geoff

Jonathan, if you are sure ALL the pick ups are working ALL of the time and the wheels and track are really clean you may find it helps to repeat the auto tune process, possibly more than once. If this fails to reach a more suitable set up you will have to set about manually tuning the BEMF. It may also help to run the machine for a while to ensure that the motor and transmission are warmed up before tuning the BEMF. You could also try turning off the BEMF but this usually affects the sound performance or even prevent it from working properly at all. Geoff

Thank you Rangers. You can add Roving Reporter to your CV. Geoff

Much appreciated, thanks. It appears to have changed around the time the new signal bridge was commissioned. Geoff

But at Kettering trains are already running on the up line so does it swing back and forth? IMG_4088 by Geoffrey Robinson, on Flickr 222002 takes the new crossover north of Kettering Station with the 11:00 departure from Kettering to Corby. Wednesday 1 March 2017.IMG_4097 by Geoffrey Robinson, on Flickr 222010 prepares to take the new crossover just north of Kettering station to use platform 2 with the 1P34, 11:16 departure from Corby on time for arrival at Kettering at 11:25 to form the 11:26 service to St Pancras International. Saturday 4 March 2017. Geoff

The double track is extending slowly. IMG_4290 by Geoffrey Robinson, on Flickr Glendon South (junction). Double track now extends from Kettering North Junction past Glendon South. Network Rail have announced that piling for the OHLE masts is to start on May 13 2017 so this scene may well change soon. IMG_4291 by Geoffrey Robinson, on Flickr Kettering North Junction showing the double track extending both ways from the junction even though someone has carelessly left a couple of sleepers on the new down line. Geoff

The information below has been published on another site. I have not been able to find it on the NetworkRail site. Geoff

Not strictly to do with Electrification of the Midland Mainline although the Harpers Brook (Oakley) viaduct is looking very smart after its makeover but here are some pictures from Monday 6 March 2017. Geoff 222101 brings 1P49, the 14:16 departure from Corby to St Pancras International across the Harpers Brook (Oakley) viaduct on time on Monday 6 March 2017. 67024 heads across the Harpers Brook (Oakley) viaduct at the head of 7X21, the late running 12:15 Old Dalby to Wembley Eur Frt Ops Cntre at 14:32 on Monday 6 March 2017. The train is made up of translator vans and new Crossrail Units. 67024 heads across the Little Oakley to Great Oakley Road at the head of 7X21, the late running 12:15 Old Dalby to Wembley Eur Frt Ops Cntre at 14:32 on Monday 6 March 2017. The train is made up of translator vans and new Crossrail Units. The track leading off to the right on the other side of the bridge led to the unloading station for the long dismantled aerial ropeway which brought iron ore quarried near Rothwell to Corby for the steelworks. Following the road through the bridge will take you past the site of the former Geddington stationn now just a couple of houses and a significant depot for the construction of the second track between Kettering and Corby.

Just a few pictures to show the state of play around Kettering post the blockade. I haven't yet managed to spot any new crossovers south of the station, there may not be a 'lineside' vantage point to photograph from. Geoff February 26 2017, day 2 of a blockade between Bedford and Leicester. The new crossover from the new down slow to the up main has been connected and the old one disconnected which will eventually permit the continuation of the down slow re-instatement at Kettering North Junction. The new slow line facing crossover just north of Kettering Station. Wednesday 1 March 2017. 222002 takes the new crossover north of Kettering Station with the 11:00 departure from Kettering to Corby. Wednesday 1 March 2017. The up slow home with the feather lit for the new crossover just north of Kettering station. 11:19 Saturday 4 March 2017. 222010 brings the 1P34, 11:16 departure from Corby along the up slow toward the Rothwell Road bridge at Kettering, under the watchful eye of the telecoms mast at the Western Power Distribution depot on Robinson Way, on time on Saturday 4 March 2017. 222010 prepares to take the new crossover just north of Kettering station to use platform 2 with the 1P34, 11:16 departure from Corby on time for arrival at Kettering at 11:25 to form the 11:26 service to St Pancras International. Saturday 4 March 2017.

