WillCav

Adrian, They were sometimes used empty next to long overhanging loads - eg, conflat - macaw (bogie bolster) - conflat with the ends of the load 'floating' above the conflat. I can't remember any photos of them with something other than a container on them - but that isn't to say it didn't happen (away from Swindon's official gaze). Will

Hi Ian, The curve really makes the layout seem more organic. Signal box looks in a good position to minimise rodding runs - don't forget signaller needs safe access there. I'd check the locations of the shunt signals out of stabling 1 & 3. Usually, for a six-foot interval, the foul point is where the converging lines are just parallel. Eg. loco right at signal in SP1 could get sideswiped by another entering SP2. Does the goods yard exit need to be a main signal to allow better speeds? If there's another main signal offstage then maybe not. Not trying to be critical but easier to fix at design stage if it needs moving - especially if the siding length is tight for the stock you want to use. Will

I think this means all the levers for signals into the shared goods line would be locked mechanically with the local interlocking lever and locked electrically with the other box's interlocking lever. So the interlocking lever doesn't need a plunger but all signals to shared goods line do need a plunger? Thanks for all the info everyone - getting closer to a 'possible' arrangement for the box. Will

Thanks Stationmaster, Really useful as always. My thinking on 29 was that to pull the lever, you would need the goods line empty and Malv Rd East's interlocking lever normal? So the lever would need a lever lock? Thanks again Will

Hi all, I've done a first draft for the block shelf and would welcome any comments. I'm thinking circuit 'phone on back wall - would there be more 'phone(s) on the block shelf? Hope you can read my scribblings. Here's the associated signalling plan - this one shows the down section signal 3 and distants beyond the bridge but I've now found it was located approaching the bridge in 1948 so was visible from the box. I know the diagram should be the other way around, but I've done it as this is the proposed layout viewing side. I'm still wondering about lamp repeat for 2 and 14 as neither the lamp nor a back blinder hole will be viewable from the box? How wide were the viewing angles of the lamps? I'm only used to designing on filament or LED signal heads. Thanks Will

I started in timetabling in Swindon in 2002 - and we were still using Protim for much of the work. It was looking very dated by then. Trainplan was the successor, with better train graphs and a better interface (in my opinion). Will

The block shelf is going to look quite bare compared to some other boxes. Whoever designed the location got it spot on - all home signals were in sight of the box when built. The section signal to Lansdown Junction moved to the other side of the road bridge but that seemed to be after my chosen date. I'll do a design for the block shelf and share it when I get the time - thanks all for your assistance. Will

Thanks everyone for your information and suggestions. The box (Cheltenham Spa Malvern Road West Signal Box) was opened about 1908 and I plan to model March 4th 1948. As there isn't much information about what was there in 1948, I am guessing and want to model a what could have been. So for example, I prefer the look of the GWR 1947 block instruments but think they would be unlikely here only 6 months after first use. Thanks to all your help, my current thoughts are:- Near middle of shelf: Spagnoletti 2 line + peg block instrument x 2 Block bell x 2 (different shapes) Closing switch Phone to adjacent SB x 2 Brass plungers above all electrically locked levers Combined slot/inner/outer distant on/off indication x 2 by relevant lever Arm repeats with signal arm representation as appropriate Lamp repeats as appropriate There are a couple of signals right outside the box but the signaller would mainly see the side of the signal. I assume lamp repeat for these or could lamps have a telltale in the side of the casing? Ground disc signal outside the box, I assume not visible at all due to angle so arm and lamp repeat? Thanks again for all your help Will

Sorry for the terminology Paul, I should know better! Only 3 track circuits so I'll assume not in the diagram - none over pointwork so no plungers needed for points/ FPLs. Iands, All the home signals are close to the box so I'm assuming no SPTs - good point about circuit and block phones. Thanks again Will

Thanks Railwest and Iands. Still a bit confused about LR and AR - when might you have one and not the other? Good idea about moving the Block bells inwards - there would be lots of offering on due to boxes being close together. Thanks again Will

