St. Mary Hoo - P4 Southern Region third rail
- Thread starter Simon Glidewell
- Start date
Simon Glidewell
Western Thunderer
Thanks Simon, much appreciated!
Simon Glidewell
Western Thunderer
Here is the baulk timbered flat crossing that I'm currently working on. This will be the junction for either Gravesend or Cliffe, with the dissecting track being the CEGB line between the power station and the Thames coal wharf. Such a point existed on the SR at Tonbridge and Dover Marine but as far as I know, both used conventional sleepering. You can see the example at Dover in the top right of this photo.https://www.flickr.com/photos/ajvajv/5475663273/lightbox/
It's quite a challenge building the diamond crossing part of the point, but initial tests are proving very positive.
Heather Kay
Western Thunderer
I shall follow this with interest. Nice to see the Grain area being modelled.
Simon Glidewell
Western Thunderer
One of the structures for the new extension; a WWII concrete accoustic dish which was a forerunner of radar. My model is based on an example found at Denge in Kent. I built this from card, plastic and a mix of plaster and PVA. It took a huge amount of sanding and was a very difficult shape to achieve. Here's a link to the Denge site:-http://www.andrewgrantham.co.uk/soundmirrors/locations/denge/
The dish will be surrounded by marshy ground and have reeds growing all around it. The landscape will be flat, featureless and remote.
Simon Glidewell
Western Thunderer
Thanks Heather.
Simon Glidewell
Western Thunderer
Simon Glidewell
Western Thunderer
CEGB No.1 resting in the sun between late afternoon shifts.
Simon Glidewell
Western Thunderer
Many thanks Mike!
Simon Glidewell
Western Thunderer
A partially complete Kirk 2 BIL heads into St. Mary Hoo from Cliffe on an early evening service. Several things need doing on this unit before it finally enters traffic officially; including weathering; the buffers need cleaning up and painting (they're just loose at the moment); the guard irons need painting,View attachment 40062 
and working sprung third rail pick ups need adding. The head code will be changed too.
and working sprung third rail pick ups need adding. The head code will be changed too.
Simon Glidewell
Western Thunderer
The BR headshunt; track and third rail detail. The conductor rail power cable has a prototypical connector and bolt detail. Like several other cables it actually does supply juice to the rail. The third rail is from the Scalefour Society; the insulator pots are a mixture of S4 Soc parts and scratchbuilt. The side protection boards are a mixture of C and L etches (the cradles) and plasticard.
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Simon Glidewell
Western Thunderer
A general view of St. Mary Hoo as it stands at present. I still have to finish off all the point details and weather them, plus finish off the ballasting. I may rebuild part of the three way point (this was my first ever effort in P4 and I could have done a better job). I may also replace the conductor rail on the outside of this point and add authentic SR side exit ramps; the ones there at the moment are S4 Soc cast brass components. Needeless to say they do work and it is fascinating watching the sprung third rail pick ups engaging with them. I may also rebuild the point rodding on the layout and make a better job of it. 
Apologies for the unrealistic bedding background!
Apologies for the unrealistic bedding background!
Simon Glidewell
Western Thunderer
The current end of the line. This is looking due east towards Allhallows-on-Sea. I may extend the line beyond the closed level crossing, and will definitely extend the CEGB line eastwards that runs behind the station. I intend refurbishing this part of the layout in due course, correcting errors and generally improving things.
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Simon Glidewell
Western Thunderer
A 2 EPB has just arrived from Gravesend; alongside is the part of the salt marsh.
Heather Kay
Western Thunderer
This is just lovely work. Thanks for sharing Simon.
Pugsley
Western Thunderer
mickoo
Western Thunderer
Kewl, love WWII architecture, I think one of these was in the series Coast and they tested it with a light aircraft, apparently it worked pretty well and could be heard long before it was actually visible.
I'd love to meet the guy who invented these and ask him how on earth he even begun to think of something like this!
You will of course need a Pillbox to protect said 'secret weapon' from jerry paratroopers! .....Don't tell them your name Pike....
I don't know about anyone else, but I'm struggling to comprehend the level of minutia with the track and associated hardware, pure rivet counting of the highest order and really well accomplished.
