john dew

I am afraid that, once again, my contribuitions during the summer have been pretty abysmal. In fairness, until quite recently progress on Granby has been equally tardy. I have come to the reluctant conclusion that it is unlikely any more of Granby's photos will be recovered. I have started the slow process of re-inserting them. So far I have been able to complete a dozen pages 75-62 ie back to July 2020. Virtually everything was wiped out between then and February of this year. I started a moderately efficient filing system in 2018 so I should be able to recover those years fairly quickly. Thereafter I am afraid it will take longer. Curiously the wipeouts before 2018 while extensive are more random - patience is undoubtedly a virtue.. Returning to the layout, I left you in early July with this: A Dapol bracket signal installed for the junction ( just beyond the bridge) and unanswered questions about the best location of the Up Starters for both the running line and bay. This shot shows the enlarged sighting panel which I think looks mus better. Thank you Mike @The Stationmaster After much procrastination, I decided that the best solution was to use two separate poles, rather than installing a second bracket. Further research allayed my doubts about the reliability of the Dapol single pole version. I also need a Down Starter so three were ordered along with two Train Tech DCC signal decoders. Installation was simple - unlike the brackets there is no obtrusive power box. Here is the Down Starter: Sadly the white stripe on the board is distinctly under-nourished! On the other hand the pole is a scale 24' long - standard length for a Home signal but not for a Starter where 16' or less was more usual. Certainly what was needed at Cynwyd where the sight line to the full length pole is obscured by the footbridge:: I have deleted my original para because Mike @The Stationmaster, who for over a decade has been guiding me through the intricacies of GWR signalling, has pointed out that this is incorrect. GWR did not have standard heights for specific signals - the primary determinant of the height of any signal was line of sight. You can read his helpful and detailed comment below. Here is a more accurate lead in to the photos: The Dapol signal is a fixed height - a scale 24' . Clearly too high for this location because the sight line is obscured by the footbridge and the solution: I felt shortening the pole and ladder was likely to damge the movement mechanism. Instead I drilled a second larger hole, inserted the signal from under the baseboard and a glued the edge of the signal base to the baseboard. (thank you for the suggestion Colin @BWsTrains ) Crude but effective: Its actually a scale 18' high but I am not going to get too excited over 8mm. Beforehand I painted the "new" base of the pole black and adjusted the white paint at the foot of the ladder. I also widened the white stripe on the board and the matching black stripe on the reverse. Similar treatment for the Up starters : I must say that my initial misgivings about the operation of the Dapol single poles were misplaced. Admittedly, the mechanism is rather noisy and they dont have the "bounce" seen on the bracket signals. Having said that, they have proved to be reliable over quite extensive testing and required none of the fiddly adjustments needed for a couple of the bracket signals. I cant quite say "all finished" - I have to replace the Signal Box and Water Crane and of course there are three overlarge excavation pits to be concealed. Remaining with Dapol - I eventually succumbed to the many favourable reviews of their new Manor - Compton Manor is currently winging its way from the Mersey to the Pacific - more to come when it arrives. In other news our Taiwanese rescue Mutt is very territorial and determined to protect us at all costs. However his unsuccessful attempt to catch a skunk was decidedly ill-advised! Best wishes from a still evil smelling part of Vancouver

Lovely to hear from you Bill. What an eventful summer you have had - no wonder you have had little time for Newton Regis. Best wishes

Another possible solution would be to replace the tireles but grooved wheels from a donor non working 14xx - assuming you can get one cheaply? I was able to do that and , combined with a stay alive, it transformed its performance. From my experience the more weight you can add the better John

Brilliant video John. I have been following Mid-Cornwall for quite a while so it was particularly enjoyable to watch so many of the individual components come together in such an enjoyable manner. I was very impressed with both the ultra smooth running and precise coupling. You and your crew must have had a very satisfying session Best wishes from a very hot {82oF) Vancouver

Hi Edward Glad you continue to enjoy the thread. Thank you for the information re your installed Dapol Signals. A couple of questions if I may. Are the defective signals, Bracket or Single Post? Were you able to correct the problem by reversing the wiring? Best wishes

If I apply that criteria I will just qualify in time to support Canada rather than England next year! Oh wait Canada didnt qualify!

