Copenhagen Fields

[sandwich station]

Am I right in thinking I saw this layout at the first London Festival of Model Railways, 1999 maybe? I don't think it was at the Ally Pally though.

[bécasse]

It would have been at Wembley in 1999 - a one off. I can't remember whether CF was there or not but certainly possible given the strong MRC involvement in the show.

[2mmMark]

I've got a feeling that was in 2000, celebrating 100 years of railway modelling and 90 years of the MRC.

[sandwich station]

I've got a feeling that was in 2000, celebrating 100 years of railway modelling and 90 years of the MRC.

It was definitely at Wembley, would that be right for 2000?

[bécasse]

Yes, I can't find my 2000 diary, but it isn't in my 1999 one, so 2000 it was.

[CF MRC]

I was chairman of the MRC at that time. Prior to being approached by Warners and the first show held at Wembley, we were actually looking to stage our own exhibition in the (relatively) empty train shed at St Pancras. This would have been the first major show that the Club had organised following a very sticky time in the late 90’s. Hard to imagine this now, but at that time the station was near derelict and the challenge of pigeons and a leaking roof were significant. I think there is a mock-up poster for it somewhere at Keen House. Wembley did OK as a show, but the following year we shifted to AP, a much grander venue.

 

We have been working hard on CF recently, installing fiddle yard loops on the Up and Down Main: this should allow us to increase stock variety. In the next few weeks, scenery and other aspects will be worked on prior to showing at Acton on 7-8th July.

 

Tim

[CF MRC]

 

 

I have recently rebuilt / made a very tall and elegant bracket distant signal for Copenhagen Fields. It was originally made by John Greenwood 30 years ago, but this is its second re-building because of exhibitor knocks - probably not too much of the original remaining now. The spectacles need to be filled in and the sign needs to read “All engines must stop here if the signal is at danger”.

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WtghDzdx_rc

 

The next individual to damage it on the layout will meet a slow and painful demise....

 

Tim

[cornish trains jez]

Unbelievably good modelling. To think this is 2mm scale too, looks stunning!

 

Best regards,

 

Jeremy

[t-b-g]

I have recently rebuilt / made a very tall and elegant bracket distant signal for Copenhagen Fields. It was originally made by John Greenwood 30 years ago, but this is its second re-building because of exhibitor knocks - probably not too much of the original remaining now. The spectacles need to be filled in and the sign needs to read “All engines must stop here if the signal is at danger”.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WtghDzdx_rc

The next individual to damage it on the layout will meet a slow and painful demise....

Tim

Lovely modelling. What an unusual signal. A distant that trains have to stop at.

 

The whole idea of a distant signal is to indicate the state of the next one, not to stop trains.

 

Is there an explanation from any of our signalling specialists?

 

Is it unique or does anybody know of any others?

[Guy Rixon]

Lovely modelling. What an unusual signal. A distant that trains have to stop at.

 

The whole idea of a distant signal is to indicate the state of the next one, not to stop trains.

 

Is there an explanation from any of our signalling specialists?

 

Possibly that the associated home signals are in tunnel (Gasworks Tunnel?) and, while it would not be dangerous for trains to proceed with the distant on, it would be better for them to wait in free air? 

[Donw]

Possibly trains have to come to a stop before proceeding cautiously. If the sighting of the home signals only gave a short stopping distance it would ensure trains were only moving slowly. Obviously drivers should be prepared to stop but on busy main lines you can get use to following another train expecting the next signal to clear by the time they get there. I remember often travelling between Paddington and Reading every distant was showing danger  the train was going quite fast expecting it to clear on approach. With the introduction of the M.A.S there were times when you never saw a green signal. On the Diesel units you could hear the klaxon of the AWS as each was passed.

 

Don

[chrisf]

I think you'll find that distant signals show caution.

 

Chris

[Donw]

I think you'll find that distant signals show caution.

 

Chris

 

True Chris but the must be a reason for a notice saying trains to stop here.

 

Don

[Poggy1165]

I think you'll find that distant signals show caution.

 

Chris

 "A Distant Signal may be passed when at Danger, but the Engine-driver must be prepared to stop at the Home Signal if necessary."

L&YR rule 36, 1913 revision.

 

The terminology may have changed with company and period, I suppose. Can't lay my hands on my GCR rule book to compare.

