6th May 2006
The LRT visited the Ottershaw Scouts & Guides May Fayre on 1st May, and carried over 400 passengers. This is such an improvement on last year, that we managed to run out of tickets! The weather outlook was poor, but in the event, it remained dry, although the temperature fluctuated considerably. There were many enquiries for possibly attending other events, but at the time of writing, only one was followed up, but this was for a weekday event, and that would mean taking time off work (employment) and van-hire!
Click pictures for full size images.
Left Stese about to depart, with Daniel in the right background having just checked tickets. [Photo: M. Scrutton.]
Right Our newest driver, Matt, taking a train out, with Stese in the left background keeping the register up to date! [Photo: S. Trower.]
6th March 2006
The LRT visited the Acton Miniature Railway again on March 4th & 5th for the Open Weekend at the Museum Depot at Acton Town. Over the two days, we provided 72 passenger journeys, carrying a total of 345 passengers. The low number of passengers is due to the fact that we shared the operation with Mike Hanscomb's Metrovick locomotive (with two coaches borrowed from a miniature railway at Woking) and a small 0-4-0ST steam locomotive (with a third coach borrowed from Woking). Two more coaches were borrowed from the Great Cockcrow Railway, but built to GCR operational standards, the flanges were too deep for the smaller rail section on the AMR! Also on show, was a partly built class "A" Steam Locomotive. Unlike previous events, all trains were carrying passengers, and a very slick operation was provided. The railway carried over 1,000 passengers over the weekend, which is the best total to date, though we should note that the Wootton Tramway was not present this year.
The LRT provided some signals again, but these were positioned differently to before, due to the method of operation being revised and the Departure area and Arrival area being swapped over! We also provided springs for two of the points, so that they didn't need to be changed all the time. One of the two new points was for trailing moves only and remained unlocked, the other was locked into position. Indeed, the line had been extended, and thus the passengers got more VFM (value for money). Now, the AMR is looking into the purchase of two new points to provide a passing loop near the far end of the present layout, but we'll report on that later.
Operating at 24v (instead of 12v), the LRT ran exceptionally well, with no actual failures in service. We had one minor derailment, the cause of which was never established, but we suspect that it was ballast caught in the point. (We will need to urge people to walk on the track and ballast less than presently!) One of the bogies had released itself from the chassis during the Sunday, but being held in place by gravity, we didn't know until we lifted the chassis to put the train back into the van!
All in all, it was a good weekend, enjoyed by all, despite the cold (though that was not as bad as last year). As an aside, the AMR has received a donation in the form of a Metrovick loco and two trucks, but they are both in 7½" gauge instead of 7¼" gauge. The loco stood on a plinth during the weekend to be admired. Curiously, this was not the only overscale item at the event, due to an arrival on Sunday afternoon ... see the pictures!
Click photo for full size image.
Top Left The LRT passes the plinthed 7½" gauge Metrovick locomotive.
Top Right Mike Hanscomb's Metrovick locomotive about to depart past one of the signals provided by the LRT. Note the aspect: Green instructing the driver to proceed, and Yellow warning the driver that the next signal (just about seen in the background) is at Danger (Red).
Middle Left The partly built class "A" steam locomotive. GCR coaches behind.
Middle Right The operational steam locomotive, seen here in the new locomotive siding. Note the Metropolitan riding truck!
Bottom This is NOT 7¼" gauge ... it is a refurbished "D" stock car that arrived during Sunday afternoon!
[These photos by Adrian Allum.]
27th February 2006
During mid-February, the 38-stock's other bogies were taken apart, thoroughly cleaned, greased and reassembled. As a result the whole train is much more freely running (should've thought of that earlier). During the refitting process, it was decided to rewire the motors differently, giving us the potential to take the motors up to 24v (instead of just 12v), giving us more speed when we need it. The train was tested at Acton at the end of February, with impressive results. (It was nick-named the "Under-City 125," but the directors have issued a strict rule about speeds ... with the penalty of disqualification!)
Click photo for full size image.
Adrian brings the train cautiously over a new set of points at Acton, with the track-extension visible in the background.
[Photo: T. Crame.]
