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Steam_Julie

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  1. Steam_Julie
    Hi
     
    Click on the image below to run the animation.
     

     
    This entry was prompted by a comment made about my blog entry below, the person said it look like a film! It was Job's Modelling and his exact words were 'Almost like picture movie. Nicely done.'
     
    http://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/index.php?/blog/1428-steam-julies-blog/
     
    The first part is now a film!
    Julie
  2. Steam_Julie
    Hi
     
    The following sequence of drawings show a sequence of fiddleyard operations on Trefeglwvs Road
     
    The first part of the sequence allows the engine to run around it's train, keeping both the locomotive and it's train, in this case two coaches the same way around. This is more Prototypical
    than turning the whole train around!
     
    A similar process will be used when running around the pick up goods train, but it will be slightly more complex because of the requirement to change the brake van over too.
     







    Or change trains by












     
    All trains will be stored in the fiddleyard is the correct direction for their next duty.
     
    Julie
  4. Steam_Julie
    I stared to think about micro shunting layouts as a result of reading the article on Ruston Quays.
     
    http://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/index.php?/topic/102137-ruston-quays/page-6&do=findComment&comment=2367143
     
    This seemed to have very limited operation possibilities, despite having a upper level operated by a shuttle unit. I wanted the possibility to run the goods train on and off scene between shunting sequeces. My first design is shown below.
     

     
    I was impressed by the idea of building a micro layout, that could be transported and stored that fitted into a toolbox. This offered he posibility of storing the layout, stock, mdelling tools and materials in a single unit. The layout above was designed to fitinto a very small really useful box for storage and threansport. I was inspirated, by the blog found at the link below.
     
    http://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/index.php?/topic/111658-a-model-railway-in-a-toolbox/
     
    This new format gave me significantly more space to play with and I then set about redesigning the scenic section of he layout.

     
    I felt that I needed to check that the proposed track plan would meet my requirements, before starting to lay track. I therefore decided tobuild simulations to check this out.
     

     
    So far I have built the simulation for the operation of the rope worked incline, I am crrently working on the simulation for the local goods, from the junction to the quay side sidings.
     
    Julie
     
    Larger versions of the layout plans
     

     

  5. Steam_Julie
    Since the last entry I have proceeded with the simuation of the layouts operation.
     
    looking at the sequence of the incline opeeration, in the first posting, I have noticed that there is a slight error, in that the operation from the yard loop to the hidden loop should have a brake van at the back of the train. This sequence will be modified to rectify this.
     
    The simulation has now been split into two parts so it can be downloaded! Click on the link below to see the shunting simulation.
     

     
    To start the simulation of the shunting operations, click on the link below.
     

     
    Click on the above image to view part 1 of the Goods Train Simulation.
     

     
    Click on the above image to view part 2 of the Goods Train Simulation.
     
    I could not upload the goods train and shunting sequence to rmweb, because the file is too large. I will have to examine it and re-edit it before it cn be uploaded.
     
    I have also had he thought that, the siding at the back and the loop, could be replaced with a cassette and two disconnected sidings.
     

     
    The spare stock siding is to allow for changes to be made in the incline operation. Explosives for quarrying operations were conveyed in covered wagons and water was moved up the incline, to supply the stationary engines, locomotives and houses associated with the railway. At the highest part of the railway, water supplies were very limited, especially in the height of summer.
     
    The DMU or Push Pull reversal sidings will have to be extended, as currently they are too short, to allow the train to go completely off scene.
     
    Julie
  6. Steam_Julie
    Instead of the complicated pointwork in the fiddleyard, this could be replaced wih the arrangement shown below.This would require a Peco Loco Lift to be regauged to N Gauge.
     

     
    The format of a fiddleyard is very much driven by the personal prefences of the builder, there is no right or wrong design.
     
    The scenic section will be built on a box, which will be built to fit into the toolbox.
     

     
    The background is a simply blue painted on.
     

     
    View blockers have been added at both side of the scene, on the left is a building. This existed in the real location, it was a workshop to repair wagons, the right blocker is a group of tree. These tress don't block the view completly, like the building, but they will help desguise the train entry hole inn the backscene.
     
