Points motors etc

Since I was passing my nearest model shop - D & F Models, Bell Street, Glasgow - I decided to purchase the alternative to PECO's points motor, the Gaugemaster. It has the advantage over the PECO of having its polarity switch built in, whereas one requires to add on a polarity switch to the PECO.

In the picture below, left to right, we have the little PECO polarity switch, the PECO motor and the Gaugemaster motor. The long pin that protrudes from each of the motors is what engages with the points. It is threaded through a little hole in the moving mechanism of the points. The pin is long enough to reach there from the motor's location under the baseboard.

But what is deeply depressing is that the chap in D & F, who is clearly knowledgeable about electrical circuitry expressed his doubts about the necessity of all this polarity switching paraphenalia. These doubts were reinforced when I got home and viewed a few youTube videos about wiring electrofrog points - see earlier blog about the meaning of the term electrofrog. The makers of these videos also expressed their doubts about the necessity of all this complex electrical treatment of points AND also cast doubt on the reliability of polarity switches. And, I have eight sets of points to wire up!!

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 Steve Reich

Different Trains

This piece for string quartet and recorded voices and sounds is one people either love or hate.

It was played on Radio 3 this morning and excited a massive response in texts and emails. As  many loathed it as loved it.

I really love it BUT I have to say that I find most contemporary classical music leaves me cold and uninterested.

We saw the Kronos Quartet perform Different Trains in Edinburgh a couple of years ago - very good.


My CD is by the Smith Quartet.

But Rob Cowan, presenter on Radio 3, recommended a recording by Quatuor Diotima, a French combo.