Hi all, I'm trying to understand what equipment is likely to be on the block shelf for the semaphore box I want to model. The actual location is Cheltenham Spa Malvern Road West SB built 1908 but modelled 1948. This is what I think it should be - could you let me know where I've got it wrong please. 1. There is Absolute Block each way so I need a block machines and a unique bell towards each end of the shelf 2. Closure switch somewhere in the middle as box closed out on Sundays with trains still running 3. Track circuit indications near the associated signal levers 4. Slot / inner distant / outer distant on/off stacked indicators by each distant lever 5. No other indications where a signal is visible from the box 6. Arm repeat and Lamp repeat by signals not visible from the box 7. Electric Release buttons on front of shelf by signals with electric lever locks Does all this look about right? Anything I've missed? The thing I'm most confused about is whether a signal could have arm repeat without lamp repeat or vice versa. Thanks Will

Lovely little engine, and the weathering is really good. With that telephone number, I thought it would be more multi-coloured? Will

Thanks Stationmaster, I'm not sure I would know the difference between a regular and three shot placer, but I have found a good shot of where I think it is. Crop of picture from https://thetransportlibrary.co.uk/index.php?route=product/search I claim reasonable usage for research purposes but will happily delete picture if requested to. I think the placer is next to the rear loco wheel - any idea what type it is? Thanks Will

The box could switch out but only did 0800 Sun to 0400 Mon according to 1948 STT - it's definitely a thought. Thanks Will

Cheltenham GW to London trains used to change locos at Gloucester as it was quicker than running round - this may have happened on other services that reversed re-route. Will

I've been researching Cheltenham Spa Malvern Road for a while and have found a picture of the West signal box (1908ish vintage) and there seems to be a fog man's hut just to the East with a single lever. By the hut is the inner distant first MalvRd East, but I assume lever is for the opposite line - outer distants for Lansdown Jn. There is also detonator placers in the box which I think means two placers on the Down line very close to each other- one operated by signaller and one by fog man. Does this sound feasible? Thanks Will

There's a drawing of a single line LX gate and posts on p203 of David J Smith's GWR Signalling Practice. Not sure if it is an all wood example though - if forced to guess, I would say wooden gate on metal post. It might be useful for rough dimensions if nothing else. Will

I don't have a picture, but the sighting form confirms a single aperture LED signal capable of showing R/Y/G, with a tall backboard. Standard height and offset. SPT on approach. Will

Dave, Lovely model. What did you use for the planking - was it planked plasticard (if so - which one) or how did you scribe it? They all look really even and straight. Thanks Will

Hi all, I've now found a better way to make the sacktruck door. 1 Cut along below the door separating the section of floor edge with the hinges on. Keep this bit for stage 3. 2 Cut the sides of the bottom plank, deepen the groove on the back and bent the bottom plank out as before. 3 Now that the door is bent out, glue the little bit back where it was This is a bit more accurate than what I did on the first one. Will

Compound, I cut the buffer heads from the sprue with too much plastic on them and drilled out the holes a little. When glued and set, I could then file them to shape without them pinging off. I had to file the door bangers to get a good fit between the solebar projections. Definitely easier to fit before the solebar is attached to the floor. The mould lines are still there but hopefully some more filing and painting will help. Thanks Will

Hi Mike, Where is it? That trackwork looks challenging! I would expect the frame to be along the front or the back of the signal box. You can find out which if you find a signal box diagram (try the websites in the pinned topic at the top of this forum). A signalling diagram may also help you work out what block system is used, how many times, to and from adjacent boxes. Minimum is likely to be a block instrument at each end of the block shelf. If any branch lines converge, you may have token machine(s) or more block machines. It all needs a sig diagram to confirm. Will

The UD trailers look the same type as the unbranded ones - both have Dyson plates on the end. So I think you're right. My guess is that took some publicity / training shots with an unbranded one so they could show other dairies. Will

Just had another look at the wagons appendix book figure 156. If the 1935 date is correct then they must be O37? (I can't find a build date for O48 but O47 sausage Van's were 1936 so I'm assuming later than that). The wagons in that photo look the same as 2501/3 pictures but you can't see much due to the platform and churns. Unlikely to be 'foreign' vehicles in a book by Russell. If (and it isn't definite) figure 156 is 2 x O37 then you've got two that were used for United Dairies at least. Will

If I remember correctly, Plassers crossing near West Ealing is like that. SN218 on the Up Greenford has it integrated, separate red/white flashing unit (DCI driver's crossing indicator) for the Down approach. Will