For those interested, a discussion of the work-around for services is at:

http://www.newrailwaymodellers.co.uk/Forums/viewtopic.php?t=6045

The Potters Bar crash was also blamed on the points/switch.

rogerta : I would respectfully remind you that the 9/11 bombers also had a full "How To" on numerous US TV debates after the first failed attempt.

Regards

For general information; the 32oz Kraft Velveeta cheese comes in a handy stiff corrugated box 2½" x 2½" x 8" providing room for packing.

Glennk28: I have not found comparable colours in the US. The UK maker of the genuine shades for the British Companies is Phoenix Precision Paints at www.phoenix-paints.co.uk, and they are available generally at good model shops in the UK.

What you are looking for is part of a UK scratch builders shelf of goodies, and they have to go to the UK for supplies. Phoenix Precision Paints had a bad fire in 2005 that completely destroyed their works. They had complications rebuilding causing a temporary move to another location: then Chris had an emergency appendix operation. They were hoping to be back in full production by Dec'05

Try Chris Stapleton at Phoenix Paints in the UK, Sales@phoenix-paints.co.uk

I am sure if you wanted to be the US agent for "Muni" colours, they would fit you up too.

Regards

On another message board one wag has suggested they were running with Hornby wheel sets and the "back to back" was out!

These are few pictures of the rail-laying currently on the route near 3rd Ave and Cameback.

(1)

The whole forms a concrete slap down the center of the streets with either a metal curb, as shown, or a concrete curb elsewhere

(2)

The rail is supported on feet holding the gauge at regular intervals, while a rebar matrix is built.

(3)

The rail is laminated with rubber sections of about ¾" thickness, held in place with duct-tape before the concrete is poured.

(4)

The rails are strung out while the rebaring moves forward.

(5)

The matrix of rebars is prepared before the concrete is poured. The length prepared in picture 4 is a "Batch" quatity for the concrete and will be completed before more rebar work. Photo show expansion joints being fitted made of tar fiber board.

The Sheds have been built and Trolley-sets are being delivered. Test runs are between midnight & 4am between the sheds and over Tempe Town Lake to Tempe.

The line is 20 miles and is expected to be complete with the opening service currently December planned for 2008. The next 20 miles is currently under planning development.

Tailpiece

Behind the collection of palm trees(temporary nursery) in picture 1 stands a house whose resident refuses to move - the last property holding out along the 20 mile streach fo the route! They have sofar refuse $46,000. It came to light last week that the building is owned by Phoenix City, and the residents are renting!

QuoteI informed Bach-man on several occasions, starting when I was given a head up Bachmann was going to use DCC in products, that DCC does not fit the Bachmann Business Model as I understand it. Because of the business model there a lack of relevant product information. Hunt.

I would agree that "The Business Model" is all important. I think Hunt's observation also fits the current performance of Hornby, and in the US, possibly Rivarossi too. Hornby's failure to buy some better tooling of the Lima sell-off has now introduced a new competitor to the UK market: as in - "we have a 37, why do we need another?" where one of the remaining attributes of the "Model" would be excellence.

The "Model" is one of marketing a product, where the design, tooling, and manufacturing is bought-out. There was never the in-house expertese to move into DCC; so that too was bought-out. This is in an already established market and manufacture of DCC by experts. Bachmann went to Lenz: Hornby went to San-Tan(sic).

The 'Experts" are currently the ones providing the relevant product information. There are also enough of them to provide a competitive market.

I think a management audit of both Bachmann and Hornby would suggest that they should stop at "DCC Ready" with an NMRA plug/adapter where the "experts" with their products would interface.

What I think we have is a "Salesman's Folly", and not a "Marketing Strategy".

If it was to introduce DCC at a low price, I think the "experts" would be doing that themselves. Both Bachmann with Dynamis, and Hornby with Elite, have only succeded at putting themselves into the price bracket where the experts already perform well. I don't see the business models of either Bachmann or Hornby succeeding against them.

Regards

............... what is lacking are any regulations as to how many passengers can be crammed onto a train; whereas there are regulations for the number of cattle per wagon!

David: It was a little known regulation of the railways that I was instrumental in having brought to the public's notice in the late 1980's.

BR took me to Bristol County Court over the matter, and it backfired on them with the press coverage.

It's The Law.

In the UK, when there are no seats available in Second Class, as often happens, a pregnant woman is entitled to a seat in First Class.

A layout is a learning experience, you will always find a better way of doing things.

"......... how they want you to do things."

Nothing beats a roll of plain shelving paper, a soft  pencil, and a rule! Express the design as a continuous strip, where the ends join up, like a flat map of the world.

Real life examples have already solved the "problems".

My recommendation is always to find a real life situation that fits a feasible modelling opportunity. Do a survey; get maps/photographs of the area for levels; then scale it down in proportions to get the main features within the area you have.

Occasional site visits help to fill in details to bring realism to the layout as the project proceeds.

It is a good idea to screw an 18" plexiglass fence to the front of the display to stop small hands from touching things. And for adults, to have a rope cordon set about 2' from the front of the display. All to limit ingress on the display.

If you are selling, to have an allocated part of the table for that. Take a selection of change with you.

Take food and drink, and have a friend to call a couple of times to give you a break.

Be aware of what is going on when you are distracted or serving a particular person.

From the Interim Crash Report please witness the crash was "24 miles 20 chains from Lancaster."

or 24 miles and 20 Cricket Pitches!

Firstly, I wish to thank all those who have contributed. This topic has certainly generated a lot of interest and fun.

I think the Big Boy at 109mph with 212 hoppers left Earth last year, and is driving that "sling-shot" currently returning from Mars, and on its way to a comet off Saturn!

I will organize(US spelling!) another topic soon.

Regards

"Suggest DCC should not be a Board Name under Scale (Category Name) but on a Category Name level of Command Control with a DCC board under it."

With respect, that is Double-Dutch.

PS. Who gets to correct the spelling mistakes?

Have you tried a "Dremel" with a wheel.

DON'T FORGET TO WEAR EYE PROTECTION!