theplasticbrummy Posted February 14, 2017 Share Posted February 14, 2017 (edited) As so many of the other Lydd Rail frequenters have posted about their various Challenge layout projects, I thought that I would join the likes of Carlw, SF315 and Clive, and bore you all to death with my efforts! Here goes: If you have been following Carlw's thread on Hither Green PAD with interest, then you will already know the rules, however, if not, here they are again in their most basic format: The scenic section of the layout must be 4' 8 1/2" long (at its widest point) and no more than 12" deep. The fiddle yard must not exceed 288sq" in area. There must be at least one operational point. There was something mentioned about a bonfire for if any rules were broken, but we'll come to that if the matter arises. So, it was always my intention to begin the build after the Stafford Show and after a weekend of operating Mr. Wade's Stunning TWY (as part of his crack 'F' Team), the weekend after (11th and 12th), construction began. To make the most out of the 288sq" for the fiddle yard, some of my GSCE maths actually came in useful for once! After figuring out that Pi represented 3.1415 (or there abouts) and had absolutely nothing to do with chicken and mushroom or beef and onion, some crafty calculations have made it possible to model a two track, roundy-roundy affair - The running possibilities will be endless. Endlessssssssssssss..................! Here are the beginnings of the ends: A bit of spare ply run over the router table to form the arcs then screwed to some 2"x1". I hope to possibly hinge these to the main board to minimise setup time. There will be some sort of strip fixed around the arcs when the track is down and any painting and wiring is complete. For those of you who haven't heard of it, Staythorpe Crossing is a real location which had, up until October 2016, a functioning Signal Box (albeit only a block post at this time) on the Nottingham to Newark line, of which I had the pleasure of working. Originally, the box was put in to facilitate coal operations for a power station built in 1950 - Staythorpe A. In 1962, Staythorpe B was built alongside Staythorpe A. The sidings for each power station were laid on the southern side (Up Line) and on the northern side (Down Line) respectively. The signal box was extended at this point to allow for the extra levers for the sidings to be installed. Unfortunately, by the time I began to work the box, both Staythorpe A and B power stations had been demolished to make way for the new, gas fired Staythorpe C. With traffic no longer destined for Staythorpe, only the main to main crossover and a cut-off facing point into the former B sidings remained, these being subsequently removed during engineering works in either 2014 or 2015. Staythorpe Signal Box, May 2016: Note the spelling! The former crossing keepers cottage on the right is now a private residence. With the above in mind, I am as yet undecided as to when to date the layout; 1970s/80s with A and B sidings, 1990s with only B sidings, 2010s with remnants of, or, with the usage of some modellers license, whatever I feel like! The main aim is to make it look like the place so I'll see what the track plan looks like when I've cut the 4' 8 1/2". I'll dig out some more photos of the prototype if people are interested and will update you as work progresses. Thanks for reading, Andy. Edited April 6, 2017 by theplasticbrummy 8 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
sf315 Posted February 15, 2017 Share Posted February 15, 2017 Hello Andrew Good to see you've made the plunge and put it on here. It willl be good to keep an eye on what you and Tezzer are up to. As they say I'll be following this with interest Thanks Steve Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium MrSimon Posted February 15, 2017 RMweb Premium Share Posted February 15, 2017 Hi Andy, I'll be watching with interest, I used to use the line when I was at college, often wondered what the sidings etc would look like! Cheers Simon Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
sf315 Posted February 15, 2017 Share Posted February 15, 2017 Andrew What freights and other traffic run/ran that way. Thanks Steve Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
theplasticbrummy Posted February 16, 2017 Author Share Posted February 16, 2017 With the track delivered on Tuesday, I popped up the club rooms after work on Wednesday, eager to see if the track plans from the different periods would look ok in the 4’ 8 ½” x 12” space. I’m happy to report that even the most complex track layout from the 1962 to 1983 period (When both power stations were in operation) does not look out of place, so all plans currently remain viable. I like the idea of having the two sets of sidings as it will add operational interest along with allowing for a variety of coal wagons although, the look of a disused, neglected area with just passing trains is seldom modelled – Probably with good reason! As a couple of other challangees are planning, I will also design and build this layout with the intention of developing it further after the Lydd Rail event and subsequent N Gauge whitewash (or should that be sh*tewash?) has