A layout in progress, slow progress...

S’mae Michael


  Yes, running the railway is what we all should be doing – excellent therapy in these difficult times. Glad it’s not just me with the ballasting – I don’t mind just ordinary double track, once I reach a point/slip/crossing – that’s when the problems start, as they did when I did Woodside and Hooton stations, which explains the current gaps at Woodside now. I suspect life would have been a little easier with code 100 track, but I decided to use code 75 for everything, other than the fiddle yard – for me it looks better. I always seem to get ballast where it shouldn’t be, particularly on slips, so locos stall – eventually all is well – but it does take time…. and patience, something which is usually in very short supply at the best of times and nonexistent when I’m ballasting.


   I am particularly careful with the photos…actually there is quite a lot still to do…. and the complex that is Marshalling Yard Junction (includes nine points, three single slips, one double slip and one three-way point) is on a list somewhere – but I’m not looking for that list right now! I really would like to get 6C finished – perhaps I’ll get on with that in the not too distant future. Meanwhile, there’s a railway to run….


  Keith
  

S’mae Dave

Yes, my visits to 6C back in the early 60s were usually on a Sunday, every time the shed was always heaving with locos, usually in the high sixties, and in the early days only the odd engine on store.  I can’t replicate that in the loft, but In a full run through the day, with only limited freight working, I end up using around 40 locos, split between 6C and the ‘shed’ in the fiddle yard – which isn’t bad. I too have several tubs of ballast, just waiting – perhaps ‘still waiting’ would be more accurate.

This extension to the Lockdown may well prompt another spell of panic buying, which will make slots hard to find yet again. If this goes on beyond the next three weeks we could see the birth of a new sport – “Slotting” – just as competitive as any other sport, could even be in the Olympics next year!

There should be plenty going on in the loft, but like you the dreaded mojo isn’t exactly firing on all cylinders, so I’m just progressing the timetable. Pity the same can’t be said of the garden, with all this recent warmth stuff has really started to grow, including the grass, and so apart from everything else the mowing schedule has now been reinstated, which definitely impacts on progress upstairs….

Keith

Mowing schedule… you don't have multiple mowers on shed and a timetable do you?!  :shock:  :lol: :lol:

S‘mae Marty

Not quite! – just the one mower, which is kept in a shed, not the important shed, and one mower operator – who springs into life (perhaps ‘springs’ is a bit strong) when the key words “the grass is looking a bit long” are broadcast on the PA system. Actually there’s more moss than grass, same colour and it grows just as quick. If we get a long dry spell it all starts to yellow and stops growing, but then the loft gets a tad warm – sometimes you just can’t win!

Keith

With our on-line shopping techniques improving, and continuing help from our neighbours, this self isolation is slowly becoming the norm – a norm which may well be around for quite some time yet. During all this ‘good’ weather time in the loft has been limited to the odd short operating session, while ‘other jobs’ have taken precedence, but finally things may be getting back to normal. That said the recent welcome rain may well have an adverse effect on the grass.

An interesting time, well it is for me, at a rather busy Woodside station. The 1.54 arrival from Helsby, a Fowler 2-6-4T with a couple of suburban coaches, into platform 1 heralds a hectic 40 odd minutes. This train does the return trip to Helsby at 2.15, before then it has to pick up a couple of spare coaches which it will leave at Hooton for the 5.00 Hooton - Rock Ferry service. This is only necessary as there isn’t really sufficient space at my version of Hooton for long term storage of spare coaches – the real Hooton with six platforms and sidings, not a problem.  Last time the incoming train had three coaches, so only one extra to add, fortunately this time there were two spare coaches in the spur beyond platform 1. So all the Fowler has to do is back the original two coaches down the down line, pick up the two extra from the spur and then add them to the original two in the down approach. Then, depending on the time, wait to allow the 2P to arrive with the 2.05 from Barmouth into platform 3, or if there is time, as on this occasion, just run around the four coaches and return them ready for departure from platform 1. There is actually another spare suburban coach already in platform 1, so I could actually fit a five coach train in platform 1 – not so sure about dealing with it once it leaves Woodside Station! Back in the day the rush hour Helsby trains were 6 or 7 coaches – I definitely couldn’t deal with that.

All this shunting of coaches is possible because I managed to generate a runaround loop in the approach to Woodside Station – between the first point on the down approach and the point at the head of platform 1. When I was laying the approach my only concern was that all five platforms had to be accessible to both up and down lines – the loop was not planned, it just happened – but very useful! As soon as the Fowler is back in platform 1, and the Barmouth train is in platform 3, the Fairburn that was at the coal stage in the last post can back down onto the stock in platform 4, ready for the 2.40 departure to Paddington, and just to finish off the English Electric type 1 makes a speedy return to Crewe with the 2.37 parcels in Platform 5.



Just now, with empty stock in platform 2, Woodside is seriously full – even the coach sidings.



One explanation for this, currently the storage loops under Woodside are empty – for the first time since operations began at 5.00am – and I don’t think that happens again during the working day. More in the gallery… I do tend to bang on a bit about this timetable lark……. my apologies, you have to make allowances…. and soon I really should make a start on some of the other jobs I keep mentioning…. and then promptly ignoring..…

Keep staying safe everyone.

