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Can you get interference if too many people are running wifi routers? I want to do something like this so I may come and pester on Saturday.Paul. [Edit: tomorrow changed to Saturday cos I can't remember what day it is!]

First time at Stafford for me this year. Looking forward to it: I'll try and remember to pester you. Paul.

As Andy said, that is so much better. You'll be able to photograph without the pipe showing, and even when looking, the tower makes it easier fir the eye to pretend that there isn't anything rising out of the top. The slot in tank back just adds to the illusion. Very well done. Paul.

Further thoughts from me. Shortliner's ply was needed because the aluminium angle was in two bits (one from each lift). You just need to shorten the angle and the foam. If you cut off one end of the base you don't have to worry about electrical continuity. Operationally there would be a running on end but running off 'should' be possible from either end (I think). Paul.

Shortliner had some double length loco lifts as cassettes on his layout: I think the structural strength came from replacing the foam sides with 6mm ply fitted into the aluminium channel. Could you do something similar to take 1 1/2" out of yours? Paul.

Clive, I think you might have mis typed. W is right next to E on the keyboard!!!!! Paul.

My daughters gave me a Heljan Hymek for my birthday just gone using the same mechanism. It's good isn't it! Paul.

You need a couple of surface mounted H&M says he, not being very helpful! Paul.

Well done with your frame allocation. Only two points from me (both of which could be wrong). I'm not sure of the need for the shunt ahead (4) as I don't think it was a western thing (but the N&W line may not have been 'western' practice). Also, shunt signal 13 needs 12 and 14 reverse which obstructs access to 13 (called a 'pull between'). I think that would have been avoided (but being a shunt signal may nave been OK as not a long pull). However, swapping 11 shunt and 12 points will sort the issue anyway. Mike (stationmaster) will have views if he reads this topic! Paul.

Bought my first pair of safety boots from Norman in 1975 when he was at (in charge I think) Red Star at Reading General.Paul

That's as I remember from the early 70's. Paul.

A great photo indeed. I went searching for KX stabling point photos some time ago and that one gives lots of detail that you don't normally get. I would put it later than '73 though as I think it was '76 before head codes were discontinued, and a while after that before Domino replacements came in. Paul

Being 'brought up' on WR signalling, it was only when I visited Banbury North after decommissioning that I learned that other regions did reply to TOS (40 years between the two events)! I will be able to draw/design a circuit for you but I'm a bit pushed for time over the next few days. Just so that I know what I'm working with, I assume that each bell circuit is a separate wire (on the real thing both ways worked over the same wire to save on pole route copper) with the +12 connected to the bell and the tapper making the connection to the -12. (There's a bit of WR signalling circuit pedigree in using a positive common rather than common negative too!). I'll need to try a typical capacitor value to see how big is needed for 5 sec delay. Others are right it could be quite big and a 555 would allow a smaller capacitor, but the bell coil will push nasty spikes into the 555 which it might not like. Paul.

Sorry to hear of the demise of Mersey Parkway, pleased you have something else to work on. I'm just about to embark on track laying and I'm interested in your drawing pins. I assume that the track isn't glued down yet: are the pins through the sleepers, or just adjacent so as not to leave a visible hole when you ballast? Thanks, Paul.

At the beginning of this thread I think you said you are Buckingham GW rather than GC? If so, your problem is solved - GWR and BR(W) didn't reply to the 2-1 TOS bell code. However, I would still recommend the capacitor and LED. I think it's as simple as a diode off the bell feed onto a capacitor with the LED (and dropper resistor) fed off that. Try it and see, it's all down to component values for length of delay. This simple circuit gives a fading LED, if you want a 'snap' off, you will need a more complicated circuit. Paul.

I think you could get away with a 20 lever frame, so 7' on 4" centres. Your box looks to be about 12' so not out of the question. It does assume that only there is nothing more than the minories layout controlled from the box. Paul.

Sez who it's non prototypical? Google (other search engines are available) Red Cow Crossing Exeter and look for photos before the resignalling (Exeter Middle box) and you will see a level crossing with points in it. OK just the crossing nose, not the switch rails, but you're not as unprototypical as you might think. Paul.

Unfortunately not - need a layout for that! It is getting closer, I have boards built, some with cork down and a plan that I think might work. Just to slow myself down, I'm converting to Kadees at the same time so I need to do tests on curves and coupling/uncoupling before I commit. There was an article in MERG journal a while ago called 'copper capped RRI' written by a designer in Reading, though it would give you E10k style operation rather than SW67 style. HTH, Paul. Edit: name of article

Had a feeling you might be. I've taken 41 to get that far! I'm going to go down the RR&Co route to save lots of wiring and relays. Haven't built anything yet so can't say whether I'll be successful. Paul.

So Empress should look better in crimson, being Crewe built!?! Parapet. Quick. Paul.

Option 1 fits with the short platform: no need for locos so still (four?) coaches long. Also works with both long platforms with a single lead entry - the parallel running is mainly with the EMU service. You could consider juicing one of the long platforms (perturbation, or allowing peak hour two train operation). The third rail provision could actually make the layout feel more realistic. Thus says the armchair modeller! Paul.

Want one! And I do my diesels blue! Paul.

And the tanks are full. They are there to provide brake force because the S stock runs unbraked with just a pipe running through/along the train. Paul.

It feels to me like you're going the right way. If everything is accessible, then you have more chance of getting it right first time and it's easier to fix if anything does go wrong. All the best for version 2. Paul.

You weren't alone in thinking North Staffs, even if we were both wrong!