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MAY 2017 UPDATE
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STEVE HARROD Newton Abbot - image on Flickr It is basically 3 storage roads off the traverser, so no room for a fully working traverser unless
of course I decide to extend the length of the layout to accommodate it, which would also mean building
some of the front of the locomotive works (umm seems a good idea now!). The whole diorama will be no
more that 4’x2’. As a 9 year old lad I was lucky enough for my Father to have taken me to Newton Abbot
station in August 1971 (family holiday in Paignton) to see my beloved ‘Warship diesels’, So with this
in mind and using the excellent NBL Class 43 from Bachmann, I have decided to re-create what I saw.
So the idea is to model D836 and D851 withdrawn, with nameplates removed, 839 Relentless (awaiting
works attention to ‘B’ end Transmission), D838 and D6322 will also make an appearance in a withdrawn
state. I plan to make the whole thing DCC, so I can have a loco or 2 with sound.
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IAN MANDERSON *****************************************************************************************************************************************************************
PETE JOHNSON *****************************************************************************************************************************************************************
KIER HARDY
The colour light was experimental (and also wrong for this application) so has now
been removed..... at least that excercise is out of my system now!
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JUNE 2017 UPDATE
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KIER HARDY *****************************************************************************************************************************************************************
PAUL JAMES *****************************************************************************************************************************************************************
HYWEL THOMAS *****************************************************************************************************************************************************************
GREG BROOKES *****************************************************************************************************************************************************************
KEITH TRUEMAN *****************************************************************************************************************************************************************
PETE JOHNSON *****************************************************************************************************************************************************************
JONNY DUFFETT I have a nice colour picture in a book of set no. 5344 approaching London Bridge
in 1972 which looks the proper job. 5344 was built in 1960 and withdrawn in 1985. It carried rail
blue and full yellow end from April '69 to '82. So that's the final identity. It is one of the
1957 phase II stock built between 1960 and 1962 for the South East division and never fitted
with express gear ratios. The coach numbers starting at No. 1 end are MBSO 61598, TS 70457,
TS 70458 and MBSO 61599.
I'm searching for images of the non cab end of MBSO and the ends of the TS for
position of junction boxes and cabling as I think the high box on the 2EPB is in the wrong
place as there are no roof conduits. Any suggestions welcome.
To be 100% accurate I will need to change around the seating in the TS coaches
as they were a mix of saloon and compartment like the DTS in the 2EPB but the compartments were
in the middle of the 4 car set whereas the 2EPB has the compartments next to the MBSO. The
saloons and the majority of the compartments were non smoking except one on No. 1 TS and two
on No.2 TS. The MBSOs were all smokers.
I have read that only No. 1 MBSO had motor generator and emergency batteries
so once I can find photographic confirmation I'll get the saw out and take some detail off the
No. 2 MBSO under-frame. Some builds had variation of position
of air horns inset on the front of the cab for a while (just made me remember need to put
air horns back on!) and some had smaller indicator panels like the South Tyneside 2EPBs.
The first 2 sets had Southern Railway designed trailers.
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JULY 2017 UPDATE
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PETE JOHNSON *****************************************************************************************************************************************************************
PAUL JAMES *****************************************************************************************************************************************************************
KIER HARDY *****************************************************************************************************************************************************************
AUGUST 2017 UPDATE
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KEITH TRUEMAN *****************************************************************************************************************************************************************
STEVE HARROD *****************************************************************************************************************************************************************
KARL CROWTHER *****************************************************************************************************************************************************************
Having built the Gauge 1, 1/32nd scale layout ‘Worcester Road’ to a semi-fictitious
idea (inspired by the inside of Gloucester Horton Road shed), albeit with an extra running road and
based in Hereford, my next project/layout which will be my first in EM. It will see me try to re-create
an actual location, well I won’t call it a layout, more a diorama of an area known as the Newton Abbot
works dump, this area was situated on the other side of the locomotive works separated by a traverser.
