LNER4479

Hi Tom, Yes - got access to both those pictures. Thanks for looking. Now then - 'bout time for a more layout-based update... Following the Grantham show post-mortem, it was decided to undertake some 'mods' to the arrival / exit roads of the North end fiddle yard. This is what the original formation looked like - all roads converging into one single exit point at the left hand end (the line running off the double slip is just a dead end for stabling locos). Not only was this restrictive, it was also a bit of a tortuous exit for trains from the right hand side of the 3-way point. Up it comes! Notably the 3-way point has been dispensed with The replacement formation. This has seen a second exit line installed (arrowed), accessed from roads 6,7 & 8, the shorter roads where the local passenger sets are stabled. This now allows this sort of thing to happen - simultaneous arrivals and departures. Some alterations to the switching allows such trains to be driven in an out by the mainline operator, if the fiddle yard operator so chooses. So, this weekend, we had an extended chance to try it all out as we had a running session. Here, Jonathan's stand-in Coronation set heads north, headed by my newly-acquired A4 - due to be renumbered/named 4467 'Wild Swan'. There's been a modest amount of development behind the train. the combined backscene/roadway structure is now in place, linking to the Great North Road bridge, behind which will be a straight backscene to disguise the rather sharp curve road from the fiddle yard behind. As mocked up like this there's a reasonably convincing impression of the train having come into the scene straight on from underneath the bridge (which of course trains do at the real Grantham). Jonathan also brought his newly completed insulated meat containers for a trial, headed by his B16. A lovely sight. The lovely mixed parcels / horsebox rake also came along for a try out as it mis-behaved itself a little at Grantham. This combination of vehicles seemed to behave itself. Shall we have a closer look? We also came round to the moment in the sequence where we get this situation. A southbound loco change has taken place but the relieved loco (in this case, the improbable 60163 'Tornado') cannot get straight back to shed so has to wait behind a northbound train in Platform 3. As the northbound train departs, the light loco follows it up the platform before coming to a halt by the main signal whilst the signalman resets the road for it to take the left hand road towards Nottingham from where it will then access shed. With the flexibility of the control system, we've managed to find a way of making this work reasonably convincingly. Who needs DCC! Finally, we had a junior trainee depot operator (a member of the Wealleans clan) who seemed to enjoy himself and produced some nice shed line-ups. With a paucity of pacifics, we had some nice sights like this instead. Post-script: a few hours later and the layout looked like this! Two of the south end boards are off away to the Ormesby winter work room so the ground cover of the Up Goods Yard can be worked on by the scenic team. The results of these efforts should be available to see at Stafford and Nottingham.

A bit like this, you mean? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R8Bi2cYEU5s&feature=youtu.be

I reckon you're in business with that photo there, mi duck...

Note to self: stop crushing up coal with pliers...

There are 'standard' (hah!) drawings that give common civil engineering dimensions for tunnels like that. I'll see if I can dig some out. Edit: ref a few posts back: the Peco long crossing can be curved which'll save you some space or at least make curves less severe as it looks as if there's a curve involved there. Anybody coming to Warley, I'll 'show you how'.

Just skimmed through the article in latest Railway Magazine - UP now talking '5-7 years' (which probably means at least 10) so looks like 2019 has gone for a ball of chalk...

Driver had a p*ss (or worse) en route to the Junction and has just been to empty contents...

Hinged flap?

A likely story ... your secret is out as to what you've really been doing: cadging free rides on steam locos. Shameful behaviour.

Lovely set of pictures those GN. Nice to see the helicopter views every once in a while. I actually think the first shot comes quite close to what you were just talking about in terms of showing a whole train under the excursion platform canopy.

Morning Ducky, Have you checked this out from the webmeister? http://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/index.php?/topic/23129-improving-peco-code-75/ As you know, I don't bother myself having a long time ago made my mind up that life is just too short where big layouts are concerned; however I have to concede that the results shown are impressive. I just hope, after such recent meteoric progress, that the whole issue doesn't see your project 'grounded' whilst chasing an acceptable halfway house between using Peco as is and having your trackwork all handbuilt... Cock O' The North!

Er ... I think it's more like 20 years actually. The MMRS has built and exhibited (to much acclaim) Dewsbury Midland in that time. A OO layout...

Now I have to confess that's one book that is not in the project reference library. Hmm! Time for a crafty browse next time I'm near an Ian Allan bookshop...

I think you're being a bit unkind to yourself with the use of the word 'stupid' there GN! The syndrome you describe is one I (and I suspect many of us) get afflicted by on occasion - you know you have to do something but just don't feel like doing it. I might allow the odd evening or too to go by without doing it then give myself a stern talking to and just force myself to do it. I usually spur myself on by telling myself why I'm doing it and what the result will be once it's done - that usually does the trick. Even better when you know you're challenging yourself a little to go slightly outside your comfort zone. I wouldn't call it stupid! I'd call it ... er ... human! The coach looks great by the way! Does your question re curtains only applies to first class vehicles?

Correct (re the apparent lighting strips on the Oz SD70s). The lighting in there was very challenging so the reflective tape was causing disproportionate amount of light coming from that source (ie they were doing their job), making them look like lighting strips!

24th May 1847 (from an Engineering treatise on the Tay bridge disaster) (edit - ooh, I see Andy beat me to it by a nano-second. We have a discrepancy of four days (now corrected - see #6569). Not that bad, nearly 170 years on!) (edit 2 - Rolt's 'Red for Danger' also quotes the date as 24th May 1847)

This is what I do. First of all, knock in a series of pins along the centre-line of the formation. There's then some maths involved(!) to adjust the position of the pins until they follow a smooth alignment. Then it's easy! You just lay the track to a consistent offset either side. A really useful aspect of this is that you can rip it up and relay it as many times as you like and never lose the alignment. Just in case you get Larry-esque urges... Stand by for PM.

Y'know, I had Oz in the back of my mind - I seem to recall someone saying they were locos for Australia.

That looks to have real potential to me. You seem to be allowing yourself plenty of space there either side of the mainline. Keep the refuge siding tatty - it'll be a nice contrast to the smooth sweeps of those reverse curves.

On the same theme, some privileged pictures from the London, Ontario plant, taken in 2007 (think I'm OK posting them in 2015!) no idea what #4318 was / is but it was flippin' big!

That model of the city is simply AMAZING! Thanks for posting. I know where I'm heading if I ever get sent to Shanghai...

...but a bloomin' stupid branding. ('The train at platform 8 is the 0720 One service to Clacton'...)

Went across the pond to see for myself last year. Yup - you guys definitely run big trains. And they don't hang about, either.

RSSB's Railway Group Standards website is your friend: http://www.rssb.co.uk/rgs/standards/GMRT2141%20Iss%203.pdf If you feel so moved, page 12 contains a virtually unfathomable diagram as to how real rail vehicles are assessed for 'derailment resistance'. The other relevant term is 'wheel unloading' which is railway euphemism for 'it's fallen off'. And the technical term for a 'warp' is 'track twist' (sorry!) The EU Rolling Stock TSIs probably have some equivalent methodology.

Liking the busy look of freight trains in the loops Pedant mode 'on' It's 'Gowhole' - not 'Gowholes' (ie no 's'). A curious name all round, its origin lost in the 19th century history of the railway that gave it its name. In its heyday it was actually the Midland Railway district operating centre! (useless factoid of the day) (edit - and while we're at it, that unrebuilt 'Scot' is actually a 'Patriot'!) Pedant mode 'off'!