Coombe Town

[CoombeTown]

Well after a few days off, and then a manic return to work, which shows no sign of abating. I finally found time to paint the highlights on the postman...

 

 

And now glued in place on the photoplank, in discussion with Mrs Smith.

 

From the yard across the street

 

And through the bridge

 

Thoughts now turn back to the main layout, and prepping for more ballast.

 

I need a ground signal at the toe of the loop, locomotives can back onto a train in either the platform or the loop, but I don't know if this would be a single or double head in the 50s. Prototype pictures seem to show both used in various scenarios, leaving me utterly clueless. Would anyone be able to provide some guidance?

[Graham T]

Can't help with the signals in afraid.  Photo plank is looking very good though.  You've inspired me to paint some more figures!

[5BarVT]

13 minutes ago, DRoe96 said:

I need a ground signal at the toe of the loop, locomotives can back onto a train in either the platform or the loop, but I don't know if this would be a single or double head in the 50s. Prototype pictures seem to show both used in various scenarios, leaving me utterly clueless. Would anyone be able to provide some guidance?

I take it you mean to signal out of the head shunt.  Either is the right answer!  I don’t think there is an operational reason and the technical reason depends on the type of frame in the box.  Assume an old design and you need a double disc, assume a ‘modern’ design and a single disc would suffice.

The signal at the toes of the point in the photo (station home signal) would be main arms not a disc.
Paul.

[CoombeTown]

8 hours ago, 5BarVT said:

I take it you mean to signal out of the head shunt.  Either is the right answer!  I don’t think there is an operational reason and the technical reason depends on the type of frame in the box.  Assume an old design and you need a double disc, assume a ‘modern’ design and a single disc would suffice.

The signal at the toes of the point in the photo (station home signal) would be main arms not a disc.
Paul.

Hi Paul,

 

That's very informative, thank you.

I doubt Coombe Town box would've ever been upgraded, so Double it is.

 

Dom

[5BarVT]

Hi Dom,

I’ve been thinking further about the problem . . . and discovered more information.

I started by looking at examples of the situation you have and can only find one with a double disc (Bute Rd) and it’s in a more complex layout.  I’ve also found an older type of frame (Stud frame for anyone later who wants to know) which can accept conditional locking so could use a single disc.
I’ve also been thinking about the locking required and I think that for a layout as simple as yours I could do it with a single disc on any age of frame.

As you’ve seen photos of double discs used, are you able to say where?

Paul.

 

[CoombeTown]

On 02/09/2022 at 14:51, 5BarVT said:

Hi Dom,

I’ve been thinking further about the problem . . . and discovered more information.

I started by looking at examples of the situation you have and can only find one with a double disc (Bute Rd) and it’s in a more complex layout.  I’ve also found an older type of frame (Stud frame for anyone later who wants to know) which can accept conditional locking so could use a single disc.
I’ve also been thinking about the locking required and I think that for a layout as simple as yours I could do it with a single disc on any age of frame.

As you’ve seen photos of double discs used, are you able to say where?

Paul.

 

Hi Paul,

Thanks for having a think. Annoyingly  I can't find the photos but I'm fairly certain that as you say, they were more complex layouts than mine.

 

To be honest, a single disk would be my preference as they exist as 3D printed products which look much nicer than the cast versions.

 

I appreciate your effort in confirming that it can be done in the real world!

Dom

[CoombeTown]

Once again, life events overtook. But spurred on by a free weekend, I have sat down and followed @NHY 581's excellent carriage weathering article.

 

As a result, here is one Weathered autocoach.

 

 

[Graham T]

That looks good.  I must add some passengers to my coaches - Chuffnell Regis looks a bit like the Marie Celeste at the moment!

 

Do you recall which page that post by @NHY 581 was on please?  I've had a search but can't find it...

[CoombeTown]

10 minutes ago, Graham T said:

That looks good.  I must add some passengers to my coaches - Chuffnell Regis looks a bit like the Marie Celeste at the moment!

 

Do you recall which page that post by @NHY 581 was on please?  I've had a search but can't find it...

Thanks Graham, I am surprised how much difference Passengers make. These are a Dart Castings passenger pack, which are rather good value for money.

 

The article was actually in July's BRM rather than anyway on RMWeb, very well written with clear steps. It's worth a hunt for a back issue or maybe Rob can provide you a copy?

[Graham T]

Ah ok, thanks.  He did have something on his thread about it, I think.

[NHY 581]

3 hours ago, Graham T said:

Ah ok, thanks.  He did have something on his thread about it, I think.

 

 

Stand by, Graham. 

