Grovenor

https://www.rapidonline.com/st-1n5821-schottky-diode-3a-30v-do-201ad-47-5586

Not overkill, you will need 3 buttons or studs, one for each route, then each button needs to operate 2 coils via diodes to avoid back feeds so 2 diodes per button equals 6 diodes. Diodes are very cheap. Note that you have 6 buttons (at each end) where 3 will do. That's the overkill going on. You could reduce to 5 buttons in total at each end, 1 per track but you would need more diodes and might have to beef up your CDU.

The important info will be on the back of those signs, telling people the speed limit on the road they are joining. Just the jobsworth didn't know that one disc could be left off.

The underneath view is of the LMS coaches, the side views of the MK1 and the pullman do give the impression that they are attached to the bogie. But the coaches on he demo layout, pullmans, certainly appeared to be close coupled. Looks like its wait and see.

Always a possibility with Hornby certainly. If they do do it wrong that gives a good opportunity to Peco!

You could always try but I doubt you will have much luck, but there is still a "Walters Workshops" at that address. https://www.google.co.uk/maps/@51.526175,-0.210335,3a,75y,206.25h,90t/data=!3m7!1e1!3m5!1sHs850xbVEqFmGqEWxLYt1w!2e0!6shttps:%2F%2Fstreetviewpixels-pa.googleapis.com%2Fv1%2Fthumbnail%3Fpanoid%3DHs850xbVEqFmGqEWxLYt1w%26cb_client%3Dmaps_sv.tactile.gps%26w%3D203%26h%3D100%26yaw%3D201.00119%26pitch%3D0%26thumbfov%3D100!7i16384!8i8192

With the layout as is you need 3 reversing sections as shown.

IMHO you are extrapolating a lot from that photo to have any confidence in the wagon wheelbase. 🙂

And more block instruments.

Or block instruments.

Telephones anyone?

Check the details on the Hornby site, I seem to recall that one of them has more track and other bits.

Most if not all NIFE batteries were in steel tanks way back but gradually replaced by plastic tanks from the 1970s. Some more batteries here.

Indeed, Stoke primarily appealed to those who liked to see trainsets correctly assembled with the right coaches etc. No operational interest as such so I never watched it for very long. One ECML express is much like another to me. But it had enough fans to keep a crowd the times I saw it. Copenhagen Fields is more of a giant diorama, and marvelling at the scenic modelling has been the main attraction for years, but more recently the addition of yards that do actually get shunted and where you can see more of the train than just the roofs has enhanced the appeal for me. When I see a layout with sidings and facilities that just have some stock parked while the trains run round and round then I tend to assume that either the points are unreliable or the operators can't be bothered to use them. But there are layouts where the sidings etc do get used as they should be and those are the ones I linger at. All these approaches have their place, it would be a boring world if we were all the same.

Which applies equally to those exhibiting at a scale show, everyone of us has our individual knowledgebase and determine our own compromises, in build standards and in operation.

Google images gives you a wide choice. https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=Wagon+labels&hl=en&tbm=isch&sxsrf=ALiCzsbuSRnU9VcQZewCksKBsKm4pJ9cSw%3A1666392975643&source=hp&biw=1231&bih=747&ei=jyNTY7XnJJPngAabro2wAg&iflsig=AJiK0e8AAAAAY1Mxn7m00_HVZxhgfY_0tKVhtR1l0ySQ&ved=0ahUKEwj16vfKtfL6AhWTM8AKHRtXAyYQ4dUDCAY&uact=5&oq=Wagon+labels&gs_lcp=CgNpbWcQAzIHCAAQgAQQGDoHCCMQ6gIQJzoECCMQJzoICAAQgAQQsQM6BQgAEIAEOgsIABCABBCxAxCDAToGCAAQBRAeOgYIABAIEB5QhA5YrjNgwD9oAXAAeACAAbMBiAHwD5IBBDAuMTKYAQCgAQGqAQtnd3Mtd2l6LWltZ7ABCg&sclient=img

https://www.google.co.uk/maps/@51.5215594,0.0967002,3a,75y,194.77h,87.47t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sZDQZ7mB_oUEo0Wvl1cZWTw!2e0!7i16384!8i8192

Interesting that the photo and the box diagram for Staverton show different track layouts. But the answer avoided Stubby's question about signals when the line was divided into sections. In UK practice dividing a single line by having an intermediate block post without crossing facilities was unusual.

World of Railways has photos of the underside of the 08 and a Pacific. The compromises can be seen. It won't suit those of a P4 mindset. But then its not meant to.

Vintage yes, it seems publishers back then did not bother to include the publishing date in their books but I think its circa 1910.

Does look to be a lot of rubbish in that back yard. https://www.google.co.uk/maps/place/Acton,+Sudbury/@52.076332,0.7491264,68m/data=!3m1!1e3!4m5!3m4!1s0x47d854d10c5e86cb:0x8d6d3403ccefa366!8m2!3d52.071129!4d0.759399

Here's something a little older.

In the 60s Permali plates were very common, probably the most common, the strength was fine for track with 60ft rails but could not cpe with the stress of long welded hence the more complicated designs with steel fishplates with various kinds of encapsulation, and lots of electrical failure modes. Only reached a reasonable level of reliability when all glued up solid in the factory.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-oxfordshire-63269974