you have done an excellent job on your frame. I have dealt alot with interlocking since starting my signalling career in 1990 in south wales. I have always admired the skill and quality of the engineers who first designed interlockings. What you have done is fantastic. thankyou for showing
Thank you very much. This has developed considerably since the video was made. I have now made a scale Westinghouse A2 frame which will be the subject of a video soon. I've found this subject fascinating, I wish I'd learnt about it sooner as I think I'd quite like the job of servicing such equipment. :) I'm thrilled that someone with your experience has found my video interesting, thank you so much for taking the time to watch. My best wishes, James
James. Brilliant as usual. You have been missed, but it important to say that whilst I really look forward to your videos, please remember that you have other things in your life and I am sure we appreciate that and would settle for less frequent postings if that is better for you. 👍
Had the great pleasure to see CDGFife's Cadhay Sidings at the St Andrews exhibition the other week, operated by a cohort of Scaleforummers - because the layout needs a signaller, two signaller/fiddleboard operators, one driver, and one driver/shunter to operate… very intensive for a deceptively simple track layout! Absolutely beautiful layout. They let me help out on one of the fiddle yards, tapping away on the block instruments - was a fantastic afternoon.
Great presentation James, thankyou. It never hurts to give "the little grey cells" a bit of hurry up! I absolutely love the way all of the locking works, it really does make one think in a super logical way. The people who nutted it out in the fist place are very admirable indeed!
Thank you Peter, I enjoy trying to figure things like this out, but was very grateful to be shown the way on this occasion by those more knowledgeable than me. Incidentally, this morning I have just read that the first interlocking mechanism of this type was conceived by an Austin Chambers in 1859. He apparently improved upon a simpler system designed by John Saxby in 1856, who in-turn improved upon Atkinson system installed at Retford Junction in 1952! I think all 3 of these gentlemen must have been geniuses. :) My best wishes, James
Thanks for that history update James. I was going to see if Dr Google would shed some light on the subject. Yes, they were sure clever people and to be greatly admired.
This is amazing, I never understood anything about mechanical interlocking before and watching through this has helped so much. It's bizarre that I found myself here as a result of looking for painting laser cut kits and went down the rabbit hole from your video on painting the brick swatches
A really useful and informative video and I’m particularly pleased to hear that both Howard and Keith continue to give their invaluable assistance. I couldn’t have finalised my ScaleFour locking frame without their guidance and patience. Tony
An enjoyable video, James. It is good that you show what went wrong as well as the right solution, as I believe that it can be helpful to others in finding the optimum solution to their own endeavours. Best, Jason.
Hi James. Thought I would make a comment on the point set up for greater accuracy. Most interlocked facing points will be fitted with a lock bar to avoid splitting of points. As the signals are effectively shunt signals the lock bar engagement would release the signals not point direction. Shunt signals take you as far as line is clear or next signal. This becomes important as a train shunting toward the dead end would still require a proceed aspect to enter there or be waved pass by signalman. Same for engine coming from dead end in platform road. Another thing associated with the lock bar is a detector bar. This is a approx 12foot bar inside the rail and will stop lock bar being disengaged by rotation upward and striking wheel flanges of any standing rolling stock and so stopping the action. This is Australian practice but equipment is mckenzie Holland from England so should be the same principles. Enjoy your approach to the modelling of bexhill. cheers
What helped me to design the locking for my lever frame was to draw out a logic chart on paper. On that I listed what levers were locked or released by the movement of any other lever. It helped me visualise how the dogs and tappets would need to be placed and how they would interact.
Hi James! Another interesting and engaging video! Interlocking (be it mechanical or electrical) is a very complex subject which, once the essential principles are grasped, is fascinating in its own right. I look forward to seeing Bexhill West No.1 SB coming to fruition in miniature in due course! Your slot release indicators are worth a look at as a future subject, perhaps? Congratulations on going part-time! It is the way I stepped down into full retirement and is better than going from full-time working to retirement. I’m pleased that your point motor and vacuum ballaster parts are selling for you, too. It is only a reflection of the time and care you have put into their design and production. We don’t mind when you upload a new video! Don’t put yourself under pressure to create something every week. Best wishes from Wirral.
This is epic - it is exactly the kind of interlocking youtube video that I have been searching for years! So many videos out there on signalling make on a fleeting glance at interlocking. Towards the end of the video you say that you're no expert on signalling, but given the lack of other videos explaining interlocking, well, in my books, you're the king of the mountain expert. Thankyou so much for making this (and the previous!) video!! I very much look forward to anything you create in regard to the remote servo driven interlocking between the signal boxes. I'd also love to see a link the the forum where it was explained how your v1 design was wrong and how to correctly approach it as I think that will further help me understand design. Lastly, do you sell your laser cut interlocking kit (or at least the design drawings?). I'm interested to buy parts (or buy a design and then will 3d print it, one of my tasks at work is to start learning our 3d printer and start making stuff!) Again, absolutely thrilled you made these two videos, I have wanted a thorough interlocking design video for aaaages! Cheers from Brisbane Australia.
