Making Your N Gauge Railway More Realistic  
In the BR Blue and Sectorisation Eras
Author(s): Richard Middleton
Published by Pen and Sword
Publication Date:  Available in all formats
ISBN: 9781399067263
Pages: 0

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ISBN: 9781399067263 Price: INR 1695.99
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A guide for railway modellers in creating realistic BR Blue and Sectorisation era layouts, emphasizing authentic operations and detailed accuracy for a more immersive experience.

Railway modelling offers a unique opportunity for the modeller to construct and operate an authentic simulation of the real thing. When one creates a model railway, one should strive to embed the sense of purpose from the real railway into their model. Simply moving trains around aimlessly around a layout may be enjoyable, but it doesn’t reflect how the real railway operates. There is much focus on absolute accuracy with regards to locomotives and rolling stock but far fewer modellers in general pay attention to prototypical accuracy and replicating authentic railway operations in miniature.

Operating your layout in a realistic fashion is not only more authentic, but it can also be an enjoyable pastime in its own right. It gives purpose to the movement of every train on the layout and, if it involves co-operation between more than one operator, involves teamwork and good communication which can be immensely satisfying.

Finally, realistic operation is supported by many other factors, a sense of time and setting, sensible track layout, correct placement of signals, the proper formation of trains, realistic civil engineering, and layout ‘clutter’. These all add to the overall atmosphere and setting of a real or fictional railway, tying it to a time and place, and making the whole ensemble more authentic and thus making the whole experience feel more ‘real’.

This book is intended to help those with an interest in the BR Blue (TOPS) and Sectorisation eras present their layout in a realistic manner using easy-to-understand sketches and drawings, previously unpublished period photographs and source material from the era. This book will give the reader ideas to help their N Gauge model railway come to life.
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A guide for railway modellers in creating realistic BR Blue and Sectorisation era layouts, emphasizing authentic operations and detailed accuracy for a more immersive experience.

Railway modelling offers a unique opportunity for the modeller to construct and operate an authentic simulation of the real thing. When one creates a model railway, one should strive to embed the sense of purpose from the real railway into their model. Simply moving trains around aimlessly around a layout may be enjoyable, but it doesn’t reflect how the real railway operates. There is much focus on absolute accuracy with regards to locomotives and rolling stock but far fewer modellers in general pay attention to prototypical accuracy and replicating authentic railway operations in miniature.

Operating your layout in a realistic fashion is not only more authentic, but it can also be an enjoyable pastime in its own right. It gives purpose to the movement of every train on the layout and, if it involves co-operation between more than one operator, involves teamwork and good communication which can be immensely satisfying.

Finally, realistic operation is supported by many other factors, a sense of time and setting, sensible track layout, correct placement of signals, the proper formation of trains, realistic civil engineering, and layout ‘clutter’. These all add to the overall atmosphere and setting of a real or fictional railway, tying it to a time and place, and making the whole ensemble more authentic and thus making the whole experience feel more ‘real’.

