It's been a while since I posted an update on progress with the railway. The weather has been very mixed in this part of the UK since April and so I have had few opportunities to get out into the garden for sustained operating sessions. However, I have finished off a few jobs and experimented with various control systems.
In addition, I constructed a set of coal scales to add a little more detail (see How I constructed some coal scales).
I added a new siding on the outskirts of Bickerton Station (see Progress Report 75) and then constructed some loading hoppers from foamboard.
In addition, I cast a loading embankment from concrete for a 32mm narrower gauge feeder line to fill the hoppers (see How I cast a concrete embankment).
........ while a few others were rescued from a couple of bits boxes on traders' stands. It's pleasing to find that it is still possible to grab a bargain at Shows and Fairs if I am diligent enough.
In addition, some sheep figures were bought from Trenarren Models ......
and a few more 3D printed sheep from Design Scan Print.
These were constructed from plasticard on modified HLW (Hartland Loco Works) mini series wagon chassis (see How I constructed a rake of Snailbeach hopper wagons).
I will give her a repaint and load her with sheep (see above).
.... I decided to rebuild the loco to make her more in keeping with my 1930s era rolling stock. Rather than a complete rebuild, I decided to keep the main body components more or less intact as these conveniently clip together, thereby making access to the electronic control systems straightforward. I intend to keep experimenting with Arduino based control systems and so keeping this loco for testing purposes seems sensible.
I feel that the heavily riveted bodywork and somewhat chunky appearance gives her a utilitarian post WW1 feel (see How I modified an LGB ToyTrain diesel loco - pending).
For more information see How I made brake gear for my wagons
...... I realised that there were some sections of track which were in urgent need of reballasting. My tried and trusted method of using horticultural potting grit cement was used once more to provide what I consider to be the right balance between realism and convenience. I apply it as a dry mix and then use a fine rose on the watering can to fix it into place. After it has weathered naturally, I am very pleased with the results.
Ultimately, I arrived at a system which combined Bluetooth phone app control with MP3 digitised sounds.
I was pleased with the outcome in terms of its cost effectiveness and the level of control which could be achieved. However, I struggled to use the phone apps successfully. Maybe the display on my cheap phone isn't sufficiently clear, but I was unable to see the controls clearly when the sun shone, and also having to keep looking at the screen to operate the buttons and sliders was for me a distraction. I much prefer the tactile feedback of a handheld controller with physical knobs and buttons.
See:
I am quite pleased with the outcome. Whilst the system is not quite as precise as my Deltang based systems, particularly in terms of slow running, there is considerable potential in the Arduino system which, as yet, I have not tapped. I intend to conduct a few more experiments and will share my experiences once I feel I have got to grips with the system.
While clearing out the cupboard under the stairs - which had become a dumping-ground for all sorts of redundant household items - I discovered my old and faithful Psion pocket computer. When it was developed, the technology was quite advanced and I remember using it constantly for time management, calculations and note taking (I even wrote several chapters of a book using it) in the days before the advent of smart phones. For me, one of its greatest assets was its inbuilt programming language. Dusting off my programming skills, I created a version of my freight management program to run on the Psion.
I have used it a couple of times now and have found the ability to make adjustments to the schedule very handy - if for example, I forget to drop off a wagon I can now transfer the movement to a later train. For more information see My Psion based freight management system.
One day, I might try transferring the system to my mobile phone - but that would require me learning how to create phone apps - a bridge I have so far not crossed.
One of my non-full sessions featured a day out for one of my hypothetical characters - Jeanne Brunell who was actually the French lady's maid to Lady Tollemache in the 1910s (as recorded in the 1911 census for the area).
The video gave me an opportunity to take some onboard footage through the carriage windows - something I've not trued previously.
I quite like the added discipline of composing a magazine article and, of course, the buzz of seeing my scribblings in hard copy. The extra pocket money comes in handy as well.
After scribbling a few ideas for a shed/workshop I purchased a few bits of wood, some boards, a couple of secondhand doors, a secondhand window and some roofing felt and set to work.
