Here is what I have been up to lately. The second photo shows my early efforts in the attempt to recreate the scene at Washago in HO scale, as shown in the prototype photo from 1962 by Ken Davis, reproduced in Steam at Allandale.
I've volunteered to provide the signal system for Washago. Construction of the switchman's cabin (a.k.a. the lever shack) is essentially complete—my first scratchbuilding effort in more than 20 years—with painting and final assembly scheduled for this weekend.
The mechanical interlocking will be recreated using the techniques described in Bill Darnaby's article Model Mechanical Interlockings (Model Railroader, Jan. 2004). The semaphore signals and switches will be interlocked per the prototype using computer-based logic. Some modellers have actually replicated the locking mechanically (see www.modratec.com) but I'll stick to the more familiar! No decision yet on the model railway-computer interface—any suggestions?
Hi Ian: Interesting project. When you get a chance, I'd love to read more about it. What size is the layout? Are you incorporating a modular interface? This looks like a great candidate for a Free-Mo style interface... www.free-mo.org. Cheers!
Trevor, I plan to publish some more about this home layout project in a feature post. Briefly, the entire area from the junction switches at the south to the junction switches at the north will be modeled 1:1 in HO scale.
Having learned some painful lessons in the past, this one will be built in such a way that dismantling (and moving, or preserving, such as the case may be) is not difficult. That being said, it is not a portable or sectional layout. I do not have the practical means to lug those pieces around, and it's not my interest (just yet--maybe when I "retire" from writing books).
Very nice work! I am also using the Bill Darnaby MR article for detailing the CPR interlcoking at Peterboro, where the CPR crossed the CN Campbellford Sub.
I also gathered some info on interlocking pipe lines and fittings from the remnants of the NYC BX interlocking tower pipe line in St. Thomas, and drawings of pipe line fittings in a General Railway Signal catalogue.
This is a new way to post comments and questions--good luck with it!
I had a look at the Modratec site--what a neat product! The price isn't bad for what you get, either. But, I'm not sure that future operators on my layout would want to be signalmen as well when running their trains throough the Peterboro interlocking and the swing bridges at Peterboro and Hastings.
I have another idea--make a panel simlar to a GRS inetrlocking model board panel. It would be a matter of getting a black/white underneath plastic panel engraved at a local shop. Marry this to some rotary switches modified with detents removed and stops put in to allow rotation through a 90 degree arc for switches, or 180 degree arc with three positions for traffic levers. The handles for these would be a bit of a soldering job with brass tube and stock.
If you want to actually have the points move on this model board track diagram as some GRS ones did, that's another project in itself!
Why all this work? The dispatcher could control interlocking plants from another room, like the dispatcher's office.
Jeffrey and I are going to cook up a way that he can be the Washago operator from his home in Missouri during operating sessions. With computer control and a video cam mounted above the layout, that shouldn't be a problem. Note that these semaphores were not despatcher controlled--they were manned by the assistant agent (under direction from the agent/operator) or train crews. So, it is entirely fitting that Jeff would have the benefit of seeing the location (i.e. the web cam), as opposed to a railway despatcher who should not.
I can only agree with you about the possibility of operating the Washago interlocking from Jeff's home, or for that matter anywhere around the world! Beats my proposal.
8 Comments:
I've volunteered to provide the signal system for Washago. Construction of the switchman's cabin (a.k.a. the lever shack) is essentially complete—my first scratchbuilding effort in more than 20 years—with painting and final assembly scheduled for this weekend.
The mechanical interlocking will be recreated using the techniques described in Bill Darnaby's article Model Mechanical Interlockings (Model Railroader, Jan. 2004). The semaphore signals and switches will be interlocked per the prototype using computer-based logic. Some modellers have actually replicated the locking mechanically (see www.modratec.com) but I'll stick to the more familiar! No decision yet on the model railway-computer interface—any suggestions?
Jeff, feel free to post a photo of the work-in-progress if you like.
Jeff (from Missouri) will be visiting the layout this Saturday, and the two of us are going to throw around ideas for the interlocking and junction.
Hi Ian:
Interesting project. When you get a chance, I'd love to read more about it. What size is the layout? Are you incorporating a modular interface? This looks like a great candidate for a Free-Mo style interface...
www.free-mo.org.
Cheers!
Trevor, I plan to publish some more about this home layout project in a feature post. Briefly, the entire area from the junction switches at the south to the junction switches at the north will be modeled 1:1 in HO scale.
Having learned some painful lessons in the past, this one will be built in such a way that dismantling (and moving, or preserving, such as the case may be) is not difficult. That being said, it is not a portable or sectional layout. I do not have the practical means to lug those pieces around, and it's not my interest (just yet--maybe when I "retire" from writing books).
Ian--
Very nice work! I am also using the Bill Darnaby MR article for detailing the CPR interlcoking at Peterboro, where the CPR crossed the CN Campbellford Sub.
I also gathered some info on interlocking pipe lines and fittings from the remnants of the NYC BX interlocking tower pipe line in St. Thomas, and drawings of pipe line fittings in a General Railway Signal catalogue.
This is a new way to post comments and questions--good luck with it!
Steve Lucas.
Jeffrey--
I had a look at the Modratec site--what a neat product! The price isn't bad for what you get, either. But, I'm not sure that future operators on my layout would want to be signalmen as well when running their trains throough the Peterboro interlocking and the swing bridges at Peterboro and Hastings.
I have another idea--make a panel simlar to a GRS inetrlocking model board panel. It would be a matter of getting a black/white underneath plastic panel engraved
at a local shop. Marry this to some rotary switches modified with detents removed and stops put in to allow rotation through a 90 degree arc for switches, or 180 degree arc with three positions for traffic levers. The handles for these would be a bit of a soldering job with brass tube and stock.
If you want to actually have the points move on this model board track diagram as some GRS ones did, that's another project in itself!
Why all this work? The dispatcher could control interlocking plants from another room, like the dispatcher's office.
Handy for operating sessions.
Steve.
Steve, we appreciate your comments and interest.
Jeffrey and I are going to cook up a way that he can be the Washago operator from his home in Missouri during operating sessions. With computer control and a video cam mounted above the layout, that shouldn't be a problem. Note that these semaphores were not despatcher controlled--they were manned by the assistant agent (under direction from the agent/operator) or train crews. So, it is entirely fitting that Jeff would have the benefit of seeing the location (i.e. the web cam), as opposed to a railway despatcher who should not.
Ian-
I can only agree with you about the possibility of operating the Washago interlocking from Jeff's home, or for that matter anywhere around the world! Beats my proposal.
Steve.
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