TonyW1960

I cannot remember what all of the unreadable text says, but some I can help with. The "Key", bottom left tells us: Blue are uncoupling ramps, numbered ones are moveable via a "signal" lever, blank are sprung. Most of the sprung ramps have been removed as they foul modern tension lock couplers. Black numbers in a white circle correspond with the electrical on/off switches within each coloured section. So the centre road between platforms 2 and 3 is the White section within which there are 3 on/off switches. Each coloured section can be switched between the three controllers. White numbers within a black circle indicate point levers. Many of these seem to have been replaced by yellow circular labels on the plan. Red numbers are signals The black and white diagonal section has text around it explaining the electrical options for working this section as it can be operated by both the front and fiddle yard controllers. The two "T"s near the signal gantry refer to notes that explain that the electrical control of the slips switches between the different coloured controller sections depending on the way the slip is pulled. https://www.flickr.com/photos/75514026@N03/20330230562/in/album-72157649004452418/ Tony

Perhaps I may be permitted to answer some of the questions Chris poses in his drawing The headshunt ground disc (signal 7) is pulled for moves over the crossover using the outer end of platform 4 only, such moves also see platform 4's starter or shunt disc pulled. Shunt moves are permitted past it into the goods yard with the signal on. Some railways would have used a yellow disc for this move. The signal indicated adjacent to goods yard siding 4 (signal 21) controls exit from the fan of points onto the Up departure road. Most departing freights use this route rather than the crossover using the end of platform 4. It has a small arm indicating that it does not apply to passenger trains. The blue board at its foot would have carried the local instructions to staff as to when they can pass this signal at danger - as indeed one does to access siding 4. The smaller arms on the gantry are indeed calling on arms, but not all railways marked these with a C. The top entry on the smaller theatre light should be 3 as, passing under this signal one can only access platforms 3, 4 and the yard One "secret", is that the operators do not need to know the meaning of every signal, as the schedule tells them exactly which signals and points to pull (and the order in which to pull them). I hope this helps Tony https://www.flickr.com/photos/75514026@N03/albums/72157649004452418/with/20344807871/

To help explain this, we have added the train movement screen so that the time of day is visible to viewers rather than just the operators!

I'm almost 100% certain that Frank built his own gauges. I recall him telling me that he developed most of his standards while making the railway on the steelworks demonstration model work (see the MRJ Compendium from a number of years ago).

I think you may be thinking of Frank's last layout, Hardwick Grange, which is now in the care of the Cardiff Model Engineering Society

Come and see Borchester Market at the Wakefield Show - Friday 20th to Sunday 22nd November, Thornes Park Athletic Stadium

Photos of BM from Southwold are included in this album: https://www.flickr.com/photos/75514026@N03/albums/72157649004452418 I hope you find them interesting.