Dagworth

And something I agree with Dapol on, it makes life much easier for those who wish to renumber, and we are modellers dont forget... this is not MTCweb (model train collectors web) Andi

The Alarm's new album, Direct Action has been getting far too much time on iTunes here recently, its a cracking album and One Guitar is amazing andi

(my underlining) That's the reason James, once you get used to it you don't worry about it so much. I was the same at first but got used to it being there and it became second nature. Simple answer is that you should never step on ANY rail, but you will know that anyway andi

If the pan can hold much more than its own weight up then its too strong. Mine are weakened enough that they will not support a pencil laid across them. Andi

Avoiding the question about which is better, the old or the new model, here are some links to how I've got my old ones to run reliably Firstly a couple of bits from the old RMweb http://www.rmweb.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?f=8&t=51158&p=783463&hilit=HAAs#p783463 http://www.rmweb.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=45920&p=696771&hilit=HAAs#p694704 My workbench thread from the DEMU forum http://www.demu.org.uk/forum/index.php/topic,8462.0.html Andi

You obviously weren't at Members day a couple of years ago... had you been you would have seen some of my vast collection of the old HAAs running in long rakes on Ravensclyffe. Andi

If you are using the Hornby switches you need the black ones for point control Andi

No, Mark 1 equipment is characterised by large encumbrances of 6ft plus (the height between the contact wire and the catenary wire) and heavy supporting portals on multiple tracks. Mark 3 equipment has a much smaller encumberance, and multiple track equipment is more commonly supported on headspans rather than portals. That's the two most obvious immediate differences, some mark1 stuff was compound wiring, with the additional wire between contact and catenary but by no means all of it. Most Ex DC equipment now converted to AC use also has the auxiliary catenary wire but is not mark1 or mark3 as it predates both. Very little mark2 exists, I believe only a short stretch in Scotland. The next few issues of DEMU's UPDate magazine will carry articles about scratchbuilding Overhead Line Equipment. Andi

Not just in the US! The EPBs, CEPs, VEPs etc (and I'm guessing the AC EMUs with EP brakes) also had Westinghouse air brakes - known as 'the Man's brake', EP being for boys With these you had to allow seven seconds for the reservoirs to recharge after an aplication or you could find yourself with no brakes. The EP brake could be applied and released at will. In order to keep your hand in on the Westinghouse all empty stock movements were meant to be made using the westinghouse rather than the EP. Andi

Thanks Track is glued with PVA direct to the boards. Yes it's noisy, but so are real trains and I like the noise an 87 on load 13 makes at full pelt! Andi

APT HydroKenetic brakes used a hollow large diameter axle with vanes mounted inside. The were vanes that rotated with the wheel and fixed vanes that remained static. The axle had fluid (water I believe) pumped into it to produce the braking effect. See http://www.old-dalby.com/images/APT-E_HK_Brake.jpg No other stock in service has ever used this system. Andi

Presumably this unit would not work with stock that has resisted wheel sets present on the track, or on systems that had more than one loco on the track, the high voltage would never be generated as there will always be some form of continuity across the rails. Relcos were always fitted one for each controller so were only ever (normally) trying to power one loco at a time, in DCC this situation is very rare as all locos share the same power source. Andi

I've finally got round to moving the old layout and level crossing topics over to here, Martin's transfer utility is excellent! For a short time the DEMU forum topic that gives a lot more detail of the construction of the crossing barriers is open to non members. http://www.demu.org.uk/forum/index.php/topic,9221.0.html Andi

Ravensclyffe Level Crossing by Dagworth original page on Old RMweb __________________________________________ Comment posted by Nile_Griffith on Thu Jul 30, 2009 11:34 pm Glad to see somebody is considering how sounds "scales". I presume as well as eq 'ing out a proportion of the low frequency you will also take the edge of the High frequency too, as over the perceived scale distance High frequency energy will dissipate more quickly than mid and low frequencies! ###### I'm getting my work head on now! Not sure if you can rig it Andy with what you have available. But when editing sound files for other peoples loco's (can't quite get the DCC sound bug myself) I have an output from my audio interface running into a small amp feeding a speaker in a defunct loco.... A bit like having a pair of proper studio monitors...... but more crap! Sure you've possibly had the same thought but if you could rig it into your layout it beats shuffling your sound files back and forwards because of the difference between your PC/monitoring speakers and the actual driver in the layout. Cheers Nile __________________________________________ Comment posted by beast66606 on Fri Jul 31, 2009 9:52 am cheshepe wrote: Dear Beast66606, I managed to persuade Brian Hanson to make us the barriers in O Gauge and would be interested in your 'yodel' unit if you wouldn't mind sharing your knowledge with us. Our crossing is to be installed on the layout donated by the widow of one of our much loved members during our refurb of his layout. It would be great to add sound as well as the lighting and working barriers. thanks Chesh Hi Chesh, it's a bit on the loud side - if Andi's method isn't suitable maybe I could make a recording of the sounds ... but won't be in the immediate future __________________________________________ Comment posted by dan griffin on Fri Jul 31, 2009 11:27 am outstanding level crossing, wish i had the skill for something like that. i just hope they dont fail as much as the real thing!! on a seperate note, where did you get your catenary from? __________________________________________ ??? posted on Fri Jul 31, 2009 12:55 pm dan griffin wrote: outstanding level crossing, wish i had the skill for something like that. i just hope they dont fail as much as the real thing!! on a seperate note, where did you get your catenary from? Catenary is a mix of scratch with parts from the N-Brass range and pulley wheels from Shawplan. There are some more details in the main layout thread viewtopic.php?f=9&t=12011 Andi __________________________________________

