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JUNE 2020 UPDATE
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KIER HARDY
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KARL CROWTHER
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PAUL JAMES
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STEVE HARROD
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HYWEL THOMAS
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IAN MANDERSON
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Planning for the future Tyneside layout project - I just want to say a big
thank you to everyone who has sent in information following last month's update. I am quite
humbled by the response. The maps and photos are really appreciated and will help enormously
with the planning, many thanks, Ian.
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GREG BROOKES
Rush hour at Hornsey Broadway. A pair of LMR DC Lines Class 501 units form the 18.25 hrs from
Broad Street to Watford service, seen here approaching the station whilst a Cravens 2-car
Class 105 DMU makes its way to Kings Cross.
The Class 501 3-car unit #2 that was started a few years ago has now resurfaced and entered
the works for fitting out. It was converted from a Bachmann 2-EPB (suitably shortened) and in to
EM gauge using Jackson Romford 14mm coach wheels, with a couple of hours testing time already
ticked off the list. The window bars have recently been fitted, then painted around the door
frames over the glued areas. This view shows the jumper cables being assembled using grain of
wheat bulb wire, with plugs and sockets made from 1mm diameter plastic rod drilled out to accept
the wire strands. The addition of a pair of Hornby Class 50 jumpers and bufferbeam pipes helps
speed the job along.
The 138 window bars were cut from 0.33mm nickel silver wire and held in a jig, ready for transferring
to the door to be super-glued in place. The blob of blu-tac holds the jig steady whilst the
glue is applied, followed by holding down the 3 bars with a scalpel blade to prevent them lifting
when the jig is pulled away. The cut of a razor saw is just the right size to hold the wire.
With the bodies complete, work has now progressed onto the chassis. Pictured in the centre is the
DMBS with a shortened die-cast chassis and reconstructed trussing (barely visible at the best of
viewing angles, unlike the openess of the DTBS & TS), and has just been fitted with a variety of
underslung cabinets and equipment ready for painting.
Next on the list is to make and fit the various chassis parts on the driving trailer and centre
car, adjust ride heights, then paint / lightly weather.
Meanwhile in the road transport department there's a few ideas in the mixing pot, to include a
couple of Ford D series chassis / cabs for the Carflat train, as well as an articulated trailer
suitable for the transport of materials handling equipment and fork lift trucks. The chassis is
made from a large section of Plastruct, slotted to accept the axles and chamferred down towards
the back. 1mm thick styrene side pieces are shown ready for fitting.
After constructing the front of the trailer with styrene sheet, it was reinforced by a rim of
brass wire. The decking is a thin embossed sheet with a chequer pattern, and the hydraulic rams
are from scrap bits of brass tube and steel wire.
Chocks of wood and some lengths of chain to be added around the winch area.
Last month I promised a blue diesel and I’ve actually run to two of them! The first is this
model of Sulzer Type 2 No. 5113 using the brilliant Sutton’s Loco Works model as the basis.
The engine was at Holbeck between October 1967-October 1971, receiving a repaint into rail
blue in September of 1968. There are some good photos and information on the internet about
the loco around this period, including of course the excellent DerbySulzers website, and
Philip Sutton of SLW helped me research all of the details we could uncover and hopefully
get an accurate rendition. I’ve allowed myself quite a wide timeframe for the layout,
essentially ‘mid-1960s’ with a few years either side, say 1962-68. Yes, there were a lot of
changes during this period, but it allows me to run the elderly ex-Midland 2F 0-6-0s which
I rather like, along with a scattering of early blue diesels. And in effect, with 5113
staying on at Holbeck until 1971 in pretty much the same condition as here, I can technically
include something (just) from the 1970s! 5113 is seen here on the very first run of the
afternoon Ks Shoes Kendal-Bradfield Gloucester Square parcels.
