Developing & Building Bell Code Block Instruments.

Discussion in 'Workshop Benches' started by gormo, Nov 22, 2020.

  1. Gary

    Gary Wants more time for modelling.... Staff Member Administrator

    Messages:
    7,316
    Likes Received:
    3,847
    Joined:
    Dec 5, 2015
    That is excellent Gormo. :thumbs::thumbs::thumbs:

    So does that mean no words are spoken in the train room ?? ;) Do you have one to the kitchen for when you want coffee...?? :scratchchin::avatar::avatar:

    Cheers, Gary.
     
  2. jcm@gwr

    jcm@gwr Full Member

    Messages:
    50
    Likes Received:
    32
    Joined:
    Aug 8, 2020
    Now that you've found and fixed the fault, are you going to post an updated diagram,
    for us mere mortals!
     
  3. gormo

    gormo Staff Member Administrator

    Messages:
    5,991
    Likes Received:
    4,140
    Joined:
    Dec 5, 2015
    Thanks Gary,
    Well you could do it without speaking but it would have to be done also with a train schedule or timetable in place.
    If I put one in the kitchen, I would have to start sleeping with one eye open for fear of being suffocated in my sleep............:avatar::avatar:
    :tophat:Gormo
     
    Gary likes this.
  4. gormo

    gormo Staff Member Administrator

    Messages:
    5,991
    Likes Received:
    4,140
    Joined:
    Dec 5, 2015
    Well an updated diagram would mean a circuit diagram and that`s a lot of work......I`ll think about it.......:scratchchin:
    :tophat:Gormo
     
    jcm@gwr and Andy_Sollis like this.
  5. Andy_Sollis

    Andy_Sollis Staff Member Moderator

    Messages:
    3,896
    Likes Received:
    3,622
    Joined:
    Aug 4, 2018
    Him who never made a mistake never made anything..
    nice bit of problem solving!
     
  6. Andy_Sollis

    Andy_Sollis Staff Member Moderator

    Messages:
    3,896
    Likes Received:
    3,622
    Joined:
    Aug 4, 2018
    Fantastic...

    I think I want one! :avatar: No where to put them..
     
  7. Gary

    Gary Wants more time for modelling.... Staff Member Administrator

    Messages:
    7,316
    Likes Received:
    3,847
    Joined:
    Dec 5, 2015
    :avatar::avatar::avatar:

    Cheers, Gary.
     
  8. gormo

    gormo Staff Member Administrator

    Messages:
    5,991
    Likes Received:
    4,140
    Joined:
    Dec 5, 2015
    You may well laugh Gary.....but I kid you not.........:facepalm: :avatar::avatar::avatar:
     
    Gary likes this.
  9. Andy_Sollis

    Andy_Sollis Staff Member Moderator

    Messages:
    3,896
    Likes Received:
    3,622
    Joined:
    Aug 4, 2018
    Ohh... 6 bells!!! :(
     
  10. gormo

    gormo Staff Member Administrator

    Messages:
    5,991
    Likes Received:
    4,140
    Joined:
    Dec 5, 2015
    G`day Folks,
    Well I got some cable yesterday and wired up the last two 25 pin plugs that connect Little Bardfield to Bamford. The power feeds were also completed and all cables were installed and cleaned up this morning with cable ties etc.
    So the major work on the Block Instruments is complete. They are all tested, connected and fully functional. I have left myself a spare foot or so of cable too long on the run between Little Bardfield and Bamford in case I have to move the Bamford instrument a small distance from where it`s sitting at the moment.
    My next task, which will be a picnic compared to the build , will be to do the track feeds. That process is partially complete from previous work done, however I need to go in and finish the job.
    I hope to get a good deal of that completed today, but we`ll see how the day pans out as I have other chores to do as well.
    This is the cable coming into the backs of the Little Bardfield instruments.......doesn`t look that bad now, but there are twenty wires to each instrument plus the power feed and each instrument still requires an additional four wires from track feeds.


    DSC00753.JPG


    Little Bardfield instruments on line.


    DSC00749.JPG


    Bamford Instrument on line.


    DSC00750.JPG

    Actually you could run trains through the system now, as it is independent of the track. It`s a bit like traffic lights. Even if they are Red, you could still drive the car through them along the road.
    Not a very safe way to drive....but possible, whereas once the instruments are connected to the track, if they are showing line blocked, a train will come to a dead stop once it hits the isolated block section.
    The operators have the responsibility of operating the sections safely and each operator will know what the other is doing via the Block Instruments.
    It may generate some lively banter in the room......especially if we start running to a timetable......actually I think scheduling is easier than timetables, but that`s a whole other topic.
    :tophat:Gormo
     
    Andy_Sollis likes this.
  11. Sol

    Sol Full Member

    Messages:
    631
    Likes Received:
    146
    Joined:
    Mar 13, 2016
    Well, to keep the grey cells active Gormo. I think your next step is timetables- bleed'n good fun there creating them... i am into version 8 of the current batch ( I have still about 12 or thereabouts of earlier than those 8 )
     
  12. Andy_Sollis

    Andy_Sollis Staff Member Moderator

    Messages:
    3,896
    Likes Received:
    3,622
    Joined:
    Aug 4, 2018
    I’ve got a time table for my Oakamoor layout. One train in section and runs as required. ! :facepalm:
    Till my lad comes along.... then it’s class 58 on a GWR auto coach in to the old platform
     
