peach james

But Ribblehead was built as double track, unless I've been smoking some wacky tabbacy? (not allowed to, I'm a sailor...) "A partial solution was to single the line across the viaduct in 1985, preventing two trains from crossing simultaneously." (wiki, not the most reliable source, but a easy to get one) So somewhere in your scaling, you have made a mistake...as it would have to be at least 6+6+5+5=22 ft wide at track height. I'd think that a curved viaduct would be a bit wider, depending on how you laid it out. I understand normal full sized practice is to make each arch straight, with an additional segment on the long side above the pillar, and then use extra width to slew the track. Remembering that in full size, the curve radius would be much larger than on your model... (5 chains=1.32m=guarded "dead slow" track...)

For mine, I used 1/2" styrofoam for both the supports and the deck. Right now, it languishes as it has for the last several years, with 4/5 arches of card stuck onto the sides, but little else done to it. I'm still working on getting trains to run, so I haven't done a lot on making the scenery match what I have in mind. It does span a 6' long gully though, but it is straight not curved, and then ends in a 36" radius (or so) curve, as the wall of my house imposed a 90% diversion in course towards Appleby (taken about 6 years ago !) My excuses for the last 2 years of slow progress are presently playing with Lego down here with me. (the two boys) James

Todays fun: Remove 2 sections of the storage yard, and fix wiring on one, then plant the last turnout on the other. Also, make another DB 150/Power supply/Relay board, to install at the far end for power supply. (actually, the DCS 100, so that I can have up to 120 "loco" loads running at once...not quite overkill, as I have about 60 "loco" decoders between the two layouts, and I have come close to the 20 limit of the DB 150's at times) James

Oh, the fun of coming back home from being away again... Taw Valley Solenoid controllers were here when I got home. Now, 4 LM signals have bounce in their step (and it is much easier to fit than the previous Torti drive method, as well as freeing up torti and a DS44) The next fun bit has been tracking down several interesting gremlins in section identification, and power. I know why I have a small section missing power, now I have to remove the baseboard to get at it and fix it. I don't remember how I wired it, so out it comes. James

Jeff, There is at least one layout over here that I know of where the builder used metal 2x4's as the frame. After all the fun I have had with reasonably good quality plywood changing shape, and the 1x4's which bowed up to 1/2" on a 6' span, I was sorely tempted towards Aluminum framework, but ended up back with plywood. (it's a little easier to work). I've had to replace some of the table work that supports the staging yard (not fiddle- it's not intended to be fiddled in, just to store/stage) with 1x4 sided versions, as the original ones were 1x2's that went bendy on me. (the layout using metal frames is Mike Walton's, if you want his email, drop me a PM. He sends out a report about monthly after the operating session, the layout is in the Toronto area, and would fit well in the "large layouts" section on here, as well as having a bit of S&C flavor to it) James Powell

Q about the IJN scene, wouldn't the large hammerhead be rail mounted? The one at Victoria Graving Dock was, and was of a similar vintage. (it strikes me as being a bit unusual, given the constraints of naval dockyards that a fixed crane would be used over a rail mounted one). The guns should be at the same level...some gunners mate 1st class would be loosing his MIND if they weren't when the ship was in port. It's a lovely little 'can though Fabulous standard of modeling, James Powell

