unravelled

Surely, unless there have been some recent developments I've missed, Oxford electrification is waiting until someome sorts out the design and finance for the new station. I can't see any point in installing something which will potentially have a short life. Perhaps the best thing would be to decide not to upgrade the station, and proceed with the electrification. There's certainly plenty of stabling North of the station and I'm sure the residents would prefer electrics to the constantly idling diesels curently in the sidings. Dave

Any comment from Mr Moller? Dave

At least 10 long plastic bases from the magazine series, plus a shorter one. Any interest? Thanks Dave

Not official, but is the London Reconnections article of any use? https://www.londonreconnections.com/2015/know-run-story-behind-xmas-kings-cross-problems/ hth Dave

Looking again at the Smithfield layout, the things that I'm curious about are the working of brake vans, and the departure limitations. I guess the brake vans are rolled across the site when a line is clear. As for departure to the west, only the two middle lines can be used, while four are available for arrivals reversing in from the east. With the sheer amount of siding space, I imagine that trains were brought in as and when paths were available, so that unloading could continue without delays. What else was brought in besides meat? Might ice and sawdust have been come by train too. Thanks Dave

I think this design would be more suitable for Meccano Dave

An earlier, but undated, version of the GW sign, I think this came from Chalford after closure. Dave

I don't know if this helps or confuses as it's a shed rather than goods depot I think it's Bristol Barrow Rd. I don't know the arrangement of lines, but it looks as if locos work across it. Thanks Dave

I had happily been using an unconverted loft for years, but have since left it just for storage. The issue which hit me was that whatever was done in the way of a loft conversion would be directly over the bedrooms, and the train room above could be a source of disturbance. Obviously this depends on family sleeping/ modelling habits, and bedroom locations, but might be a factor to consider. Dave

Shap August 1965, not sure of the make of the vehicles Dave

Last year I thought it would be a good idea to get some 12v/5v computer power suppliers, as used for external hard drives, to supply my servo controllers. The cheap ones I ended up with fron ebay were rubbish, if not actually dangerous. Everything was suspiciously light compared with the older ones I had, even the mains plug was undernourished, and everything got hot. Not recommended. I'd say the model railway controllers could well be the easiest solution. But if you don't mind a central power source a regular pc power supply can be a good choice. Plenty of 5/12v plugs, ready to be used. One pair of ways in the scary big connector need to be linked, to do the job of the pc on/off switch. Btw, slightly off topic, but might be useful as you increase the amount of electrickery in the roof. Although I have a nice lot of mains sockets, I have tended to run things off extension leads with a bit of supplementary lighting on the same multiway. Then I know that if all lights are all off nothing has been left on to overheat. Thanks Dave

A couple of photos from today's first circuits. This will be developed into a representation of the down Cathedrals express. This will be the evening up parcels train, a regular Castle turn. This track alignment will be kept for running for some time. The factory scene behind will be developed, with the potential of being used as an alternative, if unrealistic. roundy route. Finally, this line will be replaced by the not Thame station layout. Many years of fun and learning, I hope. Thanks Dave

Some significant progress today. I have connected the two ends as a temporary roundy, and have run the first trains. So at least I can watch the trains go round while I work on other things. The current plan is to work on the industrial layout at the back, while waiting for bullhead pointwork to be produced. Maybe some photos later... Thanks Dave

Thanks for that, Lowgill it is. I have always tagged photos at the other end of the loops as Grayrigg, as it's at the top of the bank. Can someone say what the signal box for the loops was called? Then I can do som more photo tagging and uploading. My efforts to find the location by scanning Google maps for two adjacent bridges were scuppered by the fact that the path of the motorway has obliterated both of them. Thanks again Dave

I think the printed wing/check rails could be a good idea. They would solve the problem of shiny non running surfaces. The only downside I can see is that metal wing rails can help with pickup, through back of flange contact, but perhaps that's a need which should be designed out. As someone who has a layout on hold, partly because of the various promises of bullhead points "soon", I'm interested in all the possible systems. I want to avoid hand building if possible, but am not averse to a bit of assembly, so your approaches continue to look hopeful. Thanks Dave

Thanks for the ID on the crane type, it's always useful to have a bit more information. Dave

I've found a couple more, of Alberta sometime in the last week of August 1967. It brings in a train of ballast wagons, drops them in a loop/siding, and returns with the brake van. Can anyone identify the location? Thanks Dave

Grayrigg 1966 Dave

I travelled on the Thames Clyde from Leeds behind 45562 on 12th August 1967. These are a couple of photos after arrival at Carlisle. Thanks Dave

That looks very convincing, but is it possible with this material to get the corners of the sleepers sharper. How are the various bent rails installed in this version, and are the rails at the nose of the frog mechanically joined. or just buttted together? I wonder if it would be possible to use actual keys on the difficult bits allowing formed rails to be dropped in then fixed. Thanks Dave

The location of the photos of Clun is now known. They are from the road to Awre, in the Forest of Dean. I better post them, and others, in the appropriate thread... Thanks for the info that it was Gloucester based, I have a photo of it in the shed there, taken a while later. Also a pic of it l/e at Banbury. Correction, no pic at Gloucester, It was Tyseley in 1966 Cheers Dave

A bit late to this thread, but here are a couple of lined green engines on goods turns. The first two show Clun Castle doing some goods duties between use on specials, I have the date of the film as around August 1965. Can anyone tell me the location? The photos are on the same film as a visit to Bristol. Edit, the location is on the road to Awre, in the Forest of Dean. This is 46522, which I have been assured is in lined green, shunting at Adderbury on 1st April 1967 Thanks Dave

As the layout is, (I think) a synthesis of several sections of railway in the area, have you considered the name "Woolwich Road"? It locates the area closely on the North/South axis, but gives a lot of latitude(!) East/West. Cheers Dave

My layout will be based on Thame, but not be Thame. So the station name is Wylde... Dave

This is the best plan I could find quickly https://planning.royalgreenwich.gov.uk/online-applications/files/BD8D6C61ECEBD119516822FDB9CDEAA4/pdf/13_1748_G-SAW2B-CNS-DRG-BBA-000201_REV._A04-212507.pdf I'm looking for the plan of the lower level, which shows what's in the way of direct extension. Correction, this is the platform level, showing station structures, and a big block of concrete, in line with the track Thanks Dave