Building Yeovil Pen Mill in EM.

[Andrew Duncan]

Here is a bit more progress. The south end of this board, and the marshaling yard connection across the down main line to up main gradually taking shape with the stock rails going in

And then with the stock rails installed and the newly filed switches lying between the rail awaiting their turn. The near end rails arent soldered to the paxolin sleeper yet, as I need to match them to rails on the next board, so that'll come a little later.

Hope to do another update over the weekend...

Andrew

 

[Rob Manchester]

Hello Andrew,
Thanks for the update - looks great. You can never have too many track gauges A brave man indeed with a turnout spanning a board join although at least it isn't going to be put together and taken down on a regular basis.

Have you subscribed to Jim's method of using a syringe for applying the chair solvent ? I must try it when I get onto some track laying.

Rob

 

[Andrew Duncan]

Hello Rob
It may look like I've got it across the baseboard join but in fact, it just nudges it. No, I don't apply solvent with a syringe but with a small brush....never thought of using a syringe. Funnily enough, David Brandreth (Scalefour Soc and ex Missenden organiser) uses a syringe for liquid flux and manages to get out the tiniest amounts, something that I've so far failed to master. But if I could, maybe dispensing the smelly stuff in that manner would reduce the fumes?

I do use a syringe for the Powerflux however, which I feel is invaluable to helping to keep the green mold at bay as I end up using minute amounts. That along with modest amounts of meths to wash up with afterwards, seem to do the trick.

And yes a man can never have too many track gauges, can't believe that I still sometimes seem to run out. I do wish someone made a Mint Gauge in EM. Dave Doe's black one is very similar(there's one in one the photos) but I don't think the EM Gauge Soc do it anymore. I've found using his 00 sets very good, the three point gauge was very cleverly designed to take different width rail heads.

Kind regards
Andrew

 

[Rob Manchester]

Hello Rob
It may look like I've got it across the baseboard join but in fact, it just nudges it. No, I don't apply solvent with a syringe but with a small brush....never thought of using a syringe. Funnily enough, David Brandreth (Scalefour Soc and ex Missenden organiser) uses a syringe for liquid flux and manages to get out the tiniest amounts, something that I've so far failed to master. But if I could, maybe dispensing the smelly stuff in that manner would reduce the fumes?

I do use a syringe for the Powerflux however, which I feel is invaluable to helping to keep the green mold at bay as I end up using minute amounts. That along with modest amounts of meths to wash up with afterwards, seem to do the trick.

And yes a man can never have too many track gauges, can't believe that I still sometimes seem to run out. I do wish someone made a Mint Gauge in EM. Dave Doe's black one is very similar(there's one in one the photos) but I don't think the EM Gauge Soc do it anymore. I've found using his 00 sets very good, the three point gauge was very cleverly designed to take different width rail heads.

Kind regards
Andrew

Hello Andrew,
Using a syringe means that not only do you get more control over the application of the solvent/flux/etc but it also means that you haven't got a bottle with the lid off wafting it's fumes over the workspace. Knocking a syringe over isn't easily done either, unlike bottles

EMGS list these, and both in stock :-

Mint gauge

Block gauge

Rob

 

[Andrew Duncan]

Hello Rob
Well, that's a surprise (the Mint Gauge) I've just ordered one, so thanks very much for pointing it out. I thought I'd read somewhere that they were only available in P4 and maybe 7mm...? obviously not. As to the syringe idea what I found was that with a thin liquid like flux I found it went everywhere. I asked David about it and he suggested that I practice holding the syringe in a different manner than the usual combination of thumb and index and middle fingers. Admittedly I've not yet tried...

As to the three-point gauge, the clever thing about that was having the outer side of the pins that gripped the rail, chamfered off at an angle so that varying rail head widths could be accommodated. And it didn't try to hold the rail upright, which I expect you know, can be a nuisance when using plastic chairs that hold the rail at an angle. Tends to create under gauge track!

