Steam_Julie

Good idea, I've never though of it as a possibility! Julie

The basis of what I am saying, is a video contribution on the BRM DVD about using animation on a layout. I think the demonstrator, was Phil Parker, with his beer festival and and a felled tree. The jist of which was a little goes a long way! I'm advocating an occasional movement of a barge, say onto or off the scene. I'm thinking in terms of a hard flat surface of the canal, and felt, a suitable colour to be non obvious, stuck to the bottom of the barge to prevent scratching and facilitating easy movement. Perhaps such a movement may be performed to distract a viewer, whilst a derailed loco is being put back onto the track? Julie

I was recently traveling ‘tup Norf’ by train and I required something to read. I bought a copy of Model Rail. An article written by Paul Lunn, about modelling a rail / bus interchange. There is a video of a method, using a long stick and two magnets, to be able to move the busses around a realistic way. One design even includes a bus fiddleyard. Sorry this is grabbed image and not a link to the video. That started me thinking that a similar technique could be used to move barges around the canal basis on Ruston Quays too. Julie

I've only personally seen Bantums tugs pushing broad beam barges. The Bantum and compartment boat I saw on the Basingstoke Canal had a 7 foot beam, whilst walking with my sister and her dog. Photographs in an earlier posting. I was walking today, with my sister and her dog Maisy along the Basingstoke canal just outside Woking, Surrey and guess what we saw? A Bantum tug and one of it's compartment boats, these were the barges that the Bantums pushed along, often in multiples. Julie PS this is getting to be a barge blog? Julie

Another layout design of the theme of a canalside yard and a passenger shuttle, but this time based on Cromford Goods, as recently examined in Model Rail. The model is designed to be N gauge and the total layout size is 880mm by 450mm. The scenic section is designed to fit into a 22 liter Really Useful plastic box for transport, thus it's size of 360mm by 200mm. The design was carried out using Anyrail, using settrack components. If built using the Settrack points and flexiable track, the track will look more realistic as the track spacing can be made correct and slight curves can be introduced, making the track flow. It is necessary to introduce a slight down gradient on the DMU shuttle track to give sufficent run to hide it at the RH end of the run. I envisiage that the clearence is the minium to allow the unit to pass under the fiddleyard track and that in the event of derailment the unit would be pulled clear of the overtrack, before it being re-railed. I think that the track level should be slightly below the level of the canal, to allow the trains to be seen from normal viewing position. At the prototype location the track is about 16' below the canal level, behind a stone wall. Julie

Avonside 1536 said, Most certainly not if the narrow canals are being referred to, boats of 7ft beam or less are alway narrowboats, never barges. Barges are only found on the broader canals! [Pedant Mode Off] Bantum Tugs and their attendant compartment barges, had a beam width of 7' and operated on broad canals, such as the Aire and Calder in South Yorkshire. Typical cargoes included coal from pit to power station or domestic coal depot, such as the South Yorkshire Coop at Leeds. Julie

In the previous post, I used a micro baseboard to test the use of a hand held magnet to activate a Peco Elsie coupling with a Coupler Lift Arms. The baseboard was originally built to prove that it's possible to operate N Gauge points, using Peco surface mounted point motors. In the catalogue they are only shown being used with OO gauge points. The secondary objective was to prove whether or not analogue points could be powered from a DCC bus signal, without interrupting digital operation. The circuit consists of several components, these are a rectification circuit, complete with a capacitor. This does not operate as a capacitance discharge unit, but prevents current surges when a point motor is operated. The capacitor is under the baseboard. The DC is feed via a centre off double throw switch, to the left to select the branch, the non straight road and left for the main. The points are of course held in position using the over centre spring, installed on the point. The third component is a circuit which is driven via a micro switch operated by the no driven end of the point tiebar. This shows a red illumination of an led for the branch and green for the main. The led is a two input red green led, connected round one way it glows red and the other way glows green. I have also increased the size of the pip on the point tiebar, because having a larger on, with a smaller gap between it and the activator on the point motor, this reduces wear and also increases point motor life. Julie

It is also necessary to have a gap of about 75mm to allow the hand holding the magnet, to move freely without moving the baseboard. Julie

The baseboard used for the coupling test, was built to test if the new surface mount point motors would work with N Gauge points. Julie

