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Byford - Trainspotting in The 50s


richard.h
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Layout Controls

  Since the start my DCC layout has always been controlled by the NCE system using macros, (routes) to set the points and signals.

 This has worked well but as the layout expanded it has got more difficult to keep track! of what you are doing as apart from the signals there is no visual confirmation of the routes set because I would have to build a minimum of three mimic boards to do this.

 

With the extra time available from the lockdown I have been looking at different systems which would work with and compliment my NCE system and after some trials decided to use the JMRI package. 

I don't want a fully automated system but something that I can still control from handsets but with more freedom.  One of the problems with NCE is that the handsets have to be plugged in so you are always following the trains around and connecting into socket points.

 

So I installed the JMRI, programmed it and connected it to a touch screen display TV

 

322307941_IMG_2772(2).JPG.82bdc4f5ab9918a014d18a2e8d14deee.JPG

 

Now I can display either my track plan or Macro List, as shown, plus throttles for the locos and control them just by touching the appropriate point on the panel.

However I tend to use the Touchscreen just for route setting as another advantage with this system is that you can link in any suitable Tablet or Mobile and use that as a controller.

 

 

1677808535_IMG_2769(2).JPG.649aebc57f2eb5daea1b2105278a75a7.JPG

 

And then it gets better as now not only are the handsets cable free but you can enter in all the functions for a sound chip so you are no longer trying to remember what F6 does on a particular loco the hand set clearly shows every function.

 

At the moment I am still investigating  it as there are other possibilities to be explored,  such as linking in signals and the DCC turntable but it's working fine and if there is a problem to be resolved I can just go back to my NCE system which remains unchanged.:D

 

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Poorly Pullmans

The layout and station was designed to take a maximum 8 coach train, this was the most that could be fitted in and still look right within the total layout size.

Eight coaches worked fine with everything but the Hornby Pullmans, once I got to five the derailing problems started, having tried all the other coupling options,Roco, Kaydee etc without success I decided to try the option I had seen used  by other people on this site and dispense with standard couplings altogether.

 

So the coach bodies were drilled out to accept wire hooks and bars.

 

1696011883_IMG_2789(2).JPG.2879520aa46c41a1235c3fb83262de5f.JPG

 

Finally success although for it to work properly I had to adapt the Loco Tender with the same fitting.

559248450_IMG_2798(2).JPG.aca8e247c59cbdacbc7593c559bf7d82.JPG

 

With the strain taken away from the Coach Bogies I can now run eight coach Pullmans trouble free.

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  Now with the Pullman Coaches working well I can run an eight car train so here is my version of the Yorkshire Pullman.

 

1290264799_IMG_2816(2).JPG.03182ac1b390fed4339e253ff88b2645.JPG

 

In real life it would have been eleven coaches into Leeds with three going onto Bradford but in my case it's cut down to six plus two.

 

493841384_IMG_2797(2).JPG.73bc8cb684c5638e2e10122f5f8c12b4.JPG

 

And it's hauled by a Leeds (Neville Hill) based loco Archibald Sturrock

 

1114289876_IMG_2805(2).JPG.60240938ccfe987f74b2c71925b6a7e2.JPG

 

 

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Point Rodding Continued

   This job has been delayed as the parcel got lost in the post, it finally appeared a few days ago so I was able to finish off this section.

 

816379852_IMG_2836(2).JPG.d686a3029993e9f2dcb061ccb7c7286c.JPG

 

I fitted Peco cosmetic rodding and at the same refreshed all the ground cover and vegetation which was looking dusty and grubby.

 

506580884_IMG_2837(2).JPG.6755554320925365a5edb071a91db397.JPG

 

Now, thanks to double-ordering I have enough rodding to do the rest of the layout so I will just have to knuckle down and get on with it.

 

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Duke of Gloucester

  This Loco can be bought quite cheaply now in a pack with three coaches as The Heritage Rail Express.

  Although it has a reputation as a poor runner, pick-ups in the loco only (didn't that used to be normal) I couldn't resist a bargain and decided to buy one to see what could be done with it.

  The first thing was to fit a stay-alive decoder together with the most powerful capacitor that could be squeezed in.

 

IMG_2819.JPG.99eea693a1f5e905f625f4c19422bc2f.JPG

 

This transformed the running as can be seen from the following video.

 

The next stage was weathering, again detailed in the video, to try and give it the look of a slightly worn but well maintained premier locomotive.

 

IMG_2844.JPG.e1920d80a7924bd93df86e6449b75bca.JPG

 

1773756906_IMG_2846(2).JPG.71448c6ed29aba2981d3f4e3645b24dc.JPG

 

 

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Triplet Set, I always wanted one of these so this will be the next project to go onto the workbench and it's progress will be detailed there.

 Here's the package that arrived recently.

 

1735261961_IMG_2848(2).JPG.8ab779e2031c5b03ba0198b52a3e229d.JPG

 

And its contents.

 

1157219809_IMG_2852(3).JPG.80eaf05fb55e34bbb338c68f225b32ed.JPG

 

So its roll your sleeves up time ( they already are it is nearly 80 today) and get started

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I haven't done this view before as you would have to be crossing the bridge on a bus:mocking_mini: to see it.

