Cambridgeshire Progress Report

[Roy]

Hi John,

Thanks for the track plans..... I can only say amazing, very impressive, and looking forward to see it in use.....

A Sentinel will take an awful long time to get round......!

Roy

[John Candy]

Having reached the stage where I need to install the turnout control mechanisms and build the control panels and,  in view of the complexity of trackwork, I need to produce something which is easily understood by visitors.

The first area to be dealt with will be the main terminus and I have previously posted this diagram in an earlier message in this thread.



I have just taken delivery of a large quantity of IP67 rated SPDT micro switches and LEDs of various colours/types and propose using these (plus some magnetic reed switches) to provide visual "reminders" on the panels. The "actuators" for the turnouts are pneumatic and have no electrical components, hence the use of micro switches and reed switches as "detectors".

One example of how I propose using these is the loco release crossover at the end of Platform 1. When the crossover is in the "normal" position, the three LEDs on the panel will be extinguished. When the crossover is "active", there will be two flashing red LEDs positioned on the two terminal roads by the crossover and a constant yellow on the crossover itself. Also, if either of the crossover turnouts should not "switch" fully (e.g. obstruction by detritus) then the red LEDs will flash until the obstruction is cleared.

The main use of these detectors will be in locations where the turnouts are either not visible to the signalman or there is particularly complex routing (e.g. a sequence of double slips).

In the initial stages, there will be no signals but, eventually, the line will be fully signalled with a mixture of 1930's-style searchlight colour lights and semaphores plus route indicators.

John.

[Andy B]

John,

Just a thought -

Will the panel(s) be in s suitably shady area - such that the LEDs be visible in the glorious sunshine with which all of your running days will be blessed? (OK, let's ignore the fact that you were blanketed in fenland fog when I came over last week.....!)

Andy

[John Candy]

Andy,

That's a useful thought ..... will have to install some kind of shading to any exposed panels.
The one for the main terminus will be in constant shade since it is on the North side of the house.

Enjoy your concrete mixing weekend!

John.

[John Candy]

While the sun was shining (a rare event here of late!) I took a few items outside, to produce a glimpse of how Monkton Priors will look (the track plan of my branch terminus is identical to that of Monkton Priors).
It is a joint LMS/GW line..that's the excuse for the MR 2F hauling a GWR "B set".

The first view is of the train rounding the curve at the junction on the north end of the viaduct, followed by the crossing of the viaduct and then standing at the (would be Monkton Priors) branch terminus, awaiting departure on the return journey and, finally, back at the HL junction, taking the straight road through towards the main terminus.

[blagdon]

Looks great John, maybe one day we will get over with 'Thomas Albert' or the 2021, and of course the Camcorder!

Ian the Gauge '3' Pirate

[John Candy]

A nice sunny day, so couldn't resist getting a few items out onto the track.


1) LMS "Jocko" No.7668 shunts the yard at Monkton Priors (Joint LMS & GW Rlwys.)


2) Later seen trundling off the viaduct and through the high level junction with the freight from Monkton Priors.

and finally......


3) A reminder : If you haven't yet bought your specially-commissioned mug (to support the Society's new exhibition layout) , there are still 48 to be sold.

[Geoff Nicholls]

a couple of Gresley coaches and a J15 would have been perfection, but that train comes close.

[John Candy]

Last month has been spent constructing the platforms at the main junction station.
The platforms will (eventually) be linked by an over bridge stucture carrying the main station buildings.







Next will be the platforms at the main terminus .... those will be much quicker and simpler since all three platform roads are straight!

[John Candy]

Main terminus platforms completed.
Next job is to install the 50 point motors!

[John Candy]

Last week I was away from home and the temperature here reached the mid-30's Celsius.

My main junction station is exposed to the full glare of the midday Sun (and for several hours either side) and the effect upon the platforms was quite damaging.

When I laid the platforms (about three weeks ago) the temperature was in the mid-20's C and you could have fried an egg on the UPVC surfaces .... so God knows how hot they got when the ambient was 35C!

I laid the surface of 3mm (grey) UPVC over timber cross supports, spaced at regular intervals
At a few of the joints between sections, there were "sags" where there were no supports ..... worst example illustrated below, which was a small section which need to be cut away and replaced, the plastic having "stretched" significantly (the other affected areas, were minor by comparison, being repaired by lifting, inserting supports and screwing down to restore correct profile).

