Steve Hewitt

Here's another short video, this time of the Sector Plate Turntable. This one is purely functional and is relatively high speed. It is designed to handle locos as efficiently as possible. http://youtu.be/X65MXSJfS5E It also uses Stepper Motor technology, like the Station turntable. Steve.

Thanks Jon, I've followed your Topic for some time, and indeed it was what inspired me to start this one of my own. Steve.

For efficiency, I wanted to paint both the starter and the bracket signal at the same time, so I've moved on to the second signal now. The owner supplied another Masokits etch for a bracket signal base post, but it is of a tapered design. The LNWR books I have to hand all show the posts to be parallel square sections, so I used a suitable brass tube for this model. The trimmers are also of quite heavy section, so I assembled mine from multi-layers of Brass and Nickel Silver. Here's the result: Ensuring squareness: Next the foundation tube, drilled to be a close fit on the main post, and turned down to give a wall thickness which can be soldered later without taking all the heat from my iron: After parting off from the bar, the "top" end is shouldered to be a fit in the model's base plate: The base plate, from N.S., is drilled for the foundation tube, and the two guide tubes which are arranged to line up with the balance arms: The shoulder ensures the foundation tube is vertical to the base plate. This required a small notch to clear the closest guidetube. Plently of liquid flux (12% phosphoric acid), a tiny slug of solder and a quick blast from the blow torch and its all over: The two guide tubes are aligned and secured using the iron: From the top: Finally the 1/2in tube which will be used to locate the signal in the layout, and ensure alignment of the servos, is parted off to ensure squareness: This was soldered in place using the blow torch again - sorry no photo. More later. Steve.

It is, like the prototype. Access to the turntable area is from either platform 10 or 11. Setting either of these routes ensures the turntable is aligned with the entry road before clearing the appropriate signal. Leaving the turntable to either platform is controlled by the two arm ground signal. Upper arm for Platform 11 and the lower one for Platform 10. These routes can also only be set when the turntable is in line with the exit road. There were no other signals provided for movements around the turntable. Steve.

Thanks Mick, for your comments. Here's a short viddeo I took at John's place today: http://youtu.be/JB_ygsKzDdg I'll try to get some more shots of the mechanism, and also the versions used on the Sector Plate and its own high-speed turntable. Steve.

This is the plan of the layout, copied from Page 1 of this topic: The total length is 45ft, and the widest boards, where the tram tracks run are 8ft. Steve.

The turntables and sector plate use "Stepper Motor" technology. Some details have been posted earlier in the topic. You might find them if you use the Search facility at the top of each page. The turntable mechanism was built by team member Geoff, and is now commercially available from GF Controls http://www.gfcontrols.co.uk/. I'll try to get some video of it this weekend, both above and below ground. Steve.

Yes, indeed! It's right in front of the Station Operators. Being seated, they have the turntable almost at eye-level, so standing spectators can see over their heads. Steve.

Thanks DAS, That's a great photo. I can't build ladders to scale dimensions, they're just impossibly flimsy, and I hate seeing models with ladders looking more like snakes! Your photo also shows how fine the spectacle frame should be. Steve.

I think this is more what you mean? The radius of the curve was 7in, so about 5mm between the "verticals". The slope of the ladder is 1 in 12, so the curve is less than a full semi-circle. The toggle is to get around the finial. I hope I can get the old one off without doing too much damage. Steve.

John has continued to make progress and has just completed detailing the main turntable. Still needs painting and weathering, but these photos show its currect condition: Steve.

A bit more progress: This shows how the signal will eventually be installed, using (in this case) a 1/2in dia. brass tube surrounding the post's base and the guide tube seen previously. A simple vertical hole through the baseboard will ensure accurate location. Later you will see how this tube also ensures accurate alignment of the servo(s). Here we see the balance arm and its bearing in place: Also the arm bearing and lamp bracket: The operating wire is 0.3mm Nickel Silver: Its "below ground" section is strengthened with 1/32in brass tube, which is a sliding fit in the guide tube mentioned earlier. This is what it looks like in a trial assembly: I prepare the ladders by soldering 0.3mm or 0.4mm Nickel Siver wire to each stile. This adds enormous strength and improves the look a great deal. The LNWR attched many ladders to their posts in a unique "over the top" style: This is my interpretation of it. You can see the cast white metal post finial has also been solder in position. This is just about ready for the paint shop after a wash and brush up. I'll prepare the bracket signal next, then it can all be painted in one session. Steve.

