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Deneside - BR North Eastern Region


Brian D
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The signal gantry has now been assembled by carefully threading the wires from the signal heads through the structure and down the "legs".  It was first assembled loosely, neither the signal heads or the top decking yet glued in place...

 

IMG_20200128_144227.jpg.cb63d3a693f4028eebbdf6170657a784.jpg

 

...and then taken out to the shed to check that all of the signal heads were working and hence none of the various wires disturbed in the "threading" process.  All was OK so everything was glued together...

 

IMG_20200128_154540.jpg.1766207368c7211998f799bdf0744677.jpg

 

...suitable holes drilled in the baseboard and the whole gantry test fitted to see how it looked.

 

IMG_20200128_173419.jpg.3e79129eaa9c766f72d56a59e811df6e.jpg

 

IMG_20200128_173450.jpg.b7088e49b73fe3001b37391a68482b6c.jpg

 

IMG_20200128_174258.jpg.b5d0df39085bdbd3f201ca22ff178cc7.jpg

 

I now need to order some switches and make a baseboard edge switchboard and there are still two more signals to make.

 

Regards,

Brian.

 

 

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The current focus is to complete the signalling on the layout.  The departure side of things is mainly covered, apart from the colliery junction and enough Train-tech kits have been built to finish off the arrival side of things.

 

Another (arrival side) switch panel has been installed...

 

IMG_20200207_161055.jpg.9392287b5357a25f4fe5a5bb3556adfd.jpg

 

...which makes sense to me but probably no-one else :wacko:

 

I needed a signal with a feather to control arrivals to platforms 3 and 4, this is annotated as "Station Throat" on the panel.  Initially I built the standard Train-tech kit but found that it was too low and its upper parts fouled the loading gauge when set in place so I decided to kit-bash the signal to increase its height thus taking the offending upper parts out of the gauge envelope.  I needed a longer signal post and contacted Train-tech to see if they could supply one which unfortunately they couldn't but did agree to supply me with another standard pole which I could cut and splice onto the existing - fantastic service and also sent free of charge.  So the signal was increased in height thus.

 

IMG_20200207_155527.jpg.f98576f408d7f20199f2024d0de06b18.jpg

 

I added 12 mm of extra signal post (the shiny bit at the bottom) super-glued to the existing post and a new ladder from a Ratio semaphore signal kit.  A coat of paint hides the join thus.

 

IMG_20200207_160539.jpg.fbd5d688e06cc7633b7c9de3e55f3459.jpg

 

The signal, as yet non wired up, was placed in position on the layout to check all was well and trains could pass without fouling the upper part of the signal as shown below.

 

IMG_20200207_161015.jpg.15c01f2c8162ffc165ff3cf7a2fd644e.jpg

 

I've recently taken delivery of the switches for the panel so all I have to do now is wire everything up.

 

Regards,

Brian.

Edited by Brian D
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23 hours ago, AireValley1962 said:

Nice signal work, Brian.  Question for you - how easy do the Train Tech signal kits go together for you? I'm looking at purchasing two for a project soon to be revealed, and I'm figuring out what to buy for colour light signals.

 

Cheers,

Will

 

They go together very well, Will.  The fiddliest parts of the assembly I find are...

  1. adding the curved plastic hand rail "hoops" to the upper platform hand rail sides.  Removing them from the sprue requires care otherwise you end up with two halves which need gluing back together.  You also need three hands to glue them to the side hand rails, but practice makes perfect.
  2. soldering the wires to the PCB.  My soldering skills are not wonderful (see pic) and again I find you actually do need need three hands to solder the wires to the PCB - I used one of those gizmos which has crocodile clips  to hold the PCB while I used my two hands to (1) hold the wire and (2) the soldering iron.

IMG_20200208_190342.jpg.3922411008c568b52ecd8c79c3ed9e9c.jpg

 

But, I recommend them.  They really are worth the time and effort.

 

Thanks again for your interest in my ramblings.

