BobM

Evening All..... Hope all are okay and well...... Just a few further images for all to digest and comment upon please.... Have spent an hour or so tweaking the track alignment within the station slightly..... and with further sanding required have fashioned roughly the local platform and indicated something which I hadn't previously considered, namely a ramp on the end of 2 and 3....? The curve on the main looks reasonable after the tweaking of the roads into 1 an 2.....further sanding required to smooth..... Regards as always to all...Have a great weekend.... Bob

Thanks for the kind comment, all this feedback is very much appreciated..... This layout is my first venture back into the hobby after some 40 years.....so it is very much a 'learning curve' if you'll forgive the platform pun...! I obtained the curve using a slightly different to the usual paper template method, in that as the track set up was being made from a large Peco right hand with straight track on either toe, I replicated this using spare track / point on the mdf, then using the standard 11mm gap from rail centre as minimum clearance measured and marked with dots to the required curve, drawing a line through each to make a smooth'ish curve....a band saw being used as carefully as possible to follow the line....some sanding will be required to further smooth the edge.... Also will be removing the cork base.... Maybe the incorrect method but I can basically live with it....(for now anyway)... Regards as always... Bob

Hi...Thanks for the kind comments....haven't encountered any issues (as yet) with any slips, either single or double, save for...and it is a problem of my own making where a slip is followed by a set track curve to save space, there is a slight 'wiggle' when my smaller wagons run through as a set...? Regard as always Bob

Evening.... Here goes will post images first the comment at a future stage......but your input is always appreciated.... Regards as always.... Bob

Evening Guys....Hope all are tickety boo....? The next set of images that I will be posting (hopefully later tonight or maybe tomorrow) will be done so with great trepidation........... I have made a first attempt to make a curve platform section for Cambrian Streets main No.1.......I can see now why everyone said that curved platforms are ' nightmare'......I hope that I can 'live with the result'......there will be a requirement for some sanding to smooth the curve and it does look okay..... it is just that when the longest coach is on the curve obviously there is a greater 'gap' between the door anf the edge but that is quite probably normal,,,,hence 'mind the gap'....probably.....? So once loaded up. please comment and advise.....I will add my own comment too..... Regards as always.... Bob

Hi Guys.... Does anyone else recall those halcyon days when commercial TV had the decency not to broadcast adverts on Christmas Day......? Cannot remember it vividly but I am sure this was the case....! Regards Bob

A big vote of thanks required to all the admin team for getting the site up and running after its server problems, much of the hard work keeping the site running smoothly, safe and secure goes unnoticed and 'unsung'........so well done lads.... Much appreciated.... Regards Bob

Just to express my thanks to all on the admin team for a overseeing this wonderful site.... With sincere thanks Bob

Evening Guys....Final posting for tonight..... Have spent an hour or so....connecting a further batch of droppers to the common return beneath the boards so nothing 'visible' there to see.....however....the following image may hopefully cast some light on the intended platform positioning and shaping of each, if the image is good enough.....clearance standard 00 (11mm) from rail centre to edge of round brick platform, no slab overhang....marked in black hatching Have indicated too where the main signal box is to be positioned on the 'up' end of platform one, and the adjacent signalman's boarded crossing linking to platform 2....each platform designed to be 'square end (no ramp but step access) - spear top (gated) fencing for passenger safety..... Regards as always.... Bob

Evening Guys..... Just a message (to keep you up to speed on even the minor details, as I wish to note everything (good or bad) that I do on here, even if it is to lay my pitfalls open to all, which may be beneficial to all that may read this)....I have received another batch of simple 'on / off ' switches today, so I can continue the installation of isolated sections and when....intended to be the main station platforms 1 and 2....followed by the goods yard... Hope to have the initial straight sections of platform cut from the mdf sheet during this coming Thursday when a band saw will be available to use....will post if and when this materialises.... Regards as always... Bob

