St. Simon

Hi, Looking forward to bring Collingwood along! Simon

Hi, Not quite the same, but I've seen a working horse tram layout when I was helping with another layout, we couldn't work out what the noise was until we saw someone banging two coconut shells together and then worked it all out! Simon

Hi, Yes, that’s correct, we’ve been sort of involved with it as part of our (NRDD Readings) work on Old Oak Common Station. However, it is worth noting that only the Up & Down Poplar lines are to be wired, none of Acton Yard is to be wired (at least at the moment). Simon

Hi, Not the first time I have heard that sort of quote about Squires, I think the same thing happened at the Fareham Show last year! Simon

Hi, I've finally managed to get my other thread about Collingwood IECC onto my Blog and include updated graphics, information and some videos: Part 1 - Architecture - NEW Part 2 - Signalling Basics - NEW Part 3 - Interlocking Basics Part 4 - Push Button Interlocking Part 5 - Route Calling Part 6 - Point Calling Part 7 - Overlaps - NEW Part 8 - Sectional Route Locking Part 9 - Aspect Controls Part 10 - OTAT Controls - NEW Part 11 - Controlled Intermediate Signals - NEW Part 12 - Axle Counter Controls Part 13 - Route Release Part 14 - Level Crossing Plus a reminder that Collingwood will be appearing at Farnham & District Model Railway Exhibition in Aldershot in a couple of weeks on the 14th & 15th October. Simon

Hi, I'll be there with Collingwood: Collingwood – An Introduction – Model Railway Signalling.blog Simon

Hi, To be fair, 387s are allowed along that section as long as the E&P RAM is okay with it, but presumably nobody had asked them! Simon

Hi, Basically it means that NR have the money to conduct a GRIP 1 / 2 or PACE Phase 1 study to see what they can do, what options they have (if any) and how much it’s going to cost. Then they can apply for funding to carry out design, install etc. Simon

Hi, I suspect that the third rail supply is too variable in terms of voltage and current, something which lithium batteries really don’t like, so I would think the equipment to regulate it would be quite involved and potentially beyond fitting on the stock and controlling it from the lineside could be quite complex! I’m sure it could be done, just could require more thought than money is willing to buy! Simon

Hi, This is the fast charging equipment for the Battery Train trail that GWR is conducting using their new Class 230s. GWR have brought the assets / IP from Vivarail. The rails in the four foot are only energised when a train is over them and the charging shoes are deployed underneath it. The Tracklink system is used to arm the system on approach. I believe the idea is that once proved, all the Thames Valley and Cornish Branch lines will be converted to Battery units. Simon

Hi, It is progressing, some of the signals have been installed and laid down waiting for commissioning, as have a lot of the Frauscher Axle Counters, Vortok AWS Magnets, TPWS Loops and Seimens Object Controllers. I haven’t got a confirmed commissioning date. Simon

Hi, It is amazing on this forum how one group of people are saying a T3 is almost pointless, yet another group is saying it is a ‘dead certainty’ as it sell really well (in the EFE threads) Yet, Bachmann said that they would never make a Blue Pullman several times yet it appeared. Equally many manufacturers said a Garrett, GT3, Fell etc would never be produced, yet here we are! So, never say never I think is now the state of the industry! Simon

Hi Mike, Not quite I’m afraid, but you’ve got a little while yet! Of course, some of Network Rail, and most of KMRC would say they wouldn’t notice the difference! 😆 Simon

Hi, I’ll be there representing the Guildford team. Making it a holiday to photograph the signalling (old and new) in Cornwall, seen as I am ‘Mr. Cornwall’ in signalling design! Simon

Hi Simon, This is probably a combined AWS / TPWS / KVB etc receiver, or possibly a Balise reader, but unlikely. That certainly isn't an AWS Receiver (not in the centre of the four foot) or APC receiver (not far enough out), but is probably the TVM430 receiver. Simon

Hi, Any ideas when the speaker clips are going to come back into stock? Simon

Hi, Oh yes, these people exist, I've had people in the shop asking if we know who Bachmann were and were they new! There are still a large proportion of customers who don't know any of the newer, small (comparatively) brands such as Revolution at all. A lot don't go beyond Hornby and don't even use PECO. It's been an eye opener for me... Simon

H= Hi Ben, That looks fantastic, do you have dimensions per chance? I'm building a 009 layout and want to make sure I leave enough clearance for these! Simon

Hi Tom, That looks fantastic, always in awe of what you can do! Simply stunning! Simon

Hi, It is very common for manufacturers to tool up several different variations of a loco, coach or wagon in one go, yet only announce one variation at a time. This is for several reasons, mostly it’s a ‘keep them wanting more’, but it can also be cost, production capacity or simply so they don’t run out of stuff to announce in the future. It isn’t really any different to intending to produce all livery variations, but only doing a few at a time.. The current 37 and 47 models from Accurascale and Bachmann are very good examples. They have both tooled multiple versions at the same time, but are only announcing a couple at a time, same with the Hornby Black 5, 9F and P2. In this case, either intentionally or unintentionally, Hornby have revealed they are producing both GA and TfW versions without a formal announcement, albeit in a slightly clunky way. I, along with others in this thread, assume the formal Class 756 will come at the next set of announcements. With the FLIRT, there is no mechanical difference (in model terms) between the GA and TfW versions, so it doesn’t matter which body shell is sat on top. Maybe the message of ‘don’t photograph that one’ got there too late! Simon

Hi, Just to say, I've done another edit to the video to change a couple of things and add in some more video which I had... Collingwood - A Video Journey Simon

Hi Andy, Go on, I know a certain someone in a certain Surrey model shop would be ‘happy’ with it ;) Simon

Hi, This is being done by Model Rail as an exclusive. The others would be interesting additions though. Simon

Hi, Here is the first video of the layout: EDIT: New version, see post below... More to come soon! Simon

Hi, Lets keep the prototype to the relevant threads and keep this about the models? Simon