neilw
now that's what I call a garden railway
Posts: 284
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Post by neilw on Mar 4, 2010 10:54:25 GMT
In a similar way to railtechnician, I did not expect to retire at the grand old age of 52, two years ago, but that's what happened after I fell out of favour at Alstom. I told myself I would take some time off to do the things I wanted, and that if I got bored I would look for something else. To date I am still doing the things I want, which include DIY and garden maintenance, playing the drums, building my model of the Central Line's imaginary Eastern terminus at Oaks Lane, and restoring my 62 TS DM. I also act as a volunteer observer helping people to pass their advanced driving test.
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neilw
now that's what I call a garden railway
Posts: 284
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Post by neilw on Jan 4, 2010 14:20:48 GMT
the LNER wanted to electrify the line from Stratford to Ongar and the Fairlop loop from Ilford round to Woodford to meet it, all at 1500 DC overhead. The existing Central arrangement was decided after arbitration between the proposals. There was a lot of pressure from the residents of N.Ilford. I think this is all in rails through the clay............
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neilw
now that's what I call a garden railway
Posts: 284
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Post by neilw on Dec 23, 2009 10:51:39 GMT
AFAIK they are just individual pieces of wood
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neilw
now that's what I call a garden railway
Posts: 284
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Post by neilw on Dec 19, 2009 15:40:22 GMT
there is a drawing on p83 of section 6 of appendix to rule book 1970
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neilw
now that's what I call a garden railway
Posts: 284
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Post by neilw on Dec 18, 2009 16:08:26 GMT
Darren, assuming the SCD is the same design as that originally fitted to the 62TS, then I have three in the garage, which I can photograph for you. The only problem is that they are behind a pile of heavy spares that I will need to shift ( shoebeams, seats, cab doors, MAR, etc, ), and it is freezing cold here today, so I'm afraid you'll have to wait a day or two-sorry.
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neilw
now that's what I call a garden railway
Posts: 284
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Post by neilw on Aug 14, 2009 15:57:50 GMT
looks really good! Ive spent the week doing extreme baseboarding for my Central line layout, my wife has demanded that she wants to see a train actually running before the end of the year!! ;D
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neilw
now that's what I call a garden railway
Posts: 284
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Post by neilw on Jul 28, 2009 10:03:03 GMT
Following his visit to me recently, John Polley has now introduced an upgrade kit for EFE models, to improve the running. The kit uses his injection moulding with the EFE side frames grafted on. He has taken some ideas from what I have done, plus input from others (cyberman?). There are detailed instructions on his Metromodels website. It looks a good and relatively cheap upgrade, well worth a try for those in need of improved running, IMHO.
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neilw
now that's what I call a garden railway
Posts: 284
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Post by neilw on Jul 16, 2009 7:40:28 GMT
I certainly recall doing the modifications on 62TS in Summer 1975, so would imagine 59TS was a similar time. I certainly recall doing them at Acton, but vaguely remember them possibly being done at running depots too, but couldn't be 100% certain on that. I do seem to recall the mods took place over a protracted period, so for modelling purposes you probably have a degree of flexibility! If doing 71 period then I suspect you don't need to bother (like me on my 62 TS layout), unless you want to model a "real" stabling lamp!!
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neilw
now that's what I call a garden railway
Posts: 284
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Post by neilw on Jul 6, 2009 10:54:54 GMT
as Colin says, there is a small area at Acton, I saw it on Saturday. There are two or three roads a few car lengths long which appear to be used to train ERU and emergency services people. There was a 62 DM, and a 83 car of some sort, the latter in a state of deliberate derailment. There is also a 62 car inside the ERU building adjacent which is presumably used for training (de-training?) purposes.
