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Callow Lane signalbox - part 2 - a re-think and a re-build...

Captain Kernow

Entry posted by Captain Kernow

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Well, as I mentioned in the comments section of the previous blog entry, I was getting uneasy about the size of the box, as compared with the smaller size of the lever frame. Even with the gate wheel, I decided that the box was too big for the location, and I started thinking about how I could re-build it to a smaller size.

 

In the meantime, I constructed the 18 lever frame (from Smiths etched components) and placed it in the original box...

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As you can see, it left rather a large area for the dance floor, which reminded me a little too much of boxes that have had their frames cut down, following track rationalisation. That argument wasn't going to work at Callow Lane, so I decided to get the piercing saw out and re-build the box to a smaller design.

 

It would have been nice to have done a small, cute 2-window box (a bit like Selside), but the lever frame, coupled with the gate wheel, would require just a little bit too much room, so I opted to copy the box that had provided me with my original inspiration - Painswick Road LC on the former Tuffley Jct - Gloucester Eastgate line, and re-build Callow Lane's box as a 3-window box.

 

I've also built and installed the gate wheel. The lever frame isn't permanently attached, however, as it will need to be carefully painted to correspond with the signalling diagram that Dave 'Beast' Skipsey has kindly worked out for me.

 

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Once I had carefully cut the two side walls off, the front and back walls required complete re-building, which has now made this structure less of a modified Ratio kit, and more of a scratchbuild, using some Ratio (and other) components.

 

 

Additional comments - Sunday evening 02/01/11

 

Here is my own photo of the interior of Settle Jct signalbox, to prove that I am aware of what a Midland Railway lever frame looks like - the only problem is - how to reproduce that in 4mm scale when you don't have access to any fancy etching capabilities or C.A.D. etc.

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PMP
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If you're using the Modelex window and door set, unfortunately the door isn't a direct fit into the Ratio frames, not yet worked mine out but just a heads up for you ;)

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Captain Kernow
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If you're using the Modelex window and door set, unfortunately the door isn't a direct fit into the Ratio frames, not yet worked mine out but just a heads up for you ;)

Cheers for the tip, Paul - just gone to the railway room and tried it - it's a tad wide for the doorway, but that won't be a problem, as there's plenty of brass on either side and we're talking of a fraction of a millimetre to remove. In fact, the small side window to the right of the doorway was a much harder prospect to make that fit, as was the small window on the ground floor.

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10800

The Smith's etched frame looks nice Tim - didn't know they did such a thing, rather more refined than the Wills' version in their box interior.

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Grovenor
The Smith's etched frame looks nice Tim - didn't know they did such a thing, rather more refined than the Wills' version in their box interior.

But nothing like a Midland frame! The Midland frame has all the locking and the lever pivots above the floor and consequently the box design does not have the structural components to support a frame in the sunken position shown. Better to fix it now before you have gone to far.

SeeCoaley Jcn.

or Signal box.

or Kettering.

or Whissendine

Regards

Keith

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Penlan

CK, if you compare the lever positions of the levers pulled off in Wordsell Forever's photo of the Upper Holloway box with the position of your's, your only about half-way there.... unless of course your's it's not a genuine Midland Frame, but a replacement by the BR WR :D

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Captain Kernow
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But nothing like a Midland frame

Keith, thank you for pointing this out - I was actually very well aware that the Midland frame looks different, but I have absolutely no idea how to reproduce one, hence the fact that this may have to be a W.R. replacement - if anyone has any useful ideas on how to replicate a M.R. lever frame in 4mm scale, I would be very glad to hear from them.

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Captain Kernow
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I would add that I'd rather model something that's wrong, but do it well, than make a hash job of something that is technically right.

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Kempenfelt

CK, Robin and I have come across the same issue when discussing the Barrow Road lever frame. Robin's using the Masokit's leverframe and it is possible to make this a bit more like the Midland frame but not perfect. I guess a GWR lever frame at Callow Lane when it was taken over by the Western wouldn't be too far fetched!

 

Keep up the good work!

 

Best Wishes

 

Paul

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Brass0four

Nice levers, whatever the pedigree. In the not too distant future I'll be searching for a North Eastern boxes innards on the Avenue Branch to Blyth, (etc)Hmmm...

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Captain Kernow
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Well, I've had a think about this, and have scratchbuilt a lever frame base from plasticard, the Mek is currently hardening off as I type this.

 

I've also cut down the Smiths levers at the tops, as the M.R. 'handle' was shorter than the GWR equivilent.

 

After a slightly alarming attempt to heat up the base of the levers and melt them into a bit of scrap plasticard (to represent the base), I have realised that I will have to drill a line of small holes (probably 0.4mm) for each lever, and glue the bu**ers in!

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Grovenor
I guess a GWR lever frame at Callow Lane when it was taken over by the Western wouldn't be too far fetched!

See my first comment above, you would have to rebuild the box structure as the frame supports are completely different.

Regards

Keith

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Captain Kernow
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I guess a GWR lever frame at Callow Lane when it was taken over by the Western wouldn't be too far fetched!
See my first comment above, you would have to rebuild the box structure as the frame supports are completely different.RegardsKeith

Just as well I decided to go for a Midland type frame then! That's still potentially useful, however, should anyone else find themselves in the same situation. Thanks for you help over on the S4 forum, Keith, as mentioned there, I'm happy with the new frame and will post some photos of it here, when the primer is dry (probably dry already) and once I've decided whether I need to move the gate wheel in the signalbox (the new frame is a few mill longer than the first one, due to the M.R. frame depicted now having 6" lever centres, rather than the narrower centres of the GWR frame).

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Kempenfelt
I guess a GWR lever frame at Callow Lane when it was taken over by the Western wouldn't be too far fetched!

See my first comment above, you would have to rebuild the box structure as the frame supports are completely different.

Regards

Keith

 

Sorry Keith, missed that bit! Likewise very useful though! I will have to let Robin know, he loves it when I find more work for him! :P :D

 

 

 

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