WillCav

The points at each end of the Down platform loop at Rhyl are normal to the loop and auto-normalising. If they freeze, they will be more likely to be failed normal, allowing passenger trains to still call at the station. Will

I doubt the adjacent location cases would be there if the banner were mechanical. There doesn't seem to be any other reason for them - no sign if track circuit leads from them etc. Will

Following on from Mike's comments on getting the trains out, I was involved in possession planning for Devon and Cornwall in the 2000s - no exit route for the trains except back where they came from. One trick we used was to top and tail the last train (loco each end). When in the possession, the Penzance end loco of the last train would uncouple and would be used to haul the next train out, with that train's loco uncoupling for the next and so on until the first train (last to leave) exits top and tailed. This used fewer locos than if all trains were top and tailed. Will

Simplifying it a bit: O59 is an O33 with shell vents in the roof, M34 also has Louvres plated over or made into windows. The window arrangement on M34s is a bit random - I have found pictures of both sides of one and they don't match. Slinn has more info on both. Will

Hi Fatadder It doesn't seem to be the entire lot that have the Lima planking. I have only found one photo of that planking - and the Lima underframe is wrong for it (wrong brakes). There also seems to be an O33 variant with narrower planking - probably a WWII economy measure. If you want an easy modification for the Lima O33, put some shell vents on the roof and it's an O59 (if you can ignore the planking). Will P.s. thanks for sharing your progress on this thread - I'm finding it really interesting and it may push me into digging out the soldering iron!

The Rhymney iron Minks were ordered 1912 (50 from Cravens). They were 16'6" and a right hand version of DC brakes. 100993 in 1949 had wooden doors and self contained buffers. Will

There's a photo of an in service iron mink in early BR livery in the book 'All About Iron Minks' published by HMRS. It is an absorbed Rhymney wagon - different to the GWR design (6" longer for a start). I'm afraid that's the only photo I could find. In the chapter about 'standard' iron Minks, they list the history of a few examples with a couple or so lasting to early 50s before being taken out of revenue earning service - these ones may not have even got BR livery. If you want the numbers to use, let me know. Will

Thanks MIB, So it looks like I need a pump van for my weed killer train (uncabbed version) - do you know of any pictures of them or other info? Thanks Will

I've just been flicking through the book Western Region Steam Around London by Kevin McCormack ISBN 0-7110-2611-4. On page 89 is a weed killer train on 14th May 1960. It comprises of:- Pannier 9758 Old toplight bogie coach (mess?) 2 x ex ROD tenders 3500gall? Tender with cab added 2 x tank wagons BR brake van There isn't a pump van on the consist - so I'm wondering if the gubbins on the first tender is the pump on all tender based weed killer trains? Will

Hi MIB, Those figures make sense - matches the weights I've got listed for 3000g tenders and the water calculation is spot on! You know what will happen though, you'll get it all finished and a photo will surface showing the writing in HD! Will

Hi MIB, I'm wondering if there are three short bits of text after empty and full. Could be: Empty tt cc q Full tt cc q Tons, cwts and quarters like some tares are done? Will

Hi MIB, I haven't got any better pictures of the 3 x tenders with cab weedkiller train. Compare it with the version which looks like a modified low mac. That looks like Tons when empty xx-xx " " full xx-xx So I thinks your version is Empty xx-xx Full xx-xx Maybe if you contact Steam, they may have a better quality image? Will

Hi IKB, The ends had different buffers on most of the E147s. Short buffers one the compartments (inner) end and regular at the guard's (outer) end. Some of the earlier B sets (E140&145) had less 'gubbins' on the inner end but not sure about E147. Will

Is it only Permissive Block when it is between two signal boxes? Eg platforms in a large station with an East and West box? I'm a little confused with semaphore signalling Thanks Will

Thanks for all the additional examples - lots to choose from. Will

That's a good point - I could even have the end of the fiddle yard having two exit roads linked directly to the down main and down platform loop. Thanks Will

Thanks to everyone replying. I may have got an idea now, based on Shrivenham. Should I be putting trap points at each end of the platform loops? And if so, what types (single rail / two rail switch panel / full point)? They seem to be provided on the Badminton line but not on the Up at Shrivenham for example. Modern day practice wouldn't have them but I'm basing my layout in 1948. Thanks Will

Thanks Joseph, Just looked at Shrivenham on National Library of Scotland website - 25" to the mile shows loads of detail! 1923 map is two-track but quadrupled by 1947. That's another possibility - some doodling is required... Will

Thank you Compound, ikcdab, Phil, David, Stationmaster and Chris for taking the time to reply. Wow - lots to think about. Stationmaster must be psychic - I was looking at the stations on the Badminton line. Other ones I am looking at are Wellington and Cullompton. Exminster is similar but has platforms on all 4 passenger rated through lines. If I choose any of these, I will simplify the sidings and maybe add a branch bay. David's mention of Dawlish Warren made me smile - I was in timetabling in 2002 and I used that move a few times! You say that you regretted a four track arrangement- can I ask why? Many thanks again for your responses. Will

Hi all, I am looking at track/signal diagrams for inspiration for a layout - 1948ish GWR/early Western Region. There seems to be a common 4-track layout for GWR with the Up and Down Mains both having a platform loop - so two platforms with four tracks between. I assume that the Mains would be used by non-stopping express passenger trains. Would slow goods trains use the Mains to allow a stopper to pass? Would a fast Goods over pass a stopper? Thanks Will

Googling s49445 on images brings up a picture of the other end - it matches with extra vents. You can tell it's the other end as the brake lever is different each side. Will

Pete, Usually the curved route forms part of a crossover - the point and far end of the slip being operated with the same lever/switch etc. The near end of the slip is then normal on the curved route. To use the diamond part, the near end of the slip is reversed as well ( likely to be part if another crossover). It's a bit difficult to explain in words. Here's a typical scenario Sorry it's upside down! Parallel running on Mains, 1pts and 2pts both normal. To go UM to DM or vice versa, 1pts reverse, 2pts normal Siding exit to DM, 1pts and 2pts both reversed. Hope that helps Will

Thanks for the hint. Will

Hi Geoff, I agree that a new kit would be good for Open C / Tube wagons. I've got a couple of the Ratio ones but haven't been brave enough to try the hockey stick diagonals. The last GWR design has an even longer wheelbase and length - parkside Mink G kit has a similar underframe if you fancy scratch building a body. Will

Hi Clive, You could have colour light signals for some main line areas in your era - if you want semaphores (I think they look better) then the company who ran the railway when it was last resignalled will determine the types of semaphores. Generally - GWR areas would be lower quadrant and others would be upper quadrant. The design of the signals and signal box are important to help locate a model. In terms of positioning, you need to protect junctions from all approaches with home (red rectangular with white line) semaphores. Most model railways aren't big enough to need to have the distant signals (yellow / black fishtail from 1920s) unless it is the distant for the adjacent box. The problem with signalling design is that it is a bit of an art and it depends on the track layout and the operability required. The pway signalling etc forum on rmweb can assist. Regards Will