I am presently fitting-out the interior and, in time, I will be able to transfer my workbench and equipment from their present location in the conservatory which, as a consequence of my annexation, has not been able to function as a proper conservatory for quite a few years! Once completed, I will share my experiences on here (see How I constructed my workshop - pending)
Lineside
Coal yard at Beeston Castle
As part of the general titivation at Beeston Castle, having finished the castle ruins (see How I constructed Beeston Castle from Thermalite blocks), added a brewery (see How I constructed the brewery - pending) and added a new siding (see Progress Report 74), I decided to detail the yard beside the new siding by adding some coaling facilities - including staithes/bins and a coal office - see How I detailed the coal siding at Beeston Castle.
In addition, I constructed a set of coal scales to add a little more detail (see How I constructed some coal scales).
Sand quarry
To provide a reason for running a rake of sand hopper wagons recently constructed (see How I constructed a rake of Snailbeach(ish) sand hopper wagons),
I added a new siding on the outskirts of Bickerton Station (see Progress Report 75) and then constructed some loading hoppers from foamboard.
In addition, I cast a loading embankment from concrete for a 32mm narrower gauge feeder line to fill the hoppers (see How I cast a concrete embankment).
Figures
A few more figures were acquired from a trip to the Llanfair Caereinion Garden Railway Show. Some (ModelTown) were bought unpainted and so will pass through the paintshop at some point in the near future, ......
In addition, some sheep figures were bought from Trenarren Models ......
and a few more 3D printed sheep from Design Scan Print.
Stock
Snailbeach sand hoppers
The most significant addition to the fleet is a rake of nine wooden hopper wagons based loosely on those which ran on the Snailbeach and District Railways.
These were constructed from plasticard on modified HLW (Hartland Loco Works) mini series wagon chassis (see How I constructed a rake of Snailbeach hopper wagons).
Tralee & Dingle cattle wagon
Another bargain find at the Llanfair Show was an ex-Tralee and Dingle cattle wagon which appears to have been carefully scratchbuilt in wood. The stall-holder suggested it was a 10mm scale model but, putting it alongside my other cattle wagons, it looks about right for 16mm scale. It was 32mm gauge but it was relatively easy to prise off the solebars, drill out the bushes and re-wheel it with Bachmann metal wheels.
I will give her a repaint and load her with sheep (see above).
Freelance diesel bash
After using an off-the-shelf LGB ToyTrain diesel loco to test out various combinations of Arduino-based radio control systems (see below).....
.... I decided to rebuild the loco to make her more in keeping with my 1930s era rolling stock. Rather than a complete rebuild, I decided to keep the main body components more or less intact as these conveniently clip together, thereby making access to the electronic control systems straightforward. I intend to keep experimenting with Arduino based control systems and so keeping this loco for testing purposes seems sensible.
I feel that the heavily riveted bodywork and somewhat chunky appearance gives her a utilitarian post WW1 feel (see How I modified an LGB ToyTrain diesel loco - pending).
Brake gear
I have slowly been adding manual brake gear to my wagons. I have tried various approaches, using plasticard, brass strip and even stripwood, but feel that the most durable and realistic looking gear comes from using brass strip, particularly as I have made a simple wooden jig to hold the pieces in alignment when soldering.
For more information see How I made brake gear for my wagons
Permanent Way
Reballasting
After watching some recent videos of the railway in action (for example)............ I realised that there were some sections of track which were in urgent need of reballasting. My tried and trusted method of using horticultural potting grit cement was used once more to provide what I consider to be the right balance between realism and convenience. I apply it as a dry mix and then use a fine rose on the watering can to fix it into place. After it has weathered naturally, I am very pleased with the results.
Operation
Arduino experiments
As indicated above, I have been experimenting with variations on control systems based around Arduino Nano programmable components. I was intrigued with the idea of using a mobile phone to control my locos using Bluetooth and also the efficacy of trying 2.4gHz radio control.Bluetooth control
I tried three approaches to Bluetooth control - using free or very cost effective apps for my Android phone - iPhone versions are also available.Ultimately, I arrived at a system which combined Bluetooth phone app control with MP3 digitised sounds.
