Moggs Eye

I've been getting some wagons ready for the Shenfield exhibition this Saturday. These will be part of what the operating sequence refers to as 'the short rake'. That's the joy of modelling MoD trains, they ran some very short rakes indeed. For the actual exhibition this rake will come in with a couple of TTAs which are then detached and tripped to a different part of my fictional universe. The Warwell is from Hattons, the Scimitar is from Kingfisher Models. The eagle-eyed amongst you will notice the 'Chinese Eye' painted on the turret. This shows the vehicle is from the 1st Royal Tank Regiment. How it ended up on its own on a Warwell in Cottleston is not important. It will have tie down straps by Saturday, honest. If you're going to be at Shenfield, come and say hello. I don't think we've been that far South yet. The details are here if you're interested; http://offtherails.x10.mx/memrc/exhib.html#top Cheers, Ben.

All the visible rodding runs are now complete, for the points, gates and wicket gates. Cable runs for the signal wires are next and then I think I can start ballasting. I'm not sure about the modelling of signal wires, happily this layout won't need many, but I am going to model a detector beside the points fitted with the economical facing point lock. As there is no track circuiting here the detector is a means of proving the points are fully swung and locked before the signal will clear. I've also started on the final testing of the signal servos before the signals are installed. First, another cricket match... Cheers, Ben.

Thanks for that, Paul. I'll be putting a shunting disc in on the West side of the crossing, I'm just not sure whether or not to make it a working model. I had though to have a Stop board there to follow the minimalist signalling theme I'd set up for the layout (there is no disc to cover moves from the main line into the sidings) and thereby giving the shunter/crossing keeper some hand/flag signalling duties (though I'm not sure how to model that either!) I was aware of the hand operation of the slip points, but thanks for pointing it out - you never know where to pitch the levels of your answers on forums like this. The rodding is in, mostly, for the crossover - I just have to finish off the runs to the B end of the crossover, then the level crossing locks. Then I'll be almost ready for ballasting! Cheers, Ben.

More progress being made, while avoiding the electrics. Here is the Station Road level crossing looking towards New Holland and Grimsby with the level crossing gates positioned to test clearances. It is planned to have the gates moveable, but not motorised as with all the shunting movements over them there won't be much opportunity for road users and not much point in that level of fiddling and fettling. Beyond them the main line curves off to the right with the switch panel awaiting positioning into a building. To the left is the cricket pavilion, the portacabin houses the changing rooms with the other facilities in the adjacent scratch built building shown in an earlier post. Beyond that is the Gazelle helicopter. Use of the single slip for the exchange sidings exit means that only the left hand siding has any access to the main line, which is why is has the shunting signal beside it. To exit either of the sidings towards the camera will need the level crossing gates closing across the road, but to keep the signalling simple I was planning on just Stop and Await Instructions boards to control those movements over the crossing. Instead, I was wondering about moving the shunting signal to a point just clear of the slip intending for it to control movements over the level crossing from either siding. I'm sure I've seen signalling diagrams with one shunting signal controlling exits from more than one siding. The concept in most rule books about 'Drivers, Shunters and Signallers coming to a clear understanding about shunting movements before they are carried out' should cover the potential route indication from the sidings. Moving the signal also makes it possible to move the Gazelle a little closer to the cricket pavilion. Ultimately modelling licence will allow me to put the signals where I like, but if there are any prototype examples out there that will help me at exhibitions when I confronted by the inevitable 'expert' telling me what I've done wrong with the signals. Cheers, Ben.

They have a very well stocked shop with enough model railway items, scenic and electrical, to keep you browsing for a lengthy period if you are able to get across to Lincoln. The shop is very accessible by car and has lots of parking. I have no connection with the Digitrains team either, except as a very satisfied customer.

