Plot62

I have recently inherited two Hammant & Morgan HM3000 controllers. I was intending to install them onto my main DC layout but having decided to take the plunge and upgrade to DCC, but I do intend to use them on a planned heritage layout that will be DC as I do not intend to convert all of my older stock to DCC. I would like to know whether there is still a market for them for H&M controllers, and in particular this model. I note there are a lot of other H&M controllers and equipment on ebay etc, but no HM3000's hence I cannot find an operating manual such that I can test them fully, although they both appear to be working. I do have a copy of the Hammant & Morgan Catalogue 11th Edition which describes the functions inherant on the HM3000. I would be interested if anyone has a copy of an operating manual for the HM3000 or could point me at someone who has. Regards, Neil - Alnwick

Hi Everyone, Thank you for all of your comments and guidance, they are and will be very helpful over the coming winter months when I'm hermited in my shed sortin g and testing my intended layout. Cheers, Neil

Hi All, This is my first post on the forum, although I've been a member for a couple of years since I retired and decided to get back into my boyhood hobby. I'm at the stage of laying permanent track and wanted to put something to the forum before I get into it. It concerns track centres. I know that Hornby and P*co state 67mm & 50mm respectively as the preferred track centres for their individual products. However I would prefer to use what I consider the best of either of the track options which would mean mixing the two manufacturers kit in the same layout, and in particular I am considering using P*co elctro-frog points. From an engineering perspective I don't hold too many doubts that this can be done and is done regularly by model railway builders. If I assume that coming off a set of P*co points that the track centres will be 50mm which would appear to be fine on a straight section of track. However where the track is curved would I need to open up the track centres to 67mm to avoid collisions or can I assume that at 50mm this should be safe enough bearing in mind that I will be using flex-track for the majority of curves. Kind regards, Neil