Beacon

Sounds good to me - looking forward to it already!

Yes I have Southampton's Railways too - took me a while to track one down. Haven't seen the other reference though so will look out for that thank you! (null)

This is already turning out to be an interesting thread and I've just placed my order for the book. I'm looking forward to how you develop the Southampton part as I'm always flitting back and forth with grand ideas of modelling the terminus and part of the docks. Have you got/read Southern Rails around Southampton by Ian Drummond - a very good book.

This must be the best thread on here for quite some time - thanks for making the effort to put it all together. It makes me wonder how after so long and so much money I have comparatively little to show for it! (null)

Are any of these (available) kits suitable or adatptable for those used currently on MOD trains?

Absolutely excellent. I've really enjoyed seeing this develop and the final photos are really inspiring!

Already an upcoming kit according to the website!

Brilliant shots from inside - thank you!

Those are great. I'm just about to start work on detailing a few Vitrains models. Any chance of some internal cab shots from anyone?

Love the lighting in those first three shots and enjoying your daily news! Shows what I could be achieving if I worked at that pace! Not sure what our plans are yet but if I can get along to see it in the flesh then I will do so.<div><br></div><div>Peter</div>

I'll probably get shot for saying this, but my fleet currently consists of 50007 in GWR green, 50135 repainted into LoadHaul colours, and one more currently awaiting its repaint into LMS colours as 50017. Sorry!

Looks very effective and a great way of keeping the budget down!

OK Thanks!

Just decided to take a look at this thread... that last shot of the inside in post 223 on page 9 is fantastic. Then I saw the roller shutter day - brilliant!

Thanks again for the comprehensive reply. That stock list is about what I'd be looking at with some helpful clarifications and details so thanks again. I figure that there is also the excuse for me to run other bits and pieces of stock through for 'storage' (or because it is my layout and I just feel like it!) Do you (or anyone) know what the current timings etc. for trains on the line are or how I can find out? I'd like to get down there one day when I next have a holiday to catch a train or two passing through!

Next question - if a second platform were funded and built at any stage in the past or present, would that automatically result in directional running and consequently a signalling change or might they leave it as it is currently. My assumption is that any signalling change is expensive and the use of the line would still be fairly light so not worth the additional cost to change. However, I guess with the current reliance of manpower for signalling, points and control of crossing gates I guess there would be some serious reconsiderations made if there was a regular passenger service introduced anyway.

Thanks all. Looking like at least with option c) the preserved railway, the second platform would be unlikely unless built long ago due to the associated costs. I guess perhaps the docks could afford it if it were associated with increased cruise traffic or similar although unlikely as to why they'd invest in Marchwood if that were the case! Would the fitting of point motors otherwise effect the signalling? I.e. would that allow automation and therefore the abandonment of Marchwwod signalbox anyway?

Thanks again. Just to keep us on the topic of signalling and infrastructure, I took a photo of the following which is clearly linking the signalbox to the signalling: How would this be impacted (if at all) by the construction of a second platform?

Thanks. It might sound stupid but I hadn't fully thought that through! I should be OK for fiddleyard space if it doesn't look too silly having the curves at either end although I think I can disguise them to some extent amongst the trees. I still haven't completely decided on this one yet. Options being: a) exactly as is b ) exactly as is but with reintroduced passenger services c) as is but with the fictional twist of preserved services from a reopened Hythe d) as is but with additional traffic due to new Freightliner and/or cruise terminal The last two (or even option b ) could lead to a second platform for passengers, but again I don't want to cram everything in and it just end up looking silly!

Thanks to everyone for the valuable input. I may be moving out of the realms of the forum area this is posted in now but as the thread is already going I hope that is OK! This is my proposed plan at this stage if anyone cares to comment further or make any suggestions: Not to scale - hence slightly squashed appearance in some parts. I'll draw something up properly once I'm happy that it is a sensible idea Thank you!

Fair enough! So I'd be better of leaving everything as it is in real life and keep the end of the loop 'off stage'? My only concern is keeping things interesting enough operationally as this is a very low-traffic line. I'm trying to balance this with the opposing dangers of over-complicating things and/or making it unrealistic. I'm no expert on the prototype so all feedback is helpful thank you!

The distance would be just over 4ft.

Hopefully this more clearly reflects my intentions:

Thanks for the responses. I understand the points being made but I don't have space to model anything further than the MOD junction (apart from running into fiddle yard) so rather than adding a crossover I am in effect moving it further back along the line (not clear in my altered plan admittedly!) Does that seem more reasonable or am I still way off!?

So it has been rather a long time since I did anything about the layout but as the boards are now built I've been playing around with the track trying to decide what will work best and popped back yesterday to take a few more pictures. I have a follow-up signalling question relating to PaulRhB's signalling diagram about what would happen if an additional crossover were placed just before the branch to the port: (added in red to the signalling diagram below) I think this will be necessary to make the layout interesting to operate in the space I have available but need to know if and how it will affect the signalling? If it makes any difference, I am planning to use a double slip to achieve this in the limited space. Thanks!