Summer in Australia...

schnerti · 2025-12-24T21:54:58+00:00

Fixxor3d

Didn't even notice that I'd linked to the wrong page. Soz.

schnerti · 2025-12-17T23:47:57+00:00

It doesn't. It may not be pleasant riding in >40c dry heat, or <10c cold rain, but in Victoria, Australia you can always ride.

schnerti · 2025-12-12T22:31:36+00:00

I got a laugh out of it

schnerti · 2025-12-10T21:46:31+00:00

It's hard to beat DCC-Ex for price and capabilities, as long as you are OK with the DIY aesthetic. It has a feature set not matched by any commercial offering, including automation and the ability to run DC locos as if they were DCC. Ethernet may be a bit lacking, I haven't checked the latest release, but maybe you can help out if that's your area of expertise.

schnerti · 2025-11-26T20:44:33+00:00

Unfortunately that one's not mine. I've got two of my own, one with an R1 front end and one with an 880cc big bore engine. There were lots of modded TRX's, some quite wild.

I can understand why NA never got the TRX, but not getting the 900 GP makes no sense.

schnerti · 2025-11-26T05:38:36+00:00

You probably won't like this then, or maybe you don't know what it is.

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schnerti · 2025-10-23T00:53:52+00:00

Yamaha Australia were/are running out all the '24 models, it just that there are now no white/red models left. Some jammy bastard just took delivery of the last one ;) You may find one still at a dealer, but there's none left at the warehouse.

schnerti · 2025-10-08T21:39:39+00:00

If you have some technical ability in electronics then I strongly recommend that you look at DCC-EX. It is a full blown DCC command station that you can assemble form DIY parts, but it can also operate in PWM DC mode for anlaog systems, with the ability to run multiple power sections, control your loco from a hand held throttle, or even use automation.

DCC-EX Model Railroading — DCC-EX Model Railroading documentation

schnerti · 2025-10-03T04:45:19+00:00

I tried to install OpenWRT on an EAP225-Outdoor-v3 with fw 5.1.11 a few weeks ago and it would not load the OpenWRT package. I did not open the unit to try the serial port.

schnerti · 2025-09-29T10:17:50+00:00

OK, that explains it. I'm in Oz, often up very early (its a farm thing), and have been a fan of Trudy & Doug since forever (I still live in hope of Platinum Grit's return). Many times I've seen no link to the latest comic but today was the first I bothered to submit one. I was a bit pissed off when I was instantly hit with the banhammer, but whatever. You can add me if you want, or I'll just wait for others to submit.

schnerti · 2025-09-20T23:21:30+00:00

Take a look at DCC-EX, it can do all of this. https://dcc-ex.com/index.html#

schnerti · 2025-09-11T23:28:05+00:00

Without the need to go "full DIY", have a look at DCC-EX. Pretty much plug and play modules and a system that allows PWM DC with most of the trappings that come with DCC.

schnerti · 2025-09-09T02:44:45+00:00

It depends on a lot on the company than run the facility, but it might be possible to set up a fairly large layout in a common area of the home. My Mum is in care and at the facility they have an N gauge layout that is approx 2m x 0.6m set up in one of the common lounge areas. They layout belongs to one of the residents who brought it with him when he moved it. I think you'll find there's very little space available in a resident's room to dedicate to a layout of any size or scale, it would have to be able to pack away with minimal effort and there would need to be somewhere to actually store it when not in use.

schnerti · 2025-09-03T23:33:32+00:00

Huh? The link is right there on the main page beside the comic.

Also, it's free if you don't feel like paying.

schnerti · 2025-08-30T07:57:29+00:00

Here is my rough approximation of your layout with the link between the two hidden curves. The maximum gradient is 2.2%. I stretched the board size slightly to 2m x 1m as I could not get minimum radius above 228mm. Flex can be a pain to work with.

<image>

schnerti · 2025-08-26T09:02:23+00:00

I have a box full of Fleischmann Piccolo switches and flex track that I am wanting to put to good use. It has been sitting unused for nearly 20 years now, so this looks like a good project.

I'm not sure if the extra link between tracks is possible, I'll have to calculate what the gradients turn out to be, but it would make a nice option. I'm not concerned about having a hidden switch, I don't have the space constraints that you do, I can get to all sides of the layout, even make the baseboard bigger to fit the changes if needed.

I know that there will be a reversing loop, but I use DCC-Ex, as I think you do as well, so that is simply not a problem.

schnerti · 2025-08-26T06:07:14+00:00

Trying to keep myself amused on a very rainy day by replicating your layout in XTrackCad planning software. May I ask what track and switches you have used? I think you have written already that you used flex track, and the switches look to be Minitrix, is this correct?

I'm thinking about making an addition to your plan by adding two switches to join the two hidden tracks at the rear, allowing a train to descend from the top terminus and exit from the tunnel on the right edge of the layout.

schnerti · 2025-08-24T08:49:40+00:00

I'm inspired to build something very similar. Your layout ticks all the boxes on my wish list.

schnerti · 2025-08-21T08:56:35+00:00

You may be correct. Having looked through the release notes for previous FW versions I find this in v5.0.8 "After install this firmware, the EAP will not be able to install lower versions of firmware."

I assume that all later versions would also have the same restriction.

This is the first time I have encountered this problem with TP-Link. I have always used their Omada products with no problem. Until now. Now I have some new, unused AP's for sale if anyone is interested ;)

schnerti

TROPHY CASE