Thanks John . It was very kind of you to get that out so quickly. I am not sure if I will be able to precisely follow your method - track already ballasted - and it certainly will not be as neatly executed. However with your photos as guide I think I might be able make something that bears a semblance to it - Thank you Change of topic - who are you supporting on Saturday? I seem to remember it was always England unless they were playing Australia - or was it the other way round? With 15 months from the World Cup I am getting rather depressed and pessimistic. Jones seems to turnover coaches faster than Boris with Cabinet Ministers and the squad spirit seems to reflect this. Best wishes

They always say that, with Train Controller, there is more than one way to skin a cat! Your cat is skinned far better than mine. I rarely if ever use inactive routes as a condition and I have never used route release as a trigger to return turnouts to normal- very elegant Even before I started playing with signals I made it a habit to return turnouts to normal but I do it as a Schedule Block command when the block is released. I think your method is better and maybe quicker I am still working on the signal triggers and conditions so I will try and replace some of mine with routes. I think your use of routes may provide me with a simpler way of maintain the primary signal on when the turnout is returned to normal. Again many thanks

Good Morning Paul Its actually Afternoon teatime here but I suspect you are sound asleep now. The eight hour time difference plays havoc with swift communication. Thank you so much for that concise, constructive summary and particular thanks for simulating the plan on RR&Co (more on that shortly) As you will have read, I now feel comfortable with the signal box relocated as per Option 1. I am quite relieved really - I am pretty sure I built that box around 1994 so I am quite attached to it. I didnt fancy chopping it up. Now its time for some TLC In my reply to Mike I omitted to mention it was your post that caused me to re-examine my self inflicted constraint of only using Dapol Brackets. I probably should have done this earlier but after the nudge from you I started to research a bit more deeply and I now think its worth taking a punt with two Dapol Single poles hooked up to the Train Tech SC3 decoder. Assuming this works I can now put " two straight post signals where they need to be. " To control the Up Loop Xover/ E Shed entry I propose using cosmetic signals like this: I will write a second post shortly about RR&Co solution Once again many thanks for your help.

Hi Mike Thank you so much for your detailed and helpful comments. You really have been very patient with me as I blunder along - I guess it must be well over a decade now that you have been helping me out. A: I think you are correct, one oversize sighting patch is preferable to the two odd shapes I have created. Weathering it is something I can do with confidence!😀 B: As Paul has pointed out I am suffering from the self-imposed constraint of restricting my choice of signals to Dapol Brackets. I did this because of the reported problems of the initial release of single pole signals. I now understand that subsequent releases have corrected those issues. I think I will try Dapol single poles for the starters - the under-baseboard footprint is much less restrictive and I can use the bracket I have already bought elsewhere. I can then place the Bay Pole to the left of the track, as you suggest. Although I will still need to occasionally invoke "Standing-Out Instructions". I dont have any trap points on Granby 🙄 but there is no reason why I shouldnt try and mock one up- I think @St Enodoc has done a "how to". I thought I could use a Pole at the end of the platform for the running line starter- there are no standing out concerns there - and protect/control the Up loop crossover with a cosmetic arm on a wall bracket with a second ringed arm controlling the entrance to the Engine Shed. As it happens that is what I already have for the Down Loop Xover/ Goods Yard Entrance: Or should I control the E Shed and Yard entrancess with ground signals on the bracket? - I did this some years ago, at your suggestion, when I was signalling the main Engine Shed. Its unfortunate that I wont be able to make these signals work but who knows Dapol or others may eventually come up with a solution. Best Wishes

Hi Tinker Not sure about this project being inspiring other than as an exercise in compromise😀 The contrast in our gardening progress is fascinating. Despite the weather I have been whining about we have good trusses developing on the tomatoes (the greenhouse ones are only a couple of weeks off) but the raspberries have a while to go - I havent even started to picked the black currants. I have to ask - what are Tayberries - an Essex speciality? Best

Thanks Phil That would solve the problem and look rather good. Sadly I cant move the wall back without radically modifying the storage yard which is concealed by the shops. Mike (The Stationmaster) has come up with a solution based on the Hump Yard at Bristol which would work might look a bit over the top ( 😀 sorry!) for a small branch. I think Option 1 will be the compromise but thank you for the suggestion,

Hi Neal "Wall to wall sunshine until October" is not a description I would associate with Vancouver! We are on the edge of the rain forest and there are many jokes (and T Shirts) linking Vancouver and Rust! Having said that we normally have an ok June followed by a July that is 75% sunny and a similar August. June this year was abysmal hence my irritation with the current weather......but I am told it will be sunny next week! I am persuaded that the box should not go on the platform - option 1 it will be. Many thanks for the feedback

