Pannier Tank

On 07/07/2022 at 19:02, Rugd1022 said:

Well I asked the question today when I was on site and the general consensus is that it's convenient to have each line passing through a separate arch. Someone also mentioned that the line speed here will be 100mph, but we'll see.

Thank you for asking the question. I wondered if there might had been a 'clearance' issue (future proofing for future electrification) hence the divergence and the use of two arches. 

With regards to 100 mph running, I guess that East Bound Passenger Trains (I can't get used to the change of Up & Down Direction, it used to be down to Oxford and Up to Bletchley) would be slowing down for the approach to Bletchley Flyover at this point anyway.

2 hours ago, Rugd1022 said:

I was told the other day that we (Freightliner) have about three weeks more work to do on the Bletchley - Bicester section, then the trains and materials will be coming in from the Oxford end.

As you travel (presumably) wrong line towards the Newton Longville to Whaddon Road Bridge at the Eastern end of the former Swanbourne Sidings, I note the two lines diverge to go under different arches of the bridge. The Westbound Track appears to be laid on it's original formation but the Eastbound Track is re-aligned on to what was the entrance/exit to Swanbourne Sidings. Do you know the reason for this?

Have you seen :- http://www.dingoservo.co.uk/product-list.html

2 hours ago, Tony Wright said:

Fond memories indeed, David.

 

The Scottish-based Semis were always the most-difficult to cop for residents of Cheshire, even though I visited Crewe regularly. It would seem for much of the time they worked between Carlisle and Glasgow, with occasional jobs further south (often at night, it would seem). Your spotting of 46231 must have been a relative rarity at Bletchley. Wasn't she one of the first withdrawn? 

 

Regards,

 

Tony. 

It was indeed a rarity to see 46231 at Bletchley, the one and only time I ever saw her. 

46227, 46231 & 46232 were all withdrawn in December 1962 from 66A.

1 hour ago, Tony Wright said:

With the exception of 46231, I saw all this magnificent class (one would work through Chester every day on the 10.05 to Holyhead, often a Crewe Works running-in turn).

I have fond memories of 46231 Duchess of Atholl during the summer of '62 when she made an unscheduled stop for water at Bletchley whilst working an up express. Presumably unable to take a re-fill at Castlethorpe troughs. As she was taking on water the crew took the opportunity to use the coal pusher to bring the coal forward and used the slack pipe to clear the coal dust. My Father and I received an impromptu warm shower! Happy Days.

1 hour ago, Nearholmer said:

What “destination” in RTT finds trains going onto this line? I’ve had a hunt and can’t work out.

 

I don't know about RTT but you may find this useful?

Bletchley Summit of Flyover

https://trackit.uppyjc.co.uk/TrackIT/Forms/Location.aspx?LocationID=9211&Previous=1440&Next=60&HideCompleted=False&HideCancelled=False&AutoRefresh=False&DisplayMode=TM&Reverse=True&Estimate=False&Headcode=&TOC=&Orig=&Dest=

Click on the RED 632M and 633M for full path of train.

https://trackit.uppyjc.co.uk/TrackIT/Forms/Location.aspx?LocationID=9211

1 hour ago, didcot said:

Horner moaning again! 

 

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/formula1/61551759

The report says "Horner's position is backed by title rivals Ferrari, world champions Mercedes and McLaren."

The following image shows track laying at a double arched bridge.

https://twitter.com/Marshrail/status/1524494908060585984/photo/2

It looks very much like its the bridge carrying the Whaddon Road to/from Newton Longville which was the former eastern entrance to Swanbourne Sidings. The Track looks to diverge at this point with East Bound (former Up) Line using the former Archway  access to Swanbourne Sidings and the Oxford bound line using the former through line Archway. 

3 hours ago, 08221 said:

It was Peaches in my day!

It was the Cattle Market in my day!!

15 minutes ago, Rugd1022 said:

Last week I was on 6Y23, the long welded rail train and went down as far as the current trackwork alloys, stopping directly under Whaddon Road bridge. Despite being not that far from cosmopolitan Bletchley, it felt like the middle of nowhere!

Where Swanbourne Sidings used to be.

Hello Michael,

Arduino
 

The Signal Interlocking System consists of an Arduino MEGA which is ok for up to 25 Levers (Inputs) and 25 Locks (Outputs) beyond that you would be looking at expansion modules. I use a MCP2515 CANBUS Module which communicates with the MERG CBUS System to control Signals and Points.

