Mike T

Hi Art Where did you source the super capacitors from please? Regards Mike

Hi Mick What type of white spirit are you using as I have found many will damage the previously applied washes and that you need something that's not 'hot' eg one of the odourless synthetic types, or I may of course not be letting things dry properly due to impatience! Mike

Was a fun job that one Eric! Regards Mike

Hi I was one of the two people who built and exhibited Walton and Anfield. Regards Mike

Hi Ian Have sent you a PM. Regards Mike

Be careful if you buy from Smiths, was on their system as £7.99 not £6.99 in Liverpool.

I received my AWS and other bits from Shapeways yesterday and have just had a chance to check them over. I can only say they are excellent!! Photos once I get them in grey primer I think and if I can find a peco one a comparison shot too - they are chalk and cheese. Regards Mike

Hi Simon If you haven't already gone to print with these I will send you a drawing of the concrete I beam base that these usually stand on which would look better than a slab. Regards Mike

Give me a couple of days and I will sort:-) Regards Mike

How about a decent points heating transformer? The knight wing ones are naff. Regards Mike

Hi Paul Such changes are not my cup of tea but as the saying goes it's your train set so good luck! Don't forget that there was a station at Edge Lane which closed in 1948 see http://www.disused-stations.org.uk/e/edge_lane/index.shtml and plans for a new one although that will be on the far side of Edge Lane rather the junction side as it's predecessor. Regards Mike

Hi Paul Your call of course but to me Edge Lane with a loop isn't Edge Lane. You would have to ask what the loop was provided for given the trains only come off the main line or out of the sidings around the corner. Pighue Lane with it's reversing moves is just as interesting and even with wires more prototypical. Anyway here's the signalling plan at closure. Regards Mike

Hi Paul You had already thought about adding a loop and wires at Edge Lane so I don't see the problem in adding an overbridge between Pighue Lane and Exhibition as a scenic break, it's the only one your short of!! And if you still want wires then assume the original plans to electrify between Liverpool and Earlestown had been completed and that the section between Exhibition and Olive Mount was done too, more plausible than a stabling point on the Bootle branch. There were actually electric holding sidings at Exhibition anyway. Regards Mike

Hi Paul Edge Lane Jcn is nice but Pighue Lane Jcn is nicer and just around the corner :-) Ok you would loose the southport passenger service although you could still bluff one coming in from Olive Mount but you would retain the aintree specials. The big plus for Pighue Lane is that trains from Exhibition Jcn to the docks reversed here through a single slip in the double junction. If you look at this picture: https://www.flickr.com/photos/happyraildays/6851764900/in/set-72157627339905422 The 40 is waiting to draw it's train forward through the tunnel to Olive Mount - the brake van is next to the loco. It will uncouple at the far side of Olive Mount tunnel then run back to Pighue Lane via a crossover there. It then drops on to the back (now front) of its train via the crossover you can see in this picture then heads for the docks via the slip also just visible. Regards Mike

Looked very nice in the flesh at DEMU showcase yesterday! Mike

See http://www.timhorn.co.uk Regards Mike

Hi Michael I spoke to John about the missing traps when he happened to be on the same train travelling up to Glasgow show back in February and he was aware of them and was thinking of adding them as dummies now because of how far on he is with the build. I am sure one of his team can confirm this. Looking at the plan I think it dates from pre 1896 (ish) as that's when the connections at the end of platforms 6 and 7 (4 and 3 on here) were altered. Also I have a plan that shows another trap in the scissors to the right of the signal box which effectively created a short through siding in the middle of the throat where a loco could stand. Nice find Regards Mike

Hi Steve Good for John, I know he likes to get things right! Whilst scanning some stuffs for 'Signal Engineer' I came across the following which might be more use than the previous drawing I posted as it gives more detail. Admittedly it's for flat bottom rail but that would only really affect the drawings it cross references. Regards Mike

Hopefully you might find this useful; the toe of the point is off to the right:

Hi Steve I hate to say this but John has got most of his FPLs the wrong way round - they bolt goes in and out from the front of the switches not the back except on switch diamonds (IIRC). Unless track circuited, fouling bars would be fitted and you will find that the way these are arranged the FPL has to operate this way. That said it is very rare to see the bar itself modelled. Regards Mike

Hi Steve Whilst a short arm signal might look nice you should really have a look at the last image in my post here: http://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/index.php?/topic/37994-liverpool-lime-street-2mm-finescale/?p=413765 Regards Mike

Hi Mike Sorry to disappoint but that's the gridiron bridge over the circular goods. Rathbone road was to the right of this as viewed. Regards Mike

Hi David Thanks will give that a try! Regards Mike

Hi David I note the concentric circles around the screw holes and assume these are a pseudo countersink using two engraving passes. Looks a good idea how well did it work out? Regards Mike

Hi Wild Boar Not sure if you realise but the transverse struts are not in line from one side of the wagon to the other, they are stagered. See this photo of an FGA 601342 on Martin Reids excellent smug mug site. http://ukrailwaypics.smugmug.com/UKRailRollingstock/F/FFA-FGA-Freightliner-flats/16329502_HS8Zvc#!i=1227417343&k=sdD7rsD&lb=1&s=A Regards Mike