sammmm

49 minutes ago, jonhinds said:

Really like how this layout is developing! As for rail built buffer stops, I think there’s a potential market for printed alternatives to the generic Peco offering.

Thanks Jon!

I did think the same, the only other offering of the GWR rail built type that I'm aware of is the 2mmAS etched kit. Will likely try and produce other types in time, mainly focusing on detail bits I need myself but if I get any sales on Ebay then happy days as my 'wish list' of future purchases is getting ever longer. 

Not much done since last week, however progress none the less.

First off the sleeper grime was given another once over and I'm about 1/3 of the way through painting the rail sides.

I have been making some progress with detailing parts i'll need further down the line though

First up was some cable hangars;

The next one is something i've been putting off for a while but finally got round to doing it

GWR Rail built stops, i've designed them in both all rail and with a 'sleeper' buffer as you can see below, (ignore the options, i'm planning to sell any detail items I design on Ebay to try make some modelling pennies!)

First print of type B has proved sucessfull, havent modelled the dog leg to keep the flangeways clear as it was proving difficult to attatch and not break off. This isnt much of an issue as with the Rapido couplings you cant buffer up to them anyways.

Happy modelling!

Sorry for the long pause in updates, this is mainly because not much has happened since June other than thouroughly 'testing' the layout. Happy to report all is well!

The past week or so has seen me have a sudden urge to get the left hand of the layout landscaped, mainly because the open baseboard was really making me nervous when running trains!

This is what I started with the beginning of last week

Quick trip to grab some polystyrene, I did want PIR (Celotex) but this was all they had, good bottle of Gorrila glue later this was all stuck down and ready for the very...very messy tasks up next

After a good shaping and a nice layer of plaster bandages followed by home made sculpta mold it was looking like a landscape. Also the fascia recieved a quick first coat of black.

Next up I mixed up a watered down brown....what I thought was Umber Brown, but after looking at the bottle was Sienna....didnt want to waste it so found what I had left of Umber and mixed it together. Looks a bit red to me still so will likely follow up with Umber again just to tone it down before scatters/grass etc. The track also recieved its first coat of colour.  

Next job is to work out how to do my road under the railway before progressing with the next scenic layers. 

I'm also in two minds whether to proceed with semaphores or go down the colour light route.

  I've purchased an Elegoo Mars 3 Pro 3D printer. My first tests were some signal heads with feathers to see if I could get them working... took a few revisions but have finally got one that works with 4 aspects + single feather.

Heres one just mounted on some 1/16 brass tube. Will get a video of the working one next time I have time in the garage.

Next up was a wagon I started designing a while ago, a BLA wagon. I live not far from Llanwern Steel Works so see these wagons almost daily. Couldnt find them anywhere so thought id give it a go!

Heres the first prototype print, runs lovely on some farish y25 bogies, albiet about 0.5mm to high. The second prints i've done since sit lower whilst still allowing the coupling full movement. I'm just trying to dial in the supports as the fine detail of the steel beam snaps easily when removing the supports. as you can see in the second version (grey)

First BLA print with loads seperate

BLA wagon mounted on Farish Y25 bogies v1

v2 of the same wagon but as you can see the lower beam detail is distorted due to poor supports

Hopefully my next update is much sooner this time!

This weekends been a busy one as far as railway modelling is concerned..Think i've got more done on a model railway the past few weeks than I have the rest of the 28 years i've been on this planet!

Firstly I fitted the backscene, self adhesive type from ID. Unfortuantley one of the rolls was the wrong one in the tube....didn't realise until it was on and I went to line the second up! Completely different scene! Luckily I had just enough from the other rolls to cover over it - no way was it coming off without ruining the hardboard. Unfortunatley this whole kerfuffle led to me getting the first one fitted at a slight angle and led to a nasty joint just where the branch disapears and I got a crease! Lesson learnt when there is issues...go away and come back with a fresh mind rather than pushing on stressed!  Not to worry both will get hidden by something further down the line.

