To start us off another thread from the old RMweb.

If you scan through the early 70's issues of the much missed Model Railways magazine you will happen across an occasional series of articles entitled "Bazzing around". In these, the author aided by his trusty K9 sidekick, used one or two images of a single location and went on to pick out various details and cameo scenes using a series of thumbnail sketches. The idea being to draw the readers attention to often missed details.

In the DEMU house magazine Update, issue #25, fellow WFRM member Tony Sissons introduced the idea of Enhancing Factor or EF. Those little easy to add details that can lift a layout way above norm for a minimum of effort.

Taking a lead from the above we have decided to Ef around ourselves when out and about presenting our images and ideas here for the use of all.

Mike

??? posted on Sun Feb 15, 2009 10:40 am

Station Nameboards. The distinctive station signage used in the Merseyrail area is easy to produce on a home PC using even simple graphics packages such as mspaint. The best match for the Rail Alphabet font is swis721MdBT which is available on the internet and from some font librarys. Franklin Gothic Medium is similar and comes standard with most PC's so may be an easier option. The important thing is to be consistent on all signs. Logo's are often available on company websites or can be simply drawn along with the arrow and other graphics. Print out on white decal paper or photo quality paper and seal with spray varnish. The yellow bands on the posts are part of the Merseyrail corporate image.

The station buildings at Rainhill are LNWR in origin and still sport the original cast iron canopy brackets. Plenty of EF in this image! The ever present palisade fence (Knightwing in 4mm) but painted black rather than plain galvanised as is the norm; Yellow 50mm diameter pipe hoop bike racks (bend up from brass wire); Station signage and poster boards (crank up the graphics package again); The yellow box on the wall is a Help Point approx 685mm x 330mm x 150mm (plasticard); Modern style station seats are problematic at the moment but watch this space; Note the platform has been refaced with concrete blocks in recent years and fitted with cable trays.

Mike

__________________________________________

??? posted on Sun Feb 15, 2009 12:28 pm

Close up of platform cabling arrangements. As has been noted in the previous image, Admiralty Tray is fitted the full platform length. This can be simply modelled using styrene or brass strip of an appropriate size with simplified brackets but if you really must have that see through profile what about using etched walkways intended for detailing tank wagons? Remember you're not using it for the intended purpose so just because it says 2mm scale on the pack doesn't mean a 4 miller can't use it for something else! Note the cables laid on the ballast dive into the wall behind those on the tray and are obviously older. These can be modelled using various gauges of soft copper wire - try http://www.wires.co.uk for a range of black enamelled copper craft wire starting at 0.1mm which can save a tedious paint job. Lead wire is also excellent for this and is marketed by Plus Models (suppliers of military not railway models) in sizes from 0.2mm-1mm in 0.1mm increments - try http://www.netmerchants.co.uk. Alternatively a limited range of sizes can be sourced from fishing tackle stores as the lead is used to add weight to flys and lures.

Not sure what the yellow patch and the letter A denote but they certainly add EF! There is a whole series of these along the platform length.

comment re fonts

There are links to Rail Alphabet fonts here: http://www.rmweb.co....t=rail+alphabet, see Andy's post, second one down.

??? posted on Sun Feb 22, 2009 10:58 am

Work in progress! When we visited Rainhill the Signal Box was about to be abolished, the signalling renewed and control transferred to Huyton. Note the rat's nest of cables at the foot of the signal and the weathering/growth on the sandstone walls and famous skew bridge.

??? posted on Sun Feb 22, 2009 11:10 am

Close up of the signalling and telecomms apparatus cases. A group of cases such as this is known as a Location or Loc for short (pronounced lowk). Modellers tend to call them battery cupboards or relay boxes. The particular examples here are an anti vandal type manufactured by Techno Rail and are quite boxy in appearance - try http://www.technorail.co.uk for info. This type isn't available in model form but they would be a relatively simple scratchbuild from styrene strip using Evergreen or Plastruct strip. Having said that you wouldn't want to fully populate your layout that way! Step forward an enterprising manufacturer. The labels on the end nearest the running line details the location name and the equipment controlled there from. These could be custom made using white decal paper or alternatively a representation could be cut from say wagon data panels; the high voltage warning flash can be added from a rolling stock decal; handrails are 50mm diameter pipe key and clamp type (bend up from brass wire).