Keith

Keep banging on Keith - this is what makes a model of a railway into a model of a real railway!!!

Love it

Barry

The joys of working out timetables are still in the future for me Keith but it does give a model railway a "raison d'etre".

Yes working out timetables to keep 5 crew in a job is "fun".

and I agree with your statement Keith…
and soon I really should make a start on some of the other jobs I keep mentioning…. and then promptly ignoring..…

Apologies for the delay, as expected that rain did have an adverse effect on the grass, and once outside with the improving weather there was other stuff to do…. as well as another session of on-line shopping. At least some progress there – we now have a regular slot, so no more playing the find-a-slot game. On the brighter side, we may get the odd wintry shower next week, fingers crossed, which should result in a return the loft.


  Fear not Barry, despite the apology I will keep banging on… can’t help it, it’s just what I do. Back in the day when most folk would be happy reading a book, I would have my head buried deep in a stack of railway timetables. My layout at the time, even though a fictitious branch off the Midland main line, had to link in with the actual services on the main line, even down to TC to London – but as it was a fairly basic affair it was an easy task to run it in real time…. unlike the current situation, which is somewhat more demanding.


  Yes Peter I totally agree, there has to be a purpose for the railway being there in the first place – glad you think working out timetables is a joy….. that's a bit strong for me, I reckon it is ‘interesting’….


  Ron, it’s good to know it’s not just me with lists of jobs to do. That said, given I started making lists of stuff to do as soon as the decision to get back to model railways was made while I was still in hospital…. and thirteen years on I’m still making lists, I really must try to master the technique of actually starting and finishing some of them. In between times of course, there is the vitally important task of running the railway, which cannot be ignored…


  Keith
  

I keep a notebook of lists of things to do, which i started up when i first started planning the layout.  I'm about 50 pages in now and still have the odd unfinished task on page 1!  
I had never really thought of running a timetable, until I read it in your posts and now have every intention of creating one, with my limited rolling stock, and then expanding it as the stock increases. So, I'm a convert….

Regards

Michael

Well guys, it seems we're all tarred with the same brush as far as making lists are concerned - I'm just as bad. Glad to know I'm not on my own with this - maybe it's gender related. I can't do anything with more than one job without a list in front of me. I've tried - I've really tried! Honest.

And then there's the problem of making a start on one job (on one of the lists) and not completing it as something else more important comes along. My layout is full of half completed jobs. I know the old saying that a layout is never finished - and as time goes by, I know the reasoning behind that statement - it's list after list.

I really must concentrate and get down to doing something that is likely to result in a completed task - even running a few trains might be useful - even they're on a list!

And I thought this lockdown was a heaven-sent opportunity to spend hours and hours in the shack - then the wife came along with her lists.

C'est la vie.

Cheers for now - and keep safe guys.

Wives lists are the very devil Dave !!

When "her list" comes out, the world must stop and concentrate totally on "the" list. The problem is, things like "post letters" have a hidden agenda - before one can post the letters, one has to find a stationers to buy the paper on which to write said letters, then one has to dig through the carefully stored "Christmas Items" in the attic or basement, in order to find the Christmas Card list so you can give her the address of said person ……………..then of course, we need some more pens because she used the last one to dibble holes in compost when transplanting lettuce seedlings and it won't write now.  Stamps ?  No of course there are no stamps - why do you think she asked me to post the letters …………………oh, and while you're at the post office ………………………………………………….!!!

Evening All

Usual apologies for the delay – this settled weather is really not helping.

Interesting…. so it’s not just me with lists…. trouble is that’s almost a reason for me making more lists…. but that is what will happen anyway, as it has for years. As far as documenting things I must admit to storing all my lists in my overworked grey cell, I’m not sufficiently organised to actually write down anything – it wouldn’t help anyway as I’d never remember where I’d put it…..

Michael, seriously impressed you’ve actually used a notebook for your lists – I could never be that organised.  It is good to have a convert, welcome to the wonderful world of timetables!  Back in the day I never really explored the Southern region, other than the South West area –so not much in the way of timetables, and to be honest I wasn’t all that sure about the actual location of Faversham. That said a 1959 Bradshaw may be of interest – I could send you, via PM, a copy of the timetable for the service London to Dover via Faversham, if it is of any interest.
I thought I had just about the right amount of rolling stock, but I still keep adding to it – and with more stock there is the problem of where to store it – and get it organised so things run smoothly…. I’m still trying to get the numbers right, running smoothly is for another day….  Had I known about this ‘cassette’ system at the start I would have probably tried it – although with the restricted access to the fiddle yard it may have been difficult.

Dave, sounds just like Woodside…. and I too thought the lockdown would mean endless time in the loft…. but each day there’s the announcement at breakfast time, as to which is the best job to do first…. and that never includes the loft….. Yes, I know Woodside will never be finished, layouts very rarely are truly finished, but if I could just get 6C and the marshalling yard looking sorted that would be a start, and then there’s the signalling of Woodside – see, I’m off on another list!

