Mark Pelham

Hi Jeremy, Have you seen this thread: http://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/index.php?/topic/99539-networker-emus-in-n-gauge/?p=2065944 ? It may save you some work! The layout's looking great by the way! Cheers, Mark

Hi Jeremy, This is looking a great project so far! For soldering droppers around plastic chairs I have used surgical clamps purchased from a modelling suppliers (Squires, I think?) as heat sinks clamped to the rail either side of the join. Cheers, Mark

It's an unfortunate fact of life that machines are never 100% reliable and sadly, when things are particularly bad, can lead to the loss of life. That is one thing larger aeroplanes have over the smaller stuff is that there is more room to build in redundancies to the point where a major issue for a small aircraft becomes a minor issue for a large aircraft. It's always humbling to hear of these accidents and for people in similar job roles, and is always the forefront of consideration when working aircraft. I have had days where I have been involved in every departure from LGW for Virgin, which equates to roughly 2600 passengers and about 140 crew - figures like that keep you focused. The sad thing about the incident you saw on Flight Radar is the lack of following rule one of airmanship; basically Aviate, Navigate, Communicate. It is something that is taught almost from day one even for a PPL which simply translates to: 1) Fly the plane. If you don't do that the rest is pointless. 2) Know where you are. Once 1 is sorted then you should already know where you are but if not figure it out. Then you can work out how to get to a good bit of ground to stick the plane on. 3) Talk to ATC. They're there to help, nothing more. Once 1 & 2 are sorted then talk to ATC if you have time. If not they should be getting everyone else out of your way anyway. If they had lost cabin pressure they should have just descended regardless of ATC - rule 1. Loss of cabin pressure is probably the only time where altitude is not on your side. Mark

Cromptonnut, Thanks for feeding Flight Radar, we use that in the afternoon to monitor VS Heathrow arrivals for any potential diversions to Gatwick. The fewer potential diversions, the fewer the number of staff to stay to the bitter end when there is no work to do! Cheers, Mark

There is a definite "buzz" at the airport.

Hi Gary, Virgin Atlantic's pretty good to work for but it is a different company to Virgin Trains, I just like the liveries seen in the West Midlands! Cheers, Mark

Morning All, I'm Mark, currently living in Crawley Down but moving at the end of the month to Kilnwood Vale, between Crawley and Faygate. I'm working on a couple of projects, one linked in my signature, the other still to have a thread started. I work at Gatwick Airport fixing Mr Branson's aeroplanes for him, which I have done for 20 years minus three days. Not currently a member of any clubs but used to be a member of Crawley MRS, having held the positions of Deputy Chairman for a few years and Exhibition Manager for a couple of years. I was also group leader for the N Gauge "West Tilgate" layout. I am a member of the N Gauge Society, 2mm Scale Association and MERG. My interests are focused in two areas: WCML operations from c2003 onwards and BR Southern, although I do fancy a nice BR Blue period layout at some point. I also have a bit of T scale stuff to build a small working diorama when time permits, perhaps something like Dawlish with a couple of Blue/Grey HSTs trundling around? Cheers, Mark