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neilw
now that's what I call a garden railway
Posts: 284
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Post by neilw on Jul 1, 2009 9:11:06 GMT
OK guys, article to follow in a few days. As for the layout, at least the plans are done, baseboards done, track purchased, signals purchased, and a 1mm/ft model of the model built to check overall layout. House and garden currently taking priority due to fine weather, so expect modelling to recommence soon ;D
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neilw
now that's what I call a garden railway
Posts: 284
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Post by neilw on Jun 30, 2009 8:56:52 GMT
I have overcome the problem with the EFE bogies by using the plastic bogie mouldings available from Metromodels, and pin-point wheels from Branchlines (EM in my case). This gives an extremely free running basic bogie. To this I have grafted the EFE sideframes chopped off the bogie and thinned down. If the Metromodels bogie is used upside-down, there is room to use the EFE mounting arrangement cut off and glued in place. End result, the bogies look exactly like the original EFE ones, all ride heights are correct, and the running is superb. A non-motorised 3-car test train (a very powerful DM-NDM-DM!) passed the John Polley seal of approval when he visited me last Saturday. This arrangement works because the bogie side frames on the EFE models are slightly too narrow. On the real thing (measured in the garden!), the shoebeams are exactly in line with the body sides/solebar. The mistake on the model fortunately allows for the extra width to be inserted. Since EM can be accomodated, OO should be fine. If anyone is interested, I will try to write a short article/pictures. The next step is to try a motorising experiment utilising a Black Beetle, per the EMGS instructions. Then, of course there is the small matter of the layout........
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neilw
now that's what I call a garden railway
Posts: 284
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Post by neilw on May 5, 2009 9:09:46 GMT
On The Vic DEV, as the train comes to a stand at Stockwell, the T/op appears to give the ATO some "assistance" with the emergency brake, presumably to prevent an overrun. Is this common, and what is the cause?
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neilw
now that's what I call a garden railway
Posts: 284
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Post by neilw on May 3, 2009 15:25:28 GMT
Some help please to assist with the restoration of my 62 TS DM:
I need to repaint the roof, but I am not sure how shiny it should be. As built I seem to remember shiny black, then later more of a matt finish slapped on showing brush marks, more like an under-seal. The roofs of these cars were always a bit of a problem, and, yes, the joints do leak very slightly, so this may have been why. Any advice?
Similarly with the solebar and bogies, etc, should these be matt or gloss?
I seem to recall someone on here had the colour spec for the shoebeam blue/grey, anyone know please?
Finally, the bodywork needs a wash. When in service the units were washed (weekly I think) with acid in the "acid sheds". What was the acid and what was the concentration? (I didn't want to experiment and dissolve my pride and joy!)
All help greatly appreciated
cheers
Neil
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neilw
now that's what I call a garden railway
Posts: 284
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Post by neilw on Mar 23, 2009 11:04:21 GMT
Well done Harsig, I didn't realise there were so many changes in such a short space of time......
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neilw
now that's what I call a garden railway
Posts: 284
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Post by neilw on Feb 12, 2009 17:53:05 GMT
Just for the record, GEC and Alsthom (avec"h") formed GEC-Alsthom, a 50/50 joint venture, in 1989, and the JV acquired Met-Cam the same year. Much rolling stock still carries GEC-Alsthom tread plates. In 1999 (from memory) GEC-Alsthom floated on the stock exchange and renamed itself Alstom (sans"h"). Rightly or wrongly, the decision was taken to close Washwood Heath, and the latest tube stock for LU, the extra cars and trains for the Jubilee,were made at Alstom's (very impressive) plant near Barcelona.
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neilw
now that's what I call a garden railway
Posts: 284
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Post by neilw on Feb 7, 2009 15:25:02 GMT
Sorry to ask a basic question, but this has always puzzled me At the end of a speed restriction, there is a "T" sign indicating the SR is terminated. Does this mean that the end of the last car has to pass the sign before speed can be increased, and if so, how can the train length be safely judged. If it indicates to the driver the point at which he can wind up, presumably it has to reflect the longest train length to be expected on the line (thinking back to uncoupling days.)
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neilw
now that's what I call a garden railway
Posts: 284
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Post by neilw on Jan 7, 2009 17:09:30 GMT
Not yet, anyway........presumably it could be arranged with the Museum? ;D
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neilw
now that's what I call a garden railway
Posts: 284
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Post by neilw on Jan 3, 2009 14:59:43 GMT
The 59/62 looked exactly the same with marker lights, only that they were of lower intensity. There were no changes to the outer bodywork of the cars, merely the internal fittings were replaced by the HI units.
