WillCav

Thanks to all who replied to this query. I now feel I understand a lot more about inspection pit p-way. The picture with the 66XX allowed me to judge 3.5 chairs between the middle and rear drivers (8ft) giving 2ft3" or 9mm between chairs. I have also found some pictures of the actual depot pits allowing me to identify the components from the pictures and info posted here. It all looks like bullhead rails with bridge rail chairs with the keys on the outside (like normal). Looking at the C&L finescale website, I need the GWR 2 diagonal bolt L1 chairs - but I can't find anyone who does these on their own? Any ideas as I will need about 1,000 of them! Thanks again Will

Hi all, I need to build a GWR engine shed with inspection pits both inside and outside the shed. The original part of the shed was built in 1908 so I'm assuming bullhead rail. An extension of two additional roads was added in 1943 - would this still be bullhead or would flat bottomed rail be more likely here? For the bullhead rail pits, would the chairs be rotated round so the keys are more accessible? Also what would be the typical chair to chair distance? Many thanks Will

I agree with Grosvenor that 1 & 7 would be worked as a crossover together. My only other suggestion is that I would swap the normal direction of 4 & 5 crossovers (and possibly 8). Many signalboxes were rated according to the number of lever moves for a typical shift. The frames were often designed to minimise lever pulls and thus signaller pay. Levers are also returned into the frame after each movement. Will

There are a couple of things I would add to the signalling mix: 1) Junction Indicators would be very unlikely to be 'feathers' due to the low speeds and routes into terminal platforms. The terminal platform starters would definitely not be 'feathers'. Standard Indicators showing all main routes as a letter/platform number would likely be provided. 2) The junction signal on approach to the two sidings will ideally need to have a signalling overlap clear of the points - ideally 180m (1.2m, 4ft) but could be compressed. If the overlap goes through the points, you can't run a train into/out of the sidings when another train is approaching on the Main line. As has already been said - no green leading to buffers following Moorgate. One thing seldom modelled is a three aspect signal head with green blanked-out. Regards Will

Thanks for your replies, Michael, Osborne's Models and LMS2968. If I add the flanges, it is still less than 54ft so will fit (just) without an extender piece. If I assume the Manor uses the turntable, it increases the number of light engine moves so I will probably do that. Thanks again Will

Hi all, I'm planning a layout based on a real location where there was a turntable at the next station that was 55ft diameter. I know that the larger GWR 4-6-0s and 2-8-0s would be too long but at 7800 Manor at just over 52ft would fit but would be very close to the edge. Is there a maximum Engine length that would be allowed on the turntable? Thanks Will

What's the title etc? And the author (I assume it won't be by Karhedron). Thanks Will

The only Articulated GW set I found was the H30/31/32 combo. The outer coaches had 42 first class (H30) and 56 third class seats (H32) with the kitchen car between. Will

Thanks - added to the list above Will

Thanks to the new number from Hal, and adding detail from my books, we get the following. W8 Lot L758 26xxx + 26392-438 (100) 26001 (Atkins 567 and Russell GW Wagons Appendix 211) roof ribs visible and slots in end when built L859 26xxx + 26439-50 (50) No pictures found yet L879 103001-300 (300) 103141 (Russell GW Wagons 48) & 103168 (Russell GW Wagons Appendix 213) both plain roofs and slots in ends removed in later years L961 106301-450 (150) No pictures found yet L980 106551-600 (100) 106564 plain roof and no slots in the ends in later years W10 L922 106001-300 (300 until 1939 then 170) - 106026 (Atkins 568) plain roofs, no end slots when built. Unfortunately, the 130 converted to Y10 were seemingly random within the number series but Atkins has five Y10 numbers to avoid if you're modelling post 1939. Thanks Will

I hadn't spotted that and I've converted a whole lot of W1/5 ends. I might have to forget that I know they're too narrow and hope the cows don't complain! Thanks Will

I've just had a look in Atkins Beard etc and it shows the W8s all being in the 26xxx, 103xxx and 106xxx ranges. 68442 appears in the earlier W5 list. I haven't got the book you mentioned, is the roof an earlier flatter profile or like a regular Mink? Thanks Will

Thanks Hal, Miss P and Jason for your replies. I've had another look through my books and it looks like: W8 Lot L758 (100) - roof ribs visible and slots in end when built L859 (50) - ? L879 (300) - plain roofs in later photos and slots in ends removed L961 (150) - ? L980 (100) - ? W10 L922 (300 until 1939 then 170) - plain roofs Unfortunately, only one W8 survives and I think only the framing skeleton exists. No W10s were preserved but 130 were converted to Y10s and some bodies still exist - with plain roofs. Thanks Will

Hi all, I've just managed to get hold of a number of Cooper Craft W1/5 cattle truck kits. I'm planning to alter the ends, buffers and underframes to make some later W8 and W10 types. Does anyone know what the roofs were like? Did they have the metal bands or were they plain? Many thanks in advance Will

Mike, What I should have said is that we're not allowed to do that for a new design. There are lots of weird and wonderful arrangements that were put in at different times and regional variations. I also should have said that a junction signal can have different junction signalling methods on different routes. Eg. MAR with a standard indicator to a bay and MAY-FA with a feather to a different through line. Will