7mm Trethevy, NCR, SR 1930's.

[Peter Cross]

Isn't there a check rail missing on the top right crossing?

Jim.

I hope not.

 

[JimG]

I hope not.

I've done it myself - or not.

Jim.

 

[Peter Cross]

View attachment 145476

I've done it myself - or not.

Jim.

What's the word I'm looking for? Oh bu@@er. Better check tonight.

 

[Peter Cross]

Jim, is correct it is missing, and will be added in the next few days. The good thing is that I've actually allowed for it.
It's nice to know that people are keeping an eye on my work. But for me it's the feeling that I must of built the point correctly, as my four wheel test wagon runs through the point without any trouble what so ever.
Keep up the good work of keeping me on my toes.

 

[Allen M]

Hi Peter
I did not spot the missing check rail but must admit to my mistake. I built a 3 way point for my own (WELR) layout described on the G)G forum. I also made the same error, missed one check rail.
However having a go is the important thing.
Regards
Allen

 

[Peter Cross]

Now getting on with the sidings. The first to be finished was the bay platform. This was done to make sure it was finished with all new components as it is right at the front.



Then I finished the goods shed line, and the cattle dock line just beyond. The bit of line that will be within the shed has used old material.





I'm now working on the two long sidings beyond the platform and run round lines.

 

[Peter Cross]

Well. Would you believe it, the track work is completed apart from detailing, things like fish plates, rail cuts, and buffers. The buffers can wait until the wiring is done.
It had been spotted I'd missed a check rail on the three way. Well, here it is in place, the bottom one.



Here we go with the track. Starting at the fiddle yard end.



Moving towards the goods shed. Bay on the left, and cattle dock on the right.



And up to the station building. The 3 wagons are in the loco release.




Now in reverse order from the station.





In the last picture of the three you can see the signal box to the right and beyond this there will be a bridge as a scenic break. From this a ramp will lead down to the yard on the left, with a row of cottages on the through road.

I've just tested the sector plate in place, was to lazy to move the steps and clear the way for the base board too. The track is completed on this too.




Finally the only track work not done, the hidden sidings. I will do these when I move the boards for wiring, it will be easier to reach. They will start where the cork is, and will be about 1250mm long, same sort of length as the sector plate.




More soon, well, if there is anything that looks different anyway.

 

[Peter Cross]

Instead of doing something sensible like the wiring, I decided to build a buffer stop. To a drawing someone on Rmweb, kindly sent me.

The drawing has no dimensions so I had to scale from it as it's to 4mm scale. It scaled out a bit high, so I adjusted to 7mm buffer height.



Here are the parts for one side.

It looks like I'm not going to be able to build the three I need I have lots of small bits of rail to do the uprights and infill. But it's the long pieces I'm short of. The two bent and running rail need pieces need to be 120+mm to give working allowance.



But for now I soldered the first side together to check the principal. I will need to drill some holes and add nuts, bolts and spacers.

Here it is on one of the sidings by the station building.

I will need two here and one on the goods shed road. I want to make each one different. One like this, one like this but with the front angled pieces going straight into the ground rather than bent to join the running rail. The third I'm sure I have a drawing for a smaller light weight one. All just to add variety, and to see if the subtle differences are noticed by people.



As I forgot to press the post button last night.

Well, we now have two sides.

For something so simple, each side takes about 2 hours to make, that includes the annealing, which I localise to the bend positions, cleaning up soldering. Then cleaning up again. I still need to sort the fixings, which I found out today are square headed nuts and bolts or all thread. I'm sure it will take about 6 hours a buffer.

 

[Peter Cross]

Well my guess at 6 hours is not going to be anywhere near correct. But who's really counting. It's keeping me out of trouble.

After the third session I had two sides with bolt head details. This I did by using 1mm square brass rod. Slightly to big, but easier than filing round rod square. These were soldered into drilled holes.




The forth session I made and fitted the mounting flange plates, fixed and then added bolts as before. I also attached the sides to some sleepers, which then meant I could add the tie bar. You may notice this has hexagonal ends just for variety.




Here it is in what will be its location on the layout.




Whilst looking up other types of buffers I found out something interesting about painting them. But it also created some other questions.
It stated that in SR days the period I model, the plank was white with a red stripe. I've known this bit for years, but in terminal stations the iron work was painted chrome green, a station building colour. Now what puzzles me, is, do the mean the buffers that are on the platform lines, or any that are within the station area? This would be interesting as I could have them in varying stages of green rust.
By the way as this is going to be next to the running line it will have a lamp fixed to the top of the beam.

