St Albans South - works in 2015

[John Webb]

With the darker evenings, we looked at improving the lighting on the stairs to the first floor. We tried out a temporary LED floodlight on a length of timber we had:

We eventually hope to mock up a 'Yard Lamp' standing a bit further away from the stairs and box.

And a dusk view of the garden towards the end of our November Open Afternoon:

[davidwoodcock]

John

Have you considered putting an LED "rope" or sealed strip each side of the steps. The two ropes/strips would provide almost shadowless illumination of the steps themselves without dazzling anyone climbing or descending the stairs whereas floodlighting inevitably brings shadows and the risk of dazzling, especially in wet weather.

[John Webb]

David - thanks for the suggestion, but we had already considered that sort of lighting, and decided it was not in keeping with the appearance of this (listed) building as we have restored it. Hence the thought of a replica of a 'yard light' which would be in keeping with the box and surrounds, but using a modern light source concealed within it for efficiency.

[John Webb]

A final round-up of work this year.

At the north end of the garden we still had a few feet of our timber cable duct to renew:


With the loss of foliage due to both Autumn and some heavy pruning, access was possible during the recent warm weather and the work was carried out:


But the older duct running between the hedge and fence had to be connected up to the revised duct, seen here before work started:

[John Webb]

The old duct was adjusted and repaired, as seen here:


With the hedge recently trimmed back, the whole run of the duct was inspected and a few minor repairs made where needed:


A new acquisition was mounted and tried out on Weds 16th Dec, seen here as dusk fell:

[John Webb]

Finally, a long-term loan to us of a large number of signs, ancient and modern, has been arranged. Here are a few samples:




Finally we've heard that a request to the NRM for a train describer demonstration unit surplus to their requirements has been successful. The paperwork has to be sorted out and the item collected when that's done. but hopefully sometime early in 2016 we'll have the unit for display.

[JRB]

What sort of a TD unit? I could be interested.

[John Webb]

What sort of a TD unit? I could be interested.

From the short description: "Miniature signalling console which demonstrates fully automatic track circuitry, with train description panels." and a small photo, it appears to be based on a 19" rack unit with two converging (or two diverging) lines, NX buttons and three train describer readouts - I would think Perspex-based readouts rather than CRTs. In our application, we pointed out this appeared to be a stage between our all-mechanical signalling with bells and modern computer-based systems, and as such we thought we could give it a good home!

With the Christmas holidays, I expect it will be early next year before it is physically with us. I don't know how long it's been in store, nor what technical information will or won't come with it. But we'll need to go over it carefully first to see that we can turn it on without blowing up components in it, and then see if and how it works. No doubt I'll keep people on this Forum informed!

We learnt about this item from a mention in the HRA "Sidelines" newsletter, by the way.

[Mike Hodgson]

Chapter 9 of "Railway Signalling" edited by OS Nock might help you with some aspects of this equipment.

[JRB]

Any clue as to maker?

[John Webb]

Any clue as to maker?

None at all!

[John Webb]

Two more signs:


and the Fin(i)al picture from 2015:

Several of the finials are from the NRM. The large one on the right is from the now-demolished Radlett station building, and was donated a while back - but has needed considerable restoration by one of our members before we could put it on display.