To get the whole project started I decided to scratchbuild the Newton Abbot
traverser catenary using various brass angle, this was all cut to size and soldered together at
the recent Cheltenham model show. Andi Dell (Dagworth, Ravenscliffe, and catenary specialist) kindly
provided me with the isolators, they were then all primed and then painted using an airbrush in
duck egg blue.
Next up was the small brick building to the rear of the dump, I am still trying to
work out the purpose of this utility building, it does have a transformer located at the works end
of the building, so maybe it is a switch room providing the power for the traverser? The main carcass
for this building is none other that some spare Ratio set stone sheets, this was then coated in PVA
glue (I hate using Mekpak for building construction) and the already cut to size plasticard brick
sheets were then pressed firmly in place, the roof was made from 2 different thicknesses of plasticard.
Within the confines of the works dump are 3 storage tanks, the first of these
which I have built is 2 panels by 2 panels wide, I used the closest pattern of tank that I could
find, which was from a Wills kit, this tank along with the other 2 are supported in the air by
breeze blocks. To make these I obtained some square plastruct section which was then cut to the
required size and glued before priming and painting..... each wall has 55 individual squares.
The good thing about having a computer and a printer is that if a sign does not exist
you can make your own, I needed some - ‘Danger Live Wires’ for the traverser catenary, after much
jiggery pokery I got the required size, these were then cut from the sheet and stuck to some already
cut plasticard sheet (for strength) and then the sign was satin varnished for protection.
Thats my first instalment, Kind Regards, Steve - Works Manager 83A Newton Abbot.
Three mineral wagons await collection at Hartburn. The layout will
be appearing at the Derby Roundhouse on the 6th & 7th of May.
Another quick swop-body project is this blue Class 03 to become ‘2135’.
Again making use of the Bachmann shell re-tool, and converted from the air-braked version,
this will be a useful alternative guise for the mechanism from TOPS numbered 03 069.
Hornby Class 08 ‘08 296’ in faded blue has been re-assembled and is
waiting for final weathering.
This and the following images were taken at the Stafford show in
February 2017 by Paul.
Another view looking across at the quayside.
Hudswell Clarke D2508 carries out shunting work.
Those cobbles will be a good test on the Mini's hydrolastic suspension.
I think we'll need the bino's for this one.
D6320 and Western form part of a Western Region sequence.
This bracket signal has been standing at the lineside in a basic form
for some time now, with the arms held in place with blu-tac. It's seen here on a
test rig on the work bench, working out what can be achieved in a depth of 4 inches,
5 servos in close proximity, and ease of access.
I fabricated a thinner box and grafted it to the base tube of the signal.
Now as a self-contained unit, it can be be easily taken out for future maintenance if required.
Showing underside of baseboard with signal assembly in place, and
utilising a Megapoints Servo Controller, with HK 15178 servos.
With some new capping stones for the retaining wall, all we need now is a
drop of rain to get the new turf looking good. The assembly will be
held in by 2 screws hidden by some carefully positioned weeds.
Meanwhile at Hornsey Road Depot, Paul has captured three of his
Lima class 47s, starting off with 1662 Isambard Kingdom Brunel.
1676 & 1910 awaiting their next turn of duty. These locos were
originally detailed and finished by Greg for his Shenston Road fleet, but have
since been transferred to Paul's Eastwell fleet and double motored.
Another Lima loco still in active service is class 37 number 6709
at the back.
I did intend to return to some of the Hornsey rolling stock projects recently,
but instead it's been playing trains and any spare time spent on the S&T. The pair
of 2-HAL EMUS, just require lettering and a light weathering before they head
off in convoy to the scrap yard. A few visitors from the Shenston Road fleet gives this view
a definite Southern feel to it.
This is a helicopter view of the latest signals, made up from bits of
brass tube, wire and etched ladders. The arms came from an Alan Gibson Pratt Truss gantry
kit which I never got around to building, but a few parts have come in handy, such as
the bracket for the Banner Repeater on the Up Fast.