 

I'll dig something out. 

 

R

[Graham T]

Merci beaucoup mon brave.

[CoombeTown]

Well another busy few weeks have passed but I found time to ballast the first point today. 

 

 

Signal Wire pulleys and a Ground Signal are expected tomorrow, so hopefully will be installed next weekend.

I am also planning on getting the blocks for the catch point in so I can complete ballasting of the first board next weekend.

[MrWolf]

There's nothing so relaxing as ballasting points is there?

 

But there's a sense of achievement when the things still work afterwards!

[CoombeTown]

It would describe it as mildly terrifying, but so far the thing still moves so there's hope yet!

[CoombeTown]

By jove, it works! Glue fully dry, all powered up, flick the switch and after reconnecting the control panel (whoops!) it's running fine!

 

 

so we zoom out slightly.

still got to test out the run round loop fully, but early signs are promising!

[MrWolf]

Jolly good show old chap....

 

[CoombeTown]

Cheers Rob!

Enjoyable evening playing testing the loop, all seems to be working well.

 

Couldn't resist posing 5541 with all the signal pulleys/ ground signal in place. Still to be painted, and a small lamp to be added to the ground signal (even if it points the wrong way)

 

 

And yes, I will fix the lean!

[CoombeTown]

A good day out supporting Yeovil Model Railway Group at Rail-ex today, a top quality show indeed.

 

I did indulge in a tiny bit of retail therapy, purchasing a Digikeijs digital lightbar. I've had an eye on these for some time so bit the bullet and bought one for my Hawksworth BSK.

 

I've spent the evening starting the install work, filing slots in the top of the carriage.

 

Adding the pickups to wheel sets, including attaching myself to the bogies with superglue!

 

And finally a test fit with the bar cut to length.

[CoombeTown]

A tiny bit more progress this evening, but we have light! 

 

 

 

I did think I had warm white leds, but obviously not. Ah well. The strip is programmable so I will dim the lights, as well as adding a DCC concepts tail lamp to the coach.

 

Will have to make an emergency Modelu order as well to populate the carriage before I close it all up again...

[MrWolf]

That's really neat and I like the idea of being able to dim the lights, (I've seen too many lit up coaches that look like ground zero at Hiroshima.) We've come a long way since the days of grain of wheat bulbs.

 

It's a shame that all my coaches are gas lit....

[CoombeTown]

7 hours ago, MrWolf said:

That's really neat and I like the idea of being able to dim the lights, (I've seen too many lit up coaches that look like ground zero at Hiroshima.) We've come a long way since the days of grain of wheat bulbs.

 

It's a shame that all my coaches are gas lit....

 

It really does make a difference being able to dim the lighting, there is even setting for gas flicker, but I guess they wouldn't work on an analogue layout unfortunately.

[CoombeTown]

Tail lamp added this evening, and coach body placed on until the passengers arrive.

 

i've managed to dim the lights fairly successfully, it doesn't seem too overbearing unlike the Heljan Railcar.

 

And a peak at where a few passengers will eventually sit.

Plan is for 4 passengers, then an inspector in the corridor on the opposite side.

 

[CoombeTown]

This weekend has seen a lot of time spent under the baseboards, putting in a lamp for the ground signal, and wiring for the lamp that will go in the Goods Shed.

 

I have a question for the more knowledgeable though: as my thoughts turn to the Goods Yard. Would a fence have existed between the running line/loop and the yard?

I've added two pictures of the yard to try and help those visualise the layout. I envisage a fence that would run from the bridge wing wall, behind the grounded van to pretty much in-line with the V where the two sidings split.

 

Thanks in advance,

Dom

 

 

[Andy Keane]

2 minutes ago, DRoe96 said:

This weekend has seen a lot of time spent under the baseboards, putting in a lamp for the ground signal, and wiring for the lamp that will go in the Goods Shed.

 

I have a question for the more knowledgeable though: as my thoughts turn to the Goods Yard. Would a fence have existed between the running line/loop and the yard?

I've added two pictures of the yard to try and help those visualise the layout. I envisage a fence that would run from the bridge wing wall, behind the grounded van to pretty much in-line with the V where the two sidings split.

 

Thanks in advance,

Dom

 

 

I too puzzle over fences. As far as I can tell though the first rule of fences is it must be possible to separate the general public from the railway, and the second is it must be possible to control access to passenger platforms. Also we see fences for private sidings but I think where you need a fence is from the bridge, along the road edge to keep people using the road from straying onto railway property. Not sure why you would want a fence running alongside and between tracks though.

regards

Andy