Brian D Posted October 18, 2018 Author Share Posted October 18, 2018 (edited) That idea for the lever-frame is brilliant. However, I won't be able to do similar as I have not needed a comb for a good few years. That made me smile BoD. Actually I'm not overly blessed with follicles myself. The comb was part of a pair from Asda - 2 for a quid. Edited October 18, 2018 by Brian D Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brian D Posted October 18, 2018 Author Share Posted October 18, 2018 I have added the "timber" porch structure, prior to which the signalman was entombed in the box, see below. If you go back far enough in this thread you will see that I robbed a Hornby station footbridge of its centre span to make the adjacent public footbridge. I have the steps remaining and plan to utilise them to make the 'box steps if I can figure out a way to (neatly) reduce their width. I will ponder this while in Dorset next week. Regards, Brian. 8 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brian D Posted October 27, 2018 Author Share Posted October 27, 2018 We returned from beautiful Dorset reluctantly today - had a great time with brilliant weather for the time of year. Of course, we had to take in the Swanage Railway while we were there. There was a famous visitor apparently - a Black 5 which took part in the 15 guinea specials I was told by one of the friendly station staff. For those with an interest in Stanier locos here are some pictures. I will repopulate the shed with locos tomorrow and have a play operating session before getting back to work on the signal box. Regards, Brian. 7 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brian D Posted October 29, 2018 Author Share Posted October 29, 2018 As I have said my thoughts have now returned to finishing the signal box. I have had another look at the Hornby footbridge kit steps... ...and have decided that the steps are not steep enough. Looking at the South Gosforth 'box, the slope is I think about 45 degrees which I think is common for the typical ex NER northern area boxes. So I will have to use plastic strip to fabricate the open treads and side stringers and have ordered some Evergreen 2.5 x 0.5 mm strip which I used on the smaller 'box's steps. In the meantime I have amended the composite drawing to add the correct steps side stringers to see how it would work. As you can see (I hope) I have amended the steps to double back on themselves by providing a half landing. Once the styrene strip is to hand I can then crack on. Regards, Brian. 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium wagonbasher Posted October 30, 2018 RMweb Premium Share Posted October 30, 2018 As I have said my thoughts have now returned to finishing the signal box. I have had another look at the Hornby footbridge kit steps... 20181018_175522.jpg ...and have decided that the steps are not steep enough. Looking at the South Gosforth 'box, the slope is I think about 45 degrees which I think is common for the typical ex NER northern area boxes. So I will have to use plastic strip to fabricate the open treads and side stringers and have ordered some Evergreen 2.5 x 0.5 mm strip which I used on the smaller 'box's steps. In the meantime I have amended the composite drawing to add the correct steps side stringers to see how it would work. Large signal box.jpg As you can see (I hope) I have amended the steps to double back on themselves by providing a half landing. Once the styrene strip is to hand I can then crack on. Regards, Brian. It won't be easy making steps from plastic strip.. could I suggest Ancorton models. LAser cut 0.8mm ply Signal box steps. OOS-M3. The treads slot into the stringers to get the spacing and you get all of the handrails as well. You get two sets of steps and I don't think they were very expensive. I have no connection with ancorton, I just used them to make multiple small steps. Andy 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brian D Posted October 30, 2018 Author Share Posted October 30, 2018 It won't be easy making steps from plastic strip.. could I suggest Ancorton models. LAser cut 0.8mm ply Signal box steps. OOS-M3. The treads slot into the stringers to get the spacing and you get all of the handrails as well. You get two sets of steps and I don't think they were very expensive. I have no connection with ancorton, I just used them to make multiple small steps. Andy Thanks very much for the tip Andy - I did a quick online search previously for suitable steps/kits but only came up with the Plastruct ones which seem to be the wrong size for OO. These look much superior. Thanks again for the info and your interest in my ramblings. Regards, Brian. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brian D Posted October 30, 2018 Author Share Posted October 30, 2018 After plenty of operating experience now with the layout, I have only recently discovered a simple trick to increase the maximum number of trains on the layout to a maximum of 11. The junction signal controlling access to platforms 3 and 4 and the goods arrival road is fortuitously placed at the end of the viaduct so that any length train that fits the fiddle yard (and hence the rest of the layout) can be held pending a departing train. Clear as mud I hear you say! Hopefully, a picture or two will clarify matters. So we start with a nearly full station (but it could be full)... ...and a completely full fiddle yard. A local passenger train departs FY road 3 and is held at the junction signal. The corresponding service departs platform 3... ...and passes the stationary incoming train. The incoming train then gets the right away... ...and proceeds to arrive at platform 3. The same sort of passing manoeuvre can be carried out with any of the passenger or parcels services and the coal, iron ore and general goods trains. BTW, this tallies with my own commuting experiences. Travelling up to London Fenchurch Street in the morning rush hour the train would always stop short of the terminus, a departing train would be seen and heard passing shortly thereafter and then our train would move slowly forward into the recently vacated platform. The long term plan is to sort out a sequential time table and this type of crossing of trains will form an important part of the sequence. Regards, Brian. 9 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
