Thursday 31st December 2015

Worklist:
Sound unit
Loco testing
Track testing
Gateway

The last day and last session of 2015.

Stephen had been busy over Christmas. A speculative purchase on eBay of a voice recorder had produced a small board of components with an on-board microphone that could hold up to 20 seconds of audio. There were no instructions, but a search on the web found some, although experimentation was still required to work out what the various options were. A YouTube video of a 5hp Tangye engine was found and the audio track extracted. A sound editing program allowed two 'sections' of sound to be isolated. A speaker and 5v power supply were attached to the unit and the clip recorded. It was then set to 'repeat' the sound clip and Hey Presto! our engine had a realistic backing track. The unit was rigged-up next to the model engine and the two run together. The final arrangement of speaker position and encasement needs to be resolved, but we were pleased with the overall effect.

Sound unit, speaker and engine

Two 'sections' of the engine sounds were recorded, carefully matching the breaks, so the repeat worked (almost) perfectly

 5hp Tangye engine

Stephen had also purchased a second hand loco - a Kato HO FTB unit. None of us had any experience of Kato models, but we were amazed at the silent slow speed of the unit. A railcar is being researched. After running up and down in awe for a while, the unit was pressed into use testing the track and further issues were discovered with the pointwork.

Kato HO FTB auxiliary power unit

Geoff continued with the track extension gateway. The piers were clad in brick sheet and the timber doors added. Pier caps and general wall copings next, and the junction with the roadway will need to be resolved, but it's looking very nice. (Geoff made no comment when Stephen suggested a third rail to create a 9mm/15" dual gauge feature.....)

Laurence always complains about being far more prominent on the blog than he would like, but then turns up in one of our original Cottesmore West sweatshirts. (He's probably the only one of us who could fit in one these days)