Signaller69

Thanks Paul, to be honest your earlier post was the impetus to dig out the pack of Wills point rodding I had put aside for the job! I'm only guessing here but I suspect that pre electrical operation, the far locking lever was operated by one of the rods crossing the bridge (in conjunction with the near side one) in a similar way to the signal operation. I should probably have at least one more rod on my interpretation for that reason but clearance is too tight. I could add it on the opposite side of the track but that would mean having to add further rodding under the track by the Signal Box etc. Maybe a rainy day project! A better picture of the modern locking system is here: http://s0.geograph.org.uk/geophotos/04/79/94/4799440_12aed8f7.jpg with a mirror image at the opposite end thus: http://s0.geograph.org.uk/geophotos/03/05/02/3050261_49f5e300.jpg Cheers, Martyn.

Superb photos Dave, looks very convincing with loads of atmosphere. Regards, Martyn.

Got around to adding point rodding on the swing bridge, this being the means of operating the signals on the other side remote from the Signal Box, as per the top photo in this Flickr link (and as mentioned a few posts back): https://c2.staticflickr.com/4/3932/15489544366_4cfbac5f66_b.jpg The canal side footpath foot level crossing will now need a step over the rodding to be made (and hence why the foot boards are removed in the second photo), a piece of Plastruct channel should do the job. I was a little concerned over clearance from passing trains due to the curvature at either end of the bridge but all seems well thankfully. Martyn.

Sorry to hear that, hope you get well soon. Quite tempted to rewheel my effort as the Dapol wheels are a bit chunky to say the least, although sticking with OO. They do look a little better painted in fairness so will see how it goes.

I guess the drive gear would be the most difficult issue? I seem to recall Ultrascale (many years ago) did a J94 replacement wheelset in P4 with a new gear, could be mistaken though. Although if using the original chassis some form of chassis overlay (plasticard?) would improve the appearance no end with a P4 conversion. Will you be posting a thread when you do it? Thanks, Martyn.

Thanks Kelly, the joyful stage of heavy weathering next! One of the pleasures of the J94 is the ease of working on the chassis so hope your re-wheeling exercise turns out well, at least there are no splasher clearances etc to worry about!

A bit more work on Ebbw. Green patchwork finished, chevrons touched up and varnished, bufferbeams and under cab pipework finished. Wheels removed for painting, so chassis given a coat of dirt while they are off.

Looking good David, nice choice of backscene as either look suitably "Highland-ish". I particularly like the grounded coach "bothy", saw a photo a while back of the real one next to FW Signal Box (think it was in Model Rail) which inspired me to build the Ratio OO kit for my Crinan layout. Cheers, Martyn.

Southern, a little more looking in the same book shows D4100 is listed as a class 09, but photo is pre fitting of waist level MW cables. Another possible variant for Dapol then. ;-)

As the JLTRT kit is £100 or so dearer and still needs motor, wheels, gears, building and painting (see link - oh look its got a black cab roof!) http://m.ebay.co.uk/itm/JLTRT-BR-Class-08-Shunter-O-gauge-loco-kit-/262611949635?_trkparms=aid%253D222007%2526algo%253DSIC.MBE%2526ao%253D1%2526asc%253D20150519202351%2526meid%253D8778a4393fc74f7c806882761621d35d%2526pid%253D100408%2526rk%253D4%2526rkt%253D17%2526sd%253D201622457953&_trksid=p2056116.c100408.m2460 then the Dapol one is bound to be a hit even if it does contain some slight detail or livery errors. May even tempt me into 'O' and that is saying something. ;-) Edit: my 1972 Ian Allen combined volume has a photo of ex works D4100 in BFYE with the black radiator surrounds, wasp stripes up the full height, and red(?) bufferbeams, but still with (white) full height bonnet ladders and black rods. Bonnet hood definately blue, cab roof may be blue or black. Just so many variations on these locos which are perceived to be standard, and thats without such detail variations as wood or steel cab doors, end pipework and different bodyside equipment boxes. . .

Further progress with "Ebbw", homemade transfers applied and a start made on the dilapidated green paint! RT Models etched bufferbeams also had transfers applied over white base coat (a little retouching required as can be seen) and ready to be fitted.

Thanks, just finished a white one too, now just need to squeeze a loading dock in for them! Cheers, Martyn.

Many thanks Max.