I no expert on programming Arduino's, I've learnt by modifying the code of RMweb Member ffayolle (Fabrice).
https://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/index.php?/topic/82978-arduino-applications-and-programs/page/4/&tab=comments#comment-2276967

The Arduino Sketch I am using doesn't support reading data from say an SD Card although it should be possible to add this facility.

Lever Frame
 

The drawing I posted was really just to show the principle of my idea. I just wanted to produce something quickly so I made use of 'cut and paste'. I need to re-visit it and produce an update.

Just concentrating on Moretonhampstead with 12 Levers I hadn't considered if you substantially increased the number of Lever & Locks, the length of the Brass Slide Bars would be unreasonable.

It is my intention to mount half of the servos either side of the Lever Frame and as you say the lengths of the tappets can also be reduced to suit each Lever. 

2 hours ago, OldTokener said:

Aha! I see now how you are going to use the servos.  That's really impressive if it works! More sophisticated than my approach, certainly.

I originally intended using Solenoids to drive a pin in/out of the underside of the Brass Slide Bars but I think using two slide bars driven by the Scalefour Lever Frame and Servos with an omega loop would be cheaper and easier to build. 

The beauty of this arrangement is that the Interlocking can be changed (Software) without too much fuss. If it was purely mechanical then any alterations to the interlocking would require stripping down the locking frame.

3 hours ago, Haggerleases said:

 I would have posted on the EMGS forum but it seems pretty dead.

It's probably worth posting on the EMGS Forum to a: encourage activity and b: hopefully get you an answer to your question.

Interesting project. I've done something very similar for my Moretonhampstead Project.  https://www.rmweb.co.uk/topic/150296-moretonhampstead-signalling/

On your website under Phase 3 - Interlocked switches you mention using solenoids for the locking. When I start on the Locking Frame it is my intention to use Servos to drive the 'Locks'.

57 minutes ago, Andy Keane said:

Now I am in a quandry - my 14xx is auto fitted and I have an auto coach to go with it. But Helston was served bt 5812. What to do?

Remove the Auto Gear and re-number as 5812. In operation, run round the 'Auto Trailer' at each end of the line.

14 minutes ago, 31A said:

Thank you, and thanks for asking!  Hoping Tony doesn't mind, here is a picture of the lever frame(s).

Thank you for the photograph Steve. I particularly like the middle Lever Frame, a nice sturdy job. It's given me an idea for a Electro Mechanical Interlocked Lever Frame. 

20 minutes ago, 31A said:

Since signal boxes have been mentioned, here's the one I made recently for my layout, Finsbury Square.

Superb Signal Box. I wonder, could we see a photo of the nearby Lever Frame?

On 09/03/2022 at 20:35, 1E BoY said:

This view from the Selbourne Avenue bridge shows the  sound barriers that have been installed from the end of the flyover along the length of the Poets Estate in Bletchley and beyond to the Newton Road bridge. Don't think it will feature in a scenic railways programme in the future!

A nice backdrop for the Graffiti artist. 

12 hours ago, 1E BoY said:

Taken last week showing the station from the Brunel Centre roundabout and the former Telephone Rentals building now being converted into luxury accommodation named Caspian View. Ideal for those keen on spotting trains out of the window from the far end!

I noticed  today that the Police Station appears to be vacated; no vehicles to be seen in the front or rear car parks. 

1 hour ago, lmsforever said:

In the sixties empty dmu,s  ran  from   Aylesbury to Bletchley depot

The Class 115 DMU's went to Bletchley for Maintenance arriving / departing early evening. This continued until the introduction of the Class 165/0 DMU's and the opening of a new Depot at Aylesbury.

When the Oxford Branch closed to Passenger Traffic the Oxford Bus Company ran an Oxford to Bletchley Service. I remember them being Red Single Deck Buses as opposed to the local United Counties Green buses.  This service took the route of the closed Stations and I don't think it lasted that long. 

14 hours ago, Arun Sharma said:

In the early pages of this thread there were photographs showing that waterlogging had occurred over much of the trackbed West of Winslow.

There was a Permanent 30 MPH Speed Restriction in this area in BR Days maybe even before 1948.

I think I may have a 'disassembled' Lima Class 121, in I believe NSE Livery stashed away somewhere, if it's of any use to either of you?

Just had notification from NetworkRail that Track Renewal Work on the Bletchley Flyover between Denbigh Hall Jcn to just north of the New Platforms. This work will be carried out continuously from 21:00 Friday 24th December through to 07:00 Monday 27th December. 

2 hours ago, Rugd1022 said:

66 537 on 6Y23 at Milton Keynes last night, waiting to drop down to the possession at Bletchley....

It won't be long now before you'll be dropping Ballast on the Flyover Roads?