SM42

I was thinking about the ground signal in this case Jim. .

The main signal would not need one as any train routed via that signal would already have passed the warning board and would be expecting the TSR and of course the driver would be familiar with the contents of the WON.

However,  the R board is not strictly correct as you are arriving (so I understand)   mid point of the TSR rather than heading towards a commencement board more than 300yds ahead.

Looks like someone's  trying to do the right thing in a situation not covered in the rule book.

Andy

If there is a set back move then I agree that and R board would be a sensible installation (though I don't think strictly specified in the rules) but then the sign should be at the signal that routes the train across (assuming this signal is between the warning and commencement board) and there should be an arrowed warning board somewhere further back  if there is main signalled route across.

On that basis  not only is it an incomplete sign, it's also in the wrong place.  This makes it even more stupid than before as if it were in the right place it wouldn't be in the picture

Putting the sign after the crossover would mean drivers running on the affected line suddenly coming across a lonesome commencement board in the middle of a TSR with no reason to be there.

Temporary speed restrictions are rarely simple affairs where there is more than  one route

I'm just glad I don't drive trains for a living. It makes my head hurt just thinkiing about this one.

Andy

Gary

I suspect the 30/50 applies to the line on the far left and I would imagine there is a warning board with arrow a bit further back

I agree  it is a stupid sign  for both looking odd and spoiling the picture.

Andy

Like Alistair I've always found prices to be on a par with other outlets for items I have purchased .

I suppose it depends on what particular product you are looking for really.

For anyone intending to visit mid week, I believe that they are still closed on Wednesdays as it was at the old shop.

As well as the car park there is also free, time limited (one hour last time I looked)  roadside parking opposite.

Andy

Oh yes John there will be room to turn around without everybody else having to turn around too. 

Mind you as I haven't had chance to visit now it is not a building site,  Derek may have filled it all up by now.

There is also a handy little* customer car park at the downhill end of the row of (2) shops. Next to Kim Johnson Designs; Derek's new neighbour

Andy

*By little I mean it  is about  10 or 12  car's worth but it is shared with two other businesses. .

You beat me to it

I noticed that the new doors were open when I passed yesterday.

Anyone who has been before but not yet had chance to visit the new premises will find them significantly bigger  than the old. 

Andy

Good stuff.

I too wondered where the strange paint colour was going.

Good to see some balloonage too.

Andy

Thank you

That explains it

Must be the "Dunton Green cream cake four" case she's on then.

Andy

Out of interest what time is the last train back from Westerham.

Mrs Sm42 has not yet returned and Kipper's case closed announcement seems to indicate her work is done.

I suppose another mission in some far flung part of the globe has come up.

I was surprised when she turned up in Westerham. I thought she'd gone to Tesco.

Andy (out from under the table)

It's your lucky day Lyndonsdad

Just catching up here (really should have been warming up the war room) when Mrs SM42 popped in to see how things were going as she prepares for her next mission.

Fortunately for you I had a second internet tab open so was able to flick across and look busy.  Mrs SM42 would not be impressed by such a slur on her nationality.

Brent! I ask you? Brentski perhaps.

A word of warnig to all who may feel the need to cross her path in a less than helpful way. Revelations about her training at school (No ordinary comprehensive I can tell you) have revealed things far beyond being a good shot.

Andy (a bit more nervous than usual)

......towards Camp Hill was no good though, the natives dumped enough rubbish to stop trains let alone my bike.

It hasn't changed much.

Andy

I found that asking the exhibition manager (during the the exhibition of course) if "he was thinking about doing anything useful today" sometimes required a fleetness of foot that would make Usain Bolt jealous.

Andy

I remember when I was growing up in Basingstoke I remember two wagons in the siding next to the Reading bay platform. Thinking back I think they were lowfits, and they sat around doing nothing for years. However last time I looked they had disappeared...

 

 

They were indeed lowfits and somewhere I have some (old school film type) photos. 