Hi James - Really glad to see you about, as always love your videos although most of the time they are way over my head. Apologies I have still no way anywhere near ballasting my track but I will experiment on my test track and put it in my channel. Presently doing tons of research and a few things on my layout, but not a lot due to health, finances and to hot in the loft. Anyway enjoyed your video as always. Regards Chris
Thank you Chris, really nice to hear from you. I hope you are keeping well and I'm not surprised you've been keeping out of the loft in this heat we've had lately. That's no excuse though for not cluttering-up the kitchen table with some works-in-progress. I'm sure Mrs B.R. wont mind a bit. :) Take care, James
Clearly not a waste of time to build a "try & error" lever frame interlocking, as first you go big by building the main signalboxs lever frame, too and secondly you can teach and lent to others who try to find out how there layout could became more prototypical. Good luck and have fun with your demonstration "Starting (and getting lost with unexpected pathlessness, till someone points somewhere) in P4" 😉
It should be a big help when it comes to Signal Box 1 with its large frame, the thought of which is a little mind-boggling at the moment. I'm really looking forward to Scaleforum, it should be a great exhibition. Thanks for watching, James
Good to hear from you again. Just the idea of mechanical interlocking makes my brain ache, so well done for making that first trial, even if it didn't work. Was the issue solved simply by putting the point lever between the two signal levers? Congratulations on the success of the point motors and ballast vaccuum system.
Really well thank you. I've been so busy with lots of things over the past couple of months and my video schedule has fallen behind. However, I've just finished editing a new video which should be out tomorrow morning. Fingers crossed. :) Hope all is well with you. James
you have done an excellent job on your frame. I have dealt alot with interlocking since starting my signalling career in 1990 in south wales. I have always admired the skill and quality of the engineers who first designed interlockings. What you have done is fantastic. thankyou for showing
Thank you very much. This has developed considerably since the video was made. I have now made a scale Westinghouse A2 frame which will be the subject of a video soon. I've found this subject fascinating, I wish I'd learnt about it sooner as I think I'd quite like the job of servicing such equipment. :)
I'm thrilled that someone with your experience has found my video interesting, thank you so much for taking the time to watch.
My best wishes,
James
James. Brilliant as usual. You have been missed, but it important to say that whilst I really look forward to your videos, please remember that you have other things in your life and I am sure we appreciate that and would settle for less frequent postings if that is better for you. 👍
Had the great pleasure to see CDGFife's Cadhay Sidings at the St Andrews exhibition the other week, operated by a cohort of Scaleforummers - because the layout needs a signaller, two signaller/fiddleboard operators, one driver, and one driver/shunter to operate… very intensive for a deceptively simple track layout! Absolutely beautiful layout. They let me help out on one of the fiddle yards, tapping away on the block instruments - was a fantastic afternoon.
Great presentation James, thankyou. It never hurts to give "the little grey cells" a bit of hurry up! I absolutely love the way all of the locking works, it really does make one think in a super logical way. The people who nutted it out in the fist place are very admirable indeed!
Thank you Peter, I enjoy trying to figure things like this out, but was very grateful to be shown the way on this occasion by those more knowledgeable than me.
Incidentally, this morning I have just read that the first interlocking mechanism of this type was conceived by an Austin Chambers in 1859. He apparently improved upon a simpler system designed by John Saxby in 1856, who in-turn improved upon Atkinson system installed at Retford Junction in 1952!
I think all 3 of these gentlemen must have been geniuses. :)
My best wishes,
James
Thanks for that history update James. I was going to see if Dr Google would shed some light on the subject. Yes, they were sure clever people and to be greatly admired.
This is amazing, I never understood anything about mechanical interlocking before and watching through this has helped so much. It's bizarre that I found myself here as a result of looking for painting laser cut kits and went down the rabbit hole from your video on painting the brick swatches
A really useful and informative video and I’m particularly pleased to hear that both Howard and Keith continue to give their invaluable assistance. I couldn’t have finalised my ScaleFour locking frame without their guidance and patience. Tony
An enjoyable video, James. It is good that you show what went wrong as well as the right solution, as I believe that it can be helpful to others in finding the optimum solution to their own endeavours. Best, Jason.
Thank you so much.