Next up was wiring up the control panel. Many films were watched to keep me sane along this task, not keen on doing another for a long time! (again apologies its upside down...it's the right way up on my PC but keeps inverting when uploading!)

Once this was complete it was mounting time and wiring up at the distribution board, happy to report that only 1 switch was wired up backwards 😀. Still aways to go with this as the LEDs need prepping into the distribution board but this will wait until the diode matrixes have been fully wired and sited, that way I can run in all the cables at once.

Diode matrices are looking like this at the moment two boards one for each end of the storage yard. It's been very helpful keeping a record of all the more complex wiring on a excel document so that it is easy to refer too when fault finding.

Just to prove the panel LEDs work (promise the switches do too!), albeit controlled from the Tablet this time.

Now i'll leave some more running shots below from testing various stock, especially the reliability of the UP storage yards hence why in one video all the traffic is on the UP. Had an issue with derailments but it turned out to be one of the point motor rods being too long. Happy to report all is good now though after rigorous testing!

Some steam era 

Class 60 Leaving the yard.

Hope you all enjoyed the long weekend! 

10 hours ago, carlwooduk said:

Hi sam,

I will be following your layout project with interest, its looking great and top job on that mimic panel. That’s a huge achievement to get the wiring done. I am still tracking laying on my 2 nd board for my new project.  Glad my old layout VOO has helped you with plans.

cheers Carl.

Thanks Carl! 

10 hours ago, osbornsmodels said:

I assume this is a stay at home layout and us mere mortals, (when it comes to electrics), will never be able to see it  at TINGS for example so far.

Shame because it is looking fabulous. keep up the brilliant work and also the updates.

Thank you, it is indeed a stay at home layout. However the boards were constructed in 3 parts so that if a house move is required it can be dismantled....kind off as the electrics & tracklaying would need cutting.

Another small update.

I noticed when running some trains the otherday I needed some way of seeing what was going on in the storage yard without having to squeeze round the back every time.

On ebay I found a revesing kit for a van that was cheap enough and came with 2 cameras which works well for what I wanted. 

Video link is only 720p but to be honest all I want to know from the feed is where the trains are etc so quality isnt top priority!

So heres the view from either end of the storage yard now I may move the first one a bit so it covers the whole branchline sidings rather than the front portion.

Well the last few evenings have proven productive.

The layout is now 100% wired from a track/accessories perspective. 

PlayingTesting has commenced and immeidetly flagged some issues with the cobalt point motors.

They would just keep throwing back and forward...bit of digging on the internet suggested some diode fitted inline at the motor for the PSB ports. This was duly done with some 1N14001 diodes as shown below.

It cured it instanly and now all points throw correctly!

This now leaves just a few cables to terminate ready for building up the control panel when my additional diodes and resistors turn up.

After all of this I though i'd get some stock out, so heres a few snaps of various stock out(did say rule 1 applies to stock!)

56 minutes ago, Davexoc said:

Impressive panel there. Vale of Oxbury was one of my favourites too.

I'm guessing 12 x 3 looking at the plan, unless its metric....

Thank you :) 

Yes roughly 12x3 with a bit added on when I realised I wanted a bit more scenery in front of  the track 

Hi!

I've been thinking for a while that it is about time I create a thread for my layout. - Firstly apologies if my pictures are formatted wrong! I've resized all to 1500px wide but some seem to be inverting when uploading!

Somerton is a 12’ x 3’ and a bit N Gauge layout based on the Western Region roughly in the 60/70s somewhere on the Welsh/English border. Rule 1 does apply to the stock as I like to buy things...well that I like! 😀

Hopefully i'll keep this up to date, however I make no promises!

Somerton is DCC operated with a Z21, is wired for block detection (later down the line) and will feature a fully operational mimic panel for all signals and points on the scenic side, along with route setting of the rear fiddle yard.