This book is intended to help those with an interest in the BR Blue (TOPS) and Sectorisation eras present their layout in a realistic manner using easy-to-understand sketches and drawings, previously unpublished period photographs and source material from the era. This book will give the reader ideas to help their N Gauge model railway come to life.
Table of contents
  • Cover
  • Title Page
  • Copyright
  • Contents
  • Acknowledgements
  • Preface
    • The Scope of the Book
  • Chapter 1. The Railway As a System – Purpose, Destination, Traffic, Goods, Region and Geography
    • The BR Blue and Sectorisation Eras
    • Setting the Scene
    • Reality versus Fantasy
  • Chapter 2. Train Formations
    • Total Operations Processing System (TOPS) and Vehicle CARKND
    • How to Understand Freight Vehicle TOPS Codes
    • Vehicle Compatibility – Couplers, Jumpers, Barrier, and Translator Vehicles
    • Train Marker Lighting, Lamps and Headcodes
    • Train and Brake Van Lighting
    • Selecting Appropriate Traction for Your Train
    • Other Compatibility Considerations – ETH Index and Train Brake Force
    • A Word on Uniformity
    • Passenger Train Formations
    • Intercity and Cross-Country workings
    • High Speed Train
    • Secondary Workings
    • Special Passenger Trains
    • Freight Train Formations
    • The Correct Use of Brakevans
    • Coal
    • Steel
    • Petroleum
    • Cement
    • Aggregates and Other Mineral Traffic
    • Grain
    • Chemicals
    • Automotive
    • Commercial Explosives
    • The Air Braked Network (ABN) and Speedlink
    • Parcels and Newspapers
    • Mail and The Travelling Post Office (TPO)
    • Departmental and Service Trains
    • Intermodal
    • Other Traffic
    • Snowploughs
    • Nuclear Trains
    • Breakdown Trains
    • Test Trains
  • Chapter 3. Loads and the Loading of Wagons
    • General Rules
    • Pipes/Tubes
    • Ingots and Other Concentrated Loads
    • Steel – Coil
    • Steel – Sheet and Plate
    • Steel – Rails
    • Scrap Metal
    • Timber
    • Bogies and Wheelsets
    • Reeled Paper
    • Road Vehicles and Plant
    • Pre-Assembled Track Panels
    • Sleepers
    • Cable Drums
    • Spoil and Ballast
    • Loose Materials
    • Coal
    • Special Loads
  • Chapter 4. Civil Engineering and the Permanent Way
    • The Permanent Way
    • Basic Track Layouts and Nomenclature
    • Rail
    • Sleepers and Ballast
    • Switches and Crossings
    • Catch and Trap Points
    • Point Motors, Levers and Groundframes
    • Expansion Joints
    • Other Permanent Way Features
    • On the Model – Operation and Appearance
    • Railway Electrification
    • 25kV AC Overhead Line Installations – An Overview
    • 750v DC Third Rail Installations
    • Civil Engineering
    • Bridges, Viaducts and Tunnels
    • Viaducts
    • Tunnels
    • Level Crossings
    • Accommodation Crossings
    • Other Civil Engineering Features
    • Retaining Walls
  • Chapter 5. Railway Signalling
    • Railway Signalling: A potted history from 1830 to the 1990s
    • Signalling 101: Basic Principles
    • Semaphore Signalling
    • Semaphore Signal Types
    • Colour Light Signalling
    • Reading and Understanding Prototype Signalling Layouts
    • Siting and Control of N Gauge Signals
    • Signalling for Model Railways
    • The Placement of Signals
    • Plain Block Working
    • Junction Working
    • Refuges, Loops and Lie-Bys
    • Signalling Within Station Limits
    • Signalling for Termini
    • Placement of Colour Light Signals
    • Signal Sighting
    • Siting and Modelling of Ancillary Signalling Equipment
    • Train Protection Systems
    • Automatic Warning System
    • Automatic Train Protection
  • Chapter 6. Layout Design
    • Layout Design
    • The Nature of Trains
    • Stations
    • Loops and Refuges
    • Sidings and Yards
    • Maintenance and Servicing Depots
  • Chapter 7. Dressing the Scene
    • Trackside Clutter
    • Discarded Rails and Sleepers
    • Cable Drums
    • Ballast Bins
    • Signs and Notices
    • Industrial Railways
    • Railway Buildings
    • Maintenance Depots and Works
    • Life Outside the Railway Fence
    • The Scenic Break
    • Vehicles
    • BR Road Vehicles
    • People
    • Passengers
    • Maintenance of Way Staff
    • Depot and Yard Staff
  • Chapter 8. Realistic Operations
    • Movement with a Purpose
    • Prototypical Movements
    • Correct Use of The Train Horn
    • Train Behaviour at Level Crossings
    • Basic Operations
    • Running Round of Passenger Trains at Stations
    • Carriage Sidings
    • Shunting
    • Block Working Using Multiple Operators
    • Worked Example
    • Developing a Working Timetable
    • The Use of Wagon Cards
    • The Utilisation of Randomised Task/Event Cards
  • Appendix A. TOPS Codes for Rolling Stock
  • Appendix B. Freight Stock Markings
  • Appendix C. Loads Permitted with Specific Brake Forces
  • Appendix D. Locomotive Life by Class
  • Appendix E. Block Signalling Bell Codes
  • Bibliography
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