Welcome to the blog. Nothing formal, just behind the scenes videos and the odd musing. Latest posts at the top.
See the whole video playlist on YouTube, link here.
- Great Electric Train Show 2023There will be no surprises that the weekend setting up and operating Making Tracks I, II & III was a busy weekend.… Read more: Great Electric Train Show 2023
- System2 patches releasedNew software updates are available for the System2 Panel Controller and Servo-8 Driver. See here for details.
- System2 CAN library updatesA little issue has been niggling me for a while. It’s sometimes possible to cause a CAN bus reset of buss off… Read more: System2 CAN library updates
- More tweaks to System2 pushbuttonsIn the previous blog post you’ll remember we discussed changes to push to make switches, specifically dropping support for the state machine… Read more: More tweaks to System2 pushbuttons
- One into three will go!Two new and one existing System2 products will share the same code when they are released. in32 is a 32 port System2… Read more: One into three will go!
- System2 IN32 board nears completionThe System2 IN32 board (Input-32) nears completion. It’s an input board for up to 32 channels. Each input can be any combination… Read more: System2 IN32 board nears completion
- It’s usually quiet for us this time of year!People go outside for the summer sun, whizz off on holiday, or find something else to do while the weather allows, preferring… Read more: It’s usually quiet for us this time of year!
- System2 online updatesThere’s so much more to a System2 board than just waggling a point motor, reading a switch or indicating on a panel… Read more: System2 online updates
- Stall/Kato point motor driver released for System2We knew this year would be busy with the launch of the new System2 range, we just didn’t appreciate how busy it… Read more: Stall/Kato point motor driver released for System2
- System2 Stall/Kato driver progressWe’re on the second version of the Stall/Kato hardware. We changed the connectors from four 4-pin to two 8-pin and shrank the… Read more: System2 Stall/Kato driver progress
- System2 programmatically generated codeI’ve wanted to restructure the code that produces a list of vPorts and associated parameters for some time now. On the first… Read more: System2 programmatically generated code
- There’s a burning smell of wood in the airWe’ve embarked on a massive scale (for us) laser cutting session over the past few days as we turn our recent delivery… Read more: There’s a burning smell of wood in the air
- System2 Stall & Kato driver prototypeOur first prototype of the System2 Stall and Kato driver exists. It will undergo circuit validation prior to being used as a… Read more: System2 Stall & Kato driver prototype
- Website server migrationInstead of continually patching our web servers we opt to throw them away every two months after provisioning new replacements. We use… Read more: Website server migration
- Order catch upCatching up on System2 orders with a mass manufacturing session. We’re busier than expected with System2 orders, so having to change our… Read more: Order catch up
- Making multiple batches of System2 products.Catching up with orders following the public holiday weekend. The prototype hardware design for the analogue Stall Motor / Kato driver is… Read more: Making multiple batches of System2 products.
- System2 wide patch releaseConsolidated patch across System2 product range. We are 60% through integration testing as we write this. From the pre-release version of the… Read more: System2 wide patch release
- RFID reader code tweaksMaking final code tweaks for the RFID reader and display products following installation and feedback on user’s layouts. Completed documentation and listed… Read more: RFID reader code tweaks
- MT 3.0 video completeMaking Tracks 3.9 Video complete Testing the new System2 RFID dual card reader. Installed the product on a test layout and ran… Read more: MT 3.0 video complete
- Layout testingWe just concluded testing on a large layout with many trains running before signing off on this device. We can only generate… Read more: Layout testing
- W/C 20-MAR-2023Currently working on the System2 relay driver. We’ve back ported the admin portal for Wi-Fi setup and are now back porting the… Read more: W/C 20-MAR-2023
- Site visit to Cheshire LinesWe visit Chris’s layout and see how he’s implemented the AutoSignal and automatic brake control (ABC) on his layout. Chris has five… Read more: Site visit to Cheshire Lines
- AutoSignals in stockShipping from stock now, our common cathode (common negative) AutoSignals are available.
- Final testing of the AutoSignal boards – it’s child’s play!Nancy gives the AutoSignal boards their final test prior to the first production run.