And the second blue diesel is Clayton D8532, based at Kingmoor 1967-68 and getting as far
south as Carnforth at this time, so will therefore be very appropriate for working the quarry
trains etc. Basically a renumbered Heljan model converted using Ultrascale wheels.
Last time I showed the paper template of this track formation for Kentside station with all of
the timbering glued onto it. Well it’s now finished and installed onto the layout. This has
enabled a complete circuit of track (on the Up line) to become active – quite a milestone and
two years exactly since I got the shed! As with the other track, the Templot plan is left in
situ, but with as much as practicable cut away beforehand. The underside of the paper is then
sealed with a coat of varnish, after which it’s carefully lined up on the cork base and the
outline marked. Then it’s glued down using Evo-Stick Time Bond contact adhesive. Electrical
feeds are via the little etches from Palatine Models (soldered to the rail underside beforehand).
Normally I’d colour the timbers and paint the rails prior to laying, but with a complex formation
like this I will do that after full testing so that any adjustments can be more easily made.
Here we see 5113 and parcels working once again, about to run onto the lifting section. Above
the train and to the right can be seen pointwork leading into Kentside goods yard sidings. The
Class 24 is situated where an overbridge will form a scenic break at this end of the Kentside
scene. The goods yard headshunt will continue off stage under the bridge, toward the camera
(there wasn’t room for it otherwise!), while on the extreme left can be seen the lead into
the Down refuge siding (which will run as far as the bridge only). As can be seen, a portion
of the Up line is still be added and this is intended to comprise flat bottom track, so that’s
the next thing that needs to be addressed – out with all those little Colin Craig etches, a
good target for next month……..
A part of my ‘philosophy’ for the layout is that everything that came from the original Kentside,
with suitable upgrading, will be redeployed here. These old Airfix suburbans (which actually
pre-date the original Kentside) have had a complete overhaul, including fitting of Extreme
Etchings ‘Lazer-glaze’ windows and Bill Bedford sprung bogies. As bought they were in LMS
livery and when I did them up for Kentside MK 1, I only ever re-liveried the one side. Thus I
took the opportunity to do the other sides, this time in unlined guise. For the Maroon I used
Lifecolour Acrylic, something new for me being an ardent ‘enamels man’ and I have to say it
brushed on very easily to give a smooth finish and to my mind, a pretty convincing shade. The
’Limousine Cab’ Fowler Tank 42402 uses Mike Edge’s etched sides on a Hornby donor body, lined
using Fox transfers and it runs on a Comet chassis powered by my usual High Level/Mashima combination.
This side of the suburban set is how they appeared on Kentside MK1, though much improved
appearance due to the flush glazing. The rake will form the Kendal-Marthwaite/Dent Head Branch
service, working out from and back to Carnforth on the first and last runs of the day respectively.
I decided against a complete rebuild of the suburban coach underframes (how far do you go?), instead
adding detail from various sources to enhance their appearance as much as I could – trussing from
styrene section, plus regulator boxes, dynamo and vacuum gear from various Wizard/Comet parts.
The coach interiors were also painted and a scattering of passengers added. I may at a later date
add coach lighting, but there are more pressing things to work on before that!
With the lock down meaning no access to running my stock on Hornsey Broadway, I decided it was
time I actually had layout of my own to run and test stock. My previous layout Eastwell Ironstone
is too big to set up except at exhibitions, so I dragged down three baseboards out of the loft
that had once formed part of a long dismantled layout up there. Each board was 4 ft long by 19"
wide (to fit the loft hatch), and so with a 16ft garage three would fit in, with a spare 4 ft
for a fiddle yard. After an initial set up trial to see if they would fit in the garage among
all the other stuff stored in there, this first photo shows the one end of the layout featuring
a double track main line with a number of exchange sidings. The trackwork at this end will
remain in place.
The original track layout at the other end of the three boards. Originally the tracks started
to curve around at this end as these baseboards formed part of an oval circuit. For the new
version of this end to end layout, the curves would be lifted and straightened out, and the
inclined track, which originally went to a cement works, would be removed.
