Herb Garden
Western Thunderer
Slewing of the track over to align with FY now very much in progress.
The Chronicles of Canary Sidings - the Tale of an Untidy Workbench
- Thread starter Herb Garden
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- 4mm scale em gauge ger pre-grouping
Slewing of the track over to align with FY now very much in progress.
Herb Garden
Western Thunderer
So it's been awhile family get togethers, my other half being ill and the band playing has meant progress has been very slow.
This is a problem as the layout needs to be in a presentable state at workshop wise which in 3 days time!!!
I've taken the next 3 days off work and @Liver & Fry arrives tomorrow to help but even then it is going to be a mad dash to the deadline..... Ahhhhhhh
So what has happened since the last post? Well I've been focused on the fiddle yard.
Underneath the junction box has been installed and feeds secured to the brackets that interface with the cassettes
Topside the brackets mount the banana plug sockets that connect to the cassette
Admittedly they are quite a tight fit and needs some encouragement to come out. But it works for now. Just need to connect those green wires up today.
The track alignment is now fixed but there is so so so much to do to have it in a working state please do keep me in your thoughts and pray to the electronic gods no problems arise!
This is a problem as the layout needs to be in a presentable state at workshop wise which in 3 days time!!!
I've taken the next 3 days off work and @Liver & Fry arrives tomorrow to help but even then it is going to be a mad dash to the deadline..... Ahhhhhhh
So what has happened since the last post? Well I've been focused on the fiddle yard.
Underneath the junction box has been installed and feeds secured to the brackets that interface with the cassettes
Topside the brackets mount the banana plug sockets that connect to the cassette
Admittedly they are quite a tight fit and needs some encouragement to come out. But it works for now. Just need to connect those green wires up today.
The track alignment is now fixed but there is so so so much to do to have it in a working state please do keep me in your thoughts and pray to the electronic gods no problems arise!
Dave Sutton
Active Member
Have a good day on Saturday, yet again something else has got in the way of attending. Apparently it's expected that the grandfather should attend the christening of the first grandchild. 
Herb Garden
Western Thunderer
Seriously Dave you need to get your priorities sorted lolHave a good day on Saturday, yet again something else has got in the way of attending. Apparently it's expected that the grandfather should attend the christening of the first grandchild.
Herb Garden
Western Thunderer
So after a days work we've made some progress. Not as much as I would have liked but enough to give me confidence that we might just make it.
On top of a series or repairs, tweaks and snags the following major activity has been completed
All the fiddle yard wiring is completed so that's a major item off the list.
The final 'design' project was how to link the point and signal wires to the servos. This is now solved and the ones on the station board are in place and the servo boards just need programming
Needs a bit of tidying up but the principal is sound just need to complete the work on the other board
On top of a series or repairs, tweaks and snags the following major activity has been completed
All the fiddle yard wiring is completed so that's a major item off the list.
The final 'design' project was how to link the point and signal wires to the servos. This is now solved and the ones on the station board are in place and the servo boards just need programming
Needs a bit of tidying up but the principal is sound just need to complete the work on the other board
James Spooner
Western Thunderer
All fascinating stuff George! I’m intrigued by the bellcranks; from the photo they seem to pop up out of the top of the baseboard. Are they going to be hidden by the platform or a building or similar? Also the photo doesn’t show how the wires then link up to the points so a bit of explanation there would be interesting.
cheers
Nigel
Herb Garden
Western Thunderer
In answer to your question Nigel
The wires run in tubes underneath the track. This was all laid in before the landform was built up.
You can see it better on the other board where I haven't yet got the das out.
Other progress this evening has been finally finishing the mains incommer on the power box thanks to the delivery of the correct fuses, bootlaces and cable gland
Testing has shown I've wired the 12v supply upside down so need to fix that before the box is ready...
So much still to do!
Herb Garden
Western Thunderer
So another day of tweaks and repairs but some success.
The control links for the mill board are now in.
And thanks to @Liver & Fry we have tested most of the system, found a couple of faults but we are well on the way to having it ready for its trip to stannington on Saturday
The control links for the mill board are now in.
And thanks to @Liver & Fry we have tested most of the system, found a couple of faults but we are well on the way to having it ready for its trip to stannington on Saturday
Herb Garden
Western Thunderer
It was the night before workshop wise and all round the house could be heard the screaming at autofrogs....
Yes folks we have made it through the intense modeling period
One success was the installation of Johns signal all that needed was some extra cranks adding to the bottom for the control wires
As we were running out of time to install the fabric backscene @Liver & Fry has made a paper one that will serve for the show. Although it holds no tone or texture it helps create the effect I'm looking for and you start to see the scene coming to life.