The Up Slow has the red aspect at the bottom, whereas the more common placing
is at the top for a ground mounted signal. There are instances showing both arrangements, and
for added interest the fuzzy inset picture shows the drivers eye view from the station, and
the reason it's ground mounted.
Showing the 2 starter signals in advance of the multi-arm bracket signal,
with Eastwell's D5385 passing a rake of bogie bolster E wagons from Shenston Road.
I bought one pack of Wills cabinets (4 in a kit), using the back of the
double-sided cabinets to make a fith and sixth super detailed unit. Using off-cuts of
plastic card and strip, a few more of different sizes and patterns appeared, so hopefully
my efforts shouldn't look too bad at 2 foot away with their back to us.
Peak 139 halted at the junction bracket signal. I've planted a
few hundred concrete posts for the cable runs associated with the 3rd rail, track control
equipment and communications - old computer ribbon cable does have its uses.
Back at the depot, on a weekend no doubt if the long line of shunters is
anything to go by. For the spotters out there, 77 and 6709 are inside the shed, with a
row of 350hp shunters D3312, D3036, 3332, 4192, D4040 & D3918 on the stabling sidings.
Now for some snaps taken by Paul from the lineside, recording more subject
matter for the scrapbook. Here is class 03 number 2164 at home on the depot.
Here's a selection of Greg's locos starting with 50017.
402 in company with sisters 50013, 50017 and a Western.
Peak 139 and its rake of BEVs still waiting at the signals.
Still at Hornsey for the next few snaps, but this time with some
of the stock from my Eastwell Ironstone fleet.... 5025 which was featured a few
months ago, has now been joined by 5000, both repainted and modified SLW class 24s.
D5382 on cement duties - a Heljan class 27. Work still required in the cabs
and adding loco crew..... there's no excuse now I have a collection of 'mini me's courtesy of
Alan Butler of Modelu, even if a brutal reduction in size may be required to get them behind
the control desk!
Ditto, this time it's D5385 with a load of Midlands coal.
.........Whooooosh!!!
Where did that come from? I think the novelty has worn off now, so it's
booked into the Eastwell Workshops for a 00 gauge wheel swap, and
then off to market. The wheels will no doubt fit some equally dated diesel units.
Issue number 255 of the Model Railway Journal features a 10 page
article on Morfa Bank Sidings by Hywel Thomas. Our view is that it's an excellent edition,
guest edited by Karl Crowther and containing lots of stuff up Our Street. Includes The Mill
by Jason Thomas & Chris Rogers.
Again Paul has been out and about with his camera capturing the latest
goings on in this part of the West Midlands. Brush 4 1720 awaits its next turn of duty
on the stabling point, in the company of other Western Region motive power.
1720 stabled at Shenston Road stabling point.
Another Brush 4 1813 heads north past the goods loops with a mixed freight....
.... with 3306 in ex-works condition en-route to a new home.
English Electric type 4 whistles away on the station relief road waiting
for a path south.
Latest addition to the fleet is this SLW class 24 number D5087 heading north
on a mineral train.
Bachmann Pipe wagons after weathering.
This is part of a rake of 15 Bogie Bolster E wagons going through the
Shenston workshops at the moment. Lima model with replacement buffers, decals, and Cambrian
bogies (seen earlier passing through Hornsey).
My Lima bodied class 31 skinhead now has a top coat of blue and yellow
paint on it, and just about ready for a grimey wash before installing the lazerglaze
windows, along with cab entry handrails which I have readily pre-bent to shape, and
then I will install the roof fan unit.
The original Mirrless engine exhaust ports on the Lima body were
orientated longways to the loco. These were filed flat and filled in, and new engine
ports were opened out and new details over laid to represent the E.E. engined version.
The original Lima roof grille has been replaced with an etched mesh
grille, and below it fan components assembly from Extreme Etchings.
