WillCav

If you're going to have a YG distant followed by 3 aspect then RG 2 aspect, the thing to watch out for is braking distances. There needs to be breaking distance between each signal. I'm guessing the 3 aspect junction to 2 aspect station starter is shorter than braking distance? If so then you need the distant to be Y when the station starter is R and have the middle signal R stepping up to Y on approach. Modern versions of this problem may be solved by having a very short 4 aspect sequence. Will

Hi 57xx I've just finished a Siphon C using the Ratio 4 wheel brake third as a basis for the underframe. I don't put much detail underneath so I'm not the best person to answer you. I just used the Ratio V hangers etc as directed and added a V hanger at each right hand end for a DC level. I would guess that the linkages go from there directly to the central(ish) Vacuum V hanger. Both linkages would have to be on the side away from the gas cylinder as it gets in the way. When you're ready to add transfers, the Railtec transfers for Siphon F/G have small Siphon (F) lettering that fits in the tight space required - I used an edited 'O' from Siphon G for the 'C'. Will

There's a couple of GWR departmental vans that I could use as mess vans: https://paulbartlett.zenfolio.com/gwrdeptcoach w96 on page 1 is a ratio 4-wheeler with duckets removed, reduced footboards and hand brakes added http://penrhos.me.uk/Eng.shtml#80919 80919 also looks like a modified 4-wheeler Although they're not the actual mess coach used in 1930s, they are legitimate departmental stock - and easy to cobble together - and I haven't got any 4 wheel coaches in the stock list yet. Will

M.I.B., The images I've found are copyright so I'll try and do links: Weed Spraying Train W82 with mess coach W82 closer up spraying Closer up still On board The last photo shows them spraying with the tank behind the spraying tender and a toad behind that - I'm guessing the other photos were publicity shots to show the tenders and regular usage was with a toad (which makes sense as you can then put a tail lamp on and spray in traffic). Will

Are you planning to add a mess van? Looks like an old clerestory coach in photos. I agree with the top and tail Toads for transit moves. Do you know how they did the spraying? Spray wagon leading or trailing? Will

I haven't put any transfers on yet. I think it's going to have to be a custom order from Railtec - they do up to 18 lots of up to 20 characters (max 2mm high) "TAUNTON DIVISION" & "W82" on one set and "WEED SPRAYING PLANT" on another for less than a tenner (and 3 trains worth) - I'm more worried about the ex-oil tank that carries the nasty stuff, that has a faded Corey's Fuel Oil on the side - not one POWsides do! I may have to hand paint that and weather it to hide my poor signwriting skills. There seems to be a number of variants of the weed killer train - I did the one with three tenders but no cab structure. The smaller tenders were easier as I used the City of Truro kit as a base and could alter the parts before assembly (spare boilers for wagon loads & boiler houses). I put top hats in and metal wheelsets, not thinking about curves and 6 wheel bogies - so it can only move on straight track until I come up with a solution. I also need to check the photos carefully as I've learned that early tenders had straight backed coal spaces and I've put slopes in - every day's a school day! Will

Hi MIB, You've done a lovely job with that almost empty tender. I did a few for a weed killer train and I share your pain at getting the angles right. Will

Update - I've used the Railtec transfers and the smaller Siphon F text fits live a glove. I've used the other Siphon F transfers with a bit of an 'O' as a 'C' to improve my Siphon C as well (roof still needs fixing). I've never used Railtec transfers before and I found them easy to apply. The only issue is that I had to cut a few Tares up to make the correct 22.11 weight for the American bogied versions. The 18T is from the HMRS transfers. I think the Railtec ones are a better colour. Will

Kit, There are a few important things to think about with semaphore signal boxes. Location: it needs to be in a position to be able to see the tail lamp of the trains as they go past before giving line clear to following trains. It also needs to be next to the road if there is a level crossing and close to the points it controls. Modern design is 350m max for manual operation. Signals can be considerably further as they are lighter to pull. Size: if it looks too small for the location, it will look wrong. It can be too big as the company would design in some spare levers - or the track could have been rationalized leading to spare levers. Heritage: the architecture should match the company or its predecessor- same with the signalling. Operation: 2 identical layouts could be signalled in different ways due to the operational requirements. If you need to share platforms (say, pilot onto back of train) then you need calling on signals whereas if it were units only, you don't. Think of all the moves you need - including run rounds and engine releases. You need signals for all of these ideally. In 7mm, you can do the point rodding and signal wires. Don't forget expansion compensators. Good luck with the signalling - it is hard to get right as there aren't many resources about the subject. Hope this helps a bit Will

I've been thinking about signal 3 and the crossover. On the real railway, you would want to be able to shunt the crossover whilst a train is heading towards the terminus. There would likely be absolute block in place between the signal boxes and the last signal at box B would remain 'on' until the block section and 440yds beyond the first home signal are confirmed clear through the block instrument. So as well as your offstage distant, you need an offstage home signal 440yds before the crossover. The only thing this will influence on your model is the number/colour of levers and the diagram in your signal box (if visible). Regards Will

On top of Rich's crossovers, I would pair 11 with 19&20 on one lever and have 17&18 on a second lever. The distant signal has to be braking distance (100s or 1000s of metres depending on speed/gradient) from the first stop signal so doesn't appear on most layouts. If you really want one, have it as a worked distant on the same post as 26 controlled by the next signal box (for trains leaving the terminus). Hope that helps Will

And feathers can be "bunnies ears". Loaded passenger trains can only accept a Subsidiary signal as authority if it is a calling on move into an occupied section a. These are shown in the sectional appendix. Usually for attaching moves or platform sharing. Will

There are some old installations where you get the sub (2 white lights) with a feather or a standard indicator. This is not compliant to modern standards but you can find it out there. Will

The Castle has a second row on the nameplate probably for Castle Class. Looks like two words above - first word longer? My guesses is Viscount Horne 5086 or Viscount Portal 7000 based on name shape alone. Will

Mike, I eventually got round to my E145 conversions and used the trick above - really easy - thanks Here's the 1st one re-bogied. The only issue I had was the toughness of the plastic. I drilled the corners out to make it easier. Thanks again for the tip Will