Steve Hewitt

Another small step...... John has sent me the following photos of some recent additions to the layout. First the Blacksmith has get a proper fire going in his forge: One of his customers has left a little something for the Rose Growers: The GPO has installed another public call box, and no-one has nicked the lamp yet. Steve.

Back from the paintshop........... And the moving parts added: First the home signal: and the Bracket starter: Finally for now, The last eight signals have all been packaged, ready for delivery at the ExpoEM North show this weekend: I have a few video clips of the signals under test which I hope to be able to edit together shortly..... Steve.

Sorry for the previous two post being almost duplicates. Must have been "finger trouble" on my part Steve.

And here we are........... I've made a start on these two, they are a fairly standard LMS/BR round post stop signal and a less common LMS "welded stem" bracket signal. First the round post: There isn't anything special about this signal which I haven't described previously. It now ready for a clean and paint before the Lamp/Bearing/Bracket is added. It will have to wait a while, to be joined by the bracket signal. Waiting over: This was very much a scratch building exercise. Brass Channel for the main stem, with N/S plates welded in place. The nearest size I could buy for the channels was 5mm x 2mm. The actual size, from Warburton's book on LMS signals, should be 5mm x 1.3mm (15in x 4in). I had to machine the channel to reduce the 2mm size to 1.3mm: The trimmers are also channel sections, but I was able to use 3mm x 1mm stock giving a prototype 9in x 3in size. The rest of the model follows my usual methods. Brass angle, strip, Lace Pins, N/S sheet & wire. etc. Again the round doll with 3D printed Lamp etc will be added after painting. They are now off to the paintshop............... Steve. edited to remove unwanted photos.

And here we are........... I've made a start on these two, they are a fairly standard LMS/BR round post stop signal and a less common LMS "welded stem" bracket signal. First the round post: There isn't anything special about this signal which I haven't described previously. It now ready for a clean and paint before the Lamp/Bearing/Bracket is added. It will have to wait a while, to be joined by the bracket signal. This was very much a scratch building exercise. Brass Channel for the main stem, with N/S plates welded in place. The nearest size I could buy for the channels was 5mm x 2mm. The actual size, from Warburton's book on LMS signals, should be 5mm x 1.3mm (15in x 4in). I had to machine the channel to reduce the 2mm size to 1.3mm: The trimmers are also channel sections, but I was able to use 3mm x 1mm stock giving a prototype 9in x 3in size. The rest of the model follows my usual methods.

Just back from the Paintshop................. The four non-working signals have been completed. Next will be two working signals for Denton Holme North. Steve.

I think you've got it right. There were so many pre-grouping companies involved with Carlisle in several joint ventures. Thanks for your observations. Steve.

Whilst waiting for the paint to dry............. I'll make a start on the next pair of signals. These are both tall lattice posts, one a Fixed Distant for Dentonholme South and the other a Non-working Starter for Dentonholme North. I'm using MSE etches for the posts: This is the turning I've made to fix the post in the baseplate: This is the baseplate: How to solder the turning in place: Result: The 1/2in brass tube which will locate the signal in the baseboard: Soldered in the same way to give: A post in its mounts: The Non-working signal will still need a weight bar and bearing: Again its an MSE etch. As are the ladders, with 0.4mm N/S wire added to each stile: With finials added (and lamp for the L/Q Distant): The U/Q bearing, lamp etc. will be a 3D print, added after the painting. Which is the next step............ Steve.

Assembly...... Not a lot to put together on this signal: The turning on the base of the post (seen earlier) ensures the post is vertical in the baseplate. Like so. To fit the signal into the baseboard, my usual 1/2in dia brass tube is used: The weight bar bearing we saw on the previous post is carefully aligned: The ladder has also been fitted. The weight bar is made up from some N/S etches made for me by Les Green: I've added a Gibson turned finial, but failed to take a photo - sorry. The Lamp, its Bracket and the Arm Bearing will be one of my usual 3D printed items, again from Les Green. It won't be added until after the painting - it makes masking etc. so much easier. This signal and the previous Fixed Distant will be off to the paintshop now............ Steve.

