Jump to content
 

Steve Hewitt

RMweb Gold
  • Posts

    1,476
  • Joined

  • Last visited

  • Days Won

    2

Everything posted by Steve Hewitt

  1. Not all the time!.............. Eric had only just completed the initial laying of the Northbound track than this "test train" gave us a visit. 2024-03-12 11.42.23.mp4 Not calling for a banker. This A4 is showing off with twelve coaches for an un-assisted climb up to Beattock Summit. More as and when we make progress............ Steve
  2. Can't resist the urge to run some trains............ As if from nowhere, some carriages and locos appeared: 2024-03-08 10.51.09.mp4 Two bankers return from their last job, coupled together to only use one "slot" down from the summit. Next we see a dozen assorted carriages en-route for Carlisle. 2024-03-08 10.54.55.mp4 Apologies for the review of our rubbish bin! Steve
  3. Tuesday was a busy busy day................. Two sessions at the Clubroom on Tuesday saw very good progress. The Down Main line has been laid and the connections to and from it installed. Looking North the two main lines have been laid but only the Up line has been checked over its whole length for alignment. This point work is straight on the prototype, but we have introduced the curve to reduce the space required. In the centre of this shot can be seen a coach used for checking the alignment etc. It is on the Up Main just beyond the end of the Station Building, adjacent to the Up Bay trackwork. Following the line south past the Bay Exit the next feature is the trailing crossover from the Up to Down lines. This is where banking engines returning light engine after assisting a train up to Beattock Summit on the Down Main will reverse and gain access to the Shed (Northbound) or Banker's Siding (to the South). This access from the Down Main to the Shed is also the access to the two Down Loops used by goods trains which have to allow faster trains to pass. The trailing crossover between the Down Main and the Banker's Siding allows a waiting Banker to follow a northbound train towards the station from where it will assist in the long climb to the Summit. All this point work has been constructed in the last couple weeks from the excellent British Finescale 00 Kits. We think the "flexible curves" are very effective. By the end of the evening we couldn't resist the temptation to clip a couple of leads to the Down Main at the North end of the layout and give a Caley 0-6-0 a first run! 2024-02-20 20.25.53.mp4 Next will be aligning the Down Main followed by laying out the track for the Goods Yard and Moffat Branch, both accessed from the Up Main, and the Engine Shed and Goods Loops which are accessed from the Down Main. More soon I hope. Steve
  4. Board 7 ............... As mentioned above, the modifications to Board 7 are to facilitate the Engine Release function for each of the 10 Fiddle Yard tracks. This is the circuit board John has made: John explains: "This shot is a close up of the new circuit board I made before Christmas for the loco release, each of the relays will serve two fiddle tracks, shorting out the dead sections at the far end of each track. The blue and grey wires lead to the individual droppers." And here you can see where John has managed to fit the new circuit board to Board 7: Quite a lot going on ! Once John has completed the documentation and erected Board 7 it will be on to Board 8. Steve
  5. Flexitrack and now Flexipoints................. We have chosen Peco Bull Head 00 as the track standard, and here we see the two main line tracks passing through the station area. This is the view looking South down almost the full length of the railway. the Station Buildings, Goods Yard and Moffat Branch will be to the left. The Engine Shed and Goods Loops will be on the right. The white line over the Up line is builders string used to ensure the track is straight! This code 75 track is very flexible and has been secured at about 4 inch intervals to try to maintain accurate alignment. At the South end of the layout we have had to curve the formation towards the fiddle yard. Where in reality there were several points and crossings based on the straight track alignment, the curvature has raised the need for several points to be built on a curve. We had originally planned to build these from scratch if necessary, but the EMGS published an article on curving the British Finescale point kits. Our chief track builder experimented with one of the kits, and has developed a method which allows a point to be "flexible". 2024-02-16 10.14.36.mp4 His method involves cutting the inter-sleeper webbing on the "inside" of the required curve , leaving the webbing in place under the outer stock rail and in the frog and tie-bar areas. The resulting flexibility should be sufficient to allow us to use the British Finescale kits for all the points in the scenic section of the layout. More progress will be reported as it is made....... Steve