1st January 2006
Three friends of the LRT made a visit to the Acton Miniature Railway on December 29th, and after looking at signalling equipment, set to work laying a point and siding on this 7¼" gauge railway. Being regular guests at this railway, we were more than happy to help out, and both LRT directors are Friends of London's Transport Museum also.
On the following day, a slightly different three set to work with maintenance to the main asset ... our 1938 stock. The two bogies from the "A" car were removed and stripped down completely. After de-greasing and cleaning as much as we could, we put everything back together with a fresh application of grease. And oh boy, the wheels turn much more freely now! The outer end bogie was completed (and work here included refitting one of the wheels to the axle), but the inner end bogie needs some more tweaking before we can refit the motors (these were the ones removed during the season)! Before our next run, we need to do the same to the two bogies from the "D" car, and some other electrical work is in progress.
25th October
We present some of the pictures from the photo-shoot on September 4th, that we mentioned in our news on September 12th.
Click pictures for full size images.
Top Left With Daniel driving, the LRT is pictured in front of the main sign for the Museum Depot. Trimmed and digitally enhanced, this photo is now used on a large A2 poster displayed at the Acton Miniature Railway (the name given to the Museum Depot's 7¼" gauge railway) whenever the railway is running.
Top Right For a Landscape option, but not with the main sign in view, this picture with Adrian driving has been selected.
Bottom One interesting view is this side-on shot ... 7 passengers (plus driver and guard) and the train is full! Maybe we could carry more if they all sat the same way round, but we would carry less if they were any bigger ... these children were all aged, we understand, below 10.
[Photos by Charles Howard, and the children were especially invited to be part of the photo-shoot.]
23rd October
The LRT was in operation again at the Museum Depot at Acton on October 22nd & 23rd, for their Family Weekend. We were the only train on the 7¼" gauge track, and over the two days we provided 132 rides, carrying 638 fare-paying passengers. There are no real problems to report, but it appears that we have excessive flange-wear on one or two wheel-sets, and these will need to be sorted out this winter.
The LRT is now out of service for the winter (so that we can have a chance to do the bigger jobs), and its next booking is at the Museum Depot on March 4th & 5th, 2006.
Click pictures for full size images.
Top Daniel bringing a train into the Alighting area on the Sunday ... we ran with the train the 'other way round' on the Sunday so that we could see if it was any easier to do so (and certainly, signal sighting was easier).
Bottom Left Starter signal #6 with the usual LU style warning signs below. The signs were especially created from prototypes by Charles Howard, and the top one warns of 24,000 millli-volts! (Well, we thought it was amusing - and it had the desired effect of keeping people off the track!)
Bottom Right We had some assistance from very young helpers for a short while, kindly provided by museum staff, seen here inspecting tickets!
All Photos: A. Allum.
12th September 2005
The LRT was taken to the Great Cockcrow Railway's Gala Weekend in September. With much other visiting motive power, the train was not even unloaded on the Saturday, but on the Sunday morning, we took it round for four trips. Unfortunately, a fault developed in that reverse direction could not be engaged from one end (we had recently rewired the train for driving from either end - an absolute must for GCR operation). After some fault tracing, we located (we suspect) the fault to the wiring loom to the hand-held controller. Although 'normal' operation could continue in theory, we felt that it was unwise to continue running until the fault could be properly traced and repaired, and the train spent the afternoon stabled outside the carriage shed at Hardwick Central. Both owners had taken the train around, as well as one of the other regular LRT operators and an engineer from the GCR who has done much mechanical work to help us get the train running and keep it running.
The LRT visited the Acton Miniature Railway on September 4th, the purpose of the visit being to take some high quality photos of the train with passengers to use for publicity purposes. The resulting photos will be posted on this site shortly.
Click pictures for full size images.
Top Left Daniel Hill driving, the LRT is seen on the climb to Piggery Summit, with the 'A' end car leading. [Photo: A. Allum.]
Top Right A BR Standard class 2, 2-6-0; one of the many visiting locomotives during the weekend is seen at Hardwick Central. Note the LRT in the background! [Photo: A. Allum.]
Bottom An LU style car-map was produced for running at the GCR (shewing both green and red routes), but not actually used! [Created by A. Allum.]
8th August 2005
Two more photos of the LRT in action have been sent to us.