Another small signal before they go to the Paintshop together...... This one is a short LMS/BR round post adjacent to Dentonholme South box, controlling the South exit from the Dentonholme Joint Committee line, I believe. First step is making the components: The post is assembled from two brass tubes and a brass turning where it is to be "planted". This is the baseplate for the signal. (Note that the line controlled by the signal comes in from the Wall, and as such will be permanently "ON". The weight bar bearing is made from a MSE etch, soldered to its fixing which is machined from square section brass bar. This has been drilled to fit the base post and cut away to leave a representation of the clamps which fix it in place. A length of etched ladder has been "improved" by adding 0.4mm N/S wire to the stiles. Next I'll start on the assembly.......... Steve.

Assembly..... (Sorry for the wait, but Cornwall has been very pleasant ) Post installed in its foundations. With the ladder in place. A couple of shots with the lampman's staging in place: Ready for the paintshop. More soon.......... Steve.

Hi John, I'm home again from glorious Cornwall - fantastic. I have a selection of some 10 assorted sizes of North Eastern Lumber, all from their packaged H0 scale range. Remember, being American, all sizes are in inches. Also being H0, they are a shade light on 4mm scale. Their 3in x 8in size I find very useful, but my stock covers widths of 6, 8, 10 and 12 inches and thicknesses of 2, 3 and 4 inches. Not sure what I can tell you about Handrails. I fix the Stanchions in place first, then measuring carefully I bend the handrail itself from 0.3mm N/S wire, trying it for fit as I go. The complete Handrail is then soldered to the stanchions, just below the head of the pin. This can then be dressed with a very fine file if you wish to improve the look of it. If the handrail surrounds a complete stage, as on a bracket signal, I make the join by sleeving a short length of 0.5mm OD x 0.3mm ID tube over the join and soldering in place. Where the handrail is formed into a loop near the top of an access ladder, I form it using my "Brass Assist", or alternatively a suitable sized drill shank. Don't expect to get each one correct first time. Hope this helps, and don't hesitate to get back to me if anything isn't clear. Steve.

Hello John, Thanks for your kind comments. I'm away from my workshop for a while so I'm not able to check the timber sizes just now. The handrails are made from Lace Pins for the stanchions and 0.4mm Nickel Silver wire for the handrail itself. I bought a wide selection of the timber when they were available at a local show. There has been some discussion on RMWEB about a UK stockist, but I can't remember the details. I'll get in touch again when I get home. Steve

Thanks Les.

I managed to get to Blackpool today and took a few shots on my phone...... The two boards which show Lime Street, the Hotel and the Station Frontage are the basis of the display: A short extension has been made to allow the Faller Road system to be operated. (Just a loop with queuing facilities) A simulation of the western end of the South Roof with a painted sky completes the additions. Without the usual barriers, close scrutiny is possible: An updated information panel explains the context of the display: With no railway to get in the way, I could get a few shots looking out of the station from the concourse: And some shots of the concourse: And the rear of the Hotel, which is not usually visible: Another couple of shots from the front of the model: Makes a change from two vans, and a team of six operators. The Road system runs automatically, leaving plenty of opportunity to chat to the visitors. I can't wait now to see the whole layout back together and a chance to run some trains. Steve.

Hi Jonathan, All the 3D printed parts I use come from Shapeways. They are created by Les Green, and many are available in his Shapeways shop: https://www.shapeways.com/shops/railway-odds-and-ends I don't think he's put the square signal posts in the shop yet, but I'll ask him to do so. I know he's a bit busy at the moment so its not likely to be immediately. Steve.

Lime Street on display this weekend....... John is taking some of the layout to the Model Tramway Exhibition in Blackpool this weekend. He's actually leaving 42ft 6in of the 45ft long layout at home He will have the two boards which contain Lime Street itself, with the Hotel and roadway etc. Good chance to come and see some of the stunning scenic work which has been created............ Venue is : Old Tram Depot Rigby Road Blackpool Hours Saturday 10:00 til 5:00 Sunday 10:00 til 4:00 Steve.

Thanks Jon, The strangest part for me is the Back Blinder. It being fixed to the rear of the arm, passing between the lamp and post before the blinder itself can obscure the rear of the lamp when the signal is lowered. Consequently it can also act as an arm stop if it touches both the lamp bracket (at Danger) and the post (at Clear). Very fiddly in 4mm when it also has to clear the optical fibre at the rear of the lamp. I've previously had to extend the length of the blinder to make it reach. Steve.

