GWR/LMS OO Gauge DCC RR&Co

[user=1886]DaveH_Murcia[/user] wrote:

Some twenty plus years ago I used to co-drive for a friend doing the British Tarmac Chamionship rallying. We both worked at MIRA (Motor Industry Reaserach Association) so the MK2 escort was in a matt blue with crash test stickers all over it. Needless to say we often got called crash test dummies. Now there is an idea for a cameo on the layout - must check when mk1 or mk2 escorts were first around.

That is way out of my league Dave…….I look forward to seeing the cameo on Tinkers End

After months of procrastination (something I am very good at) I am finally committed to the storage yard extension. Not the most exciting or indeed photogenic subject I am afraid but it has to be done. I will try and relieve the tedium with the occasional loco shot.

The existing yard was one of the first sections of Granby that I built :



Over the past 14 years Granby's rolling stock has grown rather a lot . I am now squeezing 18 trains of varying lengths into the 10 storage sidings. Operating has become increasingly cumbersome particularly as I now favour out and back routines rather than tail chasing

This screenshot of the RR&Co schematic for the storage yard will, perhaps, assist in defining some of the problems



To increase "out and back" opportunities,regular followers may recall that I have devoted a lot of time and effort to the Storage Turntable area- (bottom left in the schematic). Completed last summer the TT sidings can store at least  5 relief locos thus providing a rapid turn round for Up trains arriving in the bottom siding D5 "Barmouth" .. Unfortunately there are very limited storage opportunities for the "turned " train without pulling it out on to the Down Main and backing it into one of the other down sidings.

Hindsight is a wonderful thing- if I were starting again I would design it differently. As that is not possible the compromise solution is to create some additional sidings in the opposite corner to the TT. (bottom right in the schematic)

The space is currently occupied by some terraced houses and factory buildings:




 As you can see, the buildings are not very obvious because of the large Mill and general activity in the foreground




Weeks to build- hours to remove:




The Metcalfe buildings will not be binned- they will eventually be use to rejuvenate the window sill seen all too often behind Granby Station.

Replacing the back scene may be an issue but that is for the future. Right now I just want to make sure the cork is properly weighted down! ,



Best wishes from the construction site

Looks like you'll be a happy modeller after the three bottles of wine.  ;-)

[user=1120]peterm[/user] wrote:

Looks like you'll be a happy modeller after the three bottles of wine.  ;-)

Not sure, he is a happy modeller because of the wine. The corks are still in!  ;-)

[user=2172]Claus Ellef[/user] wrote:

[user=1120]peterm[/user] wrote:

Looks like you'll be a happy modeller after the three bottles of wine.  ;-)

Not sure, he is a happy modeller because of the wine. The corks are still in!  ;-)

Only because he's put 'em in.  :)

Dont get too excited guys. They are the last three bottles of a failed experiment in home made wine.  :sad: Probably all they are fit for.

I shudder to think what Petermac or Longchap would make of that! :lol:

I admire the courage to take up a well established part of Granby to improve operations.  It will be interesting to see your plans develop.

Michael

Duplicate post!

[user=434]John Dew[/user] wrote:

Dont get too excited guys. They are the last three bottles of a failed experiment in home made wine.  :sad: Probably all they are fit for.

I shudder to think what Petermac or Longchap would make of that! :lol:

I’m not knocking anyone’s attempt of making something, it shows  dedication and determination to produce something with your own hands,  â€˜tis good!
 
However, as the professionals produce excellent wines from vines  growing the other side of our garden wall, why bother doing it myself?  Tis very good!!
 
Mind you, a side effect of my gallbladder problem has been not being  able to taste wine, as it all tastes very bad! Hopefully this is only  temporary, now the gallbladder seems to be settling down.
 
Cheers,
 
Bill

What a surprise that the gall bladder can affect taste. The body's a complex thing all right. At least my kidney problem hasn't affected my taste sense so I can still enjoy the Scottish water of life, albeit in smaller quantities.  :)

It's a bold move John but you obviously know what you're doing.   :hmm

I hope you're not tempted to move along towards the storage sidings - I love that area with the low relief houses hiding it all.

Very much looking forward to seeing how it progresses - more superb Granby developments …………….. :Happy

I can't comment on the wine bottles because I can't quite make out the labels - from what bit I can see, they might be either Petrus or Latour but I could be mistaken ………………… :cheers

[user=6]Petermac[/user] wrote:

It's a bold move John but you obviously know what you're doing.   :hmm

I hope you're not tempted to move along towards the storage sidings - I love that area with the low relief houses hiding it all.

Very much looking forward to seeing how it progresses - more superb Granby developments …………….. :Happy

I can't comment on the wine bottles because I can't quite make out the labels - from what bit I can see, they might be either Petrus or Latour but I could be mistaken ……..…………. :cheers

Very droll!    . I think I have, at last, found a good use for them as rail weights!

No worries with the Terraced House screen- they will remain in place. I am just trying to squeeze some more sidings into the corner on the other side of the storage yard exit.

Hello John,
 
I'm sure it's true, it must be, as so many experienced modellers have told me that, like Panniers, you will never have too many storage sidings. I've learned the lesson well, so I will resist quoting those sage words back to you John, but thank you instead for the wise reminder that I need to squeeze in even more storage that I thought possible, when I get into the mainline part of my own railway.
 
