jonas Posted December 20, 2020 Share Posted December 20, 2020 Thank you for sharing such inspirational modelling with us all. Have a happy Christmas! 1 1 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
EWS FAN Posted December 20, 2020 Share Posted December 20, 2020 Happy Christmas to you and your family Duncan. I look forward to seeing more inspirational photos of your layout next year. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
branchie Posted December 20, 2020 Share Posted December 20, 2020 Nadolig Llawen Duncan. Still hopeful of seeing the layout in the flesh one day! Stay safe, Christian. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Duncan. Posted December 20, 2020 Share Posted December 20, 2020 Nadolig llawen a blwyddyn newydd dda Christian. Still hopeful of seeing you at a show one day! Still hopeful there will be a show one day! Cheers Duncan 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Stuart A Posted December 21, 2020 RMweb Gold Share Posted December 21, 2020 Merry Christmas and glad you've both made a good recovery. Thanks for continuing inspirational modelling and posting on here. Here's to 2022 (as I think 2021 isn't going to be that much better until the summer....) 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
DavidMcKenzie Posted December 21, 2020 Share Posted December 21, 2020 Merry Christmas Duncan. Thanks for sharing your wonderful modelling during the year. Especially during the lockdown periods it's been brilliant to be able to keep upto date with your progress. Hopefully 2021 will be an improvement and Shirebrook will be enjoyed in the flesh once again at shows. All the best, Dave 2 2 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Duncan. Posted January 12, 2021 Popular Post Share Posted January 12, 2021 Leaving My Comfort Zone! Happy New Year, well it hasn't got off to a good start has it? The options for projects on Shirebrook is getting smaller now that the stock is largely complete. So I have decided to tackle some of the more challenging projects that I have avoided until now. Project One, Working Signals There are a selection of signals on Shirebrook, (I won't be tackling the ground signals), ranging from a two arm bracket to colour light signals. There are several problems to overcome, firstly myself, the fact that I did not consider working signals when I designed the baseboards, designing operating mechanisms for the semaphores, altering the control panels and adding wiring. Success will mean a full set of operating signals not just one or two, in short there is no guarantee that I will be successful. I bought some parts from Model Signal Engineering (MSE) and armed myself with a selection of brass rods, tubes and wires, various solders,LEDs and some very thin wire and drew up a design for some operating parts, it will be at least 6 weeks before I get these parts so updates will be a bit sparse! I started looking at the cast brass signal posts as supplied by MSE. The square one is OK and I hope to use it, I have an example on the layout already the signal arms are poseable but not operable. Photo below shows the current version on the layout. The cast tubular post was not good, it was very bent and solid (of course). I have planned to have the signals lit with miniature LEDs so I set about building my own. The tubes allow me to route thin wires through the post, The photo shows the cast examples and my home made tubular post with a wire temporarily inserted. I have soldered pivot tubes for the signal arms to the post. I'm happy with my progress. And here's a close up of the pivots... The most difficult signal will be the bracket signal at the end of the station platform, it will be the most complex and it is located close to the baseboard joint, as I said, I have left my comfort zone! Cheers Duncan 16 8 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
87023Velocity Posted January 12, 2021 Share Posted January 12, 2021 Seriously impressive stuff Duncan! They will look smart when complete, only trouble with working signals is rembering to obey them (I have been guilty once or twice (alot basically)). My signals are still powered from 9v batteries and the switches mounted on the backscene, it will all get wired in when the FY extension is completed. Cheers Simon 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Duncan. Posted January 13, 2021 Share Posted January 13, 2021 7 hours ago, 87023Velocity said: Seriously impressive stuff Duncan! They will look smart when complete, only trouble with working signals is rembering to obey them (I have been guilty once or twice (alot basically)). My signals are still powered from 9v batteries and the switches mounted on the backscene, it will all get wired in when the FY extension is completed. Cheers Simon Hi Simon, I have a cunning plan....(Mr Blackadder) to avoid spads. Including red repeater LEDs on the control panels and use of a timing circuit. So (unrealistically) the signals will normally be (off) the passing train will set them to danger and the timer will be configured to return signal to clear, hopefully before the next train arrives. An override switch could hold the signal at danger when shunting is taking place. Good theory(?) now just have to design and build! Cheers Duncan 3 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold MarshLane Posted January 14, 2021 RMweb Gold Share Posted January 14, 2021 17 hours ago, Duncan. said: Hi Simon, I have a cunning plan....