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    The final one shows the blue background being replaced with a photographic one taken in the Peak District.
     

     
    The simulation show a train of empties entering the scene, from the junction wih the main line.
     
    Julie
  7. Steam_Julie
    The shuttle is designed to add more movement to the small scenic area, so that hopefully it will keep he view better entertained.
     
    Starting from the layout plan, the front of the layout is the top of the plan. The passenger shuttle line enteres the scene, RHS at the side of the layout box, but on the LHS the track enters about 1/3 along the back of the scenic section.
     

     
    The first image shows the slot for he train with a blue background behind. The train can enter the scenic area, but the entrance is too obvious.
     

     
    Click on the simulation, to re-run it!
     
    The image below shows a second copy of part of the backscene image behind. Whilst the slot is shouts out less, it is still visiable.
     

     
    Some trees are added to hide the RHS edge of the stage opening. This has the effect of making it a little less obvious, but it is still visiable to viewers of the layout.
     

     
    By lighting the space between the second backscene and the back of the main onecarefully the scenic entrance can be made to complety disappear, and the train can now enter the scene as if it is appearing from behind a stand of trees and bushes.
     

     
    The simulation below, shows how the shuttle can enter and leave the scene without drawing attention to how this is acheived.
     

     
    The possibility of further action, by making a barge on the canal also move, was examined in the Ruston Quays blog, click on the link below for more information, dated 4th may 2016.
     
    http://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/index.php?/topic/102137-ruston-quays/page-6
     
    Julie
  8. Steam_Julie
    The previous curves was too tight. I have increased the baseboard width and now I am using AnyRail version 5 to check that the curve will work before laying the track.
     

    The problem was the couplings where causing the wagon wheels to rub on the inside of the outer rail. This friction caused the running to be uneven.
     


    I have not been working on the model recently, this is because I have found myself in a very difficult situation. I've been the victim of as assault, but the police have insisted on prosecuting me.
     
    Julie
  9. Steam_Julie
    Not my birthday lads & lasses, but my 21st entry in the Clovelly Road blog. As you will see from the photograph below, the catch point has been attached to the goods yard entry point.
     

     
    These new Peco points, with their shorter closure rails, often called point blades, look better, but it is much harder to provide a hard wired electrical connection to them, because of their short length.
     
    I've also had problems, with the Cut & Shut chassis of the brake van, pictured below and I am going have to replace the whole chassis with a Peco one because the couplings has more flexibility to allow it around curves, without causing derailment, see photograph below.
     

     
    Julie
     
    P.S. isn't technology wonderful, but only when it does what you want it to do, not what it wants to do!
  10. Steam_Julie
    The 6 wheeled coaches that I have modelled were purchased by WH Austen, who took over the HF Stephens light railway undertaking after his dead in 1931. As with many Stephens enterprises the modification of the coaches for use on the railway was carried out in unorthodox manor. They started life on the LDCR railways as bogie coaches, which were sliced in two and the wheel arrangement changed.
     
    The photograph below shows the origionally a brake third coach, although by the date I am modelling it had become a brake second.
     

     
    The reason for so doing was the severe curves on the prototype and the weight restrictions over the very light track. The stone built bridges and the sheep creep were constructed as a result of a deal with the land owner to provide the land required for the railway for a nominal £1 on condition that all bridges were constructed on stone and a halt was provided for the use of said land owner and local residence this later became Clovelly Road. The line was operated by the LSWR and later the Southern Railway and then British Railways, although the infrastructure was owned independently until nationalisation in 1948.
     
    The photograph below shows how tight the fit between the coach and the bridge. This was true of the prototype and I have exentuated this on the model to make the layout appear larger than it is.
     

     
    A mixted train approaches Clovelly Road from the junction.
     