Ravensclyffe Level Crossing by Dagworth original page on Old RMweb __________________________________________ ??? posted on Wed Jul 22, 2009 8:53 pm More progress, all four barriers now in place, as well as the barrier lights. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Cq3qAxq4ek Andi __________________________________________ Comment posted by Pitbull1845 on Wed Jul 22, 2009 9:56 pm Pure genius. __________________________________________ Comment posted by ShedcombeUponFrome on Wed Jul 22, 2009 11:51 pm Very nice Andi !!!! Looking forward to DEMfest. Regards, Michel __________________________________________ Comment posted by Fosterboy on Thu Jul 23, 2009 12:22 am Superb. Just need a five minute wait before a train rushes through now... __________________________________________ Comment posted by signaller on Thu Jul 23, 2009 10:14 am Very well done indeed! You havn't mentioned how the booms are driven? the speed is perfect. The hanging grids defy patience. I have made many in 0 and 00 but yours has got to be the best yet. How many would you like to make? All the best __________________________________________ Comment posted by signaller on Thu Jul 23, 2009 10:16 am I have just noticed you even have the lamp test built into the sequence..................................excellent! __________________________________________ ??? posted on Thu Jul 23, 2009 10:56 am signaller wrote: I have just noticed you even have the lamp test built into the sequence..................................excellent! I presume that is where both lights come on together before they start flashing? I copied what the real thing does Andi __________________________________________ Comment posted by 10800 on Thu Jul 23, 2009 11:30 am That's astonishingly good Andi - hope to see it for real sometime I hope they're Siamese-proofed! __________________________________________ Comment posted by signaller on Thu Jul 23, 2009 11:47 am Dagworth wrote: signaller wrote: I have just noticed you even have the lamp test built into the sequence..................................excellent! I presume that is where both lights come on together before they start flashing? I copied what the real thing does Andi Yes, you are right all red lamps illuminate first which performs a lamp test on all the red lamps. If there is a filliament failure it causes an alarm in the controlling signal box. I am still keen to know how your booms operate! Cheers __________________________________________ Comment posted by dave_long on Thu Jul 23, 2009 12:37 pm Great work Andi, so when do we get the sound? __________________________________________ Comment posted by ajdown on Thu Jul 23, 2009 2:23 pm That's just amazing. Well done. I bet if you offered to make them for people you'd make a fortune. __________________________________________ Comment posted by RedgateModels on Thu Jul 23, 2009 8:23 pm Just had chance to watch your vid Andi (can't get youtube at work) stunning pure genius, love it. Just to finish off the vid, a loco passing would be great! __________________________________________ ??? posted on Thu Jul 23, 2009 9:11 pm RedgateModels wrote: Just to finish off the vid, a loco passing would be great! Once I get the whole layout up again I'll get some video of the crossing with trains... and hopefully the sound of the crossing too... Andi __________________________________________ ??? posted on Fri Jul 24, 2009 1:01 am signaller wrote: I am still keen to know how your booms operate! Cheers The booms are driven by RC servos controlled by the MERG servo operating kit. They run at the slowest speed the module can run. The timings of the whole sequence are as close to the prototype as I can get them. I'll have another try at the sound file tomorrow, the crossing has a module that I bought off eBay buried underneath it, the sounds are loaded from the PC via USB and stored in flash memory on the module. In the era when Ravensclyffe is set the crossing would have had bells rather than warblers, I've been able to find a suitable sound file on the web that I could edit to make it up to the required 23 seconds for the whole sequence but at the moment the version on the layout is too loud and has too much low frequency in it. I've had a play in 'Audacity' this evening to reduce the bass so I'll re-upload it tomorrow and reduce the volume at the same time. (There is an option within the computer control to mute the bells, the default is muted) In the meantime here are a couple of close up pics. Barriers up and folded Half way through the sequence Andi __________________________________________ Comment posted by ShedcombeUponFrome on Fri Jul 24, 2009 1:45 am Truely Superb Andi. Looking forward to DEMfest more and more ..... Think a Routemaster, a tent and a venue could give it a well deserved outing IN FULL. Regards, Michel __________________________________________ Comment posted by signaller on Fri Jul 24, 2009 8:21 am Dagworth wrote: signaller wrote: I am still keen to know how your booms operate! Cheers The booms are driven by RC servos controlled by the MERG servo operating kit. They run at the slowest speed the module can run. The timings of the whole sequence are as close to the prototype as I can get them. I though as much, it works very well indeed. I made a four boom in "0" scale using the same method. Up until the servo innovation I used tortoise motors but they were tricky to adjust with lots of linkages and heavy on the maintanance! The problem with timings is in the model form everything happens much faster than the prototype or it gets very boring! How about a Faller roadway over the crossing then????? Cheers __________________________________________ Comment posted by signaller on Fri Jul 24, 2009 8:27 am ajdown wrote: That's just amazing. Well done. I bet if you offered to make them for people you'd make a fortune. Making more than one is a whole new ball game, making lots is tedious to say the least, take it from me I've done it! The main problem is, the cost of these things in parts and especially time works out more than people are willing to pay! So it fails all round really. All the best __________________________________________ Comment posted by cheshepe on Fri Jul 24, 2009 8:38 pm Those skirts look great. So much so that I have asked Brian if he can recreate an etch in O Gauge for our club layout. Your crossing is looking brilliant and would be an asset to any layout. __________________________________________ Comment posted by signaller on Sat Jul 25, 2009 3:54 pm Talking of level crossings is this the ultimate? Cheers __________________________________________ Comment posted by beast66606 on Sun Jul 26, 2009 11:02 am Looking good Andi - we have a prototype yodel machine if we ever make a crossing, might get those who think DCC sounds are loud complaining though __________________________________________ Comment posted by cheshepe on Thu Jul 30, 2009 9:38 pm Dear Beast66606, I managed to persuade Brian Hanson to make us the barriers in O Gauge and would be interested in your 'yodel' unit if you wouldn't mind sharing your knowledge with us. Our crossing is to be installed on the layout donated by the widow of one of our much loved members during our refurb of his layout. It would be great to add sound as well as the lighting and working barriers. thanks Chesh __________________________________________ Comment posted by jim s-w on Thu Jul 30, 2009 9:58 pm Dagworth wrote: I'll have another try at the sound file tomorrow, the crossing has a module that I bought off eBay buried underneath it, the sounds are loaded from the PC via USB and stored in flash memory on the module. In the era when Ravensclyffe is set the crossing would have had bells rather than warblers, Hi Andi Got any more info on the sound module? Been thinking about something like that for layout based 'wheel squeal' Cheers Jim __________________________________________ ??? posted on Thu Jul 30, 2009 10:44 pm Jim, This is the unit http://cgi.ebay.co.u...-second-USB-sou ... .m63.l1177 The only difficulty with it is that when you load the sounds it has an automatic level control, I'd hoped to be able to edit my sound file to reduce the volume and reload it, when I tried the volume was the same but the background noise was louder Plan B is now ready to be tried, fitting a volume pot to the speaker of the module. My unit runs from the layout's 5v bus, lack of power when switched off doesn't affect the memory of the module. Andi __________________________________________ Comment posted by Nile_Griffith on Thu Jul 30, 2009 11:05 pm Glad to see somebody is considering how sounds "scales". I presume as well as eq 'ing out a proportion of the low frequency you will also take the edge of the High frequency too, as over the perceived scale distance High frequency energy will dissipate more quickly than mid and low frequencies! ###### I'm getting my work head on now! Not sure if you can rig it Andy with what you have available. But when editing sound files for other peoples loco's (can't quite get the DCC sound bug myself) I have an output from my audio interface running into a small amp feeding a speaker in a defunct loco.... A bit like having a pair of proper studio monitors...... but more crap! Sure you've possibly had the same thought but if you could rig it into your layout it beats shuffling your sound files back and forwards because of the difference between your PC/monitoring speakers and the actual driver in the layout. Cheers Nile __________________________________________ ??? posted on Thu Jul 30, 2009 11:20 pm I've already taken out everything below 200 hz, there's no way that driver will reproduce it anyway... I will have more of a play with it once I get that board back out, it's been put away cat safe at the moment while I work on the next one. Andi __________________________________________

