GWR/LMS OO Gauge DCC RR&Co

this is one of the few working signals on the layout…….its a fixed Distant

Tee-hee!


Doug

John, there is an exuberance about your layout that just shines through in every shot.

The signals show that too, they do help finish matters off but I'm always concerned about the fragility of them and how prone they are to accidental damage.

Regards

Thanks for the encouragement Guys…….it wasnt mock modesty about the signals…… after Geoff's posts I was somewhat embarrassed about their non working state.

You really are a great bunch…..make me feel a lot better:cheers

Some individual replies

[user=269]MaxSouthOz[/user] wrote:

The signal gantries deserve a high possum or maybe a low elephant.  Do you move them manually as the scene progresses?

It has to be mental rather than manual…….superglue. I just try an be consisten with one route and use my imagination for the rest

The standard excuse I have seen  is " the bobby was quick off the mark "

 

I'm a bit worried about the bullet holes in the wall, though.  :shock:    Do you want me to arrange someone to come around and discuss your personal protection?  I know people.  (Check out the suit).  :cool:

 

Bullet holes……what Bullet Holes……this is a nice neighbourhood…..not Ned Kelly country

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

It's amazing what a difference they make and for me, I don't understand where which type should be but they bring it all to life, particularly the gound signals.

Its actually quite fun researching the appropriate signals. Cyril Freezer wrote an excellent book on the subject. The GWR (naturally:lol::lol:) had their own distinctive approach to subsidiary signalling ……Backing, Siding, Shunt Ahead and so on. I am sure an expert could pick holes but I have tried to get employ them correctly

 

I have no idea how people get those Ratio signals to work - they're good models but very delicate.

Me neither…………..I never even attempted to make one work……its bad enough just assembling the model……I have masses of all the gubbins they give you with the kit…..thread, screw eyes etc

That corner looks so realistic now and the shot with the ground signals could have been taken on a late summer evening as the sun neared the horizon. :cheers

 

Thanks Peter…….thats exactly when it was taken…..I dont get much sun in the railwayroom but it was just filtering as I took the shot……..and yes I had a glass of Sauvignon Blanc to hand:thumbs

[user=446]John Flann[/user] wrote:

John, there is an exuberance about your layout that just shines through in every shot.

 

Well thank you John…..I am rarely if ever called exuberant………….it must be the effect of the aforementione Sauvignon Blanc    Actually that is a charming compliment and much appreciated

The signals show that too, they do help finish matters off but I'm always concerned about the fragility of them and how prone they are to accidental damage.

Absolutely:twisted: I realise I have made myself something of a hostage to fortune particularly with the rear module to be installed. The Gantry and Starters are not beeded in for that very reason

On the other side of the room the signals at the mine junction have already had to be replaced with more robust models……but I do agree even non working they do prpvide an essential finishing touch

[user=312]dooferdog[/user] wrote:

this is one of the few working signals on the layout…….its a fixed Distant

Tee-hee!


Doug

Thanks Doug…..I am glad someone appreciated that. I am reminded of Patrick O'Brian's Maturin joking about the Dog Watch

Cur-Tailed!

Perzackerly…….


D

:hiJohn, Those signals give your layout a great boost, I really love your railway, So many different scenes and operations to look at and work with.

thanks for shareing,

Derek

[user=477]shunter1[/user] wrote:

John, Those signals give your layout a great boost, I really love your railway, So many different scenes and operations to look at and work with.

thanks for shareing,

Derek

Thanks Derek. I am glad you enjoy Granby. Sorry I took a while to reply……I hadnt realised it was so long since I last posted.

I had hoped to post photos of the last spike being driven in as the upper circuit was completed……………unfortunately it was not to be…………….I ran out of track:twisted:. Tony's Trains sent a box of Code 75 instead of Code 100 :twisted::twisted:   To compound the problem Canada Post is on strike :twisted::twisted::twisted:

Fortunately my daughter had to go to California so I got Tonys to ship the correct track to her from Vermont:thumbs 

I have to admit there was a Father: Daughter moment when she saw the size of the package and realised how the content would react at Airport Security:roll:  Anyway she is back in Vancouver on Saturday so look out for some momentous news next week

Anyway here is a brief run down of what has been achieved.

