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DavidLong

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Posts posted by DavidLong

  1. A couple of points about the coloured illustrations. Both D2 and D5 are shown with data panels, is this likely for them in the mid to late 1960s period? There are photos of D2 in 1968 and 1969 which don't show the panels but D5 did have one by mid-1969. Perhaps do one of them with the panel and one without.

    It may also have been a bit different to have D5 without the white stripe which it seems to have lost at an early date, possibly 1966 and certainly by 1967.

     

    David

  2. 18 hours ago, Duncan. said:

    The control panel is constructed from ply wood

    20240222_194221.jpg.e2b1fdd37cfdc3c6618a931c4bddb387.jpg

     

    The layout is wired for dc operation. The black toggle switches operate servomotors to operate the turnouts via a Peco smart switch system. The yellow toggle switch turns scenic lights on. The red push buttons power pk electromagnets for uncoupling operations using DG couplers. Red leds on the mimic indicate position of the turnouts.

    20240222_194231.jpg.dd2d0f281c01d38d2d52141933c86e49.jpg

     

    The bundle of blue wires connect to the layout while the white cable is the power supply from the power supply box.

     

    Duncan,

     

    Sadly, Andrew Hartshorne has decided that he won't be supplying any more of the PK electromagnets. I have been using them for forty years since Phil Kerr was making them himself. The things are bombproof and never fail. I bung 16v ac through them and they are very effective with DGs. I've recently bought a couple of the Seeps to try out. Looking at the size if the coils I'm not sure they are going to be as effective as the PK ones.

     

    I do like this layout!

     

    David

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  3. On 18/02/2024 at 12:51, Duncan. said:

    Hi David,

    You are correct. If I can ask you to check recent posts in the Shirebrook thread you will see that Shirebrook is being retired this year from exhibitions... last one at TINGS, and you will see a brief peak at my new project using Briish finescale track. Tell me your thoughts! That will also use DGs.... 

    Cheers

     

    And a very interesting project it looks! As you may gather from my location, Daubhill is only a matter of 3-4 miles away. The point where the line crossed St Helens Road is still very obvious even after so many years. Bolton had many interesting locations and they have been well covered by the volumes from Triangle Publications.

    I shall certainly be following the story of its construction with interest.

     

    David

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  4. If I recall correctly, either in this thread or elsewhere, you did some musing about Finetrax or Peco and I am still slightly disappointed that you didn't take the Finetrax option. As James Hilton has shown it really adds something to go with the quality of modern N scale products.

    Having said that this is wonderfully original take on layout design and delightfully executed as well as being a complete contrast to Shirebrook!

    Finally well done on the DGs, if only more N modellers would use them.

     

    David

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  5. Your philosophy Tim, with which I fully agree, is beautifully expressed, The accompanying photograph quite wonderfully illustrates the practical outcome of that philosophy. 

    I've followed your progress around a number of proposed projects but this seems to be the one that really strikes a chord within you. I am so enjoying the progress so far.

     

    David

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  6. 17 hours ago, Captain Kernow said:

    Lovely, Alex.

     

    It seems laser cutting is becoming more main-stream now?

     

     

    I suspect that having a friend with a laser cutter or 3D printer (or both!) is becoming more valuable than someone who is proficient with machine tools.

     

    David

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  7. On 18/01/2024 at 10:01, ikcdab said:

    LIP is loco inspection point.  These trains are normally sandite RHTT.  It's an available path, the train only runs as required.

     

    The specific dates seemed to be outside the 'normal' RHTT season which was why I had discounted it. Does the path then keep being extended until the autumn?

     

    David

  8. You are correct, Simon, in the fact that the Association did sell 16BA washers. They were really nice brass turnings and I still have a couple. They are 2.35mm o.d. with the centre hole about 0.7/0.75mm.

    I bought my last lot, which were etched, from an outfit called Amberley Components who now seem to have disappeared! Those etches were 2mm o.d. I've noticed that Hobby Holidays have brass etched ones back in stock:

    https://www.hobbyholidays.co.uk/proddetail.php?prod=16BAWASHER

    Looking at the photo I would suggest that they are also around 2mm o.d.

    Eileen's used to do etched ones as well but they are also not  available now.

    I use them for reinforcing the hole in the centre of a moving tie bar made from Association 2mm sleeper strip.

     

    David

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  9. On 10/01/2024 at 11:14, Izzy said:

     

    Strangely enough I've come to realise that it has perhaps as much advantage, maybe more, for a small/minimum size layout as with a larger one.

     

     

     

    I couldn't agree more, Bob. I get tired of comments about DCC only being suitable for large(ish) layouts. At bottom it is a control system, nothing more and nothing less. The control that it gives, especially with stay-alives, is quite outstanding in 2mm/N and this is especially appreciated on small layouts where slow and steady movement is very important.

    Like all digital systems there are wilder shores to explore for those who have the desire but I don't and it works just fine for me.

     

    Hate to say it, Bob, but that Buck could yet be your finest hour!*

     

    David

     

    * Doesn't mean that you should give up on some more wonders!

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  10. 20 hours ago, montyburns56 said:

    Swansea St Thomas 1962 by Robert Learmouth

     

    Swansea St Thomas railway station being demolished

     

     

    The Swansea Vale was a helluva railway but was treated strictly as a cash cow by the Midland who invested very little in it. Well worthwhile making your investment in the recent Lightmoor publication about its history.

    Although the Great Western and its subsequent constituents ran most of the lines in South Wales I still find the ventures of the Midland and the North Western into the area of more interest.  A new volume on the Merthyr, Tredegar and Abergavenny would be most welcome.

     

    David

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  11. To be clear, I have no problem if improved frequencies mean that this improves the access to the railway for an area's population. what I dispute is the implication that the project will improve communication in the corridor between Newquay and Truro/Falmouth; it doesn't. It seems to imagine that a journey of, I estimate, around 35 miles via St Blazey/Par is a viable alternative to the road route of around 15 miles. Even the closed Newquay and Chacewater wandered around the coast via Perranporth/St Agnes in order to reach Truro.

    The fact is that none of the rail routes in Cornwall, including the main line, are what one could describe as quick. Again, the A3058 road route between Newquay and Snozzle is 16 miles and, unlike the rail route, doesn't wander off around Roche, Bugle and Luxulyan before finally approaching St Austell from the east. The routes taken by the railways in the 19th century may have had perfectly good reasons in terms of industry and topography for taking the the routes that they did but in an age where the railway is passenger oriented they have have not left an ideal inheritance.

    End-to-end times could be improved by running semi-fast services but that would be at the expense of denying some intermediate stations the advantage of improved frequencies which is one of the claimed benefits of the scheme.

     

    David

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