 

Best Regards,

Brian.

 

PS It is also best to keep testing the PCB or LEDs have not been damaged during assembly, just don't forget to also add the resistor to the test circuit otherwise you will fry the LEDs, but you probably already knew this.

 

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4 hours ago, Brian D said:

..........I recommend them.  They really are worth the time and effort.

 

Thanks again for your interest in my ramblings.

 

Best Regards,

Brian.

 

 

Thanks Brian. Some good information and tips there. I may have a go at two platform starters for a yet-to-be-announced project in the near future.

 

Thanks again! 

Will

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  • 2 weeks later...

I know I should be soldering resistors into the signal feeds but I fancied a change of tack.  So, I have a couple of diversionary mini projects to report on.

 

Firstly, a little bit of rework on the signal box.  For some time I have been wanting to add the narrow outside walkways which surround the windows - I assume these were used by the signal men to clean the outside of the windows and by maintenance staff to repaint the window frames.  The 'box looked a little bare without them but I have been scratching my head for a while as to how to fashion the fiddly cantilever brackets which support the walkway.  Eventually I decided I'd have a go using plastic strip.  I had some 10 thou thick plasticard and some small Evergreen strip to hand so I made these brackets, some without holes initially and then some with holes drilled in them which I think improved the appearance thus.

 

IMG_20200216_123629.jpg.cc7f348f121e36b7120995e6821668e0.jpg

 

IMG_20200216_123654.jpg.20a198bf25313a449e0f4aaa2c855712.jpg

 

The walkway was then cut from the 10 thou sheet, painted...

 

IMG_20200216_123646.jpg.b3f0c99317633276f839744384d5b4fa.jpg

 

...and then carefully glued in position with a Word Document "Deneside" sign...

 

IMG_20200216_123829.jpg.9bb12eb7952b94a35924d1bd8d38496b.jpg

 

...thus...

 

IMG_20200216_125754.jpg.81a9283cc6ab812a62673a37f8059d83.jpg

 

...and on the layout.

 

IMG_20200216_190601.jpg.293a81c97da329d3122f45ce4fa9f0fb.jpg

 

The second mini project involved the purchase of this ancient Ebay Lima LMS bogie van to add to my parcels consist.

 

IMG_20200217_151918.jpg.003a97130da8cc7f961c590745e7373f.jpg

 

Unfortunately the very course flanges on the bogie wheels and massive couplings had to go.  Hornby replacement wheels were substituted but, because the Hornby pin point axles were over a millimetre longer than the Lima axles, the insides of the bogie side frames needed to be drilled out slightly each side.  The oversize couplings were cut off using my sprue side cutter and suitable Bachmann couplings super glued in place.  Before and after pic below.

 

IMG_20200217_155720.jpg.8c642ad093657028a45bd30ae8178640.jpg

 

The vehicle was then pressed into service.

 

IMG_20200217_163100.jpg.9aa5b26ecee9e097d9197c90136f5d43.jpg

 

Having taken my soldering sabbatical, I really must get on with it and get the remaining colour lights working.

 

Regards,

Brian. 

 

 

 

Edited by Brian D
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30 minutes ago, Brian D said:

 

The second mini project involved the purchase of this ancient Ebay Lima LMS bogie van to add to my parcels consist.

 

IMG_20200217_151918.jpg.003a97130da8cc7f961c590745e7373f.jpg

 

Unfortunately the very course flanges on the bogie wheels and massive couplings had to go.  Hornby replacement wheels were substituted but, because the Hornby pin point axles were over a millimetre longer than the Lima axles, the insides of the bogie side frames needed to be drilled out slightly each side.  The oversize couplings were cut off using my sprue side cutter and suitable Bachmann couplings super glued in place.  Before and after pic below.

 

IMG_20200217_155720.jpg.8c642ad093657028a45bd30ae8178640.jpg

 

The vehicle was then pressed into service.

