john new

Since the post above I have not had much time for test running or work on this layout; however, have done some general modelling work on other projects (for example see on Wright Writes). Test running on this has identified the oldest point on the layout (an old PECO Y) has become problematic.  Diesels seem to go through it OK but the longer wheelbase steam locos shift the point when set to the right hand divergence to slightly open. The outcome the front flange pushes it across enough for it go through swinging left or it just derails! The problem I am pretty sure is the point motor and associated surface mount motor rodding being a smidgeon out.

A bit of ballasting has also been done. A trial of chinchilla dust plus a bit of budgie grit and chinchilla dust alone. Prefer the latter. Lots still to do but scenery on hold until the track is sorted.

Final updates - the Hornby Rowntrees livery Ruston loco has finally arrived - three years since I pre-ordered it! The truck and bucket excavator were picked up at a garden centre and don't seem that far off 4mm. 

5 hours ago, roythebus1 said:

Think yourselves lucky you're not in the bus industry, £500,000 worth of battery buses all unusable because of defects.

Or destroyed by fires.

16 hours ago, Pacific231G said:

There have been other Borchesters including an RM railway of the month based on plan 24L in "Plans for Larger Layouts" . I think Frank Dyer (Borchester Town and Market) always wrote for MRC and one has to remember that, in those days before the internet, if you subscribed to one magazine you could be in complete ignorance of very well known layouts offered in the others so modellers coming up with the same name  might be doing so entirely independently. I knew nothing about Frank Dyer's work until comparatively recently. 

 

I can remember being very frustrated that Mike Bryant included a lot of photos of his 4ft x 2ft layout in his "Modelling in TT-3" book but no plan to tell me how he's done it. My father and I took Railway Modeller and I had absolutely no idea that a complete step by step series of articles by him on building the "pint pot" layout had been published in MRC in January-June 1958. Had I seen those I might well have made far more progress in TT-3 than I ever did.  

It is also a major name in a long-running radio serial (The Archers). 

21 minutes ago, 379 said:

 

Hello John

 

Further to my last post I've just checked the Dec 1977 issue of the MRC Model Road Vehicles supplement and it has a review of the Highway Models Foden R type kit, including a picture of the lorry the kit was based on (see attached).

 

Graham 

 

Thank you. Excellent search work, much appreciated.  Sadly the missing parts include the glazing mentioned and those protective side bars. Now to track down more images of the prototype and then fabricate some of those extras.. 

29 minutes ago, 009 micro modeller said:

That’s what I found when I went there a few years ago (and also that the journey fare at that time to Whitby was disproportionately more expensive than Pickering to Grosmont - perhaps understandable though given the costs associated with running on NR to Whitby).

 

Do they (or their subsidiary) own Snowdon Mountain Railway these days?

 

I generally agree with that. I think a lot of lines may have lost sight of this in a way. If there are other things to do along the way, or on return to the main site (museums, miniature railways adjacent to the big one, walking routes accessible by train, play areas for children and so on) then people probably will stay on site for 4 to 5 hours (as they already do at other museums and tourist attractions), but it works a lot better (especially for families) because the day is broken up into different activities rather than essentially being on the train for the whole time.

 

That said, I thought two of the reasons to extend to Whitby were to give the NYMR better access to the Whitby tourist market, and to provide a way for people from the area around York to get to Whitby more easily, thus also tapping into that market (which would also explain the very busy and very early departures from Pickering on some days). Also I like a trip on the Moors partly due to the scenery, which I think works in its favour (I suspect I’m not the only one, and the similarly long and scenic Welsh Highland also benefits from this).

The Whitby service can be almost regarded as the town’s second Park & Ride service. From the south it is far easier to park in Pickering and take the train over the moors and back. Given how busy Whitby’s car parking gets that is one reason why people go through on it for their day at the seaside.