This is the Ravensclyffe Level Crossing thread merged into the main layout thread The topic started as part of the 2008 challenge which was to have an operating feature by Dagworth original page on Old RMweb __________________________________________ ??? posted on Tue Jan 01, 2008 9:51 pm Two things that I've been planning on doing for Ravensclyffe look as if they qualify for the challenge, so count me in. Having something to work for might encourage me to actually build them instead of just thinking about it. First stop will be to MERG for some of their wonderful servo drive kits...... __________________________________________ ??? posted on Wed Jan 02, 2008 12:07 am My challenge entries will be two items on the new layout, both long planned. One of them I had already started some of the more detailed planning, and it is already included in the signalling software for the layout. This is working a level crossing, four barrier type, with the lights and bells. This will explain my recent wanted post for an electric bell. This also ties in with a recent comment in the "things I've learned at exhibitions" topic The second project is not railway related but will be another feature of the layout. Andi __________________________________________ ??? posted on Wed Jan 02, 2008 6:22 pm Seems as if Ozlander has the same idea as I do, but a very different approach. My second project then is the lock on the canal. This one may well not get finished in time though. Andi __________________________________________ ??? posted on Wed May 20, 2009 2:07 am Well, it's now mid may 2009, nearly six months after the 2008 challenge officially ended but my entry as was has finally had some proper work done on it. The barriers as fitted at the moment are only temporary but the mechanism and electronics work! I still need to sort out the bells, and I have some ideas for how I want to do the barriers properly. For some reason the lights on the right hand side are not as bright as the ones on the left Andi __________________________________________ Comment posted by Gordon S on S</STRONG> on Wed May 20, 2009 6:08 am Wow Andy, that's really impressive. You've captured the lights and movement really well... __________________________________________ Comment posted by 10800 on Wed May 20, 2009 7:42 am Top stuff Andi - I must have blinked when the train went by though __________________________________________ Comment posted by Pitbull1845 on Wed May 20, 2009 9:16 am Very good andi, it certainly looks the part. Are the right hand lights angled slightly to the right? (or their left) Maybe thats why the lights seem faint on the video. Unless of course in the flesh they are faint aswell, in which case I'll shut up. lol Cheers Scott __________________________________________ ??? posted on Wed May 20, 2009 10:29 pm Thanks for the nice comments The lights on the right really are dimmer than the left, which makes no sense as they are in parallel on the same set of resistors. I may revisit that section and fiddle with the resistances to try to get them more equal. Andi __________________________________________ Comment posted by The Fatadder on Wed May 20, 2009 10:44 pm Brilliant!!!! Look forward to seeing the final version... __________________________________________ Comment posted by Brinkly on Sat May 30, 2009 6:00 pm The Fatadder wrote: Brilliant!!!! Look forward to seeing the final version... Excellent work Andi, if I had a modern image layout I would want that! Nick __________________________________________ Comment posted by Captain Kernow on Sat Jun 06, 2009 8:59 am Superb Andy, quite superb! It's a CCTV or MCB, presumably? And if so, very prototypical indeed!.........................(I mean the lowering and raising of the barriers by the signalman with no train about!! ) __________________________________________ Comment posted by MartinWales on Mon Jun 08, 2009 5:34 pm Impressive! Well done that man! __________________________________________ ??? posted on Wed Jul 15, 2009 4:01 pm More progress, I've now got the first of the proper barriers working, with folding skirts. These were from an etch that I asked Brian Hanson of Shawplan to do for me. Andi __________________________________________ Comment posted by 43003 on Wed Jul 15, 2009 4:05 pm They look the dog's danglie's Andi! Top Job. __________________________________________ Comment posted by Brinkly on Wed Jul 15, 2009 4:22 pm Truly excellent work, shame Horrabridge wouldn't have had a set, even if it had survived into the present day running 150/2 and 153 DMUs! Nick __________________________________________ Comment posted by richardabrown on Wed Jul 15, 2009 7:49 pm nice I like it __________________________________________ Comment posted by Pitbull1845 on Wed Jul 15, 2009 7:59 pm Quality.. I want one.... __________________________________________ Comment posted by Yarnham on Wed Jul 15, 2009 8:23 pm Thats great! Take it the etched barrier took a while to knock up? Thats damn realistic. you just need some irate yuppy in his capri waiting at the gates! __________________________________________ ??? posted on Wed Jul 15, 2009 8:26 pm Yarnham wrote: Take it the etched barrier took a while to knock up? There's probably about five hours work in that one, the rest shouldn't take as long now that i now what I'm doing. Andi __________________________________________ Comment posted by mrscorn78 on Wed Jul 15, 2009 8:35 pm Hi, thats cracking Andi. Works just like the real thing (yes obvoius thing to say ) you just need a faller car to put its foot down whilst the barriers are lowering and it would be spot on cheers Simon __________________________________________ Comment posted by Pugsley on Wed Jul 15, 2009 9:10 pm Very impressive indeed Andi I presume the etch is just a miniature version of the real thing? I can imagine that being a real swine to put together... __________________________________________ ??? posted on Wed Jul 15, 2009 9:15 pm Pugsley wrote: Very impressive indeed Andi I presume the etch is just a miniature version of the real thing? I can imagine that being a real swine to put together... Here are some better pics: The barriers in the lowered position. half way. Up and folded. Andi __________________________________________ ??? posted on Thu Jul 16, 2009 12:42 am Now two barriers in place, the second one is much better than the first, so much so that the first one will get replaced. Andi __________________________________________ Comment posted by ShedcombeUponFrome on Thu Jul 16, 2009 3:48 am Very nice Andi. Looking forwars seeing it in the flesh ( and actually run trains !!! ) Regards, Michel __________________________________________ Comment posted by poindexter on Thu Jul 16, 2009 8:13 pm Very very nice. oh if only I had the patience. Well OK, the patience and the ability!! Excellent job Andi Guy __________________________________________

Ravensclyffe 4mm OO 1980s WCML by Dagworth original page on Old RMweb __________________________________________ Comment posted by MRDBLUE17 on Fri Jul 31, 2009 7:42 pm Andi that is some very impressive work not only on the OHLE but that level crossing is amazing and I don't think I have ever seen one done better that operates in the way yours does! I will certainly be reading the workbench article on it for future layout planning. Mark __________________________________________ ??? posted on Fri Jul 31, 2009 11:13 pm My camera doesn't like focusing on things that hang mid-air so this was the best I could do. Note that there is no tension on this joint as it's mid board pre soldering solid. Something else I've been playing with: section insulators. This one is built from the scrap edges of the N-Brass portal etches. I need four for this board alone, then a similar number at the other end of the yard, I wonder if these would be worth an etch? Andi __________________________________________ Comment posted by dave_long on Sat Aug 01, 2009 11:41 am Thanks for posting the images Andi. The insulator looks really good, bet you had fun fitting that correctly, I'm not sure but I reckon there might be a need for some of those on Stechford so if you do plan on an etch then do let us know. __________________________________________ Comment posted by jim s-w on Mon Aug 03, 2009 8:16 am dave_long wrote: Thanks for posting the images Andi. The insulator looks really good, bet you had fun fitting that correctly, I'm not sure but I reckon there might be a need for some of those on Stechford so if you do plan on an etch then do let us know. They are already on the list Dave Cheers Jim __________________________________________ Comment posted by dave_long on Mon Aug 03, 2009 9:16 am jim s-w wrote: dave_long wrote: Thanks for posting the images Andi. The insulator looks really good, bet you had fun fitting that correctly, I'm not sure but I reckon there might be a need for some of those on Stechford so if you do plan on an etch then do let us know. They are already on the list Dave Cheers Jim I thought they might be! I bet that list is nearly as long as the layout though! __________________________________________ Comment posted by Grimleygrid on Mon Aug 03, 2009 5:18 pm Absolute quality, the level crossing really is top notch. I love the way the skirts come down with the barriers, superb. Excellent work Sir. __________________________________________ ??? posted on Mon Aug 10, 2009 11:30 pm Finally with sound..... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lDDSB8r-Y7Q Thanks to Andy Jupe for the footage. andi __________________________________________ Comment posted by wayne 37901 on Mon Aug 10, 2009 11:39 pm Excellent stuff Andi, the first time I've ever seen a level crossing modelled as a working item... And with sound too __________________________________________ Comment posted by big T on Tue Aug 11, 2009 7:19 am Inspiring stuff Andi! The level crossing is superb, and the OLE looks amazing. Very intricate and lifelike. Cracking work! __________________________________________ Comment posted by redbaron on Tue Aug 11, 2009 7:28 am the level crossing is fantastic. I wish someone would make a RTR version of it for those of us who do not have the skills / patience to scratch build. Suspect it would sell in big quantities.... __________________________________________

