Jon Fitness

Lovely and evocative selection of pictures...Anyone spotted the moggy yet? JF

Well, this may or may not end up as a signal! Lochgorm Kits produced 2 sizes of etched brass fold up signal posts to represent wooden tapered ones. They are currently out of stock and it doesn't look like there will be any more. I think I bought the last one! They fold up in a similar way to the etched lattice posts available from MSE but have a solid fold line instead of small sections of fold area. They are etched from fairly thick brass and to help with the folding process I ran an OLFA scrawker along the half etched line about 4 times. My Hold&Fold still struggled a little and the two "halves" when folded, managed to take on a slight banana shape as if one side was slightly longer than the other. There are tabs and recesses down each edge and a half etch along one edge of each section all to help locate and align the 2 sections. Some of the tabs/recesses didnt quite match and need a bit of alteration with a file. The tabs are designed to be filed away once the post is fully assembled. I managed to overcome the slight bend in the 2 halves and tack solder them together. Already it is quite a strong structure but here is still a slight bend and now also a slight twist! I will eventually solder along the entire length of each join and clean up the ensuing mess whilst trying to minimise any twists and bends. If all is ok at the end I'll be having a look in the L&Y drawer for some bits to populate it with; if not it'll be back to the old planed firework stick! I'm not yet convinced this brass post has that many advantages over a wooden one other than I can solder everything to it and use it as an electrical earth for lamps. The time taken to get as far as I have is probably the same as a home made wooden one but I want it to be better than the wooden one to take advantage of the 2 plus points mentioned above. Maybe it's a good idea not very well designed or possibly my clumsy brass bending methods.. we shall see! More soon JF

Here is the video of the testing of all 3 signals. It's a bit long and rambling (probably a bit tedious too!). I must start thinking about making them a bit more interesting. Fast motion? Black and white? Loud music sound track.....!? Ideas welcome (sillier the better !!) JF

Many thanks! I'm always happy when someone can take something from what I do on here as it's the basis for what the forum stands for. I have gleaned so much information from this forum over the years and learnt a great deal from many contributors for which I will be eternally grateful. This was the first LNW signal I built about 8 years ago and it's still in use on our layout at Saltney having started its life outside on a garden railway! Looking forward to seeing your signals being built, and if you need any assistance you know where we are! Cheers JF

Wild card? A nice claggy 37410 passing Chester PSB on its way to Warrington Arpley. Next...A very tall signal? JF

Got me blushing here! I'm still learning from the master... JF

Cheers Steve, trying to raise my game a little on these LMS U/Qs as they tend to be a bit ummm, ordinary without a few extra lumpy bits! I should have added a few of my contact box castings but to be honest I forgot until after I'd painted them. . Not keen on glueing anything metal on to them and I didn't want to spoil the paintwork by trying to solder anything extra. Next time! There's a few ground signals on the cards next but I might just slip something L&Y in before I start them...! ATB JF

It's been a bit of a slog and trying to fit in bench time with 12 hour shifts was a bit of a struggle (although that won't be a problem for much longer ). The weather hasn't been great for taking decent pictures either so when the sun finally shone whilst I was at home in the daylight hours, out came the camera for a session. Anyway here are the 3 bracket signals done and ready for their new owner to install... Planks from 0.8mm ply, stained with a thinned mix of Humbrols 33&29 All 3 have been lightly weathered with nothing more complex than a quick wash of very dilute matt black. This is simply to take the harsh edge off the white and bring out the detail on the lumpy bits. The rocker shafts on the 2 doll 2 arm bracket as both arms required a link!. From brass tube on a 0.6mm axle and odd bits of scrap brass strip. More planks! The 2 doll 3 arm bracket. A bit easier as only the offset shunt arm required a rocker shaft. The 3 doll 4 arm Welded stem chap. 2 different diameter tubes and the 0.6mm axle all used to operate the arms. The middle main arm has a direct link and (cough) no weight bar !. Some moody "looking up from ground level" shots! There's a video on the way later today when I get home and finish editing it! More soon JF

Sounds and looks a logical assumption as the slot on Keswick 1's No3 signal is Keswick 2's No12 lever and the starter on the back platform is Keswick 2's No13 lever...if you see where I'm going! JF

Spent yesterday evening at Manchester Academy 2 watching Royal Republic strut their awesome stuff. Best Swedish band since the Hives! (Probably better than the Hives really) Ears still ringing..gggggg!! JF

Well it was just one signalman visiting another, and he didn't have much on that day (about 3 trains each way!) JF

Inside Dunford West SB, early 1981.. As long as that counts, the next picture will have.. Some extreme clag please. Steam or diesel, either will do! JF

A large hole appeared at Ramchester, the police are looking into it!! Sorry, someone had to do it I'll get me coat. JF

Much better... Hey the electric has gone off now! LOL JF

I must admit I also have always liked the MERG setting box. I have fitted extension leads from the driver boards "setting" socket to the baseboard edge near the driver board so I can just plug the setting board in conveniently. Saves grubbing around under the layout looking for the board! That brings me to the question you have posed...The Megapoints boards I have used so far have always been positioned to be easily accessible for direct setting. I have one of Dave's remote setting boards but I don't think there's any LEDs on it. I'll check when I get home from work. I'm sure if questioned he would make sure any new release of remote setting boards would be LED fitted! Edit. Just realised, what I have is not a remote setting board just a plug in test switch board! sorry! JF

I have a small O gauge test track that has 2 points and a single slip. I fitted it with 4 servos (SG90s) and a MERG servo4 board to move them. Every loco I have tested on it caused twitching of all 4 servos to a greater or lesser degree. I swapped the MERG servo4 out and replaced it with a Megapoints board. No other changes were carried out. No twitching evident. I also have a fully utilised Megapoints board controlling 12 signal arms on a part of our O gauge layout. Some of the signals are on 15ft servo extension leads running almost below the tracks under the baseboard. Not a twitch even with locos that are known for making signals twitch elsewhere with MERG boards. I have to admit a connection to Megapoints but only as a maker of a couple of signals for Dave's demo board! Believe me, I wouldn't use them if I didn't think they were any good for use with my scratchbuilt signals!... JF

I wonder how the poor old Island Line will do under this lot? Not many (if any) options for "new" stock exist and the remaining 1938 stock looks rather knackered to me. JF

Looks like Hereford with an Ex L&YR A class 0-6-0. Possibly working a Hereford -Brecon or reverse in the early to mid 50's ! Only guessing because of the proximity of the GWR loco (Star Class?)... JF

Looking good Rich! Handbuilt track is on my "things to learn after I retire" list. At the moment I have no room for a layout of my own....one day! JF

You're cooking on gas Steve! I just can't keep up mate. Absolutely superb job! Cheers JF

Skelton Junction SB (Gone!) The next photo will have a loco emitting some serious clag (steam or diesel, not fussy!!) Jon F Edit...bugga...beaten to it!

Looking good so far Paul. Those alterations to the front framing look ever so delicate though! One more teensy little point.....please don't shout at me...it's coupling rods not connecting rods... ATB Jon F.

It'll look great rumbling under the gantry and bridge Steve! JF