     
    They need further work to make them correct, but at this point I simply want to prove that the techniques I have previously used in 4mm work in the smaller 2mm scale. I need for instance to change the fixed wheels to disk wheels, add couplings at the fixed end and modify the frames to match the bogie end.
     
    part 1 of the coaches story can be found at http://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/index.php?/blog/1849/entry-16890-clovelly-road-the-proof-of-the-pudding/
     
    Julie
  11. Steam_Julie
    I went to visit some friends who also build model railways, and in order to transport the coaches I used the original box, see the photograph below. I find that working on models with others inspirational. But you also have to be very organised to make sure you have everything you require. When working with very small parts I work withing a plastic box, which usually catches any small parts that fly off when I work with them. I get simular help in giving me get up and go also I get inspiration from the work of others who post on RMWeb too.
     

     
    I have now built the second class coach, the railway line in British Railways day had no first class accommodation. This coach was built using the same techniques as the brake one. The photograph below show the wheel arrangement. When I have finished the build, it will look as if the frame is not articulated, when seen from the side when running on straight or large radius track. But at the same time will allow the coaches to run over tight radius track.
     

     
    The final photograph shows the 2 coaches coupled together. I now realise that the brake coach requires slight modification because the fixed wheelset is slightly too high. I also want to move the coupling out, to increase the distance between the coaches slightly.
     

     
    I still need to complete the coaches, but I think that I have made a good start.
     
    Julie
  12. Steam_Julie
    I have now taken the fixed coach wheels on the brake 2nd coach and reassembled it after removing some material to allow the coach to be level when placed on the track. The first photograph is before and the second after the modifications.
     

     

     
    I have also removed excess material so that the coach ends flat and I have applied the first coat of paint.
     
    The coach need to be detailed, but we ar now basically there. The coaches run around the curves on the layout. The next stage is to coaches require to be weathered.
     
    Julie
  13. Steam_Julie
    Below are photographs of the Sheep shed and it's relationship with the track, and thus the trains, and the sky support.They are taken from a variety of angles.
     

     

     

     

     
    The next stage is to add the sky support between the end panels, which straddles the track.
     
    Julie
     
    PS I've added a view of the sheep barn and the creep too.
     

  14. Steam_Julie
    In the previous post, I used a micro baseboard to test the use of a hand held magnet to activate a Peco Elsie coupling with a Coupler Lift Arms. The baseboard was originally built to prove that it's possible to operate N Gauge points, using Peco surface mounted point motors. In the catalogue they are only shown being used with OO gauge points.
     

     
    The secondary objective was to prove whether or not analogue points could be powered from a DCC bus signal, without interrupting digital operation. The circuit consists of several components, these are a rectification circuit, complete with a capacitor. This does not operate as a capacitance discharge unit, but prevents current surges when a point motor is operated. The capacitor is under the baseboard.
     
    The DC is feed via a centre off double throw switch, to the left to select the branch, the non straight road and left for the main. The points are of course held in position using the over centre spring, installed on the point.
     
    The third component is a circuit which is driven via a micro switch operated by the no driven end of the point tiebar. This shows a red illumination of an led for the branch and green for the main. The led is a two input red green led, connected round one way it glows red and the other way glows green.
     
    I have also increased the size of the pip on the point tiebar, because having a larger on, with a smaller gap between it and the activator on the point motor, this reduces wear and also increases point motor life.
     
    Julie
  15. Steam_Julie
    During the last session working on Clovelly Road, I realised that the curves at the back of the layout were to sharp, for the trains to negotiate without problems. These were caused by the flanges rubbing against the inside of the curves outer rail.
     
    To solve this problem it was necessary to increase the width of the baseboard. By examining the carrying case I found that this could be increased by 26mm. This has now been done.
     

    Baseboard 2

    Attached to the original baseboard

    Both baseboards together, with the corner rounded

    The underside of the combined baseboards
     
    The plywood used for baseboard 2 is slightly thicker than used for the main baseboard, thus baseboard 2 is about 1mm thicker. But the top surfaces are aligned, so this is not a problem.
     
    I have taken the opportunity of adding rubber feet to protect the table on which the layout is placed. because of of the change of baseboard size the feet are used are higher. This is required to allow the larger baseboard to clear the inside of the case wheels.
     