Looks good...must puck up a copy when there.... Bob

Evening guys... ....have been preliminarily mapping out the dimensions of platforms, where they are straight, leaving a standard modelling clearance of 11mm between rail centres and the edge of the platform......the width of the local 4 and 5 works out at 90mm wide, platforms 2 and 3 are measuring up as 100mm wide.....they then both taper and curve slightly towards the station throat.....these profile to be mapped out using the customary method of paper templates, the two respective halves when ready matched up together to form the complete platform hopefully, any tweaks done with a hand sander.....planning to have a round brick rather than a slabbed (overhang) edge.... also have been playing with the isolated sections...... have had fun.....moving waggons and trucks about the sidings, testing each section, switch and associated points..... cos' as they say ' I'm only happy when I'm shunting' Regards as always.... bob

Hi Guys...... With some experience and connections within the professional weather forecasting world,,,, remember that the majority of the 'free' forecasting apps available....are just generated from computer raw model data probably the GFS, with no input from a forecaster, these model runs fluctuates greatly daily at extended ranges...that's why they are free.....! But they are good fun....the GFS especially gets people excited when is throws a 'wobbly cold' run of the model....so beware the App...! Cheers and kindest regards... Bob

Evening... The areas marked with red....are the switched sections 'currently' wired up.....all seem okay and are either isolated or working as required...... All the way through this layout..I am not striving for perfection, in any aspect of its construction, whether design, track laying wiring or in the scenic stages to follow in the middle to distant future hopefully, such perfection which is beyond my capabilities and always will be.....but more over trying to gain experience, recognise the mistakes and pitfalls along the way, for perhaps a further layout when I've retired and living on the Cambrian Coast...! Intend to enjoy the journey ! Regards as always..... Bob

Hi Guys....Will watch this with interest....I am also investigating using Mercontrol for throwing my points.....this method used all those years ago when we had a family layout..... Cheers...all the best.... Bob

Hi... I know that this is perhaps a strange question...but....? Have I had 'a senior moment' when wondered whether I was doing something incorrect here ? ......The switches I am using are simple on / off toggles with only two lugs....one marked 'off' at the top the other obviously 'on' at the base.....I am bringing a connection from the bus wire to the switch then onward to the section rail to create the required 'break' or switch in the feed wire.....is the wire coming off the bus feed soldered to the top 'off ' lug...... with the following section wire onward to the rail soldered to the 'on' base lug .....or should it be t'other way around...? All seems to work ok with the way I have done it so far.....? Sorry for being 'thick' ! Regards as always... Bob

Evening Guys..... As always, hope that all are well and the week has gone well for you....? Just an update and a question this evening ( which I have also posted on the Warley Exhibition forum)....... The update is to (just) say that this evening another two switched sections were installed within the station limits (and look successful too).......so however albeit slowly, 'we' progress perhaps...? The question posed is in relation to my previous post above (356)...and ask if anyone advise if there is likely to be an exhibitor stand that will have supplies or demonstration for the Mercontrol manual point system.....? Have a great weekend my friends..... Regards as always... Bob

Hi Guys...... Looking forwards to the impeding show, will be attending on the Saturday all being well and weather permitting a snow free journey..... Can anyone advise if there is likely to be an exhibitor stand that will have supplies or demonstration for the Mercontrol manual point system as it is my intention to install this on my Cambrian Street layout currently under construction......? Cheers and best regards...... Bob

Hi.... Sadly the eventual design of the Engine House was not within the remit of the SVR solely I believe when applying for funding....otherwise is would have been something closer to a proper Engine Shed perhaps? Regards Bob

