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bobm
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« Reply #75 on: January 05, 2019, 08:46:09 » |
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A comment on the NR» photograph posted above. This shows what is known in BR▸ WR terms as a 'Post Office Relay Set' rack, well, the wiring side of it at least. Those tag blocks at the very top brought back some memories where they really were used by the Post Office and then BT. In the early 80s a colleague and I discovered if you connected the relevant two tags which served the telephone extension on your desk you could lift the bar to making outgoing phone calls at work...  |
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SandTEngineer
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« Reply #76 on: January 05, 2019, 08:50:28 » |
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A comment on the NR» photograph posted above. This shows what is known in BR▸ WR terms as a 'Post Office Relay Set' rack, well, the wiring side of it at least. Those tag blocks at the very top brought back some memories where they really were used by the Post Office and then BT. In the early 80s a colleague and I discovered if you connected the relevant two tags which served the telephone extension on your desk you could lift the bar to making outgoing phone calls at work... Yes, Bob. I learnt a few tricks like that in my career. I also spent many 'happy' hours at the top of a ladder making all the soldered connections on the tag blocks....   |
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ellendune
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« Reply #77 on: January 05, 2019, 08:54:37 » |
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... I also spent many 'happy' hours at the top of a ladder making all the soldered connections on the tag blocks.... Yes it did surprise me that such a key piece required a ladder to access it. In today's world it should never be designed like that as the designer is required to take into account the health and safety of the person constructing (and maintaining) the asset. |
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SandTEngineer
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« Reply #78 on: January 05, 2019, 09:09:55 » |
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... I also spent many 'happy' hours at the top of a ladder making all the soldered connections on the tag blocks.... Yes it did surprise me that such a key piece required a ladder to access it. In today's world it should never be designed like that as the designer is required to take into account the health and safety of the person constructing (and maintaining) the asset. Yes I know that. But it was a different world then, when people were responsible for looking after themselves! I wonder how many people actually fell off a ladder whilst doing work like that......and don't get me wrong on this, I'm all for modern H&S▸ techniques but sometimes you can go too far and accidentilly introduce new, bigger risks, because its peoples natural instinct to 'have a easy life' i.e. take shortcuts. |
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« Last Edit: January 05, 2019, 09:51:13 by SandTEngineer »
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grahame
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« Reply #79 on: January 05, 2019, 09:13:40 » |
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... I also spent many 'happy' hours at the top of a ladder making all the soldered connections on the tag blocks.... Yes it did surprise me that such a key piece required a ladder to access it. In today's world it should never be designed like that as the designer is required to take into account the health and safety of the person constructing (and maintaining) the asset. Westbury signalling dates back to 1990, I believe (when Bradford North Curve was taken out) ... suggestion (but a few years back) that it was/is due to be replaced in 2026. So you're looking at outdated racks which would not be allowed new today? |
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Coffee Shop Admin, Chair of Melksham Rail User Group, TravelWatch SouthWest Board Member
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SandTEngineer
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« Reply #80 on: January 05, 2019, 09:22:13 » |
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... I also spent many 'happy' hours at the top of a ladder making all the soldered connections on the tag blocks.... Yes it did surprise me that such a key piece required a ladder to access it. In today's world it should never be designed like that as the designer is required to take into account the health and safety of the person constructing (and maintaining) the asset. Westbury signalling dates back to 1990, I believe (when Bradford North Curve was taken out) ... suggestion (but a few years back) that it was/is due to be replaced in 2026. So you're looking at outdated racks which would not be allowed new today? I've carried out many projects in the past 10 years where we have modified and expanded older technology by replicating it with modern materials. Not sure if you could get new PO Sets and Tag Blocks now though.... Of course for a totally 'modern' scheme it would probably be all electronic, although a few modern relay installations have been known (my last one was provision of the new passing loop at Axminster some 10 years ago now). I wouldn't hold out much hope of fairly modern signalling installations such as Westbury being replaced too soon. They can keep going for years and years with a bit of tender loving care you know. I once had the honour of looking after Plymouth Panel which is now approaching its 60th year, and if looked after properly could be kept going for another 20 or 30 years yet! I'll put my hankie away now. Any news on how train services are recovering, or not, at Westbury now? |
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« Last Edit: January 05, 2019, 09:52:32 by SandTEngineer »
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Clan Line
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« Reply #81 on: January 05, 2019, 09:32:56 » |
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Just been up to Warminster Station to collect some tickets. Departure boards appear to be showing normal service. There are 3 coaches parked outside - just in case !!
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TonyK
Global Moderator
Hero Member
Posts: 6594
The artist formerly known as Four Track, Now!
