RMweb Gold Ramblin Rich Posted April 26, 2020 Author RMweb Gold Share Posted April 26, 2020 Yes I realised that when I loaded the picture The window sill is a bit of a trophy shelf with various favourite drinks featured. More worrying would be if I mixed up the flux & whiskey 3 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Ramblin Rich Posted April 26, 2020 Author RMweb Gold Share Posted April 26, 2020 I like this view point already, will be nice when I get some scenery done. This image form the 'Cyberheritage' page is what I've had in mind 18 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold slow8dirty Posted April 26, 2020 RMweb Gold Share Posted April 26, 2020 14 minutes ago, Ramblin Rich said: I like this view point already, will be nice when I get some scenery done. This image form the 'Cyberheritage' page is what I've had in mind Liking that very much Rich. 5 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
rcf Posted May 4, 2020 Share Posted May 4, 2020 Hi Rich, I have been looking for some 'wire in tube' to use for point control on my new layout and noticed that you had been busy using this method of control on your layout and I wondered what you were using and where you had got it. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Regards Rob 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Ramblin Rich Posted May 4, 2020 Author RMweb Gold Share Posted May 4, 2020 Hi Rob, it's the old Gem Mercontrol product. I bought it from Antics some time ago, there does seem to be some stock of the tubing available but not the wire unfortunately https://anticsonline.uk/search.aspx?description=Mercontrol It's held in place with hot melt glue. I did have to improvise a bit for the long run along the front from the levers to the left hand points as I realised I would be short, so I've used spare FB rail housed in plastic drinking straws! It works fine for a long straight line. I've used the insides of 'choc block' connectors to attach the wires across board joints, which also allows some adjustments to fine tune. Hope this helps, but not sure where you could get the wire now.... 1 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
saxokid Posted May 5, 2020 Share Posted May 5, 2020 Had good catch up here Rich... thanks neil.. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
rcf Posted May 5, 2020 Share Posted May 5, 2020 12 hours ago, Ramblin Rich said: Hi Rob, it's the old Gem Mercontrol product. I bought it from Antics some time ago, there does seem to be some stock of the tubing available but not the wire unfortunately https://anticsonline.uk/search.aspx?description=Mercontrol It's held in place with hot melt glue. I did have to improvise a bit for the long run along the front from the levers to the left hand points as I realised I would be short, so I've used spare FB rail housed in plastic drinking straws! It works fine for a long straight line. I've used the insides of 'choc block' connectors to attach the wires across board joints, which also allows some adjustments to fine tune. Hope this helps, but not sure where you could get the wire now.... Hi Rich, I did wonder if it was the old mercontrol product, I have a little left from an earlier project but not a long enough run for what I need now. Thanks for the info and you have given me some ideas. Regards Rob 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold bcnPete Posted May 5, 2020 RMweb Gold Share Posted May 5, 2020 I still use W-I-T for all my layouts - not good on the tech stuff me I get mine from here - does what it says on the tin... https://www.wizardmodels.ltd/shop/signals/wire-tube-control-pack-sm4/ Usual disclaimer Nice progress Rich - lovin’ that low level class 33 shot 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
TomJ Posted May 5, 2020 Share Posted May 5, 2020 Loving seeing the progress on here. Great photos. After all the years of prevarication there’s actually track laid and everything! 1 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Ramblin Rich Posted May 5, 2020 Author RMweb Gold Share Posted May 5, 2020 Not quite, true, track not actually fixed yet, but I have finished soldering droppers onto track. Now I know where the wires will go I will drill through the boards and thread the dropper wires before fixing the track. Hopefully more progress over the weekend. 2 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Brinkly Posted May 5, 2020 RMweb Gold Share Posted May 5, 2020 On 26/04/2020 at 20:21, Ramblin Rich said: I like this view point already, will be nice when I get some scenery done. This image form the 'Cyberheritage' page is what I've had in mind Looks very good, Rich. I don't remember seeing too many BR blue locomotives as a child; however, I do remember seeing a pair of Class 33s trundling into Exeter St. Davids - probably 1992/3 - on ballast workings and then proceeding up the Waterloo line. I can remember the cloud of diesel fumes and the noise of the pair tackling the incline out of Exeter to this day! Memories! Best wishes, Nick. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Ramblin Rich Posted June 21, 2020 Author RMweb Gold Share Posted June 21, 2020 (edited) Something of a milestone today, I have a working layout! After several weeks joining droppers, tracing shorts and fettling board joints, I have now been able to run trains all around the room. Given how long it's taken me to get to this point, I am somewhat pleased with myself I have changed the plan slightly in that there is now only 1 kickback siding instead of 2, mainly because, due to the lines needing curving to clear the platforms, the set of points to give the 2nd siding had to be some way along, which made the sidings rather short. I'm happy with the minimalist look though & may well have a cameo showing other sidings being lifted or their remains to give that down-at-heel look. Due to the wiring being accomplished during lockdown, I've had to use a load of multi colour single strand wires, which are fine to use but I've had to do a full colour diagram to remind me which droppers go to which wire. Each platform loop has a section switch so that I can isolate trains while passing, although ideally I want to go with DCC, in which case the isolating switches can just be left on. The return track along the back wall is currently only temporary, I want to get some 5mm ply to make up some cassettes but for now, very content to see trains moving at last. Some pictures as proof: A class 31 approaches from Exeter, across the level crossing. There is a class 101 DMU in the 'up' platform waiting to go to Exeter It is possible to get loco + 5 