Evening Guys..Whilst my tea is cooking... thought I'd pose a question that is turning over in my mind......that you kind guys may like to chip in with answers or comments..... It has always been the intention to use mercontrol tube in wire system for throwing the points, replicating a system that I recall we used all those years ago when I was a bubber with the family layout.....and continues to be the prefered system as the points are down and other than using 'the hand of god' Mercontrol can be installed relatively easily.... I have read various articles about connecting the wire to the tie bar......but these rather vague......I recall that we replicated the point rodding by using a very small crimped electrical connector that was soldered or glued to the wire, the ring connector fitting neatly over 'the pip' of the tie bar, held in place with a smidgen of glue, everything painted black to camouflage this a little...? Have a couple of old points which will act as a test bed before hand..... Comments guys.... Regards as always... Bob

Evenin' All.....Hope all are in fine fettle...? Thought I'd keep you up to date on proceedings this evening..... Have installed another two isolated sections.....I am quite amazed that I have managed to achieve what is to me a huge step forwards - (as I am a bit thick, if not solid 'north of the neck') .....something which perhaps to many may seem to be a simple task where wiring is concerned...but is so pleasing to report that it works....! I am posting a couple of images of where on the layout I am talking about and the switches in question, again it may not be to the high standards that some of the guys on here would see as 'correct', but it works for me and I am happy that it does the job and is safe from a wiring point of view.....it certainly may not look aesthetically perfect at all....so I hope that you'll understand....? The isolated sections installed are marked here as 'A' 'B' 'C' respectively....the next two in sequence marked as x1 and x2..... each sections power controlled from these switches respectively..... fed by the controller beside it..... as an aside.....here is the 'buffer stop' end of the adjacent platform for local / auto train and link through to platform 3..... Will update you kind guys as progress made on further sections....and may begin a test piece of track for ballasting and then for real in the sidings/ head shunts....keeping away from any points and where it is the intention to install wire in tube control for throwing said points....? Take care and with kindest regards as always... Bob

Evening guys...hope all are well...and if you've had a Bonfire Night 'do' it has gone with 'a bang'...! You cannot imagine how happy I am this Saturday evening.....? Now then......I know I am a sad, old chap..... and also you'll probably have gleaned for yourself by now from reading through this (Cambrian Street) thread, that I am a somewhat 'strange' fellow......but you know the smallest things increasingly in life do make me so contented..... After all the assistance and advice you kind guys have provided on every topic I've raised for advice.....I have tonight installed my first switched and isolated section on the layout.....the switch works, is soldered in and mounted on an albeit temporary board.....the power either on or off at the flick of the switch ! I couldn't have got to this without you kind guys..... A huge thank you....! Regards as always...Bob

Cheers Andi.... Much appreciated.... Regards Bob

Hi Guys.... Hope you're all okay....? As some say in these parts..... ' a'it a bit chilly and like autumn should be at the moment....' ? Any road up...thought I'd give you an update on what's been happening with Cambrian Street now that it is dark after work and a greater amount of time can be devote to the layout.....Once more, the time spent on Cambrian Street continues to be centred on wiring, although 'the feelers' have also been extended into the next phase, with the arrival of a set of switches for the isolated sections within the station, goods and headshunt area and potentially for when a move is made into the 'scenic stuff'.....(the reason why I came back into the hobby).....to that end have purchased a tub of ballast...well it's a start ! The image here shows the area where the wiring is being concentrated - Station / Goods and headshunt region..... Taking the image from the left.....the guards van is stabled in the 'kip' siding............ then three headshunt / sidings the section breaks can be seen where they are to be connected........a centre siding and then the local / parcels road.....marked roughly are the clearances for the platforms, the main roads into the station can be seen to the right..... Closer views here.... Will be moving onto wiring up the isolated sections / switches as soon as I can get my head around the wiring up of such.....and how to mount the switches as simply as possible....... Prior to beginning the scenic (ballasting firstly) side of the area, as my points are to be non-motorised....I will be researching the way I recall as a 'little bubber' all those years ago now and remember 'the family layout' was set out with Mercontrol levers and wire in tube, if anyone has pointers into where information can located will as always, be greatly appreciated..... Regards as always.... Bob

The Night Has A Thousand Eyes - Bobby Vee