Ravensclyffe 4mm OO 1980s WCML by Dagworth original page on Old RMweb __________________________________________ Comment posted by jim s-w on Wed Jul 08, 2009 2:34 pm Hi Andi Just wondered if you have got anywhere with your class 58's yet? Have you removed the roof pods yet and if so can you recommend a colour match for the Heljan railfreight grey? Cheers Jim __________________________________________ Comment posted by michael delamar on Wed Jul 08, 2009 3:04 pm would love to see some pics of the APT Mike __________________________________________ ??? posted on Wed Jul 08, 2009 3:10 pm jim s-w wrote: Hi Andi Just wondered if you have got anywhere with your class 58's yet? Have you removed the roof pods yet and if so can you recommend a colour match for the Heljan railfreight grey? Cheers Jim Mark did one for me, but the grey used didn't match As yet I've not done anything more with them. Andi __________________________________________ Comment posted by baggiebloke on Wed Jul 08, 2009 8:11 pm Hi Andi I've just had a look on your website. Looking rather good indeed, especially the colliery buildings and rakes of HAAs with Bones at the helm! Alex __________________________________________ Comment posted by Grimleygrid on Thu Jul 09, 2009 8:28 am I have to agree with Baggie, fantastic photos of a truly stunning layout. Although the 58s do look good, the blue Grids in the sidings on HAAs really are superb and do it for me! What a fantastic layout. Can't wait to see more photos. __________________________________________ Comment posted by olddudders on Thu Jul 09, 2009 9:14 am This must be one of the most impressive single-owner layouts I have ever come across - you are doing what N scale does best, in 4mm! Your progress has also been substantial - I only have 20' x 17', and know how much work that takes! Your range of abilities is enormous - baseboards, DCC, signalling, yet still able to do fine engineering on the OLE. A landmark layout and builder, if ever I saw them! __________________________________________ Comment posted by Ajax on Thu Jul 09, 2009 10:04 pm Dagworth wrote: jim s-w wrote: Hi Andi Just wondered if you have got anywhere with your class 58's yet? Have you removed the roof pods yet and if so can you recommend a colour match for the Heljan railfreight grey? Cheers Jim Mark did one for me, but the grey used didn't match As yet I've not done anything more with them. Andi I've done two 58's so far; one that started off as 58001 and by the time the loco has been weatherd there is no appreciable difference in colour shade http://ravensclyffe..../p52285142.html. The other one I did started out as 037, the one with the cantral orange stripe, - The result was a very noticable difference in shade. When compareing the two original loco's there is a difference in the grey! I used Railmatch 1226 Railfrieght grey in both cases. HTH __________________________________________ Comment posted by Ajax on Thu Jul 09, 2009 10:07 pm Pic of the above referenced modified 58001. __________________________________________ ??? posted on Wed Jul 22, 2009 8:56 pm Quite a bit of time has been spent recently trying to perfect the level crossing next to the closed station. The main thread on the construction is here viewtopic.php?f=6&t=14510 but I thought I'd add it into the layout thread as well. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Cq3qAxq4ek Andi __________________________________________ Comment posted by Rammy on Wed Jul 22, 2009 9:51 pm That's fantastic Andi. I'm off to read the construction thread now! Now where can I fit a level crossing into Chadwood ?? Dave __________________________________________ Comment posted by Trainsrgr8 on Thu Jul 23, 2009 8:21 am fantastic work on the level crossing! Danny __________________________________________ Comment posted by PCM on Thu Jul 23, 2009 9:56 am That crossing is coooooooool love it. Cheers Peter. __________________________________________ Comment posted by noisynoel on Fri Jul 24, 2009 10:04 am Hmmmmm, now where can we fit one in on Horton??? Excellent peice of work Andi.. __________________________________________ Comment posted by michael delamar on Fri Jul 24, 2009 11:02 am the level crossing is fantastic! i always wondered why both red lights flash for a second after the yellow,before they flash intermitentley captured it spot on, I can just feel myself driving up to it thinking nooooo Mike __________________________________________ Comment posted by Gallows Close on Sat Jul 25, 2009 8:18 pm Hi Andi, The crossing is just great - it is alway something I have really wanted to model, but I seem to pick locations with bridges instead. What with the LC and the tensioners I'm in awe of your work. Thanks for posting, Chris. __________________________________________ Comment posted by mines a pint on Sun Jul 26, 2009 10:52 pm Finally found time to watch the youtube of the operating level crossing, its brilliant! as Mike said the light sequence is spot on ! __________________________________________ ??? posted on Tue Jul 28, 2009 2:48 pm A few quick snaps of the latest work on the layout, I've moved on from the level crossing board to the one that has the viaduct. The whole purpose of the bridge is to hide the offscene exit of the NCB loop on the top of the retaining wall. The overhead across the yard entrance pointwork gets pretty busy, this portal has the switching equipment to enable the wires in the yard and goods loop to be isolated from the main line power. The driver's view approaching the pointwork. Both portals are temporarily posed in their holes hence them not being level, I need to add some reinforcement under the end of the switching portal at the top of the embankment. I also need to replace the tortoise that works the catch point at the end of the goods loop, it had a disagreement with the ballast glue Andi __________________________________________ Comment posted by Clammgob on Tue Jul 28, 2009 3:17 pm Not bad for a trainset. Just aswell you know that I am kidding. Nice work as allways Andi. Cheers Keith __________________________________________ Comment posted by jim s-w on Tue Jul 28, 2009 3:33 pm Dagworth wrote: The overhead across the yard entrance pointwork gets pretty busy, this portal has the switching equipment to enable the wires in the yard and goods loop to be isolated from the main line power. Nice Job Andi I think you have taken the N-brass stuff about as far as its ever going to go. The above picture just screams out for more relief in the structure itself though. I do like the galvanised effect you have got. How did you do it? Cheers Jim __________________________________________ Comment posted by Gallows Close on Tue Jul 28, 2009 3:36 pm Hi Andi, I like the gadget in the photo above (Jim's Post) - Assume you use it to set registartion arm height?? Nice idea - beats my card effort. Cheers, Chris. __________________________________________ ??? posted on Tue Jul 28, 2009 3:41 pm Jim, the galvanised effect is unintentional, and is purely what is left after soldering. Normally I paint everything afterwards with Humbrol grey primer. The gadget standing under the portal is not so much for setting registration arm height as for checking that the registration arms are in the right place across the track. Height is checked using a ruler.... Andi __________________________________________ Comment posted by dave_long on Fri Jul 31, 2009 1:19 pm Hi Andi You've certainly done a great job of those N brass portals. I was wondering especially after rereading your post about the working tensions that you said that that would run for about 30'. How do you cope with basebaord joints and the OLE, this is something I've got to come to terms with for my Stechford layout and with having only the station road overbridge at one end as a place to hide ole attachment I need to cross atleast 2 board joints, atleast at the initial planning stage I have portals at the points where I feel the board breaks should be instead of just plain masts. Kind regards __________________________________________ ??? posted on Fri Jul 31, 2009 1:44 pm For baseboard joints I have removable sections of conductor. These have tiny hooks formed on the ends of the wires which hook over the registration arms. Once the whole lot is assembled the tension keeps it solid. Wires are 16 gauge guitar string, thin enough to look reasonable but strong enough for the hooks to not bend open under tension. The red part in the drawing is the registration arm, it has a tiny hook formed on to the end of it as well to stop the wires sliding off the end, this was a lesson I learnt with Dagworth. Andi __________________________________________ Comment posted by dave_long on Fri Jul 31, 2009 5:55 pm Thanks Andi Hmm had planned on using scale size wire, I'm planning a test section, both for practice building portals but also some where to test the wires too. I take that the way the wire hooks under and then over the reg arm will help avoid the possibilty of Pantograph snagging? Did I read somewhere that your having a section of compound on Ravensclyffe or was that on dagworth? Atleast the compound at Stechford was just along the main and not across the junction but it still going to fun trying that, but I do have a plan! Kind regards __________________________________________ ??? posted on Fri Jul 31, 2009 6:50 pm I built a short test section of compound to see if I could make it work, and decided that Ravensclyffe would have simple equipment. The test was /is in a demonstration box similar to my Foxglove layout. Andi __________________________________________

