RMweb Gold checkrail Posted November 4, 2020 Author RMweb Gold Share Posted November 4, 2020 1 hour ago, Bulwell Hall said: Now that is interesting - I'd like to know where Iain got that information from. Off the top of my head the GWR Channel Island steamers were oil fired from the mid 1920s when new vessels were provided for the service. Iain Rice includes quite a few photos of his friend Andrew Duncan's splendid layout based on the Weymouth lines, and (from memory) judging by some of them, e.g. Slater's toplights finished with full panel painting & lining I think the layout was/is set in the 1920s. 3 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Siberian Snooper Posted November 5, 2020 RMweb Premium Share Posted November 5, 2020 Andrew is currently building Yeovil Pen Mill, over on the Templot Club forum. https://85a.co.uk/forum/view_topic.php?id=2547&forum_id=6 2 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold gwrrob Posted November 15, 2020 RMweb Gold Share Posted November 15, 2020 Will you be getting one of the new Dapol mogul’s John as they do seem to have made a decent job of it. It would look great on your freight train. 1 3 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Popular Post checkrail Posted November 15, 2020 Author RMweb Gold Popular Post Share Posted November 15, 2020 (edited) Engineering work was undertaken at Stoke Courtenay last week to replace the final non-working semaphore signal with one of the new Dapol single-arm bracket signals. This involved excavating a hole in the platform, and of course Sod's Law decreed that a stripwood cross bearer was found at that spot! But I carved it out bit by bit before drilling a pilot hole. This was used to drill the required 15mm hole from below. You can see here how I've cut back the signal base to the minimum possible footprint, and extended the black paint up the signal post so it looks to be platform mounted. After installing the signal the hole in the platform was made good with Plastikard to suggest wooden planking or an inspection hatch to get at the below-platform gubbins. After clipping on the operating unit under the baseboard and wiring up the signal was successfully tested. All seemed to be well until i reached over the layout to retrieve a screwdriver and accidentally depressed the signal arm momentarily (it was 'on'). At that instant the nearest adjacent point motor started 'acking' uncontrollably and would only stop once switched to the other road or power turned off altogether. On restoring power it started again. In the past I've stopped such 'acking' by ducking under the baseboard and squeezing the plastic sides of the motor box or tapping it lightly with a pin hammer. Didn't work this time, so the motor had to go in the bin. Good job I still had a couple of spares left. (Obviously this could all be a coincidence - there are already 9 other Dapol signals fed from the same accessory bus as the points - but it was absolutely simultaneous with my accidentally nudging the signal arm.) But my troubles weren't over. This is the most inaccessible motor, right at the back of the layout and the only one not under the point itself, due to a last-minute track plan tweak back in 2012 which placed the point tie-bar over a baseboard cross-member! It's taken me all week to restore the linkage and get the point blades to throw and close properly and I'm surprised I've not done more damage to the layout details, leaning over the baseboard awkwardly with a soldering iron, day after day. I did break the tie-bar connection to one of its lace pins (since resoldered with the help of a small mirror) and knocked a capful of flux onto the yard surface, but thank goodness, all is now sorted. Anyway, at long last I can correctly signal trains to move from the branch platform onto the up main line. Only took eight years. John C. Edited November 15, 2020 by checkrail typo 11 1 21 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold checkrail Posted November 15, 2020 Author RMweb Gold Share Posted November 15, 2020 16 minutes ago, gwrrob said: Will you be getting one of the new Dapol mogul’s John You bet Robin! Had one o/o with Hattons since announcement. As I ordered a DCC-fitted one I'll have to wait a couple of weeks longer . 3 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Popular Post checkrail Posted November 15, 2020 Author RMweb Gold Popular Post Share Posted November 15, 2020 So here's the new branch platform up starting signal, installed and in operation. Once again I've discovered a new angle, only to find that it exposes one of my lazy short cuts from layout building days, long before I'd considered any photographic possibilities. Just been rummaging around for any leftover brick-embossed Plastikard but without success so will need to acquire some more. Of course, as I'm sure you'll all quickly spot, the brick platform facing isn't the only thing missing! Cropping this picture gets rid of the incomplete brickwork and gives a closer view of the approaching down stopping train. So what's approaching the new signal? It's the daily Earlsbridge branch goods returning to Hackney Yard, and as it has nothing to drop or pick up at Stoke C. it's going to amble through the branch platform and straight out onto the up main. Watch this space! John C. 37 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold