see.
29 November 00
Layout time has been split between some preliminary work prior to
track laying, early days in the building of a small "grain agents shed"
which will go on the Anunaka wharf, and painting a test length of the
backdrop.
Planning continued on a possible alternative track plan, which would
allow existing benchwork to be used but return the various stations to
their correct orientation accodring to the DBT map.
Work also has taken place on the DBT's sister web site, the new
Australian Narrow Gauge Web Exhibition.
26 November 00
After spending a weekend with fellow narrow-gauger Stephen Colclough in
Queensland, trackwork continued. All of the wooden sleepers are now glued
into place at the Tumby Bay end of the staging yard,
and the rail on the turnouts has been filed to fit the Peco rail joiners.
22 November 00
The first actual, visible and permanent signs of track laying occurred.
About 20 wooden sleepers were glued to the cork to fill the gaps between the
PCB sleepers.
After evaluating numerous colour cards, a colour was chosen for the
sky
21 November 00
Replaced all the fluoro tubes in the shed with 5000 degree "cool
daylight" ones.
Added another pair of sleepers beyond the frog of a turnout and cut
an isolating gap. This is because I think I will need to solder the Peco
flextrack to the turnout due to the proximity of the curves.
20 November 00
The weekend saw the cork underlay completed on the staging yard. A photo
showing work in progress is here. Whilst the board
was out the opportunity was taken to test fit the turnouts, as can be seen
here.
The PCB ties or sleepers on the turnouts were painted. Firstly with
zinc chromate primer, and then with floquil roof brown.
Monday night saw the first rail joined - one turnout joined to a length
of Peco 009 flex track which has been selected for the staging yard
A further Monday activity was cutting lots of turnout or point timbers
to length ready for gluing down to the cork.
17 November 00
The turnouts have at last had their last joint soldered. Great stuff.
Now I can move into finishing the cork underlay in the staging yard
and painting the turnouts. A photo of my last pair of turnouts can be
seen here
16 November 00
More evaluation was done of lighting for the permanent layout. A
daylight fluoro tube was added to the comparison, as was the exhibition
spot lighting. Check out the
lighting page
15 November 00
The final turnout is now complete. Those previously constructed will
have an extra tie added near "the gap" in an effort to ensure the soldered
joint doesn't fail, and this work has begun.
12 November 00
The final turnout is now almost complete, requiring just one tie-bar
and some additional sleepers.
11 November 00
A temporary lighting valance was erected to allow
comparison of the different fluorescent lights.
More work on the cork underlay for the staging yard sees everything
done except for the two curved tracks.
9 November 00
After an extended weekend, doing some research at Port Lincoln, I
returned to action. The final turnout has begun final assembly, but the
new soldering iron tip I installed isn't too good, so it shall be replaced
when everything cools down.
The new digital camera was put to use, with a couple of photos taken
of the backdrop and staging yard.
29 October 00
It seemed like a productive weekend, until I wrote this diary. A busy
weekend comes down to a single sentence. The MDF was attached to the
Staging Yard framing - after installing risers of course - and then the
majority of the cork underlay was glued in place. That's all. Kept me
occupied for quite some time...
26 October 00
Spent this evening cutting the PCB sleepers to length and gapping them
for isolation. There are lots of sleepers in a pair of turnouts with
additional rail at two ends!
23 October 00
Back to work on the turnouts. The last stock rail was filed, and
all the rail curved to shape. Soldering comes next...
22 October 00
A weekend spent working on the staging yard baseboard and framing.
The MDF was "cookie cut" to accomodate the two levels and two connecting
tracks on a grade. The framing for the section was also painted.
I am not certain whether this is a severe case of paranoia, but having
seen the results of water damage on the exhibition modules not once but
three times, I am wary. Especially given that the staging yard is located
adjacent to the entry door, with no protection against rain when the door
is opened for access.
I also have a view that too many layouts look "unfinished", and so I
have elected to provide a neat appearance, even with the layout under
construction. Consequently the framing was not just sealed against
possible water ingress, but the visible sections have been painted with
the deep brown used for the fascia. Of course, ultimately none of the
framing will be visible, as a fascia will be provided for the whole
layout.
20 October 00
I have long ago decided that spending a small amout of time working on
the model each day is a "good thing" rather than waiting for the odd day
when much time can be devoted to model railway activities. I have taken
this a little far recently, with two evenings work producing nothing more
than three of the four stock rails filed for the point blades. Still,
every little bit helps.