Ravensclyffe 4mm OO 1980s WCML by Dagworth original page on Old RMweb __________________________________________ ??? posted on Thu Apr 16, 2009 9:26 pm James90012 wrote: Will the N guage brass kits be able to withstand the sping of a pantograph? I.e. do they feel substantial enough? The N Brass stuff is surprisingly rigid, I do reinforce the trusses with 30thou brass rods inside the corners when I build them though. All my pan springs are seriously weakened, a pan will not support the weight of a pencil rested on it - they are only really strong enough to lift themselves. Many of the overhead spans will be around 24" long (even that length is only 2/3 of the real thing) but at that length the tension to keep it straight against a proprietary pan spring would be impossible to achieve without pulling the plain cantilevers over on the curves. James90012 wrote: I think the layout looks superb, and my favourite picture is 'PICT0825' of a blue 37 under the wires with a rake of hoppers behind it, looks stunning Compare PICT0825 with this pic taken a year previously, http://ravensclyffe..../p52285150.html We're making progress, we want to repeat that pic each running session to show how much has been done. jim s-w wrote: Good Stuff Andi I really like pict0812 but then I suppose, if you could pick one I would it would be that one wouldn't it? Cheers Jim That area is getting close to finished, when I get to the next board round the corner and can tension the OLE properly it should look even better. There is a signal to go on the wall on the inside of the curve which may have to be a gantry to get the best sighting of it so it will end up on the wrong side of the cab. So much still to do, and only 14 months left to do it in, I love deadlines.... Panic is starting to set in now. Roll on Showcase 2010, it will be great to set it up where we can stand back to see it properly instead of only having enough room to squeeze down the sides. Andi __________________________________________ Comment posted by sandshifter on Thu Apr 16, 2009 10:01 pm Looking great Andi, I'm certainly looking forward to seeing it completed! The line ups of 56s and 58s bring back memories of Worksop in the 80s... Colin __________________________________________ Comment posted by Rammy on Thu Apr 16, 2009 10:40 pm How did I miss this thread? This layout is HUGE Excellent engineering on the baseboards __________________________________________ Comment posted by Jsimons on Thu Apr 16, 2009 10:47 pm What can i say except fantastic layout! You will have to take another aerial photo like the first one in the thread, would be great to see how the scenery has changed the appearance. __________________________________________ ??? posted on Thu Apr 16, 2009 10:56 pm Jsimons wrote: What can i say except fantastic layout! You will have to take another aerial photo like the first one in the thread, would be great to see how the scenery has changed the appearance. When I can absolutely guarantee a fine weekend I want to recreate that initial pic, I think it will be a great relief to see how much we have done, rather than me only seeing how much is still to do. Note to self: Must spend less time on the computer and more on the layout... Andi __________________________________________ Comment posted by Rammy on Thu Apr 16, 2009 10:57 pm Andi How long does it take you to set the layout up as in the first pic? Dave __________________________________________ ??? posted on Thu Apr 16, 2009 11:25 pm Rammy wrote: Andi How long does it take you to set the layout up as in the first pic? Dave Well, apart from having to set up the tent, then carry all the boards downstairs in their boxes... Once we've got everything in the same place we can put it all up in about two hours with two people and a third pair of hands for a few minutes for one board. On a levelish hard surface (the garden has a slight slope across it ) with room to move outside the layout it will be a lot quicker. We are also at the moment adding a LOT more baseboard dowels to help with alignment which will reduce set up and fiddling time a lot. Andi __________________________________________ ??? posted on Sun Jun 14, 2009 11:25 pm Work progresses on the Overhead equipment... One of the biggest challenges is tensioning a length of conductor that has to start and finish on scene. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZADxiHIE8QI Using the pulleys from Shawplan it can be done. Yes this is in 4mm scale! The wire round the pulleys is 6lb fishing line that passes through the weight stack and down through the baseboard to a spring underneath. Andi __________________________________________ Comment posted by 10800 on Mon Jun 15, 2009 8:32 am Nice one - keep the Siameses away from it though! __________________________________________ Comment posted by jim s-w on Mon Jun 15, 2009 9:02 am Nice Andi Cheers Jim __________________________________________ Comment posted by Gallows Close on Mon Jun 15, 2009 11:50 am Nice one. How long is the run of overhead you have tensioned this way, and how much weight have you used? I assume this is simple catenary and not compound? Looks cool. Chris. __________________________________________ Comment posted by Pixie on Mon Jun 15, 2009 11:53 am Jeeees... That's just showing off chap! Fancy building some OHLE for the big APT? Pix __________________________________________ ??? posted on Mon Jun 15, 2009 4:41 pm Gallows Close wrote: Nice one. How long is the run of overhead you have tensioned this way, and how much weight have you used? I assume this is simple catenary and not compound? Looks cool. Chris. By the time that particular run is finished it will be about 30' long. I'm probably going to need a mid point anchor and another set of tensioners at the other end. The tension is derived from a spring below the board rather than a weight as it is an exhibition layout and needs to keep tension even when disassembled for transport to keep the fishing line on the pulleys. Andi __________________________________________ Comment posted by Pete-Harvey on Mon Jun 15, 2009 8:03 pm Andi Any news on the APT mods you were or are doing? Pete __________________________________________ ??? posted on Mon Jun 15, 2009 10:20 pm Pete-Harvey wrote: Andi Any news on the APT mods you were or are doing? Pete I've not done any more to the APT for a while, I've got it to a point where I have a running 14 car set which works beautifully but a touch slower than I would like, I need to regear the power car when I get time. The power car is a repower project using Heljan 26 gear towers fitted into the Hornby bogie frames, fitted with a central motor ex Bachmann Voyager and l lot of brass and lead to hold it all together and give it the weight to move the train up Ravens' banks. The whole body can tilt around the outside of the new chassis while the chassis stays level to the track. Now that it runs I've been concentrating on layout work for a while but here is a taster of it in action. Andi __________________________________________ Comment posted by MRDBLUE17 on Mon Jun 15, 2009 11:19 pm Andi, I really like the look of this layout - it is some beast and with that attention to detail on the OHLE it will be amazing to see it all when it is finished. Looking forward to watching this one progress. Mark __________________________________________ Comment posted by Gallows Close on Tue Jun 16, 2009 12:02 pm Dagworth wrote: The tension is derived from a spring below the board rather than a weight as it is an exhibition layout and needs to keep tension even when disassembled for transport to keep the fishing line on the pulleys. Andi Sounds like a good plan. Have you taken in to consideration the fact that the spring will move two to one with the OLE, and the closer a spring gets to its equillibrium point the less force it exerts. I have considered on scene tensioning and thought that the guy wire from the mast to the ground could be made from a tube and the wire fed through that to the underside of the board for tensioning. That could be useful at the opposite end of the run to the pulleys where extra tension could be wound in to the system if needed. Cheers, Chris. __________________________________________ Comment posted by jim s-w on Tue Jun 16, 2009 3:46 pm Hi Chris I dont forsee any real problems with Andi's method. After all the same was done (I think) on High Gill getting on for 30 years ago. Its so frustrating that these guys blazed the trail so long ago and yet OLE still hasnt really took off. Its sort of a second coming at the moment but we (and I am sure Andi would agree) are doing nothing new. Perhaps the Heljan 86 and the unannounced AC from Hornby (reading the signs) will give it a boost again? Cheers Jim __________________________________________ ??? posted on Tue Jun 16, 2009 5:45 pm I would agree with Jim that what we are doing is exactly what was being done 30 years back. Changes in the design of the prototype have made things a little easier in some ways as headspans are a lot easier than portals to build in model form. I would like to hope that the benefit of better etching techniques coupled with CAD making things like working pulleys possible means we are finally able to do things that simply haven't been possible before. Andi __________________________________________ Comment posted by Gallows Close on Tue Jun 16, 2009 6:04 pm Dagworth wrote: we are finally able to do things that simply haven't been possible before. Andi Yes. Absolutely. That is why we can have this discussion, and (in my opinion) all make OLE to a very high standard. We may have differing ideas as to how things might be done, but by seeing what can be done by others I find it is a great motivator. When I joined RM Web and I posted my dummy balance weights I thought they looked great - but now I've seen your working ones I have changed my views. Threads like this and others can only inspire. Cheers, Chris. __________________________________________ Comment posted by Welly on Sun Jun 21, 2009 8:55 am Working 4mm scale OHLE tensioner! The standard of modelling climbs ever higher on RMWeb! I remember Ravensclyffe at Member's Day 2008 and hope to see it again! __________________________________________ Comment posted by jim s-w on Wed Jul 08, 2009 2:34 pm Hi Andi Just wondered if you have got anywhere with your class 58's yet? Have you removed the roof pods yet and if so can you recommend a colour match for the Heljan railfreight grey? Cheers Jim __________________________________________ Comment posted by michael delamar on Wed Jul 08, 2009 3:04 pm would love to see some pics of the APT Mike __________________________________________ ??? posted on Wed Jul 08, 2009 3:10 pm jim s-w wrote: Hi Andi Just wondered if you have got anywhere with your class 58's yet? Have you removed the roof pods yet and if so can you recommend a colour match for the Heljan railfreight grey? Cheers Jim Mark did one for me, but the grey used didn't match As yet I've not done anything more with them. Andi __________________________________________ Comment posted by baggiebloke on Wed Jul 08, 2009 8:11 pm Hi Andi I've just had a look on your website. Looking rather good indeed, especially the colliery buildings and rakes of HAAs with Bones at the helm! Alex __________________________________________