 

That looks like an excellent little modification project, Brian. May have to find a SR CCT to do something similar with for my Hayling Island might-have-been. 

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Oh, and the goods yard now has a loading gauge.

 

IMG_20200218_171743.jpg.12fa71581d00c38aa1bc900b44bad6f7.jpg

 

This is a Ratio Southern Railway pattern slightly kit bashed.  I couldn't find a picture on-line of a NER pattern LG so settled for this kit but left out all of the metal parts so, at least, it doesnt look SR.  It looks OK to me but I stand to be corrected.

 

Regards,

Brian.

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I've been soldering all afternoon to complete the wiring loom for the signal gantry.  Here it is laid out on the shed floor prior to repositioning on the layout.

 

IMG_20200224_173246.jpg.14737a4bee13558c1e8de11675fc5b8f.jpg

 

The black protuberances on each set of wires (4 sets for the 4 signals on the gantry) are the 1k ohm resistors which have to be inserted in each live feed wrapped in insulation tape.  After checking that all the signals still worked, the wires were threaded back through the holes in the baseboard as below...

 

IMG_20200224_180605.jpg.d4a2e9de724c9af607364524fa9b5be8.jpg

 

...and pulled through to pull the signal gantry upright...

 

IMG_20200224_180640.jpg.8f2c283bb548e5160fb9a9f1b5cdb8ec.jpg

 

...and routed to the vicinity of the control panel.

 

IMG_20200224_181330.jpg.1f8d758ed0b9c6f54784344da6a18759.jpg

 

I need to solder some wire "tails" on the relevant switches and connect everything into the 12 volt transformer feed and then it will be all lit up!

 

Regards,

Brian.

 

 

Edited by Brian D
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The signalling system is almost complete, just waiting for a couple of switches and then everything will be all lit up.  In the meantime, I've actually got round to fitting the nameplates and vac pipes to B1 "Stembok", although I've run out of lamps.  Here she is arriving at Deneside.

 

IMG_20200301_172609.jpg.d2a07f9b07d328063fa1768ace212e88.jpg

 

Regards,

Brian.

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Hi Brian,

 

You may remember a while back when you completed the conveyor at the your mine.  I needed to do something for our Club Layout Fen Lane as I had scratch built a couple of grain silos out of a pringles tin and some Scalescenes corrugated downloads. I needed to produce something similar so following on from yours, I produce this to fit on Fen lane.

IMG_2251.JPG.6fb7dcfe9a09e8a35a34c5f0f1b5acac.JPG

A lash up of plasticard, slices of old marker tube and more corrugated paper covering.

IMG_2253.JPG.594a62cdbfc1a73655e4e200237e3d63.JPG

 

Regards, keep up the good work!

 

Pete

 

 

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15 hours ago, Toftwood said:

Hi Brian,

 

You may remember a while back when you completed the conveyor at the your mine.  I needed to do something for our Club Layout Fen Lane as I had scratch built a couple of grain silos out of a pringles tin and some Scalescenes corrugated downloads. I needed to produce something similar so following on from yours, I produce this to fit on Fen lane.

IMG_2251.JPG.6fb7dcfe9a09e8a35a34c5f0f1b5acac.JPG

A lash up of plasticard, slices of old marker tube and more corrugated paper covering.

IMG_2253.JPG.594a62cdbfc1a73655e4e200237e3d63.JPG

 

Regards, keep up the good work!

 

Pete

 

 

 

Good to see your project taking shape Pete and thanks for your kind remarks.

Regards,

Brian

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The signalling system is now complete, it seems to have taken forever, especially the gantry.  So as well as the other "Departures" switch board, all of these switches...

 

IMG_20200304_144559.jpg.57763d006db36839303daca1affe483d.jpg

 

...are now wired up to these signals.