manna Posted October 30, 2018 Share Posted October 30, 2018 G'Day Folks We had the same at Kings Cross, empty coaches, waiting to go in, had to wait until the express had got halfway through Gasworks tunnel, or the other way round. manna 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brian D Posted November 1, 2018 Author Share Posted November 1, 2018 This afternoon I have eradicated a few more square inches of bare baseboard in the loco depot/signal box area. This shows the area in question and the materials used (Scalescenes' textures) before... ...and after. A little more ballast was added to get rid of the sharp edges... ...and the signal box placed in position to check the general effect. Speaking of which, I followed up on wagonbasher's suggestion (thanks again Andy) and ordered the Ancorton steps which arrived today. I am impressed with these laser cut parts - see below. Now I only have to figure out how to kit bash the bits into the double flight with half landing necessary for this high 'box. Also, the instructions recommend using "Quick Dry Tacky Glue" to glue these thin ply parts together. I'm off to the Romford show on Saturday so I will see what's available there. Regards, Brian. 9 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brian D Posted November 4, 2018 Author Share Posted November 4, 2018 I have made quite a bit of progress with the signal box steps this afternoon involving a kit bash of the Ancorton steps kit. The individual steps as supplied where too short making the stair flights too narrow for my cabin so new longer steps were manufactured from Evergreen polystyrene strips using the guillotine to ensure each step was of equal length, see below. Using the Ancorton parts for the flight sides and the new steps, the upper flight was carefully assembled by gluing the steps in place. This flight only requires a handrail on one side so the handrail had to be cut off (but retained for the half landing - see later). Similarly the lower flight was constructed retaining handrails on both sides. The two separate flights were then held in position on the 'box to check fit and to get an idea of how wide the half landing need to be - see below, excuse the "fickle finger of fate" The half landing was then fabbed up from more Evergreen strip and sheet and the aforementioned hand rails cut about to fit. Each assembly needs painting before I can attach them to each other and the 'box. Because the two flights are not long enough to reach ground level, although not by much, I need to make some "concrete" steps to mate to the lower flight. I am really quite pleased with how these have turned out (much neater than my previous efforts) so thanks again wagonbasher. Regards, Brian. 9 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brian D Posted November 5, 2018 Author Share Posted November 5, 2018 (edited) The stairs have been painted and attached to the 'box and a small "concrete" stair added (yet to be painted) at the foot of the second flight seen here... ...and on the layout... ...and with a train passing. Still to add supports to the half landing and paint the handrails (and perhaps add the cat walks and railings outside the windows). Regards, Brian. Edited November 5, 2018 by Brian D 11 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Barry O Posted November 6, 2018 RMweb Premium Share Posted November 6, 2018 Champion! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zomboid Posted November 6, 2018 Share Posted November 6, 2018 (edited) That landing looks like it'll need some kind of support - either a post in the corner or a bracket from the signal box wall. Likewise the "porch" at the top. Looks good though. Edit - I should properly read the text you wrote before posting... Edited November 6, 2018 by Zomboid Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brian D Posted November 6, 2018 Author Share Posted November 6, 2018 That landing looks like it'll need some kind of support - either a post in the corner or a bracket from the signal box wall. Likewise the "porch" at the top. Looks good though. Edit - I should properly read the text you wrote before posting... Indeed, and as I stated "Still to add supports to the half landing". The cantilever "porch" structure appears typical of most ex NER Northern Area boxes and needs no additional support - see pics below. Thanks for your interest. Regards, Brian. 4 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brian D Posted November 6, 2018 Author Share Posted November 6, 2018 Half landing supports duly added. Regards, Brian. 6 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
