XN593

Many thanks Grovenor, a great help, as usual.

I wonder if someone could put me straight on facing point locks for a double slip? There are four possible routes. Three are passenger lines and one, top right, a headshunt. Point 10 switches between the two passenger lines but point 9 doesn't need to change as long as it's set to Branch (position A). So my understanding is that for Arrivals (right to left), FPLs would be required for point 10 at either the top for Platform 1 (position C), or at the bottom for Platform 2 (position D). For departures (left to right), as point 9 doesn't move, only one FPL is required, at position A. Have I got that right? Many thanks

A final note to say thank you for your help. I'm relieved that my flight of fancy didn't crash and burn and with a few tweaks should look the business. As to the compound point, the jury is still out but I now have a few spare levers, in roughly the right place on the frame, just in case. I wasn't my intention to have independent blades but to use three levers to control two servos via a Megapoints controller. The compound lever's microswitch providing current to the other two levers depending on whether any of the three are normal or reversed. As an aside,on the unofficial Severn Valley S&T website (svrsig) provides a simulator for Kidderminster. It is a bit dated and has an old fashioned MSdos feel about it but it worked on my version of Window. As things have changed a bit I have attached a revised layout plan and lever list Kind regards

Thank you Mike. You have cleared up some of my misconceptions, which were:- I had assumed the farm crossing would need protecting so the route indicator will move. My thoughts for the double ground signal was for one to enter the yard or go straight (a white light) no.22 and one to indicate that the trap was clear, no23. Thinking about it, if route 3 is cleared for the loop then the only options are to either stay on the loop (trap reversed) or enter the yard. My original position of the frame in the box was the other way round but I changed it to to reflect the way I operate the layout and the position of my lever frame. So the station signals start at the left of the frame and work to the right. I think I was influenced by the box at Buckfastleigh which I seem to recall has the frame at the back of the box. Easy to correct. Would you mind if I kept the route indicator, I do like it? The bay is as you say, a passenger line. So have I understood correctly that I need four facing point locks but operated not as a double compound? As per the new sketch. Ah, Slough. I'm tempted by your picture as I went to school in Slough. I seem to remember there was a turntable near to that spot. On the other hand Helston looks nice (and I worked for Helston Garages for a while). I know, stupid reasons to chose a signal! You used signals in plural so I assume two signals are needed to the dock, one from the bay and one from platform 1 (main)? I'm most grateful. Peter

Many thanks to you both. I really thought I might get shot down in flames. Instead, it's all positive and easy to do. So I'm glad I posted. The only reason I thought I needed FPL 16 was once the loco has run round it backs the coaches over the release points, straddling them ready for the departure. Kind regards Peter

I hope it is ok to reopen this thread after a break of 3 years but I'm hoping for some advice in signalling my GWR Flight of Fancy? Like many that have gone before, there has been a lack of proper forethought and the layout is what it is. Installing two traps after the layout was ballasted was bad enough and that was just a straight replacement. It is an O gauge layout, based around the early 30's. I tried from the onset to make operating it interesting but with only 14 feet to play with there had to be compromises, hence the use of two double slips. As it is, the loop has just enough room for a loco to run round two coaches or to hold 6 wagons and a guards van. Slightly more if I use the main platform and reverse into the cattle dock/headshunt but then the length of the fiddle yard becomes the limiting factor. Another confession, I do like signals and interlocking. I have just completed a 25 lever frame using the Howard Bolton/Scalefour designed frets and have the associated interlocking ready. But I don't want to start on the tappets until I know that the signalling is more or less ok. And then of course there is the locking table to do! Can you have too many signals? One of my aims is to include as many different types of wooden post signals as could be deemed appropriate. For example, a Bracket Signal instead of two starters (same size arms and same height dolls), a 3 way Route Indicator for the Home Signal (Bay, Main & Loop) and an Advanced Starter above a Shunt Signal. All are kits bought from either MSE or Scale Signal Supplies with Modelu accessories. But I have issues! 1. Signalling the exit from the loop and the goods yard is giving me a problem, along with the same route in the opposite direction. I would like to install a Goods Line ringed arm signal (or should that be a siding signal) but with limited clearances around the points in the throat, I think the only place available would be just off the loop, between 17A and 17B rather than on the loop between 9A and 17A. 2. Should I signal the routes from either platform to the cattle dock/headshunt or can the starters be used? 3. I understand that the GWR treated double slips as compound points using 3 levers. There is example on the Kidderminster signal box diagram which has helped me understand the principle but I'm struggling to work out the FPLs. Ignoring the route to the cattle dock, four facing point locks seems a bit excessive. Is that correct and which points should they be associated with? It could mean running short of levers so the goods yard compound will have to be a 2 lever one. 4. Hopefully, after all of the above, there may still be a lever left for a Disc Signal or two, including perhaps a white light . It would be nice to operate the layout from just one panel which may mean I might have to use point indicators for the loco release and headshunt trap instead of levers. I know it's a lot to ask but does this Flight of Fancy have wings or should I stick with a single starter á la Ashburton? Many thanks.