Buffer beam hoses & details for 31014 comprise those for a vacuum braked
loco, mostly using parts from Extreme Etchings and A1 models. The corner body fairings
have been joined along the underside, using styrene filed to shape. The Buffers are
fully sprung Hornby items obtained as spares.
With the Lima buffers removed, Hornby sprung buffers have been fitted
in place of these. These are nice working units, and also clearly show the tread pattern
on the footplate provided.
The bodyshell is almost ready for a weathering now, and engine room
windows have their glazing, but the cab entry handrails must go on now before all the
weathering effects can be applied, then after that the cab windows can be glazed.
The bufferbeams have their associated hoses and cables fitted and painted too, so that's
another little job out of the way. I'm excited to think that I will have the skinhead running shortly.
Although I built this pub as a makeshift stand-in structure for last years
exhibition (and also that it was made from cardboard), I had intended to scap it after the
show and remake it from Plastic. That hasn't happened... Looking at the building since,
the structure doesn't scrub up too badly seeing as it is only a background scene model,
and so I have decided to keep it for the time being.
The spearhead railings have been completed along the top of the retaining
wall, and a compound for the Pub has been established and walled around, and with a set of
access gates included. Just need to find some clutter for this yard area now i.e. beer kegs,
crates, and maybe some broken furniture in a heap from a mad night!
Some projects I find once I’ve started I just can’t put down…..This Bachmann
‘USA’ tank was a case in point. They were a brute of a dock shunter that I have wanted to
feature since the earliest days of ‘Canada Road’, but somehow a kit, with all that outside
valve gear, was more than I could face! Such a superb model out of a box was too good to resist
however….and the level of detail as-supplied leaves few features worth tweaking. But I did put
a little work into the cab area, with fresh glazing, crew, and a part open door.
Opening the roof vent - using an offcut piece of thin metal strip - was
inspired by Rail Online photographs of the type.
This same source of pictures showed many – including 30071 – to have
doubler plates added to the back of the bunker by the late 50s. A shaped piece of 5 thou was
bonded onto the bunker, with the small round plate just above added the same way. The moulded
coal load was also cut away, and the edges of the bunker opening thinned with a file.
Meanwhile the mech was re-gauged to EM using Gibson parts. There proved to
be just enough space between the motion to accommodate the wider gauge - but beware of opening
up the sintered bronze axle bushes from 3mm to 1/8”….attempting to drill one caused it to
shatter, so careful work with a rat-tail file followed on the other five! The drop-in wheelsets
allowed light downforce springing to be added at the two undriven axles (in a similar fashion
to my tweak of the Hornby Class 08 mech).
The re-assembled model is shown ready for final weathering.
USA tank ‘30071’ ready for action in an early 1960s Southampton sequence on
the layout, complete with target No.2 added on the centre lamp-iron fore and aft.
Another outstanding model ‘out of the box’ has also been on the work bench this
month. ‘D5016’ is a Sutton Loco Works Class 24 from the dawn of BR diesels. The only major
enhancement has been fitting of Laserglaze replacement glazing. Beyond that, the small bodyside
access panel has been left open, as often shown by pictures - even from the early days; the
valance panels slightly misaligned, and a crew added. A bit of light weathering with my usual
matt enamel grime mix and the job’s a goodun…..
While the weathering paints were out Class 17 ‘D8610’ also got the treatment –
again quite a light application, as if the loco has recently had some attention when the full
yellow ends were also added.
Class 03 swop-body ‘2135’ is shown after completion. The livery is modelled
to photos posted on the web showing it working a brake-van special tour of Ipswich Docks during
October 1971 – which fitted with the layout far too well not to use …..Now I just need to model
the eight brake vans with enthusiasts cramming every veranda!!
