ColHut

You may find this useful, there were earlier and later editions, and they did not apply to existing works, (perhaps the majority): https://www.railwaysarchive.co.uk/docsummary.php?docID=7409 it would be easier if the up and down lines were parallel but offset such that arriving trains took the straight line on the facing point into the station platform, and went through the trailing point on departure: ____________________________ \________________________\____________________ This would also allow you to have trailing sidings on each side. As it is you would need a lot of facing point locks and I suspect you could still only have one engine in operation at a time given block working. Whilst rule no.1 applies (it is for your fun and enjoyment). You might find some inspiration and maybe more plausible layouts on the Fairford branch. Note quite a few stations are not passing places and have no signal box just ground frames. http://www.fairfordbranch.co.uk John Hinson's site has a worked example of block working. https://signalbox.org/block-system/keepin-the-trains-apart/ regards

A lot of the geometries for curves are online. There is bit of a fudge with a second to third radius crossover but pretty good. See here: https://jonscaife.com/model-rail/track-geometries-for-00-gauge-Hornby-setrack/ regards

I would guess that the numbers are based on what account they were charged to. I would also think that different harness was used for the different roles. But it may well be that one horse might do both duties, although if there was not enough work to keep a road horse in full time use, the company might well have used an agent for the cartage. regards

G'day, I had been looking for information on stables, and was intrigued by the many references to horses being used for shunting. I was a bit surprised to see how few horses were retained for that purpose. According to an article on the LMS Society web page, the number of shunting horse held by the Big 4 were as follows: 1923 - 1,130 1930 - 671 1946 - 238 This does not seem a great many for the number of goods yards and passenger stations at the time. It is also dwarfed by the number of horses directly owned by the companies for cartage and delivery which totalled some 18,000 road horses and some 32,000 wagons. in 1923. That article here: http://www.lmssociety.org.uk/topics/horseTransport.shtml Certainly shunting horses are not rare, but nearly as common as I expected. regards

That looks like a motor lorry on a rail weighbridge, or am I mistaken in the above image of Colchester Hythe. regards

I usually just email Peco and they are happy to oblige. regards

To be honest, I was tempted, but started ' in the mddle' as it were. regards

Off Topic really I suppose, but by way of explanation... Ymmv I like to mix the set track and streamline, mainly because I end up including the tight curves 2 and 3 radius around the room corners which require set track spacing to avoid 'impacts', the adjacent tracks end up for ease on the same spacing, but I like to use streamline slips and points and othe fancy point types. This enables me to get a level of operational activity I just could not get on a setup with more realistic curves, points, and associated track spacing. You certainly cannot join a set track point to SL point easily, (you need a short fiddly curved bit) but a short straight between two SL points is easier. At those short lengths, I prefer the set track type construction to cut-up flex, as they are more rigid, and have special sleepers at the ends to accomodate the fish plates. Of course you pay a premium in extra length too for the overall assembly. regards To the main topic, I am just not sure that the money stacks up. I reckon they would sell more set track slips and three way points if they could or did actually make them. Another competing geometry would mske some people very happy, and good luck to them, but I wonder what price they would have to bear just for Peco to break even? regards

It seems a nice idea But to be honest I think it has no commercial prospect of success. Given space constraints for most people, I just cannot see them selling enough of these to cover design costs let alone tooling or manufacture. (A standard length set track piece to convert streamline spacing points at crossovers to to set track spacing might be a winner though.) Perhaps if focussed on the existing 12 degree range there might be more likelihood? good luck though regards

Thanks for that and the link. I have indeed decided to settle on a Pagoda structure from Ratio. It seems it will fit in nicely. thankyou.

Perhaps change the topic; I thought you meant sweeping and mopping

Plaster bandages over any kind of former are pretty good too. Can be over some polystyrene so nice and light. regards

To answer my own question, the answer was in my copy of Essery's British Goods Wagons which I was browsing for interest; 178595 is shown in a diagram as being a Toad E. So indeed Hornby had just compacted it to fit the chassis. No worries though, close enough for a short ex-NE version of 10 tons and some appropriate transfers. regards

I do not think they could be readily modified for WIT. But if you need just one, why not just accept it is power operated? You could probably even cobble a switch so that whatever lever frame you currntly use can actuate the switch. regards

Yes it would definitely have to be a 'repaired' NE stock of some kind. Will pass the 3' gauge with a repaint and transfers. regards

Thankyou both regards

G'day, Just wondering if the above old brakevan was a cut down Toad E to fit a 16' over the headstock 10' wb chassis, or supposed to be vaguely based on a NE rly. design of which the shortest I could see had a 17' over headstock and 10'wb but with wooden duckets. Someone may know from the running number? regards

For sure It would be tough if they got 2 out of 3 wrong though. There is a picture of 630616 in Tatlow's Ilustrated Overview (plate 55) which I think is why they chose it, LNER livery, steel underframe, unfitted. regards

Very puzzled to see Hattons has the LNER version 630616 in Bauxite. But 630616 is unfitted, so would be grey. Just Hattons assuming or has Oxford indicated it will be bauxite?

It has been a while but Does anyone know if this range is still available or was updated? regards

I think I count 5 point indicators there, presumably quite an old diagram?

FWIW I second all those comments regarding keeping gradients to a minimum. Curve friction and gradients together are a real killer. Powerbase is not the answer for steep curving gradients either (I use it on 60' of underboard dogbone loop about on a 1 in 35). There are issues with where you can place the magnets, how visible they are, how close to the rails they need to be, striking slight obstacles and uncoupling points, having to remove brake gear, brass etch magnet holders very flimsy and retaing screws magnetic &c. Strongly suggest you do your own tests with various gradients, curves and loads, and take the worse case! Only you will know if you are content with the results. good luck.

I see Rowden Mill has a groundframe hut now.. Certainly in the linked image the points and rodding go somewhere. Was it a block post in its day? Otherwise I cannot see the point. I take StationMaster's point that regardless of the indicator, the train would have been handsignalled (or with a lamp at night?) over the points to the loop or siding. It does beg the question, outside of block posts in the early years where they would have assisted the signalmen in knowing which way his points were set, why were they thought necessary? regards

Does it need a signal, - not at all, Does it need a point indicator - well given where the GF is and where the engine is, it would make it easier for night time shunts, and provide confirmation that the points are over. Really just looking to add a little colour... Be interested to see your references Tim. regards all, appreciate the imput.

Agreed.. It makes little sense, other than perhaps where there may be sighting or communication issues between guard/shunter at the groundframe and the driver. a bit whimsical perhaps.