coachmann Posted March 21, 2012 Share Posted March 21, 2012 That picture immedietly above is pretty hot and displays modelling of the highest order. For some reason it also brings to mind Huddersfield. A very enjoyable and inspiring thread. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leander Posted March 21, 2012 Share Posted March 21, 2012 I would prefer it took 5hours 40 mins with fewer careless mistakes!!! Point taken. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheLaird Posted March 21, 2012 Author Share Posted March 21, 2012 Hence my suggestion of a new thread ... Can we use the old signalling thread? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold beast66606 Posted March 21, 2012 RMweb Gold Share Posted March 21, 2012 Can we use the old signalling thread? Seems a good place to put it Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
the penguin of doom Posted March 21, 2012 Share Posted March 21, 2012 Just going back a few pages, I checked the Bridlington South track diagram and it does indeed list the carriage sidings in numerical order. Couldn't get to Nottingham, but I'm sure looking forward to seeing this layout in the flesh sometime soon. Cheers. Sean. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheLaird Posted March 22, 2012 Author Share Posted March 22, 2012 Was also interested by you use of an inform panel , would be good if you could go into some more detail as to how you have achieved this. Take a look at post 438, if you want any more info let me know. John E Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Joseph_Pestell Posted March 22, 2012 RMweb Gold Share Posted March 22, 2012 How this is achieved varies with the different types of exhibit, some will appeal to the general public who might appreciate lots of trains constantly moving, others may appeal to younger members, others to beginners, others to enthusiasts of a particular persuasion etc., but none to all visitors. Therefore each layout ought to have in mind its target audience and gear its performance accordingly. It follows that when putting on an exhibition, managers should be mindful of this and select a mix of layouts accordingly to suit the mix of visitors they hope to attract. So back to Bradfield and our performance, it is my intention to appeal to the enthusiast who shares my interest in trying to recreate the way that the "old" railway used to operate, the general atmosphere of the period and maybe a bit of nostalgia from when we woz kids. I therefore like to operate in a relaxed manner that may mean things happen more slowly with pauses now and then that heighten the expectation. Totally right. It's not always easy for an exhibition manager to achieve the right mix at a small show. But once you get to around the 20 layout mark, it really should be possible to get a matrix/range of layouts so that there is something for everyone. Much above 25 layouts is, IMHO, counter-productive as no-one can spend enough time looking at each one and have time to do the trade stands. As an exhibition manager you have to think of the trade guys who are contributing so much to the financial viability of running a show. Don't underestimate the general public. It is not just trains that they like to see moving. Proper signalling (colour-light or, preferably mechanical) does interest many people especially when they can relate it to what each train is doing - which you have covered so well with your VDUs. Glad to see your signalling thread revived and probably better for technical answers to go there. Only on the very largest layouts do we need full signalling/interlocking. With our reduced spaces, a lot of the signalling will be situated "off-stage" anyway. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
leopardml2341 Posted March 22, 2012 Share Posted March 22, 2012 ............Only on the very largest layouts do we need full signalling/interlocking............ Oh I don't know I'm building a small layout simply to connect it to the fully interlocked lever frame I'm making............. My sanity has been called into question before ! Andy Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Calimero Posted April 5, 2012 Share Posted April 5, 2012 Not sure if this has been asked on here but at the end of the Carriage Sidings in the undergrowth is a tunnel portal, what's the history of this? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
clecklewyke Posted April 5, 2012 Share Posted April 5, 2012 Oh I don't know I'm building a small layout simply to connect it to the fully interlocked lever frame I'm making............. My sanity has been called into question before ! Andy That's exactly what Tim Venton did: it became Clutton. Quite an example to follow! Ian Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheLaird Posted April 5, 2012 Author Share Posted April 5, 2012 Not sure if this has been asked on here but at the end of the Carriage Sidings in the undergrowth is a tunnel portal, what's the history of this? The track leading up to it was originally a single track branch that continued through the low relief road bridge, I did consider reopening at one time!! John E Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ianwales Posted April 8, 2012 Share Posted April 8, 2012 Hi John Ging back a few posts can I ask which of the 2 methods do you use to mount the S&W Couplings, are they mounted below the bufferbeam or on the floor of the stock with a slot on the bufferbeam? Ian Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike Sheardown Posted April 8, 2012 Share Posted April 8, 2012 Hi John E, I really admire the railway that you have produced, particularly because of the prototypical operational aspect that you have incorporated into the way you run it, which in my view adds a huge additional dimension to the model. I continually find it quite ironic, that operating a model as per a real railway comes quite far down the priority list for many of todays modellers. (not a criticism - just an observation!!) Regarding interlocking, have you considered using computer control to give you full interlocking of turnouts, block sections and signals. I use TrainController to do this very effectively, the interlocking itself being achieved through a number of simple 'and/or' Macros strung together eg: only turn signal 1 to Off if - turnout 2 is set 'right' AND track section 5 is clear AND signal 4 is On ........etc etc. You can also set up the driving of locos and/or control of turnouts and signals for either automatic or human operation if you wish?? Best wishes and keep up the great work!!! Mike Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheLaird Posted April 10, 2012 Author Share Posted April 10, 2012 Hi John Ging back a few posts can I ask which of the 2 methods do you use to mount the S&W Couplings, are they mounted below the bufferbeam or on the floor of the stock with a slot on the bufferbeam? Ian Hi Ian, I mount them below the buffer beam. I usually use the mounting plates supplied by s&w. I have settled on a height of 10mm from rail level for the bar and have made a small jig to ensure all are at the same height. The reason for the lower than normal height is because I prefer to mount them on the bogies of diesel loco's and bogie stock as I find this more reliable. The couplings stay nearer to the track centre through reverse curves and in alignment with each other. I also mount them on bogie and pony trucks of steam loco's, again for reliability it maintains the height from rail better. John E. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheLaird Posted April 10, 2012 Author Share Posted April 10, 2012 Hi John E, Regarding interlocking, have you considered using computer control........ Mike Thanks Mike for your kind comments. I have considered computer control and will pursue this in the future. One reason I fight shy of it for exhibition purposes is that not all operators are computer literate and I am trying to make the control system as foolproof as possible( the biggest fool being me sometimes!!). John E Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike Sheardown Posted April 10, 2012 Share Posted April 10, 2012 Thanks Mike for your kind comments. I have considered computer control and will pursue this in the future. One reason I fight shy of it for exhibition purposes is that not all operators are computer literate and I am trying to make the control system as foolproof as possible( the biggest fool being me sometimes!!). John E Hi John, I hear what you're saying, but for me the beauty of computer control in that you can design the system of interlocking such that all your operators need to do is to drive to signals, and thus as per the prototype, you achieve a safe operating system. To this end, the computer's involvement is akin to that of mechanical interlocking, in that if set up correctly, a wrong move cannot be made, and it indeed becomes foolproof. Anyway, just a thought, and I admire the work you're doing Best wishes Mike Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
clecklewyke Posted April 10, 2012 Share Posted April 10, 2012 Hi John, I hear what you're saying, but for me the beauty of computer control in that you can design the system of interlocking such that all your operators need to do is to drive to signals, and thus as per the prototype, you achieve a safe operating system. To this end, the computer's involvement is akin to that of mechanical interlocking, in that if set up correctly, a wrong move cannot be made, and it indeed becomes foolproof. Anyway, just a thought, and I admire the work you're doing Best wishes Mike Mike, I agree. John, if you get a chance, visit Mike Norris' Preston. The signalboxes there are fully interlocked as in the prototype and you cannot pull off any signal without first setting up a correct route. This is all done by computers (or possibly micro processors) but all this computer gizmo stuff is irrelevant to the operator. He simply has to pull the right levers, in the right order, then the driver follows the signals. I believe this was designed before DCC came along - it should be much simpler to design now. This is wonderfully realistic way of operating a layout. Ian Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheLaird Posted May 1, 2012 Author Share Posted May 1, 2012 Thought it was about time I gave an update on things Bradfield! I have been a bit distracted of late doing some preliminary planning for next project and also working on an article for a mag, but with another show looming and some operator training sessions in the pipeline I needed to do some maintenance. Does anyone else have problems with the switches on Tortoise motors? I have had three intermittent failures recently! Solution seems to be to strip them down and clean the contacts, I have also wired the two switches together to provide greater reliability (only time will tell if this works). I have added some green LEDs to the control box to show when a signal is "off", hopefully this will help avoid some of the problems experienced at Nott'm, if not, I have also added an "emergency stop" button!! The more gentle members of the team will also be pleased to know that I have rubbed down and painted the trestles to avoid splinters during set up and strip down. So now, back to playing trains. 19th May, Lutterworth Show. Only two weeks to go!! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium 2ManySpams Posted May 1, 2012 RMweb Premium Share Posted May 1, 2012 I think we have fitted external micro switches to our tortoise motors. Will have to look to confirm but I recall Damian having electrical problems. Hth. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold martin_wynne Posted May 1, 2012 RMweb Gold Share Posted May 1, 2012 Does anyone else have problems with the switches on Tortoise motors? I have had three intermittent failures recently! Hi, It's a known issue, although whenever I've mentioned it I have always been shot down in flames. There's a whole topic about it on the Scalefour Society web site here: http://www.scalefour.org/forum/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=360 My advice is to ignore these switches except for non-critical panel indicator lights, etc. For crossing polarity switching, slave a sealed relay and diode across the Tortoise motor supply. Unlike a micro-switch, that's much easier to fit, needs no adjustment, and no maintenance for the lifetime of the layout. regards, Martin. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold beast66606 Posted May 1, 2012 RMweb Gold Share Posted May 1, 2012 Does anyone else have problems with the switches on Tortoise motors? I have had three intermittent failures recently! Never, and we've used the best part of 200 on our layouts, however we pair them so it could be down to the current flowing through a single contact (whereas ours are doubled so the load is halved) Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheLaird Posted June 6, 2012 Author Share Posted June 6, 2012 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
sunshine coast Posted June 6, 2012 Share Posted June 6, 2012 Good to see some more of this excellent layout .....was beginning to think you had "burned out" with exhibitions and 20 pages on this layouts construction in just over a year ..a great achievement...but exhausting ...? Regards Trevor .. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheLaird Posted June 11, 2012 Author Share Posted June 11, 2012 I hope it is a compliment, but as my train from Burnley to Leeds pulled into Bradford the other day I actually thought "Dont this look like Bradfield GS" !! Thanks Mickey, a compliment indeed!! John E Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheLaird Posted June 11, 2012 Author Share Posted June 11, 2012 Good to see some more of this excellent layout .....was beginning to think you had "burned out" with exhibitions and 20 pages on this layouts construction in just over a year ..a great achievement...but exhausting ...? Regards Trevor .. Thanks Trevor. Definitely not burned out but did wonder if maybe people were Bradfielded out, that's why I just put the pictures on to see if there was still interest, I guess there is so watch out for more!! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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