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SEPTEMBER 2022 UPDATE
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HYWEL THOMAS
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STEVE CARTER
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JONNY DUFFETT
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KARL CROWTHER
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KIER HARDY
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The end is now in sight for the Twin Bolster build. With the wagons completed all that
remained was some chains on the bolsters and the loads. But first I had to fix the
bolsters in place so that they could still swivel. A simple solution was to cut some
lengths of insulated electrical wire, remove the wire and slide the insulation over
the end of the bolster pin, secured with a tiny drop of glue.
The bolsters could only be fixed in place after the two parts of the twin set had
been connected together. This was much easier to do on the flat as they were connected
with a tiny screw (removed from the couplings on Accurascale wagons!). Once connected
the set had to be treated with care as the bar coupler between the two wagons is only
plastic and easily broken. To keep them flat while securing the bolster pin I cut two
holes in a (very purple!) cardboard box, spaced to fit the bolsters, with a strip
underneath to keep them in place while the sleeve was fitted. It worked a treat, with
no broken couplers to report.
Here we can see two views of some of the completed 14 sets parked out of the way on
the spoil tip line awaiting a shunt to the quay for imported billet.
All three of the different types can be seen – a Conflat A conversion, then a Lowfit set
(with two different body styles) followed by a single bolster set.
A closer view of a Lowfit set with differing styles of brakes. On these and the Conflat
conversions the wagon number on the further set was, unusually, at the right hand side
of the vehicle. The single bolster conversions seem to have retained the traditional
left hand positioning for the numbers. Lanarkshire Model Supplies vacuum pipes have
been fitted to each set, along with their buffers.
Some more sets in one of the loops, showing some more variations in brake gear and
lettering. Almost all the wagons have slight variations in livery application as did
the prototype fleet.
With the wagons almost done it was time to contemplate the loads. I’d decided that this
was to be imported 4-inch billet, arriving on the coasters that would them back-load coil
from the quay. As each set would carry 23 billets I needed a cheaper way to produce them
rather than buying large quantities of 1.5mm plastic strip. This was the solution – only
use full lengths for those that could be seen.
With the second outer layer in place a small box was created for weights as the loads need
to stay in position without sliding off. The end view of the two part-hidden layers use
offcuts from the strips to save some cash.
The liquid lead was poured in loose and simply secured by the top layer of strip. I’m never
happy gluing such stuff into a tightly enclosed space in case anything expands.
Here we see the prototype load in place on a Conflat conversion. Four small strips of plastic
at 90 degrees to the billet and spaced to fit over the bolsters were hidden beneath the load
to stop it moving laterally, while the weights kept it firmly in place during shunting.
The same load fitted to a Lowfit conversion showing how the scrap offcuts give the appearance
of a full load of 31 billets. I think I’ll need about ten loads in total and once I’ve got
hold of some more strip they’ll be painted and then some chain fitted.
With the bolster fleet out of the way for a bit I could actually indulge in some quiet shunting.
The next train due was some empty BSC internal use scrap wagons for Knill’s yard. Here we see
the Brush Bagnall Bo-Bo pulling up outside the yard office for a cup of tea while the yard
pilot is busy elsewhere shunting.
Work has continued on the Hudswell Clarke with many of the body components now fixed into
position. The hand rail knobs are similar to those fitted to British Railways WD 'Austerity'
steam locos and are available from Markits (Part No. M4HRKWDs), these being the short version
at 1.7mm long. As supplied they appeared to protrude too far out from the body (1.7mm = 5.1")
and so were modified to fit from inside the body with a spacer piece under the hand rails
giving a more realistic spacing.
Having no concise plans to work from has meant carefully studying available pictures to try
and match various fixtures in relation to each other such as the sliding cab vent hatch and
the inspection cover on the rear "bunker" fuel tank.
