St. Simon

Hi, Yes, but most the GWML stuff is now in the boring testing and validation stages, so is really isn’t worthy of a press release! Simon

Hi, I know roughly what is happening, but there’s officially no update on the progress. Simon

Hi, I know that there was a system that used sirens that a signalling centre could use to alert any technicians that the signalling centre wanted to talk to them about a fault. I believe these were mounted on Relay Rooms or Loc Cases. See here at 08:35: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jTkf5dL1AwU Edwin, that would be a Train Operated Warning System (TOWS), there is also the Lockout Operated Warning System (LOWS), and now the Semi-Automatic Warning System (SAWS). There was also the Inductive Loop Warning System (ILWS): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BD18I5s3Nh8 Simon

Hi, A manufacturer can’t legally force a retailer to sell it at any price, once the retailer has brought the item, they can sell at basically whatever price they want. But obviously, profit margins, market forces or demand will effectively make the price for you. In the UK it is illegal for the a manufacturer to force a retail price on a retailer, either directly or indirectly: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/resale-price-maintenance-advice-for-retailers/resale-price-maintenance-advice-for-retailers Simon

Not long before it’s history! 😈 Simon

Hi Mike, Oh, how I wish, my rake of 16 MHA / PNA is more than the layout can take now! Simon

Excellant, that’s great, thanks Simon! Simon (How many times do you think we can say Simon in a post? Some say one of me is too much!)

Hi, No clue, and neither will there be until Bachmann announce one as part of their 3 month programme, as they are now very tight lipped on what they are producing. If it isn't in the current, quite small, backlog, you won't hear anything until they are practically in the country ready to sell. Simon

Hi, Am I right in thinking the intention was to produce loads for this range? (and the HYA's?) I would like to get some loads for the rake of MHAs I've got (when I make them, they are always rubbish!) and I haven't found anyone doing them, unless the ones for the Hornby / Bachmann models will fit? Simon

I thought you said the MK2! 😂 Simon

Hi Andy, I saw there was a MK3, but I wasn’t sure whether that was better, I know that sometimes that the newer versions can be worse! Annoyingly the G5X 2 seems to be equally scarce as the G7X! Simon

Hi, Ive been looking for a new Camera, mainly for model photography, but also general use and I had been pointed by a couple of people towards the Canon G7X Mark II. However, you can’t get them for love nor money. I suppose I could find a second hand one, but I much prefer new when buying this like that. So, what the alternatives? I would like a high quality high performance camera, preferably compact, that has manual aperature, shutter speed etc controls, is good at model photography with good macro settings etc and has a videography mode. I’m afraid I’m not very good at knowing what makes a good camera, so I need some guidance! Simon

Hi, 37175 in Colas Colours has arrived according to the Bachmann website, so should be in retailers by the end of the week. I’m looking forward to this one! Simon

Hi, Based on the previous annoucements, next Wednesday. Simon

No Idea! Simon

Hi, It’s slightly complicated! The Lineside equipment is as follows: Reading to Stockley Junction = Conventional colour light with AWS / TPWS*. Heathrow to Stockley Junction = E.T.C.S. Level 2 Overlay (but could be standard E.T.C.S. if BAA were happy to pay for the signals to be removed). Stockley to Ladbroke Grove = Currently conventional colour light with AWS / TPWS, but will be converted to E.T.C.S. Level 2 Overlay. Ladbroke Grove to Abbey Wood / Stratford Portal (Central Operating Section or COS) = Communications Based Train Control (C.B.T.C.) with Automatic Train Operation (A.T.O.) Stratford Portal to Sheffield = Conventional colour light with AWS / TPWS. *A.T.P. is fitted to the relief lines between Paddington and Stockley, and the main lines out of Paddington to Bristol, but is not used by the Class 345s. However with the on-board, the Class 345s are technically always operating using E.T.C.S. regardless of the lineside equipment. When the train is running under conventional colour lights or under C.B.T.C., the trains is operating in E.T.C.S. ‘Level National Train Control’ or ‘L-NTC’ using Special Transmission Modules. Between Reading and Stockley & Stratford to Shenfield, the E.T.C.S. Driver Machine Interface (D.M.I.) will only display a speedometer and a AWS Sunflower. The driver will drive according to the aspects and speed displayed at the lineside and the train protection will limited to what is provided by AWS / TPWS (i.e. limited) On the Heathrow Branch and, once commissioned, between Stockley and Ladbroke Grove, the D.M.I. will display E.T.C.S. graphics and indications, with the driver driving to the movement authority and speeds displayed on the screen (which will match the lineside signal aspects and signs) and the train will be protected by full Automatic Train Protection (A.T.P.) When in the COS, under C.B.T.C., the D.M.I. will display E.T.C.S. graphics and indications, with the driver / A.T.O. driving to the movement authority and speeds displayed on the screen and train will be protected by full A.T.P.. The difference between this and pure E.T.C.S. above is the train is signalled under C.B.T.C. signalling principles. I hope that makes sense. Simon

Hi, Probably only the enthusiasts and a very small proportion of regular passengers. The vast majority don't look at what train they are getting on from my observations, and they certainly won't pay attention to how the train is being worked. Simon

Hi, It doesn't necessarily mean that the electricity supply is expensive. The 90s could be expensive because it is getting harder to find spare parts as well as finding qualified drivers & maintenance staff (after all they are a 'niche' fleet when compared with the 66s, so why not go down the standard fleet route?), it maybe the 90s have a higher track access cost than the 66s (I presume potentially a lower axle loading?) What is needed is a standard electric loco, much like the electric equivalent of the 66s? Simon

It's the biggest ever GWR Steam Railmotor order the factory has ever undertaken I heard ;) Simon

Now that is a really good design, really smart on the part of the design team for that one, genuinely... Simon

Hi Steve, I think if you connect the common postive wire to a 5v pin on the Arduino and the two 'colour' wires into two of the Arduino Ouputs, and then have the outputs configured as 'LOW' is lamp lit and 'HIGH' is lamp out, then I think that should work, based on my own understanding. Simon

Hi Keith, They are a pair of tri-state LED banner repeaters. Simon

Yep, exactly! Simon

Hi, Thanks, I did think I was pushing it with the whole 'extra funding to restore the railway' bit! In all honest I am trying to avoid having any stock that is distinctly from the other 'Little Trains of Wales' as I want it to be a little different and to avoid a cliche 009 layout. Although I'll have to admit that the Vale of Rheidol Tanks from Model Rail looks very tempting! The issue with the England tank is that they aren't DCC ready and I don't really want to go and start dismantling them to fit a decoder! My stock list at the moment is a Baldwin, possibly two, a Mainline Hunslet and a RNAD diesel. However, as I said on the blog, a Garratt would be snapped up! I'm also looking at a couple of the Fourdee kits. Simon

Overlaps Overlaps seem to be something which is often just stated when talking about signalling for model railways, often quoting the distance of 180m. The reality of overlaps is quite a lot more complicated and varied. The concept of an Overlap is simple, it is a section of track beyond the exit signal of a route that is proved to be unoccupied to prevent a collision in the event of a minor overrun as the result of a SPAD. Not all signals require any overlap, the basic rules being that an Overlap is not required when you don’t have a signalled route up to a signal, the signal is on a freight only line and doesn’t protect a passenger conflict, where a permissive move is being made or for Buffer Stops. Currently, there are several types... This is an extract of one of a series of posts about the signalling of Collingwood on my blog here, which includes several videos on how the interlocking works. Simon