With weathering jobs going well, I took on the big one….08 296. The picture
shows the model after the bodyshell has had the first stage (grime) added. Oil and rust staining
will follow, as will griming-up the motion below the footplate. I must apologise for there being
no intermediate pictures of the grime application in progress, but it becomes a mad flurry of
painting on grime with one brush, and carefully blending it back or thinning it with another
brush dipped in clean white spirit, and blotted regularly on dry kitchen paper. If the whole
process isn’t done quickly then the drying matt enamel forms tide marks which ruin the result…..
or at least that’s my excuse!
My interests are diverse, but one thing that comes very high on the list is
Southern Region EMUs, and my growing fleet are all OO Gauge and I've no intention of changing that.
Whilst taking a stroll around the back of the Hornsey Workshops & Yards, I came across a stash of
Bachmann 2-EPB bodies and other surplus chassis bits and pieces left over from Kier's
class 501s and suburban '57 footers project. This has now given me the impetus to have a 4-EPB in the fleet.
These pictures show a fairly straight-forward conversion by chopping off
the cab, and splicing a compartment section in its place.
Making a start... 2-EPB cabs being removed, to make 2 centre coaches for
the 4-EPB.
Welded into place on the left, and finished on the right.
Looking at various photos I have of BR designed 4EPBs they have no conduits on
the roof. There was also only one periscope facing away from the cab end so the front periscope
on the 2EPB roof is also removed.
Southern Railway design 4EPBs had roof conduits. I guess the difference between
roofs for BR 2EPBs and 4EPBs is that BR 2EPBs were built from 1953-56 and BR design 4EPB from
1960-62 and at that later date they were internally wired. The ventilators are MJT.
Whilst on test at Hereford station (under construction).... Then try and
work out how the thing would run without a third rail supply! In the meantime, there's a few more
bits left over, so a new project is in the making for use on Hornsey Broadway...... let's just say
it might be something to do with the GN Electrification!
After clearing the decks a bit last month another new project has been
started. In this view the main elements of a Hunslet 0-4-0 - adapted from the Judith Edge
kit of the larger 0-6-0 – are pictured underway.
A few days later, and the cab has been assembled. The type had a changed
size of engine compartment door when compared to its big brother, so hopefully Mike will
be willing to run some adjusted parts for the project.
This month has also seen the ‘Blue Grain’ project move forward. I have
chosen to base these on the Lima underframe moulding which is the correct length and has
nicely rendered buffers. To maintain the ‘open frame’ look the MJT w-irons have had the
main deck cut away after first being securely soldered in the corners.
Re-uniting the body tubs and underframes begins to make the wagons look
the part, although there is still a long way to go. ‘Haig’ has the later pattern (Lima)
bodywork style, but has been fitted with chain-hung springing salvaged from the Bachmann
underframes to portray the ‘as-built’ condition of this type.
In contrast, this example is the early style bodywork, but fitted with the
later pedestal type suspension of the mid-1970s – again a blend of Bachmann and Lima
pieces has been used.
The project has become a work of obsession again…. (what is it about grain
wagons!?) This detail view shows the thinned stanchions of the Bachmann tub bonded to the ‘C’
shape solebar joiners – each individually cut and fitted from a bonded channel section made
from three pieces of 0,5mm styrene strip. The vacuum pipe has also been added using styrene rod.
Up on the roof the grab handles have been made using 0.35mm brass, and the
door catches using 0.45 brass, filed flat on the top face. The artwork for the etched trimmings
is under development, but it may be a few months yet before these parts can be fitted.
With camera in hand, and another opportunity to snap a few of the latest
goings on...... Starting with 5087 (featured last month at Shenston Road), paired
with 5025 from the Eastwell fleet heading for the Midland Mainline.
5025 now on its own hauling a rake of empty 21 ton hopper wagons.
5000 (SLW) with 5174 (Hornby) at Hornsey Broadway station.
And now a pair from the Shenston Road fleet - 24057 & 24063.
A Stratford allocated Brush type 4 heads north with a rake of heavy oil
tank wagons originating from Ripple Lane. These wagons are heavily modified Hornby models,
built many years ago for Shenston Road by Greg, later transferred to the Hornsey fleet and
recently refurbished.