I was pleased with the outcome in terms of its cost effectiveness and the level of control which could be achieved. However, I struggled to use the phone apps successfully. Maybe the display on my cheap phone isn't sufficiently clear, but I was unable to see the controls clearly when the sun shone, and also having to keep looking at the screen to operate the buttons and sliders was for me a distraction. I much prefer the tactile feedback of a handheld controller with physical knobs and buttons.
See:
- Arduino Phone App control - Part 1 - Getting Started
- Arduino Phone App Control - Part 2 - Basic control
- Arduino Phone App Control - Part 3 - Improving speed control
- Arduino Phone App Control - Part 4 - Adding Sound
2.4gHz radio control
I felt I had progressed as far as I wanted with Bluetooth phone app control and so wanted to explore the potential of using 2.4gHz radio control modules with Arduino. After some experimentation and a bit of trial and improvement, I ended up with a basic 2.4gHz handheld transmitter and receiver system, which also utilised the same MP3 sound system which I had developed with the Bluetooth system.
I am quite pleased with the outcome. Whilst the system is not quite as precise as my Deltang based systems, particularly in terms of slow running, there is considerable potential in the Arduino system which, as yet, I have not tapped. I intend to conduct a few more experiments and will share my experiences once I feel I have got to grips with the system.
Psion Freight Manager program
For many years I have been using a PC based management system to generate freight movements on the railway (see My computerised freight management system). This has served me well, but one of the disadvantages is that it relies on using hard-copy print-outs of the manifests. This is not too onerous but does lack flexibility. I can't modify the movements on the fly should complications arise.
While clearing out the cupboard under the stairs - which had become a dumping-ground for all sorts of redundant household items - I discovered my old and faithful Psion pocket computer. When it was developed, the technology was quite advanced and I remember using it constantly for time management, calculations and note taking (I even wrote several chapters of a book using it) in the days before the advent of smart phones. For me, one of its greatest assets was its inbuilt programming language. Dusting off my programming skills, I created a version of my freight management program to run on the Psion.
I have used it a couple of times now and have found the ability to make adjustments to the schedule very handy - if for example, I forget to drop off a wagon I can now transfer the movement to a later train. For more information see My Psion based freight management system.
One day, I might try transferring the system to my mobile phone - but that would require me learning how to create phone apps - a bridge I have so far not crossed.
Operating sessions
I have managed only one full operating session this season. This doesn't mean I haven't run any trains in the meantime. It just means I have only had one full session where I run a complete day's timetable with computer generated freight movements. This has largely been due to a lack of reliable weather - I need at least two consecutive days of decent weather to run a full session - and also because of other things competing for my time.One of my non-full sessions featured a day out for one of my hypothetical characters - Jeanne Brunell who was actually the French lady's maid to Lady Tollemache in the 1910s (as recorded in the 1911 census for the area).
The video gave me an opportunity to take some onboard footage through the carriage windows - something I've not trued previously.
General
More magazine articles
I've had a few articles published in Garden Rail recently which seem to have been well received.
I quite like the added discipline of composing a magazine article and, of course, the buzz of seeing my scribblings in hard copy. The extra pocket money comes in handy as well.
New workshop
The most time consuming project recently has been the construction of a new workshop and garden shed. Previously, the railway wound its way behind my old garden shed and a lean-to shelter I had constructed for our old trailer tent. Having sold the trailer tent, I dismantled its shelter and at the same time removed the shed which was beginning to show its twenty-year age. This left a reasonably sized plot in the corner of the garden.
After scribbling a few ideas for a shed/workshop I purchased a few bits of wood, some boards, a couple of secondhand doors, a secondhand window and some roofing felt and set to work.
I am presently fitting-out the interior and, in time, I will be able to transfer my workbench and equipment from their present location in the conservatory which, as a consequence of my annexation, has not been able to function as a proper conservatory for quite a few years! Once completed, I will share my experiences on here (see How I constructed my workshop - pending)
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