Thanks again
Andrew

 

[Hayfield]

Andrew

A couple of things, the latest C&L roller gauges have slots large enough to allow for the head rotation required for plastic chairs to fit at the correct angle(I think in the mist of time of various owners this requirement was forgotten about either with the slots cut too deep and or too narrow. Also a new rail die is in use for a better quality of rail profile

Second what does a mint gauge do differently to a DD Wheelrights (black) block gauge, plus why does the P4 version have a clip which can be screwed tight do , that the EM gauge version is missing (mine has a hole at one end, where as the P4 one is in the centre)



Thanks

 

[Andrew Duncan]

Andrew

A couple of things, the latest C&L roller gauges have slots large enough to allow for the head rotation required for plastic chairs to fit at the correct angle(I think in the mist of time of various owners this requirement was forgotten about either with the slots cut too deep and or too narrow. Also a new rail die is in use for a better quality of rail profile

Second what does a mint gauge do differently to a DD Wheelrights (black) block gauge, plus why does the P4 version have a clip which can be screwed tight do , that the EM gauge version is missing (mine has a hole at one end, where as the P4 one is in the centre)



Thanks

Hello John
Thanks for the reminder about the latest C&L ones which I'd forgotten all about. In fact, I think it was probably you who brought to our attention a year or so ago on this forum if I now remember correctly! As to the gauges, Mint versus Dave Doe's then I don't think they do anything different fundamentally except perhaps the presumably the extra weight of the brass(?) Mint gauge wouldn't do any harm.

When you ask about the clip which gauge are you referring to?
Kind regards
Andrew

 

[Hayfield]

I have both an EM gauge as shown in the stores, which is a weighty chunk. My P4 version is much thinner, fits between the rail and has a moveable clip

 

[Andrew Duncan]

I have both an EM gauge as shown in the stores, which is a weighty chunk. My P4 version is much thinner, fits between the rail and has a moveable clip

Hello John
Yes, its odd that the P4 one has a clip and EM not. Do you find the P4 one a useful addition...I'd thought quite possibly so?
Andrew

 

[Hayfield]

Andrew

Its not quite the same as it fits between the rails, unlike either the EM mint, gauge or DJ Wheelwrights black gauge. I would only use it for soldered work, as it clamps to the rail at 90 degrees, so may cause gauge narrowing with plastic chairs

I have been using the new C&L chairs recently including the J chairs, no good for GWE as the 3 bolt J chair was in BR(W) era, their functional fishplates are smaller than the Exactoscale ones

 

[Andrew Duncan]

Andrew

Its not quite the same as it fits between the rails, unlike either the EM mint, gauge or DJ Wheelwrights black gauge. I would only use it for soldered work, as it clamps to the rail at 90 degrees, so may cause gauge narrowing with plastic chairs

Ah yes of course I had thought that one through, but I see what you mean.
Thanks John
Andrew

 

[Andrew Duncan]

and a little more progress...
The switches are now all in on the three remaining turnouts on this board.

And here is one of the tie bars under construction, over length at present, this is 3mm wide copper / fiberglass laminate, presumably not called copper paxolin...? suitably gapped twice per side to be on the safe side which seems to give a nice flexible / adjustable result. and one further refinement, I've rounded the top edge to prevent any likelihood of shorting out against the underside of the stock rail. Not sure it was necessary but I did it anyway.

Food and a glass of Claret are calling so I'd better go...
Andrew

 

[AndyB]

Claret? Look at those things sprouting out of your finger. I'd go for the Lagavulin

I could be wrong but I suspect Martin will be along presently to point out that inclined rails at our model scales are a load of cobulars, although I'm sure he will be a bit more polite

 

[Andrew Duncan]

Hello Andy
Good to see you in fine form, but no, spirits don't seem to agree with me the same way a very average French Bordeaux does and of course one can drink far more Claret than Lagavulin (I suspect, I've never tried that particular malt) and remain sober! Didn't know single malts were up to hair removal though....interesting. Better warn Rob, as he doesn't even take the precaution of drinking his whisky out of a Riedel glass, still uses Ravenhead....aaaaagh!