380John Posted November 6, 2018 Share Posted November 6, 2018 That looks great Brian. Finishes the box off nicely 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brian D Posted November 7, 2018 Author Share Posted November 7, 2018 (edited) Now that the signal box is substantially complete, my ramblings for today concern the station platform canopies, the construction of which I have been putting off for far too long. You may recall that I made a mock up... ...based on a modified West Hartlepool arrangement which required 7 more of these... ...a long with a lot more intricate modelling in styrene. All of this I have now decided falls into the "life's too short" category. Some time ago, I purchased the then new Scalescenes Island Platform Building... ..which doesn't actually fit (my platforms are too narrow) and looks more SR or GWR than NER. But I have seen how this card (my favoured medium) kit goes together so I will see if I can adapt it or at least copy the method of build. I am sure this will give me a much shorter build time than my previous idea. Also, I have thought of another operating quirk which will add interest and simulate congestion or late running. I previously described how an arriving passenger service was held at the station limits to await a departure and hence an empty platform. So there is no reason why a coal train departing the colliery could also be held at a red signal at the same time thus... ...and a picture taken from a lower viewpoint... ...which might con the viewer into thinking the layout is almost finished Regards, Brian. Edited November 7, 2018 by Brian D 8 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brian D Posted November 9, 2018 Author Share Posted November 9, 2018 Having examined the Scalescenes kit further and downloaded some additional Scalescenes textures I have made a trial aerofoil canopy section. I have put a hip end on it as a nod to Newcastle/York to make it look a little more NER. The canopy sections will be supported on the platform by the various kit buildings (reduced in width) and styrene columns but I provided some temporary supports to see how the prototype looked. I think it looks fine so I will continue with the production batch. Regards, Brian. 6 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ISW Posted November 10, 2018 Share Posted November 10, 2018 I have made quite a bit of progress with the signal box steps this afternoon involving a kit bash of the Ancorton steps kit. The individual steps as supplied where too short making the stair flights too narrow for my cabin so new longer steps were manufactured from Evergreen polystyrene strips using the guillotine to ensure each step was of equal length, see below. 20181104_150957.jpg Using the Ancorton parts for the flight sides and the new steps, the upper flight was carefully assembled by gluing the steps in place. This flight only requires a handrail on one side so the handrail had to be cut off (but retained for the half landing - see later). Brian, Been looking for a reasonable / good cutter for a while, so I was quite taken by the red/black one you used. Bought one for myself. Thanks for the inadvertent hint ... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brian D Posted November 10, 2018 Author Share Posted November 10, 2018 Brian, Been looking for a reasonable / good cutter for a while, so I was quite taken by the red/black one you used. Bought one for myself. Thanks for the inadvertent hint ... My pleasure Ian. Happy chopping Regards, Brian. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brian D Posted November 10, 2018 Author Share Posted November 10, 2018 Completed another canopy module this afternoon. The pics show construction... ...and trialled on the layout with the earlier module, all again on temporary supports. Completing the rest of these modules should keep me busy for a while. And then, there is the matching station building to construct (the one shown in the last pic is a temporary measure). Getting there. Regards, Brian. 7 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brian D Posted November 13, 2018 Author Share Posted November 13, 2018 I have completed one of the Scalescenes kit's island platform buildings. This has been much reduced in width to fit my narrow platforms. It supports the canopy nicely. Regards, Brian. 7 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Toftwood Posted November 14, 2018 Share Posted November 14, 2018 Referring back to your signal box, I was reading the 'South Pelaw & Stella Gill EM" thread last night and noted his Stella Gill Signal Box. Have a look, you will be proud of your own 'box. Pete. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brian D Posted November 14, 2018 Author Share Posted November 14, 2018 Referring back to your signal box, I was reading the 'South Pelaw & Stella Gill EM" thread last night and noted his Stella Gill Signal Box. Have a look, you will be proud of your own 'box. Pete. Thanks for the information about the South Pelaw thread. I wasn't previously aware of that layout which looks absolutely stunning. You flatter me about my own box which is a poor effort in comparison. But looking at their model, I know where to tweak my own a little. The thread generally though is right up my street and I will give it a thorough read. Thanks again for the info, your kind comments and continuing interest Pete. Best Regards, Brian. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brian D Posted November 14, 2018 Author Share Posted November 14, 2018 Work continues on the station canopies. Meanwhile, one of them newfangled diesel locos arrives in the form of a Brush Type 4 (class 47 in new money). These pics have of course been carefully posed and cropped to give the viewer the impression that the layout is somewhere near finished Regards, Brian. 5 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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