OK, so I am now moving photos onto Flickr, from my PCI web page (the one with a mal-ware warning...the web site will be going away shortly anyway, because I am now with a different ISP) Here are a bunch of photos, with comments. They are not in any particular date order... Locos in a box. (mostly for proof of existance) Trout Beck, taken in 2006. (before the tracklaying had been completed- see the loose track). Note, Caribou is on the shelf above the layout...which is a fun lift to manage ! Before buying the first sea-container, the layout room was a total disaster to work in. It was _full_ of stuff, as this photo shows. A lot of the kit in here moved out to the cans for storage, like the wood on the floor which went into some project around the house or another, possibly the shelving in the room. The Original (V1.0) of Long Marton, set up at 53B London Cr, Elliot Lake. Only did this for one weekend, so that I could verify that it was transportable, and that it worked when I moved it. It did, and then went from there to GBTS 1996. On completion, it ended up being taken apart and mostly burned-track was salvaged, but the rest went away in 1997. I had no way to move it ~2500 miles to the west coast. The staging yard as it started being built. Not a lot of change since then, except that it is finished Another view of the staging under construction Trusty Antax and 12v regulated power supply, working on track laying Alberta with 12 on, in the staging yard. The staging yard, much nearer competion. The two red buttons were the switches for the DCC and for lighting under the staging. The DCC switch has since been moved, but the light switch one is still there. Under one of the 15:4 boards, there are a lot of point motors crammed into the space. They also contain typically, a pair of DS64's and a DS44, and a BDL 168 or DB4's. The boards with DS 64's have a stop switch fitted, to be pushed in emergency. I think the connection for the throttle has since been mounted into the wood, rather than being glued below it. One of the 3 15 track straight boards, with a BDL 168 mounted on it, along with a 120v lightbulb for illuminating the lego below. Copper bus wire across entire board is the return wire, with each track wired to it, then the wires off the BDL go straight to each section. Trout Beck, looking North. Goods yard, with very temporary Superquick goods shed (it belongs to the Thomas the Tank engine layout) in place Ark Royal on a passenger train, near the goods shed. One of the older versions of the RR&Co plan of Long Marton. Under the Bridge 253 board, is this setup. I'm using Torti to move turnouts that are up to 4" above the torti, so the wire ends up being used as rotary motion through a brass tube, then Tamya 3mm strips used to make operators between the Torti and the wire. It works fairly well, and provides lots of room for adjustment. Quite similarly, this is how I am using Torti to drive Ratio signals on the ends where I could easily cut a hole to fit from above. Long Marton itself is a different kettle, and has been done quite differently. (and not reliably!) Night Photograhy, taken with the Nikon & the light from the DCC concepts lights. Yes, the platform was unpainted plywood at this point ! (at least it is grey now...) One of the 2 instrument cases, designed for use as signalbox instrument cases, they hold enough gubbins to make the top (lego) lever go to 3 positions, and the bottom one has 3 microswitches, then a bell is located within the case. These are designed to be attached to the signal box lever frame box. (which I think I will have to find photos for !) The other side of the box (well, the inside !) The other side of the box (well, the inside !) Inside the lever frame (as built) Inside the lever frame (as built) the Lever Frame. It's from SigScribe, and provides working mechanical locking. the Lever Frame. It's from SigScribe, and provides working mechanical locking. Long Marton Signal Box by Peach James, on Flickr The frame box contains 3x DS64's (now), a BDL 168, 1x RX4 (not used), and a smoggle of wiring to connect it all. It provides the power for the 5 boards of Long Marton, so there is a bunch of other interconnections fed through the box. (AC, DCC bus & DCC segments, plus 8 outputs are used from the frame box...there is ~600 ft of wire that has to be wrapped around the box when I move it around, and it has quite a sizable amount of weight) Anyway, I hope the photos provide some entertainment. I can't nip downstairs to take any more right now because I'm not there ! James

Thanks Ian, there are times when I wonder about the sanity of modeling the UK from the other side of the world ! James

Do you have any plans of offering up the etchings? I have 16 of the JE etches, which do not have the bodywork for them. I could be interested in purchasing complete etches, if the cost isn't too high. I see that you are using Kadee couplers, which is good- that's what I am slowly standardizing on for Long Marton. (well, that and 3 link...) Otherwise, where did you get the castings from for the ones you have built? (the buffers & axleboxes), as I will be needing some for the Judith Edge kits either way. The fun of modeling from 2000 miles (or 5000) away. I can't nip out to the local shop and see what bits they have. James Powell

