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The Area Group has a growing number of members using DCC (Digital Command Control) as an operating system. In preparation for the Warley Show in 2005 the group decided to standardize on the Digitrax system for use on the Group layouts. All DCC equipment is owned by individual members of the group. There is the opportunity to run DCC equipped trains at each meeting, either as shared DC/DCC (2 tracks each) on one layout or on a separate layout.
A small group of members have begun to have an extra monthly meeting at the Community Centre purely for DCC only; with the aim of introducing computer control with automation and signalling to the layout using the Digitrax system and 'Railroad & Co' software.
Latest News (February 2011)
As the 2 endboards do not take kindly to being moved about (especially due to their size!) and are beginning to get damaged; we have decided build 2 new boards; and at the same time implement some changes to our 'aims'. There are several reasons for this, some of which are summarised below.
The 'logistics' of transporting/setting up/operating the full 32ft layout has become more of a 'chore' than an 'enjoyable experience'.
The use of one set of scenic boards (12 feet long) are not quite long enough to give a proper impression of long US freight trains; so really there is a need for scenic boards to be 16 feet long to make use of the 'full' fiddle yard.
As the fiddle yard only has 10 storage tracks this means only 10 full length US trains can be put on the layout. With a 4 track mainline on the scenic side, viewers at exhibitions will be able to see all our stock in a very short period of time, and soon lose interest. In addition we spend all our time trying to make sure the 4 main lines run properly (using either manual or computer control) and so the inner parts of the layout (industries etc) are neglected, and we lose operating interest.
As a result we have decided to build 4 new endboards and a new 4 ft scenic board. Two of the new endboards will now only have 2 mainlines instead of 4. Both Dave's and John's scenic boards already have 2 main running lines (bolt-on boards are added to make them into 4, and so these will now no longer be needed). Sandy's new coal mine layout will also be extended from 8 ft to 12ft. The endboards will also incorporate two turnouts (points) to allow the 2 main lines to split into 4 to make them compatible with the existing fiddle yard. The scenery on the new left hand endboard will be designed so that it will blend in with whichever set of scenic boards will be used at a show; and a new 4 ft scenic board will be built to fit at the right hand end of any scenic setup. (Sounds complicated, but is planned to work in practice!!) This extra scenic board is planned to have one large industrial complex based on a concrete batch plant that Dave has bravely offered to build (a mock-up will be available for display at a forthcoming group meeting).
Consolidated Concrete Plant scenic board mock-up
The other 2 new endboards will replace the old 4 track endboards, and these, along with the other 4 track boards, will be used at general group meetings.
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