Peter, It’s this ‘skill’ they have of ensuring that any job automatically spawns at least two more … the Christmas card list problem was solved by keeping it in the lounge…. so now there is more time to spend on other jobs….sometimes, make that most times, we just can’t win!

Keep staying safe out there.

Keith

Interesting thread. I lean towards spreadsheets and project management software, simply because paper lists tend to take a walk never to be seen again. At least with a computer all I have to remember is the log-in, file name, linked files, diagrams, calculations, photo's, notes, things to avoid, suppliers…..

Nigel

Thank you Keith, that is very generous.  A PM is on its way!
Regards

Michael

Nigel, your point is well made, I think we all have to accept there is no getting away from lists…. must admit I only use the computer to access the Forum, store photos, e-mail – and steer well clear of all this DCC business, definitely a born-again Luddite!  Keith

---

Have to say I’m getting a bit bored with all this ‘good’ weather – the fans are doing a reasonable job in the loft, but it is not really operating weather up there, and this excessive heat is a real damper on the dreaded mojo for starting anything new. Add to that that there are also so many other jobs I can be doing outside, as I keep being informed. I’m looking forward to the promised ‘normal’ weather later this week when I can get back to running the layout … before I do actually start on one of my lists.

Here is a very simple shunting exercise – in no way a puzzle, I’m hopeless at them – that has to be dealt with at Hooton. The afternoon pick-up freight from Chester has just emerged from the fiddle yard and is due to arrive in Hooton shortly.



The cattle wagon at the rear of the train contains farmer Giles’ most recent addition to his pedigree herd and is to be dropped off at Hooton, meanwhile the van that arrived earlier in the day from Birkenhead in the Helsby bound pick-up freight has now been unloaded in the goods shed, a few odd Woodside bound parcels loaded, and is ready for return to Birkenhead. The Hooton pilot has already been fired up ready for action, so what is the best way of getting it done? – the pick-up freight has to be on the way in about 20 minutes after arrival at Hooton signal box at 14.20, and during that time down line (platform 3) needs to be clear to deal with a Woodside bound s/f from Chester at 14.24 and a Woodside bound stopping train from Helsby at 14.29, fortunately there are no arrivals on platform 2 while all this is going on, and note there is no crossover between the up and down lines at the south end of the station.



South end



Far less complicated than the morning pick-up freight – but once again an example of what, for me, the layout is all about – running the railway… a layout that will look far better once I start on my collection of ‘lists’….. which will hopefully happen soon….. I may need to update you on that…. I note that that platform 2 starter just will not sit horizontal in this hot weather, happens every time…. wire-in tube expansion?!

The lockdown may have been eased, at differing rates, but I fancy with some experts concerned about a second spike at the end of the month we’ll be staying put for now, just to see how things do progress – stay safe everybody.

Keith

Some nice shots there Keith and an interesting schedule to keep to.

How do you work the coupling - do you have ramps or some similar method or is it handraulic ?

Also, what's the difference in height between the station area and the tracks above the green banking ? I'm trying to imagine what gradient you have because I'll need one on mine……………… :hmm

Keith

Loaded livestock wagons would normally travel up behind the engine to minimise the coupling-snatch for the occupants.  Does that make the shunting problem easier or worse?

Barry

That’s better – rain and sensible temperatures!! – and thankfully more to come. I may well get in the loft…which is also cooling down nicely ….tomorrow, that’ll make a pleasant change.

---

Peter
 As far as coupling, at Hooton it is handraulic, as it is elsewhere apart from those ‘hard to reach’ areas – under the roof at Woodside, parts of the marshalling yard, oil depot and the fiddle yard where it is all ramps. I try to disguise the ramps where they are on show – in a boarded crossing in the marshalling yard for example.

And the gradients – there is a four inch gap between each of the three main levels – but in order to make the gradients acceptable the main track is on a varying fall from marshalling yard junction at Birkenhead, via the storage loops under Woodside, down to the sidings in the fiddle yard, which again are on the flat. Hooton station is on the level, with a slight upgrade at the south end and a similar downgrade at the north end. Rough measurement of the track from MY junction to Hooton is 27 foot – so that averages out at 1 in 80… the majority of locos can handle that no problem – all of the tanks are particularly good performers, but surprisingly some of the earlier Bachmann 4-6-0s do struggle with five coaches on the approach curve to Woodside (in the background of the third photo), especially if they’ve been held at the signals – which I now try to avoid.

---

Barry
Thanks for the info, another gap in my knowledge duly filled, I’ll do a proper job next time – I’m sure farmer Giles’ recent addition will appreciate it. Doesn’t impact on the shunting problem other than more wagons have to be moved. That was my initial thought, but then perhaps less, or no change – leave it with me….

---

Keith

Thanks Keith - excellent answers - just what I was looking for.  I'm slightly surprised that some of your 4-6-0 locos struggle with a 1 in 80 grade - mine will be steeper but I won't need them to haul 5 coaches ……………. :hmm