  6. Good progress............. Five members wished to tackle the assembly of the British Finescale point kits, so Eric Robinson and I ran a short training session on the next club night. Each of the "trainees" selected a kit and I provided the printed Templates and Instructions. I guided the team through the assembly sequence, explaining the names and function of all the components whilst Eric assembled the first kit following the Instructions carefully. Once the first point was assembled the "trainees" set about their kits and by the end of the evening most had made very good progress. The following week all bar one of the first kits had been completed and subsequently several more have joined them. Steve
  7. Turning the Corner............... A long time has passed since we were able to operate the layout properly. This has been fruitfully spent with the replacement of the stolen stock, and the conversion to DCC operation as well as a number of other improvements and developments. Last week Rob and Noel spent one day with John dismantling the whole layout and storing it as if for transport. With everything safely stored it allowed a decorator to repair and restore the ceiling where some water ingress had occurred. John is now re-erecting the layout and completing any outstanding tasks board by board. In addition to a thorough cleaning, these include repairs to a damaged point mechanism which has been inaccessible previously and modifying some wiring to accommodate our DCC operation. The ten long storage roads at the rear of the layout each previously used a diode controlled section to prevent locos over-running into the buffers. This method doesn't work with DCC and has been replaced by relays to isolate each track end. The camera which presents the view of these tracks to the operator has been relocated to improve control. The first two boards are now complete and re-erected including all paperwork and are fully tested. The next board ( Board 7) will not be as easy as there is quite some wiring to do. This one has the new circuit board for the fiddle yard loco release and all associated wiring plus through wiring for the re-sited fiddle yard camera. It’s going to be a case of shoe horning a place to site the circuit board ! Only another dozen boards or so then we can start operating again. Steve.
  8. Moving on from Paper Templates.................... Having developed the track plan using paper templates we have ordered our first batch of point kits. These are intended mainly for the area controlled from the Beattock South box. We have chosen to use British Finescale 00 Code 75 as the basis for our pointwork. They produce a very nice result and are significantly less costly than the new Peco Unifrog points which offer a comparable all metal product of very similar geometry. Here we have our first order delivered: A number of new club members wish to develop their skills by assembling these kits between them. More soon............. Steve.
  9. Hi Jon, I can't help with prototype photos or drawings, but my solution in 4mm scale is in this video: Because it's platform mounted I assume all the weight bars and slotting are in a pit below the main post!. The route indicator is assembled from a MSE etch, and from memory (its not clear in the photo I'm afraid) I mounted it on a short piece of channel section brass attached to the bracket work so that the operating cranks could line up with the flags. Hope this helps , but I can't claim its authenticity. Steve.
  10. YES! Our policy in the club is to build layouts for exhibition. Beattock is constructed from 4ft by 2ft baseboards with the intention of making wheeled racks for easy transport. It is not likely to be attending any exhibitions for several years. However we always welcome visitors to our clubroom by arrangement. Just get in touch on Rmweb. Steve
  11. First section of track.................. Having completed the cork laying for the majority of the layout we have redrawn the curve of the southbound entrance to the fiddle yard. This will be the tightest curve on the running lines at about 3ft 6in radius. One of our newer club members has some concerns about the ability of his larger locos to deal with this, so we have temporarily laid a short length track for him to test them out. We hope to run a few tests next Tuesday morning...... Steve
  12. Hi Simon, Happy new year to you. Yes, I expect there will be quite a bit of video shot once we are training again. Explaining how we are using DCC and the techniques for operating will probably need video with a "voice over". Steve.