 

IMG_20200304_144008.jpg.6281e86f6c8e6767ceba8c9b025a1c76.jpg

 

IMG_20200304_144217.jpg.da409a0eacc31bf0d4783f226828aac6.jpg

 

IMG_20200304_144237.jpg.aaa13bd85721dcf0417558ead7658f8e.jpg

 

So, in terms of operation, the layout is now pretty much complete.  I just need to tweak and enhance the scenics and weather certain areas.  The "Three Bridges" area in particular needs trees, bushes and more grass.  More grime is required in the colliery and loco depot.  More people are required in the colliery and the mpd.  Oh, and a timetable/sequence is required.

 

Nearly there!

 

Regards,

Brian.

 

PS Video-truck video coming soon which will feature as many signals as possible.

Edited by Brian D
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I have made a short video showing parcels and passenger trains arriving and departing as controlled by the newly completed Train-tech signalling system.  Enjoy it (or otherwise) here.

 

 

Regards,

Brian.

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13 hours ago, 9C85 said:

Not my era or region, but this is a lovely layout.  You should be proud of what you have created.

 

Thank you very much for your kind words. Much appreciated. I am pleased in the main as to how things have turned out but there are a few improvements that I need to make, especially to the scenics in the viaduct area. Watch this space. 

 

Regards 

Brian 

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Has the world gone mad or what?  At least we managed to get some bog rolls this morning!

 

Anyway, here is an update on my latest mini project.

 

I found some unused Ratio fencing and decided to fence off the road between the station throat overbridge and the control panel. So, it was duly painted matt black and glued in position.  However, I really wanted to incorporate some bill boards here so this is the mini project I am referring to.  The ground here slopes away steeply from back of pavement so I needed a drawing before proceeding, thus.

 

IMG_20200314_215733.jpg.7e148ab5e3eb23197fa1c3159cd4b766.jpg

 

The bill boards are raised up to clear the Ratio fencing so a frame was made from Evergreen plastic strip, the bill board itself and the period adverts were from a Scalescenes kit.  Here is the usual work bench chaos...

 

IMG_20200315_133328.jpg.d810d4812f7985db04df4af48ea53f7e.jpg

 

...and the main parts of the assembly prior to painting and "bill posting"...

 

IMG_20200315_134541.jpg.16f8f4dadc6c6b4c193b49275c81c267.jpg

 

...and afterwards.

 

IMG_20200315_145225.jpg.1ed41ff70d939a783e1c4e533c4a12b0.jpg

 

Here are a couple of shots of the whole thing on the layout.

 

IMG_20200315_170854.jpg.803dc4a7830264ccf54aff090639e084.jpg

 

IMG_20200315_173339.jpg.981788bab4c86cf42c945afea42a5fa7.jpg

 

Really quite pleased with how it's turned out.

 

I've also been busy static grassing, but more on that another time.

 

Regards,

Brian.

 

 

 

 

 

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What interesting and quite frankly very scary times we live in if you believe everything that comes out of the magic gold fish bowl.  Never mind.  Meanwhile, back at the ranch...

 

I've started making trees to scatter around the layout.  My memories and recent experiences of the denes of east Durham are that they are heavily wooded so most of what I'm making will be planted on the valley slopes adjacent the viaducts, depending on how well they turn out.

 

I've acquired some Woodland Scenics tree armatures and these have had their plastic base "pegs" chopped off with my sprue cutter and replaced with panel pins (heads cut off with side cutters) fitted into holes drilled in thetree trunks thus.

 

IMG_20200319_163944.jpg.8e9d3a3334ebd81b54370368f07ce225.jpg

 

The various tree trunks were then either spray painted matt grey or brown (being the only suitable spray cans to hand) or brush painted pale green.

 

IMG_20200319_163921.jpg.ab90e482002042c5bc5a1289ab2e4986.jpg

 

I was hoping the recommended Woodland Scenics glue, "Hob-E-Tac", would have arrived today but no, maybe tomorrow, so no foliage fitted as yet.

 

More pics in due course.

 

Stay safe my friends.

 

Regards,

Brian. 

