Hi Dave,

This forum has been quiet for quite a few days. Any chance of a progress report?

Eddie

Hi Johny,

All points answered, thanks. Only actual operations will show if the position of N1/N3 will restrict the shunting at Noble Sidings, although I'm sure our people will work their way around any difficulties. Over length trains could be challenging.

Eddie

Jonny, Thanks for the signals diagrams. Unfortunately the resolution isn't too good so it's difficult to see some of the detail, so can you confirm the following: Access to Shildon yard is controlled only by the subsidiary signal S3 and and the stop and distant signals on the approach are fixed. Sig...

Guy, All, Looks like you had a good meeting and covered a lot of ground. I have two signal posts under construction to the dimensions in Dave's earlier posting i.e. 700mm high. Could I have confirmation that Type 1 and 6 posts conform to that size? I have enough material to make two more bottom tube...

Dave, The attached photo is of the internals from a door lock servo from a 90s Rover. I thought this might well work signals, but on 12 volts the action is very fast. I was surprised when I opened it up because I was convinced it was a solenoid.The whole box of tricks is about 4" x 2" x 1" so it wil...

Dave, Won't get to the meeting this weekend. I've sourced materials for two signal posts, the larger size from ebay and a pal of mine came up with some 1/2" dia stainless tube (yes 0.500 inches). If I can't machine the large tube I will use his big lathe no problem. On D shackles the smallest I can ...

1mm thick glass should be easy enough to get by buying microscope slides, £5 or £6 for 50. Curved cutting isn't that easy but I've done loco spectacle glasses by rough cutting to shape and finally finishing by grinding. If the retaining frame covers the edge of the glass then accuracy is less of an ...

I'm assuming that Alan is referring to galvanic/electrolytic/bimetallic corrosion between the stainless and carbon steels. I think given that the signals will be painted and will normally be stored in the dry that this will not be a problem. If they do get used outside and get wet from rainfall then...

Good bit of research Eddy. I have also been looking on the web, I didn't manage to find that particular SRS archive list, I got it by finding the drawing list in Railway Group Standards and then searching for the semaphore signal drawing number prefix BRS-SM which reveals the SRS as a pdf. More way...

Whoops, forgot to add the attachments and can't find a way to edit a post.

Over to you Eddy. Dave I've had a search of all the books and magazines that I think I've looked at recently and haven't come up with the article on BR signals that I was sure I'd seen. No doubt it'll turn up when I've done something else and don't need it any more! I've accumulated about four hour...

We haven't had any un-signalled moves at Shildon so far. Where a Signal or Stop Board haven't been provided, Hand Signalling has been used (With Single Line Token's to reinforce single occupation of the sections). I wasn't suggesting main line moves were unsignalled, just that up to now once the to...

Dave, Why non ferrous for the signal posts? Surely steel tube is cheaper and stronger and takes paint better. If the actuator is a motor driving a snail cam then the motor only needs to run in one direction so the switching is simpler, i.e. no need to reverse polarity. With the layout we used last y...

I did most of my train spotting just up the street from my home in Sunderland at Wearmouth Junction. Sometime in the fifties the existing timber built junction signal on the up line was replaced with a new BR pattern signal. This carried the distant for Monkwearmouth Box less than a half mile south ...

I've looked at some of these books and for the most part the words 'Pictorial' and 'illustrated' tell it all, pictures but no dimensioned drawings. I have a copy of Vanns 'Signalling in the Age of Steam' and it follows the pattern. I also have a pre grouping book on railway engineering which has a d...

I'm interested as well, although apart from locomotive building I have a number of domestic projects which are on the 'wait until I retire' list and since I am now retired are becoming pressing, so I may only be able to give limited support. My preference is for semaphores. Their aspects can be seen...

There used to be a firm called Great Western Engineering who did arms as a two piece kit with a nicely folded arm in 1mm plate and a spectacle plate in 2mm plate, but I can't find them now. Compass House do some signal arms laser cut from 3mm steel plate as well as balance weights and bell cranks. E...

Hi Ben, My method of finishing is to give the final paint coat a light rub down with very fine wet and dry paper (1200 or 1500 grade) before applying the lining and lettering and transfers which are then coated with an extra clear varnish. Humbrol do one which is much thinner than typical domestic o...

Hi Dave,

Might be worth asking the question on the LNER Forum. There seems to be a few people on there that have considerable knowledge on wagons and coaching stock.

Eddie

Andy, I would agree with your method of recovering the axles although I would be inclined to silver solder the sleeves to the axles. I assume the axles have centres in the ends so you can turn them between centres, so after fitting the sleeves you can make a finishing cut so the wheel seats are true...