 

1832239099_IMG_2869(4).JPG.2caa0dfe7e56ab601d9175778dbabf92.JPG

 

 

But you would have to be in a Helicopter  to get this view from the other end of the Station.

 

736416786_IMG_2866(2).JPG.cb941cf2cbb54c6173a1d2f02d0a38da.JPG

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Just spent a pleasant afternoon weathering the new Coke Wagons, firstly with a coat of Frame Dirt on the chassis and weathered black on the hoppers.

 

2088778589_IMG_2922(2).JPG.54e9d9ec05f4c4d564fef4ef2dea1985.JPG

 

Then built up the layers of grime with slightly different types of blacks, worn, smoke and dull to give some variation in the colouring.

 

IMG_2923.JPG.9904548856563dcc227b5283c2e7a50a.JPG

 

Then this was finally washed downwards with a brush lightly loaded with thinners to give a streaking effect.

 

1657235681_IMG_2927(2).JPG.e002efe2643ba972685a32cece03bc4f.JPG

 

I also took the opportunity to dig out my old Mainline Coke wagons and weathered them by painting in some planking to represent repairs and them give them some brushed on coats of Dust and Frame Dirt

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Over on the workbench I have been busy this week finishing off the Kitchen Car unit of the triplet set under construction.

 

990542173_IMG_2966(2).JPG.b7db15930d8e8457a0b218a412b61c40.JPG

 

 

2135736517_IMG_2971(2).JPG.dcbd3112bef167e7b67697cbaf4d2937.JPG

 

Bit more work to do but I think I'm ready to tackle the dining cars now

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Today we have the Mail Train hauled by Jubilee 45609 Gilbert and Ellice Islands.

 

1875497307_IMG_3043(2).JPG.c5b30c066cbb703f5a9e063937f019fd.JPG

 

The first two coaches are Bachmann models with collection nets.

 

857378376_IMG_3037(2).JPG.a8b35d6d033cee5c379b36f6fe560d0e.JPG

 

But the rest of the train is made up from a mixture of Sorting and Stowage Coaches built from Southern Pride kits.

 

1665518412_IMG_3038(2).JPG.8ebcd5398ea5c1e342e5656e4bda9060.JPG

 

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Here is a video of The Class 24 in action, it is a superb model and with the range of sound functions available you can 'virtually' drive the machine.

Conflat container wagons are out of production at the moment but using the unpainted version the intention is to build up to a full rake to simulate the Condor Express.

 

 

 

 

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The Triplet set has now been completed.

 

1851385208_IMG_3103(2).JPG.35e6cb4e0b8795a6128f2c106bf97786.JPG

 

Clearance is very tight on the sharpest curves but the coaches don't quite touch, helped I think by the corridor connections

 

1521040334_IMG_3108(2).JPG.0e040b92f7dd52185fd187310737d527.JPG

 

What I need to do now is find a typical coach formation that can be condensed down into an eight coach train (my maximum).

 

1970347186_IMG_3132(2).JPG.1065e183752832de4d14881270537cbd.JPG

 

But they perform well and I've really enjoyed making them, what's next, well I have a lot of older LMS era coaches which I think can be fitted with 'Comet' sides so that needs looking into.

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Amazing work on the triplet set, Richard. I don’t know why your thread hasn’t produced more comments: I’ve just had a browse through from the start and it’s a real inspiration for someone (like me) just starting out. 

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Steve Banks talks at some length about typical trains in his book with Clive Carter on LNER train formations.   I don't think it's repeated on his website and the book is hard to find and expensive now, so here's a precis.   The LNER ran expresses in portions, which would be detached from the main train en route to arrive at their final destination.  So multiple brake vehicles were common in expresses and there would be easily visible sets of carriages within the overall formation.

 

I'm assuming you're looking for a single 8 car formation, what might be called the 'core' train, which other portions would attach to or detach from.  Assuming a London departure/arrival, first class would be at the Town (Up) end, so the aristocracy didn't have to walk so far.  The catering would often serve as the division between classes.  So from the buffers at (say) King's Cross, you might find a BFK or BG, followed by an FK.  If there was an expectation that there might be a lot of dining then an SFO (a characteristic East Coast vehicle or even an FO might run next to the triplet to allow dining to overflow.  At the other end there might be a TO for the same reason, or perhaps an STO (but they were rare).  Then you'd have as many TKs as you can accommodate with a BTK behind the loco.  BTK (5) was most common in the trains I modelled for Grantham, but 4 cropped up regularly as well. 

 

If you want to model an actual formation then Robert Carroll's BR Coaching stock group has plenty of Carriage Working documents which will help.  At the very least they might give you ideas.   The main thing I took away from researching train formations was how poorly the RTR carriage types have been selected.  There is almost no LNER area train which can be correctly modelled using only RTR stock.

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On 23/07/2019 at 18:36, richard.h said:

 

The other things pre-planned for this new section were magnets under the trackbed for the Kaydee couplings.

 

IMG_1635.JPG.ef7078bf1a04f412e2474008b6c92a86.JPG

 

Been reading through your thread slowly and enjoying the journey. 

