TimberSurf’s Model Railway
Modelling tips & Model Railway Controls Guide
The Lumsdonia Railway
Lumsdonia Railway
2016
Points
I have now decided that solenoid points are out and stall motors too! Servo’s are the solution!
The problem is they need a driver, having investigated MERG and Arduino as solutions, I have decided to get Megapoints
http://megapointscontrollers.com/
As I needed changeover control for the live frogs and servo’s inherently don't give contacts, a suitable bracket and micro-switches needs to be developed {current project}
2015
Controller
I originally decided I would use MRC Prodigy control for the DCC, but after considerable research, I have now decided to go for NCE PowerCab initially and upgrade to the SB5 booster at a later stage. I will not go to Power Pro, as I dont need computer control and feedback.
Points
I have always liked SEEP motors, but having researched points, decided I wanted to have “Live” frog PECO Electrofrog turnouts, this means I need an extra changeover switch. I am currently contemplating using DCC Concept’s COBALT motors, as they have two changeover switches built in.
However, as I need about 40, the cost is highly pertinent, so have been considering servo motors and maybe MERG circuits to drive them, but have just discovered PECO do a 4 way servo controller!
Needs further investigation! Watch this space!
Peco PLS-125 Single Servo Motor
Ref: PLS-125
Peco PLS-100 SmartSwitch
Ref: PLS-100
Mid 2017
Website
I have now added several more pages to the Tips section and will be adding more sections as I get time to write and upload
The two 6 foot long base boards have been made for over a year and are now fully populated with track, servo point motors (with Megapoints card driving them) , ballasted and beginning to complete the station and static grass.
End 2017
Website links
I have decided to expand the Links page to have a list of all the useful sites I have found. Doing a web search is OK if you know exactly what to put in, but if you are looking for a list of suppliers that is related to a particular subject, it may not find all of them, so I will catalogue by product, so there is a list of definite sites that further research will get you to what you want.
June 2018
Special loads
I have now completed two projects, they are both special wagons for oversize loads, not sure how to display them, I may have to add a new picture gallery!
(Sneak preview in the slide show, on front ‘home’ page} and here is the video’s Project 1 & Project 2
Apr 2018
Tea chests
I have now added some pfd’s of sheets of Tea crates for printing and applying to blocks
I have also vamped the navigation bar and added a ‘How to’ section
Mar 2018
Tips 700
There is now a new page in tips for Scratch building, its been a busy month!
Arduino
Having created my garage Four post and Single car lifts, I need some automation to drive the servo’s, thus I bit the bullet and had a bash at programming an Arduino. After a few battles, I have managed it! It won’t be long before I join the hardware together and will have something nearly complete!
Guides
A new guide page has been added for coach lighting
Jan 2018
Pdf downloads
I have created an automated spreadsheet that can populate a pdf with variable features to make Wagon Tarpaulins for printing at home! Just a few samples at the moment, but I will expand it and tweak as I get feedback of their usefulness. Check out the NEW shop page.
July 2018
New easier URL
Lumsdonia has a new home!
With its own Domain on the net. www.lumsdonia.co.uk
I will redirect the old pages to the new address, but
Please bookmark the new address
Sep 2018
New How To added:-
Layout Dust Cover sheet
Links updated with over 20 new addresses
Aug 2018
New Guides front page
Three new guides added:-
Soldering
Dimmers
Regulators
Links updated with over 25 new addresses and two new categories
Nov/Dec 2018
Two new videos on my YouTube channel:-
Animated Windmill Diorama in OO : How to build a working Windmill scene Part 1 and a complimentary show of the two prizes that I won for it on P1MRC forum!
Over 30 more links added to the links page
Oct 2018
Three new videos on my YouTube channel:-
How To make a removable Mineral Wagon Load
Stop motion promo for my Windmill diorama
Wigan Model Railway Exhibition 2018