Click photos for full size images.
Left Adrian drives the LRT at the Acton Miniature Railway, with Thomas as guard.
Bottom Right The LRT team at Hook, from left to right: Daniel, Martin, Stephen, Charles & Adrian.
[Photos: David Carter.]
6th July 2005
The LRT attended two events at the beginning of July.
On Saturday 2nd, we carried 115 passengers at the 8th Ashford Scouts Summer Fayre; an event continually threatened by the weather (very grey clouds), but the rain did manage to hold off. Unfortunately, we were all so occupied, that none of us actually got any photos! We did have a couple of friends helping us, and hopefully one of them did manage to get a photo that we can add later ... but see the comment at the end of this report.
On Sunday 3rd, we carried 102 passengers at St. Elphege's School P.A.'s Summer Fete (Wallington). Only a few drops of rain were felt during the afternoon, but we didn't need to suspend operations. Again, we didn't get any photos of the train in action, only one of the rather splendid station sign made up for our use!
The LRT has no bookings now, until the beginning of September. So, we are going to make the most of it to do some work on the train (and work on Adrian's garden railway).
This work (on the LRT) will hopefully include modifications to three wheel-sets, the fitting of a better parking brake that can be activated from either end ... and while we're at it, rewiring the driving control adapter for the 'other' end.
We are thinking of setting up a facility where people can submit photos of the train in action for posting on the website. Many people take photos of their offspring on the train, and any such photo that shewed the train in good detail (i.e., not just a picture of the passenger), would be eligible. Obviously, we would reserve the right to pick and choose, but it would enable us to concentrate on running the railway without disrupting procedures just so that a photo can be arranged. If we do decide to set up this facility, we will announce it here.
Click photo for full size image.
The lovely station sign made for our use. There were four in total, one naming each of the four local schools. [Photo: A. Allum.]
30th June 2005
Stephen Trower has provided some photos of the LRT at Hook.
Click photos for full size images.
Top A worms eye view of the train, awaiting passengers.
Bottom Left Daniel drives the LRT, with a train load of happy passengers. Most of our passengers are children, but there are a few 'big kids' who come for a ride as well.
Bottom Right The end of the line, Daniel prepares to drive the train back towards the station.
[Photos: S. Trower.]
26th June 2005
The LRT visited the 1st Hook Scouts Summer Fayre on June 25th, and carried 187 passengers during the four-hour period. The weather, although dry, was grey, and this may account for the low turnout.
Apart from one curious electrical cut-off before the event started, the train worked faultlessly. We have been invited back next year.
Click photos for full size images.
Left Operators waiting for the next passengers during a quiet moment.
Right The organiser had even made up some signs to promote the LRT, one seen here with one of our own signs.
[Photos: A. Allum.]
5th June 2005
The LRT had a second run at the Museum Depot at Acton on June 4/5. Although the weather was much nicer, turnout was very low. The promotion within the depot itself was "75 years of Greenline buses," which meant that most of the visitors had little or no interest in trains!
We suffered a derailment during the Saturday, with three suspect causes! The loading on the carriage was uneven - too much weight at the end that stayed on the track (so we needed to be more thoughtful about weight distribution), two wheelsets within the bogie that came off are perhaps a little too wide (and we're going to get these replaced - as these are also the wheelsets where the motors have been removed (temporarily) due to gear-meshing problems), and the check-rails in the points were a little too wide (so they were adjusted during the day - and the ride was greatly improved)!
On the Sunday, however, there was an even bigger derailment, but thankfully, not with the LRT or even on the 7¼" gauge track ... a full size "D" stock set in the adjacent depot (not part of the museum)! Our train ran mostly OK, but our cheap-and-cheerful "Deadman" button finally bowed out, so it was bypassed (a ten-minute job).
The LRT also provided three working signals, working in true LU fashion - mostly! (We didn't have the chance to make up a route indicator for the home signal, so we had to compromise there!) These proved extremely popular and the experiment may well be developed further!
Click photo for full size images.
The LRT is seen reversing into the passing loop whilst the "MetroVick" loco waits at the starter signal. [Photo: A. Allum.]