Ravensclyffe 4mm OO 1980s WCML by Dagworth original page on Old RMweb __________________________________________ Comment posted by temeraire on Tue Jul 29, 2008 8:05 pm Andi I can echo the comments already here, and look forward to seeing it again as it develops. It was great to play with it most of Saturday afternoon and I spent most of the time laughing with a group of people I'd never met! My only regret is I didn't catch most of the names of the people around apart from your good self. __________________________________________ ??? posted on Sun Dec 28, 2008 7:45 pm Since its outing to the members day Ravensclyffe has mostly been upstairs in the spare room in its transit boxes. I had two outings for Dagworth and quite a bit of work to do on that layout. Now that they are out of the way scenic work has started on Ravensclyffe. These two pics are three weeks apart This is how the board looked at the members day Anyone familiar with Stoke On Trent should recognise the inspiration for the lock and bridge. There is a lot more to do here yet but I want to get the basic bones on the whole layout before everything gets revisited for detail work. Andi __________________________________________ Comment posted by wayne 37901 on Sun Dec 28, 2008 8:06 pm Hi Andi, Top banana Lovely stuff there, seems to be coming along a treat... Will look forward to seeing more. All the best... Hope yourself, Sheena and family had a good Christams __________________________________________ Comment posted by Fosterboy on Sun Dec 28, 2008 8:07 pm Hi Andi, Looks good- how about a close up of the lock? The pic you sent me looked good, why not post that one? Now, how about a running session in August/September? __________________________________________ Comment posted by Pete-Harvey on Sun Dec 28, 2008 8:12 pm Andi Its looking great you have done a lot to that one have you done any thing to the other boards? Will you be bringing it to the members day again? Pete __________________________________________ ??? posted on Sun Dec 28, 2008 8:14 pm Fosterboy wrote: Hi Andi, Looks good- how about a close up of the lock? The pic you sent me looked good, why not post that one? this one? Now, how about a running session in August/September? Almost certainly Andi __________________________________________ ??? posted on Sun Dec 28, 2008 8:23 pm Pete-Harvey wrote: Andi Its looking great you have done a lot to that one have you done any thing to the other boards? Three other boards have also had a lot of work done to them, this little building is something I've been putting together in my spare time Will you be bringing it to the members day again? Pete It's been offered.... Andi __________________________________________ Comment posted by Pete-Harvey on Sun Dec 28, 2008 8:38 pm Very very nice Andi thank you for posting the pictures. Pete __________________________________________ Comment posted by noisynoel on Sun Dec 28, 2008 8:39 pm Dagworth wrote: Pete-Harvey wrote: Andi Its looking great you have done a lot to that one have you done any thing to the other boards? Three other boards have also had a lot of work done to them, this little building is something I've been putting together in my spare time PICT0725resize.jpg Will you be bringing it to the members day again? Pete It's been offered.... Andi## Just the addition of the building tottally transforms that part of the layout! Noel __________________________________________ ??? posted on Mon Mar 02, 2009 10:38 pm Some people may have seen me building OHLE portals from N-brass kits on the demu stand at various shows recently, I've finally got to the point of being able to plant the first two of the big ones ;D This is the first of the two to be planted tonight, the foundations were built in situ from milliput once the portal was planted. Still needing the foundations. Overall view of the board. Once the glue sets/milliput goes off then I can start wiring this section I'm also having a complete block on what to use to fill the gap in the backscene behind the wagon repair shed. Any suggestions gratefully received... Andi __________________________________________ Comment posted by The Fatadder on Mon Mar 02, 2009 10:50 pm Wow! thats really changed since the last time I saw it! those portals are Huge!!!! __________________________________________ Comment posted by Darren01 on Tue Mar 03, 2009 12:41 am That is one hell of a layout you got their!!! The wood work alone is amazing! I look at my layout ??????????¬?…???Torrington 1955/56??????????¬?‚?? which is only 15??????????¬??????? long and think am I ever going to get it finished , but your layout is huge so there is hope for me yet . So when is the lorry turning up to deliver your ballast! I will be following this layout to see how it will come on, the bits you have done so far look very good, I like the coal mine you are putting together. The way you have done different levels in the track work, works very well, give a very good since of space. I love this layout, good luck with building it All the best Torrington D. __________________________________________ Comment posted by max on Tue Mar 03, 2009 1:42 am Hi Andi Your new layout looks super.Looking forward to see pics with wires fitted to those portals Max __________________________________________ Comment posted by Fosterboy on Tue Mar 03, 2009 2:00 am Looking great there Andi, it's really starting to come alive. The N-brass portals look good, for all they may have accuracy shortcomings next to scratchbuilding, on a layout this size I think you have to look at the bigger picture of time vs fidelity. I imagine they're probably more resilient than an exact scale model- do you think this is the case? I think the colours look right too, and this IMO is a very extremely important aspect of modelling. __________________________________________ Comment posted by jim s-w on Tue Mar 03, 2009 9:55 am Fosterboy wrote: Looking great there Andi, it's really starting to come alive. The N-brass portals look good, for all they may have accuracy shortcomings next to scratchbuilding, on a layout this size I think you have to look at the bigger picture of time vs fidelity. I imagine they're probably more resilient than an exact scale model- do you think this is the case? I think the colours look right too, and this IMO is a very extremely important aspect of modelling. Hi Rich Actually large portals are something that can have parts designed for them - the lack of angled sections is the biggest problem with the N brass ones and leaves them all looking far to 2D. Something can still be designed to be scale and resiliant. Keep your eye OMWB for something more like the real thing soon. Cheers Jim __________________________________________ Comment posted by Grimleygrid on Tue Mar 03, 2009 10:19 am Looking very nice indeed, slightly different to how it was last July! I really like the Colliery, the Railfreight 58 on HAAs looks superb going passed. __________________________________________ ??? posted on Tue Mar 24, 2009 1:23 am A couple of short video clips of a 14 car APT set at speed on the layout. And a much longer selection taken by Phil of visiting Abbotswood stock on the layout Andi __________________________________________ Comment posted by Fosterboy on Tue Mar 24, 2009 1:40 am Hi Andi, Nice to see the coal drops taking shape. Is the large bridge a disused viaduct or an aqueduct? __________________________________________ ??? posted on Thu Apr 16, 2009 12:19 pm A whole bunch of pics added to the Ravensclyffe fotopic site last night that were taken over the Easter weekend running session. As per usual with any pics of Ravens they are already out of date as by the time we took the layout down we'd done a load more scenic work... See http://ravensclyffe.fotopic.net/c1683219.html I particularly like this one. Andi __________________________________________ Comment posted by PCM on Thu Apr 16, 2009 12:34 pm Hi, The layout looks great, favourite pic is the line up of 58s. Cheers Peter. __________________________________________ Comment posted by number6 on Thu Apr 16, 2009 1:05 pm Super. Its uncanny how Ravenscliffe resembles loads of my youthful doodles for 'The ultimate plan'. Envy! Raphael __________________________________________ Comment posted by James90012 on Thu Apr 16, 2009 3:22 pm Will the N guage brass kits be able to withstand the sping of a pantograph? I.e. do they feel substantial enough? I think the layout looks superb, and my favourite picture is 'PICT0825' of a blue 37 under the wires with a rake of hoppers behind it, looks stunning __________________________________________ Comment posted by John B on Thu Apr 16, 2009 3:45 pm Stunning stuff, Andi. If anyone edited out the background "noise", that picture would easily pass muster as the real thing. __________________________________________ Comment posted by temeraire on Thu Apr 16, 2009 4:07 pm Looking great Andi amazing how different it looks with a bit of greenery, has the good lady noticed the empty hanging baskets yet? __________________________________________ Comment posted by jim s-w on Thu Apr 16, 2009 5:08 pm Good Stuff Andi I really like pict0812 but then I suppose, if you could pick one I would it would be that one wouldn't it? Cheers Jim __________________________________________

