Barchester
A 00 Gauge Model Railway
June 2005.
Been in the UK for 10 days and brought back a few goodies. Soldering problems solved so have been soldering copper dropper wires to the different track sections and feeds. Took out a couple of the over centre springs from two of the points, another mistake, as the point blades bounce away from the rail when the point operates because there is no spring to hold them there. I only did this because I had read that the Peco point motor wasn't really man enough for the job with the springs in place. Believe me, they have plenty of power, especially with a CDU fitted. Unfortunately my eyes and hands aren't good enough to replace the springs so it means another pair of new points. They do say that you live and learn but I am beginning to wonder.
This is a view down the layout from the fiddle yard to Barchester, you can see where the work has been done.
This is looking down the layout in the opposite direction. From a bare halt platform, which was eventually removed for the goods shed to take it's place, to the fiddle yard.
Click on image for a larger picture.
Another major snag today. I had bought all the Peco point motors with the longer operating arm so that the motor would be fitted below the point under the baseboard with the longer are going up through a small hole. In spite of the height of my layout and the reasonably easy access I found that, because of the eyes and hands, there was no way I was going to be able to fit the mechanisms, I couldn't even locate the hole in the tie-bar properly from below without getting tired. Old age eh? Who needs it.
This is a view down the layout from the fiddle yard to Barchester, you can see where the work has been done.
Click on image for larger picture.
This is looking down the layout in the opposite direction. From a bare halt platform, which was eventually removed for the goods shed to take it's place, to the fiddle yard.
Click on image for a larger picture.
Another major snag today. I had bought all the Peco point motors with the longer operating arm so that the motor would be fitted below the point under the baseboard with the longer are going up through a small hole. In spite of the height of my layout and the reasonably easy access I found that, because of the eyes and hands, there was no way I was going to be able to fit the mechanisms, I couldn't even locate the hole in the tie-bar properly from below without getting tired. Old age eh? Who needs it.
So, up with the points again and the mechanisms fitted directly to the point. Then it was a case of having to cut large holes in the baseboard to allow the fitted motor to drop through. I did remember to fit dropper wires to all the wiring points first so I suppose that was something. Fortunately the method of track laying and ballasting makes it an easy task to lift installed trackwork.
By the time I had done this the rest of the points and motors I needed, plus a CDU, had arrived, so I carried on and finished the whole installation. I hadn't finished with lack of forethought however as while wiring up I had cut the lengths of wire, after soldering to track and points, to where the control panel was going to go. Yes, you're quite right. I changed my mind about the position of the control panel which made all my carefully cut wires the wrong length. Sometimes I have difficulty believing these things myself.
Anyway it all got sorted. Control panel in position, wired up and working.
Just in case you are wondering what is happening at the Barchester end of the layout, the answer is nothing. Here are the the platforms before the final cutting about. The two branch lines to the left are still there, as are the two main line tracks next to them. The next space has become a single road bay platform for the auto trailer and the far right track has been extended the full length of the platform.
Click on image for larger picture.
The turnouts operate with a very satisfactory "thwack" although the wiring is now like the proverbial birds nest and will have to be attended to at some time in the future. I decided to go for electric pencil and studs to operate the points and it only took me a half hour or so to make an "electric pencil" out of an old biro and a length of wire
The Control Panel looking at it's tattiest. When I come to fit the new studs I'll make up a complete new panel. You can see the old biro "electric pencil" quite clearly in the enlarged photograph. The studs were of the kind that are found in leather furniture. I couldn't find a source of brass ones here so settled for a set of "brass" plated ones. Yet another mistake. The arcing of the "pencil" against the stud, inevitable with this type of operation, soon wore away the plating and the studs started going rusty. Back to the order book to send for some Peco studs and their "electric pencil". The pencil is only two pounds sterling to buy so I was interested to see what theirs was like. When the studs arrived they turned out to be very small, but I will probably use them, eyes allowing, and also the pencil, which is also small but very neat.
Just in case you are wondering what is happening at the Barchester end of the layout, the answer is nothing. Here are the the platforms before the final cutting about. The two branch lines to the left are still there, as are the two main line tracks next to them. The next space has become a single road bay platform for the auto trailer and the far right track has been extended the full length of the platform.
Click on image for larger picture.
The turnouts operate with a very satisfactory "thwack" although the wiring is now like the proverbial birds nest and will have to be attended to at some time in the future. I decided to go for electric pencil and studs to operate the points and it only took me a half hour or so to make an "electric pencil" out of an old biro and a length of wire
The Control Panel looking at it's tattiest. When I come to fit the new studs I'll make up a complete new panel. You can see the old biro "electric pencil" quite clearly in the enlarged photograph. Click on image for a larger picture.
There we have it folks, another month gone by and summer is almost with us.
