No.7 points: They're alive!

Following on from the work to connect everything up, we finally managed to control No.7 points from No.7 lever!

The various photos show the contorted 'out-and-back' nature of the rodding run, with the video showing each stage of moving the points.

When setting everything up, and joining the rodding, time was taken to position each crank, correct for the mid-stroke of the lever itself. The point rodding was then cut (with an angle grinder) and had holes punched for bolting together, with connections or fishplates.

Jonny gets to grips with the rodding punch just outside the signal box.

Only a temporary link between the lever tail and the vertical crank was put in: we are now having some made and bushed to better suit the scheme. There is some more work to do, in order to get a tidier lead out, which will involve some customised bending of rodding connections to get the heights correct. This is important as we need to squeeze signal wires underneath the rods, without rubbing on them!

The first pull of the lever was given to Will (as Chief Mole!), but Steve insisted on filming me for the video! I am pleased to report that the blades moved in the correct direction, and Steve had got the adjustment pretty much perfect, working from 'blind'!

For the time being, we have reinstated the hand lever for the points, whilst we finish off everything else. 

This marks a major step towards the project's completion!




Location: Stainmore Railway Company, South Rd, Kirkby Stephen CA17 4LA, UK

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