A view of the whole length of the platform. It will take a two car unit, but the Barton end fiddle yard won't - I always like to have a platform that is longer than the passenger trains I intend to run, in my eyes it makes the layout look longer. Many weeds need adding to the disused sections of the platforms, once I have added the fences and lamps. I've found a packet of Shawplan railing posts so I'm going to model the remains of the original Manchester, Sheffield and Lincolnshire Railway railings behind the modern platform fencing. The big, crudely cut, rectangular hole is where the Up Main Home will sit when I've finished painting and weathering it.

Work in progress on Holland Beck's platform where it crosses the beck itself. Through careful planning and not through any kind of fluke or sheer good luck, the gap between the two sections of platform over the beck is exactly the same size as a spare grill from a Hornby Class 60 I found in a spares box. I really should be cracking on with the fiddley electrics around the signals and level crossing, but pottering about with the platform is very cathartic. The layout's first exhibition outing will be to the Lincoln Modern Image Show in October 2019. No pressure.

I noticed a guy taking some video footage of the layout yesterday - mainly because the mere production of his video camera wasn't enough to make all the stock on the front of the layout immediately derail. Here's the link to the Cottleston footage he uploaded onto Youtube. I hope he doesn't mind me sharing it here. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dVdK2xIY2ZY Cheers, Ben.

On a weekend of world cup play offs, Wimbledon finals and soaring temperatures Team Cottleston ventured down south to the Robert Barclay Academy in Hoddesdon, near Ware, for an exhibition to raise money for the school. We were set up in the school's refractory (dining hall when I went to school) where we were happily close to the refreshments (supplied by pupils and parents) and where we could get a pleasant draught between two sets of wide open doors. For all the high temperatures the layout performed very well, though the longer cassettes were very arched by close of play, and it was pleasant getting to grips with the new operating methods to accommodate the Sheffield extension and revised operating sequence. Both were successful and even during lunch when I was operating on my own the layout was always active. The camera worked better this time! Here's a view across the level crossing showing how parts of the down platform have been cut away to accommodate the camera and lighting masts for the CCTV crossing system. The lady on the Land Rover is still waiting for her lift. Looking down Crow Lane. A 153 is just visible sitting on its cassette. I'm thinking of dispensing with the cassette system at this end and just loading the DMUs/Light Engines that use it directly onto fixed track which will be more attractive than having the cassette sitting there. More 153s in platform 1, awaiting paths back to Nottingham. The new operating sequence has a Central Trains Nottingham to Cottleston service, usually a 153, which uses platform 1 to connect with the Northern Sheffield to Acrewood trains using platform 2. Two car Central Trains units, I have a 156, 158 and 170 as well as the 150 seen here, run services from Nottingham and beyond, sometimes even Skegness, to Acrewood. A service from Sheffield running into platform 2. Finally, to show that I don't just run DMUs, here are two military shunters pausing in between tasks while a 60 takes a break in the Loco Siding. The next outing for Cottleston will be in September, back down south to Shenfield. It seems like ages away now, but I'm sure it will fly by!

The sections between Sleaford and Heckington, Hubberts Bridge and Boston and then Boston to Sibsey were singled on the Skegness line. The resulting mix of single and double track, particularly the restrictive passing loop at Boston is a nightmare for timetable planning.

Sadly my life is consumed by cricket at the moment, otherwise I would have a trundle down there to try the cake/gateaux. I hope it goes well.

Hi Steve, Thanks for the information. You've just triggered the purchase of another 153 for my collection! I already have a Devon and Cornwall liveried example based on having seen one at Skegness in Central service. I was planning on running Central/EMT liveried units on the layout, based on the Lincoln- New Holland Pier service that once ran. I'm sure the people of Lincoln would appreciate a good quality connection with the buses to Hull running from Barton. Cheers, Ben.