Mike

Hope you enjoy the diversion, and I don't mean HSTs over the fens.

Denbigh - as it was post the 1957 resignalling, as far as I can tell this is correct, its based on an unlabelled sheet of paper which was wrong and had modifications for proposed changes, I have edited it to put it back to how it should be, it's certainly near enough for this purpose.

This is the fullest plan we will work from ...

Next stage will be to roll forward time to the mid 1960s.

Previous details were to be found on our club page on the old version of RMWeb and a short update appears in the layout section of the new site that will be moved here.

Its been sometime since I built a signal for Widnes Vine Yard layout - the blue SPAD it was. In fact I have not seen that signal installed yet other than the images that Dave posted here on RMWeb some time ago. Now I'm building what will be the final signal for this fine layout, a multi colour single aspect. As is customary I make all the mechanical components and Mike Turner does all the electrical stuff, soldering wires and wotnot. This suits me as I'm electrically retarded.

The choice that Dave and Mike arrived at for the type of signal they wished me to build was the new Dorman design. I commenced this build which had a rectangular post. I built a fully telescoping post to satisfy the prototype requirement to adjust the sight line of the signal by altering the height during installation at its final location on VY. This provides a very accurate sighting as close to the prototype as you can get on a model, whereas having a fixed dimension mast/post it is impossible to position the signal at the correct line of sight with the oncoming train drivers line of sight, not prototypical. The other advantage of having a telescopic post is that the signal can be 'un-planted' if you prefer to do that when the layout is on travel between storage and expo. I know some layouts use that idea.

FWIW the image attached shows this rectangular post, unfortunately after having made it and moving on to other areas of the Dorman design I was told that Dorman did not get the contract and it was back to the 'standard' round post at 6 inches diameter.

This signal post means very little but it does get this thread started....

Cheers, Tony

The train comprises 26 MJA wagons, and each takes 15 minutes to unload, timing is very tight, they are trying to get an earlier arrival at the Docks (currently 01:15, allowing only 6 hrs, 30 mins to unload, which is exactly right, so no leeway)

Here's a simplified plan of the unloading area

The loaded train runs from "the station" to Manisty, where it runs round, it then returns up the branch and propels the wagons into the old Cawoods siding (not the original, this has been relaid), and unloading commences, from the rear, i'e the loaded train is gradually pushed further into the siding as unloading continues, this means it blocks the Station/Manisty line but there is (currently) no traffic so it's not an issue.

Some shots of the first working, showing unloading and the train at Ellesmere Port, please note these were taken with permission of the staff, this is a working railway and should not be walked upon without correct safety gear (orange vest, toe 'tectors and hard hat)

The first train, with 66601, The Hope Valley in charge, was unloaded from the front, ie the whole train propelled into the siding, apparently this caused some wheel burn so the unloading was reversed to commence from the rear,

The train viewed from a new foot crossing

Waiting a path at the station ...

and off we go ...

The second train, with 66607 in charge, offered more photo opportunities, but again these were only taken after agreement with all the staff.

The sand piles are visible in the background

This time I went to Ince and Elton for the empties, I told the driver I wanted a "speed shot" - he obliged

The train is booked to run again on Friday this week,

The train in the photos is 6Z89 07:42, Ellesmere Port Cawoods - Crewe Basford Hall empty MJAs - the loaded train arrives around 01:15 (!)

A video of the first working

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=poI9VnBnPzg

Just what it says on the tin - my home workspace that like many others is covered in best intentions as projects are started and moved to one side. Hopefully the chance to share these with others will now get them finished. Feel free to whip me along - everyone else does!!

So a quick tour...

The work area is an MDF 'tray' built specially for the job and is a big cousin of the ones we use at The Facility which will no doubt feature in other posts.

Cheap artists brush stands are utilised for general tool tool storage. Paint pallettes are used to keep small parts from going missing during assembly.

The main work area with the latest project on the go more of which soon...