I have been looking for a coupling system that will allow hands free shunting on a N Gauge layout for several years. This has been without success until I walked into our local hardware shop yesterday. I have previously, looked at B&B, DG and even Greenwich couplings, which are intended for OO narrow gauge. When in the local hardware shop I realised that a magnet sold for general applications could be the solution to my quest. The solution was under my noise all the time, and was found in the Peco catalogue. I have used the standard Elsie couplings and the Coupler Lift Arms. The breakthrough is the use of a moveable magnet, allowing uncoupling to take place anywhere within a desired area and the realisation that the lift arms can be fitted on one end of a vehicle. When building a shunting layout, like an inglenook, this is not a problem. I have found a magnet which is sufficiently strong to act through a single piece of 5mm plywood, which I use for the trackbed of my layouts. ] There is the added bonus, of being able to using the same magnet, to hold a wagon in place when buffering up, because of the steel weight under the Peco wagons. On the prototype the brakes are left on until the coupling is complete. The first photograph show that there is no modification to the track required. The second photograph shows the reverse of the baseboard. The strip of wood across the layout is there to prevent the movement of the magnet damaging the wiring. The only extra consideration required is the careful design of the wiring, to keep the shunting area clear of wires. Julie

The problem with repeating the simulation is now hopefully solved. Julie

I've been examining the operation of Clovelly Road in Inglenook mode. It can be accessed using the link below. http://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/index.php?/blog/1849/entry-17577-clovelly-road-lets-do-the-inglenook-shuffle/ Julie.

It occurred to me after reading November 2015 edition of BRM that Clovelly road could be operated as an inglenook puzzle, as well as using an operating sequence which simulates the operation of the prototype. It has all the track elements a main line, which is where the train is assembled and two short sidings, which can hold 3 wagons each. Using a set of hidden sidings, several other trains possibly including a passenger train could be run, giving more variety. The direction of exit of the hidden sidings is designed so that the passenger train operates in the opposite direction to the pick-up goods, i.e. the trains that shunt the yard. The operation of the passenger train could be controlled by a shuttle unit, which has been interlocked with the siding points. I envisage the trains being pulled by a small diesel loco such as class 22, a 33 or a small 0-6-0 steam locomotive. The operation could still be determined by the same methods i.e. the use of a pack of cards which are shuffled to determine which wagons are left in the sidings after the train moves off. I envisage that coal wagons would have removable loads, allowing them to be removed when nobody was observing. At the end of a shunt sequence, the wagons are redistributed according to the following rule. The first 3 wagons in the pack could be assigned to siding 1 nearest the main line and the second 3 to the back siding. To fully understand how an inglenook puzzle works, I have produced a short animation. To repeat the simulation, just click on the link below. http://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/uploads/monthly_03_2016/blogentry-20065-0-60055600-1458046087.gif To return to RMweb simply click on the symbol, at the top of your browser window. What does this prove, that 'there are many ways to skin a cat'. Not that I hate cats, it's just a figure of speech. And also that the same layout can be used in several different ways. A small layout can also be used a photographic background, because it is quick and easy to setup. Julie

It actually looks the part now! I definitely think the effort rebuilding the platform was worth it. I also realised that the train was wrong way around too. LSWR, it's successors Southern and BR Southern Region ran trains, with the brake van at the back as if they had started at Waterloo. Julie

Following a complaint from a Mr M Oxley received at Waterloo, the area manager and civil engineer where requested to look into the situation. They reported back that the complainant did have a valid complaint. In recognition of this they sent him a letter offering him a free 1st ticket to a destination of his choice. He took up the offer and the railway issued him a period return to London Waterloo. The lengthening by 15 feet and the raising of the platform height by 9 inches was sanctioned and have now been carried out. During the rebuilding there was a temporary platform constructed using scaffolding poles and planks constructed the other side of the bridge. This didn’t provide any shelter and was as a result unpopular with passenger. Photograph of the platform removed from the foundtions Photograph of the start of the extension works photograph of the extension complete Some people think that when they have not got it completely right, that it's back to square one automatically. This is usually not the case, there is usually a way to correct the situation. In the case of the platform at Clovelly Road, I misunderstood the diagrams which show the minimum dimensions for platforms. I took my dimensions from the 2mm Association website. I took the height as from ground level, but when I revisited the website and look again the dimension was measured from the rail head. I have also taken the opportunity to reduced the length of the platform base, so that it does not overhang the edge of the baseboard. Before I finish the platform off, it is my intention to add the baseboard edge. This will have several functions to protect the scenery from damage during transport and to provide a clean edge to the layout when being operated. I have stripped the platform to it's foundations. I have then re-built with it's upper surface which is 2mm higher than the original one. I have taken the opportunity to extend the length of the platform. When I built the model I reduced the length of the platform, so that the platform to appear overpowering. I went slightly too far, in that the locomotive has the stop completely under the bridge, to allow the coaches to be alongside the platform. I also had not put the step, which in the days before BR introduced the Mk1's was usual practice. This now makes the gap smaller, when combined with the raised platform surface. It will still be larger than for many main line companies stations. The prototype used steps which lived on the platform to make alighting easier and the doors were locked between stations, to both prevent the unwary from stepping into space and also to prevent passengers from opening doors when the train was not at a platform. It was not unusual for passenger, on this or other light railways to remain on board during shunting operations of mixed trains. Now the platform is looking better, it's time to add the waiting shelter and a fence to stop passengers falling of the back of the platform. Unlike mainline companies the company used they used 4 bar fencing similar to fences used by farmers to prevent livestock leaving the fields to wander on the railway. This was done to keep costs down and allow local workers to be able to carry out repairs without the need for special materials. Julie