    Julie
  16. Steam_Julie
    I've been working on completing board 2. This involved two distinct parts the woodwork and the electrics, i.e. the input from the controller to the bus. The testing before assembly is very important because rectification is much simpler prior to assembly.
     


     
    The electrics, the socket was pre wired and tested before being attached to the baseboard back. The complete assembly was then attached to the rest of baseboard 2 using glue and micro panel pins.
     
    The corner was then reprofiled using a fret saw and micro surform.
     


     
    Julie
  17. Steam_Julie
    Construction of Clovelly Road continues. I decided that I wished to have a bridge, or sheep creep to use it's correct name, passing under the track. The baseboard is only 22mm deep from the top surface to the botton, thus between the two pieces od ply there is only 15mm to play with.

    Shows the position of the sheep creep.

    Shows the detail of how the bridge box is constructed.

    Shows the extra block installed to make the layout surface firmer, i.e. flatter and less lickley to move.
     
    Julie
     
    PS Edit to correct spelling error
  18. Steam_Julie
    When the track was laid a paper template was made by placing a sheet of paper over the track, using the outer rail and a pencil a line was drawn. Then the process was repeated for the baseboard edge. The template was then cut out and checked against the track and baseboard edge. After several iterations, it was used to cutout the platform base.
     
    The photograph below shows the site of the platform at Clovelly Road, just before the overbridge on the Hallwill Junction side.
     

     
    Below is the photograph showing the basic construction of the platform. The strip along the inner radius top will eventually form the basis of the coping stones, when the individual stones are scribed onto it's surface.
     

     
    This photograph shows the platform placed in position, on the mounting blocks.
     

     
    The view below shows the platform with the width of the end section trimmed. This was done on the prototype to save money, as the company was in financial difficulty.
     

     
    This view shows the platform mounting blocks trimmed and glued in position.
     

     
    This next photograph shows the platform glued in position. It took many iterations of trying to run the train through. Then marking where it hit the platform. Then removing excess material, using a scalpel as a plane, before the train ran smooth through, without any hesitation.
     

     
    The view below shows the relationship between train and platform, when the above process was complete.
     

     
    The attached thumbnails are views of the primitive waiting shelter provided for passengers at Clovelly Road. Since the prevailing weather is from behind the shelter, it worked well.
     

     

     

     
    Below is a photograph of my best friend, who kept me going through my recent problems with a rough cyclist. See is siting on the floor of one of our local buses.
     

     
    Julie
  19. Steam_Julie
    My computer has been hacked. Please treat all messages from me as suspect until further notice.
     
    I have now secured my smart phone, so am now able to communicate in a secure manor! Hooray!
     
    Julie
     
    PS The proof is that I can now change fonts
  20. Steam_Julie
    A major part of the problems that I have had, re getting trains to negotiate the curves to enter the fiddleyard, was because of problems with the flexibility of the couplings. The photograph below shows two 5 plank wagons on the main curve, through the goods yard entry points.
     

     
    The second photograph shows the same two wagons going around the much sharper curves into the fiddleyard.
     

     
    When carrying out the cut and shut modification of the guards van, I successfully reduced the overhang of the couplings with respect to the wheelbase and the overall length of the chassis. But in the process the couplings have reduced flexibility. Thus the brake van still derails when the sharpest part of the curve is reached.
     
    The Peco brake van chassis has a slightly shorter wheelbase and the same flexibility of the 2 wagons in the photograph. Thus it will hopefully negotiate the fiddleyard curve without derailing. The proof of the pudding will of course be in the eating!
     
    Julie
     
    PS This is the second posting today, this has occurred because I was unable to get to sleep.
  21. Steam_Julie
    I have now soldered the connections from the socket on the back edge of baseboard 2 to the power bus and linked the new track which links the scenic section to the fiddleyard, see photograph below.
     
    Before power was connected the wiring was checked out using the buzzer feature of my multimeter, to make sure that no shorts exist between North – black and South – red.
     

