Wiring

Having watched the YouTube videos on Mckinley - I am sure I want block detection and computer control options.

This I think means digitrax or Lenz.

If I use Lenz then I could also use LDT for cheaper and neater occupancy detectors - see the RS-8

http://www.ldt-infocenter.com/english/home_frame_e.htm LDT block detection

Which is also used here

http://staffordcentral.co.uk/wip.aspx see 17th Jun 07 entry ....and here

http://www.electricnose.co.uk/dcc/dccsystem.html see also ...

http://www.electricnose.co.uk/archive/000458.html

in terms of computer control everyone seems to be opting for Friewald http://www.freiwald.com/

I notice that one of the bigger Dcc specialists is close to Mum and Dad - so perhaps I could combine a trip

http://www.digitrains.co.uk/index.html

Bachmann Class 47

I have just received a lovely new Bachmann Class 47. Which really is a little too late for what I am modelling. This loco was actually built in 1962 - the year I am modelling - so I suppose it's ok.

The model has a 21 pin DCC socket - I found that using a converter to an 8 pin Lenz silver made it hard to fit the body back on, so I ordered one of the new 21 pin Lenz silver decoders and that seemed fine.

The NEM pockets seem to be just at the right height and I have used a type 19 Kadee coupler -