Scenic points are controlled via DCC concepts IP Digital Motors,  with the rear storage being solenoid with DCC concepts ADS decoders powering and controlling them.

Track is all code 55, i've built Finetrax in the past and really enjoyed it, but this time I just wanted to have track that was robust as my 6 & 8 year olds enjoy playing trains too!

So far the baseboards have been constructed, track laid (with the final two sidings laid today) and is 75% wired up underneath.

Below is the track plan - scenery not yet decided but I have ideas in my head of what I want.

Anyrail Plan - Keen eyes will pick up on the resmblance of features from the Vale of Oxbury, one of my favourite layouts! Also the kickback storage has not been built..simply due to cost and the likely hood of me actually using it!

Mimic Panel drawn up in InkScape and printed on 3mm aluminum faced sign board (only cost approx £15!) being populated with various components - with just the LEDs left to add.

The mimic panel will be fed from this board which hinges up under the layout when not being worked on, 8 of the 16 6-core cables have been run in from the fiddle yard points on this image with an additional 19 4-core cables to run from the scenic!

Anyway here is some images of the layout so far!

3 hours ago, montyburns56 said:

 

It is not just because the flanges are larger on the pony truck?

I'd say your correct there! A very quick draw of lines shows a dead level line across the treads but the line to the flanges show a definitve angle. A relief as they look very nice and am resisting temptation!

Just seen on Rails of Sheffield Facebook page that the 56xx has left China! Getting excited now!

18 hours ago, Richard E said:

 

So am I, I'm hoping it will be another GWR loco though, the Mogul. I realise that would disappoint many but it is an obvious gap.

I'm secretley hoping Sonic sticks with the South Wales tanks....a RTR 42xx or 72xx would be nice...save me having to make a poor job of lovely etches from Worsley Works!

Showing as in stock now at CMC, however have not had the email to pay the balance on mine yet.

Edit: Just gave them a quick call to update my card details, the 52’s are currently being tested and should be going out over the next few days!

They shouldn't be too far off, the weathered D1000 I ordered from Osbornes has just been dispatched - can only presume they were on the same ship! I'm looking forward too as i've got a D1015 on order from CMC too! 

Thanks Ian, I'll take a look into the rectifier wouldn't know where to start with wiring them up or introducing them into the circuit.

Would a simpler and safer way be for me to feed the LED's from a separate 12v source and switch them from the spare switch on the cobalts (S2) as I have no plans to use this?

Hi All,

Excuse the rather primitive question, but the search function isn't helping me particularly.

I'm looking to feed my LED's from the DCC In's and Frog port on some Cobalt IP Digitals.

I have already some 12v 3mm Yellow LEDs with a Vmax forward of 14V so should be fine with my NCE power cab.

However DCC Concepts website shows a diode used to protect the LEDs from reverse voltage when the frog polarity is switched