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« Reply #82 on: January 05, 2019, 12:02:44 » |
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I've carried out many projects in the past 10 years where we have modified and expanded older technology by replicating it with modern materials. Not sure if you could get new PO Sets and Tag Blocks now though....
Of course for a totally 'modern' scheme it would probably be all electronic, although a few modern relay installations have been known (my last one was provision of the new passing loop at Axminster some 10 years ago now).
I wouldn't hold out much hope of fairly modern signalling installations such as Westbury being replaced too soon. They can keep going for years and years with a bit of tender loving care you know. I once had the honour of looking after Plymouth Panel which is now approaching its 60th year, and if looked after properly could be kept going for another 20 or 30 years yet!
If it works, don't mend it. Unless you need the space, or can save money. |
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Now, please!
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Dispatch Box
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« Reply #83 on: January 05, 2019, 12:08:59 » |
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... I also spent many 'happy' hours at the top of a ladder making all the soldered connections on the tag blocks.... Yes it did surprise me that such a key piece required a ladder to access it. In today's world it should never be designed like that as the designer is required to take into account the health and safety of the person constructing (and maintaining) the asset. Westbury signalling dates back to 1990, I believe (when Bradford North Curve was taken out) ... suggestion (but a few years back) that it was/is due to be replaced in 2026. So you're looking at outdated racks which would not be allowed new today? I've carried out many projects in the past 10 years where we have modified and expanded older technology by replicating it with modern materials. Not sure if you could get new PO Sets and Tag Blocks now though.... Of course for a totally 'modern' scheme it would probably be all electronic, although a few modern relay installations have been known (my last one was provision of the new passing loop at Axminster some 10 years ago now). I wouldn't hold out much hope of fairly modern signalling installations such as Westbury being replaced too soon. They can keep going for years and years with a bit of tender loving care you know. I once had the honour of looking after Plymouth Panel which is now approaching its 60th year, and if looked after properly could be kept going for another 20 or 30 years yet! I'll put my hankie away now. Any news on how train services are recovering, or not, at Westbury now? Would now, probably be idc blocks or krone blocks as a bt engineer once told me, I notice they have been used in stations to connect the cis screens to the main cat 5 cables. A grey plastic square box next to a screen. |
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rogerpatenall
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« Reply #84 on: January 05, 2019, 14:17:49 » |
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Wonderful thing, Electricity. In my day, the turnouts at the 'London' end of the up and down loops at Castle Cary were shifted by the winding of a big dynamo handle - a bit like starting an old car. A big piece of basic equipment that, to my memory, never once let us down.
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CyclingSid
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« Reply #85 on: January 05, 2019, 16:31:59 » |
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Definitely some memories surfacing here. When I used to work in engineering mnufacuring I remembering producing various items of kit in that standard PO Yellow (can't remember the BS standards number, 381C?).
I also have lurking in a tool box a PO contact burnisher, although that was Army issue for burnishing contacts on magnetos, on a Centurion tank.
Certainly showing my advancing years.
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SandTEngineer
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« Reply #86 on: January 05, 2019, 17:04:24 » |
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Wonderful thing, Electricity. In my day, the turnouts at the 'London' end of the up and down loops at Castle Cary were shifted by the winding of a big dynamo handle - a bit like starting an old car. A big piece of basic equipment that, to my memory, never once let us down.
Ah yes. The wonderful point motor hand generator. Not nice being on the far end of that when it got wound up to high speed by the signaller..... |
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Oxonhutch
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« Reply #87 on: January 05, 2019, 17:35:10 » |
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Ah yes. The wonderful point motor hand generator. Not nice being on the far end of that when it got wound up to high speed by the signaller..... Just had a look inside one today in Princes Risborough North 'box. Describes itself as a '100V DC▸ Generator'. That would give a bit of a tickle! |
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Oxonhutch
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« Reply #88 on: January 05, 2019, 20:20:11 » |
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So while Westbury was up to this, we on the CPRR have just commissioned the largest - and possibly tallest - ground frame in GWR▸ history to work the Platform 4 run-around loop at our mainline terminus. The new 'Princes Risborough North Ground Frame' is about 6 metres above rail level; 5 levers - 121 spare and 6 spaces! |
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Dispatch Box
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« Reply #89 on: January 05, 2019, 20:47:33 » |
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Wonderful thing, Electricity. In my day, the turnouts at the 'London' end of the up and down loops at Castle Cary were shifted by the winding of a big dynamo handle - a bit like starting an old car. A big piece of basic equipment that, to my memory, never once let us down.
Ah yes. The wonderful point motor hand generator. Not nice being on the far end of that when it got wound up to high speed by the signaller..... Are there any of these still in use on the railway now? and.... Are there any of those large disc signals on platforms in use, other than the one at Worcester shrub hill. |
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