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Model Electronic Railway Group

The Leading Society for Model Railway Electronics

Pocket Money Projects, PMPs and Kits, PMKs

Revised 4 February 2023

Introduction MERG now has a selection of more than 25 PMPs, available from the kitlocker, designed to serve as a learning excercise for novices to electronics while providing something useful to use on the layout. These are really low cost and allow novices to practice soldering and kit assembly very cheaply while obtaining useful items. The PMPs range from a logic probe at £0.32 to a set of Hall effect (Magnetic) sensors at £3.41. The range includes a variety of train detectors, servo drivers, speed controllers, shuttle controllers, etc. The majority of these are designed to be assembled on small pieces of stripboard and the downloadable instructions cover that process. A few are available with bespoke circuit boards and are listed as Pocket Money Kits, PMKs. In addition members have created bespoke boards for some of the others and may make them available or publish the design outside of the kitlocker.

PMK Listing

  • PMK1 - Track tester
  • PMK4 - Simple shuttle controller
  • PMK4a - Shuttle add on to operate a turnout
  • PMK7 - DCC train detector, diode drop
  • PMK10 - Speed controller, variable voltage
  • PMK15 - Train auto stop
  • PMK18 - EzyPoints, servo driver
  • PMK22 - Laser train detector
  • PMP Listing

  • PMP2 - LDR train detector
  • PMP3 - Servo tester
  • PMP5 - Logic probe
  • PMP6 - 12 Volt DC supply
  • PMP8 - Multi purpose flasher
  • PMP9 - Traffic light controller, 4 way
  • PMP10 - Speed controller, variable voltage
  • PMP11 - LED dimmer
  • PMP12 - Random lighting controller
  • PMP13 - Lighthouse simulator
  • PMP14 - DCC decoder test rig
  • PMP16 - DCC turnout position sensor
  • PMP17 - Automatic signal controller
  • PMP19 - Automatic coach lighting
  • PMP20 - Versatile timer
  • PMP21 - Dual LED flasher, eg level crossing lights
  • PMP23 - DCC reverse loop controller
  • PMP24 - Arc flash generator
  • PMP25 - Steam sound emulator
  • PMP26 - Event sequencer
  • PMP27 - Button operation add on for Servo4 or Ezypoints kits
  • PMP99 - Hall effect sensor pack
  • Example Illustrations

    Simple Track Tester, Kit PMK1.

    PMK1 Track tester

    This is simple module that contains red and green LEDs to show that voltage is present on the track and its polarity. Used on DCC then both LEDs will light.

    Speed Controller, Kit PMP10.

    PMP10 Speed Controller

    A basic motor speed controller or variable voltage source. An additional reversing switch can be added to use as a DC train controller

    DCC decoder test rig, Kit PMP14.

    DCC decoder test rig

    Allows set up and test DCC decoders prior to installation in a locomotive.

    EzyPoints, servo driver, Kit PMK18.

    PMK18 EzyPoints, servo driver

    This is a driver board to enable use of cheap servo motors to drive model railway accessories such as points, signals, level crossing barriers etc. It provides individual adjustment of the end positions and operating speed.