Only the right hand side of the locos had a small access ladder but it is unclear as to the
purpose of it as refuelling was carried out at ground level. The ladder proves to be one of
a number of small differences between the ten locos as at least D2500/4/6 had them removed
later in their lifetime. Other differences include D2501/5/9 having a single large circular
hole to the side of each rear buffer with D2505 also having a later BR crest fitted to the
middle engine room door rather than on the cab sides. Published information on the class
states that the first batch of five 11116-20 (D2500-04) were delivered in black with the
later five 11144-8 (D2505-09) delivered in green but colour images of D2506 and D2508 would
seem to support all ten being delivered in black with at least D2502 and D2506 later going
on to have wasp stripes applied whilst still retaining the black livery.
Most of the body is now complete with lamp brackets being one omission as these will be
fitted later to avoid damage. The small round inspection hatch seen on top of the front
bonnet also needs a small amount of work but I'm not entirely satisfied that it is in the
correct position. The brass chimney replaces a poor white metal casting and utilises a Alan
Gibson (Part No. 4M766) original Patriot type. This has been modified to the correct height
by drilling out to 5mm then split into two with the necessary amount removed from the top
of the lower half. The two pieces are then joined together by inserting and soldering in a
5mm diameter tube which is then filed back.
The original build instructions had the running plate and body components soldered to each
other which means the cab needs to be glazed and painted before the roof / floor are added.
Not being a fan of this approach I've adopted the stance taken by Judith Edge kits, namely
having the body as a separate item so that access can be gained at anytime.
The body shown after separation from the running plate shows the two added securing nuts
necessary to allow it to be fixed or removed.
After a short break from 3D design and printing, I've recently been experimenting with some
new projects starting off with a chassis for the Airfix / Dapol Booth Rodley crane, as well
as the tool boxes and jib rest for the match wagon. The plastic kit comes with bogies for
industrial and private use, whereas the Western Region permanent way cranes were mounted
on a 4-axle chassis.
This view shows the assembled kit sitting on a 3D printed chassis, with a Hornby bogie
bolster A used as the match wagon. The 3D printing software is available for free download at
Thingiverse
The mess van was converted from a Hornby Toad. Apart from new side windows and a 3D printed
vent, the end windows were altered to make a AA23 Toad from the AA19 RTR model.
PW crane, match wagon and mess van all together. Transfers for the crane and match wagon are
available from Cambridge Custom Transfers sheet BL92.
Another project is the AFP containers and Conflat B with LNER clasp brakegear. The inset images
show the separately applied LNER brakegear prints and a selection of shackles (which have yet to
be fitted). The transfers for the containers and wagon are also available from CCT.
A few things have been progressing over the last couple of months, though it has been
rather hot in the shed at times! One task completed is this signal repeater box for
Arnside East Junction (see next photo). This was required because the actual signals
themselves can’t easily be seen by either the drivers or indeed, the signallers. The
box was kindly cut for me in 2MM MDF by John Elliott, and very effective it looks
(even though I got my dimensions a bit too deep!).
Also on the signalling front, each box now has a larger diagram, as seen here at Arnside
East Junction. The original A4-sized versions were not all that easy to read, and I didn’t
have a convenient way of displaying them, so the new versions have been done to A3 format,
mounted on boards suspended on chain from the shed ceiling. Not having access to an A3
printer, as an interim measure they‘ve been done in two halves, stuck together. Once I’m
confident that no revisions will be needed, I’ll get some proper ones professionally printed.
The new A3 version of the Kentside signal box diagram, again suspended above the block
instruments, from the shed ceiling.
And finally, the combined effort for the Natland/Heversham signalling position.
A further development has been the completion of the Kentside Interlocker Tray, which has
been designed and constructed by Richard Challis. It looks very impressive and I sort of
understand how it all works! Further units will follow for the other signalling locations.
But first I need to design the locking and will then have to find somewhere to place the trays!