6 hours ago, john new said:

A question about a white metal kit. At last week's Missenden weekend I picked up a couple of boxes of assorted white-metal parts to practice soldering on - the bonus finding in amongst them a mostly complete part finished truck kit (2/3rds roughly). I have progressed it, including fabricating a few bits to replace the missing front axle and adding a radiator protection bar. My white-metal soldering fear now overcome, with a truck model in due course as the bonus. Plenty of extras still to make and fit. My query though - what is it?

 

At first I simply assumed (always a mistake!) it was the common model of the AEC Monarch (Springside?) but the current version of that is IIRC plastic as is the ex-Airfix AEC Matador. I found a (the) radiator loose in the box and from the location pimples I think it is the right one: that isn't an AEC rad' though and it is just readable on the casting as Foden. I don't recall a Foden kit, nor does Google find one. From looking at photos the prototype might be a Foden R. Has anyone any ideas as to what it is (prototype) and for my curiosity what kit it began as?

This image found via a Goole search  is what made me think it is a model of the Foden R type. Managed to find it again. This one also seems similar.https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/1265287

13 minutes ago, adb968008 said:

If your taking the train to Goathland, you dont need a car park at Goathland, unless of course the train was a motorail.

In the past we have often parked at Goathland station to get the first train. It is a worthwhile option but only ever has, presumably now it is had, limited spacing so you needed to be on the first train.

2 minutes ago, Flanged Wheel said:

Good evening John,

 

According to the Gaugemaster website, Springside produce white metal kits of Foden lorries. Judging from the picture on the website, your model is clearly not the long wheel base open lorry but it may be the long wheel base flat bed lorry. Unfortunately, the listing for that version of the kit doesn’t have a picture so the hypothesis can’t be confirmed. Neither of the kits listed make reference to a Foden R so it might be a red herring but it was the only manufacturer that I could find. I’m afraid that I’m paddling in waters that are likely to prove too deep for me so I will be interested to find out what the real answer is…

Thanks @Flanged Wheel. Most of the kit images I have found are for lorries that are 8-wheelers or have twin rear axles. This one has single axles but twin rear wheels/tyres. I am hoping when I get to York over the show weekend I find someone will have one. My suspicion is that there should be a horizontal bar across the front windows as many in that era had a top bit that opened outwards for ventilation but I don't want to fit that and find that type didn't. 

A question about a white metal kit. At last week's Missenden weekend I picked up a couple of boxes of assorted white-metal parts to practice soldering on - the bonus finding in amongst them a mostly complete part finished truck kit (2/3rds roughly). I have progressed it, including fabricating a few bits to replace the missing front axle and adding a radiator protection bar. My white-metal soldering fear now overcome, with a truck model in due course as the bonus. Plenty of extras still to make and fit. My query though - what is it?

At first I simply assumed (always a mistake!) it was the common model of the AEC Monarch (Springside?) but the current version of that is IIRC plastic as is the ex-Airfix AEC Matador. I found a (the) radiator loose in the box and from the location pimples I think it is the right one: that isn't an AEC rad' though and it is just readable on the casting as Foden. I don't recall a Foden kit, nor does Google find one. From looking at photos the prototype might be a Foden R. Has anyone any ideas as to what it is (prototype) and for my curiosity what kit it began as?

After a full day's editing the site's maintenance and updates review for 2024 has been completed all bar one still outstanding public transport matter (noted on the relevant page).

The most recent blog post made today also looks at the current situation surrounding the question of - is the hobby too expensive? Feel free to comment on that in the comments option on the website's blog section but please keep this thread here on RMWeb just for YMRS issues.

54 minutes ago, papagolfjuliet said:

 

Not really, or nothing that a passing loop wouldn't cure. The big capacity problem is on the Levisham - Pickering stretch (singled during WW1) which could theoretically be ameliorated by having one train leave Pickering just after another arrives, but that in turn would necessitate an extra carriage set and also create the problem of people turning straight round without any secondary spend on the station or in the town. Doubling the whole lot between Goathland and Levisham would entail moving Newtondale Halt, redoubling a lot of bridges which have been singled since preservation, realigning the track in places where curves have been eased meaning that you'd be back to a curvature so tight in  that during BR days the stretch was subject to a 35mph speed restriction and which would not be kind to LNER pacifics or 9Fs, losing the up loop at Goathland, and losing the sections of trackbed currently used by firefighting vehicles.

