Ron Heggs

Have been 'off scene' for a few weeks 'entertaining' a few family visitors staying with us. They have all now returned to the UK, and this allows me to continue with my modelling A friend has sent me a picture of the train shed showing part of the lighting system over platforms 3 and 4/5 - The catenary support cable is not as taut as I assumed, and dips a bit between the light unit supports Nice view of the light unit maintenance from a very tall wooden trestle. By today's H&S completely forbidden A good spread of litter on the tracks. Tracks look as though they had not received any maintenance for a few decades

Until I moved to Spain this was my local model shop. Always a cheerful welcome from John and Heather. Nothing too much trouble to satisfy my requirements Ron

Hi, Andy You are correct. The power supply to the LEDs runs through the thin (0.1mm coated) wire hung from the horizontal brass wire. The brass wire is not used as any part of the electrical circuit. Visually this mimics the prototype This single wire between the LEDs - the LEDs are wired in series - removes the complexity and visual impact of running multiple wires to the five LEDs. The wiring from the 18 volt DC supply is fed from either end of the train shed via the gable transoms, and via the hollow span beam columns from below the baseboards Cheers Ron

The lighting assemblies are now fixed in the train shed - The horizontal supports need some delicate bending attention, and the power wiring needs joints to be soldered and the catenaries re-instated Platform 6 surfacing and edging will be the next task before the lighting assemblies for Platforms 4/5 are constructed, and the lighting power supply wiring is hidden within the gable ends Access will be gradually reduced within the train shed, so have to ensure that details above platform level are added progressively whilst access is still possible

All five lighting assemblies for platform 6 are now complete North to South, the assemblies are - 147mm + Light unit + 225mm / 225mm + Light unit + 225mm / 225mm + Light unit + 225mm / 225mm + Light unit + 225mm / 197mm + Light unit + 25mm The North end will be attached to the carrier cable running over the station concourse, and the South end will fix to the Gable Transom structure Now for the fiddly bit - fixing each assembly to the roof, and to each other

The second lighting assembly has been completed, the three remaining assemblies for Platform 6 are painted, and await the fixing of the light units and wiring The two completed assemblies have been joined together temporarily - and the wires shortened to enable soldering when fitted in position in the train shed - The brass tube joining piece can be seen in the centre, and the shortened wires with their coating removed, overlap - will be trimmed after soldering The three remaining assemblies will be completed today, and fixing in the train shed should commence tomorrow

Thanks - really they are only some of the cherries in the cake, or will be when they are actually fitted and working Ron

Collected the LEDs from the Correos this morning Cut the light fittings from tablet bubble packs, and fitted the connecting drop pieces. Painted the first five light fittings - External Black Internal White Painted the first lighting cable support for the South end of Platform 6 - the right most end will be fixed to the gable end structure - left hand end will be connect to the next cable support assembly Close-up Nano LED fitted to the light fitting with the wires fed through a 0.5mm dia hole Light fitting fixed to the cable support - Lighting wires attached catenary style to the cable support - ... and the light checked with a couple of semi-depleted AA batteries Another four support assemblies to be constructed for Platform 6, before fitting to the Train Shed

Definitely more than my modelling Ron

A few shaky pictures of lighting brass support wires against a curved white wall - two odd hands and the pictures taken with the camera in my right hand pointing generally in the correct direction - guess which hand is SWBO's First two vertical suspension wires each with 2 x 225mm lengths of horizontal wire all soldered, and attached at horizontal midpoint but not soldered - The south end section of the lighting support wires with the cable cleats attached at 24mm centres (not easy to see as they are 2mm lengths of 10thou x 20 thou white styrene) - A close-up - Await delivery of LEDs before proceeding any further ... back to the trackwork and deflection bars

Hi, Nathan Thanks for your comments and offer of help with details of the existing structures Will sort through my photographic records, and decide on what outstanding information is still required I know that there are details of structures which no longer exist which will need to be modelled with a little bit thought and licence, but hopefully no one will be disappointed with the outcome Best regards Ron

Have soldered up a few sections of the lighting supports (enough for Platform 6), and an initial hand held arrangement shows an unreasonable amount of deflection (15mm over 450mm) of the horizontal brass wire between the vertical supports. The deflection of the wire will increase when the lighting supply wire is attached (varnished 0.1mm single strand) The prototype does have a small catenary deflection between supports. Probably tensioned cables were used to maintain the small deflection The horizontal brass wire is soldered to the bottom of each vertical suspension wire. Since it is brass wire and not cable or flex, the horizontal brass wire can be curved upwards in a vertical plane to counteract the deflection A quick test, and it works. The wire will need to be curved a little more when the additional weight of the lighting supply wire is added May have to ask SWMBO to hold the assembly whilst I take a picture or two

Hi, This topic may help - http://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/index.php?/topic/101575-terminal-locking-rail/ The topic was started as I wanted to model them in my Manchester Central layout Cheers Ron

