john dew

Indeed you do young Rob (and a Bachmannism but they probably copied a preservationism).

 

 According to normally reliable sources (RCTS) the 57XX/8750 class engines were not regraded as Yellow Group route availability until 1950 and I can confirm, having just checked, that the Winter 1947 Service Timetables refer to them as 'Blue Group'.

 

Seems blue pills are what is needed

 

Edit to add - 

 

This sort of thing seems to be a not uncommon error - even the NRM got it wrong on a 'City of Truro' repaint by putting on a blue 'disc' instead of a red one.  Amusingly the SVR got it right on that engine when they painted one side of it in the spoof BR lined black livery.

And where should the blue pills be? After this post and Robs rapid reaction I thought I had better check my Panniers........(Granby is roughly the same time period as ANTB)........all of mine (I have a few ....you can never have too many Panniers) bar a solitary 8750 were yellow

I did a bit of googling, as one does, and found that during the war they were moved from their position high on the cab side (like Robs) to just above the number plate. This was apparently an Air Raid Precaution to minimise the length of time lights were shone on both number plate and route classification. Mine....straight out of the Blue Box....are all like Robs with dot high on the cab side.

It strikes me that a war time precautionary instruction would carry more weight than a change in livery (I am trying to remember the Dads Army quote) and it is therefore probable that in 1947 at least some Panniers should have the disc in the war time location.

Not sure if Rob or I should worry about it too much.......but before I do........could Mike or any other expert confirm that the most likely location for the route disc, post war, should be above the number plate. I will be delighted to be told that its all a load of rubbish and they never moved.

Regards from Vancouver.....where the local inhabitants are super keen on this sort of thing 

I received one this week.....it's not been run in yet but on the DC test track it did seem stiffer than the Railroad Hall. Will run it in next week on the rolling road and let you know how I get on

 

Regards

I have run it on my admittedly basic rolling road and the performance was pretty disappointing. So stiff and jerky that I had to have the DC controller at a much higher setting than I normally use for running in.

However, while contemplating sending it back to Liverpool (something I have never ever done) I took the body off  (see below)......the front retaining screw was very tight....ran the loco without the body on the short DC  track and it was almost as smooth as a castle ! Put the body back without overtightening the screw and there was a little stiffness at very low speeds but I would rate it as acceptable........not brilliant but acceptable.

Has anyone fitted a DCC decoder to a new modified Hall yet? Just took mine apart prior to surgery ala Brian Kirby and note how small the pocket below the cab is, looks quite restrictive.

To insert the decoder you are supposed to remove the weight that is situated forward of the motor   Which rather begs the question of why the weight is there......the wiring is then fed back via a narrow channel to the socket.in the cab area......far from ideal.

I am not overly hung up about the front end......although now I know that it is wrong it kind of niggles........but I am frustrated with this set up ....particularly when  you compare it with say the 4F or Dukedog which have sockets with ample space in the tender and tender pickups. Its a sort of half and half, penny pinching measure that I dont normally associate with Bachmann .

Rant over......I will keep her.....add tender pickups and put the decoder in the tender. Done it before....all my split chassis are like that......but wasnt this a replacement?

Regards from Vancouver

Thanks Rob........that is very kind of you.

Having seen it I guess you can better appreciate my question on ANTB about kadee centering on Small prairies. I used to have one doing a regular turn between Granby and Chester but in the end it's remote coupling became too unreliable. Shame because they are such lovely models

Kind Regards

John

You sure put me to shame.........I am afraid that I just shy away from the idea off cutting and shutting and then painting the new sides properly........net result .....I run totally unrealistic Hawksworth brakes.......do we have an embarrassed emoticon?

Regards from Vancouver

I received one this week.....it's not been run in yet but on the DC test track it did seem stiffer than the Railroad Hall. Will run it in next week on the rolling road and let you know how I get on

Regards

I have been running a lot of trains on Granby since April but, for whatever reason, I seem to have difficulty writing about it. As many of you know, I run Granby with RR&Co computor control. Over the years I have developed a whole series of routines but have still to link them all together in a timetable.

I have attached a video showing one of the extended routines.It is a 5 minute sequence which hopefully demonstrates how a single operator can have a number of locos operating more or less at the same time.

I have tried to polish the video.....it was shot with an Ipad and edited with Imovie which I have never used before .....and I am afraid that it shows

It features a B Set train hauled by an assortment of Panniers. The train shuttles between two terminii.....Granby and "Chester" (Storage). At each station the incoming loco uncouples and a relief loco couples and hauls the train back whence it came. Immediately the outgoing train has cleared the road, then the released loco exits to a spur ready for the next trip.

From time to time an Autotrain departs when the B Set arrives. In the background, two goods trains do a gentle roundy roundy. There are 6 locos involved......and always at least 3 running.

I have edited out some delays....otherwise the loco movements all come from a single shoot.

