Cannings Cross

Post pictures and information about your own personal model railway layout that is under construction. Keep members up-to-date with what you are doing and discuss problems that you are having.
lamby
Posts: 50
Joined: Tue Jan 04, 2011 12:13 pm
Location: Wiltshire

Cannings Cross

Post by lamby »

So it has been an awful long time since my last post so thought I would start a new thread. Life gets in the way so getting time to tinker in the garage with “toys” are few and far between.

So shall start with some early shots and then finish with the latest from the BH weekend;

Track Plan

Image

Early testing

Image

Image

Image

Inspection pits

Image

Image

Initial track laid and some poor ballasting

Image

Image

Image

Image

So upon leaving this in the above state for around 18 months 2 years I managed to find time to get back out there and start work again. It also helped that I installed a new strip light in the garage so I can see out there a lot better now.

So this weekend has consisted of installing platforms for the station area;

Image

Terminus for DMUs;

Image

Slightly different angles for station area;

Image

Image

So in essence the back story (in my head) for the station and the reason for the long platform between mainline and branch line is that this is the original station way back when. The platform face if the branch line will now be disused to passengers but will have a section left for when my tankers get dropped off for the oil depot which will be the two small sidings behind the station. Very small depot yes but want to try and incorporate. The terminus is the new part of the station with my two main line platforms catering to HSTs primarily. The station will be called Cannings Cross, after the village I live in All Cannings.

Here are a few more pictures of where I got to this afternoon;

Image

Image

The only other thing I have done is to start installing point motors again and I have added my first 2 aspect signal at the end of the branch line platform. This is not seen on here due to these pictures taken earlier on in the afternoon. The only thing to add is that the ballasting currently done is going to be pulled up and re-done as I am really not happy with it.

Thanks for looking and please excuse the long post but wanted to try and get all the info in there.
User avatar
Mountain
Posts: 5856
Joined: Mon Oct 24, 2016 3:43 pm
Location: UK.

Re: Cannings Cross

Post by Mountain »

Is interesting to see a design laid out. I found those Peco platform edges to be a little difficult to get right so I made my own edges from card. Well done for making them work.
Not easy getting everything to fit into a small space. You've done well there. :)
lamby
Posts: 50
Joined: Tue Jan 04, 2011 12:13 pm
Location: Wiltshire

Re: Cannings Cross

Post by lamby »

Hey, thanks for the reply.

The platform edges aren’t quite right as yet, still trying to get them to sit right. Had to use my Dremel to remove the feet and top pieces so that they will sit as flush as possible.

I am not very good at thinking of how to get the track laid so thought would try this route. My worry is am I trying to do much in the available space but time will tell.

Next project is continue you with point motors, signals and my auto level crossing gates. Need a couple of more reed switches for it to fully work. Also looking for some ground signals for around the TDM area. Found some Eckon ones but not sure as cannot find a great deal of info on them. Traintronics don’t seem to do any and quite like there signals.
User avatar
Mountain
Posts: 5856
Joined: Mon Oct 24, 2016 3:43 pm
Location: UK.

Re: Cannings Cross

Post by Mountain »

lamby wrote: Also looking for some ground signals for around the TDM area. Found some Eckon ones but not sure as cannot find a great deal of info on them. Traintronics don’t seem to do any and quite like there signals.
There are three main types I saw on the railway (As in designs). One is the disc type that has been in use for years and still about today.
Second are the colour light type which normally show a white and a red light meaning stop, and the proceed aspect is when the red light switches off and a second white light at an angle shows above the other white light (Which always shows). There is also a version with a yellow light instead of a red light for use with headshunts.
A newer version of this from about 2005 onwards uses LED's and shows two red lights, and one red switches off and the other changes to white with a second white light showing above at an angle. This is just the updated form of the previous signal using LED technology.
lamby
Posts: 50
Joined: Tue Jan 04, 2011 12:13 pm
Location: Wiltshire

Re: Cannings Cross

Post by lamby »

Hi, yeah I think I may go with triple lights as trying to model from late 80s through to privatisation.