 

And apparently it to took quite a lot of money for Mr Scott et al to find that out for themselves.

When I was an active volunteer a few decades back Newtondale loop was on the cards and, at the time, the partial remains of the former signal box were still extant. It was subsequently demolished.

44 minutes ago, Boris said:

I wouldn't be surprised at all, they were within 9 feet of the surface under the running line at one point at the north end of the station

I can’t recall which book, or booklet, it is in but I have in one of them a copy of the mining map showing the gallery layout for the level mined under the station. Over it is the overlay of the surface level station. Best guess as to which source is one of the small A5 booklets on the Cleveland mines. 

5 minutes ago, Jeremy Cumberland said:

Where's this information from? The NYMR website mentions short journey returns on the Daily Train Service page: https://www.nymr.co.uk/pages/category/book-tickets

 

I find it a little curious that there is no mention of short journey singles, since I would have expected some demand for them from walkers and people travelling to/from holiday accommodation. Perhaps they don't do singles, but they certainly do short journey returns for £13.50, so your "well over £100" might be a little over £40.

 

All children travel free (there appears to be no limit to the number of children each adult can take - but there does need to be an adult "supervisor", it seems), making it quite reasonable for families.

Either (1) Maybe they have updated the policy since my family last visited as group for my wife's birthday trip last summer or (2) we were given false or more likely misleading information. That was what both my married daughters were told last year at the booking office. Not relevant for my wife and myself as we are life members. 

The Demonstrators and the most important Layouts listings both re-checked again today and are current: therefore, barring any unexpected occurrences, all four of the pages for attending stands should be final. If a late change should occur updates will be posted on our website, here and on our two social media feeds [Facebook & X (Twitter as was)].

Today's remaining updating is a general site review and update to the travel page to include the car parking, bus fare, the bus timetable etc., as per my earlier post above.

A repeated warning of a scam email, they even sent one to us this morning! Idiots. Please don't fall for it.

Email scam - An email scam is, again, circulating ostensibly offering to sell recipients an attendance list for the Show. Such a list is NOT compiled. The YMRS Directors confirm that any attendee data that we do hold is not released to 3rd parties as we comply with data protection principles. As a further point some versions of this email illegally include a copy of our registered trademark logo. Please forward any you receive to report@phishing.gov.uk

NB. This warning was originally posted following the 2023 event - it is recurring for the forthcoming 2024 event.

Pre-purchase tickets - a reminder these are on sale through Eventbrite until Good Friday, the day before the show opens. 

14 hours ago, Tony Wright said:

 

 

Clip 34.

 

I think that's it. 

 

Each following clip seems to play after the preceding one has finished, but it would mean watching all at once.

 

I hope they've proved of use.

You don’t have to watch them all at once. If you watch them on YouTube there is your personal watched history option within the YT menus for finding the last one watched. If you stop one part way through the scrubber bar at the bottom lets you restart from where you stopped or go back and rewatch a specific bit of tuition.
 

I missed them on video or DVD first time round and was glad to find them on-line.

Some odd decisions made, or at least odd from my perspective, example the no intermediate destination tickets - just a flat £45 fare valid for twelve months. For a couple that is £90 in one hit just for the fare plus ancillaries like fuel and food making it well over a £100. That is a lot when many have big mortgages and the lowish incomes  of the contemporary gig economy. Add on more on top too if they are parents. The cost discourages riding on the first trip so they don't come back. I know it has deterred other members of my family from going.

If the NYMR is like many other organisations existing volunteers are ageing and not being replaced in the same numbers before issues and management actions like the Levisham debacle lead to lost free labour. Whichever side was right or wrong the adverse press coverage won't have aided volunteer recruitment in the short term

Do the galas make a profit overall after loco hire and transport fees? Seems to be a big expense to attract photographers/videographers who don't ride, and then put their films on YouTube so prospective visitors have no need to attend either.