Good to know that the terraces are staying and bon courage with yet another meaningful Granby project.
 
Very best,
 
Bill

My apologies for not replying to you Bill  :oops: but nevertheless belated thanks for the vote of confidence. As you can see,still a long way to go.

I left you all with this scene of desolation as I started the long awaited storage yard extension




At close of play today: 5 turnouts (#94-#98) are now fully functioning and connecting 3 new sidings to D5 the main Down storage siding :



So far I have added about 11' of storage space - A 5 and 4 carriage siding against the wall and a a second 4 car that curves around at the front, parallel to the main line.

There is now a pause as I await the arrival from Liverpool of two more points. Once they are installed, I hope to contrive one more 4 car siding and three 2/3 car sidings. I had hope to get a second 5 car siding but sadly it didnt work out.

It might might not sound like a great dividend for all this effort but I will be able to add at least two more medium length trains. More importantly it will remove a number of irritating operational log jams.

It has not been a ton of fun. "Close of play" was a somewhat ill-chosen metaphor. During the 15 year development  of Granby I have never found retro fits particularly enjoyable. This has been no exception.

Installing the point motor for turnout #95 was a nightmare. The many neat, precision modellers whose work I so admire might want to skip this section.



The only place for the motor was against the backscene wall. The wall has bowed, fortunately not enough to foul passing trains. The precisely cut aperture was achieved by this very elderly gentleman standing on a foot stool and leaning over a 4' wide baseboard.

Surface mounted motors are very finicky. The throw arm can bounce out of the turnout arm. To prevent this I inserted a brass rod into the turnout arm and capped it with a white plastic cylinder which just fitted inside the aperture in the motor arm.

The turnout motors are from Rails of Sheffield:



So far I am very impressed with them. Although they are still quite finicky to align they do not insist on being absolutely at right angles like the Peco version. I get the sense they are more powerful. I have installed 5 now and they have never hesitated to throw a point - not always the case with Peco. Added bonus they are a little slimmer in outline which sure helped.

 DCC only requires two wires - so the electrical installation was quite straightforward:






 ,



On the right - Feed Back decoder #80 connected to four occupancy detector - to cover the 7 new sidings and a loco spur.

To the left of #66 (an existing Feed Back decoder) are Turnout decoders for #94-#96. These are also from Rails of Sheffield. Made by DCC Concepts they are quite a nifty device - throwing the turnout on command from either the DCC throttle or RR&Co. They switch frog polarity and have connections, which I dont use, for manual switches and LEDs 

Enough technical stuff.

To finish here are a couple of pictures which I rather like.

A Collett Suburban 3rd/Brake.



Normally in a fixed rake of 4. One of the beneficiaries of the new 4 car storage sidings.

Finally a trailer for next month's BRM which will feature an article on Granby Junction.

This is one of the photos I sent in that didnt get used




Dean Goods shunting the yard at Cynwyd - one of my favourite routines


Regards from a very windy Vancouver.

:shock: :shock:  I hadn't realised Granby had passed the 600,000 view milestone.

Where do they all come from I wonder :hmm

Regardless a good time to thank all the regular followers on YMR who put up with my sporadic posts.

Many thanks for your support over the years guys  :cheers :cheers :cheers

I wonder why that great shot wasn't used. Yes, storage yards. I'm trying to sell some of my loco's but it's not so easy here in Oz.

Who wouldn't like to do the shunting in Cynwyd? Great photo!

Well John, you have surpassed yourself this time.  A very amusing post - I particularly like the "precision cutting" and "two wires" comments - but also one which glosses over the true technical and physical feat you have accomplished.  Storage for some 20 coaches is not an insignificant addition to any layout, but finding the wherewithal to add it to the marvellous Granby is really something.
Not only that, but making it into print too - well overdue and much deserved if I may say so, and if that is one of the "rejected" photographs then readers will be in for a treat.

Warm regards

Michael

  No apology needed John and congratulations for doing the seemingly impossible by finding more storage at Granby! The directors in Paddington will be well pleased.

That’s quite an achievement cutting out pockets for point motors, while balancing on a chair 4 feet away, so I presume, despite your youthful demeanour, that all the limboing with the duck under has paid dividends in the snake-hips department.
   
  As Michael said, your modesty quickly pastes over the difficulties of your achievement, even more so, as we all know that these retro-fits pose much more substantial challenge than the original build. The results however are sure to bring you greater joy and doubtless keep you busy for some considerable time creating, adapting and enjoying new and existing routines.
   
  The weathered brake 3^rd is superb, particularly with your personalisation and I’ve noticed that Hattons continue to retail a selection of these Collet bow ended stock at a modest £33. I’m sure I have sufficient and am trying very hard not to buy any more stock, except for existing pre-orders.
   
  Your Dean Goods is simply timeless.
   
  Very best,
   
  Bill

[user=1120]peterm[/user] wrote:

I wonder why that great shot wasn't used. Yes, storage yards. I'm trying to sell some of my loco's but it's not so easy here in Oz.

Normally Andy Yorke visits the layout and takes the photos - he is a stunning photographerI - same league as Phil.c - unfortunately BRM wouldnt fork out the travel expenses. Cant understand that :lol:

So I sent in loads of photos there were bound to be lot unused. Shame to waste them so the better ones will eventually get posted here.

I wish you luck with the loco sale - I have similar problem selling off surplus kit here

Best wishes