unravelled

My favourite "found" material is the wood from discarded venetian blinds. Useful in the larger gauges for wagon bodies, and I've used them to keep tracks parallel in my 00 storage sidings. Dave

Sorry if it has been suggested, but have you thought about using a combination of medium and large points in the loco release crossover? A medium radius in the platform road would often be partially concealed, and the more visible large radius point might help give the impression of space. The platform road would be maximised, with a slight loss of length in the loop. Thanks Dave

Are the NLS maps any help? http://maps.nls.uk/geo/explore/#zoom=15.637777777777776&lat=51.3926&lon=-0.0803&layers=170&b=1 This is the 1944-67 range, earlier issues also available. Warning, these maps can waste a lot of time... Cheers Dave

I still use Picasa, which allows captions, descriptions and tags to be added, (as EXIF data). to photos, either singly or in batches. Although abandoned by Google, it is still available as a download and works well on Windows 10. However, it may stop working in the future, and I'm also looking for an alternative. Dave

I was checking on progress around Plumstead a couple of weeks ago, and there were a couple of trains loitering outside Abbey Wood station. Another arrived from the West running briskly, presumably on the through platform line. I suppose that these are all on test/training runs from Old Oak Commmon depot. Most recent pictures at the top of this link. https://www.flickr.com/photos/unravelled/albums/72157632675037925 This was my first picture of any Crossrail stock at OOC a couple of weeks ago. Old Oak Common by David Harvey, on Flickr The rest of the photos showing OOC changes at https://www.flickr.com/search/?user_id=49612551%40N00&sort=date-taken-desc&text=old%20oak&view_all=1 Thanks Dave

Nothing else from Slough, but I have set up a number of Flickr albums on rail related subjects, old and new, linked at: http://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/index.php?/topic/110856-unravelleds-photos-ours-thame-trip/?hl=unravelled Thanks Dave

Are these 1964 photos any help for detail/atmosphere? Cheers Dave

I'd agree that there are sometimes more, and I am sure I've seen a GW reconstruction, but I guess what was done changed over time. Increased clearances, as a refuge, were recommended at some point, and space might be needed for point rodding etc.. There's this thread from 2009 which might be relevant http://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/index.php?/topic/3196-gwr-platform-construction/ Thanks Dave

No details to hand, but I am sure I have seen pictures of replica platforms under construction on a preserver line, which showed details of the construction. E.g, http://broadwaystationgroup.blogspot.co.uk/2016/05/meeting-day.html hth Dave

North of Nunhead station, almost all the way to Peckham, the formation was built or extended to be wide enough for 4 tracks. though as far as I know only two were ever laid. While a number of bridges seem to have been built as abutments only, the viaduct at the Peckham end was built as 4 track. This was apparently for a proposed link to somwhere in Camberwell, on the line towards Elephant and Castle. If a line had ambitions, it would probably have been considerably cheaper to build a double track viaduct than to widen one later. Thanks Dave

I had my kitchen outside walls lined with polystyrene insulated plasterboard. This was fixed with blobs of plaster so there is some air circulation between insulation and wall, (As long as you have air bricksin the outer skin...). Has anyone considered the option of a stepped wall between the workshop and utility room, so that the appliances can effectively be tucked underneath part of the layout? Might gain a bit of space for the layout. Thanks Dave

Here are my few castles from Reading. The first, badly out of focus one is 1963, the rest 1964. These are probably some of my earliest pictures. 7037, I think 4089 7014 Thanks Dave

I've been having fun working on Tinories, and made a bit of progress. The platforms are done, and supports for the 00 gauge above fitted. These will be clad to make them more like rivetted steel. I'm working on the concourse area at the moment. Simple buffer stops have been guestimated from a photo, and a first attempt at the stairs (to the entrance above) have been made. I've even got some stock on the track, though it still needs a good clean... I hope to get the concourse finished soon, then there's a barrow crossing to make... Thanks Dave

I've visited the crossing a few times, but never been lucky enough to see a train there. The contrast between the simple rail crossing and the footbridge across the tunnel approach dual carriageway is interesting.I always think that someone did well to get that house with a bigger upstairs room, (unless it's the ground floor which is smaller...). This is the river end of the branch, with a couple of wagons. And this is the junction with the main line Dave

RT Models? http://www.rtmodels.co.uk/rt_models_024.htm Dave

The 00 has got as far as a simple circuit, in code 100, some details in the Wylde thread (in sig). But at the moment the track is covered with tools, wood, etc. from the G1 work. When the bullhead single slip comes out, I'll be buying the necessary bits for the main lines. On Tinories, a start has been made on platform tops. Thanks Dave

My ambition to run the track round the garden has been abandoned. The posts were errected over 30 years ago, but other things got in the way. Recently I had the idea of another terminus on the patio, but running in and out of the cellar to control things would have been a problem. So my latest plan is a simple return loop on the patio. This will allow sensible out and back running, hopefully within the capabilities of the clockwork locos. This will require a radius on the loop of under 6 feet, so some track rebuilding will be needed, possbly with some gauge widening. There will be daffodils, but not this year's... Thanks Dave