Be sure to look again, as many other photographers took an interest in our operations ... and we've been promised a few pictures!
14th May 2005
Stephen Trower, one of the group who assisted with the LRT at Acton and Ottershaw, has supplied some more photos from the February open weekend at Acton Depot.
Click photos for full size images.
Left Daniel drives the LRT, with a train load of passengers, at the February Acton Depot open weekend.
Right The class 60, with which we shared the track at Acton, awaits another run.
[Photos: S. Trower.]
3rd May 2005
The May Bank Holiday weekend was a busy one for the LRT.
Final adjustments were made to train and track on the Saturday, and this enabled us to test the train on the Sunday upon the Great Cockcrow Railway. On the first of the two trips, using GPS technology, the speed was measured, and the average maximum was about 5mph (a scale speed of an authentic 40mph). N.B. The term "Average Maximum" denotes that there were variations in top speed due to gradients and so on - as if you needed reminding!
On the Monday, the train and just over 100' of track was taken to the Ottershaw Scout and Guide Group May Fair for 4½ hours of operation. Well, 4¼ hours, considering that a problem developed with one of the motors and its gearing, and this (and it's mate - as they work in pairs) had to be removed, thus giving us three motor bogies in action (six powered axles) and one trailing bogie. All worked OK from then on. In that time we carried over 250 passengers, using our own home-produced tickets. Sadly, the day was marred by one director losing his wallet and one of our helpers returning to his local station to find that his bicycle had been stolen. On a brighter note, we have been provisionally invited back next year.
Click photos for full size images.
Top Left The train is seen emerging from Greywood Tunnel on the Great Cockcrow Railway. (Adrian driving.) [Photo: D. Hill.]
Top Right Reversing out of the headshunt at Hardwick Central after testing. (Daniel supervising.) [Photo: R. Maiden.]
Bottom Left Martin (Daniel's younger brother) prepares to drive the train out of the 'station' at the Ottershaw May Fair. [Photo: D. Hill.]
Bottom Right Another train load of happy passengers. [Photo: D. Hill.]
29th March 2005
Work has started on maintenance and repairs to the track panels that we will be using at most of the Fetes and similar events. By the end of Easter Monday holiday, we had completed 11 panels (each 7' in length), and most of a 12th, but further adjustments are necessary to that one.
All of the panels are being labelled (and recorded on a database) so that we can keep a log of usage and maintenance intervals. This may seem a bit pedantic, but it is necessary in order to keep up with current safety standards!
Click photos for full size images.
Left Daniel Hill at work on one of the track panels (with the nice weather, the work was done in Adrian's garden.)
Right Each panel has a reference (S02 = Straight #2, C03 = Curve #3, and so on) as seen in this stack. (Note new sleeper on S04!)
[Photos: A. Allum.]
1st March 2005
The Little Red Train, despite all the problems in the last few weeks, appeared at London's Transport Museum Depot at Acton on February 26/27. Over the two very cold days (0°C max.), we carried roundly 600 passengers and the train was available for about 95% of the time; minor mechanical problems accounting for the other 5%!
We did have a problem with a grub-screw coming away from one of the axles (so the gear could free-wheel) and some motor mounting screw threads vibrating out of the motor casings; but emergency adjustments were made so that we could get the train back in service as quickly as possible.
On the Saturday night, we brought one of the bogies home (leaving the rest of the train at the depot - indoors - along with the batteries for charging) for serious modifications, and performance was indeed, better on the Sunday. Many photos of this event were taken by a number of photographers, and we shall probably add to the few that are here, later.
We would especially like to thank Jonathan Riddell for the original invitation to the event; Wesley Quilty who served as the Line Manager for the weekend and whose enthusiasm made the event so enjoyable; and Bob Bird who helped us out with utmost urgency when the train came to an "equipment-related" stand!
Also, thanks to our friends, Thomas Crame, Stese Davison, Martin Hill, Matt Scrutton and Stephen Trower, who assisted with the operation of the train; to Paul Trotter and all at Camberley Engineering (and the Great Cockcrow Railway) for getting the train into working order; and of course, to everybody who made all the effort worthwhile by taking a ride upon the Little Red Train!
Click photos for full size images.
