aforsyth

Rails have started their Christmas Calendar again, with Day 1 featuring DJ Models' J94 (down to £65 from £95)

https://railsofsheffield.com/advent-calendar

Crikey - I'd only just got over Black Friday...! 

Alan

An interesting excerpt from a book I found online; "The GWR Bristol to Taunton Line", by Colin G. Maggs:

"Malago Vale Colliery Sidings opened 15th August 1879, and when the colliery closed, were used by a brickworks, but were out of use by July 1918. On the opposite side of the line, Malago Vale Carriage Sidings came into use on 10th April 1932, closed in 1988 and the track was lifted in 1991. When necessary, and only in clear weather, an empty train could be propelled over the Down Relief line from the sidings to Parson Street Junction signal box. The guard, or shunter, was required to ride in the leading vehicle and keep a sharp look-out and be prepared to hand signal to the driver. The train had to carry the proper head lamp and was not to exceed 10 mph, or 4 mph through facing points and crossovers."

Not that we can necessarily simulate this move without a further fiddleyard towards Parson Street (assuming it was still possible after the resignalling?), but I thought it interesting nonetheless.

Well done Rob - good progress. Yeah, I was going to suggest an Inglenook session, and it looks like you can fit a shunter (or even '25?) and 3 wagons in that longer spur?

The code 75 & BH points are looking a treat. The photos seem to show the slip heavily stained with oil, which I suppose could help to disguise the contrast in sleepers?

It will be good to compare the running on the new track with your hand-built track on P4Y, which was always a pleasure to operate at slow speed, TBH. 

Looks like one of the skip wagons to me.

You're probably right, Tony - here's a closer view I googled:

https://geeceesfotts.smugmug.com/Trains/CLASS-33/i-pswMcVz/A

... And I found an answer about mail traffic:

https://geeceesfotts.smugmug.com/Trains/CLASS-33/i-QTzHhD2

Rob - are you going to be modelling the telegraph wires across the lines, shown in that last photo?

Just wondering about the operational hazards there...

I found this wonderful shot of Malago Vale, while looking for pictures of Old Oak!

 

It's probably the best shot I've ever seen of the place.

That's a lovely shot, you can really picture the look of PV, between the two bridges. It's also a great period (late 80s)!

Can anyone identify the load on the wagon to the left?

TBH I like the sound of Parsons Vale (plural), wherever the apostrophe is!

But your decision, Rob.

Could you justify the appearance of TPO stock?

Hey Rob - thanks for pointing me to this thread. Yes, it will be nice to follow from the beginning this time, love the pics.

Out of interest, in the picture of the 47/4 at Malago Vale in your first post (https://www.flickr.c...-nMr8zJ-yfnau4/), is that an open wagon in the release road to the right of the 47's train, and any idea what it would be doing there? I'm hoping we can get hold of a dummy HST power car for another 'off-the-wall' scenario with an 08, and would a small crane or other maintenance stock of the period also be justifiable for occasional excursions to the yard, without going overboard?

Oh yes - I didn't catch why the name 'Parson's Vale'? That's going to get asked. 

I'm actually seeing the potential the more you post, although Peafore is a tough act to follow.

Edit: fixed pic link

I got the 19:28 from Reading to Chippenham today, my first on the '800. I agree with the comments that it is a well designed train, and I enjoyed my Std table seat ride, although it isn't any quieter than an HST and I do miss that characteristic MK3 brake smell!

One point I wanted to make (forgive me if it's already been over-stated) was actually hinted at by the GWR trolley lady to another passenger: Don't get on the last coach(es) (from Paddington). The main reason for this seems to be that you won't be able to get off at Didcot (last 3 coaches of 10 will not be 'platformed'), nor Chippenham (last coach) nor Bath (last 2 or 3?).

Since the last coach at Paddington is often the first standard coach reached by most passengers, I'm sure this is going to cause problems...?

Regarding Chippenham, the ticket office has been completely closed for the last week, with a temporary Portacabin office out the front and two highly frustrating temporary ticket machines on 'Platform 0' (woe betide you if you try to buy a ticket with cash when the TO is closed!).

I've googled the apparent scope of the works, which can be found in a July Chippenham Town Council meeting minutes doc:

"Refurbishment of the ticket hall, ticket office and back of house areas, installation of automatic ticket gates within refurbished ticket hall, disused platform, new footbridge and north car park adjacent to the base of the stairs to the historic footbridge at Chippenham Railway Station.

Recommendation: No objections but requests that consideration is given to the provision of an additional ticket machine/s to assist with peak time congestion."

Perhaps this might include some fixes to those roadside canopies, that don't require interruption of rail traffic? Perhaps the electrification will follow this work?

See the Class 800 thread Alan.

This is the electrification thread

Thanks Oakydoke - should have known there was an 800 thread!

To answer my own question now (and fall silent): 16th Oct. I'll have to see if I can plan a trip.

Got a glimpse of a white IET arriving at Newport from the East as I was leaving for London around 5.10pm today, I'm guessing that was 3X16? Also a couple (White, Green) at Stoke Gifford TCD nr Bristol Parkway, sadly again didn't get the numbers.

Apologies if it's already common knowledge, but do we know a rough date when IETs will begin to be allocated to timetabled services, other than 'end of year'?

Tx,

Alan

< ... > I'd go with a 121 for your 1980s Cornish layout. In Regional Railways days, RR-supremo, Gordon Pettit told me he wanted to rebuild some 121s to remove the brake van, increase the seating and have the cab-view forward at both ends, for the St.Ives and Looe branches. Pity it never came to anything. (CJL)

Sounds like a great 'what if' project for a more capable modeller (not me!).