Evening All, Hmm, been a while since the last update, but at least that's mostly due to my free time being spent working on layouts. I have continued to develop the trial layout with a fair bit of success recently. My MERG CANCMD and CANCAB which I assembled some time ago and thought didn't work now apparently do work. Not sure what happened there exactly, perhaps the power supply I was using at the time wasn't up to the job. In the last photos I posted of the trial layout the it was still pretty much just the bare bones with just the track and turnout motors; well it has become slightly more populated now (apologies for the quality of the photos, they were taken late at night!): So looking around the layout we have the 12vdc input through the pluggable choccy blocks, 5vdc regulator module, CANUSB, RJ45 sockets for CANBUS connections and dual RJ11 CANCAB connector module: The next photo shows the CANCMD to the left, a pair of CANACC5s (driving the cobalts), a pair of CANACE8C input modules and a CANACC8 output driver programmed as a CANSIG8 (although not yet connected to anything. The stripboard module at the bottom is a PMP7 DCC block detector module: This photo shows the NB1B booster set up for a 5A supply: My (now two) CANCABs: This last overview photo shows another PMP7 detector module plus four quad detector modules designed using the PMP7 circuit but some combined components: I may redesign the quad detector modules as I think more components could possibly be shared by the four detectors rather than having four of each item. Once this was all working I configured the JMRI panel to get all the detection modules indicating correctly with some entry-exit routes set up: I have a few "features" that I have identified which need resolving, as an example the exit from the loop doesn't set the turnout correctly using the entry-exit feature, but I think that can be resolved by adding a further two blocks where I may have been a bit conservative initially. For the final Bridgtown layout I wanted the two DCC units (CANCMD and Booster) to be in a separate box along with the CANUSB. The intention here is that all the power supplies go into one box where all processing signal will pass through; this will ensure that as long as the box is connected to any baseboard, it should be able to work independently for testing. I have now removed the required components from the trial layout and installed them in an aluminium case: I have yet to modify the trial layout with the revised connections for the new box and assemble the necessary connection cables but that shouldn't take to long. The next steps will be to add the two extra detection blocks with some additional CANACE8Cs, connect the remaining turnouts also to the CANACE8Cs for position feedback and manufacture some crude signals for testing purposes. I also have plans for an entry-exit style control panel to check I can get the control input side of things to work; this is the plan for the fascia: Once I have all the fundamental aspects working I will need to get a Raspberry Pi up-and-running; so far this has been sat in it's box for the last few weeks doing very little! Cheers, Mark

Thanks Cav, It was seeing your hand built turnout posts that prompted me to make a start, it had been a while since I built any track other than threading rail onto chaired sleepers! I fully agree regarding the Peco turnouts, for the Crawley MRS layout "West Tilgate" I cut away most of the motor base and clipped the ends of the tie bars, but that only goes some way towards improving their appearance. Cheers, Mark

Evening All! I have had a few evenings here and there working on the latest area of track, and have progressed it as far as possible before removal from the temporary base. As previously mentioned, this will done once the baseboards are built: A couple of vehicles placed on the track for no particular reason, other than the fact that they were there having been used for testing purposes: There are only three turnouts remaining to be built for the scenic section so these will be started when time permits. I have also been progressing the Network Rail staff coach being converted from a Farish Mark 2 BSO to a BFK used as the basis for the real thing. Unfortunately the photos where all a bit out of focus so the best one is shown here: The next step is to modify one of the larger windows to have a raised sill prior to a coat of primer being applied. The layout plan has also been changed slightly to extend the scenic section to the ends of the currently planned baseboards, and two shorter boards will also be built to accommodate the return curves. This will allow me to ease the radii and hopefully allow all stock to negotiate the curves. As yet I am still to modify the scenic plan accordingly, which is the only other major change to the plan, fortunately I have been able to realign the track to maintain the previous geometry of the turnouts so will not need to replace any of them. Cheers, Mark

The windows are wrong which I would think would be more apparent than incorrect seating. Cheers, Mark

My original intention was to use the TRSB as part of a Cross-Country set although I had also been toying with the idea of a West Coast set. That may be the easier answer - to renumber it and leave the first class identification. When ordered (so long ago that I believe it was on parchment) the description, if I recall, was simply "Virgin Trains MK3 Buffet - No Buffers" or something along those lines; so 50/50 whether it turned out to be a TRSB, or a TRFB, (or an RFM with TRFB markings and a TRSB number!). At least they're here now, so just the TGS to go! Cheers, Mark

