Junctionmad

Even worse , I believe in the end , he abandoned everything

Yup, it’s the hackneyed cliche. But , heres the scenario. I’m planning a branch line extension for our late GWR main line O gauge exhibition line. So I need a small BLT , as space is constrained, it will be by nature compressed. Now I looked at several ( many ) gwr BLTs plans , but generally most were “ one engine in steam “ or close to it. ( for good prototype reasons ) Whereas this is an exhibition layout , so the branch line will see frequencies way way beyond any real life prototype. I’ve studied malmesbury , Cardingan , shipston-on-stour, , Moretonhamstead , bodmin , Circenester is nice but too big. Fairford is too long So so to start with I have the typical one platform arrangement with the usual run round . The issue is then the goods shed , most small gwr BLTs seems to assume the incoming goods occupied the station platform , and presumably the engine ran round , drew back the goods onto the main line and shunted them into the goods shed however I need to depart from reality a bit , and a layout that allows goods run round , while a branch train stands in the station , even providing a shunting spur ( though I’m tight on this ) a seperate single “ mileage” siding and optional cattle/ end loading dock etc. , the area is on a left hand curve to boot I’ve read the issues around turntables and sheds , so as yet these have not been included as they take up a lot of space any ideas of how to “ bend “ a small BLT to my plans.

It goes to illustrate a significant point that unless you have a good understanding of the principles backed by some practical industry experience ,re-tasking old , often un-labelled equipment , can be a trap for the unwary. the best advice is to stay with branded kit unless you know what you are doing , assumptions can wreck your kit or hurt u

True , very true

Gordon in his Eastwood town thread , suggested 1:100 for main line steam model locos and at the very worst 1:50 for diesel

In relation to this plan , I would agree with removing the LOS I would also suggest that if trains departing “ wrong way “ on the down platform , would normally regain the up line , this would mean a splitting starter on that end but of the platform.

https://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/index.php?/topic/150020-comments-please-on-attached-signalling-plan/&tab=comments#comment-3771556

Your revised plan is considerably better. Not sure the duplication of 10 and 18. a catch point is needed off the shunt spur there seems to be a few ground disks in the facing directions that seem to duplicate running signal as well

Is your booster tripping out before the juicer switches

First impressions is it’s way “ over signalled “ for the scale of operations most of the reverse moves in the prototype would have been signalled by ground disk. Unless it’s intended to run passanger ( and not empty stock ) over those routes

Thanks Phil , must appreciated

I have the “ gwr signalling practice “ the bit on signalling diagrams is very light on detail

1. if you are using code 100 , why change anything , if the units runs just " chip" them 2. only you can weigh up costs against your desire for the correct livery , whatever you do , dont bodge it 3. Loco chips will run fine in a DMU electrically , But the sound ,may/will not be correct , there are several DMU sounds chips available . Again , this is a subjective decision that only you can take . Personally I like teh sound to be a very close approximation or none at all.

As a person that builds track Hand building track for a large layout is a thankless task. At 4mm to the foot , the detail is largely lost in the overall effect. Far better visual effects are achieved by good ballast , and overall weathering etc. IN fact OO gauge track can be made look very convincing If you have a considerable quantity of older stock , Id seriously consider EM as a compromise , you get all the main visual benefits of the wider gauge and yet you can run coarse ( by comparison ) wheels Yes there are flange way compromises (as there are in p4) , but the overall effect is good. Its a classic mistake to start a big layout , expended much time and effort and realise you ay not have the time , Mojo , or money to deliver the end result , resulting in a layout that takes decades to progress and ultimately feels like a millstone. Almost inevitably, with the exception of a small number of people ( and yes you may be one of those ), these big layouts held to high standards, can result in disillusionment and abandonment .There are several great examples on RMWEB ( Eastwood Town etc ) as to the perils

could we review the colours for the diagrams in GWR /early WR , Im a little confused , thanks . I hope Phil, you get a chance to specify the RGBs of the main colours as I don't have a colour corrected monitor so I can never be sure, exactly what I am seeing, is correct thanks again , I love the drawings , as I am redoing Little Siddingtons panel , I am trying to emulate the style

Good point

So I’ve seen certainly WR era diagrams with seemingly multi colour sections that seem track circuited. Maybe these are much layer diagrams

Lovely work am i correct in thinking that more colors got added to differentiate track circuited sections in later years ( ie WR);?

I have seen the effect of the conical forces at work. I would not advise the use of countersink screw heads. In the intended field of use , which I am familar with , they would ALWAYS use either pan head or socket head machine screws. The positioning keeping is achieved by a combination of the clamp load and the use of proper diameter screws . You would never see countersunks being used.

I have seen the effect of the conical forces at work. I would not advise the use of countersink screw heads. In the intended field of use , which I am familar with , they would ALWAYS use either pan head or socket head machine screws. The positioning keeping is achieved by a combination of the clamp load and the use of proper diameter screws . You would never see countersunks being used.

Led forward voltages vary from around 2.6B to about 3.3v. Somewhere between 2.7 and 3V is typically taken as the “nominal “ value most modern leds will light quite brightly on 1-2 mA

Thanks Re the colours. When you get a chance

I have a friend with a very large DC layout. He went dcc by just opening all his dc section switches and running in two wires from his NCE dcc system. Layout runs very well dcc wiring can be very simple , much simpler then dc to achieve the same running freedoms. No contest really

Try not to use counter sunk heads directly onto the micro switch as the conical head puts the plastic under pressure pan head is best