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On 17 February 2020 at 18:22, Brian D said:

I know I should be soldering resistors into the signal feeds but I fancied a change of tack.  So, I have a couple of diversionary mini projects to report on.

 

Firstly, a little bit of rework on the signal box.  For some time I have been wanting to add the narrow outside walkways which surround the windows - I assume these were used by the signal men to clean the outside of the windows and by maintenance staff to repaint the window frames.  The 'box looked a little bare without them but I have been scratching my head for a while as to how to fashion the fiddly cantilever brackets which support the walkway.  Eventually I decided I'd have a go using plastic strip.  I had some 10 thou thick plasticard and some small Evergreen strip to hand so I made these brackets, some without holes initially and then some with holes drilled in them which I think improved the appearance thus.

 

IMG_20200216_123629.jpg.cc7f348f121e36b7120995e6821668e0.jpg

 

IMG_20200216_123654.jpg.20a198bf25313a449e0f4aaa2c855712.jpg

 

The walkway was then cut from the 10 thou sheet, painted...

 

IMG_20200216_123646.jpg.b3f0c99317633276f839744384d5b4fa.jpg

 

...and then carefully glued in position with a Word Document "Deneside" sign...

 

IMG_20200216_123829.jpg.9bb12eb7952b94a35924d1bd8d38496b.jpg

 

...thus...

 

IMG_20200216_125754.jpg.81a9283cc6ab812a62673a37f8059d83.jpg

 

...and on the layout.

 

IMG_20200216_190601.jpg.293a81c97da329d3122f45ce4fa9f0fb.jpg

 

The second mini project involved the purchase of this ancient Ebay Lima LMS bogie van to add to my parcels consist.

 

IMG_20200217_151918.jpg.003a97130da8cc7f961c590745e7373f.jpg

 

Unfortunately the very course flanges on the bogie wheels and massive couplings had to go.  Hornby replacement wheels were substituted but, because the Hornby pin point axles were over a millimetre longer than the Lima axles, the insides of the bogie side frames needed to be drilled out slightly each side.  The oversize couplings were cut off using my sprue side cutter and suitable Bachmann couplings super glued in place.  Before and after pic below.

 

IMG_20200217_155720.jpg.8c642ad093657028a45bd30ae8178640.jpg

 

The vehicle was then pressed into service.

 

IMG_20200217_163100.jpg.9aa5b26ecee9e097d9197c90136f5d43.jpg

 

Having taken my soldering sabbatical, I really must get on with it and get the remaining colour lights working.

 

Regards,

Brian. 

 

 

 

Hi Brian,

With regards to your re-wheeling of older stock and finding that the axles are hard to fit, try this gizmo. Its called a 'Truck Tuner' in the US, its to HO standard but its the same gauge. It reams out the axle hole and gives a smoother run apparently.

IMG_2339.jpg.743490aae270f775cc07740ad31bc3ef.jpg

IMG_2338.jpg.b1d5988e4853ff6affbd5e9946d9c7d3.jpg

Hope this helps.

 

Regards 

 

Peter

 

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22 hours ago, Toftwood said:

Hi Brian,

With regards to your re-wheeling of older stock and finding that the axles are hard to fit, try this gizmo. Its called a 'Truck Tuner' in the US, its to HO standard but its the same gauge. It reams out the axle hole and gives a smoother run apparently.

IMG_2339.jpg.743490aae270f775cc07740ad31bc3ef.jpg

IMG_2338.jpg.b1d5988e4853ff6affbd5e9946d9c7d3.jpg

Hope this helps.

 

Regards 

 

Peter

 

 

Thanks for that Peter.  I recall something similar advertised in the mags a while back.  As my coach was a one off I just used a twist drill on the slant twiddled between my fingers and a bit of trial and error.  However, I have some Hornby Gresleys which despite being re-bogied with Bachmann Thompson bogies do not run particularly freely so I might invest in one of these gizmos to sort them out.

Thanks again for your interest and advice.  Stay safe and healthy.

All the best,

Brian.

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