  13. Another step forward........ Prior to the return of our stolen locos we were making good progress in rebuilding our stock and in the process adopting DCC features in the new locos - including lighting and sound. In our time period Edge Hill shed had an allocation of ex-LNWR 0-8-4T engines which managed a lot of empty stock movements. The prototype on shed. Here is a model we have made of one of them: The model is based on a Brassmasters kit, but incorporates a G2 0-8-0 chassis by Bachmann. You see it here in its almost final state. It has been backwards and forwards between myself for the basic construction as a DC model in EM gauge. Rob then tackled the painting after contributing many of the fine details. Back to John for the installation of the DCC features and addition of the Transfers. This is the condition you see here. It will be back to Rob again shortly for matt varnishing and touching up of the weathering, after which it will be returned to John and be ready for service! Speaking of "service" , we are hoping to be able to start running sessions during the first quarter of 2024. First there is completing of the DCC installation and its integration into the existing control system. Then there a couple of repairs to complete, which because of their nature and location will require the dismantling of quite a large part of the layout to gain access. Only then will we be able to start operator training.............. Steve
  14. What a great start to 2024. Thanks Les.
  15. Like this............. The end of the static board. The support for the lifting section is 20mm x 20mm x 2mm aluminium angle. The receiving hole is reamed 7mm dia. The mating end of the lifting section in the open position. The 7mm dia dowel is located accurately in the strengthened edge of the board. The holes were made with the lifting section closed and clamped in alignment. The lifting section in the closed position. The dowel ensures accurate alignment in the horizontal plane. The two thumb wheels adjust the vertical position of the edges of the lifting section as they bear on the aluminium angle when closed. The track plan will have only two running lines across the lifting section - The Up and Down Main lines. The necessary electrical safety interlocking to ensure trains don't proceed when the lifting section is raised has yet to be finalised. i.e. we know we need it, but not sure how we will achieve it! Perhaps the upcoming festive season will inspire some creative thinking .......... All the very best to our readers for a Merry Christmas and a busy modelling New Year. Steve.
  16. Hi Paul, I think on the prototype the horizontal arm of the bracket would have had extensions out to each side, so that it supported the weight of the timber "Trimmers" and in turn the dolls etc. On the model, just drop the bracket down the post until the top of the Horizontal arm is level with the lower edge of the Trimmers. The fact they are not actually supported will be invisible on the layout. Best wishes, Steve.
  17. A Circuit complete................ Our club exhibition last weekend has given the opportunity to relocate several items within the clubroom. This in turn allowed us to erect the final baseboards to complete our 30ft by 12ft layout. We had started assembling the boards in the North West corner, and as seen in previous posts completed the scenic section in a southerly direction. We then assembled the boards to the East which will be the Fiddle Yard. When we came to install the final board, which will be the "lifting section" we were delighted to find everything lined up within about 4mm! The view from inside the North West corner of the layout, with the final boards in the South East corner in the distance. There are some thirty boards plus several triangular corner fillers. The alignment between the East and West sides prior to any adjustments. The West side of the layout seems to be about 4mm longer than the East side. Alignment dowels and case catches will be used to bring everything into proper alignment......... Steve
  18. Thanks Paul, please let me know how you get on. All the best, Steve.
  19. Hi Paul, I'm afraid I can't help with regards to alternative suppliers of etches. Looking at your sketch, I would have thought you could make all the structure, as seen in the front view, from standard MSE etches. Look at S008/3 for the large bracket, and S0021 or S0024/2 should give you enough to cobble the arch structure. The main posts would be either S0020 if you want the taper, or Alan Gibson 4M62 if you want them parallel. Without a plan view I can't see what you would expect to find in terms of etches. Personally, I would expect to make all the walkways from Brass Strip for the supporting "Iron Work", with wood strip for the walking surfaces and Lace Pins for the handrail stanchions with 0.3mm N/S wire for the Handrail itself. Hope this helps. Steve Hewitt https://www.rmweb.co.uk/forums/topic/59687-semaphore-signals-4mm-scale-mainly/ https://www.rmweb.co.uk/forums/topic/177988-beattock-00-finescale/
