Model Railway Forum

Final work on the signalling has been slow due to a bout of sciatica which limited mobility under the boards. But the gantry has been installed along with the last bracket controlling entry to the branchline. Of course, I still have all the ground signals to do - they will definitely be static!

The position of the gantry was too close to the tunnel exit. Compression is all well and good but in this case, way too much. I had to move the tunnel mouth back but that meant changing from three single tunnel portals to two doubles - highly modified Skaledale items.

Next job will be to add some labelling to the control panels and cable tie the wiring before deciding what to do with the spare servos on the bench.

20220802_134407 by Steve Mumford, on Flickr

20220802_134446 by Steve Mumford, on Flickr

20220802_134520 by Steve Mumford, on Flickr

Oh, a serious Wrong Side failure has occurred!
In the lower picture the cross-over routes signal is lowered (Proceed) but there is a train on the opposite line waiting for a proceed! Call the S & T testers!

The red arrowed signal is for crossing over, while the Blue arrowed one is for the straight ahead main line route

Today’s pedantry award goes to..........

I never claimed to know how’s to set the signals when I set out to make them operational. I will now be enrolling onto a signalling for beginners course.

Too many years on BR in the S & T (Signal & Telecoms) is the problem!

Beginners course 1 below, courses 2 to 9 are to be taken over eight weeks residential! Cheaper is here! Link to item
So, in your lower picture and the same one I've marked up looking Left to Right .... Main line Home and a distant below. The distant can only be cleared if all signals in the section are Off (Proceed). Shorter signal shown Off (Proceed) is for crossing over moves to the right just after the signal. Home and Distant is for straight ahead moves and the distant is as per the opposite way one - all signals ahead in the section must be cleared. Next to right is the same as previous, but for the line alongside the wall. Finally, the smaller right-hand signal is for moves on the wall side line that diverge off to the left. Simples

I should have guessed there was a section in there Brian.

I'm just pleased the signals 'match' the track layout.

That tank loco in picture below No 40312. is that a Bachmann loco Steve.

sandy wrote: ↑Tue Aug 02, 2022 5:25 pm That tank loco in picture below No 40312. is that a Bachmann loco Steve.

Hi Sandy, yes it’s the Bachmann 2MT - renumbered to 41312 to match the one on the Mid Hants Rly where I did the footplate experience.
There’s a video on here somewhere.

Found it.
https://youtu.be/bDOIH6uCsVI

You have done a good job on the signals Steve- a bit of fine fettling to do to keep everybody happy
I didn't see you shovelling any coal in the video - sciatica?
You say you have a "bout" of sciatica - have you found a cure? I seem to have had it for months.

Thanks for the vid Steve enjoyed that.

bulleidboy wrote: ↑Wed Aug 03, 2022 10:22 am You have done a good job on the signals Steve- a bit of fine fettling to do to keep everybody happy
I didn't see you shovelling any coal in the video - sciatica?
You say you have a "bout" of sciatica - have you found a cure? I seem to have had it for months.

Only trying to keep Brian happy, Barry.

My sciatica is triggered by an arthritic spine. If that flares up, the inflammation pinches the nerves. In my case I take a combination of ibuprofen (brand name Cuprofen - I believe it’s the strongest available over the counter) and cocodomol (prescription only).
I keep myself ‘topped-up’ with those before I go to sleep. That’s usually enough and allows me to take more during the day if it’s flared up. Avoids any nasty repercussions like dependency that way. It takes a couple of weeks to get on top of it then the discomfort usually just switches off.

Sandy, glad you enjoyed the video - the trip as a birthday present from the family. Thoroughly enjoyed it.