Mini-panel deliberations and progress with the signal box kit

As previously mentioned I am trying to sort out the interlocking logic between the signals and the points inputs from the mimic panel to the mini-panel. I did inject the DELAY command and that works as it should but I am a bit hesitant at this point in time to say that this is the solution. I am still thinking the commands as issued without the DELAY command are OK, it is the fundamental logic of the interlocking scheme that needs to be sorted out. The Mini-panel is probably not the right device to do in depth signal programming, which may be more the focus of JMRI Panel Pro when I get the USB interface connected and start playing around with it from my laptop.

In the meantime, I was thinking about this on Friday night. Having imbibed a few glasses of shiraz earlier in the evening, I was amazed at the clarity (not claret!) I had of thought when I came up with the idea that perhaps to get around the mini-panel's shortfalls I need to impose layout operational rules and these would feedback into the low level signalling required. Basically a set of assumptions that guide the basic signal programming. It was about at this point that my eureka moment started to pass and I started to nod off on the couch. I never got a chance over the weekend to progress this thought and document the programming required. A job for this week.

Saturday night I spent some more time on the signal box kit. I painted the levers black with silver handles. Black for points only. No interlocking required for lever signals as these have been 'replaced' with the new fandangle electric signals. (Layout operating assumption!). Then I painted the floor and door inside surface a wood colour as the white of the styrene was not right! I thought I had a signalman figure to install but alas no. I little spot was left unpainted so that when he does get installed a clear surface is available. Hopefully something close enough will come in the Kernow models shipment in the next couple of weeks. So now the decision has been made not to enter this kit into the club modelling competition as it will definitely not be finished by the end of this week.

I received the George Dent "Airbrushing for railway modellers" book I had purchased from Amazon a couple of weeks ago over the weekend. Before it was covered up with Xmas wrapping paper as my gift from the boys to me, I had a quick flick through and it looks like it will be a good read. I succumbed also to ordering the accompanying DVD from Telerail through the week.

Now I also have to decide on the number of packs of Eureka Models NSWGR BSV (bogie sheep van) and BCW (bogie cattle wagon) models coming out next year so that I can take advantage of the pre 2012 pricing. I intend to use these on the NSW layout (Narromine) I intend to build sometime in the future, once Illavearf has been completed. As these types of rollingstock are not continually produced, you have to take advantage of buying them when they come on to the market.

Until next week, happy modelling.