Useful Data

For an archive of our previous shows click here
For previous years PROGRAMS goto

To visit the new DCC page click here

Scales and standards

Common (UK)	Scale	Track Gauge	Society
Z	1:220 (1.4mm/ft)	6.5mm	Z Club GB
N	1:148 (2mm/ft)	9mm	N Gauge Society
TT (table top)	1:100 (3mm/ft)	12mm	3mm Society
OO	1:76 (4mm/ft)	16.5mm	Double O Gauge Ass
O	1:43 (7mm/ft)	32mm	Gauge O Guild

Finescales
2mm Finescale	1:152	9.42mm	2mm Association
EM	1:76 (4mm/ft)	18.2mm	EM Society
Scale4	1:76 (4mm/ft)	18.83mm	Scale 4 Society
S Scale	1:64	0.884"	S scale Society
Scale 7	1:43 (7mm/ft)	33mm	Scale 7 Society

Narrow Gauge
OO-9	1:76 (4mm/ft)	9mm	o09 Society
O-9	1.43 (7mm/ft)	9mm	7mm NG ass
O-16.5	1.43 (7mm/ft)	16.5mm	Nn3 Home page
Nn3	1:148	6.5mm

Non UK
N (EU/USA)	1.160	9mm
N (Japan)	1:150	9mm
HO (Half O)	1:87(3.5mm/ft)	16.5mm
O Gauge (US)	1:48	31.75mm
O Gauge (EU)	1:45	32mm

N and OO standards

click to enlarge

Standard bell codes (British usage)

1 Call attention - All codes must be preceeded by this except where marked *.

"Is Line Clear ?" codes - in Track Circuit Block areas these simply describe the approaching train.

Code	Meaning
1	Call attention
4	Class 1 train
3-1	Class 2 train
1-3-1	Class 3 train
3-2-5	Class 4 (Freightliner) train
3-1-1	Class 4 (other) train
2-2-1	Class 5 train
5	Class 6 train
4-1	Class 7 train
3-2	Class 8 train
1-2-2	Class 9(a) train
1-4	Class 9(b) train
2-3	Class 0 locomotive(s)
2-2-3	Train required to stop in section
2-1-2	Token required to protect trolley
2-6-1	Train which can pass trains signalled 2-6-1 or 2-6-2 on the opposite or adjoining line but which will be signalled 2-6-2 or 2-6-3 at some portion of its journey.
2-6-2	Train which cannot be allowed to pass trains signalled 2-6-2 or 2-6-3 on the opposite or an adjoining line.
2-6-3	Train requiring the opposite or an adjoining line to be blocked.
2-1-6	Train which carries speed or route restrictions only and which can pass trains signalled 2-6-1 or 2-6-2 on the opposite or an adjoining line.
1-2-6	Line to be blocked for passage of train conveying out of gauge load on an opposite or adjoining line.
3-3-3	Unofficial bell code in wide use for request no "needle" (line clear)

There are also general and specific suffixes for the above codes. For example:

Code	Meaning
-2	Electric train (on mixed route).
-1-3	Train routed to branch at receiving box.

Other codes:

Code	Meaning
5-3	Train Incorrectly described
3-5	Cancel last description sent.
3-5-5*	Restricted acceptance.
3-3-5	Line now clear to clearing point
2*	Train entering section
1-2-1*	Train approaching (where authorised)
2-1	Train out of section, or Obstruction removed,
2-4	Blocking back inside home signal [double line].
3-3	Blocking back outside home signal [double line].
3-3	Blocking back [single lines].
3-3-4	Train or vehicles at a stand.
5-2	Release taken.
2-5	Token replaced.
2-2*	Locomotive assisting in rear of train.
2-1-3	Locomotive arrived.
3-2-3	Train drawn back clear of section.
6*	Obstruction Danger, or emergency alarm operated.
6-2	Train an unusually long time in section.
7	Stop and examine train.
9	Train proceeding towards you passed without tail lamp.
4-5	Train arriving from you passed without tail lamp.
5-5	Train divided.
2-5-5	Train or vehicles running away in wrong direction or on single line.
4-5-5	Train or vehicles running away in right direction.
3-3-2	Shunting into forward section.
8	Shunt withdrawn.
2-3-3	Working in wrong direction
5-2	Train clear of section.
2-5	Train withdrawn.
4-4-4-4	Transference of tokens.
8-2	Distant signal defective.
2-8	Home signal defective.
8-4	AHB or AOCR level crossing local control being taken where communication not available.
1-1*	Answer telephone.
1-1-6*	Police assistance urgently required.
5-5-5	Opening signal box.
5-5-7	Closing signal box where section signal is locked by the block
7-5-5	Closing signal box otherwise.
16	Testing bells or block equipment.