Thanks for the replies! Robert, that's one of the photos I found whilst researching the prototype, seems to be very little online about Virgin MK3 stock. I hadn't considered an overlay approach to "remove" the yellow stripe; one thing I have done before is to photograph a model and print a section of colour. This was done on an On30 Mogul I had where I wanted to add numbers and a road name as white on black. Rather than find a printer to print white onto clear decal sheet I simply printed the background "Dirty Black" using a pipette tool to grab the colour from a photo and then print onto white decal sheet. It actually worked very well! I have two to play with so I may have a go at some structural changes since one was only intended to run as part of a stock move train, so I could live without it if all goes horribly wrong. I am reluctant to do anything that seriously affects the overall finish such that it doesn't match the other coaches (although Dapol do seem to be capable of doing that to some extent for us all anyway!). I would rather accept that it may not be the correct vehicle but at least would be easily lost in a passing train rather than one that is prototypically correct but looks garishly different in its finish. I should hopefully have 2x RFMs turning up today which will form part of a MK2 & a MK3 West Coast set, it will be interesting to see how they turn out! Edit: RFMs just turned up and lo and behold they're the last ones with buffers numbered 10211, at least these are correct! Cheers, Mark

I received my order of two "2P-005-410 #40434 N Gauge MK3 Coach Virgin Buffet No Buffers" from Merseyside a couple of days ago. I'm not an expert on MK3 coaches but something didn't look right about the roof vents so I started Googling. The model is finished as if it were a TRFB with all the first class identification; however the number 40434 shows as being a TRSB which, from what I can ascertain, is what the moulding represents as far as the body sides go. I think the roof vents are those of a RFM? Is this correct and if so what is the best method to remove the first class idents without disturbing the livery underneath? The roof vents are a more obvious, albeit destructive fix! Cheers, Mark

Afternoon All, Just a brief update; I have started work on the next batch of turnouts, the first stage consisting of five: Once the common crossings have been assembled and installed I will continue across a short section of plain track which will use 2mmSA Easitrac bases before adding the copper clad timbers of the turnout which provides access to the bay platform. Cheers, Mark

Hi Bumpkin, It's a program called "Xara" which I also use for my layout scenic design (and any other graphic design), scaling buildings from Google and web design, it's a pretty neat bit of software! Cheers, Mark

Evening All, Having seen some examples at exhibitions I have often thought about having a departure board for Bridgtown to give a sense of purpose to some of the trains that will be run. I like the idea of using a PC to run and electronic departure screen but have a couple of questions about them. One service I intend to resemble is a Birmingham International to Aberystwyth & Pwllheli train, operated by 2x 2 car DMUs which divides at Machynlleth. I have produced an initial attempt at how a departure screen may look as below: I think the screen change is probably a bit fast but should all the stations be listed or would they more likely use the statement "and stations to" or something similar? Is the page layout correct in the use of spaces between rows, the front 2 coach section continuing on page 1 or should it be on page 2, things like that? Any help will be most welcome. The final result will hopefully look something like: Cheers, Mark

Evening All! A quick update; after a couple of evening sessions a bit of progress has been made on the turnouts: I may leave the switch blades and tie bars until the assembly has been installed on the baseboard (once that is also built!) and start on the next complex. Cheers, Mark

Morning All, A slightly later than intended update, I opted to do a bit more work last night which could be added to this update. Here are the photos from my planning/proving session: Apologies for the mess in the lounge, I still have more decorating to do so can't get too excited about tidying up too much between decorating sessions! I am going to have to either ease the inner track radius from the cassette to the station or ban the voyagers from platform 1 as they don't look like they will go round comfortably. On the plus side I can fit a twin Super Voyager train in the station and remain clear of the cassette, that will not be the case though for my Mk2/3 sets which will be a bit longer. The second image doesn't show the flow as well as it used to, partly due to the drop from rug to floor but largely due to the curling of the modified track plan overlays. My plan is to operate the station such that trains with longer dwell times use the outer platforms while shorter dwell time passenger trains and through trains use the inner two; this will of course not be a hard-and-fast rule! The class 60 on BZAs was set up on a route from the steel terminal through platform 3. I have seen photos of the Desiros in platform 5 at Wolverhampton but I'm not sure what service they were on, unless they were still under test? I knew a Class 323 would fit but wanted to check the Class 350 would as well: Looks as snug a fit as the real thing! I'll find my reference photos and then check the sources online to see if there are any descriptions of the purpose of the trains in question. I have now also started another little project towards the layout which was progressed further last night: Having seen Cav Millward's photos on his Millers Dale thread http://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/index.php?/topic/68652-millers-dale-in-the-80s-br-peak-line-in-n/?p=1221288 I fancied having a dabble as it has been some time since I built any soldered track. I would liked to have used the FiNetrax range, particularly having built one of the Beta test kits, but only being bullhead rail would not really suit. When I get Bridgtown finished I will use the FiNetrax range for all the track on a BR Southern layout I am collecting stock for! I hope to add the last stock rails tonight if time permits and possibly make a start on the common crossings. I am thinking of using the tie bar and associated components from the FiNetrax range as they provide a nice pivot to the switch blades rather than solid soldering. Hopefully another update soon! Cheers, Mark