coaches into the loop. It seems the DMU has a GUV as a 'swinger' tail load. The DMU departs towards Exeter (strictly speaking the loco hauled train would probably departed first (last in, first out as the signalman would have had the token from the DMU ready to hand over as the 31 entered the loop) Finally , views of the temporary return line and overview of the station area Next job is probably getting the platform edging into place, then ballasting.... Edited June 21, 2020 by Ramblin Rich corrected image order 18 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cowley 47521 Posted June 21, 2020 Share Posted June 21, 2020 (edited) Looking great Rich. I hope you got yourself a beer and took the opportunity to just watch the odd train running around the room this evening..? I like the little goods shed and the idea of having some removed track. Heaps of ripped out track seemed to such a common feature in those days where something you’d grown up with seemed to just disappear overnight but you could still see where it had been. Nick Edited June 21, 2020 by Cowley 47521 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Ramblin Rich Posted June 21, 2020 Author RMweb Gold Share Posted June 21, 2020 Thanks Nick, I did have a beer in celebration, but it's easy to get dizzy watching things go round, it's not a big circuit! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
PeterLoader Posted June 21, 2020 Share Posted June 21, 2020 Congratulations - it feels as though all the dffort has been wortwhile when trains start running! 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
treggyman Posted June 22, 2020 Share Posted June 22, 2020 Hi Rich Great progress.... It always feels good when you can run trains for the first time & they do what they're meant to..... Keep up the good work.... Cheers Bill 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Ramblin Rich Posted June 22, 2020 Author RMweb Gold Share Posted June 22, 2020 Cheers Bill, yes it's been a long time coming and I've probably stretched it out more than necessary, but thankfully it all works well & without any problems Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Tim Dubya Posted June 22, 2020 RMweb Premium Share Posted June 22, 2020 (edited) "That's Eggy that is"* *Widcombe (Bath), colloquialism for excellent. Which of course it is sir! Edited June 22, 2020 by Tim Dubya Should have wrote eggcellent... 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold bcnPete Posted June 27, 2020 RMweb Gold Share Posted June 27, 2020 On 21/06/2020 at 21:46, Ramblin Rich said: Something of a milestone today, I have a working layout! Fantastic Rich - A credit to your staying power. Sir, I salute you... Enjoy some ‘thorough testing’ to catch up on the years Look forward to see more.. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
TomJ Posted June 27, 2020 Share Posted June 27, 2020 I find progress slows markedly once you get to the stage of being able to play trains!!! 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold slow8dirty Posted June 27, 2020 RMweb Gold Share Posted June 27, 2020 Well done Rich 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Ramblin Rich Posted June 27, 2020 Author RMweb Gold Share Posted June 27, 2020 (edited) Cheers fellas, you're certainly right about the playing testing phase taking over Here's some pictures of 31 296 'Amwlch Freighter' arriving from Barnstaple, to pick up a couple of grain wagons from the siding. Arriving from Barnstaple with empty cement and resin tanks: Uncouple & run around train Reverse into the up line and then reverse again into the headshunt Collect the empty grain wagons and add to the train (this traffic used Polybulks in reality, but I've substituted the smaller 'Minibulks' as they are available & take less space!) Run around once more & head off to Exeter This has shown a few things: The Lima 31 bodyshell needs the yellow sections painting properly, they are translucent with the light behind! I need to standardise on couplers as there are issues with coupling on curves, especially the slimline types. The Lima wagons also need replacement wheels, they're fine on plain track but distinctly bumpy through the points. I've have some from Peter's Spares with the right length axles.... somewhere! All the shuffling around just to collect 2 wagons shows how uneconomic this kind of traffic became! I think it would be more likely to have the 'headshunt' dedicated to the goods traffic, then the southbound train could simply reverse in to pick up or drop off wagons. I'm also toying with moving the station building. I like having it on the south platform as it's more like the Eggesford arrangement, but it does get in the way a bit for photography. Here are 2x class 153 with the station building on the closer platform, and then on the further one. It doesn't seem so obvious in reality though, so maybe it is just a subjective thing. Edited June 27, 2020 by Ramblin Rich more waffle 8 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Ramblin Rich Posted June 27, 2020 Author RMweb Gold Share Posted June 27, 2020 More playing to show some other typical North Devon line trains. Late 1970s, a class 25 (pencilled to be 25 206 when I can get transfers) on a vacuum braked freight heading for Barnstaple. Empty 'clayhoods' and opens, plus vans either loaded with fertilizer for Torrignton, or empty heading to the clay works at Meeth for loading. That's the good thing about vans, you can't tell what they're carrying! The opens need weathering severely though, they also need sheeting over for the return trip; unlike the 'clayhoods', the flat sheets were removed completely when empty. Here's the 25 again on the much discussed 0715 'mixed' train from Barnstaple, including parcels stock and 'vanfits': I need to get better lighting in here as the camera's struggling to get a sharp image. Today I've primed some platform edging, so they will be the next things to be fitted. 11 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold slow8dirty Posted June 27, 2020 RMweb Gold Share Posted June 27, 2020 Well even at this early stage there is a certain "Cyberheritage" vibe to things 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Ramblin Rich Posted June 27, 2020 Author RMweb Gold Share Posted June 27, 2020 (edited) 10 minutes ago, slow8dirty said: Well even at this early stage there is a certain "Cyberheritage" vibe to things Thanks, you're doubtless aware that's what I've always been aiming for! Edited June 27, 2020 by Ramblin Rich .. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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