BobM

Evening Guys..... Here for reference is the basic plan for the 'link' between the station and goods yard section previously shown.....it is in the 'raw' state I will update it with further information to explain the design of it and later.....my tea is in the oven (always thinking of my stomach)...so will update as and when...! Save to say I hope that the theory that the two bidirectional lines merge into one single line....disappearing into a cassette / fiddle yard...but hopefully this will all become clearer later...? Regards as always.... Bob

Cheers Gary..... Mike has been in touch straight away.....after I messaged him for advice.....he is brilliant and so kind to reply so speedily..... Regards Bob

Hi Guys.... Have undertaken my 'best shot' at the diagram above to explain my thinking behind the station area / goods.....I will try to move onto the next section which'll be wired up and switched in the not too distant future encompassing the link through to the engine shed and cassette yard..... Regards as always..... Bob

Hi Guys.... Could anyone be so kind as to give me guidance or advice on the correct requirements for the signalling of this section of the layout..? Regards as always Bob

Hi Guys.... Here's the basic plan for the area wired up and awaiting the planning and installation of the Mercontrol system for point control....... platforms one to five indicated where the main station is to be located.... the goods shed / the town and private coal yards, the signal box controlling the good yard and the main signal box on the end of platform one.... I hope that this, albeit bad, diagram will assist in explaining what I intend Cambrian Street to look like...? Regards as always... Bob

Hi.... One update....(hope this helps) Where the intended goods shed and unloading platform with crane is to be located.... Regards as always.... Bob

Evening Guys....... I told you this would be 'schematic'..... How useful this is for you 'see' what the design is like I am aunsure,,,,,but perhaps along with images it will do the trick....? Regards as always.... Bob

Drum roll with trumpet fanfare accompaniment....!!!!!! As of this evening all the live feed and switched sections have been wired in and appear to working correctly......so the first phase of Cambrian Street in that respect is complete, therefore I am putting together a not to scale sketch of the station / goods yard area which is now ready for the planning and placing of the mercontrol point throwing system.....if this proves to be unattainable then I am quite prepared and happy just to leave this to the 'hand of god' but I don't see why with some forethought why Mercontrol cannot form the point control......I am in two minds as to whether to ustilise Mercontrol for the signals when they are installed...or a motorised system is the alternate option..... When I post the sketch of the station and goods it will initially just be that, then the infrastructure will be added...ie, the platforms, the goods shed, signal boxes and other such items......I would then appreciate input for the signalling of the lines......... Will post as soon as I feel it is worthy....please don't anticipate a scaled plan....it'll be schematic in nature......anything more detailed is beyond my capabilities... Hope all are well......my arms ache somewhat as I have been wielding a splitting axe all day....and certainly will not require 'any rocking' when hitting the sack later....! Have a great week guys..... Regards as always..... Bob

Hi Guys.... Just a 'quickie'....the penultimate switched section previously mentioned has been wired in and 'works'.....! The final one too has had its wires threaded through beneath the baseboards and awaits soldering to the now in place switch....so a successful evenings, banging of the head on the baseboards....! The section plan is underway too..... Have a great Sunday..... Regards as always..... Bob

Hi Guys... Just sitting having a coffee and cranberry cookie after spending an hour threading through the wires beneath the baseboards for the penultimate switched section which is planned to be installed in the first phase of the full wiring up of Cambrian Street...... When I've downed the coffee and munched my way through the biscuit may return upstairs to the 'Porters Room' and complete the soldering of the section, thereby as I say leaving only one further switched section to be undertaken in this, the first phase of the layout...... I further hope then to lay before you a track plan of what has been wired up so far and then, as the section develops (yes there is a plan, well sort of a plan) I'll add to the sketch ideas of where various infrastructure is to go and then images as the layout develops....any ideas you kind guys have, or things appearing which you may see as a potential no no....please shout loudly.....I so appreciate the input from everyone...... So will 'speak' soon'...maybe later or during next week if not....enjoy the remainder of the weekend..... Looks like I am going to be kept busy tomorrow at Arley as we may have some old rotten sleepers to shift.....at least it'll be good exercise, if heavy work.... ( you don't require a gym membership if you volunteer on a heritage railway) and keep us warm in the process as it looks darned cold here tomorrow....! Regards as always guys..... Bob