- Pete Waterman discusses how signals transformed his OO gauge layoutPete discusses how the signals have transformed the layout, how hard it is to operate a demonstration layout 6 days a week… Read more: Pete Waterman discusses how signals transformed his OO gauge layout
- Pete Watermans new OO gauge layout – four aspect signal overviewOn this video we see the workings of the four aspect signals. Although prototype units are fitted we demonstrate and explain how… Read more: Pete Watermans new OO gauge layout – four aspect signal overview
- Pete Waterman introduces his new OO gauge layoutPete introduces his layout “Discover the West Coats Mainline” on its first exhibition outing at Chester Cathedral in July 2021. It measures… Read more: Pete Waterman introduces his new OO gauge layout
- We complete a trio of mimic panelsCompleting a trio of mimic panels… One of the panels uses countersunk toggle switches and customers own LEDs.
- Mimic panel finishing x3We paint and complete a trio of mimic panels.
- Mill Bank mimic panelWe complete the design and cutting of Mill Bank mimic panel and make the enclosure to suit.
- Three way frog wiringI demonstrate how to wire frogs to Peco three way asymmetric turnouts using our relay module.
- PCB ManufacturingContinuing on with PCB manufacturing …
- Repairs and manufacturingWe repair a MultiPanel Processor, Servo Controller and button panel before moving on to manufacturing.
- Post room and more panelsWe complete our batch of mimic panels with a painting session and complete orders in the post room.
- Making DCC modulesMaking DCC modules and putting the world right 🙂 It wouldn’t be a video without some mimic panel making too.
- Testing new transistors on MTD driversHere we try out a new power transistor on the MTB motor driver board.
- Millers Dale for Buxton Pt 2In this video we complete the mimic panel.
- Blog 16 Millers Dale for Buxton pt 1Measuring 900 mm X 200 mm Millers Dale for Buxton approaches the limits if the width if our laser cutter. In this… Read more: Blog 16 Millers Dale for Buxton pt 1
- Mimic Panel Artwork PrepOn this blog we’re going over the steps to prepare mimic panel artwork for the laser cutter. The mimic panel is 300… Read more: Mimic Panel Artwork Prep
- Route Processor ManufacturingToday on the blog we manufacture a small batch of route processors. It’s been a while since we’ve made this product and… Read more: Route Processor Manufacturing
- Not quite in stock and CAN Adaptor investigationAfter changing the online status of some products from backorder to in stock in anticipation of having them ready the next day,… Read more: Not quite in stock and CAN Adaptor investigation
- Servo controller end to end buildThis video shows how much effort goes into starting a batch of Servo Controllers. Shot over several days we follow unpopulated PCBs… Read more: Servo controller end to end build
- Hybrid Mimic PanelsWe look at a hybrid mimic panel. Hybrid panels use our control electronics and toggle switches for manual wiring. You’ll see how… Read more: Hybrid Mimic Panels
- Toggle switches part 2In this blog we work with toggle switches completing the switch boxes for servo-12 controllers.
- Toggle switches and servo switch boxesIn this blog we work with toggle switches. Love em or hate em, they are all over your model railway. You can… Read more: Toggle switches and servo switch boxes
- Mimic Panel design and build – part 2This video shows what we go through to create a bespoke mimic panel. On this video you’ll see the mimic panel cut… Read more: Mimic Panel design and build – part 2
- Mimic Panel design and build – part 1This video shows what we go through to create a bespoke mimic panel. You’ll see the design and file conversion processes as… Read more: Mimic Panel design and build – part 1
- Busy Monday AfternoonYou asked for a no polish behind the scenes video. You’ll see: – Struggles with a cold pick and place machine. –… Read more: Busy Monday Afternoon
- Making temporary mimic panelsDaily ramblings from behind the scenes at MegaPoints Controllers. Today we make a batch of temporary mimic panels.
- Loading mail sacksMail sacks and restocking DCC block detectors. Sheila makes a guest appearance.
- Post room blissRamblings from the post room. Preparing customer orders every day.
- Mimic panel paintingCameras rolling as we paint a mimic panel.