Wenlock's Blog

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Hi Mike you may have to clarify!  I thought the top arm was controlling the exit from the siding and the bottom arm was controlling the exit from the loop.  Do I take it that I've got this completely wrong and that the signal is actually there to indicate whether the route is set across the slip into either the main line or into the dead end spur by the bridge abutment?  If this is the case, what controls the exit of trains coming down the private siding onto the loop, or stock on the loop waiting to proceed down the main?  As I said when we met "signalling isn't my strong point" but I'm very keen to learn! :-)

 

Best wishes

 

Dave

Very interesting Dave, and not that costly either (their turntable unit also looks like a good idea, although that is in a different price league). We await the Stationmaster's response with nerves twitching - if there is an issue I hope it won't be too hard to address.

 

You've got to model that pub!

Very interesting Dave, and not that costly either (their turntable unit also looks like a good idea, although that is in a different price league). We await the Stationmaster's response with nerves twitching - if there is an issue I hope it won't be too hard to address.

 

You've got to model that pub!

Thanks Mikkel, yes I'm waiting with baited breath for wisdom from the Stationmaster! I don't really know why I find signalling so difficult to understand, but despite reading loads about the subject I'm still pretty clueless!

 

Glad you like the pub!

 

Dave

Dave,

 

The signal which you have modelled - rather nicely - is effectively a splitting signal (junction signal) because it has two arms of equal status one above the other.  In such a signal the topmost arm reads to the route furthest to the left and the lowest arm reads to the route furthest to the right.  Thus in you location the top arm reads to the spur and the lower arm reads out onto the main line.

 

So we now have to solve the little problem you might have created for yourself - perhaps.  There are two solutions -

 

1.  not entirely elegant but we simply assume the signal applies to both lines running into the slip.  The signal is not really in the best place to convey that message to a casual observer but it's a possibility and prototype examples did exist.

 

2. We assume - as I did - that the signal applies to the line from which the train departed and in view of space constraints you put in a ground signal for the other line (or you do that the opposite way round).

 

No.2 is probably the better solution but to get the best answer you'll need to remind me - perhaps with a  small layout sketch - the purpose of the two lines converging on the double slip.p

 

Hope this helps rather than confounds.  (BTW I can't remember the detail  but I thought we sorted this at Taunton?)

 

regards,  Mike

Very nice Dave.  I do like the bounce action of the signals.

 

 

You've got to model that pub!

 

Mikkel,

Dave might need to alter the date on the signage at the top of the building though :-)

 

Ian

Very nice Dave.  I do like the bounce action of the signals.

 

 

 

Mikkel,

Dave might need to alter the date on the signage at the top of the building though :-)

 

Ian

Thanks Ian, Glad you like the bounce! I've got a feeling that there may need to be a few amendments/additions in the near future!

 

Dave

Hi Again Mike:-)   Thanks for those options, at least now I've got my head around the fact that the signal is indicating the route setthrough the slip!

 

Here's a quick sketch of the track plan along with a plan view of my card mock up.

 

 

I think option two is the way to go.  I've got no problem moving the siding signal  if you think it needs it, the beauty of the mounting system is that it just involves moving the socket.

 

I'm also happy to build any other signals that you deem to be necessary, I enjoyed making the other two:-)

 

I'm looking forward to reading your thoughts

I like the signals and the mechanism. I have been pointed towards Megapoints (www.loolee.org) and intend trying one of their sevo controllers.

 

Don

I like the signals and the mechanism. I have been pointed towards Megapoints (www.loolee.org) and intend trying one of their sevo controllers.

 

Don

Hi Don, glad you like the signals:-) I've just been looking at the Megapoints site, there's some interesting stuff on there. I'll be interested to hear how you get on with their controller.

 

Dave

Very nice Dave.  I do like the bounce action of the signals.

 

 

 

Mikkel,

Dave might need to alter the date on the signage at the top of the building though :-)

 

Ian

 

Ah yes, a little modellers license might backdate it 10 years or so. I think Sherton Abbas is 1907?

 

 

I'm also happy to build any other signals that you deem to be necessary, I enjoyed making the other two:-)

 

 

How kind of you Dave, I'm thinking of modelling Paddington so that would be a big help ;-)

Ah yes, a little modellers license might backdate it 10 years or so. I think Sherton Abbas is 1907?

 

 

If only I had room on the layout for that pub! Lovely as it is I think it would look a little out of place in the rural idyll of Sherton Abbas:-)

 

 

How kind of you Dave, I'm thinking of modelling Paddington so that would be a big help ;-)

I'd be delighted to do Paddington's signals for you, as long as you build all the stock and trackwork, set it in 1905 and model in 7mm!:-)