Hi Guys... Hope all are well.....? It ain't half a long year this one eh.....I don't recall the last one lasting as long..... Anyway.......just a message to say 'Hello'...also to reiterate too my very best wishes for a Happy New Year and also to give you kind guys an update on the state 'Cambrian Street' is in at the beginning of the year...... Recommenced this evening wiring up the switched sections on the first phase of the layout comprising the main station, the goods yard and the coal sidings.......all but two of the sections within this phase have been done, and up until now appear to be working fine and 'on and off' without any shorts and complications as far as I can ascertain at the moment.....so far so good....the final two switched sections should be completed soon if time and 'my temperament allows...... There had been a Christmas break in wiring up the section, but the switch had been installed, the wires run to it and all that remained was to solder up......so this evening duly began by cleaning the rail, soldering the wires to the track, then to the switch....then tested....all went well with the loco until.....it ran to the isolating plastic joiner then ground to a halt...no power obviously flowing through, even though the switch was 'on'......Oh Calamity...... (anyone old enough to recall that catchphrase)....? Well after a few choice words.....it suddenly 'clicked'....'you great steaming pudding'....... I thought,no wonder there's nothing happening, the bus wires are not soldered in.....plonker....! So once soldered in, all was fine and working.....just a lesson in not breaking the train of thought....Christmas eh...? Once the final two sections have been completed and I am confident that all is well.....I am thinking that to keep the moment going I am intending to begin the process of integrating the mercontrol point switching system into the area (which I am going to research this week), slowly building in some scenery, sample ballasting within the intended private coal yard along with beginning at a slower pace the next wiring of switched sections within the MPD/ Engine shed perhaps....? Cheers guys.... All the best and kindest regards as always.... Bob

Continuing the 'tradition' of 'riding the cushions' of the SVR on New Year's Day.....took a ride 'down' to Bridgnorth, where 7812 'Erlestoke' was in the throws of disposal after being withdrawn yesterday......it was whilst watching this process that the sun broke through what had been a cold, raw. drizzly morning.....there was something quite 'magical' and 'special' about that light, as it seemed to be directed on 'Erlestoke'...... and seeing it remains the 'Festive Season'....you've just have to indulge a 'Pig in a Blanket'...... Happy New Year Guys.... Bob

To All My Pals on RMWeb..... Happy 2018..... Thank you for everything..... Regards as always Bob We said bye bye to 7812 today as it's boiler ticket expired.....farewell dear friend...

Happy 2018 Gary...Hope that it proves to be a good one for you, for all the family and that your current health concerns are sorted speedily my friend.... Thanks for all the friendship, the postings and the camaraderie .....you are a gem..... Regards as always... Bob

Bye...bye Erlestoke...... Happy 2018 guys...hope it is a good for one and all....... Kindest regards..... Bob

All the best Gary...Have a great Christmas.... Bob

Hi Guys.... Hope all are well.....sorry for 'the gap' in updating this topic.....the combined effects of family health concerns which have sadly resurfaced, along with a busy old 'Santa Operation' on the SVR, together with the perennial tasks of dusting down the red coat, preparing the old sleigh and ensuring the lads from reindeer gang get an early nights kip ahead of for tomorrows frenetic 'Worldwide Parcels Delivery Business', any progress on Cambrian Street has had to be eased off until the new year.... Anyway.....all the best to you kind souls of Christmas (if you celebrate it)....and also my very best wishes for a Peaceful, Healthy, Hopeful and Contented 2018.... Cheers my friends....hope to 'speak soon' in the New Year.... Regards as always.... Bob

I Believe In Father Christmas..... Greg Lake

Hi Guys.... Although filmed last year...this is a fitting way to wish all you kind souls, all the very best for a Peaceful Christmas and a Hopeful New Year..... Regards as always Bob .

Evening Guys...... Just a couple of images from a very busy Santa Weekend....when the 'Big Man' himself visited us at Arley....we'd cleared all the station of ice and snow where he needed to 'park the reindeer' safely and so that our visitors could come and see him in his grotto.... Although Arley remained firmly in the grip of winter during Saturday we did have some lovely sunny breaks which made for some pleasant if chilly views.... here visiting loco 80072 sits bathed in winter sunshine awaiting the next down so it can depart away for Kidderminster..... Sunday was a totally different day.......cold and raw to begin, rain not however dampening anyone's festive spirit.....here 'The Pig' simmers away in the rather, dank conditions...after the frontal rain had cleared, the temperature lifted and even some sunny breaks developed through the misty dampness. Regards Bob...

Yep...remains quite a covering although gone where the sun has got at it....we had an average depth of 9"-10"...thankfully no wind when it fell, otherwise probably would have drifted.... Everything has been cleared where necessary, and may I add, not solely by myself.....8 of us on it all day.....how much would that cost if we weren't volunteers? A further view of 'The Pig' today... Bob

Hi... Here at Arley we've been working solidly today (Thursday) to clear the platforms and station yard for Santa and our visitors to arrive this weekend.... so we've had a 'good day' as we say...! It was also great to see folks enjoying themselves on the 'Cracker' hauled by 43106....'The Pig'.....as it passed through See everyone at the weekend hopefully.....we are tired little bunnies now... Regards Bob 'The Pig' came through just as we started the job of removing ice and snow from the 'up' - 'the down' remained in its snowy state.... The 'down' in a very snowy and icy state prior to being totally cleared this afternoon and is now ready. The bridge during clearance.....both sides now also totally clear for all to use.....