Yardman

The NMRA have a standard that basically says a vehicle should weigh one ounce for every inch of length plus an additional half ounce. It is an HO standard but it's near enough for OO. I’ve used the standard for the last forty years and it works.

I have a layout working exclusively with servos. It has been in operation for over three years now and has proved very reliable. The only problems I have encountered were due to pilot error. All points, semaphore signals, uncouplers and even the shed doors are operated by servos using MERG circuit boards driven from a computer. I made my own servo mounts as the MERG items weren’t available at the time. I have found servos far superior to all other types of point control I have tried and very cost effective. The MERG circuits give adjustable travel and speed and can be set up for each servo in a matter of minutes using the free MERG software. Video and photos of the servos in use on the layout can be seen on our website http://a19modelrailwayclub.org/layouts/alwinton/

You don't need frog juicers or anything complicated for a three way point (more correctly called a tandem turnout). You just need a couple of microswitches. Various sites will show you how. This is ours http://a19modelrailwayclub.org/tonys-dcc-workshop/complex-pointwork-wiring-for-dcc/

As the Poster of the original Cemflo photo's I can confirm that the Banner lettering and edging was Blue Circle blue (makes sense really). Although usually the wagons were that filthy it was difficult to tell.

The R U Paddington brake van says "Return to Ashford Works" with what looks like "S/P 1964" below that. I have already uploaded a shot of the Peak on the head of this train. These photos were taken on 19/06/1964. I have a shot of the Pal vans that were also on these trains. I have a load of slides to scan and upload so I can't say how soon I will get this done. I remember the horrendous flange squeal these things produced as they went through Newcastle. I never thought a few wagon pictures would produce so much interest.

Tony