In two places the cast resin walls had bowed but these were easily corrected by drilling and screwing to the timber core.

The other three stations suffered no damage, although of similar construction, being partly shaded.

Has taken a whole day to effect repairs and can now get down to installing the pneumatic point motors.

John.

[John Candy]

Made a start today on fitting the Sunset Valley Railroad ( www.sunsetvalleyrailroad.com )  pneumatic actuators to the turnouts.
Had been worried that they might look ugly and be difficult to disguise but (so far) don't look too obtrusive....judge for yourself).
Managed to get five fitted today but still have another 40+ to fit, with some being awkwardly positioned, so a lot of work still to be done.

All the four main stations now have their platforms (just the Powder Mills branch terminus still to be fitted out with a platform), so the "Grand Opening" is moving closer.

As soon as the remaining point actuators (plus several manual yard levers) have been installed and the three signalbox control panels fitted, the line will be ready for a major testing session.

John.

[Traininvain]

Looking good John

can't wait for the grand opening!

Ian

[John Candy]

The production of a range of resin buildings for use both on my own line and to be used with Monkton Priors, when it is shown at the AGM and Peterborough (National Garden Railway Show) in 2017, continues unabated!

The first batch of a range of "corrugated iron" designs has been completed and one example is shown below (a GWR "Standard" lamp hut from a Swindon drawing). These were produced in two sizes, the smaller 6ft x 6ft as illustrated below, and a similar 8ft x 6ft which I have also produced.







....If you think they look rather drab in plain grey....here is one in the standard GWR building colours of "Light Stone" and Dark Stone" as applied to such buildings when on station platforms!



Patterns for two more corrugated GWR structures are under construction at present, being   the  widely deployed GWR "Type 'A' Shelter" (commonly referred to as the "Pagoda" ) and, the other,  the GWR "Standard, Galvanized Iron, Lock Up Huts" (which were produced in two sizes, 14ft x 8ft and 20ft x 8ft) with double doors on the front (long side) and windows on both ends. These served a variety of functions on station platforms, including bicycle sheds....which will be the use to which the Monkton Priors example will be put.

The branch terminus station building,  the most complex building design I have tackled so far, is well-advanced (see below), the front and rear elevations and  the ends all having being been  completed and are ready for assembly, leaving the roof, chimneys and canopies to be added, together with minor detailing (e.g. gutters and downpipes). 

I have taken the design of the GWR Cheddar Valley line buildings as the inspiration (my model is in brick with stone "dressing", rather than the all stone original design), infused with features from other GWR stations to create a model to suit the scale of its surroundings on the final layout. The front (platform side) elevation is shown and, when completed, there there will be a canopy over the inset area between the gable ends ).





Monkton Priors Funding : We are now within 200GBP of our ultimate target of 1500GBP.
I am offering a limited number of the GWR lamp huts (as illustrated above) to raise funds: The smaller (6 x 6) size at 30GBP and the larger (8x6) at 38GBP (ready assembled and finished in grey primer). Postage will be in addition unless collected from a G3S event.

Before I sign-off, a reminder that i still have 40 of the specially-commissioned coffee mugs available : 6.75GBP collected or 8.75GBP by post (see page 6 of current G3 Society Newsletter for ordering details).


John Candy

[John Candy]

The GWR "Type 'A' Shelter" (commonly referred to as a  "Pagoda") is progressing well.

The main carcass of the building is complete and the main roof panels are ready for assembly.

The roof caused me to scratch my head for a few days but the actual manufacture was simpler than anticipated.
To get the curved castings, the resin was removed from the moulds while still "floppy" (after about 45 minutes) and laid over a large "Cuprinol" can, which happened to be the correct diameter to produce the required radius!
A jig was made from plastic card to aid roof assembly and the marking and cutting of the "hip" joints (I aim to produce at least two Pagodas for my own use, so it was worth the additional effort).

There are gutter corners. downpipes, roof "flashing" and ridge castings to be added but the major work has now been done.

Another item which will be seen on "Monkton Priors".

John.