[Graham R]

It is interesting that even in 1971 with multiple-aspect signalling, a similar notice was provided on the Up Relief approaching Gasworks tunnel: "No passenger train to pass this board unless double-yellow or green aspect displayed". See signal 83/84 on this diagram.

Edited June 26, 2018 by Graham R

[Donw]

It is interesting that even in 1971 with multiple-aspect signalling, a similar notice was provided on the Up Relief approaching Gasworks tunnel: "No passenger train to pass this board unless double-yellow or green aspect displayed". See signal 84/84 on this diagram.

 

It could possibly be that Tim's signal was the predecessor of the one on the diagram. With the turnout blades in the tunnel it was probably felt that the driver might not have time to stop if the route wasn't clear through. Additionally  if it wasn't clear through into the platform any train going forward would block an important bit of trackwork which could hamper the station.

 

Don

Edited June 26, 2018 by Donw

[Graham R]

Mmmm I'm not sure about that line of reasoning ... if the previous stop signal was clear for the route, the driver is entitled to proceed to the next stop signal regardless of whatever points or crossings might be in his path; the interlocking should prove that the route is "clear through". Since the notice specifies "passenger trains" only, it seems more likely it was simply to avoid passengers being exposed to loco exhausts in the tunnel in the event of being held at the next signal.

 

The Youtube link Tim posted showing the signal working states it's an Up Goods signal on Holloway bank, so I don't think it's a model of precisely the same signal. In any case I don't think CF sets out to be a 100% scale replica of the scene. Either way, it is a really nice model. Even the bell-cranks are modelled ... does that indicate that all the dolls work as well ...

 

Graham

[CF MRC]

Afraid only the centre doll works Graham with a wire up the inside of the post. The signalling is accurate for the area as far as it goes at present: there are, however, far more signals in Belle Isle than we will ever be able to make work, but really important and conspicuous ones will function. With respect to this signal, the trains would obviously be safe to stop at the relevant home signal in Belle Isle, but either the engine or certainly the guard would have been in the tunnel, hence the notice.

 

Tim

[east barnet andy]

morning chaps ; I'd planned to make my first ever visit to Keen House last night ; World Cup and bowls got in the way . . .

so

do tell me how CF got on , with its running session prior to Acton ( which again I can't make ) . . .

and

did anyone take any snaps, which I absolutely love?

and finally, andapologies  for very  probably being off topic, . . for my latest big birthday my fans( !  ) got me some  Gaugemaster vouchers , which I'm thinking of using to start in N , and then maybe , many many miles down the track , just maybe , have a bash at converting to 2mmfs ( although given my absolute lack of any modelling ability whatsoever this seems unlikely ) so any suggestions as to what loco to get would be most helpful.

( I might put this last bit in the correct place  . . . just not today.)

 

regards to all

 

Andy.

[Ian Morgan]

You cannot go wrong with a Bachmann bogie diesel for which drop-in replacement 2FS wheels are available (e.g. Class 24), and a few Peco wagons which also take replacement wheels easily. Bachmann wagons tend to have variable axle lengths, so you need to check which replacement wheelsets are appropriate for each wagon.

[east barnet andy]

Thanks Ian ; i'll look into this , as soon as . . .

 

regards

 

Andy.

[justin1985]

Despite some problems caused by the extreme heat, the two day London Transport Museum Depot "Family Fun Weekend" was a fun excursion for the layout! Lots of appreciative comments and knowledgeable discussions with the museum staff. Plenty of people wanted to know where they could buy an N gauge tube train ...

 

It was particularly fun before the backscene went up and we had the sight of the 2mm "standard stock" train against its big brother!

 

 

Justin

[east barnet andy]

has anyone got any snaps of CF at the  Acton open day; I couldn't get there , so am keen ( geddit? ) to see the progress made since its last outing.  

 

and

 

how is the Big Cheese getting on with the successor to Mystic Meg ? (  that's not right , is it? but it is M something Meg  . . . ) .old age eh , who'd believe it . . . .

 

regards

 

EB

[CF MRC]

Summer has seen me working on bigger projects Andy.

 

https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/parkinsons-miniaturesteamrun

 

Normal service will resume mid September. Richard Wilson has been re-working the control systems on the NLR.

 

Tim

[east barnet andy]

Tim , all this talk of "down loops " , "Up main" and so on , has me baffled ; I wonder if there's a track plan for CF anywhere that might help me keep up ?

 

regs

 

Me.