As there has been another weekend I have managed another day in the garage;

Image

Image

Image

Image

Image

Image

So I managed to test my Kadee’s today. My rake of tankers as well as the class 37 and 08 have had them installed. Have positioned 2 magnets towards the end of the platform on the branch line. These all seem to work well so shall be grabbing some more.

As can be seen the platform tops are complete and have started the edging but have run out so cannot finish this at the minute.

Was going to start wiring up the point motors but when ordering new LEDs and a few other bits I forgot to order 1k resistors. So this is on hold at present.
lamby
Posts: 50
Joined: Tue Jan 04, 2011 12:13 pm
Location: Wiltshire

Re: Cannings Cross

Post by lamby »

Hello,

First things first, excuse the mess, tidiness is not my strong point.

So another weekend and more time to tinker in the garage. I have started to install my point motors but have come across a few “funnies”, basically not quite got them allighned correctly and got bored so started something else.

So this gave me the opportunity to start working on the control panels for points, as well as making a start on my level crossing and the TMD area.

Image

Image

Image

Reed switches for activating level crossing;

Image

Image

Please excuse the horrendous ballast, this needs to be taken up and redone.

Just a couple more gratuitous shots;

Image

Image

So I need to find something to hide the reed switches. I have never known a component be so fragile. Think I broke half a dozen. Still need to fit a few more but need to work out the best placement for them.

Also need to do a little more with the road for the level crossing as it needs to go to the TMD area, also to where my small oil depot will be and to the station. Trying to pack in a lot to a very small space so will be fun.

Then back onto the joys of the point motors. Need to also do something with the panels as I am not 100% happy with result so these will be temporary.

Thanks for looking.
BuffyMcBuffer
Posts: 103
Joined: Sun Apr 01, 2018 12:59 pm

Re: Cannings Cross

Post by BuffyMcBuffer »

lots of random work happening there! looks a nice track to run locos on

one criticism i seem to have is i think you need to write down what you what to accomplish and tick each one off as you seem to be flitting from one thing to the next and it's all slow random progress

as for the reed switches just black marker pen them to blend them in or when you ballast you might be able to get a thin layer around the reed switch it will hide it (penny for thoughts)

all in all looks like your enjoying yourself

oh one question what is your platforms covered in??
lamby
Posts: 50
Joined: Tue Jan 04, 2011 12:13 pm
Location: Wiltshire

Re: Cannings Cross

Post by lamby »

Hi, yes I think you are right a list would be a good idea. I just got frustrated by the point motors and thought I would leave it. I have run out of a few things as well like platform edging so that is on the back burner till I order some more.

With regards to the platform tops, they are a Metcalfe paving set. Thought I would use this as the standard grey tops seemed a little boring. It is not perfect, but that is more down to my inability to cut wood straight. But I got the effect I was going for.
User avatar
TimberSurf
Posts: 2536
Joined: Wed Jan 08, 2014 5:47 pm
Location: N.Wales
Contact:

Re: Cannings Cross

Post by TimberSurf »

Hi Lamby

A few thoughts
Nice to see someone else using foam instead of cork!
But I am not sure your engine shed and road will survive long without cracking! A thin layer without a rigid support (like wood) sitting on a flexible substrate (foam) is a recipe for cracking! (just a warning, I may be wrong)
Can I ask why you have reed switches so close to each other? (end and beginning of block?)
Image
Lumsdonia <--- Hit link to go to my website for full story and wiring advice!
User avatar
Longvallon
Posts: 59
Joined: Mon Jun 18, 2018 7:59 am
Location: Lost in France...

Re: Cannings Cross

Post by Longvallon »

Wonderful layout in sight. I will follow your work with a great interest.
Don't take life so seriously, you'll never get out of it alive.
BuffyMcBuffer
Posts: 103
Joined: Sun Apr 01, 2018 12:59 pm

Re: Cannings Cross

Post by BuffyMcBuffer »

lamby wrote:Hi, yes I think you are right a list would be a good idea. I just got frustrated by the point motors and thought I would leave it. I have run out of a few things as well like platform edging so that is on the back burner till I order some more.

With regards to the platform tops, they are a Metcalfe paving set. Thought I would use this as the standard grey tops seemed a little boring. It is not perfect, but that is more down to my inability to cut wood straight. But I got the effect I was going for.