Signalling work is also taking place just north of Kettering station where the existing signal bridge is being replaced and where also there has been significant removal of line side vegetation and tree growth. Geoff A new signal bridge has been erected just on the up (station) side of the existing bridge. This site is between the General Hospital and Northfield Avenue, Kettering. As the photo shows the new bridge affords greater clearance both vertically and laterally in readiniess for the forthcoming electrification of the line. Thursday 16 February 2017. The embankment parallel to Northfield Avenue, Kettering showing significant vegetation clearance and tree felling has taken place in preparation for the second track on the line to Corby and the forthcoming electrification. Thursday 16 February 2017.

I had to go to Corby this morning so I nipped up to the Cottingham Road bridge to check on developments there. The pictures tell the story. There is a blockade of the Midland Mainline between Bedford and Leicester over the weekend of the 25/26 this month along with the closure of the A6003 at Storefield, just north of Kettering which suggests a second attempt at installing the new bridge span across the A6003 may be in hand. There is also talk of work at Wellingborough in connection with the new bridge construction adjacent to Mill Road bridge just north of Wellingborough station. Geoff New junction signal installed at the end of the platform at Corby to replace the existing one standing in the way of the re-instated down line. 08:59 Tuesday 14 February 2017. New track panel installed ready to form the re-instated down line north of the Cottingham Road bridge at Corby station. In the distance a new crossover can be seen which will permit access to the line to the Tube works which branches off the up line at the south end of the platform at Corby station. 08:57 Tuesday 14 February 2017.

Thank you David for taking so much time to post that information. It is really helpful and I will study it in more depth tomorrow as I am out this evening. Geoff

Brian, would you be able to expand a little about the Old Oak Common to Wolverton ECS and the Stoke Gifford To Wolverton Stone workings please? I run my model railway to a sequence derived from a timetable for the Oxford To Bletchley line and although these trains probably post date my time scale I would be interested to see If I could get my time machine to incorporate them into my sequence. Thanks Geoff Robinson

Old and new. Untitled by Geoffrey Robinson, on Flickr 46233, Duchess of Sutherland, brings the 1Z29 06:31 London Victoria to York, York Yuletide Express round the curve from Glendon South, 7 minutes late after a protracted water stop at Kettering, 10:02 on Saturday 19 2015. Untitled by Geoffrey Robinson, on Flickr 222009 leads the 12:01 London St Pancras to Corby service through the rebuilt Glendon Iron Coy’s bridge, on time at 13:06 on Tuesday 25 October 2016, the second day of resumed service after the blockade on the Kettering to Corby line for upgrading works. In response to a query about the bricking up of the side arches,"The side arches are to be bricked up to strengthen them before demolition of the main arch." See post No 420. Geoff

Oops! What 'appened 'ere then? I popped up to Storefield this afternoon to check up on the bridge replacement across the A6003 only to find no change!!! I enquired of a worker and he told me there was a problem with the new bridge and so the track had been re-instated on the old bridge and the job would most likely be re-scheduled for February 2017. I am really glad I didn't go last night in the pouring rain. Watch this space. Geoff

I took another trip to see how work had progressed today but first I can report that at the site of the signalling work there was no sign of an abandoned steel toe cap boot, blood from a drilled foot or severed cable but the equipment seemed to have been nicely installed. I could not get to the Glendon Iron Coy's bridge on Thursday so I missed the crane action but here are the results of their labours. Geoff Untitled by Geoffrey Robinson, on Flickr Untitled by Geoffrey Robinson, on Flickr Untitled by Geoffrey Robinson, on Flickr Untitled by Geoffrey Robinson, on Flickr

A further visit today, Wednesday 12 october, found scaffolding erection still ongoing at the Glendon Iron Coy's bridge in preparation for the re-building. I was also able to get a clear photo of two large additions to the bridge abutment. These are replicated on the other face and also on the other abutment. Does anyone one have any thoughts on their purpose? Further towards Kettering work has started on the re-signalling between Glendon South and Kettering North junction. Geoff IMG_3861 by Geoffrey Robinson, on Flickr IMG_3863 by Geoffrey Robinson, on Flickr IMG_3865 by Geoffrey Robinson, on Flickr

Demolition of the main arch of the Glendon Iron Coy's bridge was carried out on Monday 10 October and the photos below show the state of play today. I was told by one of the guys on site that they are all set to start rebuilding on Wednesday 12 October. Geoff Untitled by Geoffrey Robinson, on Flickr Untitled by Geoffrey Robinson, on Flickr Untitled by Geoffrey Robinson, on Flickr Untitled by Geoffrey Robinson, on Flickr Untitled by Geoffrey Robinson, on Flickr Untitled by Geoffrey Robinson, on Flickr