Ordered the Warm White Nano SMD LEDs for the train shed platform lighting. Delivery expected next week Layout - From top to bottom - Platform 1 has Lights on cantilevered wall brackets Platforms 2/3 has two rows of lights offset slightly, straddling the access roadway down the middle of the platform Platforms 4/5 has a single row of lights Platform 6 also has a single row of lights A typical elevation between two adjacent lights. The electrical supply cable is slung catenary style from the horizontal support cable Electrically, rows of 5 LEDs will be wired in series with a single in-line 180 ohm resistor to each row. Supplied by a regulated 18v DC supply Dependant on the brightness of the actual lighting the value of the resistors may be increased

Have received another package of brass wire, tube and strip The strip will allow completion of the seven outstanding depression bars The brass wire and tube is required to construct the overhead platform lighting system. The light fittings are suspended individually from the roof spans. The lighting supply cabling is carried from horizontal tie cables which runs the entire length of the train shed over the platforms The brass wire 0.5mm dia will be used for the light unit suspension which vary between 50mm to 250mm in drop length, and the continuous horizontal tie cables which are each 2100mm long. The brass tube 0.7mm OD 0.5mm ID will be cut into short pieces and used to join lengths of wire to make up the required lengths - butt soldering 0.5mm wire is not practical Lighting power supply will be provided using magnet wire suspended catenary style from the horizontal tie cables

Nice view of depression bars on the two tracks in the foreground - Preston - C619 The pivots on the curved bar must be very free, otherwise there would be some binding preventing the move back to normal position Ron

Hi, Gary That was the original intent when the hoist was constructed i.e. the trackwork for all the platforms within the train shed would be dropped to floor level. However, this left little room for access, and correct repeated registration when in the raised position could not be guaranteed Lowering and raising the trackwork for each pair of platforms separately is easier for access and only needs a drop of 250mm to re-rail locos, etc.. Each trackwork section can be removed if necessary for more severe maintenance work. Repeat registration will be guaranteed by tapered keys locating into the back of the platform walls at the underside of the platform decks - these have still to be constructed Cheers Ron

In between fitting extended lining to the railway room walls, constructed the mountings for the platform track sections - Platforms 5 & 6 - the trackwork set at 100mm below the platforms - maximum is 250mm below platforms Platforms 3 & 4 - the trackwork set at normal level Underboard/below platforms Trackwork for Platforms 1 & 2 next on the workbench Intention is to complete all the station platform trackwork and then establish DCC and AC/DC supplies to track, turnout motors, signalling and lighting, etc.

If the depression bar could be made into a switch, would this simple circuit work? Understand bufferstop lights are operated in a similar manner The LED would be on the Operating Panel

Hi SS Considered using the depression bar as part of a switch, but as it is soldered to the running rail and will be on DCC, I expected that using it to send an occupation signal might cause a little problem Would be interested to hear from those with more experience if it is possible Ron

Assembly and completion of the depression bar - Pivot brackets fitted to the running rail. Pivot pieces and the Depression bar and Counterweight Assembly await fitting - Depression bar and Counterweight Assembly fitted with Pivots - Bar depressed by the loco - Bar returned to normal level after loco removed - Seven more bar assemblies required. Need to source suitable microswitches to provide signal to operating panel

The depression bars third build - Left to Right - 2.5mm x 1mm for Pivot mounts 1mm x 0.3mm for Pivot bars 1mm x 1mm for Counterweight 1.5mm x 1mm Angle for Depression bar 0.7mm dia Rod for Pivots Components produced this evening - 5 pivot mounts 5.5mm x 2.5mm x 1mm with 0.7 dia hole (fixes under the running rail) 7 pivot bars 3mm x 1mm x 0.3mm with 0.7mm dia hole (joins the depression bar to the counterweight) Five pivot mounts 5.5mm x 2.5mm x 1mm with 0.7 dia hole. Two more required for the first depression bar assembly Seven pivot bars - sufficient for one depression bar assembly

The brass sections and some track accessories turned up this morning The second trackwork section is complete with tie bars and droppers, except for wiring-up and point motors being fitted The depression bars are now under construction - will post progress later .. and have to purchase some more foamboard - about 40m2, which will not only allow completion of the lining to the railway room - dubbed by SWMBO as the 'Padded Cell' - but also enable the final two trackwork sections to the Train Shed to be completed (about 1m2 worth)

The second trackwork section, which is essentially identical to the first section, is well underway with some 15 hours expended so far. Needs the switch rails for the Y turnout filing and fixing to complete the track Then the wire droppers, etc. will be soldered to the appropriate rails Awaiting delivery of the brass sections for the depression bars Still have another two more identical trackwork sections to build, so plenty of work ahead

Hi, Jim Hope that there is enough detail for you Probably a little warmer here than in Melbourne at present Cheers Ron