Assembly....... I always prefer to use solder when assembling my signals, but when using 3D printed parts this is not possible. However, making as many sub-assemblies of the metal parts helps somewhat: I first assembled the signal's foundations: and secured the post with a spot of cyano. This is the lampman's platform. The lamp and bracket I assembled earlier. The position of the main axle was drilled 0.7mm. Using this to position the arm, I was then able to locate the lamp correctly. The tiny plates which are fixed to the front and rear of the post to secure the axle were also added: The ladder came next, glued to the post and soldered to the baseplate: Just above the top ladder fixing you can just make out a short length of brass tube. This is 0.5mm OD and 0.3mm ID and will help to secure the handrail of the lampman's platform. (I'm doubtful that 0.3mm N/S wire glued to the post would be strong enough joint) Last addition for now was the Finial: The arm and platform will not be added until everything has been painted But that won't be for some time as my caravan is calling..... I'll probably not do any painting until I've got a few more Carlisle signals to a similar condition....... Steve.

Hi Mike, Yes, I have and quite successfully. A few years ago I bought some "Transparent Glass Paint" in a craft shop. This will do the trick. I use a Red, Yellow and Turquoise colour as appropriate. My preferred method, however, is to use MSE's lens material. I punch discs to an appropriate size with a leather punch - sizes from 2mm to 4.5mm dia in 0.5mm increments. I glue this to the rear of the aperture with either superglue or Clear Fix or anything else which will dry clear. Finally, once everything is dry, I add a drop of Clear Fix to the front of the lens to reinforce it. I now also add a drop of Yellow Glass Paint to Distant aspects as I think the colour of the MSE material is a bit weak. Hope this is helpful, Steve.

Thanks Stephen, very informative indeed. Steve.

Carlisle - Moving North to Denton Holme South Jct.......... The next signal is seen here: There were a large number of companies involved in the development of the railways around Carlisle. The Settle to Carlisle line being very well known, it was the work of the Midland Railway. This signal is very much a Midland product, so it is probably on a route developed by that company. It is a Fixed Distant signal and still retains all its lower quadrant features. I'm basing the model largely on a MSE kit, but with a few changes as usual. I've started by collecting together most of the main components, and sub-assemblies: I've decided to use a 3D printed main post instead of the cast one supplied. This will allow me to easily route the optical fibre for the light inside the post. Having cut the post to the correct length, I've turned the base to produce a spigot which will allow it to be planted in the turned brass foundation seen to its left. Adjacent is the baseplate and the 1/2 in diameter brass tube which will be used to mount the signal on the baseboard. Using a four-jaw chuck, I've turned the finial spigot to fit the top of the post. This has also squared up the base of the finial. In this picture you can also see the distant arm assembled from some five etched components. The lamp bracket will be glued to the post, and its joint strengthened by the lace pin. The lamp casting was drilled through 0.5mm for the optical fibre, then the base of the lamp casting was also turned to ensure its squareness before soldering it to its bracket. The ladder etch has been improved and strengthened by the addition of 0.4mm N/S wires to the stiles. Next steps will be assembly of the main structure, painting and then final assembly and installation of the LED. Steve.

Sorry to disappoint....... The signal will be located quite near to the edge of the layout, up against a wall, I believe. (That's why the left arm is not working, the line it controls is extremely short) Consequently, the lack of a second weight bar and pull wire will not be clearly seen if at all. For a similar reason, signals controlling routes which "come out of the wall" are not lit - nobody can see the lights. Thanks for your close interest. Steve.

Here's the completed model............ In this shot you can see the "Rocking Shaft" used to transfer the Pull of the Signal Wire from the Main Post to the Doll: You can also see the lamp man's staging made from stained strip wood from North Eastern Lumber. The Rocking Shaft is 0.5mm N/S. Its bearings are 7mm scale "medium handrail knobs" bushed down to 0.5mm dia with brass tube. Because the left hand signal is not working, it isn't connected to a pull wire on the main post: The left hand crank is not attached to any Rocking Shaft, its just allows that for the one working arm to rotate freely within itself. A rear view: Here you can see the optical fibres used to carry the light of the "Gas Light" LED up to the lamps. And with the lamps lit: I hope to put a video together shortly...... Steve.

Stock-piling arms...... I usually make signal arms in batches, can be tedious, repetitive work but spread over several days as things dry etc. its quite enjoyable. Here is the current batch almost ready for use. There would have been more, but I had forgotten how few Chiltern decals I had left Steve.