taken place. For now, I’ll just stick to the one board as I have three other layouts on the go! Steve – Yes, taking the RMWEB plunge should prove interesting and hopefully will add to the layout building experience. In terms of traffic, I’m still researching the 70s and 80s period, but I do know that Staythorpe B was served by HAAs as I have seen photos with class 47 motive power. I believe, but stand to be corrected, that the other side was served by 16t mineral wagons however, I have seen no photographic evidence of this. There was also a rail served ash plant on the Nottingham side of the crossing. The ash was brought up from the power station by tipper lorries and then dumped at the plant where it could be transferred to either rail or road. I have seen photos of 16t mineral wagons in the ash plant sidings but I wouldn’t have thought that they would be used for ash - Does anybody know? Passenger services appear to have been 104 and 120 units. Present day is different of course as I have seen it first hand. Although the coal traffic was severely diminished towards the end of the Box’s life, trains of HTAs and HHAs hauled by 66s could be seen on the various Immingham coal flows and also a flow for export from Onlwyn in Wales. Greenbrier TEAs and TDAs featured heavily, running to Heathrow, Kingsbury, Aberthaw and a few others, usually headed by 60s and 66s. The occasional scrap train from Lincoln to Llanwern would make an appearance, that being made up of around 18 MBAs with some engineering trains thrown in for good measure. Passenger trains were/are made up of East Midlands Trains 153/156/158 units on the Leicester to Lincoln and Matlock to Newark services and a 222 on a Lincoln to St. Pancras in the morning, returning late in the evening. During Lincoln Christmas market, an HST would also run as a special. Simon – I hope you enjoy the thread. I’ll post more photos when I’ve found them/got permission from the owners. Going from what I’ve found, its looking more and more likely that I’ll model both sets of sidings (More track Gromit!) and then just use my modellers license for the later periods. As the box was absolute block with full semaphores right up until October 2016, there’s not really a great deal else to date it. Watch this space! Cheers, Andy. 3 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
carlw Posted February 18, 2017 Share Posted February 18, 2017 Hi Andy, Took me a few days to notice this thread, Glad I did. Great looking plan, interesting use of the fiddle yard rules. I think I would go for a 1980's time frame, as there is proper trains. Possibly pairs of 20's, 56 and 58's. Good luck. Carl #Ngaugesh*tewhitewash Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
theplasticbrummy Posted February 18, 2017 Author Share Posted February 18, 2017 I think I would go for a 1980's time frame, as there is proper trains. Possibly pairs of 20's, 56 and 58's. Good luck. Carl #Ngaugesh*tewhitewash Funny you should say that Carl. After speaking with a fellow signalman who used to work Netherfield Junction SB, he mentioned having photos of a 58 on MGRs stood at Staythorpe and it kind of twisted my arm. I'm going to go for late 70s/80s and model both sets of sidings (as I predicted) This will allow me to mix it up a bit with a few first generation DMUs as well as running 56s and 58s. I've ordered a 104 and two 120 kits from BHE today at Syston MRCs exhibition in Sileby for this very reason. If I don't manage to complete the kits before July, then I'll probably just run it bang up to date with EMT, DBS and Colas stock. Beats the drabness of BR Blue... ***Collects hat and coat on the way out*** As a general update, the board has been made along with a removable backscene and lighting rig (removable so the layout can be "enbiggened" in the future) and I have progressed to having the track placed to allow for the card base to be laid. Track plan: Progress so far: If you are wondering, the signalbox is from screwfix with the blue being completely un-prototypical for any period! Cheers, Andy. 9 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
theplasticbrummy Posted February 21, 2017 Author Share Posted February 21, 2017 Hello All. I have now received the relevant permissions to post the images to which I referred to in an earlier post. Please note that all images remain the property of www.picturethepast.org.uk Images must not be reproduced without the explicit permission of the owner. Photographs are credited accordingly. Now that's out of the way..... This first image shows the two power stations side-by-side in 1962. Staythorpe A is on the left with the three chimneys and B, currently under construction, is on the right. - D. Arundel. The next photograph, taken in the 1960s, shows the signal box and the crossing, looking towards Newark. - H. B. Priestly. The following six images are also from the 1960s and show a few views of one of Staythorpe A's shunters, "Staythorpe Generating Station No.5A" with some 21t mineral wagons. Also in this collection is a shot of a mains transformer on a low loader, destined for Rugby. - RWE NPower. These next photographs focus on the Signal Box in 1978 with some cracking shots of the interior. The Signalman is a Mr. Philip Spratley. - R. Baker. The crossing keeper's cottage was designed by T.C. Hine, a 19th century architect. 