I dont know if you are correct in your assertion but it is a real pain having to subtly bend the closure and wing rails at the knuckle to get them lying flat and not putting a strain on the whole assembly (as without it, the wing rails try to spring back up!). I'll whisper this quietly, but I'd happily do without the incline to ease turnout construction.

Knowing human nature, or at least mine, I expect we'd be bemoaning the fact that, when he had the opportunity, Len Newman hadn't put it in, if he hadn't!!

Andrew

 

[Rob Manchester]

Hello Andy
Good to see you in fine form, but no, spirits don't seem to agree with me the same way a very average French Bordeaux does and of course one can drink far more Claret than Lagavulin (I suspect, I've never tried that particular malt) and remain sober! Didn't know single malts were up to hair removal though....interesting. Better warn Rob, as he doesn't even take the precaution of drinking his whisky out of a Riedel glass, still uses Ravenhead....aaaaagh!

I dont know if you are correct in your assertion but it is a real pain having to subtly bend the closure and wing rails at the knuckle to get them lying flat and not putting a strain on the whole assembly (as without it, the wing rails try yo spring back up!). I'll whisper this quietly, but I'd happily do without the incline to ease turnout construction.

Knowing human nature, or at least mine, I expect we'd be bemoaning the fact that, when he had the opportunity, Len Newman hadn't put it in, if he hadn't!!

Andrew

Hello Andrew,
Having got my Covid jab on Saturday I am glad I had some decent scotch to hand - it seems to have done the trick, my shakes have ceased and I can climb up the stairs without having to stop halfway I would have had it straight from the bottle if there hadn't been a tea cup handy.

Still at least I should be a little safer now. Nobody should refuse a vaccination on my experience though.

Rob

 

[Martin Wynne]

Still at least I should be a little safer now. Nobody should refuse a vaccination on my experience though.

Hi Rob,

Had mine today. So far no reaction, but I have a boiled egg ready if needed.

Strangely it was Pfizer, despite everyone else here in my age group getting Oxford-Astra. No explanation offered. I did notice that everyone else getting theirs today seemed younger than me. Perhaps that's the reason.

I did shoot the TV with my popgun when Boris said at the weekend that everyone over 70 had already been done. I'm 72.

cheers,

Martin.

 

[Rob Manchester]

Hi Rob,

Had mine today. So far no reaction, but I have a boiled egg ready if needed.

Strangely it was Pfizer, despite everyone else here in my age group getting Oxford-Astra. No explanation offered. I did notice that everyone else getting theirs today seemed younger than me. Perhaps that's the reason.

I did shoot the TV with my popgun when Boris said at the weekend that everyone over 70 had already been done. I'm 72.

cheers,

Martin.

Hi Martin,
My wife got the call last friday ( she is 64 ) and when I took her to be vaccinated they had spare doses so I got one too( age 60 ) - we both had the Oxford one. I still have the sore arm but the crazy shakes that started about 10 hours after the jab and the totally knackered feeling that came on soon afterwards have gone. I never had any reaction to the flu jab in recent years.

Eat the egg and ignore Boris - maybe you would rather live in Wales or Scotland and put up with their leaders ?

Seeing as you seem partial to the eggs you can make a hearty meal using them with quinoa and turkey - all 3 foods offer nutritionally complete and easy to digest amino acids.

Rob

 

[AndyB]

. I'll whisper this quietly, but I'd happily do without the incline to ease turnout construction.

Nobody will know if you don't tell them

 

[AndyB]

We both had our first shots about a week ago. Just some minor effects.

Going slightly tangential (as is usual for me) here is my conical, or possibly comical, incline thingamajig. It rolls along straight track or gentle curves without falling off. It sways gently from side to side as it goes. It's also quite good for detecting gradients where there should be none

(Keen observers will note that it is sitting on SMP MK1 bullhead track. Not terribly convincing these days but a big improvement at the time.)