18 October 00
Big News! A digital camera is on the way. In a week or so there will
be photos to illustrate the construction progress as it happens, rather
than waiting for a film to be finished and processed.
17 October 00
The final undercoat was applied to the backboards. Soon, after some
time to work out the best shade of "blue", it will change from a backboard
to a skyboard.
15 October 00
A productive weekend saw an additional "half-board" of backboard
installed, making about 44 linear feet.
Backboard was given two undercoats and now looks pretty and white.
The two turnouts under construction had their frog (crossing vee)
assemblies soldered together, and the taper on the point blades filed.
9 October 00
Rail was bent and filing began for the last two turnouts
The backdrop had screw holes and joints filled.
7 October 00
Work continued in the shed. The last (for now) sheet of masonite was
installed. The joists were adjusted under the Staging Yard for the
switchmasters. The MDF was given another coat of estapol for sealing.
4 October 00
Two new locomotives were delivered.
A pair of EM Baldwins, they run
on Lifelike SW-1200 mechanisms. They have been despatched to Peter Knife's
house for painting (he does a better job than me!)
Back to work. The MDF for the Staging Yard was marked out to ensure
the Switchmasters all fitted. Only two joists need moving!
Work began on the last pair of turnouts, with all the rail cut to
length.
14 September 00
Fourth board screwed and glued into place. Just one to go, but that
will need to wait until I return from a short holiday.
12 September 00
After a couple of hours work over two nights, the fourth board has
now been "sprung" into position. Not yet permanently mounted - that will
occur in a day or two
9 September 00
More work on the backdrop. There are now three sheets permanently
attached.
7 September 00
The overlapping pair of turnouts completed. Just one more pair of
these overlapping turnouts to go and tracklaying could commence.
6 September 00
Work continued on the pair of turnouts, and they have been attached
to about half of the PCB ties expected to be used. Looking good....
4 September 00
The frogs for the two turnouts under construction were assembled, and
work began on cutting the PCB ties to the various lengths needed for the
overlapping turnout.
3 September 00
The second sheet of backdrop was wet some more, and then repositioned
with the correct radius. It is currently just sitting there getting used
to the shape - will be screwed into place in a few days.
2 September 00
The first sheet of the backdrop was permanently installed today.
Battens for the next sheet were attached to the walls, and after
wetting, the second sheet was partially installed. It is currently at
about 9" radius - more wetting and gentle "force" should see the board
at the required 6" radius ready to be permanently attached.
Rail was bent and filed for the next pair of turnouts.
28 August 00
The masonite was sprayed (first time) with water - time will tell
how effective the treatment will be at helping the material retain the
curve
Rail was cut for the first of the overlapping pair of turnouts.
26 August 00
Work moved to the layout room for the first time a while. Some
quite substantial support framing was built for the aisle end of the
backdrop, and the first sheet of 3mm (1/8") masonite forced into
the curve and clamped (with about 20 clamps!) The masonite will be sprayed
with water over the next few days, unclamped, and providing everything
remains in the proper curved shape, will be permanently attached to the
battens.
25 August 00
Six turnouts are now ready to install. Four more to be made -
in two overlapping pairs.
22 August 00
Some mass-production of tie-bars began. Six 7mm long strips of
thin brass were cut, and six PCB ties cut to length to act as tie-bars.
That's all for tonight - soldering and assembly tomorrow.
21 August 00
The first "Steve Hatch" tie-bar was completed and attached
to a turnout. It took me three attempts, but it works beautifully.
19 August 00
Another two turnouts completed. The first rail was cut at
2:30 PM, and the turnouts were finished (waiting the tie-bar)
by 9:30PM. With breaks for dinner and some odd jobs, I would
estimate 5-5.5 hours for them. It does get faster as you go!
17 August 00
Some of the window openings cut for the station building.
11 August 00
The framing for the "removable girders" for the Saltpan module
was completed
10 August 00
Work begins on construction of the Warunda station building. To be
made from styrene, all the wall panels have been cut out, and the posts
cut to length
7 August 00
The two turnouts under construction were taken to the same point
of near completion as the others - PCB ties attached, waiting on a tie
bar and final adjustment.