The drop when alighting or boarding a train @ Cromford on the Derby to Matlock line is larger than the drop at Clovelly Road. Julie

On platform 3 @ Clapham Junction, on the reverse curve there is a larger gap! when boarding or alighting from a suburban train. Julie

There were 2 sets of platform steps, which were moved to where required by the guard. Doors were locked, when passengers had boarded, to prevent accidents. Julie

When the track was laid a paper template was made by placing a sheet of paper over the track, using the outer rail and a pencil a line was drawn. Then the process was repeated for the baseboard edge. The template was then cut out and checked against the track and baseboard edge. After several iterations, it was used to cutout the platform base. The photograph below shows the site of the platform at Clovelly Road, just before the overbridge on the Hallwill Junction side. Below is the photograph showing the basic construction of the platform. The strip along the inner radius top will eventually form the basis of the coping stones, when the individual stones are scribed onto it's surface. This photograph shows the platform placed in position, on the mounting blocks. The view below shows the platform with the width of the end section trimmed. This was done on the prototype to save money, as the company was in financial difficulty. This view shows the platform mounting blocks trimmed and glued in position. This next photograph shows the platform glued in position. It took many iterations of trying to run the train through. Then marking where it hit the platform. Then removing excess material, using a scalpel as a plane, before the train ran smooth through, without any hesitation. The view below shows the relationship between train and platform, when the above process was complete. The attached thumbnails are views of the primitive waiting shelter provided for passengers at Clovelly Road. Since the prevailing weather is from behind the shelter, it worked well. Below is a photograph of my best friend, who kept me going through my recent problems with a rough cyclist. See is siting on the floor of one of our local buses. Julie

Just a few days thoughts about using a cassette or Traverser on the RHS of the layout to simulate the operation of a crossing loop. It is called this because the graphs showing the progress of the trains cross. This is how timetables were worked out pre computers. Spot the deliberate mistake? I envisage that the Traverser would be removed during transport and attached to the layout using over center catches and a 3 pin plug electrically. Julie

My Bench area where I am working is very small, I have a larger workshop in the basement, but at this time of year it is too cold. Julie

I've taken all the photographs used in this blog entry using the camera on my mobile phone. Despite not spending a large sum on the phone, I have found one with a macro facility. This helps when taking close up photographs of small objects such as N Gauge trains etc. Julie

Laying track on a micro layout is a more involved process than a larger layout. This is because there is less of it, and thus on Clovelly Road it is essential that every mm of track gives excellent running. On a larger one, if there are a few stretches of track that have problems, then perhaps you can refrain from using them at an exhibition or club open day. Without all of the track, the running of Clovelly Road for even a morning session will become very tedious. Thus I have spent a considerable amount of time fettling the track, that is to say carrying out minor adjustments to ensure that all track joints are excellent. With an N gauge layout with sub 300mm radius curves it is essential that the outer rail joints are well aligned, i.e. there is a smooth transition from one rail, to the next. This is because there is an tendency for wheels to crab. This is especially a problem with coupled wheels of a steam loco or small diesel locomotive, like an 04. I have also reduced the distance between the running rail and the crossing, sometimes called the frog, horrible American word. The large gap is only necessary for the original profile wheels, not the modern ones, which are nearer in dimension to fine scale ones. This means that the wheels are guided to ensure the metal, i.e. pickup wheels are in contact with the metal rails, thus able connect with the rail voltage. It is more important that the point is laid in a flat plane, than having live crossings. These add to the making the electrics more complicated. If so then even with a small locomotive, like an 04 two wheel sets will be in contact with the metal rail and to be able to pick up current. The check rail that I seem to have spent many hours working on now does the job well. It means that the passenger train, of its two six wheeled coaches can run slowly through the goods yard entry points in both directions. The check rail also ensures that the coaches can negotiate the road bridge at the South end of the station without colliding with it. Having the bridge dimensions smaller than that of the Peco bridge kit, from which the bridge is made, has the effect of making it look further away, thus making better use of the very small foot print of the layout. Julie

Now all we require is a appearance of Sharn to complete the scene. Julie

Below are photographs of the Sheep shed and it's relationship with the track, and thus the trains, and the sky support.They are taken from a variety of angles. The next stage is to add the sky support between the end panels, which straddles the track. Julie PS I've added a view of the sheep barn and the creep too.