... give me some advice as to which timbers should be left as two separate ones, and which one I should start combining the two into one and pushing/rotating? Any advice would be appreciated. This picture is the left hand side of the crossing. Rich Attachment: attach_2390_2986_IMG_4951.jpg 534 posted: 23 Feb 2017 12:50 from: RK And this one is the right hand side of the crossing, i.e. in reality sits ABOVE the previous picture Attachment: attach_2391_2986_IMG_4953.jpg 489 posted: 24 Feb 2017 03:03 from: DerekStuart Hello Rich Firstly, timbers under crossings and switches must remain in their original place as they have special chairs that are location specific. Likewise at rail joints the timbers cannot be moved too far apart (stress on rail) or too close (must leave space for the fishplate). Also your chosen location/ railway operator and era will make a big difference to timbering, for example as I understand it the GWR used longer timbers right across the 4ft,6ft,4ft between the opposing A timbers whereas the (L ...

... topic: 3786 Accuracy of OS maps posted: 30 Sep 2020 16:51 from: DerekStuart Hello all Following on from Martin's excellent 'live video' tutorial, I revisited importing maps, just to see if this would solve my problem, which it didn't. I wonder how accurate OS maps really are. I know from photos what the geometry of all the main components of a tandem/ crossover are, but these just will not fit into the space on the OS map, which shows just 6ft between the lines. The OS maps also variably show either a type 2 tandem or series of turnouts or omit them altogether. Noting Martin's comments from the video, in this case I know the switch markers are not accurate. Photos suggest that the spacing is greater than 6ft and I wonder if the cartographer assigned to this area got bored or just assumed this would be 6ft as per the rest. There are already discrepancies in the OS maps between early and late 1920s. Would any kind soul have a look at this photo please and give an ...

... made Templot open-source, in the hope that someone a bit younger might come along to move Templot forward, including perhaps all the modern flat-bottom designs. But so far interest has been minimal -- it's still all down to me. As I said, I don't think you should hold your breath. Unless of course someone somewhere is beavering away on a "son of Templot" program unknown to me? We can only hope. cheers, Martin. posted: 30 Dec 2018 14:07 from: DerekStuart Martin, Just a quick OT if I may. 1. Happy Birthday for your 70th (you said you were 70 this year but not when). 2. Please don't mistake lack of ability with lack of interest, re open source Templot. I've done a bit of programming before, but what you've done is well above most of us. 3. Best wishes for 2019. Derek Last edited on 30 Dec 2018 14:08 by DerekStuart posted: 30 Dec 2018 20:01 from: Andrew Barrowman madscientist ...

... topic: 3766 Checkrail on the outside of a curve posted: 12 Sep 2020 21:50 from: DerekStuart Hello all In this picture from the late David Hey's collection (originally Yorkshire Post) there's an example of a left hand curve (quite tight- maybe 5 chains or so) and it has a checkrail, but on the outside of the curve. It is on the lead up to a diamond crossing which is estimated to be 1:2 or 1:3, but it's well clear of the diamond's own check rails. Also it might be just a trick of the angle, but it looks instead of being flared horizontally, it has been 'ramped' downwards. It could be a derailer, but on the other side of the diamond there are already trap/ catches... and there's no obvious link to this rail. Any ideas? Answers on a postcard. No prizes, except being called a clever person. Derek It might help if I add the link... http://davidheyscollection-static.myshopblocks.com ...

... and lengths remain unchanged. To get this right, it's a good idea to print a rails-only copy of the template on tracing paper, and lay it on top of the rails during construction to check the alignments. regards, Martin. posted: 13 Nov 2008 14:22 from: Martin Wynne Another picture kindly supplied by Mick Nicholson, showing the "set" bend on an LNER switch: switch_set_1983.jpg A full view of the same switch: switch2_1983.jpg Martin. posted: 7 Aug 2015 21:26 from: DerekStuart "You will soon discover the importance of checking the rail against the template before starting to fix it down." Isn't that the truth! My first P4 turnout has been completed (aside from cosmetics) and it is very hit or miss when straight is selected. I had read this page before and wish I'd read it again before starting. In this method of construction, is it better to add the common crossing after the stock rails (or at least the straight one)? I know opinion is divided on ...