Testing the concept. With the unwanted track lifted, a few of my wagons were placed on the
layout to test the proposed new track layout to see what sort of train lengths I could run
round and expect to accommodate.
With some of the original track lifted, some old EM Gauge Society point plans were used to
see what trackwork I could fit in and make work. At this point, the former double track became
a single line with passing loop and exchange sidings with an industrial location off scene.
It also acquired a name - Wood End Sidings.
With more of the original track lifted, the new track layout could be more fully developed
with a start on planning the scenery as well. More use of wagons on temporary track, and a
spare unpowered class 24 that could be pushed along, helped in getting ideas formulated.
With the new track layout finalised, a start could be made on the new pointwork. A look through
all the spare parts boxes dug up parts to form at least two points using the EMGS plywood sleeper
and rivets method.
When original built, the baseboards, track and scenery were not designed to be taken apart.
Although the layout was taken apart carefully, there had been some damage over the years of
storage to some of the rail ends. these were repaired by cutting the rail at a convenient point,
sliding out the damaged rail and replacing with a new piece.
With two points made up, test fitting could take place. Also note that alterations have been
made to the scenery. This has been cut down to allow better photographic opportunities in the
future. Use of the original scenery had been made where possible, but repaired if needed using
old polystyrene packing sheets covered in Mod-Rock.
The original track and pointwork here will stay, as will the original scenery top right. All
the original points were operated by a simple slide switch and angle cranks with rodding under
the baseboard. This will be retained and the new points operated by the same method. They will
be made capable of being power operated in the future if required.
Originally designed to be bolted permanently together, the reused baseboards did not sit easily
on the subframe in their new surroundings. One method I have used successfully in the past is
triangular fillets to maintain height and alignment, as shown in this photo. A triangular section
is cut out of the one baseboard end. The two baseboards are then clamped together making sure that
height and alignment are spot on. The triangular fillets are then glued and screwed / pinned in the
gaps they came from, and left for 24 hours for the glue to go off.
Something I haven't done in a long while is build a double slip. Until this is built, progress has
stopped and I'm having to resort to copperclad sleeper strip for this one.
Although it has been possible to get hold of material online, starting this project has
given me the opportunity to go through my spares / odds and sods boxes to see what I have tucked
away that I could use on this layout. I am following Pete Johnson's Canada Street
example, and making the layout anonymous as far a regional identity is concerned, so that I can
base it anywhere in the UK with any industry that takes my fancy.... Within reason.
The traverser is nearing completion after painting the decking and toning down. The biggest
challenge was to get the wooden decking correct, this was achieved by first of all painting
two coats of Precision paints brake dust, then using Humbrol matt 98 a kind of 'gun smoke' colour.
The decking was left to dry and then using a fibre tip pen, the surface was finely rubbed
to expose the lighter colour underneath, once I was happy with this I then gave the deck a
weathering using various shades of grey/black mixed in with metal coat.
I have added the warning board and a modelu figure in the control booth. The red warning
and information plates were sized down from a photo I had, stuck on plasticard and then
satin varnished for protection, and to give that enamelled effect.
On the locomotive front I have been busy with my Dapol Western which is in the throes of becoming
D1047 Western Lord. Work already completed is converting to EM gauge, scratchbuilding the ATC/Earth
pick up and the Tripometer. I have also filled in the boiler extractor vents on the roof as they
are located in the wrong place, and were corrected by drilling out the roof area and using needle files.
All cabs have had some detail painting and a Modelu crew installed, with the obligatory drivers
bag on the cab desk. I have also removed the light box located behind the headcode box, then
used Precision headcode blinds and re-glazed the head codes.
With Lockdown continuing I thought it was time some old kits came out from the stash, one
of which was a Cambrian LMS Salmon destined to be an Armour Plate WE to diagram 2/001 of
1956. Here we see it after the deck and chassis were cut down (and the solebar increased
to a scale 12 inch section). Brake levers have been removed from one bogie and the other
details added as required.