Top Left It was not only the LRT that was new in service, this was the first event upon the new 7¼" gauge track at the depot, and here, the ribbon is being cut by Sam Mullins, Director of London's Transport Museum. Immediately afterwards, the LRT carried the railway's first fare-paying passengers. [Photo: A. Allum.]
Top Right We shared the track with a class 60 and this "Metro-Vick" Bo-Bo locomotive. [Photo: A. Allum.]
Centre Left A lightly loaded train in front of the museum. [Photo: A. Allum.]
Centre Right Adrian waits in the loop for passengers to board. The miniature railway was provided with London Underground style station signs during the event. [Photo: J. Hill.]
Bottom Left The train is backed slowly into the short spur, used for disembarkation. [Photo: J. Hill.]
Bottom Right Members of the Little Red Train team pose for a photo. From left to right: Thomas Crame, Martin Hill (back), Daniel Hill, Steven 'Stese' Davison and Adrian Allum. [Photo: J. Hill.]
20th February 2005
The last weekend before the BIG one ... and we're still putting it all back together!
Saturday was very busy with the motors being delivered at about 12-noon, and then prepared for fitting. Whilst this was going on, a problem arose with the wiring circuits, meaning that we needed 8-pin connections, not 7-pin; and after a quick trip to a local electrical store, we started to rewire using 9-pin 'D' connectors with IDC connections. These connections were to make the job quicker and easier, but they proved the opposite, and as a desperate measure, the control panel is wired in temporarily via a standard terminal block!
During the evening, the cars were assembled in Adrian's garden (mainly so that we could tidy up and find bits that had disappeared) before being taken to Daniel's father, who very kindly offered to help with any jobs that had proved problematic - the whole project springs to mind...!
At midnight, the train was powered up and all worked well! So, on Sunday, we took the train to the new 7¼" gauge track at the Museum for a test run.
First, the good news ... It sounds incredibly authentic with the nice deep hum of the prototypes; quite awesome, actually! The gradient was no problem and the train negotiated the curves and points with ease. However ... Some of the nuts holding the gears to the bosses vibrated loose and we found many of them on the track! The 'dead-man' switch is too small to operate comfortably, and this will be exchanged this week. The 24v jumper cables between the cars (batteries and motors) are too long, and these need to be cut short, and re-crimped. There is a minor issue with one of the wheels, but this can be sorted out after the weekend at Acton.
Click photos for full size images.
Above Left Friend of the LRT, Stese, attempts to make a compressed-air powered whistle using a wooden souvenir whistle fitted into an old plastic milk bottle (to even the flow of air), but to no avail! The best result was produced just by squeezing the bottle!
Above Right Four of the new motor-gear-wheel assemblies are seen in two bogie frames - put outside to make room inside for the rest of the work. The living room (where all this has been done) is just under 4m².
Below Left & Below Right The Little Red Train on test on the track at London's Transport Museum at Acton Depot. A great boost to everybody's morale.
[Photos: A. Allum.]
13th February 2005
We've reached the stage where the "shorter" list is the one of jobs remaining, not jobs done! :-)
The replacement panel for the 'D' end of the main power car was fitted into place today (February 13th), and it fits well, a great boost to the morale!
More electrical work was done also, but this included fitting a new cross-member to the chassis to carry the controller, and then wiring it in. All of the 24v wiring is in place now, and is ready to be connected to the motors that 'should' be delivered this coming week.
We have also bought a supply of spare 2BA bolts for the suspension hangers - and fitted quite a few to replace the damaged or 'compromised' ones!
The 12v cables from the controller were taken to a terminal block mounted with Velcro onto the top of the controller. The new 12v wiring looms will go in this week, and a new hand-held control unit will be built.
Click photos for full size images.
Left The new panel in place at the car end before the body-filler was applied. [Photo: A. Allum.]
Right The controller fitted into place near the inner coupling, thus making wiring easier! [Photo: A. Allum.]
6th February 2005
Cabling has finally been sourced (not quite what we were looking for, but it'll more than do) and new battery leads have been made up for car "D" as well as motor leads.
One bogie has been assembled complete with all fixings (we were initially short of grub screws and enough bolts) and all appears to be OK. There is a nice rumbling sort of sound as the bogie is pushed along the track, so hopefully with the hollow body on top, it will recreate some of the nice rumbling sound of the prototype!
