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“And the danger is that in this move toward new horizons and far directions, that I may lose what I have now, and not find anything except loneliness”
― Sylvia Plath
The Trenton, NJ station signs give commuters clear directions to near destinations as a NJ Transit commuter train prepares head westbound on the evening of July 21, 2019.
After years of procrastination I finally put my name down a few months ago for a Scottish Region Class 24/1 from Sutton's Loco Works. The loco selected is D5132, which comes in BR standard green with a yellow warning panel. Delivery is expected sometime next year but meantime I've been giving some thought as to where it will go. Being displayed on a shelf is not an option being considered - especially as the loco comes with the full-monty regards sounds and effects, including the 'stay-alive' feature.
Given that usable space is at a premium I've come up with the idea of a loco shed, theoretically located somewhere in the Borders area, during the steam-diesel transition period of the early 1960s. While D5132's home was Inverness 60A (making it a shoo-in for the Kyle and Far North Lines), seeing as I'll be the Operations Manager, I've decided the occasional trip down to Carlisle is a possibility, where it might encounter some ex-LNER and LMS friends.
The sketch attached is how it's currently visualised - it isn't to scale, but I do have a scaled plan. Use is made of a 3-way point and a double slip to save space. The shed is two-road with pits just in front of the entrance, and a water crane The well turntable is currently sized at 32 foot - which will turn a 3F Jinty but nothing bigger, so I may end up rethinking that.
The backdrop will be a brick retaining wall with a street scene above together with houses and shops. Just in front of the retaining wall will be a coaling stage - the line behind the shed used to access the coaling stage is long enough to hold a class 24 with a couple of mineral wagons, which will then be propelled back. I may well put a diesel-oil tank and another water crane there, to make it a 'one-stop shop'.
Entrance to the shed yard will possibly be through the bridge at bottom right. However, thoughts subsequent to this sketch are to have it from a small two-platform station currently being designed which, if it comes off, will also provide a circuit for continuous running.
This foray back into railway modelling is very simple after 50 years away so we'll see how (or even if) it goes. I have acquired some rolling stock - a covered van, three 16T mineral wagons (two with coal added), and a brake van, all of which are secondhand. I've also acquired enough of the track pieces (Peco Code 75 Bullhead) to start work on the Shed yard, although the baseboard and supports are still being researched so construction will have to wait until that's resolved and installed. Likely layout size will be 1.0m by 2.5m.
Imminent steps include acquiring a DCC controller - probably the Digitraks Zephyr Express - but, whichever it is, it's a steep and often confusing learning curve for someone who's only ever known the simple bi-directional analogue controllers of the 1960s.
It should make for some interesting fun over the next few months - if it does indeed get off the ground.
Apologies for the lack of responses lately. This coupled with Christmas prep, family, elderly relatives, and other personal commitments has made big demands on time. I will be however catching up over the next few days. Cheers, David.
12th December 2022
Although the distances may be accurate the directions definatly are not. London is in the oppsite diretion to Tehran.
I think somebody may have move london around in the wrong direction.
2015 10 30 191832 Turkey Istanbul Holiday 1PM
The development of your life is dependent on the direction you face. Like an arrow upon the bow, your trajectory is based upon direction. An arrow without a course will never meet its destination. So pause, settle the drum of your heart, calm your breath, clear your mind, and aim with the sight of an eagle.
Standing here on the verge of a foggy horizon I will choose my bearing and stay true.
What direction are you facing? Will it bring you to your destination?
Press "L".
Fuji GA645i, Fujinon Super-EBC 60mm f4, B+W MRC CPL, Tiffen 0.6 GND, Agfa APX 100 developed with Kodak D76 stock, wet-mounted drumscan.
Fujifilm X-T2 with Nikkor 10.5 Fishey mounted with a Metabones adapter. When using the Metabones the camera will shoot in manual mode - the EXIF data that is recorded for the lens will always be 50.0mm.
Lots of graffiti in this underpass on the Anthony Henday Drive. This wildlife corridor has an "oculus" opening into the highway median - not sure what the designers had in mind when they call this an "oculus opening".
This bridge crosses Whitemud Creek.