(Mr Blackadder) to avoid spads. Including red repeater LEDs on the control panels and use of a timing circuit. So (unrealistically) the signals will normally be (off) the passing train will set them to danger and the timer will be configured to return signal to clear, hopefully before the next train arrives. An override switch could hold the signal at danger when shunting is taking place. Good theory(?) now just have to design and build! Cheers Duncan Hi Duncan, Don’t want to put a spanner in the works for you, but may I gentle suggest a rethink on the auto operation? It will work for some signals, but like the one by the box approaching the junction won’t. To have a signal off when a train is crossing over to the other line, would in my view, destroy the realism you’ve worked hard to achieve. It would be the equivalent of running a Western through Shirebrook on GWR unfitted opens! Your railway, your way of working but thought I’d just mention it. Rich 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Duncan. Posted January 14, 2021 Share Posted January 14, 2021 (edited) 12 hours ago, MarshLane said: Hi Duncan, Don’t want to put a spanner in the works for you, but may I gentle suggest a rethink on the auto operation? It will work for some signals, but like the one by the box approaching the junction won’t. To have a signal off when a train is crossing over to the other line, would in my view, destroy the realism you’ve worked hard to achieve. It would be the equivalent of running a Western through Shirebrook on GWR unfitted opens! Your railway, your way of working but thought I’d just mention it. Rich Hi Rich, I hope you are keeping well. You are quite right, I knew someone would pick up on my 'Baldrick' plan! There is also the problem of the signals approaching the junction from the north, one is a colour light (from Clipstone) the other pictured in the post above a semaphore (from Worksop) I have several ideas about suitable solutions, but if you or anyone else has ideas please contact me, all help gratefully accepted. Plan attached below to help you work it out! Cheers Duncan Edited January 14, 2021 by Duncan. 4 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Duncan. Posted January 22, 2021 Share Posted January 22, 2021 Class 31 154. A somewhat unusual visitor at Shriebrook was 31154. It had worked down from Tinsley light loco to collect condemmed 16 toners from Mansfield Concentration Sidings for onward movement to Booth's. However a problem was found on the loco. It returned to Shirebrook for remedial work before completing the job. This new (refubished) loco was weathered and detailed at one end using the parts supplied. I was disappointed to see that the radiator fan has reverted from a 3D recessed example to a moulded version. I guess this has been done to accommodate the speaker, Personally I preferred the recessed fan.... Cheers Duncan 12 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RBE Posted January 22, 2021 Share Posted January 22, 2021 Nice. I'm still contemplating whether to get a RF or petroleum on of these. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Duncan. Posted January 22, 2021 Share Posted January 22, 2021 17 minutes ago, RBE said: Nice. I'm still contemplating whether to get a RF or petroleum on of these. Hi Cav, The factory example in petroleum livery is, IMO, let down by the inverted roof cowling. I purchased one of these locos for a xmas present (not to myself!) The recipient wants me to produce an etched replacement! I think you would want something finer yourself. Cheers Duncan Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RBE Posted January 22, 2021 Share Posted January 22, 2021 Yes I would do the whole grille as an etch as well with fans tbh. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Duncan. Posted January 22, 2021 Share Posted January 22, 2021 Just now, RBE said: Yes I would do the whole grille as an etch as well with fans tbh. You may have problems fitting the fan, unless you remove the factory fitted speaker? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RBE Posted January 22, 2021 Share Posted January 22, 2021 It has a speaker even without sound? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Duncan. Posted January 22, 2021 Share Posted January 22, 2021 Yes, so does the class 40. I'm not entirely happy about it as I feel I'm being charged for an item I don't require and have no plans to use... and in the case of the 31 the previous release had the recessed and fully 3D (was it etched or moulded) radiator fan and etched grille now replaced (in a retrograde step) by a combination moulded grille and fan Cheers Duncan 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cowley 47521 Posted January 22, 2021 Share Posted January 22, 2021 I really like the weathering around the grilles Duncan. Did you think about renumbering it at all? I have considered it but decided not to in the end because I haven’t plucked up the courage yet! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Duncan. Posted January 23, 2021 Share Posted January 23, 2021 10 hours ago, Cowley 47521 said: I really like the weathering around the grilles Duncan. Did you think about renumbering it at all? I have considered it but decided not to in the end because I haven’t plucked up the courage yet! Hi, Most of the Shirebrook loco fleet are renumbered. This was a rare instance where renumbering was not essential. I used to live just over a mile from Tinsley and this loco could be seen regularly on Speedlink services and local trip freights. Therefore it is entirely possible it could have worked to Shirebrook too. How did you get on with replacing your tunout? Cheers Duncan 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cowley 47521 Posted January 23, 2021 Share Posted January 23, 2021 1 hour ago, Duncan. said: Hi, Most of the Shirebrook loco fleet are renumbered. This was a rare instance where renumbering was not essential. I used to live just over a mile from Tinsley and this loco could be seen regularly on Speedlink services and local trip freights. Therefore it is entirely possible it could have worked to Shirebrook too. How did you get on with replacing your tunout? Cheers Duncan I see yes, I don’t know if it ever made it’s way down here in that livery, plenty of original Railfreight 31s made it up to Barnstaple though. I was thinking about turning mine into 31132 which I’d had a run behind back then, but on looking at photos it had snowploughs and a sealed beam headlight... I’ve not attempted the turnout yet because I’ve been having central heating work done on the house and the railway’s been pushed into the corner of the room. I might tackle it tomorrow though once I’ve cleared some space this afternoon. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Duncan. Posted January 23, 2021 Share Posted January 23, 2021 27 minutes ago, Cowley 47521 said: I see yes, I don’t know if it ever made it’s way down here in that livery, plenty of original Railfreight 31s made it up to Barnstaple though. I was thinking about turning mine into 31132 which I’d had a run behind back then, but on looking at photos it had snowploughs and a sealed beam headlight... I’ve not attempted the turnout yet because I’ve been having central heating work done on the house and the railway’s been pushed into the corner of the room. I might tackle it tomorrow though once I’ve cleared some space this afternoon. Yes changing the number will require close examination of prototype photos. Some were fitted with sealed beam headlights, you can buy moulded examples or build up your own from plasticard. Snowploughs would not be fitted as a permanent fixture on the prototype. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
P.C.M Posted January 24, 2021 Share Posted January 24, 2021 Hi Duncan, Just having a catch on your latest work. good luck with the working signals. It's something I need to do in 00 but really not looking forwrds to doing it. I noticed you are on flickr. If you search the name John Dedman you will find he has recently posted up some nice pic of a trip to Shirebrook, you might find them useful. I was with him on the depot visit but I was using an Instamatic at the time so my shots are rubbish. Cheers Peter. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Duncan. Posted January 24, 2021 Share Posted January 24, 2021 3 hours ago, P.C.M said: Hi Duncan, Just having a catch on your latest work. good luck with the working signals. It's something I need to do in 00 but really not looking forwrds to doing it. I noticed you are on flickr. If you search the name John Dedman you will find he has recently posted up some nice pic of a trip to Shirebrook, you might find them useful. I was with him on the depot visit but I was using an Instamatic at the time so my shots are rubbish. Cheers Peter. Thanks Peter, Just had a quick look. Great photos and yes useful. Nice colour for weathering locos. Looks you had an enjoyable visit back in '84. Cheers Duncan Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold MarshLane Posted January 24, 2021 RMweb Gold Share Posted January 24, 2021 On 14/01/2021 at 07:04, Duncan. said: Hi Rich, I hope you are keeping well. You are quite right, I knew someone would pick up on my 'Baldrick' plan! There is also the problem of the signals approaching the junction from the north, one is a colour light (from Clipstone) the other pictured in the post above a semaphore (from Worksop) I have several ideas about suitable solutions, but if you or anyone else has ideas please contact me, all help gratefully accepted. Plan attached below to help you work it out! Cheers Duncan Hi Duncan, Sorry for the delay in reply. I presume your ignoring the ground signals because of size? What was the signalled access to the old LD&EC route - now the wagon works? Depending on how your working the semaphores, I suppose the logical way of working would be though a series of relays. For example you could clear No. 1 home if the following points on the Up Main are set right (and no converging route from the Down Main to Down Branch). Changing the point to the Up Branch to Up Main route would clear the colour light to yellow, then clearing No. 3 would give a green (or clear the distance if the route was set to the Up Main). That could be automated, or you could have a 'push-to-make' signal clear button on the control panel, so all stays at Danger, until you press that, then the relays clear the appropriate signals. There could be a on-off switch on the Mansfield fiddle yard so that No. 3 can only be cleared when the fiddle yard operator is ready to accept. Same goes for the Worksop Main and Down Branch options, which would only clear if the switch was on. Rich Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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