Andy

Sunset at Poznan Wola

Andy

Errr,  I did say no more naughty engines please Jim.

Still, keeps you fit.

Great photos by the way.

Andy

the picture was taken beyond the gates at the bletchley end, its caused a bit of a stir with the local enthusiast fraternity being parked there!

 

took 2 class 70s to claydon last night, all was going well until the change ends at princes risborough, had to declare myself a failure between little kimble and marsh lane crossing, thankfully i had a trainee with me who was able to jump in the rear loco and propel me clear of the mainline into aylesbury loop where we run round and went double headed up to claydon where after a lot of shunting we have left the train to collect it later tonight to return to hinksey (hopefully)

Ah. So you're the one that was causing me a load of work when I should have been eating my sandwiches.

It was shaping up to be an interesting night.  Princes Risborough was starting to look a bit like Aylesbury depot.

Just glad the one on the back was alright otherwise you could have been there for quite a while.

No more naughty engines this week please Jim.

Andy

And all the level crossings between Birmingham and Coventry (Originally 4?)

 

Keith

If I recall Canley, Tile Hill and Berkswell were closed to road traffic. The foot crossings at Bickenhill, Wootton Green, Bradnock's Marsh and Mackadown Lane were converted to footbridges (with space for 4 tracks too)

Incidentally, the latter is very good for watching planes from.

Andy

 

Wagon wise, a couple still sat in sutton park next to the old post office, one in longport and one in cockshute sidings that have been there for a long long time

 

These were left there after two ballast trains collided near the Chester Rd bridge in either 1998 or 1999 (I think). One ended up inside the other.

Two wagons went down the bank too and I'm not sure if they are still there in the undergrowth about 200yds Walsall side of the bridge.

Andy

Recently she has also become very interested in my  extensive and expensive collection of rifles, and has asked me to teach her to shoot.

 

Yesterday she asked if I fancied taking up base jumping?

If, just before you jump, she shouts

PULL!

 be afraid, be very afraid

Andy

I've been quite lucky really as Mrs Sm42 has tolerated me buying some new trains with the proviso that I build a layout for them.

Only snag is she hasn't indicated where in the house this layout can live.

I suspect the lounge will not be a good idea.

Andy

Many moons ago when I converted some Airfix 21t hoppers into Topes, I used florist's wire for the vacuum pipe along the frame.

I found it easier to mould to shape as it is quite soft. I used the (paper?) covered version as it was  thicker and something about the paper outer layer made it look right to me. It also takes paint  better than bare metal too. 

Andy

It might be close but she has left out all the exceptions, caveats and small print that exist to eat into valuable modelling time.

All you can do is own up and hope for the best. (perhaps not on the first few dates though)

If she walks away, she probably  wasn't worth it anyway.

Andy

Best bet with this is a Parkside underframe kit as CloggyDog said. PA09 or PA36 should suffice I think. May need to check the axleboxes though. (Can't remember the type in the kit off the top of my head. )

At a couple of quid a pop they are always useful to have in stock. Which reminds me.

Andy

There are some  aerial images in the RMweb archive apparently  I hope the link works

http://rmweb.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?f=7&t=786&start=25

Andy

Edit: It does

Roundhouse mentioned services to Harrachov a litlle earlier.

Back in 2012 Mrs SM42 and myself made an interesting (I use the term in the tiring sense)  excursion to this town from Karpacz in Poland. The station has a cheek to call itself Harrachov as it is at least a 45 minute walk from town.

Whilst there and between beers on the 3 hour wait for a train back to Poland, I did take a couple of photos of the units in use. Here they are. I hope they are of interest.

This train is from Liberec I believe. Note the umbrella from the convenient bar

The single car train to Jelenia Gora (Poland)

The two trains face to face

Harrachov station a funny little place clinging to a hillside  and extremely modelable. Traffic  is a bit limited though being railcars as far as I could tell, but the arrival of two trains from opposite directions in quick succession was a surprise.

Andy