The terminus platform module is complete….checked and tested

Here is an aerial view of the six platform faces



From the right:

Bay Platform 1 with a B Set from Cynwyd, Bay Platform 2 awaits the arrival of a B Set from Chester and in Bay Platform 3 are three LMS Coaches……it is a Joint Line!

The Birkenhead - Paddington Passenger train is at Platform 4 Up Main……..I am planning to do a loco exchange here and add on a through London Coach from Cynwyd. There should be room for 7 coaches. Platform 5 is Down Main and finally the Goods Relief at Platform 6

On the extreme left is the junction that will serve the goods yard, engine shed and mine branch.

This shows the approach to the bay platforms from the main line




Now the platform module is in place I have been able to install the kickback siding from the Bay which leads to either a Parcels or Fruit Depot.

The building is an old scratchbuilt Goods Shed from Granby II that I hope I can refurbish …….as discussed previously I will build a series of road scenes in front of this which will be on moveable modules to conceal the lower level storage tracks. 



The backscenes are now complete…..they will eventually be fronted with low relief buildings and some goods warehouses

This shot shows a long 20 wagon coal train which, having climbed up from Cynwyd, is now passing through the main line junction prior to entering the Mine storage siding



Moving on to the second window (Doug and Peter will note the absence of vegetation outside!)




The buildings are a random and somewhat eclectic collection  of card models that have never quite made the cut but with a certain amount of re arrangement I think they will make an acceptable back scene…..I am not putting sky panels here I dont want to lose what little daylight I get here.


From the other angle you can see a train of empties climbing the 1:40 gradient to the junction




You may remember I was uncertain whether I could squeeze two tracks in here. The curve is pretty tight there is a section of 18" radii set track on the inner bend but I spent a lot of time trying to achieve reasonably smooth transitional curves



Happily it has worked out fine. The empties train had no problem with either the outer or inner curve. Having two hidden tracks is a huge plus operationally…….well worth the unauthorised excursion on to the window cill (it is a northern layout after all)






So near and yet so far…………watch this space:lol:

It's going to be a biggie, John.  :thumbs   Juergen will have his work cut out keeping that lot in line.  :lol:

John when are you actually going to sit back and watch a timetable run and see the fruit of your labours?

Me thinks you like nothing better than putting in block detection, are you having multiple blocks in the platforms or are you going to use VC's?

You really get the work done John.
Is there any space left or is the next step demolish the houses and out of the window?

:hiJohn, Lovely photo,s of your expanding railway, That windowsill was just begging for some track and to be put to a proper use!

Model Railways seem to have a natural expansionist nature :lol:

I like that goods shed and the idea of useing tempory road scenes to cover the storage lines.

Those long coal trains are really eye catching, Of course with your joint line some nice ex-LNWR 0-8-0 goods trains could join in the fun?

Looks like you have some busy times ahead.

regards,

Derek

Thanks John for making progress at Ottersford seem even slower!  Granby really is coming on a treat!  You've even got some signals!  Easewood lost all it's signals in the Great Gardener Disaster but it will be awhile before I can address that problem, & looking at the track plan for Ottersford a big problem it will be.  A whole new area of research & learning!  Love the loco servicing area by the way.  Best wishes. Mal.

[user=269]MaxSouthOz[/user] wrote:

It's going to be a biggie, John.  :thumbs   Juergen will have his work cut out keeping that lot in line.  :lol:

Thanks Max……………I am looking forward to that part…….running that coal train diagonally accross the junction made me realise how much care I will have to take with scheduling!

[user=450]wogga[/user] wrote:

John when are you actually going to sit back and watch a timetable run and see the fruit of your labours?

I hope very soon Pete. I have a tendency to get diverted and completely finish the scenery  but this time I am going to finish the circuit……….chip a load of locos and start running trains before I even think about the scenery for the station

Although having said that, I succumbed to temptation and have just placed an order for the Walthers TT (Heljan rebadging) which is due to arrive end of July  (early Christmas I guess) so I guess I will start on the MPD area fairly soon 

Me thinks you like nothing better than putting in block detection, are you having multiple blocks in the platforms or are you going to use VC's?