... hundreds of places. That was originally called a "keep" in my own version and still is in most of the program code. For example the storage box was the "keeps box". I was persuaded to change it by Brian Lewis, then of C&L, who said it sounded childish. But I have always regretted changing it -- too late now, that was 20 years ago. *recently all deleted by Yahoo. cheers, Martin. posted: 29 Sep 2020 16:54 from: DerekStuart Jerry, Here's my advice. Put a few pieces of track down, press every combination of buttons and menus and see what it does. When you want it to do that again, you know what to do. I have been using Templot for several years now and even then I get stuck on something or find some new feature or new way of doing things. What stumped me (and I think most) at first is the growing expectation of everything being set out with "Microsoft style" menus. Good ...

... topic: 2627 Maximum cant at slow speed (with cinder ballasted track) posted: 7 Feb 2015 18:33 from: DerekStuart Another one of my obscure questions... I have built a test/ photo plank. It has a 10 chain curve with checkrail. To make it fit in the required space it doesn't have a transition zone- but it's for photos/test not running. I have checked a cant/speed table that was pointed out to me by a resident of this good parish (though I cannot recall who-sorry) and a 10 chain with 5.5 inch cant gives a speed limit of 30MPH. However, it has been suggested to me that this table would only apply to stone ballasted track and that on a cinder/ash ballast, as I intended it to be, the cant and thus speed would be much lower. Would anyone care to tell me if that's the case? Thanks Derek EDIT: Perhaps the title should be "maximum cant on a slow speed line with cinder ballast" but I ...

... topic: 2904 "solderless" common crossings posted: 23 Jul 2016 21:17 from: DerekStuart Sorry- another question. I'm really not trying to hijack the forum. I have asked this question of a few people to get a broad range of opinions and can think of no better place to ask than here where the experts gather. Solderless common crossings: Good idea or bad idea? As there are so many different methods, I mean making the vee as normal- bend, file, bend, solder as described by Martin and others throughout the internet (preferably with a bend from vertical to inclined rail- easy after practice). Then the wing rails are added using functional chairs- on the A timber a cut down check rail chair can be used and then these are secured using glue or solvent as normal. I have been warned against this for reasons of longevity. But I have tried alternately baking and freezing a turnout for several days and no sign of deformation or breaking. I have dropped it from a reasonable height etc ...

... topic: 3369 Diesel exhaust notes posted: 30 Dec 2018 14:13 from: DerekStuart Hi all Knowing there are some damned clever chaps on this forum, I wonder if anyone can answer this question from a technical perspective. When a diesel engine changes speed, especially when the change is sudden, there is a distinctive sound- The HST's Valenta being probably the best example I can think of, but it also affects the smaller road diesels I work on. What is actually happening to cause this sound? The best I can think of is that this is the 'natural' engine sound before it is drowned out by the turbo (that works on the large Valenta but doesn't explain the 4l-8l I work on, where the turbo is quieter). I did ask once in 'the other place' but all I had by way of answer was the question repeated back to me... Best wishes for 2019 everyone. Derek posted: 3 Jan 2019 19:56 from: Rob Manchester Hi Derek, Happy New Year. Can ...

... topic: 2780 NER interlaced turnouts posted: 9 Nov 2015 14:44 from: DerekStuart A little while back someone was asking about NER interlaced turnouts and noted that there aren't many pictures of them and the only NERA diagram is a 1:10. The following are from Battersby (Junction!) on the Esk Valley Line. None of these photos are mine so I just link the URL. As far as I am aware these lasted until at least 1989, possibly longer. Not bad for turnouts that would have been built 70 years earlier. Although it is possible that these are replacements for earlier turnouts and it was found less paperwork to replace like for like rather than get a newer design authorised. http://www.sixbellsjunction.co.uk/80s/840512dp.htm Battersby run around loop at the Picton End; about to be traversed by a blue Brush 4. About half way down the page. EDIT: Note also that it has original 4 hole chairs, rather than the 3 hole later used by LNER/REA/BR designs. http: ...