Here we see it from beneath with strengthening ribs added and brakes, that weren’t included
in the kit. You can see how the top lip of the old solebar was filed away and a new piece
of plastic strip added to provide the extra depth.
The wagon needed some pretty hefty 25-ton ingot moulds. None of the ones I had were big
enough so I decided to scratchbuild a pair. Here they are at an early stage, just basic
hollow boxes, using various thicknesses of plastic sheet. A lot of messy filing was next
on the agenda!
Not the best photo but you can see where we’re headed as lots of plastic was removed with
a course file. It got everywhere so be prepared for a big clean up!
Finally two giant wheelie bins, ready for painting and texturing.
With the moulds built it was time to work on the substantial beams that these wagons used
when in ingot mould traffic from places like Dowlais and Workington. The beams are plastic
strip with the graining done using various wax carvers. The wagon (apart from the deck)
has been primed for painting.
Next was the painting of the moulds. You can see how large they are in comparison to the
moulded plastic moulds from American firm Rix behind (and the largest I had). The colour
of the SG Iron used for the moulds is quite distinctive, as is their rough-cast texture
so a lot of layers and washes were required.
An almost finished mould with that distinctive texturing. I had planned on making them
removable but the chaining arrangements made this impossible. In the end I decided to paint
one side as a scrap mould heading back to the foundry (a very common traffic) and turn it
round to represent the new mould leaving. The chaining used numerous shackles and hooks,
all of which were extremely fiddly to assemble. They came from Roxey and 51L Models with
fine chain from my parts bin. They were chemically blackened before assembly.
And here we see the completed wagon, numbered as one of the Dowlais fleet, this showing the
‘new’ side of the mould with the shackles and chains holding it safely in place.
And the ‘scrap’ side of the mould on an inbound working for the foundry.
And these are some of the wagons that the Arm will work with once a bed of old ballast has
been added to each. The iron ore tipplers are to various diagrams, most being modified Hornby
examples (some cut down to represent the low body versions) with one Bachmann body on a Hornby
chassis, one Parkside clasp-brakes but not vacuum fitted example and one Hornby body on a 10ft
push-braked chassis. Many of the wagons feature roller bearings – this was ongoing in 1972 but
by the mid 1970s all ingot mould variants were fitted with them.
Sorting through some SD cards I found the other day, I came across a set of pictures I had
taken of VIllier Street just before it passed to its new owner.
Villier St was a small layout competition entry for DEMU Showcase in 2003. The original idea
was by Tony Wood, and built by a collaboration of Tony, myself and Pete Johnson. It captured
the imagination of both modellers and judges due its unique perspective on layout design
capturing that view of a depot many of us would be familiar with, going on to win the
competition that year. It was deliberately built as region-agnostic to allow us to ring the
changes over the course of an exhibition, one moment we would be in the South West and the
next in Scotland.
Despite all the interest it generated, I have only ever seen one other layout modelled from
this angle and that was Queen Street Goods in N-Gauge. An article appeared in Modern Railway
Modelling magazine Summer 2005 no 3.
It was sold in 2013 and now resides in Swindon.
There's still a lot of progress being made at the Shenston Road workshops on various wagons and
loco's, so hopefully I'll get a chance to spot them at the lineside over the next few weeks. In
the meantime, here's a few snaps from the album. Peak (Class 46) 149 heads a southbound Leather's
Chemical tank train near the goods loop.
The tail end of the 6 Leather's tank wagons, the barrels having been made from fax machine paper tubes.
A pair of English Electric type 1 loco's hauling a long rake of 24.5 ton hopper wagons.
8078 & D8135 coast through the station heading south.
D1 Skafell Pike at rest in the stabling sidings, awaiting it's next duty back to Toton.