Ravensclyffe 4mm OO 1980s WCML by dagworth original page on Old RMweb __________________________________________ ??? posted on Thu Nov 22, 2007 12:28 am It's about time I put up some proper details of Ravensclyffe in it's own thread. The layout has been under construction since May 2005, and I've just about finished the second fix wiring. When the layout was first wired it was just to get things running, the second fix invloved adding all the track circuit hardware, point motors, wiring for power districts etc. Some figures: Layout sixe 24'x12' 95 track circuits, none longer than a single baseboard. 16 baseboards 45 computer controlled points plus the NCB that has it's own signal box with another 16 points. Total mainline run: 4 scale miles 00 gauge, code 100 peco on the mainline, code 75 in the yards DCC controlled, mix of ZTC and Lenz at the moment, going to ECoS and Dynamis when fiance permits. Signalling controlled by MRCCC software written by the late Stephen Parascandolo. Hardware is MERG RPC system. The layout is set in about 1983, somewhere in the Stoke area. Here is a pic of progress last year More images at http://ravensclyffe.fotopic.net Andi __________________________________________ Comment posted by baggiebloke on Thu Nov 22, 2007 12:38 am That is an insane sized layout. Fair play! http://www.rmweb.co.uk/forum/images/smilies/icon_biggrin.gif How many operators? You're going to tell me that you can operate the whole lot yourself, right? http://www.rmweb.co.uk/forum/images/smilies/icon_eek.gif This is going to be immense and I will be watching with interest! __________________________________________ ??? posted on Thu Nov 22, 2007 12:45 am baggiebloke wrote: How many operators? You're going to tell me that you can operate the whole lot yourself, right? http://www.rmweb.co.uk/forum/images/smilies/icon_eek.gif As many as we can get, bring a Dynamis or Xpressnet compatable handset http://www.rmweb.co.uk/forum/images/smilies/icon_biggrin.gif Andi __________________________________________ ??? posted on Thu Nov 22, 2007 12:49 am To give some idea of the track plan this is a screencap of the signal panel Andi __________________________________________ Comment posted by Dynamite27 on Thu Nov 22, 2007 1:05 am Hi Andi I've been following Ravensclyffe construction since the beginning and I keep checking back to see any progress but haven't for a year,as I totally forgot about this amazing layout as I got into other hobbies and I also like Dagworth ever Since I seen it on Model Town and is one super layout. __________________________________________ Comment posted by d7093 on Thu Nov 22, 2007 1:59 am You're MAD http://www.rmweb.co.uk/forum/images/smilies/icon_wink.gif Catch you soon Trevor __________________________________________ Comment posted by Gordon S on S</STRONG> on Thu Nov 22, 2007 6:07 am Andi, so glad you've brought Ravensclyffe to the forum...even managed to spell it correctly this time http://www.rmweb.co.uk/forum/images/smilies/icon_wink.gif Really looking forward to following your progress and seeing it all come good. Inspirational for all of those who love main line running with scale length trains....Nearly said roundy roundies http://www.rmweb.co.uk/forum/images/smilies/icon_lol.gif http://www.rmweb.co.uk/forum/images/smilies/icon_lol.gif __________________________________________ Comment posted by Pete-Harvey on Thu Nov 22, 2007 7:35 am The blokes a bloody 'Nuta' very impressive should be great when its finished. Pete __________________________________________ Comment posted by John B on Thu Nov 22, 2007 8:06 am WOW! That's one hell of an undertaking! Looking forward to seeing this develop! Cheers for sharing, Andi. __________________________________________ Comment posted by jim s-w on Thu Nov 22, 2007 8:20 am baggiebloke wrote: That is an insane sized layout. Fair play! http://www.rmweb.co.uk/forum/images/smilies/icon_biggrin.gif Eh? http://www.rmweb.co.uk/forum/images/smilies/icon_twisted.gif http://www.rmweb.co.uk/forum/images/smilies/icon_twisted.gif Looks funky though doesnt it. Makes you dizzy just looking at the pic http://www.rmweb.co.uk/forum/images/smilies/icon_smile.gif Cheers Jim __________________________________________ Comment posted by John B on Thu Nov 22, 2007 8:40 am I'm seriously impressed with anyone who has the vision and invention to build baseboards that complex! __________________________________________ ??? posted on Thu Nov 22, 2007 11:14 am Fat Bald Bloke wrote: John B wrote: I'm seriously impressed with anyone who has the vision and invention to build baseboards that complex! And a good saw to make everything fit. http://www.rmweb.co.uk/forum/images/smilies/icon_biggrin.gif http://www.rmweb.co.uk/forum/images/smilies/icon_mad.gif I will let Mr Dagworth explain what happened the first time it was set up. One of the baseboards, the one that has the fiddle yard entrances (centre left in the first pic) is a triple deck board with points on all three levels. The upper layers are all removable to allow access to the levels below for mainenance, cleaning etc. The layout can only be assembled complete in the garden, so once all the frames were complete they were worked on indoors, one or two at a time. When built all the frames fitted together perfectly. Each frame though had a small amount of flex, adding the track bed made them a lot more rigid. Because the track bed was added while the layout was not all bolted together when we came to assemble the layout with all the trackbed for the first time it no longer fitted. The combined small errors that had crept in as the trackbed was fitted added up to about a two inch difference at one end of the layout and I had to chop about an inch out of each end of one of the corner boards. Each board has a name, Andrea, Barbara, Caroline etc, and Andrea was the board that had to have the drastic surgery. See http://gingespotting-models.fotopic.net/c928843.html Other oddities of the layout are the three reversing power sections, because the fiddle yards are in effect reversing loops I've had to build in automatic sections that reverse polarity while trains travel through them, one on each fiddle yard approach and one on the MGR loading loop. On that first running weekend the control circuits for these sections did not exist and they were operated by manual switches. One of these was on the Andrea board, and they became known as the Andrea switches. Now they are fully automatic, but are still known as the Andrea sections. Having pretty much finished the second fix wiring I'm hoping to get the layout up after Warley for testing so new pictures should appear soon. I'm also looking forward to load testing the new Hornby 56s and Heljan 58s. One of my Hornby 58s has pulled a train of 144 Hornby HAAs, I hope the new locos should beat that!. Andi __________________________________________ Comment posted by Fosterboy on Thu Nov 22, 2007 12:10 pm Dagworth wrote: It's about time I put up some proper details of Here is a pic of progress last year More images at http://ravensclyffe.fotopic.net Andi I love the one ballasted board. I think you should only ballast alternate boards initially, get a nice arty effect...! __________________________________________ Comment posted by wayne 37901 on Thu Nov 22, 2007 12:27 pm Hi Andi, Ravensclyffe, looks http://www.rmweb.co.uk/forum/images/smilies/icon_cool.gif would love to see what 36 HAA's look like in 4mm scale with a nice beatsie grid at the front... If only i could build base boards like that, some real engineering there.... Cracking job mate http://www.rmweb.co.uk/forum/images/smilies/icon_wink.gif __________________________________________ Comment posted by 7F 2-8-0 on Fri Nov 23, 2007 3:46 pm John B wrote: WOW! That's one hell of an undertaking! Looking forward to seeing this develop! Cheers for sharing, Andi. I can vouch for that, I too am attempting to fill an area 24x12 and it's a long hard slog. Shaun __________________________________________ Comment posted by number6 on Fri Nov 23, 2007 4:29 pm Andi - that is a truly imaginative and ballsy construction. I really admire the views from all sides thing you have going on - as on Dagworth too. There also seem nice angles to watch the trains from the operator areas - especially that long gridiron cutting - so atmospheric down there. cheers Raphael __________________________________________ Comment posted by Andy C on Fri Nov 23, 2007 4:47 pm Its heartening to know that a fellow 24 X 12 layout builder has had some baseboard fitting problems too Andi! What Id give for a room that size - at least you can get ravensclyffe up n the garden, we have such a slope in ours i've no chance. Very busy trackplan!! __________________________________________ Comment posted by fatherjack on Fri Nov 23, 2007 5:21 pm Even i got to play with it. More worryingly that B Team t shirt really does look stupid. Also the super sprinter stickers gone. Its been replaced with a much more hellfire chaved up B757 sticker from Boeing. Richard __________________________________________ ??? posted on Mon Jul 28, 2008 10:35 pm There has been a new batch of pictures added to the Ravensclyffe fotopic site http://ravensclyffe.fotopic.net today. More will follow soon. If anyone has got any from the weekend that they would like to appear on the site (suitably credited of course) please let me know. Taking the layout to the members day for its first public outing was a lot of fun, everything seemed to work! There is still an awful lot to do, adding the rest of the signals (and mimics), scenery, overhead wiring, buildings, locos and stock, more XpressNet sockets, getting the show team sorted out and trained up... I'd like to thank everyone who came and played on the layout for the day, and to thank Andy for allowing us to use the day as a test run. Comments, suggestions and constructive criticism would be greatly appreciated. Andi __________________________________________ Comment posted by mines a pint on Mon Jul 28, 2008 11:21 pm Comments, suggestions and constructive criticism would be greatly appreciated. Totally impressive, size, complexity, prescence etc. The 'garden view' is fair easier for sussing out the trackplan -just keep up the good work, cant wait to see how it looks with scenery, full OHLE etc etc, how long till its first 'proper' outing http://www.rmweb.co.uk/forum/images/smilies/icon_question.gif __________________________________________ ??? posted on Mon Jul 28, 2008 11:28 pm mines a pint wrote: Comments, suggestions and constructive criticism would be greatly appreciated. Totally impressive, size, complexity, prescence etc. The 'garden view' is fair easier for sussing out the trackplan -just keep up the good work, cant wait to see how it looks with scenery, full OHLE etc etc, how long till its first 'proper' outing http://www.rmweb.co.uk/forum/images/smilies/icon_question.gif Some way back up the thread I posted a screencap from the signal panel that gives a diagram of the main line track plan, the parts that don't exist on that plan are all the top level stuff in the NCB area. As I told our illustrious leader it really is just a huge dumbell twisted over itself. The next outing will be DEMU Showcase, June 2009 at Bretby near Burton-on-Trent. Andi __________________________________________ Comment posted by mines a pint on Mon Jul 28, 2008 11:35 pm The next outing will be DEMU Showcase, June 2009 at Bretby near Burton-on-Trent. -not that I meant Saturday wasn't a proper outing http://www.rmweb.co.uk/forum/images/smilies/icon_redface.gif , so assuming its complete by then thats 4 years! http://www.rmweb.co.uk/forum/images/smilies/icon_eek.gif I'm impressed by the tenacity, If I'm not getting anywhere by 6 months I drop it and start something new! http://www.rmweb.co.uk/forum/images/smilies/icon_redface.gif http://www.rmweb.co.uk/forum/images/smilies/icon_lol.gif __________________________________________ ??? posted on Tue Jul 29, 2008 12:01 am mines a pint wrote: The next outing will be DEMU Showcase, June 2009 at Bretby near Burton-on-Trent. -not that I meant Saturday wasn't a proper outing http://www.rmweb.co.uk/forum/images/smilies/icon_redface.gif , so assuming its complete by then thats 4 years! http://www.rmweb.co.uk/forum/images/smilies/icon_eek.gif I'm impressed by the tenacity, If I'm not getting anywhere by 6 months I drop it and start something new! http://www.rmweb.co.uk/forum/images/smilies/icon_redface.gif http://www.rmweb.co.uk/forum/images/smilies/icon_lol.gif MAP, I didn't take it as you saying RMweb wasn't a "proper" outing! I know that I have set myself a huge deadline to get the layout ready in 11 months, I can't claim it will be finished but it will be presentable. I don't believe any layout is ever finished, but we as the builders see the bits we haven't done, whereas the veiwers are looking at what we have. It has taken just over three years to get to the current state, more has happened in the last six months than the 18 months prior to that. I first had trains running round the whole thing when the layout was 11 months old, with points changed by hand and a switch for the frog polarity. There are now two of us working on the project regularly, thanks Ajax, and as I get into the scenic side I'm sure Mrs D will get involved as well. I work best with a deadline, it's too easy to get distracted otherwise.... Andi __________________________________________ Comment posted by PCM on Tue Jul 29, 2008 10:43 am Hi Dagworth. I have just been reading your thread and just wanted to say great layout you are building there. http://www.rmweb.co.uk/forum/images/smilies/icon_thumbsup2.gif I did stumble on your website a while ago but when I upgraded the computer I lost the link. http://www.rmweb.co.uk/forum/images/smilies/icon_rolleyes.gif so I haven't see any recent progress. as for giving girls names to your boards you know they will cause you nothing but trouble. http://www.rmweb.co.uk/forum/images/smilies/icon_lol.gif http://www.rmweb.co.uk/forum/images/smilies/icon_lol.gif NMA fan as well. http://www.rmweb.co.uk/forum/images/smilies/icon_cool.gif Cheers Peter. My layout http://peter258.fotopic.net/ __________________________________________ Comment posted by millsie on Tue Jul 29, 2008 7:18 pm great layout. and it was a experience to operate it lol, cant wait to see it finnished...or in a near state __________________________________________