Whilst everyone else has been customising their locomotives, I've been
busying myself in the area around the Underground station. The new bridge abutments are
now in place with just a bit of brickwork to do, and the pavements and platforms have
now been populated.
The cable bridge is made from brass sections using a pin jig for
a strong soldered construction, with the cables and supports glued on afterwards.
This building started life as a low-relief resin building by Bachmann, and
was partially rebuilt with a roof a few years ago. Now it's almost ready to be planted on
Bridge Street, some additional brickwork has been added prior to weathering and finishing.
The card cut-out of Arnos Grove tube station has proved to be a handy prop
for a number of years. With the recent redevelopment of this area, plans are now afoot for
a proper building.
This plan view shows the site being surveyed in preparation for the
architects drawings..... watch this space for further details.
Next on the list will be street lamps, road signs, and period bus shelters.
Toffee Apple Brush type 2 - 31014 has now been finished
and is in service at Lesney Park. Here she is in the yard stabled between duties.
BTH class 15 number D8236 is held at the signal (recently
commissioned by the S&T department), as it comes off the branch with a local goods.
Next on the list will be the fitting of headcode discs, obviously having been
removed by the depot staff at Stratford for some strange reason!
I have also been busy planting grass fibres on the layout and
decided to dig out my Noch grasmaster Mk 2.0 that I purchased a while back.
Within minutes found this so easy to work with, and look forward to
grassing a few other small areas on 'The Park' soon.
A view of the end of the sidings.
On the 83A Newton Abbot works yard theme, I have been
beavering away (when times allowed), and managed to make all of the tanks that
sit parallel to the works yard. These have been made from modified
Wills kits (SS34), which sit on nearly 500 individual breeze blocks cut
from hollow plastic square section.
I attended the Thornbury show and managed to get myself
a 12t 5-plank open (PC25) and a 12t palvan (PC65) from Parkside Dundas.
Both of these items have been built as grounded bodies. I have also
made the covering between the 2 large tanks and the extra small tank
that sits on the 2nd of the large tanks.
The Works yard idea initially was a way in which in a
realistic setting I could show off my detailed & weathered 4mm NBL Warships, however
Pete Johnson has got me thinking (especially after his rebuild
of Canada Road to Canada Street), “Would the Works Yard really satisfy me?”
I built a mock up of both the traverser and front wall of the works
building to see how it would all fit in, and more importantly how much space
it would require. It certainly adds to the atmosphere and more importantly
shouts out at you ‘this is 83A’, so I know its going to take more time
than originally intended for this project, as I've also a 1/32nd scale
D600 kit to build. I know I will have more satisfaction not only in building the
Newton Abbot traverser and Works but more importantly for me, when finished
I can put my NBL Warships on the traverser and be back in 1971.
I’ve been doing a few tasks on the layout in readiness for
its outing to this month’s Railwells Show on August 12th/13th. A couple of wagons
added to the roster are this pair of 21T coal hoppers. The rebodied one
on the left was donated by a friend, having been converted from the
original Dapol model. I’ve added a few tweaks including the handrails
and vacuum cylinder/pipe, plus solebar steps and bottom discharge
handles from the Dave Bradwell etch. I also thought it OK to have just
one example still with the original body and the one here is a
straight build of the Parkside kit.
This shows to good effect the fairly recently completed backscene
painting, which I’m reasonably happy with - it certainly adds to the overall
setting. Also a bit of enhancement of ground cover has been taking place using static grass etc.
More weed growth around the base of the Portakabin. Just needs some
discarded litter now to complete the scene.
Another view of the backscene, here intended to give the impression of the
distant skyline of the Wheatley Valley.
This final image shows my attempt to depict the view to
more open countryside at the upper reaches of the Wheatley Valley. The Daimler
Fleetline in WYPTE livery is a recent addition to the layout’s fleet, but
still needs a driver/passengers adding and weathering to make
it more presentable…