The right hand side houses a stand for pliers and cutters plus my soldering station. Also just in this picture you can make out the flexible drive from my dremel which hangs from a stand.

Power supplies for the bench. The single socket is controlled by a footswitch and is used mainly for the dremel.

Similar to above but shows the gooseneck document holder used for project references.

So time to get on with some modelling!

Regards

Mike

Layout threads

http://www.rmweb.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=11130

Holland Park/Dyserth Road visitors

http://www.rmweb.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?f=82&t=39143

http://www.rmweb.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=14859

http://www.rmweb.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=14865

SPAD

http://www.rmweb.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?f=82&t=39126

Signal box

http://www.rmweb.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?f=8&t=7268

SSP

http://www.rmweb.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?f=8&t=13894

It has been a couple of months since my last posting; however I have been down by the tracks rail fanning on a few days.

Here is part 1 for April 2014

Enjoy

Tim

I have been busy doing many other things of late; so posting of my images has slipped a bit!

Anyway here is part one for March 2014

Enjoy

Tim

Now my senses were tuned to the birds, rather than filtering them out, I realised I could hear noises of young birds - now I understood why the adult was watching me - somewhere the babies lurked.

I watched the bird fly to the main supporting post for the level crossing gates at the location, there was a redundant hole through the post where at one time the bolts which held the gates would have been located (I think) but now the birds had taken advantage of it

Whilst I was waiting for the stone train, the birds entertained me and boy did they have to work, the adults were backwards and forwards continuously with tasty morsels for the young - the photos are cropped a bit but I was only a few feet from them, one adult wasn't bothered at all, the other was hesitant but still went to the nest.

(uncropped)

Read that sign carefully Mr GT

There wasn't enough light around for me to use a very fast shutter and capture the adults in flight, this is about the best I got

Mum and dad arrive with the shopping

I should be back at the location next week - I'll see how things are progressing and report back.

Here is part 1 of my February 2014 images.

Enjoy  

Tim

The flask traffic is the only regular freight down the N.Wales Coast at the moment, so here are few images of it :-)

Enjoy

Tim

I have managed to get out inbetween the bad weather this month & to prove it here is a selection of my images!

Enjoy:

Tim

Enjoy:-)

Tim

It has been a busy few months & hence I have not allocated time to process any images until today:-)

Here are few from around my patch.

Enjoy:-)

Tim

As of close today the www.wirralfinescale.com domain will be taken down - well as soon as UK2 realise we haven't renewed.

We haven't gone, but we don't have the time, or the inclination, to maintain the website so we have decided to let it lapse.

If anyone wants a final look then be quick.

We will probably move to a blog format, inspired by the quality blogs out there

I've registered this - just in case.

http://wfrm.wordpress.com/

More information when we decide.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ojoAUMxp7LA

Plus I have attached some still images

HTH

Tim

More burning fun! I am certain these might appear elsewhere on RMweb at some point....

Mike

For me June has been a quiet month on the railway photography front, but it has been busy in other areas of life, most of which have been most enjoyable.

Here are a few images from the start of the month.

Enjoy  

Tim

I hope the title tells all. This section of my section within the WFRM club room, a sub section of RMWeb, will concentrate on US freight cars. There is a chance that it will have a few items on British prototypes. But 99% will be US stuff. Looking back in the old RMWeb I see that I was virtually finished with that awful BLMA model. There was one more thing to add modelling wise. So here goes.

The NS G85R comes in a couple of variations. Those in the 25000 series with tub straps and those in the 39000 series without. It felt absolutely marvelous to carve off yet more material form the BLMA model and I've modified just one of my cars to the 39000 series so far. You may recall that I filed off the end tub strap, the prototype doesn't have any, and I fitted a brass end plate to the tub ends. The mod is a simple continuation of removing all of the remaining tub straps both sides a la the prototype and doing a number change. Lookee here:

And my model of one similar but without conspicuity striping:

That about wraps up this mini-clinic unless you guys have any questions.

Cheers, later, Tony

Well the 1st May started out to look as if summer had arrived, but it never lasted

Anyway here are some shots in the sun

Enjoy

Tim