Captain Kernow

Judging by the front bogie wheel treads, I'd say he hasn't converted it yet?

Cheers for the tip, Paul - just gone to the railway room and tried it - it's a tad wide for the doorway, but that won't be a problem, as there's plenty of brass on either side and we're talking of a fraction of a millimetre to remove. In fact, the small side window to the right of the doorway was a much harder prospect to make that fit, as was the small window on the ground floor.

Well, as I mentioned in the comments section of the previous blog entry, I was getting uneasy about the size of the box, as compared with the smaller size of the lever frame. Even with the gate wheel, I decided that the box was too big for the location, and I started thinking about how I could re-build it to a smaller size. In the meantime, I constructed the 18 lever frame (from Smiths etched components) and placed it in the original box... As you can see, it left rather a large area for the dance floor, which reminded me a little too much of boxes that have had their frames cut down, following track rationalisation. That argument wasn't going to work at Callow Lane, so I decided to get the piercing saw out and re-build the box to a smaller design. It would have been nice to have done a small, cute 2-window box (a bit like Selside), but the lever frame, coupled with the gate wheel, would require just a little bit too much room, so I opted to copy the box that had provided me with my original inspiration - Painswick Road LC on the former Tuffley Jct - Gloucester Eastgate line, and re-build Callow Lane's box as a 3-window box. I've also built and installed the gate wheel. The lever frame isn't permanently attached, however, as it will need to be carefully painted to correspond with the signalling diagram that Dave 'Beast' Skipsey has kindly worked out for me. Once I had carefully cut the two side walls off, the front and back walls required complete re-building, which has now made this structure less of a modified Ratio kit, and more of a scratchbuild, using some Ratio (and other) components. Additional comments - Sunday evening 02/01/11 Here is my own photo of the interior of Settle Jct signalbox, to prove that I am aware of what a Midland Railway lever frame looks like - the only problem is - how to reproduce that in 4mm scale when you don't have access to any fancy etching capabilities or C.A.D. etc.

Work is now underway to re-build this as a 3-window box...

Alan Gibson do milled side frames for the 54XX/64XX/74XX pannier, and the wheelbase between the driving wheels is the same as for the 16XX. You will need to remove a bit of frame material from one end, and extend the frames slightly at the other end, and ensure that the body sits at the right height, but it could save cutting a completely fresh set of frames from sheet brass?

Hi David, I find that most of the methods you describe work fine for me, too, although I baulk at the idea of applying glue to several slate strips at once, so I just plod along, one row at a time... It's great that you can use computer programmes to work out the hipped roof angles, I wish that I could get on with computer programmes like that as easily!

Alarm! Alarm! I'm having major mis-givings about using such a large signal box at such a small location, so I'm going to assemble the lever frame next, and see exactly how much space it takes up - so the razor saw may then come out and reduce the above structure to a 3-window box, or even a 2-window example (small and cute!)... Watch this space!

Whether I add cosmetic rail spikes remains to be seen, for much of it only the rail tops will be seen protruding out of fine ballast or cobbles and some of the less recent ready to run offerings may just brush the spikes. Oh go on, you know you want to?! (The SPLR bit of BHR has around 1000 individual dog spikes, using the same materials you are using above, so if I were you, I'd find any excuse to hid them with the scenery!). I'm very much looking forward to seeing this one develop, although I won't hold you to using the 7F as regular motive power!

Interesting notion, Jim - I do have some spare frames, as it happens, but I think I need to check the differential between the main window frame and the window bars themselves, before cutting a fresh fret about...