Unfortunately 3 major faults have been found. The first we can live without fixing as it only isolates the home running line from use and is no great loss at this stage. We believe this is a dodgy servo motor to blame.
The other two issues are around frog polarity. I will be up early tomorrow sorting the the one I understand but the other we have two gauge master autofrogs not switching correctly. I've swapped them out for spares but to no effect and yet some on the layout are working correctly. I'm hoping out group DCC guru will let me use him as a sounding board before the show tomorrow.
So there we have it. I'm exhausted and frustrated not to have got the thing sorted in time for the deadline but also I only have myself to blame in setting myself the task in the first place. Once the weekend is over I need to take the time to find the joy in the hobby again.... As right now I'm not feeling it.
Now to bed!
Yes folks we have made it through the intense modeling period
One success was the installation of Johns signal all that needed was some extra cranks adding to the bottom for the control wires
As we were running out of time to install the fabric backscene @Liver & Fry has made a paper one that will serve for the show. Although it holds no tone or texture it helps create the effect I'm looking for and you start to see the scene coming to life.
Unfortunately 3 major faults have been found. The first we can live without fixing as it only isolates the home running line from use and is no great loss at this stage. We believe this is a dodgy servo motor to blame.
The other two issues are around frog polarity. I will be up early tomorrow sorting the the one I understand but the other we have two gauge master autofrogs not switching correctly. I've swapped them out for spares but to no effect and yet some on the layout are working correctly. I'm hoping out group DCC guru will let me use him as a sounding board before the show tomorrow.
So there we have it. I'm exhausted and frustrated not to have got the thing sorted in time for the deadline but also I only have myself to blame in setting myself the task in the first place. Once the weekend is over I need to take the time to find the joy in the hobby again.... As right now I'm not feeling it.
Now to bed!
Osgood
Western Thunderer
I'm sure as long as something is moving around somewhere it'll be fine.
That backscene looks fine too - it kind of suggests represents fog or a sea haar
We ventured up to Holkham on a crystal clear sunny day in July, only to find the whole beach, and just the beach, totally fogged in - extraordinary.
It must take a bit of courage to exhibit an 'under construction' layout.
That backscene looks fine too - it kind of suggests represents fog or a sea haar
We ventured up to Holkham on a crystal clear sunny day in July, only to find the whole beach, and just the beach, totally fogged in - extraordinary.
It must take a bit of courage to exhibit an 'under construction' layout.
Herb Garden
Western Thunderer
Thanks Tony,
That's a really kind comment and one that gives a fair bit of encouragement which is sorely needed
Thanks
Chris Veitch
Western Thunderer
A hazard of living near the beach on the east coast. Up here (not very far from Workshop Wise) we’re used to summer days at about 13C with zero visibility when 200 yards inland they’re baking in 24C sunshine.I'm sure as long as something is moving around somewhere it'll be fine.
That backscene looks fine too - it kind of suggests represents fog or a sea haar
We ventured up to Holkham on a crystal clear sunny day in July, only to find the whole beach, and just the beach, totally fogged in - extraordinary.
It must take a bit of courage to exhibit an 'under construction' layout.
Very much looking forward to seeing the layout later today!
James Spooner
Western Thunderer
George,
I’ve just picked up on this, having spent yesterday travelling to Wales (again!) and today playing on the beach with grandchildren (as well as showing them some strange narrow gauge steam engines). I am impressed by your progress and personally couldn’t model to order or a deadline so I am doubly impressed! The photos look great and I look forward to you rediscovering your modelling mojo so we can enjoy the fully fledged Skeetsmere in all its glory!
cheers
Nigel
PS I hope it all went well today!
Chris Veitch
Western Thunderer
Good to see you and the layout and to meet @Liver & Fry at Workshop Wise today. I have to say the standard of running was really good and not what I'd expected after the last few pages of angst! I'm very much looking forward to seeing progress.
Herb Garden
Western Thunderer
Ok so an update on today
So last night the layout wasn't working although a brainwave in the pub last night gave me hope of how I might be able to get the layout running. I blame the draft mango and lime cider. Very nice btw.
Well I've been awake since 2:30am.... Up since 5.... The problem with being on the organising team for an event is you worry how it will be revived... Particularly as this year Im responsible for all the layouts and demonstrators.... Deep breath..... But it gave me a chance to see if I could fix the layout....