john dew Posted November 15, 2020 RMweb Gold Share Posted November 15, 2020 (edited) I always enjoy your posts John but the last one was particularly good. The photographs are superb . I particularly like the one of the new signal and the clarity of the signal which is behind. Could you tell me approximately what the distance is between the two signals? Partly inspired by you, I am persuading myself to start installing some Dapol signals and I am worried I might be putting a couple too close together ( from a visual rather than a mechanical point of view) Loved the anecdote about the mayhem that followed leaning over the layout for a screw driver.....thought that sort of thing only happened to me! You have now, I am afraid , slipped ever so slightly from the pinnacle of perfection Hope you enjoy the Mogul.....I suspect you will still get yours before me. Best wishes Edited November 15, 2020 by john dew Added missing “good “ ! 3 3 1 1 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold The Fatadder Posted November 15, 2020 RMweb Gold Share Posted November 15, 2020 Looking good. I feel your pain re the failed point motor, I had much the same with Brent over the summer, heat expansion causing problems and causing a fault with the only motor that is not under its point. Though it’s remote linkage is under the layout you can’t see a thing. I have tried to think about all the possible future angles when painting, but I’m sure I will make a similar shortcut i live to regret somewhere 1 7 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold checkrail Posted November 15, 2020 Author RMweb Gold Share Posted November 15, 2020 2 hours ago, john dew said: always enjoy your posts John Thanks John for morale boosting comments! The two signals are a bit further apart than they might seem from that foreshortened (and focus-stacked) view. I've just measured the distance between them and it's over 330mm - about 13 1/2 inches. 2 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Popular Post checkrail Posted November 15, 2020 Author RMweb Gold Popular Post Share Posted November 15, 2020 The 45xx cruises through the branch platform with a clear road to the main line. I think the next two pics might be the first I've taken through the footbridge. I rather like them, especially the second, so they probably won't be the last. The chap on the bench with his hat in his hand seems to be taking a passing interest in 4574 behind him. The Dapol signal is a bit chunkier than the more delicate Ratio item it replaced, but you can't have everything. Now just waiting impatiently for another particular Dapol item. John C. 32 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Neal Ball Posted November 16, 2020 RMweb Premium Share Posted November 16, 2020 Lovely scenes as ever John, thank you. 3 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
KNP Posted November 16, 2020 Share Posted November 16, 2020 (edited) Great set of pictures and the quality is excellent. You now have me thinking about some motorised signals....! Edited November 16, 2020 by KNP 2 2 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Popular Post checkrail Posted November 16, 2020 Author RMweb Gold Popular Post Share Posted November 16, 2020 As the goods train pulls out onto the main line it meets a parcels service coming in the other direction, headed by 5000 'Launceston Castle'. John C. 32 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coach bogie Posted November 16, 2020 Share Posted November 16, 2020 It was signal engineering at Westbury as well, this weekend. I had my backing signals installed for some time. I have added the power now using old GPO telephone relays. Mike Wiltshire 8 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Popular Post checkrail Posted November 16, 2020 Author RMweb Gold Popular Post Share Posted November 16, 2020 (edited) 21 hours ago, checkrail said: Of course, as I'm sure you'll all quickly spot, the brick platform facing isn't the only thing missing! The other thing missing in pics of the new signal was the ladder. I'd removed it before installation so I could shorten it for platform mounting, then it went AWOL. I was sure I'd left it on my workbench, but just couldn't see it. A couple of days later I remembered that it was indeed on the bench, but under a huge metal weight to straighten it out! Here's the signal complete with ladder, with the lower rungs picked out in white. Those Dapol lights are a bit bright, especially when seen side-on rather than through a red or green lens. I might be better off disconnecting the signals from the accessory bus and powering them independently from a 9v transformer. A 'round tuit' job. Need to touch up the Lifecolor weathered black on the base of that signal post too. John C. Edited November 16, 2020 by checkrail 25 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
KNP Posted November 16, 2020 Share Posted November 16, 2020 I must say after following your installation of these signals there is now growing demand for these on LM. Thanks for showing the build as it is always useful to see how things are built and fitted especially at present where we can’t wander in a shop/show and inspect before buying. 3 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Popular Post checkrail Posted November 17, 2020 Author RMweb Gold Popular Post Share Posted November 17, 2020 Mainline action today as two Kings pass on the bridge. John C. 37 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