From the loft I dug out the backscene boards from the original Kentside layout to hopefully
give a flavour of how things will appear to the rear of the viaduct. The key element at this
location will be the view across the Kent Estuary to Whitbarrow Scar, prominent in this image,
but possibly increased slightly in scale on the new rendition – but this will be a long way in
the future of course!
This Bachmann Derby Lightweight has been on the go for some time, using Branchlines/Black
Beetle wheelsets, now just about complete apart from sorting out the corridor connection
(and weathering of course). As can be seen, this particular unit will be on the Morecambe-Kendal
diagram. The sound is from Digitrains on a Zimo decoder, plus a large stay-alive from Youchoos.
The original destination boards were a bit tricky to alter, being factory printed onto the
inside of the driving cab glazing units. Removal was eventually successful by persistent
rubbing with Brasso on a cotton bud. The new destination boards were then made up from 10-thou
black Plastikard, suitably painted, with destinations from the Railtec Transfers range. The
pair depicted here are for a second planned Derby Lightweight set, working in from Leeds, obviously!
English Electric type 3 number D6947 was a dual braked Stratford locomotive from 1969, showing
signs of a previous life as a Western Region machine, notably the blue RA cabside dots and the
'bent at a right angle' lamp brackets. This long on the shelf model is new into service at Hornsey
Broadway based on the earlier Bachmann version.
D6947 in service with a northbound mixed freight crossing over to the Down Kings Cross line.
Since last month the AEC Matador has been glazed, fitted with wing mirros and indicator
pods and a new front valance. The last few detail parts have been fitted to include the
front drawbar and nearside fairlead constructed from plastic section, and the stand-off
headlamp and spotlight mounts are ready to receive their jewelled brights.
Matador recovery truck in the process of rescuing an AEC Swift on Hornsey New Road,
operating on trade plates 535 LB.
This PW crane was built many years ago by Greg Brookes and was later transferred to
the Wibdenshaw fleet. The crane chassis was scratchbuilt using photographs and drawings
available at the time, and in recent years has been sidelined awaiting an upgrade. The
inset images show the design artwork available from Thingiverse (link above in Jonny's post).
The chassis is shown here after painting and the application of some additional steps and
handbrake wheel. Reference photographs on Paul Bartletts wagon website show there were many
livery differences for these cranes, with no two being the same.
The crane and match wagon pose outside the depot building after the conversion work. Transfers
for these later yellow liveried cranes are not covered in the CCT set, although the data plates
and warning signs didn't change much during their time in service.
A view of the other side. In this later livery, it's slightly out of period (and region)
for Hornsey Broadway, so will be used on high days and holidays just to ring the changes.
Hymek 7098 at the head of a permanent way train made up of a couple of bogie bolster C wagons
loaded with girders, the Booth & Rodley crane, bogie bolster A match wagon, an ex-GWR
Toad used as a mess / tool van, with an open wagon and brake van tagged on the end.
A recent Class 15 fleet refresh has been carried out at the work bench to replace missing and
damaged parts (mostly bufferbeam pipework). New into the fleet is D8216 seen here on the
stabling sidings at Hornsey Road depot. Just spotted after taking the photograph is a 3-link
coupling hanging from the draw hook which is used for double heading instead of relying on the
the fitted screwlinks.
The opportunity was taken to take a few snaps for the album, featuring the Heljan Class 15s
in the Hornsey Broadway fleet which have given sterling service for the last 12 years. Here
D8204 & 8224 are captured coming onto the depot.
D8242 & 8224 heading down towards Hornsey Tunnel in charge of a mixed freight. Based on the
Stratford allocated locomotives C1970 (Class 15, 16, 20 & 31) it was a common sight to
see some of their headcode discs folded into the up position.
BTH type 1 D8228 hauling a northbound van train.
D8242 & D8204 are seen here resting in the stabling sidings at Hornsey Road depot.
Issue 291 of the Model Railway Journal (September 2022) features a 15 page article on Hornsey Broadway
explaining the thinking behind this EM gauge evocation of North London in the early blue-diesel era . . .