Apologies for the interruption Andrew. Please carry on.

 

[Hayfield]

Just to join the jab/wine fray, the wife and I had our jabs on Thursday, we both had sore arms, mine only lasting a day or so Carol's a bit longer, she also felt very tired the following day, I guess in one way a mild reaction is good as the body is reacting to the vaccine

As for the wine/scotch debate I like a good blend of whiskey with a tiny drop of water, dislike the very peaty singles. As for wine for a few years I have enjoyed Chiroubles (Beaujolais) Georges Duboeuf being a good example, what I call a Sunday lunch wine as its not too heave. Morrisons do a very good Beaujolais Villages as a replacement. Sunday I had a very nice white Burgundy with our lamb

Something I am working on using code 83 flatbottom and Pandrol fixings (yes I have the correct rail now)

 

[Andrew Duncan]

Hello Andrew,
Having got my Covid jab on Saturday I am glad I had some decent scotch to hand - it seems to have done the trick, my shakes have ceased and I can climb up the stairs without having to stop halfway I would have had it straight from the bottle if there hadn't been a tea cup handy.

Still at least I should be a little safer now. Nobody should refuse a vaccination on my experience though.

Rob

Well Rob if your taking it as medicine then that's one thing,,but if you want to taste it you need Riedel. No argument!!

 

[Andrew Duncan]

Nobody will know if you don't tell them

just yours and my secret then?

 

[Keith Armes]

Hi Martin,
My wife got the call last friday ( she is 64 ) and when I took her to be vaccinated they had spare doses so I got one too( age 60 ) - we both had the Oxford one. I still have the sore arm but the crazy shakes that started about 10 hours after the jab and the totally knackered feeling that came on soon afterwards have gone. I never had any reaction to the flu jab in recent years.

Eat the egg and ignore Boris - maybe you would rather live in Wales or Scotland and put up with their leaders ?

Seeing as you seem partial to the eggs you can make a hearty meal using them with quinoa and turkey - all 3 foods offer nutritionally complete and easy to digest amino acids.

Rob

This discussion is making me feel very old at 78, but I have had my jab!
Keith

 

[Rob Manchester]

Just to join the jab/wine fray, the wife and I had our jabs on Thursday, we both had sore arms, mine only lasting a day or so Carol's a bit longer, she also felt very tired the following day, I guess in one way a mild reaction is good as the body is reacting to the vaccine

As for the wine/scotch debate I like a good blend of whiskey with a tiny drop of water, dislike the very peaty singles. As for wine for a few years I have enjoyed Chiroubles (Beaujolais) Georges Duboeuf being a good example, what I call a Sunday lunch wine as its not too heave. Morrisons do a very good Beaujolais Villages as a replacement. Sunday I had a very nice white Burgundy with our lamb

Something I am working on using code 83 flatbottom and Pandrol fixings (yes I have the correct rail now)

View attachment 303

Hi John,
I am interested to see how you get on ( with the track not the whisky and wine ) - why don't you start a new topic and post some pics as you go. What gauge is it - will be interested to see you tackle to chairing(?) of the common crossing and check rail areas.

Put a handle on the tang of that file too before it bites you - even if it doesn't look that sharp

Rob

 

[Hayfield]

Guinea Pig Tester

Done, but not up to Andrews standards

 

[Andrew Duncan]

Guinea Pig Tester

Done, but not up to Andrews standards

Hello John
Not up to my standards? You’re the one who worries if you’re putting the right type of chair in a particular location. I’m please if I remember to shove half a slide chair to support the knuckle!
kind regards
Andrew

 

[Hayfield]

What's accompanying your Sunday lunch this week, we have Pork so I thought I would try an Alsace Pino Gris for a change (been watching too much Rick Stein in France lately)

 

[Andrew Duncan]

John
I'm a bit of an unimaginative wine drinker. My go to wines are red Bordeauxs and if drinking before a meal then it's either Sauvignon Blanc for a light refreshing drink not unlike Pinot Grigio but more acidic, or at the other end of the spectrum an oaked Chardonnay(the one the ABC people love to scoff at ...shame) but I don't think I've tried Pino Gris which I understand is related Pinot Grigio, but somewhat more complex, so I'd be interested to hear how it goes down.

