Wednesday 22nd October 2025

Finish installing the replacement uncoupling magnet in the platform. 

This was a permanent magnet that has become a nuisance as it regularly uncouples trains running over it rather than when the train stops and backs-up.

The new magnet frame had been printed and assembled. 

The hole in the baseboards needed to be enlarged and tidied up, which a chisel and Dremel made short work of.

The unit was then screwed into place and tested for the correct amount of movement.

A minor wiring issue was identified and rectified, and then the onboard servo controller was successfully programmed using the remote unit, to set everything up.

The control panel switch had been fitted previously, so a full test was carried out, again successfully.

Possible next projects were discussed and 'fixing' Johns points was top of Geoff's list. John made his points in his own way. They do work, but due to the way the tie-bar was built, every point operation causes a momentary short circuit that interrupts loco movement. If the operator realises this problem, a loco can be stopped while the points are switched, but it is a bit annoying. Geoff has considered the problem for a long time and has a 'fix' that requires the points to be partially rebuilt. If nothing else comes to mind, that's what we will tackle.

Following the recent exhibition, there were a lot of questions asked by the public, which is always nice. However, sometimes we didn’t have enough time to answer properly or in enough detail, so we are investigating the provision of  ‘Viewing Notes’ on the blog so that they can be accessed on a phone. Sample items have been added for testing. We envisage a viewer accessing the blog using the existing graphical link on the layout front and then accessing the item relevant to where they are along the layout. 

Some are informative and some are to encourage the viewer to look at or into something to appreciate more of the layout. The topics are on the right hand panel of the blog.