Some photographs taken today at Storefield where the line crosses the A6003 road between Kettering and Rockingham and a couple of pictures of the Harper's Brook viaduct which is being extensively renovated and strengthened. Geoff Untitled by Geoffrey Robinson, on Flickr Untitled by Geoffrey Robinson, on Flickr Work continues at the bridge across the A6003 at Storefield in preparation for the replacement of the steel span across the southbound carriageway which is scheduled for the 14 to 17 of October 2016. The work shown in the photograph is to cut out most of the mortar between the abutment and the support plinth. On the day of the lift the crane will take the weight and wedges are to be driven in to the cut to break the remaining mortar bond so that the bridge and its supporting plinth can be lifted out as a unit. The replacement bridge complete with its support plinth will be lowered into place. Untitled by Geoffrey Robinson, on Flickr These are the new spans for the A6003 crossing at Storefield. They are being prepared for lifting in complete with their support pads and external walkway. The additional steelwork for the walkway is yet to be installed. The existing span over the northbound carriageway is to remain as it is comparatively new and does have an internal walkway. Untitled by Geoffrey Robinson, on Flickr Untitled by Geoffrey Robinson, on Flickr Harper’s Brook viaduct, Oakley. Untitled by Geoffrey Robinson, on Flickr Untitled by Geoffrey Robinson, on Flickr

The light coloured staining, as opposed to the white painted area which was a sighting area for the Glendon South Junction Home, is not above the current running line. It is above the new down line which has not yet been commissioned. Geoff

Three photos from a visit to the Glendon Iron Coy's bridge today. Talking to some of the guys on site they say the demolition of the centre arch will be on Monday 10 October 2016. The side arches have been filled with a foam impregnated concrete. Untitled by Geoffrey Robinson, on Flickr Untitled by Geoffrey Robinson, on Flickr Untitled by Geoffrey Robinson, on Flickr

I paid another visit to site today and spoke to some of the workers at the Glendon Iron Coy's bridge. They confirmed there was no evidence of a tramway over the bridge. the 'rails' you could see on my photograph were marks made by the forks of the front loader which delivered the plates to cover the hole in the bridge surface prior to the infill being applied. The old map referenced above confirms no tramway crossing the bridge. Geoff

Week two of the blockade and work continues at the Glendon Iron Coy’s bridge. Geoff Untitled by Geoffrey Robinson, on Flickr Untitled by Geoffrey Robinson, on Flickr Untitled by Geoffrey Robinson, on Flickr Untitled by Geoffrey Robinson, on Flickr Week two of the blockade and work continues at the Glendon Iron Coy’s bridge. The truck is standing on the new down line.

The first week of the blockade between Kettering and Corby. The line is still open through Corby station from the north to allow the Margam to BSC steel coil trains to run. Glendon Iron Coy's bridge is due for demolition around the 7th or 8th of October once the side arches have been filled so I have been told by a worker on site. Geoff Untitled by Geoffrey Robinson, on Flickr The site of the former Glendon South Junction. The current single line has been partially lifted to permit work on the track bed. A length of the new down line can be seen extending through the Glendon Road bridge. There is a further section running north from just round the curve and through the Glendon Iron Coy’s bridge. Wednesday 14 September 2016.Untitled by Geoffrey Robinson, on Flickr Glendon Iron Coy’s Bridge. Bridge 1 on the Manton line just north of the former Glendon South Junction. Wednesday 14 September 2016. The side arches are to bricked up to strengthen them before demolition of the main arch. Untitled by Geoffrey Robinson, on Flickr The original bridge over the A6003 at Storefield which is to be replaced. Tuesday 13 September 2016. Untitled by Geoffrey Robinson, on Flickr Harper’s Brook viaduct, Gt. Oakley. Tuesday 13 September 2016. Untitled by Geoffrey Robinson, on Flickr

Thank you Paul. Your explanation of how the two mappings work is much clearer than the manual. I really appreciate the time you have given to this issue for me. Regards Geoff

Thank you Paul, that worked a treat, all is working as I intended. Can I ask a further question please? Can I use the Input Mapping to move functions such as Mode Switch, Coast and Engine Mode? Regards Geoff