Hills of the North - The Last Great Project

[Enterprisingwestern]

10 hours ago, LNER4479 said:

Obviously will need a lot of locos to be fully effective. What a drag ...

 

What a long drag!

 

Mike.

[Barry O]

G roan!!

Baz

[Dr Gerbil-Fritters]

On 29/11/2020 at 23:55, LNER4479 said:

Train entirely on the new stretch. The tracks plonked on the right are the station headshunt and two carriage sidings.

 

Is there a  practical constraint/reason for this reverse curve?  Far be it for me to critique the Master Track Wrangler, but I think it looks a little awkward when a long continuous curve transitioning into the tighter curves at each end would look better.  

 

 

I suspect you have a solid engineering led reason why it's there...

 

Edited December 9, 2020 by Dr Gerbil-Fritters

[LNER4479]

On 09/12/2020 at 11:37, Dr Gerbil-Fritters said:

 

Is there a  practical constraint/reason for this reverse curve?  Far be it for me to critique the Master Track Wrangler, but I think it looks a little awkward when a long continuous curve transitioning into the tighter curves at each end would look better.  

 

I suspect you have a solid engineering led reason why it's there...

 

First of apologies as I missed your original posting on Wednesday; just spotted it now.

 

The reason is because of the double track plain crossing formation at Bog Junction, ie that which the loco is just running on to in the picture. It's a curved formation because of the need to bring the alignment of the goods running lines round towards Dentonholme yard. But, using the standard Peco 12deg crossing angle products, that also and equally drags round the running lines heading towards Central station such that they are then out of alignment with the station throat. So a gentle reverse curve has had to be introduced.

 

I quite like it now it's in. Obviously somewhat exaggerated in that photo with telephoto effect. I also like it because it provides a divergence between the main running lines out of Central and the separate M&C running lines.

 

From the Central end, it looks great as it continues the curve out through the station throat on more or less the same radius - to have gone straight or eased the curve at that point would have spoiled the effect.

 

Finally(!), the descending WCML running lines heading towards Upperby will slice diagonally right across this stretch of track at the higher level which will break up the effect anyway.

Edited December 11, 2020 by LNER4479

[LNER4479]

More news on Central station itself.

 

The remaining work to refurbish plats 1/2 is now completed. Here is a last look at the perished underlay in that area. The removeable end screen comes into its own here.

 

The platform end crossing formation came out as one. Note the wires - these have been soldered on fresh with long tails to aid reconnecting it all up - they otherwise go down the same 'oles as before.

 

And now all back in position (phew!). The corresponding track for plats 3/4 I'll leave for now. The ballast is perishing(!) but not in so bad a state as the rest of the station so I leave it be just for the moment.

 

With plats 1/2 re-laid, time to tackle the 'rats nest' underneath. It's not QUITE as bad as it looks (honest!). Knowing that this day would come about eventually, the wires were made separable at first installation. Just slightly left of centre you can see a choc-bloc connector hanging down - this corresponds with where the baseboard join is. Over on the right are the wires that go in the other side, all with numbered labels on. Not really very visible - but if you look at the out-of-focus area above the locos - are the new wires hanging down from the reinstated trackwork. So a pleasant (not!) few hours spent yesterday connecting all this back up again.

 

A bit neater? The connector is now how we can split the boards electrically, should we ever pull off the crazy idea of taking this out on the road... 

There'll be more wires to add, but for now this is enough to be able to run trains. And anyway, there's only so much you can do with pictures of wiring up.

 

Weirdest looking test train I ever saw! But, it did the job ... as the piece of video coming up demonstrates.

 

 

As well as showing that we now have power, it also demonstrates the point motors in action.  Another little milestone.

 

It's not as good (yet) as it looks. There's a short that needs tracing on one of the sections and a few sticky points need fettling so more work to do until it's fully operational and working smoothly. But that's the usual way of things in this game.

Edited December 14, 2020 by LNER4479

[Dr Gerbil-Fritters]

Ah, the hours I've spent inside that train shed wishing it were still a station and I could go home, instead of wasting my life in Higher Education

[Gibbo675]

2 hours ago, Dr Gerbil-Fritters said:

Ah, the hours I've spent inside that train shed wishing it were still a station and I could go home, instead of wasting my life in Higher Education

Hi Fritters,

 

It would seem that you have condemned yourself by way of your own choices, Buckminster Fuller had it correct:

 

 

Gibbo.

[Barry O]

so that must be a train from Liverpool Central then??

 

Baz

[Dr Gerbil-Fritters]

I'd like to see what Buckminster Fuller would have made of today's design students.  Probably shot the lot of them.

[LNER4479]

1 hour ago, Barry O said:

so that must be a train from Liverpool Central then??

 

Baz

Obviously!

[LMS29]

RL,

 

Enjoyed watching the station develop.  I notice you have put the platform ends back in Central. Are you doing that as a temporary measure or is there a change of plan?

 

Tom

[LNER4479]

Just temporary. I need to find a way of fixing them to the end screen. But not priority at the moment.

[LNER4479]

Evening all,

 

Following last week's milestone moment of the first train moving at Central Station, I've spent the week 'fettling', as the train movement last week was about the only combination of tracks and points that a train would go over without a problem!

 

Anyway, pleased to report that it ALL now works - every piece of track shown here a loco has travelled over without stuttering, sticking or shorting out. Amongst my investigations, I found no less than THREE examples whereby I'd dismantled the track and, upon reassembly, used a metal joiner where an insulated one previously existed. That was never going to end well. Conversely, there was one example of a insulator being used where a 'live' one was required. Electrics has never been my strong point (ha!), Also, showing up on this view, are several places where a point has been motorised using a rod and crank arrangement due to it not being possible to mount a motor directly underneath,

Anyway, we 'celebrated' full functionality by working the stock of the Waverley into the station and it now resides in platform 4. Mind you, it had to be split upon arrival to enable the shunt across from 3 to 4 - the extension of the roads out the back will be required to properly accommodate 8 coach trains and longer.