Ah metcalf paving thanks for that I do like that pattern as the platform

I must have misread your post earlier as I didn’t realise you was waiting for parts to arrive

Getting point motors right is very fiddly but there is jigs you can buy that help line it all up, YouTube could help getting some tips?
User avatar
Ironduke
Posts: 1234
Joined: Mon Sep 26, 2005 12:04 am
Location: Ballarat Victoria Australia
Contact:

Re: Cannings Cross

Post by Ironduke »

Hi, Lamby.

I'm interested in what you are doing with the reed switches. How do they activate the level crossing? Do you have some circuit design you are following? Do you need to attach magnets to the trains?
Regards
Rob
lamby
Posts: 50
Joined: Tue Jan 04, 2011 12:13 pm
Location: Wiltshire

Re: Cannings Cross

Post by lamby »

BuffyMcBuffer wrote:
lamby wrote:Hi, yes I think you are right a list would be a good idea. I just got frustrated by the point motors and thought I would leave it. I have run out of a few things as well like platform edging so that is on the back burner till I order some more.

With regards to the platform tops, they are a Metcalfe paving set. Thought I would use this as the standard grey tops seemed a little boring. It is not perfect, but that is more down to my inability to cut wood straight. But I got the effect I was going for.

Ah metcalf paving thanks for that I do like that pattern as the platform

I must have misread your post earlier as I didn’t realise you was waiting for parts to arrive

Getting point motors right is very fiddly but there is jigs you can buy that help line it all up, YouTube could help getting some tips?
I do not think I mentioned it to be fair. I don’t think I fully explained properly but the advice around the list is a very good one so will be using.
TimberSurf wrote:Hi Lamby

A few thoughts
Nice to see someone else using foam instead of cork!
But I am not sure your engine shed and road will survive long without cracking! A thin layer without a rigid support (like wood) sitting on a flexible substrate (foam) is a recipe for cracking! (just a warning, I may be wrong)
Can I ask why you have reed switches so close to each other? (end and beginning of block?)
Yeah I thought I would try the foam as a track bed as it seemed easier for my self to work with. Not very pretty but scenery and ballast will cover the vast majority. I had not thought about the road cracking. I shall keep an eye on that as may have to re-think this. The engine shed area end has been down a few weeks and has survived so shall see what happens. With regards to the reed switches being close together I am planning on having trains run in both directions so in essence need an “on” and “off” at each end hence being so close.
Ironduke wrote:Hi, Lamby.

I'm interested in what you are doing with the reed switches. How do they activate the level crossing? Do you have some circuit design you are following? Do you need to attach magnets to the trains?
The reed switches will be activating a small circuit that will activate the level crossing lights, alarm and the barrier motors. I bought a kit from Express Models. The kit is pretty straight forward. You just need to get the barriers to go with it. Magnets are required to activate the switches, so there is an off switch before the on switch so that when the train passes it does not deactivate straight away. There is also a manual switch you could add in there as well if you wish.
lamby
Posts: 50
Joined: Tue Jan 04, 2011 12:13 pm
Location: Wiltshire

Re: Cannings Cross

Post by lamby »

Longvallon wrote:Wonderful layout in sight. I will follow your work with a great interest.
Thanks!
lamby
Posts: 50
Joined: Tue Jan 04, 2011 12:13 pm
Location: Wiltshire

Re: Cannings Cross

Post by lamby »

So it has been quite a while due to lots of stuff going on but managed to do a few bits.

Purchased amongst other bits some more platform edging and some buffers for my station. Still got one side of the island platform to complete but platforms almost complete bar the ends. Need to figure out how to do those.

Image

Image

Image

Image

I have also purchased a load of line side detail pieces to install before any ballasting takes but they should make things look more interesting.

Image

Image

Image

Also bought another signal to install.

Image

Also decided on my station building at long last which is part way through construction. Having to modify it slightly to work with my platforms but seems to work quite well.

Image

Also got my canopies (need 2 more of these as majorly underestimated this),

Image

And lastly could not resist buying this!!

Image

Wanted a newer version of this for so long as my existing ones are original Hornby models and the price I got it for was mad not to have bought it. Not ran it yet but will hopefully get it going over the weekend!
Post Reply