Sadly interesting times for the heritage movement across the board as the NYMR isn't the only railway and Society with either financial woes and/or a drop off in membership and levels of volunteering.

7 hours ago, NZRedBaron said:

Here's a thought exercise if anyone's interested; is it better to start a layout with a trackplan and build from there, or start with the history and backstory for the layout, and try and adjust a trackplan to fit?

There is a first step, or even several, before this filtering and deciding what the set-up’s physical design is aiming to be. What is its fundamental purpose, I.e., what need has it to fulfil for you? A lot of projects get abandoned/scrapped unfinished I suspect because not enough thought went into this issue of what do I want out of the project. 

1 hour ago, Tony Wright said:

 

 

Clip 9.

 

There are 34 clips; enough for now.

 

Any comments so far - brickbats as well, please.........

Have seen your videos. They may be elderly films but still excellent tutorials on the art of kit building.

6 hours ago, JeffP said:

And is your switch the correct type?

Momentary, also known as passing contact is the one you want.

If you've got the wrong type it'll damage the new motor.

If you are in any doubt regarding switches, and whether you have the right sort in the wiring for the point motor, set up a simple stud and probe alternative. Regarding the OPs simple wiring diagram it looks correct.
 

The AC input - One wire from source to the switch’s input - a wire from each output on there to the corresponding input on the motor - then from the motor’s output terminal  back to the opposite terminal on the AC source. 
 

Check one is done. You have already proved power output works OK to the point. How, it fires one way. That answers 2/3rds of the switch and wiring continuity check too. Why one half of the switch works (proven), the return from motor to AC source also works.

Check 2 - if you have the motor bar at the end it has fired to and then swap the working power feed from that end to the opposing end and it fires the problem is inside the switch or the connecting wire. if it doesn’t it is the motor solenoid. 
 

On 25/02/2024 at 13:45, john new said:

With the countdown to the show getting closer to the opening day a full review of the show website is commencing today. This includes my cross check that the exhibitors page details agree with the latest list from the Show Manager i.e., the status as at 23rd Feb.

 

Pre-paid tickets are still available from Eventbrite via the on-line link. (The Box Office closes on Good Friday) No extra charges over the pre-pid ticket rate.

 

The Travel to page is to be revised - reminder that the car park for Saturday differs from that on Sunday & Monday. Also, to forestall the question we are always asked, is the bus running? Yes, we can confirm York Pullman will be running the link bus from the station, seniors pass holders though need to note it is classed as a special and not a service bus therefore fares are payable for riders irrespective of age.

 

The other update will be to the information regarding photography and video to match that which will be in the 2024 Show Guide.

 

Photographs , Videos and Live Streaming

If you want to use a dedicated camera or mobile phone to  capture still or video  footage you are reminded that it is only polite to ask permission from the owners of exhibits before filming. All photography MUST BE FOR PERSONAL USE ONLY - No commercial filming or live internet streaming is allowed to take place without the permission of both the owners and the Show Organisers.

 

Hoping to see you all over the Easter weekend.

 

A few domestic and modelling activities delayed the start of the above. I am able to confirm that the following two pages are now fully complete with the expected line-up. The Layouts, Demonstrators and Travel pages will be reviewed and updated later this week. I apologise for the updating delay since posting the above.

• Traders
• Societies.

We can also confirm the link bus is running for all three days and the timetable will be added on-line later this week as the travel page gets checked and updated. Riders need to note (1) the fare has slightly increased this year (£2.50 single £4.00 return) and (2) it is not a public service therefore age passes are not valid. The stand number opposite the station will be RJ. Update: Have now received confirmation fares can be paid by either cash or card.

