Michael Woolford

I've noticed on this thread that people have given very many examples of bad or stupid driving by other drivers but none of their own.

With the possibility of a load of criticism heading my way, may I point you in the direction of this topic:

 

http://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/index.php?/topic/95825-changing-car-tyres-after-a-spin/

 

A little bit of my own mishap while out on a drive. Mistake made, lessons learnt and a trip to the local garage.

 

Michael

Ok so just a couple of quick edits to start with. The first one I just had to post, Vulcan XH558 flying in formation with the Red Arrows for the final time yesterday; a moment to remember. The second shot is the Belgian F-16 solo display; a firm favourite of mine and many airshow regulars.

_DSC5042 by Michael Woolford, on Flickr

Vulcan XH558 in formation with the Red Arrows

_DSC5345 by Michael Woolford, on Flickr

Belgian F-16 solo display

 

Thanks for letting me post Simon, I will add a few more at the weekend when I get the chance. 

 

Michael

I was thinking of posting a few of my own when I get the time; some 2000 photos from yesterday to sort through! Maybe I'll start my own thread at the weekend once my reports for university are finally finished.

 

Glad you enjoyed it, was my first riat even though it's only down the road. I thoroughly enjoyed it and will definitely be going next year. Just Bournemouth left this year for me and sadly the last time I'll see the Vulcan.

 

Michael

Hi,

 

I noticed this morning that in the past week or so, Structures have been erected in the strange new yard section at the East end of Swindon Station. I say strange in that there are 3 tracks all double ended with buffers, but with absolutely no track connection with the rest of the yard or main line.

 

I assume that it's a training centre of something, either I.E.P or Electrification, as there's a large building that looks a lot like a classroom. Any ideas from anyone?

 

Simon

Simon,

 

The area you describe has become aan electrification training school; this explains the unconnected lines. Things are still being worked on and work has been ongoing in that area for some months now. I've had a good view of what's been going on as the office overlooks the entire area. I will try and get some photos from the office with a decent sized lens and may even venture out towards the main road and underbridge. Hope this helps.

 

Michael

I don't normally edit my photos to add effects, but this one I think, looks quite nice.

 

Having seen a recent video on Liverpool Lime Street I am particularly interested in the way that you are using CCTV to view hidden storage areas and approach roads; can you provide some more detail as to the equipment that you have installed, and the degree to which this is either off the shelf or bespoke to the layout?

The below reply from Steve on a similar question asked previously may be of some interest. Should hopefully save Steve from writing out another lengthy reply!

 

Michael

 

 

Michael,

 

Thanks very much for your questions.

I hope I can answer them fully (and accurately).

I'll post a separate answer to each, so if they start off a dialogue, they can be followed more easily.

 

First the CCTV:

 

This is very much one of Geoff Peters' bits of magic.

The original cameras were sourced from CPC, but they are no longer available.

Recent ones have been found from China via the internet.

I'm not sure of the specification, but getting the right field of view (focal length) is important.

 

The monitors are also from CPC, and other suppliers like RS, Farnells, etc. have them.

 

The bit in the middle - The Video Switch - is all Geoffs own design and construction.

Its the thing that lets different camera views be presented to each monitor, and is what makes the operation of the layout possible.

It is triggered by button selection on the consoles and also by the Router and the progress of a train along its route.

This means an operator who sets a route is presented with an appropriate view automatically.

e.g A Station operator might set a route "Down Fast to Platform 3".

Besides the Router setting the route, clearing the signals etc. it triggers the Video Switch to show the operator a view of the Sector Plate, where he can watch his train being prepared.

As he drives the train down the Cutting, an infra-red sensor tells the Router where it has got to.

The Router then resets the Gantry signals, and triggers the Video Switch to show the train crossing the station throat and travelling into its platform.

As it approaches the end of the platform the operator then selects for himself a view which will allow him to see the uncoupling point where he will stop the train. He does this by pressing one of eight selection buttons adjacent to his monitor.

 

Point Motors and the Control Panels to follow.

 

Steve.

More train than landscape in this one, but a sense of speed to make up for it. (300mm effective 450mm at 1/30th second)

 

I'd also like to add that even if intended as such, the way that it comes across is more of a statement that an opinion, hence the upset caused.

 

Michael

Are you suggesting that Nigel isn't a respected forum member and therefore not entitled to express an opinion (shared by others) with which an NR employee disagrees?