Progress on Holland Beck has been sporadic of late as most of time was taken up alterations to Cottleston ready for it's 2018 exhibitions. Without anywhere to set up the boards at the moment efforts have centred around the layout's buildings - the cottages on Carnival Lane and the Black Cat pub. Having something of a cricket commitment in the family pressure has been exerted for me to provide facilities for the Holland Beck and Barrow Cricket Club. I was recently presented with a Metcalfe P0410 Wooden Cricket Pavilion, which is a lovely little kit, but not quite what I was looking for. Having some time to waste of Father's Day today, I've taken some Evergreen 'clapboard' styrene and some left over Peco windows and used the Metcalfe kit as a template for this - Part of the Metacalfe kit is shown alongside. I'm going to use the laser cut bits from the kit to make the verandah on my model. As there isn't much room for two teams to get changed inside, never mind have their teas, I'm going to add a Knightwing portacabin at the back as an impromptu extension while the groundsman's equipment is to be stored in a spare ISO container close by. Inspired by a surprise landing by the Lincolnshire Ambucopter on the Skegness Cricket Club's outfield last summer (it was the closest they could get to their emergency response) I was pressured into replicating this unusual event on the layout. Instead of an ambucopter I have an Army Air Corps Gazelle which has made an unscheduled landing on the pitch - it would have been a Lynx, but the kits are difficult to find at the moment. Having seen the recent news, and pictures https://c1.staticflickr.com/7/6117/6232228466_4790b9bdee_b.jpg of Transpennine Class 185s operating services on the Barton branch I may have to extend the fiddle yards. Is there likely to be a model of one any time soon? Have fun. Ben.

Hi, I'd love to help, but I am not the builder. I suspect a magazine article will be forthcoming, I'll post details when it comes around. Cheers, Ben.

There were, but I cocked up the camera and none were useable!

Cottleston's excursion to the Sleaford exhibition last Saturday went very well, it was a good, friendly club show, aside from the torrential downpour we endured whilst unloading the Land Rover. I was a little on edge as it was the first outing and test for the extension over the level crossing and the revised operating style to reduce propelling moves through all the single slips. Happily aside from one very minor points fault early in the day the layout performed very well and the only problems were caused by operators rather than infrastructure. We were curious as to which of us would be the first to run a train into the level crossing gates and I can report it was me, driving 153333 on a Central Trains service. I have had a long, frank discussion with myself and hopefully it won't happen again. The other disaster was that I forgot the box with all the road vehicles in it, leaving Cottleston's streets looking a little barren. I still made the other operators open and close the level crossing gates as appropriate though - because I could! With a little finessing of the sequence to do, and couple of minor jobs to do around baseboard joints and tidying, I'm looking forward to a trip to Ware in July for a fundraising show for the Robert Barclay Academy in the town. The details are here - http://ukmodelshops.co.uk/events/17034-RobertBarclayAcademyExhibition - looks like a good mix of layouts, hopefully I'll see you there. Cheers, Ben.

]I was in the process of setting up Cottleston for the Sleaford show on Saturday when in walks Howard with Firsby's main building on a board - really impressive modelling. He'd been working on it at the Ely the previous weekend and had some favourable comments about his work and the concept of modelling the station as though it had never closed. I managed to take some pictures, though the phone camera flash as made it look like the exhibition hall was in complete darkness! These are the platform side: The road side: And the inside of the booking hall which is now a coffee/cake/book shop. The kitchen he's created is really impressive.

I have finally got the electrics done for the Cottleston 'extension' - not that there was a lot of it; connections between the baseboards and wiring for the signal and signalbox lights, but it's done. 50033 was the first locomotive onto the new section, as it was close by, closely followed by 153324 on the first passenger service. I can get the ballasting done and finish the scenery now.

With time running out before the next exhibition, and with the weather delayed cricket season eating into my spare time, here has been some progress made with Cottleston's rebuilt Crow Lane level crossing. In terms of the layouts position in the Nottinghamshire geography, it has been turned through 180 degrees so North is now to the right of the layout and trains to Sheffield will depart over the level crossing. Nottingham is to the South along the main line while Acrewood is off to the South West along the branch. The whole project is to reduce the number of troublesome propelling moves of freight trains through the main crossovers. Crow Lane signal box is now a modified Triang product to represent a Midland Region box from BR days. When the line was reduced to single track it was downgraded to a crossing box and now the crossing keepers' time there is numbered at the barriers have been installed ready for control of the level crossing to transfer, through CCTV, to Moggs Eye box. For now the gates coexist uneasily with the barriers. The new fiddle yard at the Sheffield end is only long enough for a light engine or Class153 and I'm working on how the scenic break will be managed - trying to avoid the units disappearing through a hole in the sky beside the level crossing. Cheers, Ben.