I have no clue around diodes about what to get, would these be suitable ? - would i need 12v or 14/15v diodes? https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Zener-Diode-BZX55C-2V-to-75V-0-5W-Pack-of-10-or-20/160784709135?_trkparms=ispr%3D1&hash=item256f83f60f:m:mNmOIwFk5Oi7oFKV516xRRw&enc=AQAEAAACQBPxNw%2BVj6nta7CKEs3N0qWpsDC91MM32yNX%2BgknRS3VFMcdWQgh8rkkw4jqMk5VtEcL%2BNdiMmGKi0rA5i6wn5I32swCFlrjKpCd4hMkDXPDx9KDulYCNGWO5uLbUj180vaC47S1GzBtbTM766VTbVYze5OHK4EqYYCEeYz1HPdDk6DUKu9ExolcTPB6BnVLMfDGfs10qWdaY49TcbuttfUlXDbEutk%2Ba0JDGBx3DujnsW9HvC83Y070zP7iLL97OWMlWPgCzGJS%2F5iTTirC4Xt0fck9TKYsFMkHbw%2BbHtxnt8xs2fAvR%2FoqT2OtM%2F%2FUditjn5IzBpwdleyDq1BaVpwk0SghE2mbSsaaaopbO8WEHYRvJ%2FRpbAxZ2oxnSOulJ7VSKdSiCuUKoqqPO51%2BDN41vm76jnREqI5glXH9anN6FbBjElqSBIx7VG92nSN8Hvuz%2FBhLUORri2ye%2FHwSxA04825UU0yKjlj6%2F6B7qv0C3naPOjy4EnrwmFBJd9nuFyVuUYG1%2FeYDcLhFup%2Ff9bOGwbbdQiKJkrQoeB0%2BxEUQrUMhZhbxK5YIYkyS9LeoHYUCJeD1esSJWK%2FCtqcFO%2BRYoQI4YH4Sz3CpWm4CUdGltd0xJ50jttKn5R%2F9FIMtgKTuj5YarcF4y4VwIQRXHU0zTnFg%2BF3SwldwrQMlH8%2Fc8pz646KfL1NpvI0fLTKqOtGNs5ZKKxnKo2z2oC12cVxDPCI8cUb413XHhiU6LQlVc6aVC3EwXRtFUuAyrO6BfA%3D%3D&checksum=160784709135227cb823daf6419a94f91ba84bc23989

Or can someone suggest something that is more suited?

Thanks all in advance!

8 hours ago, The Stationmaster said:

Right I'll first post the plan to make sure it's legible then if it is I'll add the notes.

 

 

Right I am assuming the areas you coloured in yellow will be 'hidden' from normal view to I've not included any signals there - waste of money if they're off scene,   For the sake of my convenience I will call the line covered by Signals A & B the Up Line and that covered by Signa C the Down Line,  the third line covered by Signal D will be the Goods Line.   The first thing to think about is that you can get the correct signalling onto a 'good' track layout fairly easily and there is no need for a forest of signals so in your case there won't be many of them.   The signal box can go more or less where you want it but it must be near to or in between the main concentration of points - so it could very easily go by your siding near ground signal F.

 

Signalling is set for WR 1960s on a track layout which has seen a bit of rationalisation hence you have a facing connection into the Up Siding and it probably used to be goods loop line that has been shortened and reduced to a siding.  When that took place Signal A, a simple straight post stop signal, replaced a signal which would have looked like Signal C and the new signal has a ground disc next to it to read into the siding.  We'll call this signal the Up Inner Home Signal.

 

Signal B is the Up Starting Signal and on your layout should be as close as possible to the spot where the off-scene area starts - so just before whatever you are using as a scenic block.  You could omit it if you want but if your line goes off scene into a tunnel it should really be there just before the tunnel mouth.

 

Signal C is either the Down Home Signal or might be the Down Inner Home Signal.  If you were working to scale (which virtually none of us can in this case) there might be a second stop signal in rear of it - i.e. a train will come to the other stop signal before this one - just over 17ft away!!.  If you really want to include such a signal it would look just like Signal B and would be somewhere near the tunnel mouth or whatever view block you are using.

 

For now we'll call Signal C the Down Home Signal and as you can see it is what is called a splitting signal  - in other words it has separate arms, each on their own doll (the short post above the bracket platform) with one arm/doll for each of the two routes in advance of the signal.  Arm C1 reading to the Down Main Line is higher because the Main Line is the principal route in advance of the signal and it is also a 4 foot (in the real world) long arm because it is reading along a passenger line.  Arm C2, mounted lower as it reads to a lesser route, has a 3 foot long (in the real world) arm because it is reading to a goods line.

 

Similarly Signal D has a 3 ft arm because it applies to a goods line  (despite the fact that it reads to a passenger line.