Do you remember what size and strength your magnets were/are?

Paul.

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9 hours ago, Mark90 said:

Amazing work on the triplet set, Richard. I don’t know why your thread hasn’t produced more comments: I’ve just had a browse through from the start and it’s a real inspiration for someone (like me) just starting out. 

Thanks for your comments, it really is encouraging to get feedback like that and it helps keep me motivated, you do feel isolated out here at times and I would just love to spend time browsing through a Model Shop again (if there are any open at the moment.)

 

Also welcome to RMWeb there's lots of info on here whatever your level of expertise.

 

Richard

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9 hours ago, jwealleans said:

Steve Banks talks at some length about typical trains in his book with Clive Carter on LNER train formations.   I don't think it's repeated on his website and the book is hard to find and expensive now, so here's a precis.   The LNER ran expresses in portions, which would be detached from the main train en route to arrive at their final destination.  So multiple brake vehicles were common in expresses and there would be easily visible sets of carriages within the overall formation.

 

I'm assuming you're looking for a single 8 car formation, what might be called the 'core' train, which other portions would attach to or detach from.  Assuming a London departure/arrival, first class would be at the Town (Up) end, so the aristocracy didn't have to walk so far.  The catering would often serve as the division between classes.  So from the buffers at (say) King's Cross, you might find a BFK or BG, followed by an FK.  If there was an expectation that there might be a lot of dining then an SFO (a characteristic East Coast vehicle or even an FO might run next to the triplet to allow dining to overflow.  At the other end there might be a TO for the same reason, or perhaps an STO (but they were rare).  Then you'd have as many TKs as you can accommodate with a BTK behind the loco.  BTK (5) was most common in the trains I modelled for Grantham, but 4 cropped up regularly as well. 

 

If you want to model an actual formation then Robert Carroll's BR Coaching stock group has plenty of Carriage Working documents which will help.  At the very least they might give you ideas.   The main thing I took away from researching train formations was how poorly the RTR carriage types have been selected.  There is almost no LNER area train which can be correctly modelled using only RTR stock.

Hi

 Thank you very much for taking the time to provide that information it is exactly what I was looking for and will give me a good starting point to building up correct rakes of coaching stock.

 

 As mentioned before I would also like to build some coaching stock not available as RTR and by coincidence yesterday I saw a video by Tony Wright in which he mentions fitting Comet sides to the old Airfix 57ft coaches. I have quite a few of these under the bench which are not used now so it seems like the perfect opportunity to build something different.

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5 hours ago, 5BarVT said:

Been reading through your thread slowly and enjoying the journey. 

Do you remember what size and strength your magnets were/are?

Paul.

 

Hi Paul

 This is a link to the site where I purchased the magnets which has all the details.

 

https://www.guysmagnets.com/neodymium-magnets-c11/guys-magnets-20-5-mm-x-7-7-mm-x-2-mm-neodymium-block-p440

 

I found these to be the most efficient magnets for uncoupling Kaydees but they really need to be fitted before tracklaying.

 

I did try the other type where you drill a series of holes and fit rows of 3mm dia rod magnets inside the track between the sleepers but these didn't work as well and they also had a tendency to tip over light rolling stock such as trucks because the magnets tended to pull the coupling down instead of uncoupling it.

 

Richard

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Just to finish off the Triplet Story here are a few photos of the set in use hauled by A3 Persimmon.

 

644055638_IMG_3135(2).JPG.41dcda1c33d3ae19f705c9dde144a209.JPG

 

115225677_IMG_3136(2).JPG.827a7f4850318ac8ee45b435da06e002.JPG

 

I haven't got a correct rake of coaches sorted out yet these a just a random selection from my available stock but that will be done next.

 

IMG_3144.JPG.b23d294310197c971893b7b33dcfa2aa.JPG

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I know that this is way off topic but I,m struggling a bit at the moment.

 

We have a pre-booked (before the virus) holiday coming up touring around Lancashire which at the moment now looks as though it will be going ahead if we don't have to go in quarantine.

 

 After searching online I find that the East Lancs Railway and over in Skipton the Embsay Railway are re-opening in August with a limited service, does anyone know of other railway related places of interest in the region that will be open and worth a visit.

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It’s the wrong side of the Pennines but the North Yorkshire Moors Railway is reopen with pre-booked services from 1 August. Might be too far if you were planning to stick to Lancashire, but the drive over would be fairly scenic if you avoided the motorway. They often have a good mix of ex-LNER and LMS motive power in steam too. 

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The Keighley & Worth Valley is a lot closer than the NYMR.

 

There's also the West Lancs Light Railway in Hesketh Bank and the Ribble Steam Railway at Preston docks but it looks like neither have re-opened just yet.

 

The Manchester Museum of Science & Industry is opening mid August and it uses the old L&M Liverpool Road station and has a static loco display.

 

Regards,

 

John P

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Thanks very much for the info guys it's much appreciated and will be looked into.

 

It's amazing how things change so quickly with this virus, I was just thinking it has been 20+ years since I was in that part of the country and now with the quarantine news it is going to another year, the holiday is cancelled until 2021.

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