BR Lamp codes post 1923

1960 scheme with old letter codes in brackets
1 (A) express passenger, mail or breakdown train en route to a job.
2 (B) Ordinary passenger or a breakdown train not going to clear the line.
3 (C) Parcels, empty coaching stock or Freightliner train.
4 (C) Express freight train, fully fitted.
5 (D) Express freight with at least a third of fitted stock connected to the locomotive.
6 (E) Express freight with no less than 4 fitted vehicles attached to the locomotive.
7 (F) Express freight, ballast or empty train, unfitted
8 (H) Unfitted through freight or mineral train.
9 (J or K) Mineral or stopping goods train
10 (G) Light engine or engines with or without brake vans.

Auto paint colours and data
(courtesy of Dave Tomlinson, RAF Kinloss MRC and others)

Company	Auto Paint match
BR Loco Green	Rover Brooklands Green - Ford Laurel Green
BR Diesel light green band;	Ford Highland green;
BR Maroon	Ford Damask red - Vauxhall Burgundy Red/ -Ford Burgundy Red - Triumph Damson
BR Coach Carmine	Ford Rosso Red - Vauxhall Carmine Red
BR Coach cream	Vauxhall Gazelle Beige - Talbot Jonquil - Peugeot Antelope Beige(worn)
BR Blood/Custard (approx colours)	Ford Venetian Red - Talbot Jonquil
BR/SR Green	Jaguar British Racing Green
BR Blue	VW Pargas Blue - slightly more blue & less green Ford Fjord Blue
BR Blue/ Grey	HELP ANYONE
BR Loco warning panel	Vauxhall Mustard Yellow
BR steam loco in 50/60s condition (weathered grey)	HELP ANYONE?
CR light blue	Peugeot royal blue
CR Dark blue	Rover Midnight blue
GNR Ireland	Ford Wedgewood blue
GWR Brunswick Green	Ford Laurel Green or Peugeot Conifer
GWR/BR Green	Leyland Brooklands Green - Land Rover Deep Bronze Green
GWR Cream	Ford Sahara Beige - Rover primula yellow.
GWR Brown (Chocolate)	Triumph Maple or Talbot Cafe Noir or GWR coach brown - Rover russet brown (also equivalent to Pullman brown).
LBSC Umber	Rover Mexican Brown
LBSCR Stoudley Ochre	BMC tan
LBSCR Umber	Vauxhall Brazil brown
LMS/ Midland Crimson Lake	Ford Damask Red - BL Damask Red
LMS Coronation Blue	Rover Pageant mid blue - Peugeot mid-blue
LNER Garter Blue	VW Pargas Blue
LNER apple green	HELP ANYONE?
LNER brown	HELP ANYONE?
LNWR coach plum lower panels	Daewood dark red
LNWR coach bluey-white upper panels	Daewood Casablanca white
LYR coach upper panels	Plastikote nut brown
LYR coach plum lower panels	Daewood dark red
NSR maroon	Vauxhall Gambia red
NSR Madder Lake	Ford Lacquer red
NER Coach red	Vauxhall Gambia red
SDJR Blue	Rover Midnight blue
SR Malachlite Green	Ford Laurel Green; Daihatsu Tropical Green
SR Dark Olive green	Land Rover Coniston Green
SR Suburban Green	Jaguar British Racing Green
Roof grey	Halford's Plastic bumber
Bauxite	Red Primer
Deltic Blue	Lada Adriatic Blue
White Primer	that sold by Halford's is recommended as "sticks to anything" - it is particularly good as a base coat for resin kits.
Red - Buffer beam	HELP ANYONE?
Black	Black - generally use Matt Black for chassis and under frames and Satin Black for bodywork.
Tips	Be careful when doing any touching up as Halfords paints lifts most varnishes Do not spray Cellulose based on top of oil based. Some people only use gloss as its easier to apply lining; varnish matt or satin after. If using satin black use matt black first as it flows better into nooks and crannies better than satin. Station colours see Peter Smiths most useful site http://www.stationcolours.info. British Railways shades were all from the BS381 series; colour patches can be found at these sites: www.ifspowdercoating.co.uk/bs_381c_colour_chart.htm www.icomsps.co.uk/colour_chart.htm www.nspcoatings.co.uk/bs381c-colour-charts.php