Hi Neal We had about a week of weather in the high 20's even touched 30o a few time - cue bad panic re-install Heath Robinson irrigation system - current temperature 15o C 59o F and its rained for the last 24 hours!🥴 The Road bridge leads to a Warehouse and a few shops. I did contemplate re aligning it but it conceals a turnout motor and switch so I am afraid I am stuck with it. I am interested why you dont like the box on the platform. I was poring through my limited library last night and there seemed to be a number of branches with boxes on the platform that is where I got the idea from. I would prefer to keep the existing box further down the bay but the sight lines from the box are then pretty bad.......decisions decisions! Best wishes

The Junction bracket signal is now installed - not without incident. Under the baseboard in addition to avoiding a lot of complex wiring (Granby definitely dispels the DCC=2 wire myth), the signal power box lies very close to the front L Beam. Despite multiple measurement it was pretty scary when I tried to fit the power box to the signal base. There is little more than 1/8" clearance! Its now working beautifully in sync with the associated turnout. Train Controller activates it automatically. I can change it using the turnout procedure on the DCC Throttle or just click the icon on the screen - I even have a lower quadrant semaphore thanks to @Gdaysydney Here is a rather fuzzy shot showing the base duly painted to match the cess - thank you Mike @The Stationmaster for putting me straight on that - and the sighting panel at work I am sorry about these shots. I had to use the iphone in an attempt to capture the driver's line of sight. I have two related issues to resolve. Firstly the signal box which when put back in in it original position obscures the subsidiary arm:. Option 1 is to move it further down the Bay: Option 2 is to remove the steps and lower portion and put it on the platform. Here is a card mock up: Option 1 is preferable from a construction point of view but I suspect Option 2 is more prototypical for a smallish branch? The second issue is providing starting signals for the bay and main line. Here is a mock up using an old Ratio bracket: I worry that it is too close to the Junction signal? It could be located further back and embedded into the platform but this will restrict the Bay even more. Ideally I will add a siding signal at a later date to control exit from the loop. I suppose the alternative is cosmetic ground signals but I would really like to use a working signal linked to the turnout and junction signal. Here is a shot with the signal box on the platform, the lamp will be moved, the box can be placed further back and signal set into the platform. And the option that involves less work but is, I suspect, less protot-typical I am afraid none of these solutions is perfect. I am looking for the least worst option that combines working signals (which are in themselves a compromise) with a loose sense of realism. Comments/suggestion will be much appreciated

Thanks Mike that was really interesting. I will get the paint brush out and make the appropriate adjustments. The signal light is undoubtedly brighter and visible at a wider angle than the real thing - particularly as Tom Parry the Cynwyd porter, who doubled as the lampie, was not the most dedicated Company Servant 😀 - but its not too obtrusive and doesnt display the background glare that some users complained of. The signal is now installed, not without a scary moment, and I now have a problem replacing the signal box. Its Canada Day here, so not much time for photos and posts. If you are able to pop by when I next post that would be brilliant. Best wishes

One bracket signal with two arms is about 57 GBP which is not exactly cheap. However it would be interesting to add up the costs of motorising and lighting a similar Ratio unit. I couldnt attempt that - I know my limitations - but @St Enodoc has fitted out his layout with Ratio Signals + Sensors and they look brilliant - mind you he is an Engineer! I am quite impressed with the Dapol model - it is admittedly a bit clunky - but it is a delight to watch it working in sync with the turnout movement - so in my terms it is worth the money

