Leaderboard

Hi Pete - A suggestion re the platform surfaces... First (if you can) use a laser printer. I still have concernes about the longterm stability of inkjets... Second - print on A4 label paper (Staples, Avery etc do '1 label per sheet'). It sticks like the proverbial to a blanket on styrene or card, and doesn't reach 'warp factor' like solvents... If you don't have acces to that size of label (a box of 100 costs about

I think that Kris has got it just right, Rich. When Jas Millham has his S Scale 'Rookfield' out at shows he operates from the front and his lever frame is below the level of the boards. I seem to remember that he even has a sort of electronic token instrument built into it! Should add as well that Jas sits at the side and doesn't plonk himself directly in the middle of the layout. I don't think that Jas' woolly pullover with a steam train on it is compulsory for those wishing to operate lever frames at the front of the layout :-) David

If they go on the outside there are some issues to work around. It is just more difficult. The ethos of the layout that everything was attached, somewhat permanently so that it could be moved as a self contained unit. I don't have the car it was originally designed to fit in though so some compromises can be made. They could go at the end instead. They have a nice feel and action to them. I'm sure the S4 Society would sell you one. The pattern emerges Thanks Nick. Out of the way would be the best place, or so it seems. Sorry, I should have explained that I wasn't planning to sit with my back to the audience whilst they watch me play with my toy. I will end up standing for the most part and moving a lot to feed trains into and remove them from the ends. My stock does not yet have auto couplers so I will have to move to do that too. My controller is 'walk about'. It featured on an entry back in 2010. Thanks, but no thanks. Sorry to disappoint. Thanks Pete. I'm not sure I'm going to get away with rule No.1 here. I think that Ian sums up what I have been thinking but didn't want to admit. Others have confirmed this. The FPLs won't move but the levers will be there forming part of the electrical interlocking. I intended to move the rest mechanically but maybe I need to look into point motors instead. I might only need four but that was a power requirement that I had not considered when I built the PSU. I'm thinking that there is a preference for having the frame on display but outside of the boards at the front and this might be possible. I can think about it a few days more while I finish the last couple of TOUs.

Rich, The lever frame does detract from the layout. I can understand where you are coming from, and for a personal non-exhibited layout putting the frame where you have it would be ideal, but for an exhibited layout I do feel that it just seems in the way. I did notice the lever frame on Jerry's Tucking Mill at the AGM and decided that "I want one of those", and I think Jerry's siting of it is best as it is "off scene" as it were (and uses electronics to do the "controlly" bit). Obviously if you intend controlling the points and signals mechanically then siting it where you have makes a lot of sense, but I do think that unless you have a very low stool / kneel down then both you and it are going to be obtrusive :-) From a number of levers point of view I think that the 10 you have should be sufficient as a few of the ones on the prototype would be to operate off-scene signals and facing point locks I would imagine (I assume that you won't be needing those to move in 2mm :-) ). I look forward to seeing how this progresses though. Ian

Hi Chris - many thanks...although not sure I need additional space...there will be a crowd drooling over Jon's Deltic and Duff next door so you might need to reduce my space than expand it

Great blog entry Rich - good to canvas opinions on stuff like this. I'm a bit old fashioned about these things and for me its just not working I am afraid. One thing I have always admired about this layout is the proportions and the restraint, which allows the 'train in the landscape' feel demonstrated by some of your pics... Hence, my worry is, it might over dominate and become 'levers in the landscape'... But hey...Rule No. 1 applies of course

Hi Rich, What about moving it outside the baseboard and make your control panel as far as possible, a working model of a signal box interior around the scale of the levers? If it is going to be a feature out the front, make a REAL feature of it! Just a thought... All the best, Castle

love the look and tactile behaviour of lever frames and even thought of using some but could never work out where to position them sorry but your positioning spoils the illusion well at least to me it does

Doesn't work for me either I'm afraid. If you were to move it forwards off the front edge of the baseboard then drop it below the height of the scenery I think that it would be much better. Demonstrating the use of a lever frame whilst not detracting from the scenery.

Rich, to be honest yes it does disturb the visual impression for me. The problem is that the levers not only break the illusion, but also confuse the impression because they are still models, but in a different scale. But it does depend on the purpose of the layout, I think. If the aim is educational (eg how a railway is operated) then it would be fine because illusion wouldn't be the main purpose. It's a great lever frame though, very envious :-)

Is moving them outside of the baseboard too much of an issue? moving the forwar a few inches so there on a seperate panel mounted to the front of the layout, thereby separating the control and the layout modelling. Does that make sense anywhere but in my head?

Hi Pete, Good to see you're posting again back here. Hope all is going as well as can be for your relocation! Haven't yet bumped up the BHMRC Exhibition but seeing it's only 82 (less a few now!) days, maybe I ought to! Looks like you've got a good following who'll be coming to the show. I'll have to give you more space! Look forward to actually seeing the results of your labours on how you achieve your platform faces (and the rest!). Chris

Hi Stephen, Looking nice! I recall a great trip from Nice to Breil sur Roya in one of these, comfortable units with nice big windows. One tip on masking that I picked up is once you put the masking on spray a coat of the base coat (light grey) to seal the edges, I used on my latest American project and it really helped. I've found Tamiya paper masking tape gives good results too. All the best Nick

Nice work Pete! Looking forward to seeing how your platforms turn out. Nice to see you posting again. Best regards, Jeremy