6 August 00
Work on the small passenger shed
for Wepowie resumed, as a change from
constructing turnouts. The shed was primed ready for painting, and the
corrugated iron roof added.
The turnouts were not totally forgotten though. The curved rails were
bent to shape, and a bunch of PCB ties cut to length.
3 August 00
The next two turnouts - these targetted at track 1 and the "kickback" -
are well under way. Frogs assembled and all that remains, apart from
cleaning up some excess solder - is attachment to the PCB ties
30 July 00
Work continued during the week on turnouts. What was described below as
"turnout number 4" was more properly "frog number 4", and although the
turnout looks great assembled, I decided that what was needed was a better
technique, to increase the percentage of acceptable frogs. A jig, made
of timber and aluminium strip after a design by Master Modeller Laurie
Green, has made frog assembly much easier and the fifth frog was made
into the third turnout in suprisingly little time
24 July 00
The next set of "removable girders" were fabricated, for the Saltpan
module. Legs and bearers also cut to length ready for assembly.
The frog and point blades were cut, bent and files to shape for
turnout number four. Now all we need is to put them together properly!!
23 July 00
Business travel has kept work to a minimum. During the week though
there was some progress:
Work began on the second
turnout, but difficulties with the frog assembly are likely to result in
an alternative technique being developed.
The final arrangement for Warunda was settled on.
This plan adds a few inches to the distance from Kelvin, and moves the
overhead crane sidings to the opposite side of the track.
More planning ... a proposal to increase the distance between stations,
effectively by reversing the orientation of Port Dutton (Anunaka) and the
jetty was discussed, and ultimately rejected.
Plans for the Warunda station building were studied, with a view to
beginning construction soon(ish). It will be a standard SAR plan, slightly
smaller than that shown here, built (and photographed) by Peter Knife
for his Minnipa layout.
17 July 00
The first turnout was completed tonight, as well as some planning for the
Warunda dual-gauge interchange
16 July 00
Family activities kept me away from the railway for much of the day.
I did manage to draw the Fiddle/Staging yard plan on the MDF, and also
adjusted the "notches" on the Kelvin modules. Preliminary work on the
legs for the Saltpan girders was also completed
15 July 00
Some "non-essential" tasks performed. Some more of the shed walls were
sealed, and the fascia side of the existing Kelvin modules were painted
brown. At an exhibition this is the inside, and its appearance not so
important. I got sick of walking into the room and being confronted by
white plaster and bare timber.
Research undertaken for the new station buildings needed at Warunda
and Port Dutton.
13 July 00
Almost completed my first turnout tonight. You can see the results
here. My "pride and joy" is in the middle,
while a Railway Engineering #6 sits on the right. On the left is a
Bemo HOe turnout, which is very close to a #5, and which my turnouts
will hopefully replace on Anunaka. There is still a little work to
do - the gaps need cutting in the point rails, and a tiebar needs to be
added. I shall learn from this - subsequent turnouts will have the ties
perpendicular to the straight stock rail, and better spaced. I must
admit that I had not made a drawing of the tie spacing, so they were done
by eye.
10 July 00
My first attempt at a turnout didn't work too well, but the second one
is looking much better. Building a jig to hold the rails in place before
attaching the masking tape certainly seems to help greatly. Still a long
way to go though before I can say "I built a turnout..."
8 July 00
Notches completed in the Kelvin boards, so they can now be positioned
correctly on the framing
The bottom batten for the backdrop installed over most of the layout.
Not only will this piece of 2x1 have the lower edge of the backdrop attached,
but also provides a firm locator for the exhibition modules.
A couple of sheets of blue paper have been temporarily attached to
give me an idea of suitable backdrop heights. Currently I am considering
either cutting a metre width of PVC roofing material in half, or cutting
2400x1200 sheets of styrene in half, giving either 500mm or 600mm height.
The two sheets are at these two heights, and will give me a chance to
review my preferences over the next few days.
Began work on my first scratch built turnout, using the tutorial
produced by Steve Hatch of
Railway Engineering, suitably modified for Number 5
turnouts in HOn30. (Email me for a drawing to match the Bemo #5
turnouts) Rail has been cut, bent, and filed where necessary.
Soldering will begin next time...
7 July 00
The Kelvin "butt piece" was reattached, this time in the correct place.
Work on cutting notches in the (current) fascia side has begun, with
the first one completed - needing two boards to be cut since the upward
extension of one of the legs coincided exactly with a module join.