bgman Posted November 17, 2020 Share Posted November 17, 2020 So easy on the eyes and always good to see. 3 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold The Fatadder Posted November 17, 2020 RMweb Gold Share Posted November 17, 2020 Brilliant photos as usual, the colour just looks so "right". It makes me really want to go and get on with adding some grass to Brent. Must not get distracted from the TPO until I finish the final coach!) 1 1 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Popular Post checkrail Posted November 19, 2020 Author RMweb Gold Popular Post Share Posted November 19, 2020 Came home this afternoon after a day out on the hill to find a parcel - something I'd been waiting for four years. Well. Robin has shown you his over on ANTB, so I'll show you mine. Only had time so far to take it up to the loft, extract from packaging, bung on the track and fire up the Prodigy. It looks pretty damned good, though I've had no time to examine the detail, but the immediate revelation was the performance. (I'd ordered the DCC-fitted one - Zimo chip I believe). I've never had such a smooth, responsive and well behaved loco before. It starts at a crawl on speed step 1, which it will maintain, light engine or loaded, and runs through all complex pointwork with nary a click or clatter. Top speed is way OTT but that can be altered or not used. Looking forward to getting to know it better. Next time you see it it won't look so pristine! John C. 33 3 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
AlfaZagato Posted November 19, 2020 Share Posted November 19, 2020 Now to wait for one to come along in N. 3 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium TrevorP1 Posted November 19, 2020 RMweb Premium Share Posted November 19, 2020 I’m glad you like it John. To see some of the comments elsewhere you’d think it was an awful thing. I will be having one but I can’t make my mind up. They weren’t all that common in Cornwall. BR black would be obvious but I fancy a green one. In my period 6301 was in lined green but ran with an unlined tender - that would be interesting... 6397 was unlined green so I could do that from the GW liveried one with the smokebox number plate and change the tender insignia. There again I might do 6305 in plain black... Confusing myself! Hopefully I’ll make my mind up before they’re all gone! As Carol says “You know too much. Your head is full of useless information!” 3 3 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium St Enodoc Posted November 19, 2020 RMweb Premium Share Posted November 19, 2020 49 minutes ago, TrevorP1 said: I’m glad you like it John. To see some of the comments elsewhere you’d think it was an awful thing. I will be having one but I can’t make my mind up. They weren’t all that common in Cornwall. BR black would be obvious but I fancy a green one. In my period 6301 was in lined green but ran with an unlined tender - that would be interesting... 6397 was unlined green so I could do that from the GW liveried one with the smokebox number plate and change the tender insignia. There again I might do 6305 in plain black... Confusing myself! Hopefully I’ll make my mind up before they’re all gone! As Carol says “You know too much. Your head is full of useless information!” 6305 in black for me first off. If I like it, I'll get an inside steam pipe version that will become 6300, which might have been unlined green in the late 50s. I don't really need three but if I did the third would probably be 6397. 4 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coach bogie Posted November 19, 2020 Share Posted November 19, 2020 I picked mine up from Peter's Spares on the way to work. I am really impressed. I was surprised and pleased how much it hauled for a plastic loco. I put it on an eight coach parcels train on the run up and down the incline and there was no issue. I usually have to add weight to rtr to do this. Mike Wiltshire 11 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Popular Post checkrail Posted November 21, 2020 Author RMweb Gold Popular Post Share Posted November 21, 2020 While waiting for my Dapol mogul I've been revisiting my recent E95 brake compo. build. I was a bit dissatisfied with one or two aspects, especially the roof/sides join. I'd tried to disguise this with a false cantrail from microstrip but it came out rather less than straight! I decided it needed something more rigid so ordered some 1mm square brass strip from Eileen's. (Would have used nickel silver but n/s was o/s.) This has done the trick. I also found out that my plastikard representation of the roof board brackets had been fouling the cantrail, so I remove them and added new ones afterwards. Also took the opportunity of fettling new roof boards using thinner plastikard to match my other stock. I'm much happier with this coach now and glad I made the effort. Meanwhile a pair of Slater's toplight thirds are under construction - a first attempt at batch building. But of course I'm now tempted to start messing with the mogul! John C. 25 3 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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