2 days later...

Since Saturday, board three has been indoors with me so that I could correct a minor issue with a set of points, as well as adding the additional relay pcb for the shuttle loop changeover (to avoid it interfering with the other lines)

After working on boards five and six this evening, I've now finished wiring all six boards (and used nearly a whole drum of alarm cable!) we should be in a position now to test them all together and run the two main loops, shuttle and sidings - just need to finish tracklaying on the upper loop and construct the supports for the back of the upper loop.

We also need some legs for the boards to stand on, having them on low tables causes back ache!

These arrived while we were away working on the layout, there should be sufficient platforms here to finish the village terminus but these are in a really poor state. Ideally they should have had a night in an oven cleaner bag but instead I settled for sanding and priming.

This is a much more cost-effective way of buying platform sections, this lot cost me a tenner.

It's worth bearing in mind that the platform base used on the island station and main station building (like the one in the photo) are essentially the same as those very expensive platform extensions. Really the only difference is that holes haven't been drilled in them. If you look at them from underneath, the mouldings are identical on each type so a little time and effort, elbow grease, primer and sahara beige paint saves a small fortune.

Also placed an order for LED strips, I've gone for yellow as I think this will compliment the old Dublo colours, the intention is to illuminate the signal boxes and stations if possible.

It's a relief to have all the wiring done, adding the LEDs will be simple as all the connections have been put in place. Time to chill for a while...

New layout: All in a day's work - part four

Another long day of work, most of the work this time is electrical so there isn't much to see, however board two has now been wired in its entirety, which took nearly six hours to complete!

All six sections were brought in, but this time it was felt that there was no need to join them together until later in the day when the electrical work was completed.

The newly painted signal box was placed back into position.

Board three scenery is now virtually complete.

Looking down from left to right.

The rear fiddle yard sections.

After eight hours of work, the trusty green EPB came out for testing again, the three front boards were joined together and were powered for the first time using the 37pin connectors in each board.

Found an earth fault between boards one and two which, thanks to having made detailed notes and diagrams, was quickly found and resolved.

Looking up the up loop towards the TPO, the new LED signals shine brightly in the distance.

The third signal was added during this session, this one activates when either of the points on the up or down tracks is activated, later on I will also add a track isolator as a fail-safe.

Looking further up, the level crossing, shuttle signal and signal box. Sadly the shuttle signal refused to work and as I forgot to bring a test meter, I was unable to resolve the fault.

 

Signals at the end of the platform, the LEDs are really bright.

 From this angle it's possible to see into two of the tunnel mouths, the single bore tunnel will eventually link into the fiddle yard at the back, creating a run-round loop.

The track in the foreground is the shuttle loop, now totally isolated from the main loops via two additional relay controllers.

 Not much work done at this end, still waiting for more platforms. This board had already been electrically tested at home but all the electronics for the front boards are wired via this board!

We decided that another signal box wouldn't look out of place here.

Two girder bridges, repainted and separated from their bases (as they are too tall to remain in-situ)

Looking down from right to left - the upper loop starting to take shape, we were able to shuttle the EPB up and down to test it. 

Having taken board three home to work on separately, I have now repaired the only pair of points that refused to operate, all other points, isolators and the turntable control all function perfectly. 

Scenery is pretty much complete, next task is to complete the upper loop, wire and lay the remaining tracks for the fiddle yard and then test all six boards together.

Some minor work is required to the signals to stop the light shining through the back of them.

Another all-day session required at least but the deadline is a long way away. We're confident that we can finish well before October - at least all the tracks here (apart from the turntable which hasn't been tested yet) are working.

New layout: A few progress pics...

As we go into another all-day session tomorrow, here's the progess so far...

Village terminus waiting for platforms to be installed.

The track bed of the upper loop is visible here.

At the end of the last all-day session, this was a collection of pieces of polystyrene glued into place.

The Peco tunnel mouth, looking very fetching in Sahara Beige, with added foliage.

More scenery added.