 

Ground disc noted as E all have red stripes on their round white faces.  The one lettered F with an ad jacent letter Y has a yellow stripe on either a white or black background - it would only be cleared for a movement out onto the Down Main Line (as there is no signalling at the other end of theh station it could also read to the Up Main Line with a limit of Shunt board off scene to the right).  This signal does not have to be cleared for a movement towards the dead end by the platform.

 

Hope that all helps but don't be afraid to ask questions even if you'rre a bit worried about asking something you might think is stupid.  We can often learn by asking about things we don't understand so ask away if you have any thoughts or worries.

Mike,

Can't thank you enough for such a detailed description there! All the placements make sense the way you've written it out.

I've taken the sketch and quickly put it into MS Publisher to come up with the below. 

Two questions I have from it if you dont mind.

Signal Box placement, would it be sensible to place it where I have on the diagram (end or P1)?

With regards to numbering of the signals to their respective levers is there any particular numbering that would be used?

I'm hoping to have some form of electronic interlocking to prevent any untoward movements and also to make it more interesting to operate even if the ground signals them selveswill not be working on the layout.

12 hours ago, The Stationmaster said:

Ah, back to your slip - using a single slip that way round is unusual and is only likely to happen in the real world where there are major site constraints.  But - as they say - it is your railway.

 

I'll try to knock out a sketch using semaphores to WR standards for the early 1960s with an option built in for using older style in some places (as per the Dapol ones with 'wooden' posts although they do have some dimensional errors although I think the new splitting signals are likely to be correct).  Basically it is a very simple layout to signal because (that single slip apart) the track layout is prototypical and it is therefore easier to signal accurately than a non-prototypical track layout.

Thank you, that would be much appreciated! 

14 hours ago, St. Simon said:

 

Hi,

 

Semaphore Signalling is still quite prevalent on the railways today, so it would look out of place on a 1970's layout, in fact it makes an interesting mix, BR Blue and Semaphores.

 

The only thing is that colour lights are far easier to make working.

 

Simon

Think your right there Simon semaphores would certainly look the part.

Im planning to have as many as I can working minus any ground signals as I’m modelling in N gauge 

3 hours ago, The Stationmaster said:

Right - now do you want semaphore or colour light signals?  Depending on where it was it would probably have been more likely to be semaphore in that period but signalling modernisation was in full swing by then on the main line routes from Paddington  to Cardiff and Bristol.

 

I would slightly alter the track layout if you can as the double slip as a facing point on a through line would not only be unusual but with rationalisation in full swing by then it would be even more unusual and would have been replaced by a trailing crossover and a simple facing point to the bi-directional line.  The facing crossover into a siding at the the end of platform 1 is perfectly ok for that era - such things were definitely happening on the WR in that period.

Thanks for the Reply again, I’m torn between signal types to be honest, I’m keen on having semaphore however colour light would maybe be more in keeping if I end acquiring stock going further into the 70s.

I think my drawing is a bit mis leading the double slip you mentioned is actually planned to be a single slip to reduce the space taken up by a trailing crossover and facing point.

Excuse the poor edit done on my phone! I believe it should’ve been represented like such? 

35 minutes ago, The Stationmaster said:

What period and which part of the country are you modelling?   The answers to those two things could affect the answers to your question.

Ahh yes that is a rather useful bit of info I've missed off that ill now add in!

Broad era from early 60's to early 70's on the Western Region

Hi All!

I'm getting to the point on my new layout where I'm starting to think about signalling. However I'm a complete novice when it comes to where the relevant signals would need placing.

The Era is planned to be 1960s to early 70's Western Region to go with my stock I've collected so far

I've drawn a quick diagram up of the track plan along side the any rail track plan (yellow shaded is off scene), rather simple just a double track mainline with engineering siding, h/shunt and a bi-directional freight line.

Could any of you wonderful people shed some light on signalling for this?

Thanks 

Sam

I wonder how this fairs for the Shark brake van , been collecting the Dogfish's in anticipation of it..maybe its time to buy the NGS kit  

Is there any reason the link for the subscription offer doesn't work ?