Wire Sizes

SWG (UK)	inches	mm	SWG (UK)	inches	mm	SWG (UK)	inches	mm
11	0.116	2.946	24	0.022	0.559	37	0.0068	0.173
12	0.104	2.642	25	0.020	0.508	38	0.006	0.152
12	0.092	2.337	26	0.018	0.457	39	0.0052	0.132
14	0.080	2.032	27	0.0164	0.417	40	0.0048	0.122
15	0.072	1.829	28	0.0148	0.376	41	0.0044	0.112
16	0.064	1.626	29	0.0136	0.345	42	0.004	0.102
17	0.056	1.422	30	0.0124	0.315	43	0.0036	0.091
18	0.048	1.219	31	0.0116	0.295	44	0.0032	0.081
19	0.0401	.016	32	0.0108	0.274	45	0.0028	0.071
20	0.036	0.914	33	0.0100	0.254	46	0.0024	0.061
21	0.032	0.813	34	0.0092	0.234	47	0.002	0.051
22	0.028	0.711	35	0.0084	0.213	48	0.0016	0.041
23	0.024	0.610	36	0.0076	0.193	49	0.0012	0.030

Screw Sizes

BA	Dia (mm)	Pitch(mm)	Tap drill (mm)	Nearest metric ISO	Pitch ISO course(mm)	Pitch ISO fine(mm)
16	0.79	0.19	0.6	0.8
15	0.90	0.21	0.7	0.9
14	1.0	0.23	0.8	1.0	0.25	0.2
13	1.2	0.25	0.98	1.2	0.25	0.2
12	1.3	0.28	1.05	1.4	0.3	0.2
11	1.5	0.31	1.2	1.6	0.35	0.2
10	1.7	0.35	1.4	1.8	0.35	0.25
9	1.9	0.39	1.55	2.0	0.35	0.25
8	2.2	0.43	1.8	2.2	0.4	0.35
7	2.5	0.48	2.05	2.5	0.4	0.35
6	2.8	0.53	2.3	3.0	0.5	0.35
5	3.2	0.59	2.65	3.0	0.5	0.35
4	3.6	0.66	3.0	3.5		0.35
3	4.1	0.73	3.4	4.0	0.7	0.5
2	4.7	0.81	4.0	4.5	0.8	0.5
1	5.3	0.90	4.5	5.5		0.5
0	6.0	1.00	5.1	6.0	1.00	0.75

Metric Equivalents of Imperial Screw Sizes

Diameter		Common Lengths		Clearance Hole		Pilot Hole
Gauge	Metric	Imperial	Metric	Imperial	Metric	Imperial	Metric
2	2.0	1/4 - 1/2	6.5 - 13	3/32	2.5	1/16	1.6
3	2.5	3/8 - 1	10 - 25	7/64	3.0	1/16	1.6
4	3.0	1/4 - 11/2	6.5 - 38	1/8	3.5	5/64	2.0
6	3.5	3/8 - 21/2	10 - 65	5/32	4.0	5/64	2.0
8	4.0	3/8 - 31/2	10 - 90	3/16	5.0	3/32	2.5
10	5.0	1/2 - 4	13 - 100	7/32	5.75	1/8	3.5
12	5.5	3/4 - 5	19 - 125	1/4	6.5	1/8	3.5
14	6.5	11/4- 6	32 - 150	1/4	6.5	5/32	4.0

BA Screwsize	Metric outside diameter (mm)
8	2.2
7	2.5
6	2.8
5	3.2
4	3.6
3	4.1
2	4.7
1	5.3
0	6.0

Useful site for thread data www.colinusher.info/Livesteam/mewdata.html

This page updated 26th Dec 2011
This page created 28th June 2010