Presumably those who claim never to see a police officer anymore spend all their time watching for one to go by. Many of them tend to moan about the lack of police action in a particular area that irritates them, but complain when the police take about something which irritates others. For example - why don't they ever do anything about people speeding past my house before complaining when they are caught speeding past somebody else's. There are other examples that may not anger the motoring community so much, but I use that one to make a point. There are lazy, incompetent, arrogant and useless cops in the same way there are useless, incompetent, arrogant and useless airline pilots, beauticians, chiropodists, doctors, builders, pole dancers, lion tamers, astronauts, sailors, butchers, bakers and candlestick makers, but they are not all like that. The UK police, which manages to deal with all kinds of problems and issues that society generates, is but a reflection of the UK population and does all that with considerable good humour and restraint. Many overseas law enforcement agents marvel at the threats and individual distress the British cop manages with negotiation, humour, tact and restraint. There are problems in UK policing, few would attempt to deny that, but most cops are doing their very best to overcome them and provide the best service they can despite of them. No doubt many folk will read this and come back at me with their own tales of the last time they, their family members, friends, social media acquaintances or people they heard of had a negative experience of the police and I regret each and every one of those encounters. The cop you won't have come into contact with will be one who is supporting, comforting, maybe crying with the victim of a brutal rape, the police officer keeping open the mangled airway of a trapped, dying motorist, talking with him, holding his hand so he isn't dying alone while the paramedics and firefighters try to cut him out, or the response cop who knows they are one of three night duty officers who will have to face hundreds of drunken revellers in a summer seaside town later on when they won't have any time for food, a drink or a moment to breathe. Out.

That is a cracking book, it has provided lots of useful inspiration for me during this project.

Hi, Thanks for the offer, I'd be really interested to see any information on Firsby, particularly the Up Side buildings and signalbox. Cheers, Ben.

Railworld has them at Peterborough.

Hi, jrg1 - interesting point about the proposed link from Horncastle to Spilsby. I think it would have made the Lincoln to Skegness route more viable out of season, but the anti-railway feeling at the time would probably have seen it off anyway. It would have been a pleasant journey across the Wolds though. I'll talk to my builder about his construction techniques. His work has appeared in the modelling press before for the Spalding Model Railway Club's Gosberton layout, for Billingborough and of course Lincoln Central. I did try the NRM and GNR Society when I was researching the station, both drew blanks when it came to plans of Firsby. The plans were drawn up using brick counting, comparisons etc, but certainly captures the feeling of the building. The attitude of the guy at Tattershall seems a little odd - I thought he'd be proud of his distinctive building and happy to share it, but it takes all sorts. Cheers, Ben.

Thanks for the comments, Rob, but as part of the plans to improve the layout's running the level crossing is to be brought back into use. Here's the start of the work. Crow Lane has been closed so the track can be renewed. The plan is to keep the gates, but to add CCTV controlled barriers to suggest that the crossing modernisation is about to be commissioned. The platform ramp opposite has been cut away ready for the CCTV camera mast. There will be a platform mounted colour light signal on the stripped back and closed section of the platform. The signal box, a dusty Triang product I was given, is being detailed to add another architectural era to the layout. I have cut a new window into the rear of the signal box so the signaller can check for traffic before winding the gate wheel. The crude interior detail has been cut away and a new operating floor added. I'm planning a GNR pattern Railway Signalling Company gate wheel and much shortened lever frame to represent the box's previous reduction from a block post to gate box. Next exhibition in June - no pressure!