Hi Graham, The siding will have limited use for stabling short Network Rail trains such as the 09 Tamper and possibly the odd light loco; I'm not sure if an MPV would fit but I'm tempted to measure up and check with the possibility of adding one to the stock list. I plan to post a bigger update next Sunday when I'm off shift and have more time to transfer photos and compose it all. A few nights ago I had the layout plan rolled out with some stock positioned and the building mock-ups placed in their approximate locations. I had started to think the Power Signal Box was a bit over scale but having placed an 86 next to it and comparing with a photo of an 85 in front of the box it looks about right. I took a few photos so if any turned out OK I'll add them. Cheers, Mark

Afternoon! A bit of an update on the current proceedings; I have been looking at the scenic plan for the layout, trying to extend the siding off the bay platform to be of a usable length without impacting too much on the rest of the layout plan. The easiest way without impacting too much on the scenic plan would have been to move the turnout from the bay further towards the bay buffer stop, but this would have shortened the platform road length too much once the turnout was moved clear of the baseboard join. What I have managed to do is move the turnout further towards the baseboard join and increase the crossing angle to give the siding a sharper deviation from the bay road and also extend the length of the siding slightly. This has however necessitated the redesign of the scenics around the station approach: The thought here is that the disused goods yard is now to the rear of the station, hence the retaining wall towards the rear. This was later extended to allow the Power Signal Box to be built on the old trackbed of the goods yard entrance. An old girder bridge will remain across the road between the station and PSB in a run-down, rusty and overgrown state. The magenta line shows where a road will rise up to station level to access the staff car park and offices along with the redundant parcels office. The high ground in front of the extended siding will include a variety of Network Rail paraphernalia along side a brick built store of some description. I have also decided to extend the viaduct arches to the road bridge at the far RH side rather than having a partial grassed embankment. This should hopefully give more of the feel from Wolverhampton where previously only a few arches would have been used, this also gives more acreage for scenic detailing. Most of the arches will need to be closed up to hide the Cobalt motors under the track bed. I'm not entirely sold yet on the changes, particularly behind the station; there are some unusual land formations around Wolverhampton station which could assist greatly with the Modellers Licence but also needs to be done carefully so as not to look too contrived. If a true model of the prototype were built it would probably look very strange modelled on a typical "sliver" of baseboard with only a small area surrounding the railway, for the scenery to make sense a greater depth would really be needed. To help with the design I have started constructing some mock ups of the planned buildings to get a better feel for how the scenic design is going: The Power Signal Box: The last remaining of the old Crane Foundry buildings: When I get a free evening I will put these on the full-size plan to see if they look right in their planned positions. I also want to check stock on the end curves between the station and cassettes, I'm hoping to be able to stable a train in a platform and still be able to swap cassettes. On the stock front I have started another couple of projects: These will become 2x Porterbrook Barrier Vehicles with the MK2 BSO becoming Network Rail 977969 Staff Coach (ex-BFK). It is nice to be able to cross some things of the top of my "To Do" list but unfortunately my writing is still faster than my modelling. The queue for the spray both is now almost as long as my jobs list as well but they will probably have to wait until next summer once the garage gets another clear out. I'll post progress on the scenic planning plus anything else that gets done alongside, hopefully continuing with my structured approach of randomly doing a variety of things. Cheers, Mark