1978. - R. Baker. A Class 47 on the Down passes the ash plant in 1978, heading an Immingham-bound tank train. - R. Baker. A Class 25 leaves the sidings in charge of an empty coal train headed for a midland colliery - It appears that the materials for renewing the level crossing have arrived on site - It looks as though Staythorpe Crossing lost its gates and gained barriers in 1978. - R. Baker. I am very grateful to the photographers for catching these moments in time and also to www.picturethepast.org.uk for allowing me to share them here. I hope you have found them as interesting as I have. Tune in soon for further updates! Cheers, Andy. 15 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
arty Posted February 22, 2017 Share Posted February 22, 2017 (edited) Great pictures Andy - really sets the scene And to add a few notes on the Wynn’s Pacific tractor hauling the transformer ( for those who may be interested ) GDW 585, “Helpmate” was one of six rebuilt by Wynns from USA Pacific M26 tank transporter tractors originally built in 1943. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/M25_Tank_Transporter Rgds Richard Edited February 22, 2017 by arty Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
carlw Posted March 9, 2017 Share Posted March 9, 2017 If your catching me up is there any updates? Carl Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bungus the Fogeyman Posted March 9, 2017 Share Posted March 9, 2017 I may have a copy of the local trip workings serving Staythorpe from the early 80s if you're interested Andy Disgusting of Market Harborough Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
theplasticbrummy Posted March 9, 2017 Author Share Posted March 9, 2017 If your catching me up is there any updates? Carl Sorry Carl, doing too much modelling to do an update I may have a copy of the local trip workings serving Staythorpe from the early 80s if you're interested Andy Disgusting of Market Harborough That would be disgusting, great. Sorry, great, Disgusting. Any info is greatly appreciated. Cheers, Andy. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
sf315 Posted March 9, 2017 Share Posted March 9, 2017 Yeah come on Andrew post us a pic of where your at with it. Your fans are waiting. Steve. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bungus the Fogeyman Posted March 10, 2017 Share Posted March 10, 2017 Whats this Steve, I'll show you mine if you show me yours! Disgusting of Market Harborough 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
sf315 Posted March 10, 2017 Share Posted March 10, 2017 At least we've something to show as challenge layouts Bungus me old mate Have you started yet. Steve. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
theplasticbrummy Posted March 11, 2017 Author Share Posted March 11, 2017 Whats this Steve, I'll show you mine if you show me yours! Disgusting of Market Harborough Wa-hey! Disgusting joins in and my thread becomes a smut-fest! Keep it in the hotel room please gents. Yeah come on Andrew post us a pic of where your at with it. Your fans are waiting. Steve. Soon, soon. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bungus the Fogeyman Posted March 12, 2017 Share Posted March 12, 2017 How do you think I got the 'Disgusting' soubriquet Andy. Steve. The race is not always to the swiftest, think hare and tortoise mate Disgusting of Market Harborough 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
theplasticbrummy Posted March 13, 2017 Author Share Posted March 13, 2017 How do you think I got the 'Disgusting' soubriquet Andy. Steve. The race is not always to the swiftest, think hare and tortoise mate Disgusting of Market Harborough Yes Dave, but the tortoise did actually start the race... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
theplasticbrummy Posted March 13, 2017 Author Share Posted March 13, 2017 (edited) Anyway, away from all of this off-topic bulls*it - AN UPDATE! After finding a few aerial photos from the NCAP website http://ncap.org.uk/ ,of which I am NOT permitted to share with you , I have had to tweak the position of the original "A" Reception Road and Run-Round. It wasn't much, I've just had to swap the two left handed points to right handed ones. The two "A" lines now run close and parallel to the Up and Down Main as opposed to the "B" lines which slew further away. On the first photo below, "A" sidings are on the right with "B" sidings on the left. It has made a difference as the two pairs of lines are now not symmetrical and of course, match the aerial photos. This second photo shows the "layout" in its entirety, looking towards Nottingham. In the top left, you can see the ends of the two Ash Plant sidings which eventually join with the Up Main, on the next board (Yes I am planning the next board (and another one or two in the other direction) which will fit onto the same fiddle yard as Adrian Lambourne's Loch Tat and my Dad's Tatlock - The latter being almost ready to hit the exhibition circuit). To ensure my measurements were correct, I sketched out and then built up a basic line drawing of Staythorpe