  13. gormo

    gormo Staff Member Administrator

    Messages:
    5,991
    Likes Received:
    4,140
    Joined:
    Dec 5, 2015
    Yes, you`re probably right there Sol, however I think I need a mental break for the moment.......this project has tested me and I`m looking for something different and relaxing for a while.........probably I`ll go back to scenery.?...Little Bardfield has been on hold whilst I`ve been working on these instruments.
    I also need to look over a few of the bell code lists from various railway companies and pic the eyes out of them so as to create a fairly basic, easy to use list of bell codes for GCJ.
    Of course the reason I`m now looking at bell codes is because the block instruments are fully installed and operational and testing has been completed.
    This project has been on my to do list for about seven years now, and has always been waiting , I guess, for the right time to actually dive in and have a go at it.
    Much testing was done quite a few years ago but was not really successful. I was trying to build instruments with needle indicators but it was not really working very well and also I was looking at a different way of operating the bells.
    Somehow, and for some inexplicable reason, I came up with the system we have documented in these pages......sometimes these things gradually morph into a semblance of an idea and it`s like unlocking the answer to a puzzle. Once you crack the hard part, the rest will fall into place behind it in some sort of logical fashion.
    Anyway......we`re all done.......Yyyaaaaayyyy !!!!!!.......:tophat::cheers::cheers::D:lol::thumbup:......:faint:
    :thumbs:Gormo.......stay tuned for a video coming soon
     
    Barnaby and Andy_Sollis like this.
  14. gormo

    gormo Staff Member Administrator

    Messages:
    5,991
    Likes Received:
    4,140
    Joined:
    Dec 5, 2015
    As promised..........a final video to finish off the topic.



    :tophat:Gormo
     
    Andy_Sollis likes this.
  15. Echidna

    Echidna Full Member

    Messages:
    236
    Likes Received:
    150
    Joined:
    Oct 15, 2016
    Dear Gormo,

    re Bell Codes,

    1 / www.signalbox.org/block-system/bell-signals-in-use-in-1960/

    BR-WR Block Signal Codes with addendums for SR and LMR.

    These codes , in the main, date back to the RCH Model Rule Book of 1898. The large variety of bell codes is driven by train types and differing braking systems, including a lack thereof !

    2 / The Australian Model Rule Book of 1905 is a simplified version of the 1898 RCH version, and was adopted by all State Railways as the basis for their Rule Book Bell Codes.

    3 / I can supply you with the VR 1966 Rule Book Bell Codes if desired. ( This is very similar to the 1919 version, which I can also supply ! ) ( PM me with your post address if you require a photocopy please. )

    I hope this is of assistance to you,

    Regards, Echidna
     
  16. gormo

    gormo Staff Member Administrator

    Messages:
    5,991
    Likes Received:
    4,140
    Joined:
    Dec 5, 2015
    G`day Echidna,
    Yes the link to the signal box site was very helpful.
    I will send you a PM with personal details
    :tophat:Gormo
     
    Andy_Sollis likes this.
  17. Chris M

    Chris M If 2 wrongs don't make it right ... try 3 Full Member

    Messages:
    156
    Likes Received:
    182
    Joined:
    Mar 14, 2019
    Hi Gormo,

    Came across this YouTube which covers UK bell code signaling. As far as I can tell it is exactly how you have done it except it has both DOWN and UP line indicators. I don't know if you have seen it? If not, I thought you might find it interesting.



    Chris
     
    Andy_Sollis likes this.
  18. Andy_Sollis

    Andy_Sollis Staff Member Moderator

    Messages:
    3,896
    Likes Received:
    3,622
    Joined:
    Aug 4, 2018
    Brilliant!!
     
  19. gormo

    gormo Staff Member Administrator

    Messages:
    5,991
    Likes Received:
    4,140
    Joined:
    Dec 5, 2015
    Thanks Chris,
    I did find that interesting and I will watch it again.......:thumbs:
    :tophat:Gormo
     
    Andy_Sollis likes this.
  20. gormo

    gormo Staff Member Administrator

    Messages:
    5,991
    Likes Received:
    4,140
    Joined:
    Dec 5, 2015
    G`day Folks,
    Well today I gave the Block Instruments their first true test.
    I had my two young ( 9 & 7 years old ) Grandsons over for a sleep over during school holidays.
    I had designed my Block Instrument system to be used by them eventually and hopefully before they get bored with their Pop`s slow old trains.
    This will be the first time the boys would have seen the instruments and updates on Little Bardfield
    Fortunately they are two smart little blokes, so explaining how they would have to operate the system and co-operate with each other to make it work, was not terribly difficult.
    A little serve of encouragement and belief in their abilities helped to make it happen.
    What I was not prepared for was their absolute delight in trying to understand and operate the system. Enthusiasm certainly makes learning easier.
    I set the boys up to operate in this way..........Liam ( the eldest ) was to control Little Bardfield. A challenge he readily accepted because he has two instruments to manage.
    James ( the youngest ) was to operate Great Chesterford. Two reasons for this. First it`s easier and secondly, I was operating Bamford, so I was close at hand to help him if necessary.
    We were only running the Branch Line. I did not want to distract them with Main Lines running as well.
    After a few goes of running a diesel rail car from GCJ up to Little Bardfield and Bamford and then back to GCJ, all done by the boys and myself using the instruments and controllers, I felt they were ready for the big test.
    I said to them we were now going to run the rail car up the branch and back again without talking. The only form of communication would be through the Block Instruments.
    They were literally jumping for joy with anticipation.
    They did it extremely well and they did it a number of times and they enjoyed every part of it.
    I congratulated them and told them how well they did and how well they worked as a team.
    The system worked without a hitch and the bell codes I set up for them, bearing in mind they are just little kids, worked a treat and they had no trouble understanding it.
    So....my block instruments are beautiful and they work well, even if I do say so myself, however that is nothing compared to the joy and sense of accomplishment those two little boys just experienced.
    It was quite a job to build those instruments, but now I am absolutely sure it was all worthwhile.
    :tophat:Gormo
     

Share This Page