Bummer, eh!
6 July 00
Kelvin was assembled on the benchwork tonight, positioned correctly, and
some additional timber screwed in place to provide a solid anchor for Kelvin.
Unfortunately it was discovered afterwards we had made a slight mistake,
and will need to do it all again. That's life, I guess. It does look good
though, seeing Kelvin at a resonable track height of 51 inches, and
gives me a great idea of what height backdrop I will be needing.
Planning and equipment gathering is underway for my major project,
building the turnouts for the fiddle/staging yard. Expect an announcement
on the weekend.
2 July 00
A quiet weekend, railway-wise. Spent some time on the web site update,
and ran a roll of film through the camera (look for some images of
construction soon). Sealed the other side of the MDF
30 June 00
The MDF for the fiddle yard was cut to size, and given a sealing
coat of paint on one side.
Some time was spent on the design of the fiddle
yard to try and maximize the amount of space while retaining #5
turnouts as a minimum.
29 June 00
Another two days has seen the Warunda section of the benchwork
completed, with "removable" girders installed although the joists will
wait for more accurate position of turnouts.
Some "mini-girders" have been installed to help support Kelvin, which
will have six inches (150mm) of permanent scenery behind it.
The 9mm MDF sheet for the Fiddle Yard has been marked out ready for
cutting.
Another pair of removable girders have been made, waiting for assembly
and later installation. These are for the Saltpan area.
27 June 00
The "Fiddle Yard" benchwork has been completed. The "removable"
girders are in place, and joists ready for the flat-top MDF sheet have
been installed
24 June 00
Continuing work on the benchwork. The permanent L-girders have been
erected now. Next is a start on the "removable" L-girders and framing
19 June 00
The second permanent pair of L-girders were installed, on the end wall
18 June 00
At last, something which takes up room space - The first pair of
"permanent" L-girders were installed, on the long window wall, to support
Kelvin
17 June 00
Today, with the help of my son and his mate, (not to mention the new
mitre saw) we assembled eight L-girders of various lengths
11 June 00
The purchase of a compound mitre saw and some timber meant that there was
nothing stopping me beginning work. Not much mind, but the end of the evening
saw eight legs screwed firmly to the wall. Now for the L-girders..
April 00
Hobsons Bay, the Easter exhibition. On our return we carried the
modules into the shed and shut the door ... time for a rest
31 March 00
First test of the sequence planned for Hobsons Bay
26 March 00
The new road was completed, with ground cover added around the area to
remove some of the flat, brown appearance.
Decoder installed in the Lilliput.
21 March 00
Road to the wharf "dug out" to be scenicked in genuine Eyre Peninsula
dirt.
18 March 00
Decoders installed in the two remaining Bemos
29 February 00
All wiring for new panel completed, and control of Anunaka is now by
a new "start-of-the-art" unit. Well, a new unit, anyway
27 February 00
In a new world record, the replacement control panel for Anunaka is
completed in just one day's work. Properly anchored sockets are also
installed under the two Anunaka boards.
26 February 00
Wiring woes! A dead spot is found, and during work to track it down
one of the switch machine stops operating. Eventually a couple of broken
pins on the old Centronics connector used to hook up the old Anunaka
control panel to the layout. As these were fixed another wire dropped off.
I think that removal of all the block wires has meant cable loom is less
secure now, so that any weak links will eventually break. Decision taken
to construct a new panel, matching that at Kelvin.
A small storage shed is installed in the loco fuelling area at Anunaka
20 February 00
First train runs on whole layout under DCC control.
12 February 00
Both Anunaka modules converted to DCC bus wiring. All modules now
are DCC-ready, waiting to be reassembled and hooked up
11 February 00
Saltpan module done - Wharf board "up on the bench" waiting to be
attended to.
10 February 00
All Kelvin modules rewired to the busses. Locomotives run between
Fiddle Yard and Kelvin using the EasyDCC system unit, all I have until the
hand controllers are purchased in April.
5 February 00
Final conversion of the wiring to allow DCC operation begins. The
existing track feeds are cut, and the wires connected to the previously
installed "bus" wires. The Fiddle Yard module was done tonight.