Crossing (SX) Signal Box. I wanted to make sure the proportions were right before I started construction proper. This draft model also had the added benefit of helping to gauge the position of track work, the level crossing and the location of the Crossing Keeper's cottage when comparing the model to the photos in previous posts. Credit R.Baker c/o www.picturethepast.org.uk Credit H.B.Priestly c/o www.picturethepast.org.uk I am now about to embark on the wiring. I managed to get a head start on this as I was on night shifts for a week. During the quiet periods, I got all of the motors attached to the brackets, the slide switches which change the crossing nose polarity glued to the motor and then dropper wires soldered on to all of the tags. All of the motors are now fitted to the board with the next task being to solder all of the track feeds in place. Hopefully, by the end of the week, I might have a control panel with a functioning layout, albeit with no fiddle yard as of yet - That'll be next! Thanks for reading. Cheers, Andy. Edited March 13, 2017 by theplasticbrummy 5 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
carlw Posted March 14, 2017 Share Posted March 14, 2017 Looking good Andy. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
sf315 Posted March 14, 2017 Share Posted March 14, 2017 Looking good Andrew What point motors are you using. Interested to see what you've done for changing the polarity on the frog. Thanks Steve. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
theplasticbrummy Posted March 14, 2017 Author Share Posted March 14, 2017 What point motors are you using. Interested to see what you've done for changing the polarity on the frog. Thanks Steve. Well Steve, its certainly nothing special. I'm using Peco point motors with extended pins (PL-10E) for the throw and Peco accessory switches (PL-13) to change the polarity of the crossing noses. With the switches glued to the top of the motor (They are supposed to sit on the motor but I don't think they'd stay on for very long without the glue), they are then attached to Peco Mounting plates (PL-9) by inserting the motor legs through the slots provided and then bending the legs (As you would do if fitting the motors directly to the points) to fix them together. I prefer this as you don't then have the motors' legs sticking up in the ballast but, BUT! its then not a straightforward fit - much like fitting SEEP motors. It works out at about £9 per point, that's for the motor, switch and mounting plate. I'll post a couple of photos of the wiring later on in the week. Cheers, Andy. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
theplasticbrummy Posted March 27, 2017 Author Share Posted March 27, 2017 (edited) Good evening all. Are you ready for another, exciting instalment of the Staythorpe Crossing saga? No? Good job! Nothing exciting here, however, there is some sort of progress to report. After a week working on the computer during quiet spells, today, I managed to get my control panel printed. I've tried to keep it as true to the Box diagram as possible but have had to make compromises for operability over likeness - It's upside-down for a start! I used MS Paint (the most up-to-date package available to me ) then had it printed at the local printers in Loughborough. For £18, I'm quite happy with the result. Up at the club rooms, later in the day, and with a bit of help from fellow RMWEB'er and Ivanhoe MRS member, ARTY (albeit not a Founder Member ), I've even managed to get it covered in Blue Peter-Special, sticky back plastic, with NO bubbles! WOW, I here you exclaim! Here's a sneak-peek of the diagram pre switches, LEDs, buttons, frame, etc, etc. It is indeed, almost as big as the layout. As you can see, there's a pile of components behind the diagram waiting to be installed - I'm just waiting for some kind soul to donate a sheet of alloy ***HINT*** The layout has been designed to be operated in six zones, each able to be controlled by each of the three controllers (It's DC I'm afraid Ladies and Gents). Each zone has a rotary switch to select the required controller - This is mainly to get round the fact that you have to cross the main lines from each of the power station sidings in one direction or the other (I'm looking forward to seeing long MGR trains snaking over the track work). I've then colour-coded the sections for ease of use (Mr. Lambourne would most certainly approve!) and made provision for LEDs which will confirm which piece of track is being controlled by which controller. That's it for now folks. Cheers, Andy. Edited March 27, 2017 by theplasticbrummy 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
arty Posted March 27, 2017 Share Posted March 27, 2017 The ally has your name on it Andy Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
sf315 Posted March 28, 2017 Share Posted March 28, 2017 That looks mighty good Andy. Good to see your making headway. Bomb wagon will look good on this layout. To see that trundling round must be an incentive to get it built roundy roundy for July. Keep up the good work and see you about somewhere Steve Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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