Am I silly, but it would appear that the one that was at NRM isn't on the list? It's nameplate is Frank Galbraith, and a quick scan doesn't show it on the STN list above by name. (it may well be on there by number though). Clearly a post war engine... 100_0846 by Peach James, on Flickr Oh, and if I can find the coin, I will order one of the kits. (its that $$$ thing, there are a lot of things which compete for it, unfortunately) James

100 HP industrial Sentinel by Peach James, on Flickr That's what I am up to right now. I've only been building it since 98 or so. It is P4, and so not at all appropriate for Long Marton. (it may, at some point, suffer from a bout of regauging though...). I'm the far side of the country from home, so brought some things to keep me entertained. James

And having had a few min to run trains today, the goods train portion needs more work, as well as the filling of the staging yard by DMU's. Bad news: Storage yard tracks are a lot shorter than the staging yard tracks. Good news: None, really. James

And tonight: Auto. DMU's in the form of a 153 and the trusty 108 were out running past each other in Long Marton, with the distant signals controlling the speed and the home & starters doing nothing. The automatic plan to fill the storage yard works with the DMU, next I need to see if it will work with both a DMU and a goods train. Then, emptying it back to the staging, and adding more trains including passenger trains. I also have to add other train types (made 3 groups, goods, passenger & DMU), to the mix and see what happens. I'm aware that I have at least a couple of sections that are not properly identified yet...I had to add a route section on Thursday, so I'm not feeling too bad at all. Todays difficulty was electrical in nature, I had to change 3 blocks L/R for power, all on the hidden track & all fed off a reversing unit. Apparently, when I selected which belonged to which the last time, I managed to get at least one area backwards to its adjacent. Not a total shock, now dealt with. Unfortunately, it meant working into the middle of the lego spiral, which is SO easy to access. DSC_0031 by Peach James, on Flickr Still, I feel like I am getting somewhere with Long Marton. It will all go to bed for 6 weeks next sat, as I am going to Norfolk, VA, USA for a course. James

Go to the Lego train table and ask them if it is all Megablocks? (wearing my lego geek shirt right now...) James

So today: No progress on Long Marton, worked on the BRMoV layout wiring. Weaved a bit more spiderweb on one section, added a little bit of wood bracing, and a bunch of choco-blocks for terminating wiring. I need to put the last bits onto the current board, then move onto the next one for the BRMoV layout, which will entail a bit of woodworking to splice in some 13mm ply for the track bed under the castle hill, and the rather much simpler wiring for that section.

It's ALIVE. Just like frankenstein, it came to life today again. 2 DMU's running, tail chasing each other. Relearned a few RR&Co lessons, and have some relabeling to do in the program. I had 1 derailment, a shockingly low number, at the transition on to Trout Beck, which has always been a problematic spot on the line. Last bit of work was figuring out how to get the DMU's to not come to an abrupt halt when they enter the successor schedule start section, that's done & better now. (done by putting the stop block indicator at the end of the block). Now: back to work ... and the garden needs more time, and I have to spend some quality time with the sledge hammer or splitting wedge, getting wood split... BRMoV layout is partly dismantled, awaiting transport to David's for the next bit of work on the first 2 sections, requires wiring gubbins for the next section I have to complete. (5 isolation switches, 20-30 choco-blocks) We're still after any Victoria (BC, Canada) individuals who have an interest in UK models to come out to meetings. (to as far as Nanaimo or so...Vancouverites are welcome when we have meetings...) James (internal definitions) section=detection section block= group (at least one) section, inclusive of signaling/mock signaling How to stop trains from stopping & restarting: Route must end in the same block as the successor. The block section at the enterance to the block should NOT be set to stop, but to either brake or nothing

Trout Beck Viaduct Long Marton Station Long Marton goods shed full2012track DSC_0030 by Peach James, on Flickr

I can suggest reading Derek Lowe's "In the Pipeline", particularly any of the "things I won't work with" for ideas of the ideal composition of the smell. I think there must be something to the stuff Esso were working with... http://pipeline.corante.com/archives/2009/06/11/things_i_wont_work_with_thioacetone.php James