  Tell me about it! I have almost 100 blocks with maybe another 16 to go……which is a very practical reason for getting diverted into scenery….not being an electronic whiz it gets quite expensive so phasing the purchases over 4 years helps as has the strong Canadian Dollar

I am going to use one contact indicator and one virtual contact per block per platform space………which saves quite a bit. If I had known how powerful they were earlier I could have probably eliminated about 20 blocks……I am going to post in more detail on the RR&Co thread 

[user=523]chrish[/user] wrote:

You really get the work done John.
Is there any space left or is the next step demolish the houses and out of the window?

Thanks Chris

No more expansion ……once the main line is done I have to build an MPD in one corners and a Goods Yard in the other…..then I am done……apart from ballasting,weathering,scenery…..then chip locos and adding resistor to the wagon wheel sets and so on………..but I do intend to operate some trains!

[user=477]shunter1[/user] wrote:

Those long coal trains are really eye catching, Of course with your joint line some nice ex-LNWR 0-8-0 goods trains could join in the fun?

Thanks Derek…….I always intended the coal trains to be a "signature" element of the layout……of course at 20 wagons they are only about 20% of the length of the prototype.

I have a few LMS locos….most need chipping…..but all loco purchases have been on hold for the last 3 years while I "invested" in all the electronic wizardry…………..I was sorely tempted by the LMS 0-8-0 (Was it 'D' series) that Bachmann had a few years ago but it doesnt seem to be available any longer……maybe it will be re released…………I also fancy the GWR 2-8-0 28 xx or 38 xx one of which Hattons have on offer at a great price…….but I have just ordered a Turntable so, sadly, I will have to take my chances until next year

[user=380]Kaiser[/user] wrote:

Thanks John for making progress at Ottersford seem even slower!  Granby really is coming on a treat!  You've even got some signals!  Easewood lost all it's signals in the Great Gardener Disaster but it will be awhile before I can address that problem, & looking at the track plan for Ottersford a big problem it will be.  A whole new area of research & learning!  Love the loco servicing area by the way.  Best wishes. Mal.

Thanks Mal………as I wrote earlier I do think the signals add an essential touch of authenticity even if they dont work (I think an oxymoron is lurking there)…………..its a lot of fun researching them……when you get round to it I will be happy to give you a few useful sources

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

[user=477]shunter1[/user] wrote:

Those long coal trains are really eye catching, Of course with your joint line some nice ex-LNWR 0-8-0 goods trains could join in the fun?

Thanks Derek…….I always intended the coal trains to be a "signature" element of the layout……of course at 20 wagons they are only about 20% of the length of the prototype.

I have a few LMS locos….most need chipping…..but all loco purchases have been on hold for the last 3 years while I "invested" in all the electronic wizardry…………..I was sorely tempted by the LMS 0-8-0 (Was it 'D' series) that Bachmann had a few years ago but it doesnt seem to be available any longer……maybe it will be re released…………I also fancy the GWR 2-8-0 28 xx or 38 xx one of which Hattons have on offer at a great price…….but I have just ordered a Turntable so, sadly, I will have to take my chances until next year

Hi again, John. I know what you mean by certain items  being on hold. It takes  time to rustle up enough cash for each stage of a build, I am still at the track/point and point motor stage of the BIG BUY!

The LNWR G series 0-8-0 loco is back in Hattons with the old style non cab tender, I think they are looking for £74 for the non chip version.

Ah the turn table that should give you some fun. I hope it comes ready with a motor ect?

regards.

Derek

Nice going John. You have been busy - so much for the theory that model railway works slows down in Summer;-)

All very interesting, when do you find time to eat??

  John - ….I am not putting sky panels here I dont want to lose what little daylight I get here.

Have you considered a sheet of Perspex, the back rubbed over carefully with OOO steel wool, about 12"-18" high?  It would let plenty of light through yet conceal the view of the garden and window frames……failing that a roll of tracing paper/grease-proof paper…..

[Just 'finkin…]


Doug

[user=312]dooferdog[/user] wrote:

All very interesting, when do you find time to eat??

If the truth be told I fear it is not just the difference in climate that causes your garden to be so much more productive than mine:oops::lol:

 

John - ….I am not putting sky panels here I dont want to lose what little daylight I get here.

Have you considered a sheet of Perspex, the back rubbed over carefully with OOO steel wool, about 12"-18" high?  It would let plenty of light through yet conceal the view of the garden and window frames……failing that a roll of tracing paper/grease-proof paper…..

[Just 'finkin…]


Doug

That is a good idea….thank you!

Kind Regards