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General Stuff(tm)

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stephen_usher
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Re: General Stuff(tm)

Post by stephen_usher »

Well, the RetroFest2025 layout is almost there. Just detailing and adding people, animals and vehicles now really.

I'd never have been able to do it without the fine weather.

IMG_4396.jpeg
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The retaining wall build and the repainted old Hornby train set tunnel portal have come out quite nicely actually. The walls are made from 5mm foam core board with brick paper stuck on the surface.

I'm not keen on the lichen based "shrubbery" though. Might be OK for this pseudo-early-80s layout though.

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Meanwhile, the ZX81 has had a bit of an upgrade with a modulator replacement (with backporch generator) fitted.

IMG_4398.jpeg
IMG_4398.jpeg (209.94 KiB) Viewed 440 times

I've also looked at the case-less Cheetah 16K RAM pack. Last night I desoldered all the 4116 chips and tested them... one mostly failed with the tester flashing blue LEDs. All the others passed. I think I'll mod a 41256 chip and fit that in the socket and see if the pack actually works.
Intro retro computers since before they were retro...
ZX81->Spectrum->Memotech MTX->Sinclair QL->520STM->BBC Micro->TT030->PCs & Sun Workstations.
Added code to the MiNT kernel (still there the last time I checked) + put together MiNTOS.
Collection now with added Macs, Amigas, Suns and Acorns.
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exxos
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Re: General Stuff(tm)

Post by exxos »

That looks really cool! :thumbup:
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HigashiJun
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Re: General Stuff(tm)

Post by HigashiJun »

@stephen_usher

:excited:

Looks really great.

Well done !
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PhilC
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Re: General Stuff(tm)

Post by PhilC »

Well done on the layout @stephen_usher , look pretty good to me. What trains are you going to run on it?
If it ain't broke, test it to Destruction.
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stephen_usher
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Re: General Stuff(tm)

Post by stephen_usher »

PhilC wrote: Thu May 15, 2025 8:11 am Well done on the layout @stephen_usher , look pretty good to me. What trains are you going to run on it?
I've three small locos chipped up and labelled so that people know which is forward and reverse.

IMG_4230.jpeg
IMG_4230.jpeg (292.99 KiB) Viewed 418 times

I'll also have a couple of carriages and a small number of wagons. For this small a layout it will be ample to demonstrate the Zero 1 digital control system at the event.
Intro retro computers since before they were retro...
ZX81->Spectrum->Memotech MTX->Sinclair QL->520STM->BBC Micro->TT030->PCs & Sun Workstations.
Added code to the MiNT kernel (still there the last time I checked) + put together MiNTOS.
Collection now with added Macs, Amigas, Suns and Acorns.
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rubber_jonnie
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Re: General Stuff(tm)

Post by rubber_jonnie »

Wow, that layout is really impressive, nice work :)
Collector of many retro things!
800XL and 65XE both with Ultimate1MB,VBXL/XE & PokeyMax, SIDE3, SDrive Max, 2x 1010 cassette, 2x 1050 one with Happy mod, 3x 2600 Jr, 7800 and Lynx II
Approx 20 STs, including a 520 STM, 520 STFMs, 3x Mega ST, MSTE & 2x 32 Mhz boosted STEs
Plus the rest, totalling around 50 machines including a QL, 3x BBC Model B, Electron, Spectrums, ZX81 etc...
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JezC
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Re: General Stuff(tm)

Post by JezC »

I'd be confused that one of those 3 has forward & revers the opposite way round to the other two (going off the diesel vent on top of the locomotive)... :?

The layout is very impressive - reminds me of the setup my brother & I had with our late Dad when we were kids...so many years ago now!

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stephen_usher
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Re: General Stuff(tm)

Post by stephen_usher »

JezC wrote: Thu May 15, 2025 10:37 am I'd be confused that one of those 3 has forward & revers the opposite way round to the other two (going off the diesel vent on top of the locomotive)... :?
Blame Hornby for that! :-)

The end with the fan should be the No.1 end, and hence usually the "front". It seems that Hornby wired the Class 25 the opposite way around.
Intro retro computers since before they were retro...
ZX81->Spectrum->Memotech MTX->Sinclair QL->520STM->BBC Micro->TT030->PCs & Sun Workstations.
Added code to the MiNT kernel (still there the last time I checked) + put together MiNTOS.
Collection now with added Macs, Amigas, Suns and Acorns.
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stephen_usher
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Re: General Stuff(tm)

Post by stephen_usher »

With the arrival of the last building from eBay, a signal box, I can now name the station and the layout...

IMG_4400.jpeg
IMG_4400.jpeg (233.97 KiB) Viewed 378 times

That's right, it's named after an AND gate as it's digital. :lol:


I also have sheep!!!

IMG_4403.jpeg
IMG_4403.jpeg (243.69 KiB) Viewed 378 times

I also decided to revisit the slave controller PCB. I re-enforced the tracks with some resistor legs so there's no way that they would break during transport.
Intro retro computers since before they were retro...
ZX81->Spectrum->Memotech MTX->Sinclair QL->520STM->BBC Micro->TT030->PCs & Sun Workstations.
Added code to the MiNT kernel (still there the last time I checked) + put together MiNTOS.
Collection now with added Macs, Amigas, Suns and Acorns.
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rubber_jonnie
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Re: General Stuff(tm)

Post by rubber_jonnie »

Andgate was very amusing to me :)
Collector of many retro things!
800XL and 65XE both with Ultimate1MB,VBXL/XE & PokeyMax, SIDE3, SDrive Max, 2x 1010 cassette, 2x 1050 one with Happy mod, 3x 2600 Jr, 7800 and Lynx II
Approx 20 STs, including a 520 STM, 520 STFMs, 3x Mega ST, MSTE & 2x 32 Mhz boosted STEs
Plus the rest, totalling around 50 machines including a QL, 3x BBC Model B, Electron, Spectrums, ZX81 etc...
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