I dont do sound......but there are some rather obvious sound effects. One of the Panniers is particularly growly and the Dukedog on one of the goods trains has a quite distinctive sound. However, the pre-dominant sound  comes from Peco solenoid point motors slamming accross...... or attempting to slam whenever a route is set. Its one of the few irritating features of RR&Co and yet another reason to use stall motors like Tortoise or Cobalt. I guess I could have muted them. They were left in deliberately to give a sense of all the activity taking place.

The sequence was started by a mouse click. Thereafter I held the camera (Ipad) and RR&Co did the rest......look out for some of the loco speed changes.....some are quite subtle......said he modestly

Finally.....to improve sight lines the Overall Roof and Terraced Houses (that shield the storage yards) were removed. The producers would like to make it clear that, despite the row of dead chimney pots, no scenery was harmed in the making of this movie

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V8yGlLt_qxE

Dorking...??? I was brought up there and I've never heard of Dorking sausages. What about you Olddudders?

Could be New World licence........they were not particularly memorable!

Here in Vancouver we have a British Butchers Shop  (not the Shoppe we often get over here) who bake Melton Mowbray Pie (I guess we are not in the EEC so the distance from Leicester doesnt matter?) and import delicacies like Branston Pickle..........and sticking to the topic......a huge range of Sausages....Dublin,  Dorking, Epping, Manchester, English Breakfast......the list goes on and on .....but my favourite is also Pork and Leek.

Kadees famously work best if body-mounted. That can be tough to arrange with some locos. Bachmann's coupler height disparities are legion, ISTR.

 

No easy answers here, sadly.

Oh well it's not just me......I guess they will have to be assigned to a semi permanent rake. I run Granby with RR&Co so automatic coupling is must......I spend a lot of time destroying the resale value of my stock by hacking and shimming .......I tried cut down Kadees on the body of the prairies but to no avail

Regards from Vancouver

Carry on like that and the Cap'n'll be on about sausages again.

Darn.....this time difference is a killer.....you got there before me!

Gorgeous shots Rob.

For the longest time, they were also my favourite class, as a model.

I have been meaning to ask this for a while......what coupling system do you use on Brent?...........I use Kadees and I find that automatic coupling is not very reliable because of the way the NEM pocket is mounted on the pony truck .........it doesn't centre properly because of the side play.........do you have this problem?

Kind regards from Vancouver

Morning Rob

I am still here to keep you company!

Good Morning Anthony

I am afraid I am a poor correspondent.......I had the wrong update on my "follow topic" set up.......and the time difference doesnt help

They look fine provided the centre profiling block is straight and subject to the caveat about visibility and accessibility.

Juergen Freiwald has simplified the process but it still takes about 30 minutes per loco and is mind numbingly boring.......I find the best antidote is a glass of red wine and some cool jazz! 

At the completion of the profile you have to carry out a series of brake tests which is another reason for visibility and accessibility..

Regards.

But weren't they really the 24th Foot Regiment, whose barracks (and therefore recruiting took place) were on Brecon - they didn't become part of the Warks Regt until some years later...?

I dont think the Warwickshires (6th Foot by the way) were involved......the action was fought by a company of the South Wales Borderers.......who were the 24th Foot......... plus some support troops.

Hi Anthony

CG37 will be fine for the DCC Programming Track but not for the RR&Co Profiling Track. For that you will need 3 contiguous (ie no intervening gaps or turnouts) detected blocks. The track must be level and ideally straight. The start and finish blocks should be about 2' long......the centre profiling block at least 4' long and ideally longer (mine is 6')..........edited: Just realised these distances are for an 00 layout.......I guess you could halve them for N gauge

It can either be part of the layout or a separate run but it does need to be both accessible and visible.

To ensure accurate stopping each loco must be profiled......you can read about it in the manual 3.5 Page 118

I mention it now because its far easier to set up now in the planning stage than retro fit.......as I did

Kind Regards

John

 

 

Stu I shall have a look at your videos tonight and hope to learn a great deal form them. I have only created the switchboards to date but have not tested them with running anything. I intend to buy the full TC Gold program eventually, but given sojourn in Sydney intended to leave it until I get back..

Hi Anthony

I hadnt realised that you had a much fuller description of your project on this forum........I am looking forward to catching up by reading all the back pages.

Nor had I realised how far you had advanced with your RR&Co switchboard........it looks very impressive.

It makes sense not to actually buy the software until you are back from Sydney but could I suggest that it is a perfect time to start the learning curve by setting up a schedule and testing it using the simulator..........something you can do in the evening when you want a break from making the buildings!

The more you can learn about TC before the wiring is finalised then the easier life will be.  With a layout that size I imagine finding space for a profiling track will not be too difficult.......have you given any thought to this?

Kind Regards from Vancouver

John

Bit OT but does anyone remember those stamping machines where you could stamp a metal strip (about the width of a large lolly stick and as long as you could afford)? I think I have Isambard Kingdom Brunel somewhere; might have cost me 21 pennies if it was 1 penny per letter!