 

Couldn't resist a 'plonk' inside the station canopy to further record the moment. Station always looks a bit better with some stock and locos around. Although those currently pottering around are something of an odd mix - just the ones which run without need for fettling themselves at the present moment. There's a bit more work to do yet before we start getting locos out en masse.

 

MEANWHILE

 

The eagle-eyed might have spotted a gap on the left-hand side of the first photo where the good yard previously was. You might even recall from earlier in the story that this is a removeable board ... so here it is - removed.

 

Except that it has now doubled in length! In its original configuration, the goods yard was quite small and was in fact never properly activated. What I've done here is to double its length - the right hand section is completely new as there is now room for this alongside the station.

 

You might think this is taken at the same time but there is in fact a week's work here! The nearest tracks have just returned from the spray area and waiting to be fixed down; most of those on the original board (furthest away in this shot) have now been fitted for keeps. The plain, uncorked area top right is where the warehouse will be. So, in classic goods yard style, there is a bypass road round the warehouse and then nearer the camera are two dead end roads with space either side for open air loading. Should be fun for those operators who like shunting wagons.

 

Edited December 20, 2020 by LNER4479

[LMS29]

RL,

 

Your sketch of the fiddle yard shows a GDS line. Does this link with one of the three sidings on the main board to the outside of the Station building?

 

Tom

[LNER4479]

Hi Tom,

 

Yes, these are what I refer to as the goods reception sidings, ie where full trains arrive and depart.

 

 

Incoming trains arrive in either the centre road (where the 'Crab' is) or the right hand road. From there, they're either shunted into the Goods Yard proper (to the left, once reinstated) ... OR ... they'll be forwarded into the fiddle yard proper via the connection you refer to, probably to the centre road. The dead-end road on the left will principally be used for making up the next goods train to depart the yard (either that or a straight transfer across of a 'block' train - with swap of brakevan - if it is straight back out on another working), once the previous train has left from that road. That'll probably be an almost continuous process once the full layout is up and running.

 

Edited December 21, 2020 by LNER4479

[aardvark]

Bit surprised to see your goods yard hidden away in a corner. I'm sure you've thought about access fir the operator.

[LNER4479]

To some extent, I had no choice, given that I am making use of an existing model that was built for a different location. If I were starting with a blank sheet of paper, I wouldn't start from here ...

 

BUT

 

1) It's a 'fast track' solution to get the overall scheme up and running before I get too old to enjoy it

2) It is 'only' a glorified fiddle yard. It will be configured so it can be operated properly (subject to reliability of uncoupling arrangements) but most of the time will just be used to store goods wagons. As has already been mused, the layout needs about 9-10 operators dotted around elsewhere before we can afford the luxury of a 10th or 11th operator dedicated to the shunting of Central goods yard.

 

Prototypicality / finesse of operation will be a province of other locations around the layout, especially at Carlisle itself. I guess that's one of the 'mantras' of the scheme.

[St Enodoc]

On 22/12/2020 at 06:57, LNER4479 said:

That'll probably be an almost continuous process once the full layout is up and running.

Yes, an almost continuous succession of trains leaving the fiddle yard is definitely the right way to do it, as @Barry O and @Michael Edge (among others) can confirm...

[LNER4479]

11 minutes ago, St Enodoc said:

Yes, an almost continuous succession of trains leaving the fiddle yard is definitely the right way to do it, as @Barry O and @Michael Edge (among others) can confirm...

So I've already been told ...

[coronach]

Looking great Graeme. Happy Christmas to you and your family. Hope you get a train set!

[Clive Mortimore]

2 hours ago, LNER4479 said:

To some extent, I had no choice, given that I am making use of an existing model that was built for a different location. If I were starting with a blank sheet of paper, I wouldn't start from here ...

 

BUT

 

1) It's a 'fast track' solution to get the overall scheme up and running before I get too old to enjoy it

2) It is 'only' a glorified fiddle yard. It will be configured so it can be operated properly (subject to reliability of uncoupling arrangements) but most of the time will just be used to store goods wagons. As has already been mused, the layout needs about 9-10 operators dotted around elsewhere before we can afford the luxury of a 10th or 11th operator dedicated to the shunting of Central goods yard.

 

Prototypicality / finesse of operation will be a province of other locations around the layout, especially at Carlisle itself. I guess that's one of the 'mantras' of the scheme.

Hi Grahame

 

I have that many people to serve with tea. Boy I am going to be busy.

Edited December 24, 2020 by Clive Mortimore

[Barry O]

27 minutes ago, Clive Mortimore said:

Hi Grahame

 

I have that many people to serve with tea. Boy I am going to be busy.

and I drink a lot of either tea or coffee.. milk no sugars Clive!

 

Baz

[Clive Mortimore]

6 minutes ago, Barry O said:

and I drink a lot of either tea or coffee.. milk no sugars Clive!

 

Baz

Noted.

[LNER4479]

31 minutes ago, Clive Mortimore said:

Hi Grahame

 

I have that many people to serve with tea. Boy I am going to be busy.

Yep!

 

A brewing area is de rigeur and folks only get invited back if they bring 'goodies' (FWANT) 

[Barry O]

7 minutes ago, LNER4479 said:

Yep!

 

A brewing area is de rigeur and folks only get invited back if they bring 'goodies' (FWANT) 

more Morrreasons jam donuts then!

 

Baz