Just prior to Christmas I started work on the signalbox for Callow Lane. I had been planning to build the Modelex (ex-Churchward Models) etched brass kit, but was put off by the effect of the brass slates, so had already decided to do my own roof. I then remembered that Ratio do a standard 4-window M.R. signalbox, and after a bit of agonising re the size the box should be (in order to justify not having to undertake either a major kit-bash or a complete scratchbuild), I opted to go for a standard 4-window pattern box. I'm comfortable working in brass and/or plastic, but somehow just a little more comfortable with plastic for buildings... The lever frame will have 16 levers, so on the face of it, the box is a little bit big for the frame, but then again, there is also the gate wheel and associated levers, which will take up a bit more space inside, so I finally felt comfortable with the 4-window choice. Clearly, if modelling an actual location, I'd have had that decision made for me, but such is the joy of making up railway history for yourself! To improve the appearance of the Ratio kit, I've used some (seperately sold) Modelex etched brass M.R. windows, and have also got an etched brass set of signalbox steps to assemble in due course. I've had to change the kit in other was as well, in that the way it is configured, the steps would have been on the left hand side of the box, when looking at it from the front, whereas I wanted them at the other end. This is the end wall at the opposite end from the steps and entrance. The kit features two windows on the ground floor, whereas I wanted a plain wall, so some Slaters embossed plasticard was substituted for the kit planked inlay. The Modelex windows are shown temporarily in situ (waiting painting and glazing): Note the two holes in the base of the front of the box, for point rodding runs to emerge: The modified steps end, which required the door aperture to be moved over by one panel's worth and the removed red Ratio plastic replaced with Evergreen strip: The larger windows were a very good fit for the Ratio window apertures, but the smaller window next to the door needed a bit of fettling on each side to make it fit:

Further to 'what modelling am I likely to get done over Christmas' - I hadn't anticipated spending best part of two hours reading and responding to the Hornby 2011 thread - but all very interesting, nonetheless!

I've decided that 5-BELs did run over the S&DJR - on a regular basis - can I borrow one of your sets sometime, please??!! If nothing else, you could eventually run a 15-BEL round TT2 - bring it on!!

I like the idea of all the various projects, Mickey, but especially that of the 'unashamedly proprietory based' BLT - I was just thinking about something similar for myself just now - it's all very well buying this new release or that, but with both my layouts normally packed away, I've no where that I can just give them a quick run or watch the trains going round!

A very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year from the Noble Realm of SWAG to all in RMWeb Land! Some specific Christmas wishes: - May we all contain ourselves successfully until one minute past Midnight tonight! - May we all eat and drink as much as we need and perhaps even want over the Festive Season! - May the weather front coming in on Sunday night bring rain, not more snow!!! And as the flag of Swagonia bravely flutters on the top of Mount Snyeg outside Kernow Towers... ...my thoughts turn to what modelling I may get done over the holidays... Well, there's just a little bit more work to do, to finish the lineside 'view-blocker' half-relief factory building (the more simple one, not the one with the awning), then there's the Midland Railway pattern signalbox, also for Callow Lane. I doubt very much that 53806 will get weathered and put into service just yet, but I may put part of 'Engine Wood' up over the holidays, in order to measure up for a fiddle yard adaptor board that needs to be put on, before Railex in Aylesbury next May. Of course, that may give me the chance for a bit of photography with a certain 7F! Have a great Christmas, everyone!

Who will be first to post a photo of a pair of these double-heading?!

Sadly 'Nanny' won't let me see your photos until I'm at home, but I'm sure it's looking superb on whatever background you have chosen! I have now pretty much reached 'tipping point', where various folk I know have got one, and I haven't done anything about getting mine yet.. Today, however, that may be rectified!!

Nick, In one way, I really don't think it matters, because the reverse sides of buildings will still have lots of interest. In another way, it can be an advantage, because you will be seeing the approach to the station buildings as if you were walking up the approach road, so there will be interesting glimpses of trains between buildings etc... - so, 'go for it', is my advice!

Ultrascale do a spoked S.R. tender wheelset, which is the right diameter and number of spokes for one of these, and I ordered a set in P4 for my Silver Fox version. They also do them for OO and EM.

CTMK is a budding writer and blogger, and has composed this piece in connection with a weekly blogging competition, the theme of which was 'Pasttimes, passions, hobbies and entertainment'. I'm not much of a poet myself, but I thought this one of hers was rather good (with a doffing of the cap to WH Auden... )

Yes, it's a very old and dignified organisation, is Taffson, Evans & Jenkins!....

The level crossing is essentially Model Signal Engineering components (gates, gate posts, targets), but with some additional detail added, notably the bracing rods and the mesh. The gates then had brass rod glued into the base of the gate ends - this rotates in matching brass tube set in the baseboard, enabling the gates to open and close (when I fit the operating mechanism...).