This has not been a very productive summer for modelling - happily it does look as though we will have a bumper crop of tomatoes. However I finally found the time to start installing the Junction bracket signal. First job was to check the lighting actually worked: The wiring is very simple. Red and Black provide the power - in my case direct from the DCC track. The two signals are each already connection to a SPDT switch so it really is a case of plug and play test. I want to connect the signals to the RR&Co software so I removed the supplied switches and connected them to a SC4 decoder from Train-Tech : It works just like a point decoder. I can operate the signal either from the DCC throttle or the computor screen. With RR&Co it is linked to the turn out it protects and is automatically activated whenever a route is set. There have been comments from some users that the light is too bright. The intensity is dependent on the voltage input so it looks as though I have been lucky. When testing the signal movement the main (RH) arm worked perfectly straight out of the box with a realistic and rather satisfying "bounce" effect when the arm returned to "On". The subsidiary (LH) arm initially failed to return to the horizontal when switched "On". I was able to solve this issue using the controls in the base of the power unit: Before actually installing the unit I wanted to tone down the pristine finish (definitely not Granby's style). The platform was painted brown/grey, the rails/ladder dry brushed with touches of rust, the base of the ladder painted white and the black base concrete. Finally a light wash of very diluted dirty black. Finally the moment of truth, time to drill using the supplied template (Dapol's instructions were excellent): Why the concern? The baseboards are mounted on L Joists. The front joist is set back about 6" from the edge of the baseboard. The power base unit has a substantial footprint. To add to this sense of jeopardy the joist carries 15 years of wiring and assorted decoders. What could possibly go wrong? Well the deed is done. I got so excited I forgot to to take a photo. So here we see the signal resting in its hole while I wait for the paint on the main sighting panel to dry! The sharp eyed will notice that Wynn's lorry driver (top right) became so alarmed - he fainted. To be continued:

Hi Neal You must think me incredibly rude - I am so sorry - I have no idea how I failed to follow up my acknowledgement, do forgive me. Thank you for taking the time to send me this photo. It gives me a good idea of what is entailed. I am still trying to decide whether to install the starter bracket and whether to insert it into the platform. Outside is preferable but then I fear it will be too close to the junction bracket by the road bridge. As you will shortly see I have almost finished the bridge signal so then I should be able to make up my mind Best wishes

Kings Liverpool (8th Foot) - PBI Apologies for veering off topic Robin

I used to shoot there in 1956. No helicopters - we had to make do with a 3 ton truck!

I am not in the the least surprised!😀

That is, indeed, good news - and richly deserved. Well done, I do hope we will see photos of the photo shoot. Best wishes

I have always been somewhat embarrassed about the signalling on Granby. Technically, it is less than perfect but my principal objection is the fact that there is only one working signal on the entire layout - a fixed distant I doubt if I could construct Ratio's manual working mechanism but even if I could it would be pretty meaningless on a layout operated by RR&Co. This bracketed junction signal from Dapol has had good reviews: Its a close enough representation of a GWR lower quadrant and it can be hooked up to a DCC accessory decoder and thence linked to RR&Co's Train Controller. The major downside - apart from the cost, which is not insignificant, - is the amount of below baseboard clearance that is required. Furthermore, as I know all too well, retrofits that require drilling a 15 mm (5/8') through the baseboard can have adverse, un-planned side-effects! "Nec aspera terrent" as we used to say in the Kings Liverpool Regiment - Difficulties be damned! Two sets have been purchased for a trial installation on the branch : Initial thoughts are to have the first unit as a starter for exiting either the bay or the main platform. (Exit from the loop will continue to be with a cosmetic ground signal. The second unit will control the junction where the line goes past the brewery to the hidden storage (Mold) or climbs Cynwyd Bank to Granby This shot shows the existing cosmetic starters: It also exposes one of my many faux pas. Not the bus - there are special circumstances for that! The error is the positioning of the Junction signals beyond the bridge - where they can barely be seen,if at all, from the station side. To make it even worse, both signals are placed well beyond the turnout they are controlling The bridge is almost immediately above the turn out! It actually conceals the turnout motor. I did think of re siting the bridge but it is too complicated. The plan is to move the Signal Box and place the Junction Signal as close as practicable to the bridge. I will probably need to add a sighting board behind. I originally planned to re locate the Water Crane and place the Starters signal immediately in front of the platform but I think that will be too close to the new junction signal. So Plan B is to actually embed it in the platform. John @checkrail has a similar arrangement on Stole Courtney and, as one would expect, it looks great. I think Neal @Neal Ball has also successfully embedded one of these signals at Henley - another GWR layout that I admire and follow. Ground is yet to be broken or more accurately ply wood has not yet been drilled- so any ideas, suggestions or comments would be more than welcome. Nec aspera terrent is all very well but I think this particular project calls for a rather cautious approach. Regards from Vancouver where we are enjoying a combination of showers and temperature approaching 20o -great growing weather

I guess I should be pleased that you got that far - although that means you missed the best bit! 🤓. I suspect you are teasing me but a virtual switch is an icon on the computor screen that can carry out a specified task. The “quote” button you clicked is a form of virtual switch.