 Looking into the tunnel at the terminus end.

The scenery here between the tracks has been cut back to allow for a signal box.

Looks like two signal boxes cut and stuck together - and that's exactly what this is!

More scenery added on the approach to the Peco tunnel mouth, the small space between the scenery & TPO allows for an additional signal to be fitted.

The finished wiring under board one.

Testing the shuttle circuit using board one only - the signal works and the Bachmann EPB looks quite at home!

Viewed from the tunnel mouth.

I needed more platform extensions, these are very expensive!

Thankfully I found and won these from Ebay having been repainted at some point previously...

...Just a quick rub down and repaint was all that was required.

Signal box removed for painting.

Signal box primed and painted, just needs the doors & windows painted. 

Board four - first of the rear boards to be wired and finished, with just a few sidings...

With summer upon us, we're hoping to avoid more full days after tomorrow. The hope is that by the end of tomorrow's session, most of the work will be completed - if only minor scenery work is required then this can be done without joining all the boards together.

By my calculations, we're four months into this little project... not bad progress I think.

New layout: Progress 22/6/14

Difficult to provide any updates with no internet at home for over three weeks.

Scenery work is progressing well, with boards one and two nearing completion, work has begun on board three since this picture was taken two weeks ago.

As for the (complex) wiring, progress is as follows:

Board One - 100%
Board Two - 0%
Board Three - 90%
Board Four - 100%
Board Five - 75%
Board Six - 75%

We have another all-day session planned for this Saturday, our aim by the end of the next session is to have all wiring completed and trains running around the shuttle and two main loops.

The shuttle has proven to be troublesome, it's designed to be used on a stand-alone track, isolated from the rest of the layout. I used common return wiring to reduce the amount of wiring back to the control panel, which the shuttle module doesn't like. Also found that when the shuttle module is turned off, it doesn't return power to the track via the controller in the normal way. I've had to make two more relay circuits, which will be wired into the control switch for the shuttle module. I'll need to cut the fishplates further down the layout to isolate it from the rest of the system but use another relay pcb to allow the whole track system to be used manually if desired.

Had a quick test of the shuttle module using board one and one of the Bachmann EPBs - the train stops in perfect position and the signal operates. Hopefully by the end of Saturday the entire length of the shuttle will be fully functional.

I've been bringing the boards indoors individually to wire them, the task of wiring the fiddle yards has been complicated due to the amount of sidings I've added and to maintain sufficient track isolation via the points (to avoid more switches) the individual tracks have to be wired via the 37 pin connectors across each board.

Many, many hours of soldering have gone into these boards with this becoming a nightly project - board one took in excess of 7 hours to wire completely once the shuttle problem had been resolved. The wires and soldered joins have been prepared ready for installation which should speed up wiring the final board. Once this Saturday's session is finished, we don't plan to do any further all-day sessions until summer is over so it's important to get as much work done as we can.

New Layout: Progress 9/6/14

With another all-day session not due until the end of June, work has continued separately throughout the front three boards, with only board three (left in my garage) receiving no attention whatsoever.

The hill that was added during the last session has dried nicely and here has been shaped and mod-rocked.

The front three boards were assembled together this evening after more scenery has been added to boards one and two. These are really starting to look good. 

The upper loop will be fitted along the back of the boards along with a stone wall.

Lots of grass growing on the hills!

Work has begun on the mammoth task of wiring this little lot together. Thankfully the 37 pin connectors are holding up well and joined together faultlessly again this evening.

By close of play, 75% of board three has been wired. Once completed this board can then be modelled (can't fit the hilltop until the points are working!) and wiring can commence on the other two boards.

It's now just over three months since I initially drew up the Scarm drawings for this layout, so to be at a stage where colour and power is starting to appear is quite rewarding. Still much to do and a tight deadline to meet. The plan for the next all-day session is to concentrate on the back of the layout - thankfully this doesn't involve so much wiring and these boards I can wire (and lift on my own) at home.