Apart from me messing about what the he** were they for?

Quikerydickerymaydayducky

...................psssssttttttt! 'Obby 'Oss.

P

I remember them......they were used like modern day label makers Dymo/P Touch. I have a vague memory of them being used in the army but exactly where escapes me.

And yes Rob, you did need platform tickets at major stations in 1947

Thanks John.Yes it's a Comet K42 and my reasoning is if I keep shewing it one of the manufacturers will do a version.

Why can't I like. agree. and be amused.

Frustrated in Vancouver

Hi Rob

Great shots of the Milk Train .......I could almost do a snap with the rolling stock except its Bradley Manor and a fictional Hawksworth ........is that a kit built Brake........I am very envious

Regards 

Bit the bullet and paid the price.

 

My only gripe would be that the pickups were wildly out of adjustment, two not touching the wheels on the straight and the other four losing contact before the maximum lateral movement of the wheels was reached. Fixed in five minutes but shouldn't have been necessary.

 

I agree.......I had exactly the same problem

station board 001.JPG

 

 

Are these destination boards commercially available or are they home grown?

Can anybody advise what font is used or destination boards, please. Did all railways use the same font or was it whatever was preferred? This is what I used for the GW

 

station board 002.JPG

 

Although I came up with another for the Pines Express. Perhaps a little large as I have no idea what they should be so what was the correct size?

 

Brian.

I believe GWR  Boards were 17' x 8"  (  Scale  68mm x 3mm). LMS were 11' I think and SR were the same or even shorter?

I want to make my own.......I have been googling trying to find the appropriate Font and guess what:.

http://www.rmweb.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=36168

Featuring Rob and I .......6 years ago!

The quote from the GWR forum says they were black lettering on white boards.........for some reason I thought they were Dark Brown on Pale Yellow.......am I

guilty of the old Chocolate and Cream syndrome?.............although I guess a white painted board would weather to pale yellow pretty quickly........but should the lettering be Black?

I wasnt able to download the font mentioned and settled for Deja vu Serif Condensed.................Font Size 7 in Open Office 

Edited to remove example which wouldnt translate.....I guess I should take a photo

Hi John, from one down the road a bit from you, the very fact that there is so much camaraderie here thanks to Robins tolerance, has made this site one of the most popular. I'm sure he could sternly admonish those who transgress if he wanted to. But it provides us the opportunity to talk trains in a familiar locale (at least for me), learn something new and keep up with model trains, real trains and whatever else like pastys and Jenny! As well as some great pictures!

 

Brian.

Hi Brian

I do agree this is a great (and often hilarious) thread......now my first call every morning!

I guess you are my nearest neighbour ......about 180 miles south......I used to think it was John Flann of Hintock but his little bit of Dorset is in Utah a few thousand miles east of here!

ps I will post an answer to your Coach board post shortly

Kind Regards from a very sunny Vancouver

With an 8 hour time difference its difficult to keep on topic here   

Cold Remedy   .......Scotch or Spiced Rum......Lemon Slices.....Hot Water....maybe some cloves............usually sorts it

Rob was talking about a milk train.....yesterday.....that would be 5 pages back........a sort of related question:

2 milk tankers arrive from the branch at a through station at the tail of a BSet

The main Milk train arrives hauled by a Hall or Grange and there is a loco exchange for the last leg to Birkenhead

(1) Can the relief Loco (another Grange) pick up the 2 tankers from the Bay and back on to the train  (They have to be attached at the front of the train) or (2) should this be done by a lesser loco...station pilot.......and only then does the relief loco back on?

I do this stuff automatically with RR&Co and there is a fair amount of schedule writing.....I favour option (1) but I thought I should ask before getting in too deep

Rob.....my apologies for inserting queries into your thread.......but virtually all the guys (including you of course!) whose opinion I value are regulars......if I post a simple query it runs the risk of being buried.

As penance I could provide a recipe for Italian Sausage and Beans

Regards from Vancouver

I am afraid that I cheat and print them out using Open office ......you get a smaller font size than Word.

The layout looks superb Jules.....the iconic GWR BLT where the sun never sets!

Glad the retrofit wiring worked......not something I look forward too..

Regards from a sunny Vancouver

Good Morning Gentlemen!

Thank you so much for the discussion about double heading.  I run with DCC and RR&Co and it works brilliantly....its fascinating to see the different locos working together yet separately....if you follow me.

Like Rob I remove the front couplings from 4-6-0s..........I guess the ones I re-installed in Alderley Hall, the designated pilot on the Up Birkenhead-Granby-Paddington, will have to be transferred to Wellington and Broughton Castle. It will however make the coupling routine far simpler

Again many thanks

Regards from Vancouver.......The best known Canadian duck type is a Loon .....or stretching a point the Goose.....but I dont think I will go there