 

[Peter Cross]

Almost there. The buffer plank has now been added. It took a while as the 8 fixings all had to be the right length, with a hexagon filed on both ends.
We also have the right number of sleepers under it now. Over all I'm quite impressed at the way it's turned out. Time to look at other designs after this one's been primed.

 

[jonte]

Almost there. The buffer plank has now been added. It took a while as the 8 fixings all had to be the right length, with a hexagon filed on both ends.
We also have the right number of sleepers under it now. Over all I'm quite impressed at the way it's turned out. Time to look at other designs after this one's been primed.

View attachment 145989 View attachment 145990 View attachment 145991

Fabulous job, Peter!

 

[Dave Holt]

Very nice, Peter.
I take it that although the buffer plank is wood, the tie bar is metallic, thus electrically joining the two sides? When you leave insulating gaps to the adjoining powered track, beware of wagon wheel rims bridging the two gaps simultaneously, thus causing a dead short. This problem befell an exhibition standard P4 layout when, in one planned move, the wagons had to be pushed right up to the stop to get clearance. It took them quite a while to figure out the problem. To avoid the risk on my layout, I've added a second gap in one rail, staggered, so that both gaps cannot be bridged together. Just a thought.
Dave.

 

[Peter Cross]

Very nice, Peter.
I take it that although the buffer plank is wood, the tie bar is metallic, thus electrically joining the two sides? When you leave insulating gaps to the adjoining powered track, beware of wagon wheel rims bridging the two gaps simultaneously, thus causing a dead short. This problem befell an exhibition standard P4 layout when, in one planned move, the wagons had to be pushed right up to the stop to get clearance. It took them quite a while to figure out the problem. To avoid the risk on my layout, I've added a second gap in one rail, staggered, so that both gaps cannot be bridged together. Just a thought.
Dave.

l´ll bare that in mind. I was going to leave the last six inches or so of rail before the stop with a layer of rusty paint, which should insulate it all too.

 

[Pencarrow]

l´ll bare that in mind. I was going to leave the last six inches or so of rail before the stop with a layer of rusty paint, which should insulate it all too.

Would it be safer to substitute some plastic rod for the brass rod? You will end up with wagon buffers pressed against the wooden beam which will mean that the wagon wheels will be on the buffer track.

 

[Alan]

Peter, I was wondering how easy will it be to fiddle in the fiddle yard when you have to lean across the station throat, I suppose it depends how high the layout is. The lower the easier to fiddle.

 

[Peter Cross]

Would it be safer to substitute some plastic rod for the brass rod? You will end up with wagon buffers pressed against the wooden beam which will mean that the wagon wheels will be on the buffer track.

I don't think it will matter Chris, Slater's wheels are insulated and the rail is insulated from the powered track. As mentioned it's when the wheels cross the gap the problems can occur. The gaps in the rail I will stagger by a mill or so, which will mean the wheels will never bridge both at the same time. A coat of acrylic paint on top of the last few inches will also help.

 

[Peter Cross]

Peter, I was wondering how easy will it be to fiddle in the fiddle yard when you have to lean across the station throat, I suppose it depends how high the layout is. The lower the easier to fiddle.

Alan
The layout is quite high. So reaching will be a little fiddly. I'm starting with 3 link, but may try automatic ones later. I think it will be mostly coupling up done in the yard, as the sidings are all push in, I can uncouple on the sector plate before pushing to the appropriate siding. Coaches in the main platform are going to be the most awkward to do. But, I'm hoping not many are going to be corridor stock.

 

[Peter Cross]

Sorry for lack of progress reports as there has been none, in fact no modelling has been done last July. The good news is that modelling may commence again soon, but the layout will probably have to be dismantled.
This is not what I really want, but needs must, the good news is we may be moving back to the UK, hence the layout situation, I can't see anyone wanting to rent our house wanting a 1930's Southern based layout in their list of priorities.
No idea when all this is likely to happen, just need the wife's working from home officially granting, to start official planning. Hoping a change of scenery will help the better half get over the lose of her younger sister to C.

 

[adrian]

Sorry for lack of progress reports as there has been none, in fact no modelling has been done last July.

No apology necessary - we've all been there to one extent or another over the last couple of years. Just glad to hear from you again, check in again when you are ready.

 

[NHY 581]

Good to see you posting Peter but saddened to see your update regarding your wife's sister.
I don't envy the task ahead as the logistics involved must be quite daunting.
Pop in when you need a break from it all.

Rob.