     
    I have now solved the problem of getting the guards van around the fiddleyard curve without it derailing. The solution was to improve the flexibility of the coupling. The previous chassis was produced by doing a cut and shut on the original Farish chassis. I have now replaced it with a 15 foot Peco chassis, which has been reduced in length using cut and shut to 10 foot length.
     
    The first photograph shows the train approaching the fiddleyard curve and the second shows the train about to leave it.
     

     

     
    Julie
  22. Steam_Julie
    The brake van, photographed attempting to traverse the original fiddleyard curves was too long, Both to negotiate the curve without causing too much friction and too long when compared with the length of the prototype.
     

    The length has been reduced by 10mm, that relates to 5'. It is still slightly too long, but it now looks the part. The planned curve has a radius of 125 mm radius which translates to 62' 6” radius. This although tight, was larger than the tightest radius on the Clovelly Tramway.
     
    The name 'cut and shut' describes the process used to achieve the rebuild. Two cuts are made in this case 10mm apart. The two ends of the chassis were then joined together. Due to the type of plastic used the join was effected using a super glue which is designed to be slightly flexible. Normal super glue is very brittle and tends to shatter when a shock loading is applied.
     

    The guards compartment was then glued into position. The new parts were then painted black to blend in and then couplings were then glued into position.
     
    I am currently using standard N gauge couplings, but it is my long term intention to use DG couplings. The advantages are that they can auto couple, have remote uncoupling and the ability to negotiate tight curve easily. They also have better coupling operations on curves with a radius greater than 200mm radius.
     
    Julie
     
    EDITed to correct a spelling error in 1st paragraph
  23. Steam_Julie
    Clovelly Road is designed to be easily transportable, using public transport, but still present a modelling challenge.
     

    The overall baseboard, before it has been but to final shape, as marked by pencil line.

    A detail to show the basic construction method.
     
    Julie
  24. Steam_Julie
    The court case is over, I can once again think about other things, including railway modelling. Below are two photographs of a first attempt at adding a checkrail on the approach to the goods yard entry point. It does Improve the slow running through the point.
     

     

     
    Of course it needs painting rusty Brown colour.
     
    Julie
     
    P.S. I've been forced to pay my assailant £100, Judas money, for an non existent assault on her!
  25. Steam_Julie
    Laying track on a micro layout is a more involved process than a larger layout. This is because there is less of it, and thus on Clovelly Road it is essential that every mm of track gives excellent running. On a larger one, if there are a few stretches of track that have problems, then perhaps you can refrain from using them at an exhibition or club open day. Without all of the track, the running of Clovelly Road for even a morning session will become very tedious.
     

    Thus I have spent a considerable amount of time fettling the track, that is to say carrying out minor adjustments to ensure that all track joints are excellent. With an N gauge layout with sub 300mm radius curves it is essential that the outer rail joints are well aligned, i.e. there is a smooth transition from one rail, to the next. This is because there is an tendency for wheels to crab. This is especially a problem with coupled wheels of a steam loco or small diesel locomotive, like an 04.
     
    I have also reduced the distance between the running rail and the crossing, sometimes called the frog, horrible American word. The large gap is only necessary for the original profile wheels, not the modern ones, which are nearer in dimension to fine scale ones. This means that the wheels are guided to ensure the metal, i.e. pickup wheels are in contact with the metal rails, thus able connect with the rail voltage.
     

    It is more important that the point is laid in a flat plane, than having live crossings. These add to the making the electrics more complicated. If so then even with a small locomotive, like an 04 two wheel sets will be in contact with the metal rail and to be able to pick up current.
     
    The check rail that I seem to have spent many hours working on now does the job well. It means that the passenger train, of its two six wheeled coaches can run slowly through the goods yard entry points in both directions. The check rail also ensures that the coaches can negotiate the road bridge at the South end of the station without colliding with it.
     

    Having the bridge dimensions smaller than that of the Peco bridge kit, from which the bridge is made, has the effect of making it look further away, thus making better use of the very small foot print of the layout.
     
    Julie
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