Do you really think Andy of all people would suggest such a thing? He was clearly making a point and a fair one at that. If the comment had not been made in such a manner then there would have been no issue but it is clearly personal to Simon and myself likewise, both being NR employees.

 

Michael

It appears that work is now progressing into Swindon more and more. Recent bridge closures taking place this year with one of the main bridges in Swindon now closed to traffic. There is/has been a new footbridge built just off of Shrivenham Road and various new signal posts appearing in the area.

 

The one thing I did notice more than anything (not that you can miss it), is the first 'big' item to be installed. A new signal gantry under construction, spanning platforms 3 and 4 to replace the current gantry. A little more than a bigger brother.

The hotel and those new arches look very good indeed. Moving along nicely since I saw it at Manchester back in September. I particularly liked the onboard video.

 

Have there been changes made to the fiddle yard panel as I hadn't noticed the silver box to the left of the video monitor.

 

Michael

Once again you've outdone yourself Ron, absolutely fantastic modelling and some of the best out there. Can't wait for more.

 

Michael

That's bloody fantastic Les, I can only imagine how good it will look when the rest is built!

 

Michael

Never had any etching done myself but the turnaround seems very quick, especially with the delivery to Spain. How do build times compare?

 

Michael

Had a great time today, I must of spent most of my time hovering around the layout!

 

It was nice to meet Steve for a second time and thanks for giving me the "back-stage tour" and answering my questions. Was nice to meet Les too and discuss the hotel developments.

 

Many thanks to John for answering my many questions, a great character and someone I could have spent hours talking to!

 

Now that I've finally seen the layout in the flesh, I'm still trying to take everything in. The detail and skill involved is incredible. Seeing Lime Street today has been a privilege and has firmly cemented it as my favourite layout.

 

Steve, I still can't believe how many pages there are in the wiring manual, just for that one board!

 

Looking forward to seeing the hotel develop over the next year or so and eventually seeing the trackwork finished. Terrific stuff.

 

Michael

I'll be in Manchester on Saturday (tomorrow) and it'll be nice to finally be able to see the layout. Can't wait.

 

I'm taking my camera too so I might put some photos up on Sunday or next week.

 

I may also bring along the drawing of the hotel that I posted a few pages back, just incase Les wants to have a look. Be nice to meet Steve again too and see some more of his work.

 

Really looking forward to this, just not the 05:30 wake up call and 3 hour drive there, not to mention the drive home!

 

See you there,

 

Michael

Michael

 

Sounds very complicated, what are you soldering the Vees on to. The double Vee at each end are difficult to build, easier in copperclad but its a bit like a 3 way which has a curviform Vee to start with, which allows stock to smoothly run from one Vee to another without sharp lurches. This is the advanced fun of track building. Will look out for your post

John,

 

The vees are soldered onto some brass strip. The current assembly can be seen in the photo; the brass strip should be visible.

As you can see, the two wing rails of the inner vee are yet to be added.

 

Michael

I wonder how Michael is getting on with building his outside slip, whilst a have built a couple in copperclad. I do fancy having a go at building one fully chaired with Exactoscale special chairs, They look stunning in copperclad, fully detailed chaired should look terrific

John,

 

I have finally managed to assemble the two crossings on one side. This took three attempts and four or five vees were sacrificed in the process.

 

The reason I had so much trouble was because it was impossible to create a clean joint to the brass strip underneath the crossing with the straight rail of the inner vee attached to the other leg, this is also the wing rail for the outer crossing.

 

The solution was to file both legs of the inner vee and solder the first leg (also the wing rail) to the outer vee, forming the outer crossing. Once this was in position, the straight leg of the inner vee could be soldered to the other leg, forming the inner crossing, leaving just the two wing rails of the inner crossing to attach.

 

I have laid the stock rail on the non-slip road side and once I have added the two wing rails to the current assembly, I can fix this in position before I move on to the other assembly.

 

Michael

Steve,

 

Any updates on the installation of the new ground signals or John's progress with the trackwork? I understand you've all probably been very busy but I was informed that the ballasting was due to take place very soon. I think I recall Michael mentioning it when I spoke to him at Bracknell.

 

Michael

Well done on the trophy, I was speaking to Michael Delamar at the end of the show when he told me that is was going to Diesels in the Duchy. No suprise really, it was my first time seeing it in the flesh and I have to say, I was very impressed. Also, many thanks to Damian and Geoff for taking the time to answer my questions and the conversation that ensued. Damian was kind enough to let me take some photographs and I will share them here. They were taken on my phone so excuse the quality (they are better if you open them up).

