Hello again, now the weather has become cooler,and my loft has had its NASA makeover! I have been busy constructing the railway telegraph pole and the towns telephone pole routes.

I have used the Ratio poles, and cut them down to more accurately represent the required capacity of line/telephone wires and insulators, after having a quick calculation on which premises in the town would have had a phone, and where the railway would need to run its line wires to/from.

Spacing proved a bit of a headache - with 22" radius curves, and a small layout the challenge was to not make it seem too cluttered but to allow for a reasonably authentic wire route ( when I eventually get around to fitting the wires on the insulators...)The route correctly follows the inside of the curve, and all the arms are on the upside of the pole

Most of the information that I required was found in an old book in my possession -"Railway Signalling and Communications" Installation and Maintenance.

I eventally arrived at a spacing of 14" or thereabouts, less than that and there seemed to be poles everywhere!, and a greater spacing resulted in the (eventual) wires routes hanging over buildings and non railway property - the same applied to the telephone poles, though here the spacing was slightly wider and more random, as the object was to get the (eventual) phone lines to the correct property, whilst providing enough clearance over roads.

The poles were held in upright position using "blacktack", whilst the overall effect and alignment were considered, - I find that I have great difficulty in visualising things - prefer to see it as it is...

One of the Telegraph poles, and a corresponding telephone pole have been fitted with struts, as they are at the end of the pole route, and would need the support to prevent them being pulled over by the weight of the wires.

These were made using Ratio "doner" poles, cut and chamfered to make a good angled fit onto the pole. Then 1.8mm holes were drilled in the board and the poles were "planted". As they are a tight fit it means that the height can be adjusted - the railway pole route descends as it approaches the tunnel mouth to run inside on the wall.

Next job is to paint all the poles,insulators and steps.

8)

I have also been completing a couple of small scenic jobs elsewhere on the layout, the three small cottages next to the "Kings Arms" now have a stone built and rundown coalstore (Ratio), sitting under the adjacent tree, along with three outside loos (Dornerplas and Ratio) - and someone has left one of the doors open ...(tut,tut)

The coal merchant in the yard has gained a dilapidated, open fronted ,stone built store shed next to his coal pens.(Ratio)

More greenery is slowly appearing, and the cows in the cattle dock at last have some new straw to stand on, (static grass) - non statically applied!! (winter grass) fixed with hairspray... smells much nicer than it would in reality....

So thats it for the present, - more to follow in the not too distant future! Feel free to comment.

Regards

SIGTECH (Steve).