Parking will be on the Knavesmire on Saturday, and off the end of Racecourse Road on the other two days.  To set a Sat Nav for the Saturday parking pick the junction of Knavesmire Rd & Knavesmire Ave. The gate onto the Knavesmire is immediately opposite the end of Knavesmire Ave. It turns the T junction into a cross-roads. The cause of last year's Saturday parking issue has been resolved and the gate will be unlocked.

Does anyone reading this know the name of the deceased modeller whose items were brought in? Two fold request, (1) we were asked to donate to Exeter Hospice as payment for what we picked up and it would be a nice touch when I do so to be able to say - Donation in memory of ????? & (2) one of the items I took on was a part finished road lorry kit again it would be nice to add his* surname onto the owner name panel above the cab. More than happy for any response to be by PM rather than an open reply here.
 

I pretty much finished the kit over the weekend (but it isn’t yet painted) which triggered the thought about what name to go on the owner panel.

* I am assuming a his.

Back home from the spring 2024 course. Thank you organising team and tutors. I wanted to come away with two mental barriers broken, not attempting metal kits and white metal soldering. Both broken over a very enjoyable, if tiring, weekend with congenial company. 
 

On 05/03/2024 at 20:14, Tony Wright said:

Thanks Mike,

 

Almost all the visitors to Little Bytham (the regulars and the occasional ones) comment about the 'heavy' sound the locomotives and trains make as they roll by. No plastic-bodied RTR loco ever sounds the same; they just don't have that 'presence'. 

 

That said, one bloke I built a metal loco for complained that it made too much 'mechanical' noise when it ran (I don't mean the sound of the motor). 'It should be nearly silent' I was informed, as he rejected my work (the only time this has ever happened out of the hundreds of locos I've built!). He was young; too young to have been standing at the south end of Retford's island platform as an A1 took the flat crossing at 65 mph (or possibly faster). 'Nearly silent'? I told him where to go!

 

Regards,

 

Tony. 

The natural noise from running the WMRA O gauge test track on club running nights is a love/hate thing amongst the members. Some definitely  don’t like it (not me) as it really fills the hall with what to me is the glorious rumble of train wheels.

1 hour ago, phil-b259 said:

 

You miss the point - water doesn't naturally flow uphill!

 

If a system of dykes etc is used to keep water out and sluices let it in then the land itself is meant to flood by virtues of it elevation with respect to nearby watercourses!

 

Its elevation (and other geological attributes) will have been put in place long before man, let alone the Victorians arrived to mess round with it.

 

Unless the Victorians went about the business of celibately removing huge quantities of soil to lower that elevation then Water Medows are NOT a man made feature - all humans have done is to manage that landscape to their advantage.

 

No. There is a big difference between flood plain land in a valley bottom, which is exactly what you described, and water meadows. A flood plain used for agriculture can be grazing or arable but is not necessarily a water meadow system.
 

A water meadow system was/is a designed manipulation of the land so that it can be deliberately flooded in the relevant season as part of the agrarian process. A balancing pond/lake is operated in an almost identical way but the purpose is different. It may or not be located in the flood plain and, given that they are intended specifically to hold back the run off, a significant % obviously are not. A WM on the other hand is not a flood prevention system but designed for agriculture to create a better meadow. Balancing pond systems are designed specifically for run off/flood control, like Clifton Ings in York they may be used to run cattle out of the flood periods but that is the bonus not the prime purpose. 
 

Possibly semantics but the difference is significant - water meadows may have always got flooded accidentally in adverse weather conditions like any other low lying land the key point is though that they were a specific man-made adaptation, part of working farmland. Modern building on what were working water meadows is because in essence (a) farming has changed and (b) societal stupidity in building on inappropriately located low lying land.

9 hours ago, Wickham Green too said:

Nope - water meadows existed long, long before the Victorians came along .................... I think they're called housing estates nowadays.

 

Water meadows were part of agriculture. Water was let on in controlled systems via paddle/sluice gates into dyked  systems. I’m not an expert but my vague memory is that it was done so that silt would be dropped into designed segments separated by raised berms.