 

Michael

I have also found this:

 

 

See here for details - http://www.yoliverpool.com/forum/showthread.php?6144-Lime-Street-Station-turntable

 

Michael

I came across a diagram of Lime Street Station earlier and thought it was worth sharing on here. It was published in a book titled 'Modern Railway Working' which was released in 1912. Looking at the plan, the one thing that I noticed are the additional catch/trap points compared to just the single trap that appears on the model. Perhaps someone could confirm whether they are included in the 1945-47 layout plan and have been omited from the model or were simply not there later on. All in all a very interesting piece of information to come by.

 

 

I should add that I have taken this image from the following website, which does not credit the image to anyone or the author. In which case I assume the image to be copyright free. http://locodriver.co.uk/Railway_Encyclopedia/Part219/Part03/index.html If you click on the image, it opens up to quite a large version.

 

Michael

Since I am basing my new layout on Birkenhead Woodside, I think this the best place to ask any questions. I will start off by asking about the size of the platforms, both length and width. Since I have already started drawing the plan in Templot, the size of the platforms are quite crucial at this stage. 

 

These images show platform 1 and 2 (stunning atmospheric shots too):

https://www.flickr.com/photos/96859208@N07/10314108086/in/photolist-4RZMfA-9fMfxE-4MpyWs-4Mpz8Y-6w48Pq-4P9y4t-f5mPL7-atHiLb-dUYV1Q-cbd3Fq-f57xZ6-cwYj7u-8z1d65-a9J7B7-4RZM8o-7f3xfz-djjP2h-794mTn-kQseLt-9yKWZk-akMiQd-bHB4CD-5ZrM9P-ah2Wu4-8q6yUh-aag8Gd-8w78rv-gwd29z-k3579L-gkFbdE-gHrbsa-dqXaCy-f5mP7E-bS1DhK-7DNhom-5Y1pHQ-gHquuY-kZLGGU-hWfo79-gtB39H-gHquZL-94tBTK-6HDUhR-eVQQbV-busLG1-9z5cCF-fghK8q-f5mMvs-gwdKtx-dxt94T/

https://www.flickr.com/photos/96859208@N07/10314106416/in/photolist-4RZMfA-9fMfxE-4MpyWs-4Mpz8Y-6w48Pq-4P9y4t-f5mPL7-atHiLb-dUYV1Q-cbd3Fq-f57xZ6-cwYj7u-8z1d65-a9J7B7-4RZM8o-7f3xfz-djjP2h-794mTn-kQseLt-9yKWZk-akMiQd-bHB4CD-5ZrM9P-ah2Wu4-8q6yUh-aag8Gd-8w78rv-gwd29z-k3579L-gkFbdE-gHrbsa-dqXaCy-f5mP7E-bS1DhK-7DNhom-5Y1pHQ-gHquuY-kZLGGU-hWfo79-gtB39H-gHquZL-94tBTK-6HDUhR-eVQQbV-busLG1-9z5cCF-fghK8q-f5mMvs-gwdKtx-dxt94T/

https://www.flickr.com/photos/96859208@N07/10314240813/in/photolist-4RZMfA-9fMfxE-4MpyWs-4Mpz8Y-6w48Pq-4P9y4t-f5mPL7-atHiLb-dUYV1Q-cbd3Fq-f57xZ6-cwYj7u-8z1d65-a9J7B7-4RZM8o-7f3xfz-djjP2h-794mTn-kQseLt-9yKWZk-akMiQd-bHB4CD-5ZrM9P-ah2Wu4-8q6yUh-aag8Gd-8w78rv-gwd29z-k3579L-gkFbdE-gHrbsa-dqXaCy-f5mP7E-bS1DhK-7DNhom-5Y1pHQ-gHquuY-kZLGGU-hWfo79-gtB39H-gHquZL-94tBTK-6HDUhR-eVQQbV-busLG1-9z5cCF-fghK8q-f5mMvs-gwdKtx-dxt94T

Platform 1 and 2 dimensions are what I require the most at the moment as it is where I am with my plan; and just for anyone interested, some of my work so far which still needs tweaking (notice the extra platform).

 

Michael

Sorry to nit pick,but wasn't it the San Marino Grand Prix at Imola where Senna died (not the Italian,even though Imola is in Italy!)?

I stand corrected, San Marino is a sovereign state within Italy.

 

Michael