Is Line Clear's workshop thread bit and pieces

jakesdad13 wrote:

Thanks for the nice comments Pete, I didn't really take any pictures of that build but I'll take some to describe what has been done before I carry on. It is really only made from Plasticard sheet and some spare C&L ABS plastic sleepers along with some scrap sprues which held point crossing timbers. The interesting thing about building the coal porters hut was I only had a fuzzy 1950's black and white photo to work from and a few 1960's general view photos taken by Alan Baker. I had to "guestimate" what the Knotty built from certain known sizes and by the use of a little known technique called sight size measurement. More about that later but it works well if you line up the relevant perspectives.
Cheers for now, Paul

 

Some time ago now I purchased a consignment of signal kits from Andrew Hartshorne at Wizard Models (MSE kits), one of the items I purchased was the LMS/BR upper quadrant cantilever bracket signal kit. The kit contains an extension to the landing which allows for a longer overhang, however the column is for making the prefabricated channel and welded plate variety which I did not want. Now what I did want was to scratch build the tubular column version which is representative of the Elton Crossing number 15 Up Home signal. This was part of modifications to Sandbach Junction prior to electrification in which Elton Crossing box became the fringe box to Sandbach and the old wooden McKenzie & Holland lower quadrants were removed along with some track rationalization. So here are the pics.



The signal model modification involved discarding the etches for the stem and fabricating a new coupling boss to hold the landing onto the tubular post and bracket assembly. The post is 6mm o.d brass tube which in scale terms makes for a 10 inch post, the LMS spec states that for bracket signals above 25 feet but no more that 35 feet in height the post diameter is 11.5 inches and for brackets below 25 feet the post diameter should be 10 inches. My signal is just under a scale 25 feet in height.



I have just located this signal for the photographs, it still needs to have the black band painted in behind the track circuit diamond plate and the Adlake lamp is not fitted yet, this will contain a warm white nano led with fine wires hidden under the landing channels and column. the resistor for this will go under the boards out of the way. You may notice some wire trailing along the cess next to the Down Sandbach track, this wire is 0.3mm dia silvered jewelers wire which will be looped through the signal pulley wheel posts I am fitting. This is purely aesthetic, the pulley wheel posts are brass casts by C&L Finescale and I'm going to put the chain wheels set on benches in also... no expense on detail is spared here.



And a view of the back of the signal, the base will be hidden with fine ash particles to merge in with the surrounding ground.



Now there are two servos here, the second servo is for a yellow ground signal which is also nearly finished, this is number 14 signal and will read through 11 crossover points and onto the single line in the Up direction and up to the signal by the crossing gates. the yellow disc means that 14 signal can be passed at caution for movements up and down the Co-op coal siding the coal porters shed and loading stage can be seen in the distance. More about this build later.



This is a low light shot showing the gates which are now illuminated with nanos, the protecting signal can be seen behind and a lot more work is still needed before it can be hooked up. The gates will be servo worked individually since in the days of the Wheelock branch they were hand worked by a crossing keeper under the jurisdiction of the signalman.

 

paul_l wrote:

Nah I'm not that good by a country mile but thanks anyway, I've a lot to techniques to try and master but the main thing is this is a great hobby. Oh Paul did I ever say I too grew up not far from Blythe Bridge ... just over hill in Leek.
Paul

 

Gary wrote:

Gary thank you for your kind words, I am happy you like the Elton Crossing Project... it's not quite a layout since it is currently only 12 feet long in its present form, soon I'm starting to add a detachable short extension of about four feet... so Elton isn't really a plank but neither is it a layout. I referred to it as a scenic diorama and then called it a "project", the length of the "project" will depend on how the missus takes to building trees and back scenes, she likes the nano leds so that's a start in the extension direction. Now the crossing gates are 3D printed by my friend Andy Sollis who is developing a small cottage business (more for pleasure than anything) call Northern Bridge 3D Models, he focuses on anything North Staffordshire Railway and also Leek and Manifold Valley Light Railway. Scales are N OO and O. The crossing gates are pure NSR design and were measured from long gone originals at Leigh and Sudbury.
kind regards York Paul

 

paul_l wrote:

I remember the barbers shop on the platform but didn't know the man himself, I always liked that Down Starting signal hard up against the gates, it poked over the top of the small station canopy and carried Caverswall's slotted Down Distant too. Was such a shame when they chopped it down, I examined its remains after the redundant material had been taken into Stoke Yard and dumped with all the other scrap against the canal wall, the post was very galled and thin on the inside in places from water corrosion.
York Paul

 

Some while back Jakesdad expressed interest in the coal porter's shed build on the Elton Project so Pete here are a couple of pics I took this afternoon. This little building measures 300mm x 120mm and is made from plastic ABS sleepers and 2.5mm Plasticard sheet with slates made from thin card and positioned using a template to get the layers as near correct as can be.



The windows and interior plus lighting has yet to be done, but this is the customer entrance view. The model is only loosely positioned but you get the general idea.


And from the other angle showing the coal landing and steps, the trusty LMS brake is parked at the end of the Co-op coal siding all of which needs a lot of work to finish properly.


Still a load of work to do yet but it shows how the tiny coal yard will fit into the scene alongside the crossing house and gates.


Finally just for good measure here is that nightmare build signal again, soon to be wired up and made operational. Now that will be fun.

 

Here are a couple of pictures showing the trackside view of the coal porters shed with landing platform.




Once I've completed the shed and toned it down with weathering I'll set to on the ground scenery and siding. At the moment the buffer stop is just a temporary one by Peco, this will be replaced with a scratch built North Stafford design which was what was there once in the real location. The sleeper "bench" between the two tracks will carry dummy point cranks and signal wheels from the signal cabin behind the picture.

 

Thanks very much Paul and Toto, its really appreciated and I'm well chuffed to make POTW... so I propose a round of drinks on me at the York showhttp://www.click this Easter.Thanks again chaps.
York Paul

 

Steve Fay wrote:

Thanks Steve for the nice comment, Its really appreciated.
Cheers Paul