Welsh Highland Railway S&T

[MDickinson]

Is there anyone on here from the Welsh Highland S&T dept? or knows of a contact within the department? I'd like to pick their brains over a couple of subjects if possible. PM me if preferred

Thanks,
Mike.

[Keith]

I did learn a bit about their signalling (specifically the flat crossing with the Cambrian) when I organised the recent IRSE visit, but I'm pretty sure one of the forum's regular contributers works there, so it's definitely safer to let him deal with questions about any other part of the system.

[pgbffest]

You rang m'lud? How can I help?

[MDickinson]

You rang m'lud? How can I help?

Thank you Jeeves, would you bring the roller round the front old boy?

Im interested in the train operated points recently installed on the WHR, in particular the hydraulic damping system used to stop the point blades being smashed back and forth. would it be possible to get details on what parts are used and where they came from? (cylinder, valve, pipework etc)

I'd also like to know how the points are operated to the reverse position for shunting moves etc.

Thanks,
Mike.

[pgbffest]

Im interested in the train operated points recently installed on the WHR, in particular the hydraulic damping system used to stop the point blades being smashed back and forth. would it be possible to get details on what parts are used and where they came from? (cylinder, valve, pipework etc).

I'd also like to know how the points are operated to the reverse position for shunting moves etc.

Thanks,
Mike.

Hi Mike,

Will get back to you on the technical stuff. I know the first set which were installed at Dinas were made by Highrail systems (aka Roland Doyle), but I'm not sure about subsequent sets. However, here is a little photo for you of the innards! (Warning contains explicit image of the General Manager - but it was the only one I could find!)

We only reverse the points in an emergency as it is a complete pain to do so. Inside the cabinet is a yellow bar which connects to a sprocket on the weight. This bar can then be lifted or sat on (much easier) to lift the weight up and move the points. Then a second person applies a clamp to the points. If the points are to be left in that position for more than one move, then a "scothe" is applied between the open blade. Reason for the name "scothe" is that somebody spelt it wrong once and the name got around.

Phil

[Keith]

Reason for the name "scothe" is that somebody spelt it wrong once and the name got around.

Wonderful!

Do I detect a new thread starting on mis-spellings that have stuck?

[StevieG]

" .... I know the first set which were installed at Dinas were made by Highrail systems (aka Roland Doyle), but I'm not sure about subsequent sets. However, here is a little photo for you of the innards! .... " Phil

Good link for those who are on, or are happy to join, Facebook : But for those who don't ....

[MDickinson]

Thanks for the photo, thought that lifting the weight somehow is the way to change the points! With all the malarkey about clips etc, couldn't the weight be fixed in the upright position for the reverse move? No need for the GM to hold onto it a lot as well
Mike

[pgbffest]

Thanks for the photo, thought that lifting the weight somehow is the way to change the points! With all the malarkey about clips etc, couldn't the weight be fixed in the upright position for the reverse move? No need for the GM to hold onto it a lot as well
Mike

The weights don't have any method of securing them and providing the cabinet door opens sufficiently a person sitting on the lever is good enough to hold it down.

I've asked the question about the technical bits and will come back to you all - albeit, it was asked in the weekly Friday post work meeting.....

[Keith]

['ve asked the question about the technical bits and will come back to you all - albeit, it was asked in the weekly Friday post work meeting.....

No doubt that meeting is held in the room occupied by a certain Princess.

[MRFS]

['ve asked the question about the technical bits and will come back to you all - albeit, it was asked in the weekly Friday post work meeting.....

No doubt that meeting is held in the room occupied by a certain Princess.

She guards the large staff machine.

[Chris Osment]

So what is the current method of single-line block working on the WHR please?

[MRFS]

Train Staff and Ticket, I think - I'm not too sure of the current sections [method] below Pont Croesor, though I have heard that '& ticket' is permissible over the Cambrian.

Perhaps pgb can elucidate further.

[Richard Lemon]

CHris,

Very basically, WHR operation is staff and (metal) ticket, all movements on the authority of FR Control in Porthmadog. Sections are Caernarfon - Dinas - Waunfawr - Rhyd Ddu - Beddgelert - Pont Croesor - Porthmadog Harbour. All loops, with the exception at present of Waunfawr, have "Shunt Tokens" to enable local / run round moves without the section token. Shunt Token issue is only by permission of Control.

Cae Pawb crossing of thr Cambrian is by remote release from Machynlleth and "blocks" the crossing to the main line through the ERTMS.

I hope this helps.

Richard

PS I am sure that PGB can post some photographs of the tokens!

[Chris Osment]

Many thanks for the update.