Best wishes,
James
Hi James. Thought I would make a comment on the point set up for greater accuracy. Most interlocked facing points will be fitted with a lock bar to avoid splitting of points. As the signals are effectively shunt signals the lock bar engagement would release the signals not point direction. Shunt signals take you as far as line is clear or next signal. This becomes important as a train shunting toward the dead end would still require a proceed aspect to enter there or be waved pass by signalman. Same for engine coming from dead end in platform road. Another thing associated with the lock bar is a detector bar. This is a approx 12foot bar inside the rail and will stop lock bar being disengaged by rotation upward and striking wheel flanges of any standing rolling stock and so stopping the action. This is Australian practice but equipment is mckenzie Holland from England so should be the same principles. Enjoy your approach to the modelling of bexhill. cheers
What helped me to design the locking for my lever frame was to draw out a logic chart on paper. On that I listed what levers were locked or released by the movement of any other lever. It helped me visualise how the dogs and tappets would need to be placed and how they would interact.
Hi James!
Another interesting and engaging video!
Interlocking (be it mechanical or electrical) is a very complex subject which, once the essential principles are grasped, is fascinating in its own right. I look forward to seeing Bexhill West No.1 SB coming to fruition in miniature in due course! Your slot release indicators are worth a look at as a future subject, perhaps?
Congratulations on going part-time! It is the way I stepped down into full retirement and is better than going from full-time working to retirement.
I’m pleased that your point motor and vacuum ballaster parts are selling for you, too. It is only a reflection of the time and care you have put into their design and production.
We don’t mind when you upload a new video! Don’t put yourself under pressure to create something every week.
Best wishes from Wirral.
Hi James great to watch another video from yourself. I do enjoy your engineering skills. I look forward to watching more in the near future.
Thank you Steve, hope you're well.
All the best,
James
Great news you are going to have more time for modelling and that is another excellent piece of engineering.
Cheers Kev
Thanks Kev.
Very interesting video James! Glad that you’re going to get more time for modelling and I look forward to seeing you at the exhibition in September!
I'm so grateful for the extra time as I've so much to catch-up on. Like you, I shall look forward to seeing you in September.
All the best,
James
This is epic - it is exactly the kind of interlocking youtube video that I have been searching for years! So many videos out there on signalling make on a fleeting glance at interlocking.
Towards the end of the video you say that you're no expert on signalling, but given the lack of other videos explaining interlocking, well, in my books, you're the king of the mountain expert.
Thankyou so much for making this (and the previous!) video!!
I very much look forward to anything you create in regard to the remote servo driven interlocking between the signal boxes.
I'd also love to see a link the the forum where it was explained how your v1 design was wrong and how to correctly approach it as I think that will further help me understand design.
Lastly, do you sell your laser cut interlocking kit (or at least the design drawings?). I'm interested to buy parts (or buy a design and then will 3d print it, one of my tasks at work is to start learning our 3d printer and start making stuff!)
Again, absolutely thrilled you made these two videos, I have wanted a thorough interlocking design video for aaaages!
Cheers from Brisbane Australia.
Hi James - Really glad to see you about, as always love your videos although most of the time they are way over my head.
Apologies I have still no way anywhere near ballasting my track but I will experiment on my test track and put it in my channel.
Presently doing tons of research and a few things on my layout, but not a lot due to health, finances and to hot in the loft.
Anyway enjoyed your video as always.
Regards Chris
Thank you Chris, really nice to hear from you. I hope you are keeping well and I'm not surprised you've been keeping out of the loft in this heat we've had lately. That's no excuse though for not cluttering-up the kitchen table with some works-in-progress. I'm sure Mrs B.R. wont mind a bit. :)
Take care,
James
Clearly not a waste of time to build a "try & error" lever frame interlocking, as first you go big by building the main signalboxs lever frame, too and secondly you can teach and lent to others who try to find out how there layout could became more prototypical.
Good luck and have fun with your demonstration "Starting (and getting lost with unexpected pathlessness, till someone points somewhere) in P4" 😉
It should be a big help when it comes to Signal Box 1 with its large frame, the thought of which is a little mind-boggling at the moment. I'm really looking forward to Scaleforum, it should be a great exhibition.
Thanks for watching,
James
Hey grate video I was wondering if these interlocking kits are available to purchase any where ?
Good to hear from you again. Just the idea of mechanical interlocking makes my brain ache, so well done for making that first trial, even if it didn't work. Was the issue solved simply by putting the point lever between the two signal levers? Congratulations on the success of the point motors and ballast vaccuum system.
Where did you get that amazing wee rotating vice? Keep up the inspirational work!
Hi Martin, It's a Eclipse Instrument Vice No.180. It's a very handy tool indeed. :)
Have you tried boolean logicgate theory to the problem?
I wouldn't know where to start. Would you be able to recommend a source for some basic instruction to get me started?
Thanks for watching,
James
2 1/2 months and an exhibition went by - how´d it go?
Really well thank you. I've been so busy with lots of things over the past couple of months and my video schedule has fallen behind. However, I've just finished editing a new video which should be out tomorrow morning. Fingers crossed. :)
Hope all is well with you.
James
LOL when you are playing with stop motion animation you have too much time on your hands
I wish. :)
All the best,
James