ECoS Control Radio does not work on its own though, only when connected to ECoS. Andi

Giles, Where did you get the UHU Plast glue? I need some more

I've been making some progress with my scratchbuilt 85 at last (see http://www.rmweb.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?f=89&t=16268&start=0 for the first installment). I've now got a running chassis based on the guts of a Bachmann warship. The loco made its exhibition debut under test at Showcase with a fast run round Tonbridge West Yard before I'd fitted the decoder. It did get some odd looks from the public, this strange grey thing with no bogie sides and no pan, buffers etc. I'd been planning on using DC kits sideframes for the bogies so bought a pair from Charlie at Showcase. When I got round to intruducing the frames to their prospective owner I found that the DC kits frames are designed to fit a 40mm wheelbase, whereas the Warship has 42mm wheelbase bogies and the 85 should have 43 mm. Rather than attempting a cut and stretch operation I've decided to have a go at scratchbuilding some new sideframes that - while still 1mm under scale length - will at least fit the bogies I have. I decided against trying to modify Hornby 86 bogies because the plastic they are moulded from is so hard to glue. The basic bogie side on the 81, 85 and 86 is really quite a simple shape, it consists of a 1ft deep beam with a dropped section at each end. Rather than carve huge lumps out of the plastic I decided to use a strip of 60thou plasticard cut at 4mm wide with the two dropped end sections welded below it to produce the basic shape. Reinforcing fillets were added behind the joins and then the excess corners trimmed off to give me four (eventually) identical side frames. The Bachmann warship bogie frame is moulded in a solvent friendly plastic so I could trim off all the detail from that and glue the new side frames to the Bachmann clip on moulding. All the spring detail from the Warship was filed back to leave a flat surface to accept the new parts. Once it was all flat then a piece of 60thou was glued to the filed side to bring it back out to the depth I needed before I could start rebuilding. Each bogie side on the 85 has two pieces behind the main frame that can best be described as looking like an upside down bottle kiln. These were cut from more 60thou and glued to the previous layer. The gaps between the tops of these pieces were then filled with more offcuts to give a solid layer to take the main side frame member. The lower spring plank of the bogie frame attaches (in my model) to the lower part of the 'bottle kilns' with the springs between the plank and the upper section. I've added the first spring and axle box unit and things are looking reasonable so far As I work on the next one I'll take some photos and add to this which should make the text a lot clearer. Andi