Andrew

 

[Martin Wynne]

To grab a quick screenshot, it's one of these! The red rails are the loose heel blades which are simply moved to the appropriate exit track.

Hi Paul,

How are you working the stub switch?

While working on the archive for the old forum I found this idea for working 3-way stub switches:

Looks as if it might work.

But no good for more than 3 ways without additional cranks and levers.

cheers,

Martin.

 

[Paul Boyd]

Hi Paul,

How are you working the stub switch?

While working on the archive for the old forum I found this idea for working 3-way stub switches:

Looks as if it might work.

But no good for more than 3 ways without additional cranks and levers.

cheers,

Martin.

Hi Martin

The original plan was to use something along those lines, and that's what I did on a previous 3-way stub point, but as I'm using CBUS with Universal software there's a mode that allows a servo to have up to four positions so that appealed. Then reality hit - can I really make a mechanism that can accurately position the blades in the centre position every time, over time, regardless of which direction they're moving from? How accurate are the servos? I know that a bigger movement would give more "resolution".

So - back to plan A, more or less as shown above. There are far fewer pivots that need to be slop-free - the cross-bar centre pivot and the dropper wires into the "slider", as it's called above. Using Universal firmware still allows me to just press a button for the required exit so I don't have to think about operating each servo separately. Much as I'd love to build a 5-way stub point just for fun, they weren't exactly commonplace on UK narrow gauge! Then again, I suppose my 3-way wouldn't have been that common either, but there was one at Porthmadog, now installed in Minffordd, so that'll do me!

Cheers,
Paul

 

[Hayfield]

John
I'm a bit of an unimaginative wine drinker. My go to wines are red Bordeauxs and if drinking before a meal then it's either Sauvignon Blanc for a light refreshing drink not unlike Pinot Grigio but more acidic, or at the other end of the spectrum an oaked Chardonnay(the one the ABC people love to scoff at ...shame) but I don't think I've tried Pino Gris which I understand is related Pinot Grigio, but somewhat more complex, so I'd be interested to hear how it goes down.

Andrew

Andrew

I forgot to reply, the Pino Gris was very nice. I followed it up a week later with an Alsace which was not to my taste (nothing wrong with the wine). Moved on to Italy last week with a Gavi. As we have beef this Sunday back to red Beaujolais Villages, but I restocked my white wine with another Italian wine, a Falanghina, from the Naples region. But as we have beef this week it will have to wait

I am no wine expert and whilst these are not dirt cheap wines, all are quite inexpensive, I just like having a change with the whites, perhaps I should be more adventurous with the reds !!

 

[John S]

Hayfield said,

"I am no wine expert and whilst these are not dirt cheap wines, all are quite inexpensive, I just like having a change with the whites, perhaps I should be more adventurous with the reds !!"

If you can find them in your neck of the woods I suggest you try a Côtes de Blaye, my favourite amongst the local producers is Domaine de Cassard, but I doubt that you'll find them other than direct purchase. Côtes de Blaye is as good, and often better, than the more well known and more expensive Bordeaux wines.

John S from 33820 St Ciers sur Gironde

 

[AndyB]

I confess. When it comes to wines I am probably a Philistine (if it's still PC to say that).

My red comes in a box . Bota Box "Nighthalk Black" to be precise, and jolly good it is too. (TBH I was drinking red wine in France when I was ten years old. In today's terms Mum and Dad were quite liberal.)

Seriously, boxed wines might not look so attractive but they have the distinct advantage of keeping fresh for a long time after they are opened.

 

[Hayfield]

I confess. When it comes to wines I am probably a Philistine (if it's still PC to say that).