1 February 00
The newest loco, EIMCO #66 is fitted with a decoder
30 January 00
RM97 has its decoder fitted
26 January 00
Decoder installed into #52, the Jackrabbit, and another in the second
Bemo
17 January 00
Decoder installed into #65, the 830 class
15 January 00
The first Bemo has its frame sliced to allow for a DZ121 decoder.
Nerve wracking, an expensive locomotive to be attacking with a hacksaw
and Dremel.
3 January 00
The conversion the DCC begins, with a decoder added to RM96. Ground
cover added beneath the newly installed water tank
30 November 99
Minnipa water tower installed in the Anunaka wye. Sundry electrical
gremlins affecting operation tracked down and corrected.
27 November 99
The DBT is erected in its exhibition configuration. For the first time
since the Liverpool exhibition more than a year ago, trains have run on
the Dutton Bay. At this stage, still under analog control.
21 November 99
The last two modules, Anunaka and Wharf board, have their bus wires
and sockets added to facilitate DCC operation
19 November 99
The Saltpan module had "bus" wiring installed
16 November 99
The fourth and last Kelvin board "bussed"
13 November 99
The next two Kelvin boards "bussed"
11 November 99
The first of the four Kelvin boards "bussed" for DCC
9 November 99
Preparation for adding the Minnipa water tower to Anunaka
7 November 99
The Fiddle Yard and Corner Board wiring had preliminary work done to the
wiring in preparation for DCC> This entails adding "bus" wires and sockets
for attaching to neighboruing modules, although at this stage the block
wires to individual track sections are not being removed.
1 October 99
The "sparkie" hooked everything up. Flick a switch and twelve fluoro
tubes burst into life. While the light is not as bright as using daylight
rated tubes, it is certainly bright enough for a model railway room, and
the light temperature matches the incandescent flood lights used to build
and exhibit the layout. The shed is now officially a railway room
30 September 99
Light fittings installed. Electrician arrives on Friday.
28 September 99
In anticipation of the electrician arriving, I purchased six double tube
fluorescent light fittings, and order 12 2700 degrees "incandescent" tubes.
27 September 99
I celebrate my birthday by finishing the ceiling. With all walls and the
ceiling panelled the shed is starting to look like a room. Now for the
electrician to complete wiring everything up.
26 September 99
The ceiling panelling (and insulation) moves towards "almost" completion,
with much valuable assistance from son Chris and wife Lin.
15 August 99
Panelling of the shed ceiling begins in a small way - some white
panels cut to length, although nothing attached to the top spans yet.
8 August 99
The Wepowie passenger shed has all walls finished. Waiting internal
painting before adding the roof.
11 July 99
Panelling of the shed walls is finally completed. Almost six weeks after
it began!
7 July 99
Some "real" modelling - construction starts of a small 6'x6' passenger
shelter to be located at Wepowie.
4 July 99
Panelling on the last wall, the short one with the doorway, begins.
27 June 99
More panelling - the long wall completed and the end wall done.
30 May 99
Panelling progresses. Half of the long left-hand wall completed.
23 May 99
The shed begins to be finished, with wall panels installed on the long,
right-hand wall.
18 April 99
Insulation basically completed - only the peaks on the end walls left
to do. Wall panelling purchased
6 March 99
More insulation - the end wall
22 February 99
The first insulation installed. Fibreglass "batts" taped into place
along the long, right hand wall
25 January 99
The "rough-in" electrical work was done - cabling was brought into the
building and to the various powerpoints and light fitting locations
3 January 99
Two coats of grey paving paint applied to the floor
31 December 98
The concrete floor is given an acid bath to prepare for painting
28 December 98
Enthusiasm regained, work finally begins on the conversion of the shed
to a railway room. 44 wooden studs are installed at strategic locations
around the walls to facilitate panelling
October 98
With some portable floodlights hanging from the rafters, the shed provided
a weatherproof location to complete the detailing of Kelvin prior to the
Liverpool exhibition
After towing the trailer 900km from Sydney to Mitcham in the rain, we
drop the modules on the floor, shut the door, and forget about model railways
for a while
19 September 98
The shed is built, by a team of three or four, in two days. 5x6 metres
it looks "huge" - empty and bare
20 January 98
Before the shed ... the five 100' (30 metre) high cypress trees which
adorned our back yard were removed. It took eight months before the back
yard, previously covered in pine needles, but more recently with wood chips,
had recovered enough to allow a concrete slab to be poured.
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