Hi David, Wheeling & Decal pack ordered for the 09 Tamper! Cheers, Mark

Good Afternoon, I have amended my signalling diagram with the latest additions, which now looks like this: This is my electrical planning diagram so covers more than just the signals. The plan is to use Theatre Indicators for the platform "starters" as I can get away with only displaying an "M" for the main route, and stencils for the yard and siding. This doesn't, however, accommodate the possibility of making the branch usable. For the "home" signal (S8) I have opted for Feather Indicators as these are available operational, I have already had this signal commissioned by CR Signals. I may also need to add a Limit of Shunt Indicator with an associated "Virtual Signal" (SV17). This is my own referencing which will form a route-setting pseduo signal for use in JMRI. I think on the model the physical LOSI would have to be too close to S8 so would not be of any real use, I will probably just assume it is off-scene. Cheers, Mark

Hi Graham, A nice idea although one small problem may be the fact that the yellow boxes in the fiddle yard indicate cassette locations so I would need to reduce the length of the steel terminal cassette slots to accommodate the additional turnouts and my plan was to standardise on one or two cassette lengths for varying train lengths, the longest being 1200mm which shouldn't be too unwieldy to handle. Another complication would be the proximity to the baseboard join where the large gap between the back scene and first cassette is to allow for the lighting uprights. I am thinking of having permanent lighting where the baseboard ends are solid sheets of ply with the aperture cut out for the scenic section and fiddle yard. I would like to keep the uprights solid but to get the additional track through would need to cut away some material. It would, as you say, be a nice operational feature so I'm not ruling it out yet. It will involve more work as I wasn't planning on making the curviform crossing to be 100% reliable in both directions, perhaps sacrificing the quality of the branch curve a little to ensure the main line runs smoothly enough. Not having built this type of crossing before I'm not sure how accurate I can get it! It also means switching the frogs of the crossing which could be hard-wired if only one route were used; not a major task but some additional cost incurred as I would probably use a Dual Frog Juicer for that. It would also make the signalling a problem where I would need two displayable legends on the theatres, which I don't think is possible in 2mm scale yet. The CR Signal kits are simply an LED behind a brass etch so are restricted to a single legend. On the signalling front I have found the diagram which doesn't help much for the Birmingham line but does show the diverging line as "Branch". I have however found an image with a starter signal showing an "M" which I am guessing is going to be the fairly standard "Main", so nothing special. Thanks for the suggestion though and I will have a good look at whether it is achievable, possibly just running to two short sidings inside the other tracks rather than connecting back to the main lines. Cheers, Mark

Hi Graham, I may well do that and had previously though of a posed train on the track. I have also considered making one track operable to give the tamper somewhere to go. My original plan was to stable the tamper in the short siding off the bay platform but it is too short at the moment. If I were to extend the siding it would need to cross the road, stopping just the other side of the widened bridge which I think would be far too contrived. Another possibility is to move the turnout accessing the siding a bit further to the left, but this would need to be a fair distance to avoid a baseboard join (not visible in the low-res plan) which would then shorten the useable bay platform length too much. I'll measure the length available of the inner diverging line to see if the tamper will comfortably fit, otherwise both tracks can remain unpowered which will also negate the need for any turnout motors. I'll have to think about the platform starter signals as well, I think they prototypically would have had theatre indicators with possibly a stencil for the steel terminal. I suppose I could use the CR Signals theatre to display an "M" as Main, "B" as Birmingham or "S" as Stour to indicate the main line, I'll need to research the correct term used. I would then have to scratch-build a "SDG" stencil indicator for the steel terminal. The other option is to have a dummy feather to indicate the diverging line assuming that the main route is obvious and not requiring any route indication, again with a stencil for the steel terminal. Having just had a quick look on the great Encyclopedia, Google, it appears the first option would be correct! Somewhere on the PC I have a downloaded signalling diagram for Wolverhampton so it will hopefully have the correct term to use for the theatre indicator, I don't have it here on my iPad (so if this post is riddled with typos it's my iPads fault!). I'll check the diagram, update my signalling plan and then add it to a future post. Thanks for your suggestion! All the best, Mark