sulzer27jd

Don't think we have mentioned Soul Asylum - Runaway Train

Isopropanol is my go to for plastic models and factory paint removal. Usually works first time and in a few hours. 

John

A little selection;

All around the Water Tower - Jimmy Rodgers

(I heard that) Lonesome whistle - Hank Williams

I'm Moving On - Hank Snow

Folsom Prison Blues - Johny Cash

Rock Island Line - Johny Cash

Smoke Along the Track - Dwight Yoakam

Train a Comin - Steve Earle

Mystery Train ptII - Steve Earle

Railroads - Holly Williams

No More Trains to Ride - Merle Haggard

Hobo Bill's Last Ride - Merle Haggard

The list of suppliers of 7mm SR kits and bits etc. that I am using is seriously out of date.

Can anyone advise of current suppliers of 7mm parts such as wagon axleboxes/axleguards and wagon buffers for SR and constituent companies?

Thanks in advance

John

Heading away from the station and back towards Fraserburgh, the branch passenger saunters past the yard at Rosehearty
 

John

I have used John a few times now and always had excellent service and good advice. The decals themselves are indeed very fine and leave a great result.

The map and fine text on this example came out really well.

John

48 minutes ago, ayrmrg said:

HI John

 

I came across this old thread whilst looking for something else. I forgot how good the layout and stock were.  Whatever happened to the layout if you don't mind me asking? The updates just stopped.

 

Regards  

 

Stephen 

Many thanks for the kind comments. The layout is now long gone Stephen. I think the gallery pictures are still on this site somewhere and others are on Flickr.

I learned a great deal from that layout, in particular that I prefer building to operating. Producing for a mainline ended up as more of a process and less of a pleasure. I have never gotten round to disposing of the stock but I probably should. 
 

I have now moved on to working in O gauge with the results in the link below and Here.

thanks again

John

Overlooking the goods yard entrance at Rosehearty.

John

16 minutes ago, Clive Mortimore said:

 

 

The Great North of Scotland, I suppose its intentions were there to be great but we all know it never happened.

 

 

 

 

 

Really? Perhaps you should have a look, you might be surprised. 

3 hours ago, Grovenor said:

Your first paragraph is a bit confusing, you say 'not worked by tablet' then you continue to talk about the tablet.

Any ground frame in a single line section should only be released by someone in possession of the movement authority, tablet, staff or key token. hence the ground frame key should be attached to the tablet.

One advantage of key tokens is that the GF lock can use the key token directly, no need of a seperate key.

Apologies for the confusion. That should say it was worked by tablet. 
 

john

2 hours ago, The Stationmaster said:

If you want a situation where a train could be locked in sidings at the terminus while a passenger train runs you would use a key token system allowing trains to be locked-in at sidings with a token instrument available to put that token back and allow another to be obtained for the other train.

This is the situation I would have on the branch. The goods would work around the passenger services and be held at the terminus waiting for the passenger arrival, before then heading back towards the junction. 
 

That would mean the goods pulling up nearer the ground frame rather than waiting at the station. 
 

thanks

John

A question more out of curiosity than any other reason.

On a branchline, at a halt with no passing looping but worked by tablet, a ground frame is used to give access to the sidings. Would the key to unlock the ground frame be kept at the station or would it go with the tablet from the nearest signal box?

The reason I ask is that my layout is based on the above. It is a single track halt with signals protecting a level crossing. They are operated from a separate ground frame at the station. At the other end there is a ground frame to provide access to the small yard. The pick-up goods will leave from the branch terminus and occupy the whole section until it reaches the junction box. On its way it will call at the halt to shunt the yard. If the key to unlock the ground frame is with the tablet then the train will pull up at the ground frame. If it is kept in the station then the train will pull up at the station and shunt from there. It really makes no odds other than where I park the brake van and the rest of the train, but I would like it to look right. Any suggestions?

Thanks John

East coast top link passenger services from Edinburgh to Aberdeen changed engines at Dundee Tay Bridge station. There were a combination of factors, one being the supposedly poor water supply at the station but the other important factor was the NB and LNER allocating a locomotive and crew together. The introduction of the maximum working hours would mean a crew going out and back with a turn around in Dundee. The practice of changing engines continued right up to the end of steam despite changing working practices, so perhaps the water supply issue was still significant.

John

Are all the Children in? Johnny Cash

I suspect rail cannot deliver this change on its own. It will require Government policy. The paradigm is currently that railways are for profit and roads are for free. Turn that on its head, especially for vehicles over a certain weight or travelling over a certain distance and you would see a change in fortune. Until policy determines otherwise the near monopoly of road transport will remain.

John

17 hours ago, mikejames said:

1) we wish to move as much freight as possible by rail and

 

The real problem is that this is simply not the case currently.

A quite country station yard. 
 

With a couple of coal empties waiting for the next days pick-up to collect them. 
 

John

11 hours ago, DavidCBroad said:

They weren't top and tailed they were the famous "Disco" trains with 27s at both ends but with both locos powered up and running in multiple.  The MU signals ran through the coach lighting circuits which caused them to flicker rather like a 70s disco.    

It was the 47/7's that were known as discos - for the reasons you outline.

The pick-up freight waits for the Annett’s Key to be released from the ground frame. The shunted wagons will then rejoin the train which waits in the platform before continuing on its way to Fraserburgh. 
 

John

I just let it settle Tony. Having said that as I go over with additional layers or details I suppose it gets a coating of hairspray eventually.

If you can get hold of some fine soil or ground earth and blow that over, you want the texture of dust, it takes the shine off. I always do that when I am using static grass. 

John

On 08/02/2020 at 21:30, darren chpamn said:

What would you  say is the ratio of T9s ,WC/BBs  and  n classes that you would need to run a north Cornwall layout   

I have a ratio 1 t9 to 2wc/bb and 3 N class would you say  that looks correct 

Daz

On 09/02/2020 at 11:16, 2ManySpams said:

I'll have a look for you this evening. Gut reaction though is perhaps you're light on T9s.

I too would be interested in an accurate ratio of motive power. I have the details in 'The District Controller's View' for summer 1961, but;

1) how closely was that followed?

2) what about earlier years?

& 3) what about weekdays and winter timetables?

Any advice welcomed

John

2 hours ago, t-b-g said:

 

But yes, a reasonably priced ready made block instrument would be something that I would be happy to pay for.

 

Another customer here!

Probably depends on which era you are thinking about. In the late 1980's I worked on the branch line to the ICI plant in Dumfries, which was served by a freight that reversed from the station. This was led by a brake van along the main line and then down the stump of the old 'Port Road', usually with a class 26 and a few wagons.

John