While not strictly speaking layout, this is in the critical path somewhere.

Points will all be DCC controlled, with servos connected to (probably) Digikeijs DR4024 decoders, but there's no way I'm remembering all the addresses, and I'm not having any long-range spaghetti either. I have two modest-sized control panels planned, each of which will house a SignaTrak (ex-CML) DTM30.

These will enable me to operate individual points or complete routes at the push of a button, and provide an indication of the setting of each point. I've mocked them up in Powerpoint, and they look like this:





I'm looking at whether I can get these fascias made up professionally at a reasonable price, before I get the Dremel out.

 

It's just been announced that Sgt Bill Speakman VC has sadly passed away it the age of 90

He was born in Altrincham in 1927 and served with the Kings Own Scottish Borders with whom he deployed to Korea and on the 4th November 1951, under intense fighting including hand to hand combat he held of numerous waves of attacks from North Korean and Chinese communist forces.

He was gazetted on the 25th December 1951 and was the last Victorua Cross to be awarded by King George, and the first to be given the Victoria Cross by Queen Elizabeth

His citation:

https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/39418/supplement/6731

After returning from Korea he joined the the SAS serving in Malaya, Borneo and Radfan (Aden Emergency) where he rose to the rank of SGT before leaving the military.

Sadly after military life to Put a roof on his cottage he sold his Victoria Cross, but was issued a genuine replacement from the bronze ingot from the Sevastopol gun from which the Victoria crosses are made from .

I had the pleasure of meeting him on a few occasions and can only describe his as a modest and down to earth guy with whom we share some chuckles about some of the local characters in Altrincham we both knew of and talking about local places we knew.

Well nothing new to report really.  Whilst catching up on the forum this evening I have been having a loco testing session (for my older loco's) / loco running in session (for new loco's).  The heritage line is running mostly diesel power at present with crews doing a spot of route learning and traction training on various diesel classes.  It is part of a more wide spread network which is developing here in an alternate reality.  I have to say that things are going scarily well, as I type this a dirty looking BR Green Derby Sulzer Type 2 D5222 or has I better know it BR Class 25, 25072 is currently trundling around on a demonstration freight train.  The real loco is a survivor and I believe it is currently stored at the Caledonian Railway either awaiting restoration or possibly undergoing restoration.   Also noted running this evening are several long gone examples of further Class 25's (25225, 25231 & 25245) and Class 20 (Green D8011 later 20011) as well as a couple of Class 20's (Railfreight liveried 20132 and BR Blue 20205) that are in reality still earning their keep on the mainline.  Anyone would think I like diesel loco's! 
There are a few tweaks to be made to the track in a couple of places when I get some time and the whole thing needs tidying up!  There is also an experiment to motorise a not so accessible point, if this is successful then it will be applied to a few more points.  When that will be is unknown at present, but I do have Sunday off this coming weekend and a long weekend the following weekend...

Now, now.

You can't have them ALL.