Also, with one bogie assembled, we have been able to have a more serious look at the mechanical brake, and this looks fairy straight forward; the picture shows the mechanism laying on the track, when it is raised so that the bolt is fitted to a bracket inside the bogie frame, the shoes will be in line with the wheel rim.
Click photos for full size images.
Left The brake mechanism ready to be fitted to the bogie (see text), but in reality, it will be fitted to the 'other' one at the other end of the car. [Photo: A. Allum.]
Right The new panel to house the lights and destination blind, painted in a dark undercoat! [Photo: A. Allum.]
2nd February 2005
Work continues on the overhaul to the "D" end power car, and it is certainly an interesting job - comparing, of course, with the H0 scale railway modelling that we are more accustomed to! We have a problem with the new controller, not helped by us blowing a fuse due to a stray wire! Nevertheless, once that was fixed, we have still been unable to get the controller to work. This is now going back to the manufacturers for them to look at, and when it is returned, it will go into the "Ginny" - we have ordered a new and more powerful controller for the Tube Train instead!
Bodywork problems are causing a bit of a headache, not least the fact that the wood at the cab ends is "stressed" into shape, and having cut out the rotted area, the remaining wood has taken on a new shape! Repairing this will take up too much time to allow working lights and destination blind to be fitted in time for the event at Acton!
A temporary mechanical brake has been refitted to the chassis, same equipment as before (a later addition during the 1990s) but foot operated and lower down, so as to not ruin the visual appearance of the train!
All of the old wiring has been removed and the new wiring will all be documented and colour-coded. A temporary control interface (hand-held unit) is being made also, due to the limited space within the old one!
Click photos for full size images.
Left The body showing how the front panel is pointing slightly outward! [Photo: A. Allum.]
Right The bicycle brake lever is now mounted at solebar level for foot operation. [Photo: A. Allum.]
5th January 2005
The seasonal holiday was a productive time for the Tube Train. The first two new wheel-sets were collected, complete with motors, mounting brackets, gears, and almost ready for fitting. We spent a day fixing these into one of the bogies before reporting back to the engineer (who did the work) that all is well, and that we should like him to continue with the remaining six wheel-sets. Some rewiring work was done by ourselves (the new controller is 24v instead of 12v) and a start made on the worst of the bodywork damage.
Click photos for full size images.
Above Left One axle is in place, with the motor mounting brackets hanging above the axle (motor not attached in this view).
Above Right One axle complete with motor attached.
Below The body of one of the cars with Destination and Lamp panel cut away, pending replacement.
[All photos: Adrian Allum.]
15th December 2004
We now have more details of the LT Museum's 'London Transport in Miniature' event at Acton Depot in February, including location, opening times and prices, these have been posted on the Events page. For full details see the LT Museum's press release..
We have also been invited to another event in June 2005, more details will be posted on this site closer to the time.
After some further investigation we have arranged to visit the supplier for the previously-mentioned axle-hung motors on Saturday 18th December, with a view to purchasing the new motors, gears and a motor controller for the 38 stock. Hopefully, if everything goes to plan, we should have the train up and running around the end of December/beginning of January.
21st November 2004
On November 21st, we inspected a new locomotive (diesel outline, but electrically driven) in 7¼" gauge, and were impressed with the four axle-hung motors on it, each the size of a coffee jar! We were informed of its recent performance, which had been admirable, and being somewhat sold on the idea (and being fed up with constantly facing obstacles with sorting out the present arrangement), we are now looking into this as a replacement for the motors and gears presently on the Tube Train. We need to do some mathematical calculations regarding power outputs and requirements, speed differentials and so on and so forth, but we believe this is the way forward, and it is now a case of "biting the bullet!"
18th October 2004
Just a little note to say that we're still here. Unfortunately progress on the tube hasn't been as quick as we'd have liked, due to other commitments. We are still searching for a suitable gearbox to replace the existing drive system.
However, we now have a definite deadline for getting the tube running again. We have been invited to bring the tube to the London's Transport Museum's Model Weekend at their Acton Depot, on 26/27 February 2005. More details will follow nearer the time of the event.
