ianblenk

It's still around?

I believe Scott took bottles of Towiemoor on his ill fated expedition to the South Pole. Great to see a full relief model of a distillery. I did ask Elgin Library if they had copies of Charles Doigs drawing, which they do, however they wanted in excess of £200 to copy them. I politely declined! Looking forward to more posts, I also love Caledonian Basin Ian B

Loving the distillery. here's one I did a few years back based on Towiemoor; https://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/index.php?/topic/68909-bridge-of-alford/&tab=comments#comment-966143

Very nice. looking forward to this, I am currently building some stock for Tynebank, will post when done. Keep up the excellent work and posts. Always inspires me to do some modelling rather than gazing at the computer screen!

Ah yes, a truly excellent model in all respects and uber atmospheric photos. Ian B

Looking forward too 'bigger' developments, can you share?

Sorry you've lost me on this one!

Ladmanlow 1957

See page 5, weedkiller tank built on J21 tender chassis

And so it begins, any guesses?

https://exceljet.net/formula/random-number-from-fixed-set-of-options. You can use IF Then formula based on the cell in which the class of the train appears. So IF cell with train class equals 'E' THEN CHOOSE RANDBETWEEN from a table with the loco numbers in it.Takes a while to enter the data, but seems to work so far! It will regenerate each time you open the spreadsheet and if linked to access automatically update the display form IB

Hi Steve, It works OK, but it can be a bit tedious finding the loco and getting the train assembled, but it means most of the stock can have a run out and that 'favourites' aren't in use all the time. I pinched some of the ideas from John Elliot and Bradfield Square. I'm just trying to run the whole thing through and check for any bugs. The practicalities of having all the ancillary gear accessible, i.e. block bells, laptop and slave screen in places where they aren't in the way has been a problem, but once I have accepted the fact I won't be exhibiting it and need to provide shelving etc it became easier. Looking forward to the next instalment of Finsbury! Cheers Ian B

Operation. The concept of Tynebank and my previous layout Marine Park, is that the line to South Shields has been extended to Sunderland following the coast to Sunderland with stations at Marine Park, Marsden Bay, Whitburn and Roker Sands. Tynebank is essentially an exchange yard for mineral traffic to the Stanhope and Tyne drops and a Riverside branch. It also allows for overflow traffic from South Shields carriage sidings. The main key was to maximise operation on what is really quite a simple track formation and provide a busy environment to maintain interest for the operators, of which there should ideally be two; a dispatcher/driver and a signaller. Basically, the driver follows the sequence and the moves are governed by the signals. Bell codes are provided for communication between the driver and signaller and there is some basic interlocking. Rather than have the sequence on paper for the operators I wanted some form of electronic display based on Microsoft Office programs. On Marine Park I simply used a power point display, but this is limiting and tedious to update, using an Excel spreadsheet is fine but the display is not ‘user friendly’ although a form can be produced from the spreadsheet this cannot be easily modified to provide a reasonable format. Display is via a laptop and a slave screen (I used a car reversing screen) the signaller moves the display forward as required after each move is completed. This is what I did; · Set up the details needed on Excel, they can be easily and quickly added to/modified. · Link this to an Access data base. · Use the form tool on access to provide a display for the operators (this can be customised to meet requirements). · The class of the train i.e. A, B, C etc. has available locos allocated to it. · Using the random facility on excel the number of one of these locos is displayed on the form. · The dispatcher/driver ensures that this loco is used on the train. · There are three different sequences to allow for different mineral leading situations. I am currently trialling this, but it seems to hold some promise. The Excel sheet where the sequence is entered and the access database

Bridge work completed, staiths pilots run down to the S&T drops

92064 running light to Sunderland via the coast. Still need to add some crew

New Plan? Is this a new model? I was loving the the old one! I am busy modifying the clearances on one of the bridges, it is a couple of mm too low for the ES1. Next step is to debug the timetable, there are a few conflicting moves which don't really become apparent until you run trains. Thanks for the encouragement. Ian

Seen today at Tynebank. I'm not sure how Backworth's USA tank got south of the river. Bridge works taking place ahead of the ES1 (Should have checked clearances!!).

Have some A1 frames in the loft, are they the ones with a spring to fit under the turnout? Or am I thinking about something else? Cheers

Who would have thought, after 55 years, these still work. Respect to Margate!

Yes, ex L&Y.

Hazelrigg. Not my photo, so I cannot credit it. I got it in a jumble sale pack. I think it is early 50's with two ex NER coaches, someone will know! Cheers IB

Some progress on the lower level, signal ladders and o'head wire next. Alas had to withdraw from Birtley Show for reasons many and varied, very sad about this as I have always enjoyed exhibiting there due in no small part to the friendliness and hospitality of the club members Ian B

Well, I started to harvest Tynebank for reusable bits, when I had a visit from Charlie Miller, he persuaded me not to scrap it, and helped with some areas i am having difficulty with due to tremor etc. So Tynebank lives and I guess Birtley show is on. But thanks to you all for your comments, much appreciated. I do find it difficult to cope with depression at times, it's great I can turn to this wonderful hobby of ours and get support from people I've never met! Ian B

Thanks for all the kind comments about Tynebank over the past 18 months. However, scrapping starts today in preparation for its trip the local tip. Cheers Guys Ian B

Sunday Diversions at Tynebank. ​With the ECML and 'The Old Main Line' both closed for engineering works, trains are being diverted through Sunderland via the coast. Bronzino of Heaton shed has taken the Kings Cross to Newcastle Central from York, it is running very late. The shape of things to come, soon the east Coast dinosaurs will be extinct. Quicksilver another late runner, (Maybe not so quick) Q6 running light to Borough Gardens. Can I wish you all a Happy and Healthy New Year and I hope you all complete those unfinished kits in 2019 Cheers Ian B