  20. Look what Les Green brought to the BELMRS Exhibition ................ This is Beattock station from Les's 3D Printer. There are some twenty-odd separate pieces which all dovetail together to give this wonderful assembly. The whole design took several weeks, first in 2D on Corel Draw, then in 3D on Autocad. An enormous time was then spent printing the various parts. The largest single part part was the main cruciform building which took some 80 hours to print! There is still a lot to do, including the canopy on the platform side of the building. You can see some of the windows have been glazed, with the rest to follow. Les's technique involves facing a sheet of clear acetate with self adhesive white paper on which he prints the window shapes in the correct colour. and at the edge of each window he prints the cutting guides. A sharp scalpel is the used to cut through the paper layer and the "glazed" panes removed, leaving only the complete frame stuck to the acetate. Les will have the station building with him at the show tomorrow should anyone wish to chat with him about the techniques he uses to build these fantastic structures for Beattock and also Liverpool Lime Street. See the exhibition details in the previous post. Steve.
  21. See for yourself............. Progress on our layout continues, but it's not very photogenic. However, our annual exhibition is being held on December 2nd and 3rd. Admission is £5 for adults, accompanied children free, family ticket £8. This venue is on the ground floor of the Conference centre, and our Clubrooms are immediately above on the first floor. Throughout the weekend at approximately hourly intervals we will be offering accompanied visits of our clubrooms to any interested visitors. Why not come along and see Beattock for yourself as well as the other projects our Club has to offer. Steve
  22. Adam, I hope the following will help: Leg components............... The components used in our legs are based on commercial handrail and barrier systems. The cast socket which is attached to the baseboard: From: Flocon C11.131 Wall Flange - Handrail Fitting C36F.173F Female End Swivel - Handrail Fitting�נ4 26.9 C35.173M Male Through Swivel - Handrail Fitting�נ10 26.9 These latter two are used to make cross bracings The legs are Aluminium from: Alloy Sales Ltd.: 1 1/8 in x 16 swg - Aluminium Round Tube 5000 mm £19.95 per unit All cut 940mm long plus offcut The adjustable feet are from: ZORO: GN6336.4-ST-40-M8-55 Star Knob; Polyamid; Bolt The captive nuts for the feet are from: Amazon: Threaded Insert M8 Screw-In Nut Zinc Alloy Hex Socket Nuts Screw-In Sleeves for Wooden Furniture All the above were ordered on-line, so you should be able to find them for yourself. The foot end of each leg was plugged by a turned piece of dowel into which the Insert nut is screwed. This was from a local timber supplier. Best of luck. Steve.
  23. The Baseboards for Beattock........ Hi Adam, Thanks for the question. The Baseboards are mainly 9mm Plywood. i.e. Top and the two long sides. The ends are 18mm Plywood. The batton in the corner between the Top and Side is 20x20mm planed all round. The Tops are 2ft x 4ft, cutting three from an 8ft x 4ft sheet. The forth "2ft x 4ft" remnant (Undersize because of the saw cuts) is cut into 5in strips for the sides. The remaining strip is cut into approximate squares to use as reinforcing pads for the inside of the sides where dowels and/or captive nuts will be located. Assembly was performed using several Jigs and Drilling Guides to give consistency and squareness. Ends were always drilled in clamped pairs to ensure accurate alignment for the Dowels and Bolts. Similarly, adjoining sides were clamped together when the Pads were fixed and subsequently drilled for Dowels and Bolts. Note: The Dowels used to align boards in a North/South direction are conventional with a Male and Female pair. To align boards in an East/West direction, the Dowels consist of a pair of Females with a separate Dowel of 7mm Silver Steel inserted from either side. All the dowels are turned from 18mm dia mild steel bar. All joints were assembled with "Gorilla" glue and countersunk wood screws. At this stage there is no cross bracing under the boards. Where any is found necessary it will be introduced after all the "underground" equipment is in place - mainly servo motors for all the points and signals. Currently I would say the boards are "Lightweight" in that they can be handled by a single member. This will probably not be the case when they are complete. Two persons are required to assemble boards together, and three is ideal. The third person can be underneath dealing with the Bolts. Any more information I can give please just ask. Steve
  24. Next steps.............. We intend to purchase all the point kits we require for the front (scenic) part of the layout as a single order. We are now using some old, and some not so old, track to plot the precise location and configuration of the point work. It is clear that some points will need to be handbuilt, and to that end we are producing tracings of the areas affected. To be continued...... Steve
  25. Hi Ian, Thanks for your kind comments. I use 0.5mm dia Fibre purchased from All Components. It's the 'end lighting' type, not the 'side lighting'. Steve.
×
×
  • Create New...