Some last minute mods in the living room before it got packed in the car were in order basically I had made a mistake in assuming the cbus boards outputted a high when switched on so had wired the common for the relays to 0v actually when on they pulled low so i need to have the common at 12v (helpful merg documentation as usual, not). But once that was worked out the mods could be made
Not the prettiest but that little red wire makes all the difference. But at the time it was a good guess and I didn't have time to check the running before we left for stannington.
So that meant that the first test trains were run on Skeetsmere minutes before the show opened to the public.
And very surprising they worked, known issues like the rear siding and the servo that gives access to the front headshunt aside it worked really, unexpectedly, well. A few minor issues with rail joints, gauge on the exit curve and wagon couplings were found during the day but apart from that it was really uneventful.
Star of the show was #151 that performed flawlessly all day on its own without complaint, fault or issue. Given this poor loco had it's chassis split apart a year or so ago to convert to EM it runs remarkably well and I'm very proud of it.
From our point as an organising group it was a fantastic show. It was great to catch up with @Rob R and @Chris Veitch and many others and a special thanks to @Liver & Fry for all his support this week!
So last night the layout wasn't working although a brainwave in the pub last night gave me hope of how I might be able to get the layout running. I blame the draft mango and lime cider. Very nice btw.
Well I've been awake since 2:30am.... Up since 5.... The problem with being on the organising team for an event is you worry how it will be revived... Particularly as this year Im responsible for all the layouts and demonstrators.... Deep breath..... But it gave me a chance to see if I could fix the layout....
Some last minute mods in the living room before it got packed in the car were in order basically I had made a mistake in assuming the cbus boards outputted a high when switched on so had wired the common for the relays to 0v actually when on they pulled low so i need to have the common at 12v (helpful merg documentation as usual, not). But once that was worked out the mods could be made
Not the prettiest but that little red wire makes all the difference. But at the time it was a good guess and I didn't have time to check the running before we left for stannington.
So that meant that the first test trains were run on Skeetsmere minutes before the show opened to the public.
And very surprising they worked, known issues like the rear siding and the servo that gives access to the front headshunt aside it worked really, unexpectedly, well. A few minor issues with rail joints, gauge on the exit curve and wagon couplings were found during the day but apart from that it was really uneventful.
Star of the show was #151 that performed flawlessly all day on its own without complaint, fault or issue. Given this poor loco had it's chassis split apart a year or so ago to convert to EM it runs remarkably well and I'm very proud of it.
From our point as an organising group it was a fantastic show. It was great to catch up with @Rob R and @Chris Veitch and many others and a special thanks to @Liver & Fry for all his support this week!
Lyndhurstman
Western Thunderer
Well done! The layout looks the part. And I’m hoping you’re giving yourself a well-deserved pat on the back.
The only exhibition of Watkins Wharf was as a bare boards experience, for the two day GMRC show back in the early 90s. I too suffered a strange electrical fault - one of the sections cut the loco speed in half. Similar to you, a couple of pints of post-day 1 Courage Directors lent me an early hours epiphany… I’d too many common returns! It was fixed for Day 2
Cheers
Jan
Herb Garden
Western Thunderer
So I thought I would need to take a break from modelling after WW and was very prepared to have a long lie in this morning....but....
I woke up with a spring in my step determined to get into the workshop and get cracking
The operating department discovered yesterday that they were lacking suitable wagons so that's where I started.
So this is a rare beast and injection moulded kit for a GER diagram 55 17ft 7 plank open from Stelfox model engineering. You can tell by the plastic and the size of the sprue that this is a very old kit but I doubt many were made.
Saying that the mouldings are nice and it goes together well with a bit of fettling
Next my plan is to add some brass W irons instead if the plastic underframe supplied.
It's a nice product though and someone obviously spent a lot of time and money developing the tool so I wonder what happened to them and if they made anything more? Does anyone know any more background?
I woke up with a spring in my step determined to get into the workshop and get cracking
The operating department discovered yesterday that they were lacking suitable wagons so that's where I started.
So this is a rare beast and injection moulded kit for a GER diagram 55 17ft 7 plank open from Stelfox model engineering. You can tell by the plastic and the size of the sprue that this is a very old kit but I doubt many were made.
Saying that the mouldings are nice and it goes together well with a bit of fettling
Next my plan is to add some brass W irons instead if the plastic underframe supplied.
It's a nice product though and someone obviously spent a lot of time and money developing the tool so I wonder what happened to them and if they made anything more? Does anyone know any more background?
AJC
Western Thunderer
Coo! I'd never seen one of these, and only heard of them earlier this year - the full answer is on 't'other side, with examples: More Pre-Grouping Wagons in 4mm - the D299 appreciation thread.
But in short, a private commission to Iain Kirk, 500 made, not bad at all.
Adam