Yes, it's nice and easy on the eye. Better than this reply at 14pt. Steve.

More components gathered together, including cast brackets from Scale Signal Supply: I found these etched items in the "might come in useful" box. They will be the backplate of the arm bearing, with 1/32in tube soldered across as the bearing itself. I forgot to take a photo of the brass post made up from the Masokits etch. Sorry! Folded carefully, using my "Hold & Fold", and soldered together it makes a very straight, strong and well proportioned version of a tapered wooden signal post. I usually plant my signal posts in a turned socket which is soldered into the signal's base plate, which is cut from sheet Nickel Silver. After soldering: The small hole is to take a length of 1/16in brass tube which will guide the operating link. Here's the guide tube in place, with a piece of scrap etch to ensure it's security. Here's shot showing how the post was assembled, now securely planted in its foundation tube. Finally for now, the arm bearing being mounted on the post: First the backplate, then the bearing tube: More soon... Steve.

My latest project is to build three signals for a layout based on the LNWR branch to Delph. These comprise a single arm Platform Starter, a Balanced Two-doll Bracket and a single miniature-arm Ground Signal. The layout owner provided a collection of components from the MSE range, and some exquisite etches from Masokits, of which more anon. The models are to be servo driven with controllers from GF Controls. It’s been a while since I built any LNWR signals, so I took Jack Nelson's excellent book on LNWR matters with me to Cornwall for holiday reading. To get in the LNWR mood I started by assembling some of the distinctive components: First the arms, in corrugated style from an MSE etch: At this stage we hadn't finalised the size of the second lower arm on the bracket, so I made one of each. Next I tackled the lamp brackets, which are a very distinctive shape. I scratched these from a short length of brass tube, closed at one end by a piece of scrap etch, then the curved shape cut with the piercing saw and finished with needle files. The rear of each bracket, which on the prototype is bolted to the post with the same through-bolts that retain the arm bearing, was filed gently to give a flat surface for soldering to its post. One of the MSE cast LNWR signal lamps in place - a nice snug fit! The starting signal with its single arm was treated to a cast balance arm bearing which I had in stock. These castings are unsuitable for two or more balance arms, so I made a bearing from a short length of square section tube. The shape is only an approximation, but they seem OK and certainly work well. The etched balance arms from MSE need beefing up if they are to work smoothly. I also add additional etched weights to get away from the flat appearance. The finished bearing with two balance arms in-situ. More to follow…. Steve.

Hi Mick, The wires are Nickel Silver, usually 0.3 or 0.4mm depending on length and need to push (buckling is always a risk). I use a pair of flat nosed, parrallel action pliers. They were made by "Maun Industries" and I bought them from Squires many years ago. One of the best buys ever, I use them all the time. The jaws stay parallel at all times, so they grip flat sheets etc really well. (Pivotted jaws tend to only grip on the edges, particularly on thicker material.) The action has a great mechanical advantage, so squeezing short lengths of wire is no problem. Steve.

My previous topics have usually been about a specific signal or group of signals, but I 've decided now to start this one with the intention of it having a longer life. Where appropriate, I'll include links to older topics if they have relevent content. I admit the idea comes from my "Following" Jon Fitness' topic which I find always interesting and very enlightening. It's some time since I last posted - Signals for Horsted Keynes was the subject - 7mm as it happens. Since then I've built a couple more SR (ex LSWR) signals in 4mm. The first was a balanced bracket with lattice post and dolls: The second was a left hand bracket, rail built main post and lattice dolls: I remembered to take a few detail shots so you can see more of the construction. A dusting with a fine paintbrush removed the c--p from the wooden staging!!! (Photos are really useful for showing up problems which your eye seems to just ignore.) These signals were delivered without servos, as they were being installed later and will use MERG controllers. The operating wires were terminated with 1/32in tube, running in 1/16th tube guides which is my usual method. This shot from below shows what I mean: More later.. Steve Hewitt

I had a few hours at John's place yesterday. I've had "withdrawal symptoms" having been away for a couple of months or more. Its great to see the progress that's been made - more track detailed in the station throat, platforms and buildings weathered, population starting to come out of hiding etc. John and Geoff have modified the routing from certain platforms to the Up Slow lines, as a consequence more simultaneous movements will be possible. We have also digested the information we've gleaned from the article on Lime Street re-signalling in MRJ and discussions John has had with retired railwaymen who knew the station in steam days. Consequently, we will be revising the operating sequence quite a bit. This should make the running more efficient and prototyplical. We intend to develop and fine tune the new sequence over the coming couple of months. We'll then have time for the Warley team to be fully trained for its next outing in November. Steve.

