James May's toys - 10 mile model railway

[truckman060473]

This is a fascinating program, but it is interesting to see the high number of 12v batteries in use, but it's not just as simple as putting a battery every 200m or so coz the train is controlled by a variable DC system. they say about how far a train may travel on large distances and i think a track could go one hell of a long way before the loco slowed down due to nickel silver resistance being pretty good (i.e. low).

 

[ACE1888]

Found the whole series interesting, basically it makes you feel younger!!

 

[Multiple Unit]

Think they should have loco changes rather than run so many trains.

 

[truckman060473]

I'd like to know how they controlled the trains. It wasn't DCC, or else it wouldn't have been necessary to bring the EWS 37 into the siding to let the Hitachi high speed pass it. So if it is controlled by a variable DC, they could only have connected one of those to the track at a selected point (middle being best I would imagine). having extra batteries doesn't help, only in capacity. they needed to keep sufficient power in the rails over a 10 mile stretch. it's very intriguing how far a loco would go down a track before you noticed the resistance of the rails start to slow it. In fact the Hornby DC controller is designed to auto-vary the power depending on the loco's asking current (e.g. flat+ no load vs. gradient+load). Try it for yourself - insert a 10 ohm resistor in series with the track connector and it will not make much difference to speed of loco, as the controller ups the voltage to cover what is lost across the resistor.

 

[DavidBrown]

It was a great programme (and not just because I managed to get 5 seconds of me into the final edit!). Was really interesting to watch it live - what made it to TV didn't show just how many problems they had, or just how many people did turn up to see it happen - there must have been a good few hundered people each at Barnstaple Station and Fremington Quay.

They also neglected to mention that the first major break in the track (which made it to final edit) was caused by the camera crew running over the track.

Must admit I thought this programme was mentioned again now because of the news, but obviously not. Anyway, it's coming back...

North Devon Gazette

Several key differences for this second attempt. First, it's on Saturday April 16 - the first attempt was filmed in August 2009. For the past few years, the weather in April, May and June has been much better than in July and August, so that may work for them this time. Also, they're running trains from both ends (so Bideford won't miss out this time), and they're starting much earlier at 7am, which not only means that they're not running trains late into the might, but they they also have the posession of the cycle track for longer, and are less likely to have cyclists and car drivers running over the minature track like last time.

I'll be there again - looking forward to it!

 

[Multiple Unit]

Which part of the Line is Preserved or is it Just a Meuseum type Sidings ?

 

[DavidBrown]

Filming for the second show was today. Looked great down on the trail, though I didn't get too much time to spend down there. Weather was much better - no wind or rain getting in the way this time. As mentioned before, the plan this time was to race trains from each end - James and the Brits at Barnstaple, and the Germans in Bideford. At Barnstaple was a map showing each trains progress along the line.
Sadly, I didn't get chance to see whether any trains made it from one end to the other, the last I knew was that James' high speed train made it from Barnstaple to Yelland at an extrodinary pace (despite quickly crashing at Barnstaple (pictured)) , which was quickly made known to the Germans whose first train hadn't even got to Instow yet. Will keep an eye out to see if anything appears in the local media/forums, otherwise I'll have to wait and watch the programme like everyone else!

 

[deltic1989]

Anyone know if this is likely to be repeated or if its on i player? Would like to have a watch. I read an article on the Daily Mails (i think) website, where kids were putting coins on the track and blowing the batteries (one situtaion where the myth of coins on the track would become reality), i'll have a look for a link.

 

[HawkeyeTheNoo]

Anyone know if this is likely to be repeated or if its on i player? Would like to have a watch. I read an article on the Daily Mails (i think) website, where kids were putting coins on the track and blowing the batteries (one situtaion where the myth of coins on the track would become reality), i'll have a look for a link.

It's on DVD or the original attempt can be seen on YouTube in several parts. The one last weekend hasn't been broadcast yet!

 

[90019]

Anyone know if this is likely to be repeated or if its on i player? Would like to have a watch. I read an article on the Daily Mails (i think) website, where kids were putting coins on the track and blowing the batteries (one situtaion where the myth of coins on the track would become reality), i'll have a look for a link.

In the original attempt, a load of batteries were stolen as well.

 

[HawkeyeTheNoo]

Anybody know what happened at the second attempt? Did they make it?

 

[DavidBrown]

Anybody know what happened at the second attempt? Did they make it?

Yes, they made it, with James arriving in Bideford at about 5.15pm. Sadly, the Germans had beaten him going the other way by about half an hour. Presumably James must have had a problem late on -he got to Yelland (about half way) in no time at all whilst the Germans had only got to Instow.