The blocks are back above 10k, which means the glue has dried again. I've been running a 9 car train in both directions, and including through some of the staging tracks. The club layout is also here and assembled- I'm glad I have a understanding wife who accepted that the basement interior HAD to be 24' 6" when we put the addition onto the house. This is the BRMoV club layout, we've done major alterations to it which should be completed prior to the September show. Mental notes about staging: really, 12" is enough to get into. If you have a table that lets you lie flat on your back at the height of the table you are going onto. Otherwise, no, 12" is not really enough to be able to get to the back of 30" baseboards with electrical gremlins. Of course, that really is an advertisement to get rid of all gremlins before installing said baseboards. Or, just bite the bullet, and remove the baseboards above until access is possible. Glad option A worked, even if it was a bit of a squeeze. Next fun: try Auto. That, or clean more track first...

Posting again. Spent more time away. Job related, spent 2 weeks in Halifax, NS. I've been back for 2 weeks, and have got trains running in both directions, with hoover running in one direction with 8 on, and the 108 running the other way. Lots of programming went on in the background, spent a bunch of time @ work on it during my morning/lunch hour. Next fun: Getting the 8 coaches to run reliably through the trackwork. My track laying skills are not that good, considering. Lots of humps which show up badly with Kadee couplings & longish trains. I'm expecting that the layout at this time cannot be run in auto, because 2-5 detection blocks are going to be below 10k resistance right now. James

My book on Diesel engines, would call this a "semi-diesel". As regards brakes: It's a gauge 1 model. Not a 3 1/2" model. Heck, 2/3rds of my 3 1/2" locos don't have brakes, and the 1 that does the brakes have to be augmented with the "foot" brake if you need to stop in a hurry. (like say, if the traverser is out in front of you). When the engine is throttled down, the loco will slow down due to it being a electric drive. (the motors are now trying to turn the generator/engine faster than it wants to go). I'd assume that at low RPM, there is insufficent generated voltage to move the motors, & that's the end of it. I'd suspect that it would have grave difficulty pulling a wagon full of people. The bugaboo here is going to be adhesive weight, you need a loco that weighs around 20 lb/person to pull on an average track. (Tich @22 lb, will pull around 250 lb behind it). The BR 52 review that I read way back in 1986 said it would pull around 55 kg, and that's a fairly hefty gauge 1 loco. Again, possible, but unlikely. I would suspect that the electric losses are fairly high, and that the loco is designed to slow down by the engine slowing down. Note that it is fairly common to run gauge 1 locos without any controls (free running) on tracks, so the concern isn't that high. (I've done it with a Britannia in 3 1/2", and that gets strange looks...) James

I feel like I should have followed that one, as there are at least 2 points which are lacking power on one side right now !. I haven't wired electrofrog for a while, and forgot the simple part that the two outside rails & frog all get wired on them. 2 or 3 turnouts to adjust the position of the torti, as they are shorting before switching by enough to bring down the section with them in. Irritating, but not the end of the world. I had trains running in both directions for the first time in 2+ years, which made me happy. Silly house renovation projects that keep growing ! The Lego is fairly close to 2 wire, Dave, at least in comparison to a fully detected, fully computer operated turnout & signals setup. The lego only gets Red & Yellow wire, and that's it. Connect appropriately to them, and run...might explain why it works, and Long Marton didn't ! James

Re: the box on the side of the electric loco, it's not a disconnect switch is it? I'm thinking of the 250-500 Amp AQB circuit breakers we use at work, and it looks almost like an enclosure for one. (work is a spry 42 year old ship, so 1960 ish design. There's a fair amount of 1950's and 1940's tech in her though) James

I'd have thought one fitted with the blue circle "radar" might have been more appropriate ??? James Powell, RCN

Ok, so today's fun so far has been a short span of wiring. I knew I had 3 sections on the middle staging which were missing wiring, now found which ones & have a plan to power them from the next board over. It's getting a bit rats nest like, with the quantity of wiring required. 2 wire DCC this is NOT!. James