I'm also on holiday - caravanning in Cornwall. Currently undertaking "research" - reading Railway Books etc. Les, you should have provided homework as you did last year when I made several roof trusses in the caravan. Steve.

Brings back great memories! My friends and I used to enjoy the real thing when those diesels were first introduced. Standing right on the driver's shoulder we watched his every move, and were sure we could have driven one very well. Half hourly service with a half hour journey time to Bury. Great station names en-route: Bacup; Stacksteads; Waterfoot; Cloughfold; Rawtenstall; Ewood Bridge; Stubbins Junction; Ramsbottom; Summerseat; Bury Bolton Street You're really getting it right! Steve.

Hi Jerry, The cameras have not yet been finally specified, but we'll post details when can. Steve.

Newchurch is actually part of Rawtenstall, the adjacent borough to Bacup, and the name was used at Waterfoot station in the earliest days of the line. Its where I used to get off the train each day when going to school. Steve.

John and I spent today planning a number of improvements to the operation of the layout, and its visibility to spectators. There are a couple of blind spots in the CCTV system we use to monitor trains in the Station area. They are concerned with the location of the uncoupling magnets. We've identified the location for two further cameras which will solve these problems. Unfortunately, the video switch we use to manage the view seen on the Station operators' monitors has a capacity of eight inputs. The new cameras will raise the number required to nine! This means another video switch linked to the current one will eventually have to be installed. In the meantime, the highest priority camera will be installed in the spare port, and the second one will have to take its turn in the queue for Geoff's time. I mentioned previously the new information we had gleaned from the Signalling article in LMS Journal. We are now reviewing the operating sequence to reflect better the way the platforms were used in 1947, and how the trains were managed. We hope to generate a completely revised operating sequence in time for the Warley show in November. Previous comments on RMweb about not holding engines at the platform buffers are being adressed. The main section switching in the platforms is in place and allows Banking up the Cutting to be done. The ability to follow a departure up the platform and stop at the starting signal requires some further switching to be installed, and that is on our list of "to do's". At present, once a Station operator has set a departure route, he cannot do anything else until the Sector Plate operator has driven the train out, allowing him to clear the route. The plan is to introduce a "virtual" operator at the Station who will only set departuire routes. Once set these will be executed by the Sector Plate operator as at present, but this will leave the Station operator free to make other moves. The result will be a significant oportunity for simultaneous moves to be made. This will require a very major re-write of the Router software, and again will join Geoff's list. Those who saw the layout at Ally Pally will know how difficult it can be to see into the Station area when held back behind barriers. This will be adressed by the introduction of one or more HD video cameras and two large flat screen monitors, one in the Station area, and the other in front of the Cutting. We spent time today considering the location of the first HD camera, and the favoured view is seen in this shot I took on my phone: This view looks up platforms 7 to 11, which are the ones most obscured from spectators by the walls up Skehorne Street and the South Station roof. The view of platforms 1 to 6 through the larger North roof is less obstructed. I'm sure we'll post more details as these developments are realised in the coming weeks and months. Steve.

Five of the Lime Street team joined members of the LMS Society for a ride in the L&Y "Manchester & Blackpool Club Carriage on the Keighly & Worth Valley Railway. What a superb restoration job. Weather could have been more pleasant, but we had an enjoyable trip anyway. Over lunch we discussed the next developments to be tackled on the layout. They will no doubt be reported in some detail on this Topic, but include: further CCTV cameras to improve operation, changes to the control software to prevent unintentional despatch of trains from the sector plate to the station, on-going fine detailing of the railway infrastructure (adding chairs, ballasting, platform edges, minor buildings etc.). weathering of the non-railway infrastructure the Station Hotel a major improvement to audience visibility of the station will be tackled by a High Definition TV Camera and two large monitors. the article on re-signalling of Lime Street in LMS Journal contained some very useful information about how trains were handled at Lime Street, and the operating sequence will be reviewed with these in mind. We'll be prioritising these and agreeing which will be completed in time for the next outing which is to the Warley Show at the NEC in November. Steve.

Jon, I've got some of these to build in 4mm scale, where gravity is certainly not sufficient to bring the arm back to danger. I plan to use a further servo to drive the balance arm for the signal arm. Its controller will then be connected so that it clears the signal concurrently with any of the route boards being displayed. Similarly it will return to danger when the route board is returned. Steve.