After a long break for some real world building work, I've restarted work on Tinories. Actually it's all been taken up and relaid. There were two reasons for this. First I had to knock a double track hole through the wall for the tracks to reach the garden. Poor planning meant dust everywhere, and a lot of cleaning up, so I took the opportunity to clear and repaint the baseboard. I had seen photos on another thread of a layout under construction on a black painted baseboard, which produced a neat look, so I went for this approach. Actually the paint I've used is a very dark grey, but I think it looks better at the construction phase than the lighter colour I had originally used. The track plan has been modified, and should give access to more siding space than before. All the track is wired and working for stud contact pickup. I've put a simple push switch at the point end of any siding so that locos can be isolated. Everything is too cluttered at this stage to photograph the rest, but here are the platforms under construction. I know the platforms are narrow, but I feel that's in the spirit of tinplate. They are constructed of my favourite free modelling material, venetian blind slats, and will have hardboard tops. There will be a small concourse with stairs to road level above. The blocks are only to locate the platforms, and are not attached to the sides. This means that the tops can be put on with the platforms inverted, (I hope). More soon ( I've said that before, haven't I...) Dave

From a random googled lasercutting company (pololu): Materials we can laser cutWe can cut the following materials. If you do not see your material listed, we would be happy to try cutting it as long as it does not contain chlorine (please submit a quote request and provide details about your material in the special instructions section of the quote request form). Plastics: ABS (acrylonitrile butadiene styrene) Acrylic (also known as Plexiglas, Lucite, PMMA) Delrin (POM, acetal) – for a supplier, try McMaster-Carr. High density polyethylene (HDPE) – melts badly Kapton tape (Polyimide) Mylar (polyester) Nylon – melts badly PETG (polyethylene terephthalate glycol) Polyethylene (PE) – melts badly Polypropylene (PP) – melts somewhat Styrene Two-tone acrylic – top color different than core material, usually for custom instrumentation panels, signs, and plaques. We do not or cannot cut the following materials: Most metals – We cannot cut most metals. The two exceptions are thin sheets of stainless or spring steel (up to 0.060" thick). We also stock an acrylic-based, dual-tone plastic with a faux-metal finish on one side. If you need thicker metal parts, you might consider a water jet cutting service. Polycarbonate (PC, Lexan) – we stopped cutting Lexan due to the fumes. Any material containing chlorine PVC (Cintra) – contains chlorine Vinyl – contains chlorine Glass – we can engrave glass, but we cannot cut it. Fiberglass Printed circuit board (FR4 and other material types) Carbon fiber High-density polyethylene (HDPE) thicker than 1/16" – We are unable to cut HDPE thicker than 1/16", and HDPE of any thickness melts badly when laser cut. From ULS: Polystyrene Polystyrene Overview Polystyrene, also known as PS or styrene, is a thermoplastic and is part of the vinyl polymer family. Laser processing of polystyrene can be performed with a 10.6 or 9.3 micron CO2 laser. Laser cutting of polystyrene can be performed with a 9.3 or 10.6 micron CO2 laser, resulting a clean, smooth, slightly melted cut edge, free of discoloration. Laser engraving of polystyrene can be performed with a 9.3 or 10.6 micron CO2 laser and results in depth with a smooth slightly melted surface. Laser marking of polystyrene with a CO2 laser is not recommended as a contrasting mark is not created. The 1.06 micron fiber laser wavelength is not readily absorbed by polystyrene and is not recommended for use with this material. Applicable Laser Processes for Polystyrene Laser Cutting Laser Engraving I'd be interested in a quote stating the dangers? Thanks Dave

Keep the toilet, you never know when you'll need two. You can probably find a small washandbasin to add. Also is the other (upstairs) one in the bathroom or separate? How many current/future in the household? My house had an upstairs bathroom with loo, and an outside accessible loo. I shortened one room to fit in a new downstairs loo, and expanded the kitchen into the footprint of the outside one. Two were essential for us as we had a young family at the time. Are you by any chance trying to make space for a dishwasher? I've managed without, even with a recent kitchen rebuild... Dave

I took a trip on a Cambridge service today, albeit just from East Croydon to Finsbury Park. The 12.18 service was about 7 minutes late at East Croydon, blamed on severe weather. We arrived at London Bridge at about 12.40, and waited there for a leisurely 9 minutes, with another delay on the incline up to Blackfriars. I guess that with dedicated platforms at London Bridge they can afford to wait there witout interfering with other traffic until the route through Blackfriars and St Pancras junctions is available. We got to Finsbury Park at about 1.45. This was my first trip on a 700, and i was impressed by them imternally, even the seats were comfortable for the hour I was on board. Externally, they just look grubby in their current livery. Getting home was not so easy, Overground had failed to tell Network rail that Dalston Junction to Highbury and Islington was closed. Consequently the platform signs and the on-line site were still showing a service. Taking the advice to use a Stratford service and change stations at Dalston Kingsland seemed OK, until the service was turned back at Canonbury, requiring a stroll along the Balls Pond Road to reach the New Cross Gate train. But still back to NXG in time for a pint. Dave

I took a load of photos and dimensions a few years ago, with the intention of building a model for one of the rmweb challenges. I got as far as making a mockup, see http://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/index.php?/topic/37420-windmill-bridge/ If you want a dvd of photos, pm me your address. I'll look out the measurements I did too, but they will need a bit of interpretation... Dave

Just to confuse things, there are several different styles of GW nameboard, probably dependant on date of construction, and/or originator of the line. As well as those made from cast iron letters on wooden boards, there are some very elegant one piece cast iron signs. RIMG1038 by David Harvey, on Flickr I need some of this style in 4mm, but am still working on them. Dave

It looks B/L Precursor to me, but I'm more familiar with the G1 model. I'll try to scan a catalogue later if no-one else beats me to it. Dave

A bit late with a comment, but the Traveller looks too big and a bit wrong for a Minor to me. Could it be a Morris Oxford Traveller? Dave