My red comes in a box . Bota Box "Nighthalk Black" to be precise, and jolly good it is too. (TBH I was drinking red wine in France when I was ten years old. In today's terms Mum and Dad were quite liberal.)

Seriously, boxed wines might not look so attractive but they have the distinct advantage of keeping fresh for a long time after they are opened.

I have drunk from and brought wine (and cider) in boxes and its fine. Unless we have a dinner party all we do is have a glass of wine with our main meal, my wife stretches her bottle (Rose) over 5 nights, my bottle lasts about 4 nights.

When I was working a bottle may have lasted 2 or 3 weeks, longer after dinner parties if I had white, red and rose opened. For years we have used these vac pumps
https://www.procook.co.uk/product/p...5_lkemAzk4kq11oAq7th_g1FmOuNrHh4aAhQnEALw_wcB (ours is years old and white)

In fact red wine tastes better the next day as the wine had time to breath. We have had bottles last 3 weeks or more in the past as the air is removed from the bottle and the wine goes back into a dormant stage

 

[Andrew Duncan]

Andrew

I forgot to reply, the Pino Gris was very nice. I followed it up a week later with an Alsace which was not to my taste (nothing wrong with the wine). Moved on to Italy last week with a Gavi. As we have beef this Sunday back to red Beaujolais Villages, but I restocked my white wine with another Italian wine, a Falanghina, from the Naples region. But as we have beef this week it will have to wait

I am no wine expert and whilst these are not dirt cheap wines, all are quite inexpensive, I just like having a change with the whites, perhaps I should be more adventurous with the reds !!

Hello John
I see your organisation and attention to detail goes way outside just your choice of "chair" to knowing what you're going to have for Sunday lunch, on a Wednesday, I find impressive!. You further impress me with your wanderings around Europe seeking out interesting new wines. If you're feeling like it perhaps you'll let me/us know how the Falanghina went down.
Kind regards
Andrew

 

[Andrew Duncan]

Hayfield said,

"I am no wine expert and whilst these are not dirt cheap wines, all are quite inexpensive, I just like having a change with the whites, perhaps I should be more adventurous with the reds !!"

If you can find them in your neck of the woods I suggest you try a Côtes de Blaye, my favourite amongst the local producers is Domaine de Cassard, but I doubt that you'll find them other than direct purchase. Côtes de Blaye is as good, and often better, than the more well known and more expensive Bordeaux wines.

John S from 33820 St Ciers sur Gironde

Thanks for your suggestion John, I'll give it a go when I'm next wine shopping.
Kind regards
Andrew

 

[Andrew Duncan]

Hello Everyone
A little more progress, with the turnouts on board no 6, the northernmost board, and last baseboard to be completed for Yeovil. The switches are in now, along with the check rails and most of the cosmetic chairs that hide soldered joints etc. Photo taken from the southern end, looking north to the exit that leads to the fiddleyard.

And here's a similar view taken about the same time but from the extreme northern end looking south towards the station itself. On the right is a double slip I built on a curve, but without moving K crossings (possible mistake there!) that I've a feeling may give me trouble in the long run. Rather more happily a little further away and on the main down line, in the photo is the single slip that does have moving K crossings and that I have rather more confidence in.

And lastly here's some of the infill plain track that's either pinned in place temporarily or just laid in place. The idea is to spray all the track with Halfords grey primer, then attack it with my airbrush, a little. Then if I'm feeling motivated enough ballast the pointwork. Then remove each piece of infill track one at a time and re-lay in a bed of glue and ballast at the same time.