Its a solid chassis which fills the body rather like a modern diesel chassis so I suspect a lot of potential buyers may be put off by that if it meant no interior. Though I would love a 120 admittedly.

This image on Flikr shows that Banavie bridge did appear to have such an arrangement for operating the protecting signal (which can be seen above the roof of the first coach) back in the day before RETB signalling came in. https://www.flickr.com/photos/24041160@N02/15489544366 The upper b/w image shows the "point rodding" above the bridge decking to the left side, with associated raised switching equipment; there appear on close inspection to be several rods either side of the track, possibly for the distant and home signal with others for interlocking; the aligning rods can be seen at the top of the raised stands where one butts up to the next, there being no physical connection so relying purely on alignment. It has clearly been removed in the lower image post resignalling, though there is still a locking bar mechanism going into the bridge platework, as well as the one in the 4ft. Looks like I will have to model it in full view after all. . . ;-) Edit to add more info.

Thanks Nick, will do!

Just discovered this thread, enjoyed viewing your Excellent layout in down time whilst next to you with "Crinan" at Stafford show. Cheers, Martyn.

Thanks Nick, it all helps, I will be putting an exhibition thread up shortly in the appropriate area.

Looking great Nick, is Prestatyn show the first outing for "The Sidings"?

"EBBW" has had a black base layer applied and the RT Models bufferbeams, under-cab pipework and chimney (latter just fitted) have arrived. A sheet of transfers have been run off the PC for the names (with various background colours to allow for the final shade of green I use for patch painting). Next job is to paint the bufferbeams, bunker rear and tank front white in readyness for the chevron transfers (as I don't have any white transfer film to hand. . . ).

Thanks for your comments Paul, Yes the method you describe seems to have been a common solution to the problem of operating signals across swing bridges, I recall a photo of such an arrangement at Yarmouth, in fact it may have been the same at Banavie which had a protecting signal on the opposite side from the Signal Box. Presumably, and this is just my conjecture (perhaps someone with specific knowledge can confirm), the rods ran from the signal lever, pushing the one on the bridge section which in turn pushed another on the far side to operate the signal; the signal, being weighted, would then push the rods back to their "normal" position when the signal lever was replaced. There would be interlocking to prevent the bridge opening if the rods were not in the correct position, and of course if the bridge was open for the canal the signal could not physically be cleared by mistake. In the case of "Crinan" I would assume the rods run under the bridge walkway so only the runs either side would need representing thankfully! In theory a signal may have undergone conversion to be electric motor worked possibly, the cables being under the canal, but I'm not sure if this was actually done anywhere. Cheers, Martyn.

Thanks very much Dennis! Cheers, Martyn.

Thankyou for your very generous comments. The scenic section is actually 10' long, with an envisaged 2' extension at the station end to allow the actual Crinan Canal locks (into Crinan Loch) to be modelled. And yes, exhibition invites always gladly received! Thanks, Martyn.

Some more photos taken whilst playing with my phone camera tonight, not a lot of stock in use so please excuse repetition. The new Home signal gantry is now fitted, though not yet fitted with servos, and the small wall around the base needs rebuilding around it. Not attached notes to the photos so any questions please ask away. :-)

Work in progress on the J94/"Ebbw". The Saddle Tank has had the diagonal handrail and associated footsteps removed (resulting holes and the gap in the lower part of the saddle tank filled with Humbrol Model Filler); a replacement step in a slightly different position has been fashioned from an old Airfix "Schools" kit part with further fettling to come. The centre running plate footsteps have also been removed. A new chimney is on order from RT Models. The mould line along the top of the tank has been sanded off too. The Smokebox door has had the moulded numberplate and dart removed, latter replaced with an RT Models lost wax casting. Curved ends of the handrail removed (otherwise handrails left as original). New lamp iron added above Smokebox Door. On the Running Plate the right hand lamp iron is removed as per this particular prototype (which is mirrored on the Bunker), the remaining lamp irons have been narrowed down. Sandbox fillers added from plastic rod with etched "lids". The Bunker has had the chunky moulded lamp irons removed, along with the moulded sliding hatch at the bottom. Holes drilled for new etched lamp irons in the correct positions. The small hatch between the spectacle plates, as well as the roof hatch, may receive some attention too. The bufferbeams will be replaced with etched ones (RT again), though I need to source some suitable buffers which look not unlike BR heavy duty wagon buffers without the footstep (and which I have in my spares box, but any suggestions welcome).