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neilw
now that's what I call a garden railway
Posts: 284
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Post by neilw on Dec 3, 2008 16:35:09 GMT
other questions after closer examination.. Is there a system for numbering section switches the same way there is for signals, etc? Does anyone have a picture or know of an existing location of a traction switch-house (for modelling purposes)
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neilw
now that's what I call a garden railway
Posts: 284
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Post by neilw on Dec 1, 2008 17:27:52 GMT
very interesting. Could someone enlighten me as to what substation feeder panels and posts look like, and where exactly they are located? In another thread I also saw mention of "disconnection panel", presumably something very similar?
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neilw
now that's what I call a garden railway
Posts: 284
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Post by neilw on Nov 14, 2008 13:38:59 GMT
Browsing through "Branch line to Ongar" by Jim Connor, I notice from the 1914 OS map that the old above-ground line to Stratford follows exactly the same alignment as the current tunnel ramp does. I always believed the Central alignment was to the East of the GER line, but comparing the OS map with current on-line maps, the gardens on Westdown Road appear the same length today as they were then, as if the old line was taken but "buried". Anyone have any clues?
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neilw
now that's what I call a garden railway
Posts: 284
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Post by neilw on Nov 14, 2008 13:12:56 GMT
from what I recall as a kid on the Central Line, the contactors could be quite noisy, especially the line breakers as power was first applied. I also recall the whole experience being quite rough compared to the 59/62 stock which followed. I had forgotten about the compressors, the sound was very distinctive, especially the way they slowed down if they were running and the train pulled away!
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neilw
now that's what I call a garden railway
Posts: 284
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Post by neilw on Oct 30, 2008 13:54:38 GMT
As part of my 4mm scale model I need to construct a signal cabin representative of the New Works types used on the Eastern extensions of the Central line. Does anyone know of a source of elevation drawings, etc, I have tried the LTM but to no avail. Also, if anyone has links etc to any photos that would also be great. Thanks in advance
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neilw
now that's what I call a garden railway
Posts: 284
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Post by neilw on Oct 28, 2008 11:23:27 GMT
Black Beetles are much smoother running. You could also check out John Polley's new product, "Endo" bogies-I've no first hand experience, but maybe worth a look.......
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neilw
now that's what I call a garden railway
Posts: 284
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Post by neilw on Oct 21, 2008 17:27:31 GMT
I used methylated spirit to remove the incorrect LT transfers on the 59/62 T and NDMs , it worked fine. I rubbed them very gently with a cotton bud soaked in meths. Beware white spirit, and I suspect brake fluid, paint stripper, etc., as this can melt the plastic.
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neilw
now that's what I call a garden railway
Posts: 284
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Post by neilw on Aug 30, 2008 10:32:38 GMT
Wasn't the crossover just downhill of the BR connection left in place for a while after that, too?
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neilw
now that's what I call a garden railway
Posts: 284
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Post by neilw on Aug 30, 2008 10:25:40 GMT
It's in the sub-board "diagrams,instructions, etc" P2, "Central Line Eastern Extensions" by Harsig
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neilw
now that's what I call a garden railway
Posts: 284
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Post by neilw on Aug 28, 2008 10:59:50 GMT
There are some good photos in "branch line to Ongar" by Jim Connor. I think the main line connection at Leyton lasted until May 1968
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neilw
now that's what I call a garden railway
Posts: 284
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Post by neilw on Aug 27, 2008 9:16:23 GMT
I think the layout you refer to is Epton by Dick Yeo. There are a couple of pictures in Railway Modelling by Norman Simmons. ISTR that the DM's where scratchbuilt.
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neilw
now that's what I call a garden railway
Posts: 284
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Post by neilw on Aug 24, 2008 9:57:21 GMT
ISTR that "inner" and "outer" were terms already in public use by the GER on the then-called "Fairlop loop" when trains ran to Ilford from Newbury Park before the Central line was built (not that I was around then, told to me by parents/grandparents!!)
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