MERG Weekend at Missenden Abbey 11th -13th October 2013

There are still some places left on the course, but accommodation is getting really tight. When you book, please ask to go on the “wait list” or you can choose a local bed and breakfast. Dinner and Bar will still be in the Abbey.

We had a cracking Summer Retreat with a surprising number of Electronics projects successfully completed.

This year the programme for the weekend will include:

Mike Bolton: Advanced Train and Layout Control (CBUS etc)

This is a workshop format group, where you can work on whatever subject or project you wish, with the advice, support and help of our experienced tutors. Subjects we can cover include (but not limited to) any of the following:

Theory

Layout wiring

Opportunity to build MERG CANCMD (CBUS based DCC Controllers) controllers, accessory encoders and decoders

Demonstration of surface mounted technology soldering

CBUS – The MERG layout control system – construction, testing, programming and update on the CBUS project.

Pete Brownlow: Basic/Intermediate Layout and Train Control

This is another workshop format group, where you can work on whatever subject or project you wish, with the advice, support and help of our experienced tutors. Subjects we can cover include (but not limited to) any of the following:

Choosing between Digital (DCC) and analogue (DC) control

Selecting the best DCC module for your locomotive, installation, testing and programming for optimum performance

Solving DCC problems

Layout wiring considerations

Getting started in CBUS

Howard Watkins: Electronics for the Bewildered (beginners in electronics ):

The difference between electrical and kit construction soldering

Practical - soldering wires to track

Soldering components

Wiring a point for live frog operation

Wiring a point for DCC

Point motors and how to drive them

Wiring for layouts whether Analogue or Digital Command Control

Power supplies and Controllers

Preparation of PCB, component identification and preparation

Use of measuring instruments

Measuring voltages

Relationship between voltage and current

Practical - building a simple circuit

Testing and fault finding.

Selecting suitable kits for your model railway application

Bob Gledhill: Designing for and using a Laser Cutter/Engravers (including 4 projects for you to use)

A brief (non-technical) introduction to Laser Cutter/Engravers.

Health and Safety considerations when using the Laser Cutter - which is considerably safer than using knives etc., for cutting card and plastic.

Setting up the machine and the power/speed options available to achieve various results on different materials.

Simple cuts on card, plastic and wood from .DXF files.

Engraving on different materials from .BMP file

http://www.missendenrailwaymodellers.org.uk/laser.html for more details

Other non electronics related activities that are alos available at this weekend are:

Barry Norman: Scenery and Baseboards

Kevin Wilson: 7mm Locomotive Construction

Tim Shackleton: Weathering and Airbrushing

Tony Gee: 4mm Locomotive Construction

As usual, you will be able to order MERG kits, and build/test them with expert help on hand to ensure you go home with a working project.
So whatever your interest in the practical applications of Electronics for Model Railways, you are sure benefit from a weekend of uninterrupted modeling, in a great venue, with the best of tutors and the company of like minded people.
Full details on our website at:- http://www.missendenrailwaymodellers.org.uk/autumn.html
Christopher Langdon
MERG member 336 and Course Organiser
Missenden Abbey Railway Modelling Weekends
www.missendenrailwaymodellers.org.uk