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Re: The Potters Orchid Railway
Posted: Tue Jan 09, 2018 3:14 am
by Hydrostatic Dazza
Peter, those actual photos are what have inspired me to use the Bowden cable type of operation, I saw these pics before on your railway's thread.
I had to decide to either go the simple route and be happy, or, what the eff, the full interlocked lever frame. MAM said, you will only build one railway so do a "Proper Job".
I am using the roll of casing and stainless 1.10mm solid wire so I can cut all to length and have interrupted runs of up 5 meters from the lever frame. (Signal Box)
I intend to use "Slick Honey" https://buzzysusa.com/, it is trade secret brew and it is smeared on the wire as it threaded in, it is used by top shelf bike mechanics on cables as it does not dry out. The caps on the casing have rubber rings in them to assist with sealing.
For a couple sets of points I want to make the connection easy to release from the point blade tie bar so one can have simple continuous operation with the trailable points on the loops. Meanwhile I am still painting the Round House kit signal that I have, (only have one) and it will be used as the starter home from the loco shed roads and sidings but it will be my test signal at the Orchid house loop, with the first 12 lever frame. The remaining signal kits are on order from Wizard. When the Orchid house loop is operational with signals and power supply wires installed for lights etc, then terra forming can begin and I also then I start on the 24 lever frame at Potters Junction, while I make my steamer in the Red Room and work full time.I have looked into https://riksrailway.blogspot.com.au/201 ... gnals.html for inspiration with the LED lamps, I am ignorant of electrical matters so a trip to Jarcar to buy LEDS and stuff is soon.
Re: The Potters Orchid Railway
Posted: Tue Jan 09, 2018 10:49 am
by Peter Butler
Thanks for the full explanation, good to hear you have it all worked out, although I'm not surprised to hear it! Following with interest....
Re: The Potters Orchid Railway
Posted: Tue Jan 09, 2018 4:26 pm
by IrishPeter
Using Bowden cables for a couple of the more awkwardly situated points on the Skebawn and Castleknox is an idea I have been toying with for a while. The other possibility is some sort of twin wire arrangement. As I am working in the comparative dry, the rust consideration is not quite so powerful. Twin-wire control of points was something that was done in Australia usually to control long loops without the need for a signal box at both ends.
Peter in Va
Re: The Potters Orchid Railway
Posted: Tue Jan 09, 2018 9:07 pm
by Hydrostatic Dazza
The S and T design staff of the POR has worked last night from the chook scratchings (pencil drawings/sketches) onto a thought process CAD assembly drawing for an approach of the prototype point connection mechanism. Two bits of brass, a bit of drilling and milling and one thread for the stainless wire pinch screw. Batch production will be done when the final working drawings from the prototype is tested and sorted. A stainless pan head screw (red bit in the drawing) will fasten the the assembly to the concrete track bed with a plug. Drilling will have to be reasonably accurate for the plug but I will have lateral leeway of 1 to 2mm. May have a go at knocking up a test this weekend. More will be revealed as the making process hits the POR workshops

Re: The Potters Orchid Railway
Posted: Sun Jan 21, 2018 10:05 pm
by jim@NAL
looking great
Re: The Potters Orchid Railway
Posted: Mon Jan 22, 2018 8:37 am
by ge_rik
Impressive as always. I must admit that the landscaping element of this hobby is one of the attractions for me. Nothing like a bit of digging and concreting to put other things into perspective.
I believe Winston Churchill used to do a bit of bricklaying on his 'days off'.
Rik
Re: The Potters Orchid Railway
Posted: Mon Jan 29, 2018 6:42 am
by philipy
Lovely rocks, especially the big one. I envy you having a free source, my line has many fewer rocks than I would like simply because I cannot justify the shipping costs.
Re: The Potters Orchid Railway
Posted: Mon Jan 29, 2018 7:32 am
by 4MT
Just like to say what an interesting thread enjoying the progress you are making with the garden layout and getting the family involved. Wallace and Grommet seem to be enjoying their foreman roll within the build

will be watching with interest.
Re: The Potters Orchid Railway
Posted: Mon Jan 29, 2018 7:54 am
by bazzer42
Hero rockmis a real beauty, can't wait to see how you use. I have used rocks from the woods but usually resort to a wheelbarrow and strange looks from the neighbours.
Re: The Potters Orchid Railway
Posted: Mon Jan 29, 2018 9:24 am
by ge_rik
Brilliant craggy rocks at an unbeatable price. They'll look great.
The rocks around my railway are the local sandstone which I have acquired over several years. I bought some (people advertising in the local Ads paper) but the rest I've got through friends (who find them when digging their gardens) or by keeping an eye open when someone locally has some building work done.
For those who don't live in a rocky area, Bob Treat has done some amazing things by casting his own rocks with concrete -
https://familygardentrains.com/primer/r ... cliffs.htm
Rik
Re: The Potters Orchid Railway
Posted: Thu Feb 08, 2018 8:38 pm
by Hydrostatic Dazza
Recently there was some Potters Orchid Railway construction contracts that was tendered out for some projects and the local "Potters Junction" pottery works was successful with securing the first contract. MAM (Mary Ann Martin) managing director of the "Potters Junction workshops" and her staff have commenced block work and construction for a loading dock that will be located at the "Orchid House" loop siding and station.
The staff deliver materials to the construction platform while the usual quality control supervisors look over progress.

Re: The Potters Orchid Railway
Posted: Fri Feb 09, 2018 7:08 pm
by Soar Valley Light
Fantastic!

Re: The Potters Orchid Railway
Posted: Sun Feb 11, 2018 8:26 pm
by Hydrostatic Dazza
The loading dock now awaits a firing in the kiln.
and coaling stage is the next contract underway at the "Potters Junction" Pottery works

Re: The Potters Orchid Railway
Posted: Sun Feb 11, 2018 8:57 pm
by Peter Butler
Great looking structures, what a brilliant method of construction..... attractive and weather resistant.
Re: The Potters Orchid Railway
Posted: Mon Feb 12, 2018 2:07 am
by Hydrostatic Dazza
Peter Butler wrote: ↑Sun Feb 11, 2018 8:57 pm
Great looking structures, what a brilliant method of construction..... attractive and weather resistant.
Thanks
with 40 degree heat, crashing branches in storms, down pours and then drought, a few floods, we hope so.
MAM is using up some clay she does not like throwing with, so a few railway structures has her interest.
The kiln that will fire the clay lives in the small brick building alongside "Potters Junction"
As I have mentioned before, we want a good looking railway that operates, but we will not be a slave to super detail
Stop the press, a large parcel has just arrived from http://www.pendlevalleyworkshop.co.uk/page9.htm
I will wait till MAM gets home, she likes opening parcels
Re: The Potters Orchid Railway
Posted: Mon Feb 12, 2018 7:06 am
by philipy
Hmmm... if that page link is to be believed you have a large parcel of....GLUES???

Re: The Potters Orchid Railway
Posted: Mon Feb 12, 2018 10:14 am
by Hydrostatic Dazza
philipy wrote: ↑Mon Feb 12, 2018 7:06 am
Hmmm... if that page link is to be believed you have a large parcel of....GLUES???
Whoops

That is a lot of sniffing
it was three buildings and odds and ends
Re: The Potters Orchid Railway
Posted: Mon Feb 12, 2018 8:55 pm
by Hydrostatic Dazza
"What's in here from Pendle Valley ?"
MAM loves a parcel
