New member/ help needed regarding track work

[greenglade]

Hi All

Can anyone direct me to were I can find reference material for LNER track/points during the 1930's.
I'm in the early planning stages for a future 0 gauge MR which will be modelled during this era, I would like to build the trackwork as close as possible to the prototype, same goes for signalling methods. Is there any online source or published material that would help me achieve this. I did try using the search function but I'm not very good with search engines.

Many thanks

Pete

[Hatfield Shed]

One of the first questions will be 'which of the former pre-grouping company territories?' because much of the infrastructure bore the 'marks peculiar' of the preceeding company (or companies in some cases) right through the LNER's existence. If it is the GNR area for example, regarding signalling I would point you toward the wonderful survey by Michael Vanns 'An illustrated history of Great Northern signalling'.

[greenglade]

Hi

Thanks for the input, to be honest I'm not sure yet although I have started to plot the track plan for Kings Cross into Templot. But that's for the future, I'll probably start a more rural setting somewhere close to the England/Scotland border, or maybe just North of Doncaster so going by what you've said I assume there will be differences between these locations, will this be just for the signalling or will trackwork be different as well?

Regards

Pete

[PinzaC55]

Signalling would be very different depending which part of the ECML you want to model. North of Berwick it would be lattice post lower quadrants or early upper quadrants. On the NER it would be slotted post lower quadrants or early upper quadrants. On the GNR it would be lower quadrant somersaults or early upper quadrants. All 3 areas (esp the GNR, less so the NBR) could have early colour lights.
Looking it at it for ease of construction you'd be better off with the NBR section as slotted posts and somersaults are very challenging to model.

[Bryan]

The NERA publish a book of P Way Standards with detail of all forms of trackwork and PW related items.

http://www.ner.org.uk/
STANDARD RAILWAY EQUIPMENT – PERMANENT WAY, 1926

A 94 page facsimile reproduction of the 1926 book of permanent way track standards using 95lb B.S. rail. This book of scale detailed plans and drawings show full timbering and chair details for turnouts, crossings, switches and slips as well as drawings of individual components which made the point-work of the period. Details of check-rails, stretcher-bars, chairing for Waybeams are also included.

Price at Meetings: £5.95, Price by Post: £7.50

[greenglade]

Hi Bryan

That looks just what I need, I just wish that I could order it online rather than the old fashioned method of sending a check, something I haven't done for a very long time, hell I don't think I even have a cheque book anymore, one day no one will since the banks plan to discontinue cheques. So I'll need to find another way to obtain a copy, I've put it on my wish list for Amazon and eBay, so fingers crossed..

Many thanks

Pete

[Graham Boak]

Won't your bank give/sell you a cheque?

The Post Office used to sell things called Money Orders, which would do the same thing.

Then you could always send cash through the post.

Wonderful how technological advances result in reducing of the options, isn't it?

[greenglade]

Oh yes there are ways, postal order, bankers draft and like you say cash although I'm sure I remember reading on the NERA site not to do this, well it was either there or one of the many other sites that I've visited today. But to be honest why should one go back in time to purchase something, surely a business needs to keep up with the times?
I've looked at the list of papers on the North Eastern site and find a lot of them would be on my shopping list but that's impulse buying as I probably wouldn't buy that many really. But that's the whole point, the moment has passed, if the site was upto date in its approach to taking payments it would benifit greatly. Better still have each book as a downloadable PDF file which you pay for online with your visa and then print it.
I bet such an approach would increase sales massively and reduce workload as its all automatic, at least my wallet would be a lot lighter tonight, I'd be happy and so would NERA. In today's world time is short, having to go to a bank, write an order form, and then have to post it doesn't exactly fit in with the modern world.

Just a thought...

Pete

[giner]

Agreed, Pete. Theirs really is an antiquated way of selling. Never send cash in an envelope, not even a registered one. As for their 'advice' to overseas customers to send an open cheque, well that's plain crazy.
I don't know where you're located, but their contact information gives an address in Northallerton, N. Yorks. It might be worth your contacting them, and then jump in the car and drive there. Nice bit of country to see as well.

[greenglade]

Ahhhh North Yorkshire.., yes lovely part of the country, unfortunately I live in North London so a little bit to far for popping in. I was planning to pop up to Kettering for the G0G meet , it maybe wishful thinking but I wonder if a stall might have NERA books. Having not been to any such meet before I have no idea what to expect.
Anyway, you never know I might get lucky..

Pete

[Bryan]

The sales stand does attend a number of model shows around the country.
The next one I am confident that it will be attending is the York Model show over Easter.