Thanks Chris - really appreciate your brief historical overview. That's helped me not get distracted, although admittedly I had been considering a 60s side project too...! :->

Returning a little closer to the original topic, I've been keen for some time to pick up a 'proper' 121 for my eventual 80s Cornish layout. However, I've learned through the helpful posts here that whereas 121s were common on branches such as Liskeard to Looe (I remember them), it was the 122s that dominated the St.Ives branch? Was this the exception, or in the 70s/80s were both types common across Cornwall?

Thanks,

Alan

Continuing on Peter's theme, and as a layman regarding OHLE, what is the standard distance on plainline GWML between the regular portal uprights?

I understand that it will vary for various reasons, but it would be useful to know as a rule of thumb when trying to estimate train speed (discounting use of GPS technology!).

The beast in question, but back on 28th March (13:47). Photo taken hastily from a passing HST!

Has anyone had any experience of running a Hornby Sentinel on Peco's Set-track turnouts and crossing - both dead frog? With that short a wheelbase, I wonder if it will stall on the frogs?

Peco set-track straight turnouts are feasible, but the curved turnouts (unmodified) will stop a Sentinel dead due to the length of the plastic frog on them, as I discovered to my cost.

A brilliant set of truly diverse photos, Richard, thank you!

I spent several childhood summers in PZ in the mid to late 80s, so these evoke a lot of memories of the traction scene at the time.

Wonderful modelling inspiration, too. Any others very welcome!

Alan

Looks like they're based in Rugby on this page:

https://www.makertronics.co.uk/contact-us-en-2.html

I'll be interested to hear how people get on with the voltage regulators for 9V - what battery combination did you use for the input, davetheroad? [sorry, can't find your original post if that had details].

Thanks. I had come across Makertronics and also Robotshop

 

I have not done business with either. Robotshop seems to offer bulk discounts.

 

I can't see where Makertronics is based.

 

...R

Ah ok - thanks, I was mainly searching for that video ref.

I think I saw your post back then, but the potential for small cost-effective demo layouts or trainsets didn't click at the time!

Cheers,
Alan

Hi Alan,

It was mentioned a couple of pages ago (back in the summer), although that particular video wasn't posted at the time.

 

There's a video of an N gauge layout being run off a single board, in post no. 386 on page 16 of this topic thread.

 

 

.

Just looking through some BlueRail videos on YouTube, I came across this interesting idea (don't think it's been mentioned here):

Using a BlueRail board statically wired to a DC layout, in order to provide smart phone control of standard DC trains and lights/points.

Obviously loses some benefits of mobile BR boards (dead rail / independent control), but to revolutionise the kids' Hornby trainset for a minimum price and no loco modifications - why not? 

Alan

As I've found to my cost, soldering anything to a modern densely populated printed circuit board these days requires a bit more than a steady hand. The reality is that no matter how good or surgeon like your hands are, a poor choice of soldering iron or indeed even solder can result in a damaged board. Yes a tenner might seem a bit of premium for someone to attach a couple of wires, however at least with that you have the assurance that the board is testing and guaranteed to work, or usual consumer rights apply.

Thanks Dave, Nile. Yes - I agree, it's wise to pick up the professionally built & tested version rather than DIY, but I hope they do eventually get the cost down.

On the positive side, I find that the simplest way I can justify this investment for a small 1-loco shunting layout is that I won't need to buy a dedicated DC/DCC controller for it!

Alan

Quick query about the existing BlueRail boards available at CoastalDCC (http://www.coastaldcc.co.uk/products/bluerail/) - apologies if this was asked some time ago:

Is the only difference between the Track Power and Battery Power boards simply the soldered battery fly leads attached to the latter? I'm hoping there's more to it than that to justify the extra £10 price difference!

Thanks,

Alan 

Hi Fabrice,

That's looking very interesting - and thank you for posting the code. Do you think you'd be able to create and share a short video to practically demonstrate your setup, and how it works? It might be easier to fully appreciate all the work you've done here! 

Thanks,

Alan

Another bridge is 'fixed' - this time Broad Town Bridge in Royal Wootton Bassett. Good progress, although I liked the look of the original better, as ever.

Network Rail video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BpnDFGEelg8

Alan

Thank you all - replies inline.

I've never had any major problems with the running quality, but only ever test run them so far.  I'd say that a stay-alive would probably be a worthwhile investment, especially over insulfrogs, and even if not, with only one wheel picking up on that side when the other is on the frog, you need to make sure your track (and wheels) are properly clean for it to run smoothly.

That's encouraging to hear, thank you. Any recommendations on a budget decoder with stay-alive that might fit in the Sentinel?

You wont get Rolls Royce performance (pun intended!) from Austin 7 products. Bin the Hornby point and using copperclad sleepers make live frog (DPDT switched) points as per tram/ dockside track. It would be possible to convert the Hornby, but I doubt the effort would be worth it and get the reliability you want, IMO.

 

Tod

Yes - very true, although it's actually a Peco point, which seems reasonably well made. However, the micro-layout we're building has a budget of £100 (excluding stock), so we're mostly re-using what we have in our modelling boxes. Therefore sadly copperclad is likely to be out (unless my friends have a point kit spare!).

In this case, it will have to be a 'DCC with stay-alive or nothing' for the Sentinel on this layout. I will mull it over with the team and in the worst case, we'll just stick with DC/DCC 6-coupled 03s, 08s and Panniers for now, with the Sentinel a later project.

I run two sentinels, one DC and DCC sound (zimo micro) on Kirkmellington and so long as we keep the track clean (daily)and clean the wheels (every 4 hours or so) then they run smoothly for a full 2 day exhibition.

We use live frog points.

Yes - I saw a video of Kirkmellington recently online. Very impressive - both layout and stock! The DCC sound Sentinel is brilliant, and would be a great small project when the budget is available.

Thank you all for your information and opinions!

Alan