3rd May 2004
Unfortunately, due to other demands on time and money, it wasn't possible to do much to either train during Christmas and Easter, however things are starting to happen again.
The power and trailer cars of the 38 stock have been removed from the trailer and stored in a garage, along with the bogies from the centre car, where they will be more accessible and consequently easier to work on.
One of the 38 Stock's power bogies has been removed to facilitate development of the new drive mechanism and to obtain dimensions for the new wheelsets.
Hopefully the long university summer holiday should allow more time for working on the 38 stock and it is aimed to get it running by late summer or early autumn.
25th November 2003
Not much has occurred since the 1938 Stock's trip to the Spinney Light Railway with Daniel's return to university restricting the time available to work on it.
However, there has been some progress, the two spare C5 motors have now been delivered and work is progressing on a design for the new drive mechanism. Daniel is due to return at the beginning of December and hopefully some progress can be made before he leaves again at the end of January.
27th August 2003
On August 2nd, the 2-car tube train was taken to the privately-owned Spinney Light Railway in Farnham for a good testing and running-in! We got off to a bad start. The single line from the starting point featured a brief climb at 1:30 and the trip switch tripped! However, it smoked a little first causing the owners' temperatures to rise also! Eventually, with a push, the train reached the top of the single line and it was agreed that it would stay off that branch until we needed to put it away at the end of the day!
We found that acceleration was much slower (at least slower than when Adrian used to drive it), but that the top speed was higher! (We ought to have been suspicious at this stage!) Further, with four adults onboard, the train would not start from rest at all! We put this down to the fact that it had been in store for so long, though this was not entirely logical! The trip switch tripped quite a few times, and the train had what is known as "Hornby Syndrome" - it went better in one direction than the other! Eventually, the trip switch failed and a resistor (we think - still pending investigation) burnt out, bringing the train to a premature and terminal stop!
A closer examination revealed some design faults, which will now need addressing. These are what we found:
1. The gear reduction is 2:1 where it used to be in the region of 5:1 - hence the poor acceleration and high speed. This needs to be changed - the train is fast enough at 5:1!
2. The timing belt (used for traction) is slipping on the gears because the compensator for the suspension is not adequate.
3. The final drive to the one axle (on each bogie in one car) is vertical and needs to go to the other axle (so that movement of the suspension does not affect its grip) and maybe to put a link between the axles in each bogie - or to motorise the other car (which may be a better option in view of the eventual completion of the centre car).
So, we came away somewhat demoralised, but very much the wiser for the knowledge of what needs to be done. We feel again, that we would like to thank our colleagues at the Great Cockcrow Railway for their support, and to Alan Ainslie (the owner of the railway) for his unwavering enthusiasm, encouragement and advice, not overlooking the offer to assist with the work that the train needs.
Daniel, driving the tube (using the new plug-in "remote" controller), is held at a junction signal. [Photo: Adrian Allum.]
31st July 2003
The past week has seen a lot of work undertaken on the 38 stock. The two repaired wheelsets were returned on Sunday 27th and fitted back into position. An order was also placed for four new 110AH leisure batteries to provide power to the traction motors, and a 17AH sealed cyclic battery to drive the controller, horn and other auxiliary electronics.
On Tuesday work began on replacing the existing wander controller with a slightly more advanced design, incorporating a reverser, deadman switch and sliding throttle. Sockets for it have been provided on both the power and trailer cars, allowing the train to be driven from either end.
On Thursday, wiring for the new battery was installed and the electrical coupling between the two cars was replaced. Previously it consisted of two wires screwed into terminals on each car, the replacement is a 3-pin plug and socket.
On Saturday 2nd August, the train will be run at a private miniature railway in Farnham. Hopefully, with new batteries and the recent electrical modifications, performance should be much better than at Alton. A report will follow at the end of August, when the Webmaster returns from his holiday in Wales.
23rd July 2003
On the evening of Wednesday July 23rd, the two cars were taken to the workshop of the Great Cockcrow Railway, where assistance had been offered to sort out the problems with the bogies - in particular the suspension hangers. Unfortunately, we found that many more were damaged (but hadn't actually broken off) and our supply of spares was not enough! Further