That's it for tonight I think. Maybe time for a wee tipple before beddy byes...?
Kind regards
Andrew

 

[Hayfield]

Hello John
I see your organisation and attention to detail goes way outside just your choice of "chair" to knowing what you're going to have for Sunday lunch, on a Wednesday, I find impressive!. You further impress me with your wanderings around Europe seeking out interesting new wines. If you're feeling like it perhaps you'll let me/us know how the Falanghina went down.
Kind regards
Andrew

We try and shop once a week, I am mainly there as a labourer. We have always thought Morrisons have the best meat of the supermarkets, and when we moved Morrisons was our nearest shop. This week we got a super bit of beef (it was on offer). Quite often we get 3 meals from a joint. I go off and wander the wine and coffee isles, like all supermarkets they have their own range and I like trying their "The Best" range. I prefer to drink less but slightly better these days. Rather than 2 for a tenner spend £7 or £8 on a bottle, for some you might have to spend a tenner. But its so much better. Old world wines seem to me to be better

We went to a wine tasting at a vineyard in Deadham (well worth it) and a similar one in Italy (lake Garda) where they tell you lots about wine, but they open up your eyes to try something different. I must have a look at other reds, but I do like the less full bodied red wines.

The Falanghina will have to wait a week, we love going to Italy and drinking their wines, now there is much more selection available in our shops

 

[Hayfield]

Hello Everyone
A little more progress, with the turnouts on board no 6, the northernmost board, and last baseboard to be completed for Yeovil. The switches are in now, along with the check rails and most of the cosmetic chairs that hide soldered joints etc. Photo taken from the southern end, looking north to the exit that leads to the fiddleyard.

View attachment 508


And here's a similar view taken about the same time but from the extreme northern end looking south towards the station itself. On the right is a double slip I built on a curve, but without moving K crossings (possible mistake there!) that I've a feeling may give me trouble in the long run. Rather more happily a little further away and on the main down line, in the photo is the single slip that does have moving K crossings and that I have rather more confidence in.

View attachment 509


And lastly here's some of the infill plain track that's either pinned in place temporarily or just laid in place. The idea is to spray all the track with Halfords grey primer, then attack it with my airbrush, a little. Then if I'm feeling motivated enough ballast the pointwork. Then remove each piece of infill track one at a time and re-lay in a bed of glue and ballast at the same time.

View attachment 510

That's it for tonight I think. Maybe time for a wee tipple before beddy byes...?
Kind regards
Andrew

Andrew a stunning piece of track building, larger turnouts and crossings do have an air of spender about them. I currently have a facing crossing with a V8 and 12' heal, with hopefully the rail joints in the correct positions and 4 timber check rails

 

[Keith Armes]

Hello Everyone
A little more progress, with the turnouts on board no 6, the northernmost board, and last baseboard to be completed for Yeovil. The switches are in now, along with the check rails and most of the cosmetic chairs that hide soldered joints etc. Photo taken from the southern end, looking north to the exit that leads to the fiddleyard.

View attachment 508


And here's a similar view taken about the same time but from the extreme northern end looking south towards the station itself. On the right is a double slip I built on a curve, but without moving K crossings (possible mistake there!) that I've a feeling may give me trouble in the long run. Rather more happily a little further away and on the main down line, in the photo is the single slip that does have moving K crossings and that I have rather more confidence in.

View attachment 509


And lastly here's some of the infill plain track that's either pinned in place temporarily or just laid in place. The idea is to spray all the track with Halfords grey primer, then attack it with my airbrush, a little. Then if I'm feeling motivated enough ballast the pointwork. Then remove each piece of infill track one at a time and re-lay in a bed of glue and ballast at the same time.

View attachment 510

That's it for tonight I think. Maybe time for a wee tipple before beddy byes...?
Kind regards
Andrew

That looks lovely, Andrew. I hope you get away with your fixed, curved K crossings.

Many years ago I built a curved 2FS fixed diamond at 1:8 for a customer, When it came to be used recently, he spent hours trying to make everything work. Pushing short wheelbase wagons proved its downfall. Every time he went bed with it working OK, he woke up to find it had gone back to derailing the wagons. In the end I built him a replacement at 1:7. Perhaps the short wheelbase wagons could crab more than the other vehicles, we don't know.

Incidentally, the 2FS standards are the same proportions as EM, except the flange depth is proportionally greater at 0.5mm, instead of 0.35mm.

Keith