Brecon Station model railway layout testing – 28MAR15

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• published: 29 Mar 2015
• views: 131

Apologies for the delay in my publishing this video but unfortunately I had a personal health issue which needed to take priority. I have now commenced a treatment programme which should be finished by July so hopefully no more delays. From a model railway perspective there has not been a lot of visible progress to report. I have completed all the point control wiring for both Brecon Station and the fiddle yard none of which will be noticeable on any video. I also spent time converting an old Lima GWR Railcar from analogue to DCC using a Hornby R8249 four function decoder. I decided to include lighting for the front and rear lights (switching on direction changes), interior lights and cab lights. However, I only wanted the cab lights to come on in the end that the driver sits (which to me seemed logical) which, in effect, would require five functions. However, using simple relay logic I installed a DIL/DIP packaged two pole one way relay such that the only cab light supplied with power is the cab at the then front end. I plan to publish an explanation letter in the model press with a circuit diagram in due course as, in effect, I am driving five options from four functions. Relay supplier was Discount Devices Ltd post code SE4 2PD. Using Plastruct® extruded plastic strips of various cross sections I constructed cosmetic bridge sides and top spacers based on a classic girder truss design to cover the lift up track section. Before installing the completed bridge I ballasted the track and then weathered it using LifeColor paints Rail Track Dirt, Sleeper Grime and Weathered Black. The bridge was painted using Humbrol Matt US grey paint. All painting (track and bridge) was carried out using my airbrushes bought for me by my wife at Christmas. My airbrushes are an Iwata Revolution CR and an Iwata HP-B Plus which are both used with an Iwata Smart Jet Plus handle tank compressor. Not the cheapest set up but already they perform very well subject naturally to my own (lack of) skill! So, in this video I am viewing the newly installed bridge sides and top, related weathered ballast and also some limited progress on other existing scenery. Now to the video commentary. On this occasion we start from Brecon Free Street Station Bay Platform heading east. Once clear of the platform we travel relatively slowly so as to view my progress with the scenery – not yet completed – and then onto the aforementioned bridge. We then speed up slightly passing into the fiddle yard and, via the reverse loop in the tunnel, we return to Brecon on the down line. On reaching the bridge we slow down to a crawl so that you can observe the newly installed and weathered ballast as well as the painted struts of the bridge. We finally finish in Platform 2 of the station noting the rear light of the parked GWR railcar. Thanks again for watching. Any questions most welcomed and please feel free to subscribe.