The Bigbee Line

Mine arrived today in the post; two motors, fine wire, resistors, thread and a small piece of heat shrink, plus the most comprehensive instruction sheet. Just need the time to try one out. The decoder I'm fitting to a J15 has the outputs so I might give it a try... The motor is miniscule...

Looks very nice. I like the lever (switch) frame, gives the right feel. I might have missed it in the tread, what cable are you using to the Pluggable Terminal Strip? They look quite bullet proof. Thanks

I emailed Hatton's this morning to ask if I could change from early totem to later crest (to get the lining). Email back confirming change was received 30 minutes later. Job done, well done Hatton's. I can repaint any bargain E4's into unlined black. That's if there are any?

I've been there many times. Sometimes it's the doing that keeps it going. I had lots of fun with some code 100 in the garage in 2008. Here are a few pictures of the 6th version. What made it most fun was running a couple of Athearn GP35s. I'd got them cheap as mechanisms to go under GP30 bodies. I put chips in and off they went. Kind of attached to the paint schemes. What it did do was give me my first opportunity to really run with DCC. It was running trains that galvanised the track layout. Unfortunately a job change scuppered everything..... You will note the flat crossing. For me that what differentiates it, without question, from UK outline (yes I know about Retford etc, but that's unusual). Keep some track on the boards and play trains now and again, it's inspiring:

In the 90's there was a derailment of a class 73, the second of a pair of loco's. The shunter was standing holding the point handle and for some unknown reason operated the points between the two locos. He did not intend to cause a derailment and was unable to explain why he pulled the points. I believe in such circumstances you brain is waiting to pull the lever and something triggers the action. I am a great believer in standing away from equipment when your not intending to operate it. Even to the extent of keeping your hands in your pockets. After all you don't keep your finger on the trigger of a gun, unless you intend to fire it

These look interesting. Just ordered a couple. We'll see how they perform.

I would suggest that this is a complicated subject for the layman. It might be better doing more research and reading some historic accident reports that highlight the various ways of doing things. There is a very interesting report into a head on collision at Hull Paragon, where despite the most modern of equipment, the signalmen managed to route two trains into a head on collision http://www.railwaysarchive.co.uk/documents/MoT_Hull1927.pdf Please note that this response isn't meant to be patronising in any way.

The locking of the lever in the frame is separate from locking the points. If you look at lever plates. There are often numbers underneath, that indicate other levers that need to be reversed to free the locking on a particular lever. I'll sort out some pictures to illustrate and post them.

The use of one lever is OK. That is what happens with motor points, one lever controls the motor. Inside the point mechanism the motor winds, that extracts the bolt, then throws the tie bar across and the final part of the motion reinserts the bolt. Everything being detected by various detection circuits (If you look at some motor points you will see connections from both switch rails and the tie bar all going into the mechanism) The important thing is that any move for passenger trains over the points in the facing direction is interlocked to ensure the points are locked before the signal can clear. I've probably not made that clear. Let me know if you've understood. Thanks

I think the first part of the movement withdraws the bolt (or unlocks whatever locks the points), switches are then able to move with the lever, and the final part of the movement locks them again. Are there any of these still in existence? In the late 80's / early 90's there were some hand points that were called switchlocks. the stretcher bar was done away with and the actual switches operated with a bar that looked like the fletching on an arrow. A novel design that unlocked, moved then locked the switches in one movement. I'll try and find some pictures

It's not the percentage hike that some wagons have seen. You pay your money and take your choice. As always the cancel option is available. I would personally pay the price and keep the stream of models coming. If there is a glut, there will be bargains. If they sell out, the models will have an enhanced eBay resale value. That's my two cents

A second chance is a wonderful thing. I got mine in 2010 when I had Toxic Shock after a burst appendix. I had no idea how close to death I was. The hospital treatment on the NHS was A1. I still have reminders; scarring from Acute Lung Injury and a weak left arm and hand from muscle wastage. But I'm much more aware of my mortality. I try and make the most if things, don't get too worked up about the unimportant, have no patience about the important. I do things now I never thought I'd do. Yesterday we went to Nottingham to see Lionel Richie. Great night. You'd be surprised by the age profile of the audience. You only get one life. Make the most of it.

Do you have a plan of the Ilfracomb goods?

The picture I saw was in Railway Bylines - May 1999. I'll check out the Southern Way. Thanks

Funny you should mention that. I picked up some good magazines at the NNR Steam Gala last weekend and one of those had a picture of the tractor that I hadn't seen. I'll check it out, thanks,

I can remember seeing the Brighton Belle pass on the line between Brighton and Falmer when I was at School near Falmer. I can't remember how many cars, but think it was in Umber and Cream. There is a picture of the Belle operating as a 9 car in Umber and Cream.

An excellent 'on line' magazine. I particulaly liked the plan of the buffer stops and the 'how to' make the Ratio Midland Suburban into an LBSC version. Can anyone advise if these lingered into early BR times. Well done.

Eastwood Cement Works at Lewes, here we come. Looks very nice. An excellent choice.

Just come across this thread. Nice layout. I especially like the green painted corrugated structure, looks very effective. The use of overhead on a small layout is very tempting. Keep posting the progress reports. Thanks

Paul, Have you modelled this pulley? I thought you had. In case you missed it, it's the pulley, that worked with the winch to move wagons in the cripple road.

Bill, I'm trying to get my circle to the stage where I can run things. The legs were constructed in a spurt of effort last week. I'm now getting the cork under the three boards that first had track laid. See http://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/index.php?/topic/89068-north-cornwall-modular-baseboards-track-plan/page-3 Like you I'm thinking of the versatility of adding a straight section. I haven't stuck to the discipline of having the tracks at the centre lines of the baseboard joints, meaning things aren't truly modular in the Freemo style. Looking forward to your track plan.

Have you got a track plan in mind when the straight boards are added? Will it let you create a Freemo type mix and match arrangement? If the boards were built without a fixed back scene, either side could be the front.

I was going to comment on the second picture of the various grounded bodies: M-080 TWY 18-3-90.jpg Are these flower beds made using the tops of 'iron ore tipplers'?

I'll be pleased when my E4 arrives. As long as it looks right, and more importantly runs OK i'll be please. From my point of view it will be a three role loco: Passenger trains, goods trains and shunter. I just need the Birdcage set.... From a critical point of view, not aimed at the E4, but a general comment. With regard detail, I'd rather have less than more if it's of a unique nature. Such things being of an easily added on nature. I tend to leave most detail parts in the plastic bag.

I went to Mallaig in the late 1990's when working for Railfreight Distribution. The picture taken were with a cheap 35mm camera. Some are on Flickr, and I'm sure I've more stashed away. Hopefully they will be of some use: https://www.flickr.com/photos/55938574@N03/16309535297/in/album-72157650737949032/ https://www.flickr.com/photos/55938574@N03/16495465585/in/album-72157650737949032/ https://www.flickr.com/photos/55938574@N03/15875314523/in/album-72157650737949032/ https://www.flickr.com/photos/55938574@N03/16309196039/in/album-72157650737949032/