EM Gauge Layouts, Models & Projects

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Canada Street is the subject of an article in the November edition of British Railway Modelling magazine. An extract from one of the excellent photos used in the article (taken by Phil Parker) shows Class 03 2135 rounding the dock branch curve.

During the weekend October 8th & 9th the layout will be out at the Farnham and District MRC exhibition in Aldershot. Saturday is planned to be a Southampton day, opening in 1960 with USA tank 30071 featuring.

During the Saturday the three sequences will also visit the late 1960s and the mid-70s.

Sunday will depict East Anglia for the day, opening in the mid-1960s with tram D2950 running.

Hunslet D2556 will be supporting the tram and again the sequences will move through time to the TOPS era by the end of the day.

On the workbench the Vi-Trains Class 47 shells continue to make slow progress, one of the two blue examples is shown after the first stage of painting.

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STEVE CARTER

More soldered brass for the Hudswell to report and as with the body etchings, those for the underframe were found to be equally wanting. The brake assemblies seemed to be particularly anaemic in comparison with images of the prototypes so a Roxey Mouldings etching for SECR Loco Springs (Part 4A125) yielded more robust brake shoes. This involved changing the mounting hole into a slot so that they could be fitted such that the rear mount didn't extend too far beyond the hanger with the small piece of brass seen uppermost hiding the slot.

The chosen motor / gearbox assembly is a High Level LoadHauler 90:1 combination and, unlike the actual kit, proved to be easily assembled. In an effort to add a little weight, a mounting cradle was fabricated from 1.5mm thick brass sheet, within which the motor can rest. Initially fitting it screwed hard down introduced a small bind in the connecting rods and so has been modified to allow it to articulate slightly and thus give a free running chassis.

Driving wheel diameters when measured across the tyre are 15.1mm of which only 4mm or so extends beneath the bottom edge of the frames resulting in quite a small space for fitting pick-ups. To counteract this a piece of veroboard PCB material has been shaped such that it fits in between the frames whilst resting on the cut outs (spacers will be fitted later to allow it to be attached more securely). Four pieces of 1.5mm diameter tube with their outer ends having a horizontal slot are then soldered into position over the centreline of the wheel bearings.

Pick up assemblies consist of 1.0mm diameter tube into which are soldered pieces of 0.3mm phosphor bronze wire to give a "T" shape component. These can then be threaded through the 1.5mm tube holders with the horizontal slot preventing the pick-up from rotating. Each pick-up can then be shaped such that it acts as a spring pushing against the rear surface of the tyres to provide two points of contact per wheel (the rearmost axle carries the gearbox so will need a more traditional type). The 1.5mm holders could be dispensed with but the described method allows each pick-up to be removed should the need arise.

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KARL CROWTHER

If you refer back a few photos you may remember that this track formation at Kentside (including a single slip and 3-way point) was laid in an unpainted condition. Indeed there were a lot of missing railchairs, not just including where rivets had been used. The reason for this was because as it’s quite a complex formation, I thought that some tweaking would be needed, so it seemed to make sense to complete these jobs after all that was done. Thankfully only very minor adjustments were needed, so I now had all those half chairs to add and then paint it all. This, coupled with the fact that the rest of the track also had occasional rivets, so in the end something like 500 chairs were laboriously cut in half and glued down. This process went on for several weeks over the summer, so I’m glad it’s all now completed. Just the Kendal section to do now….and then the ballasting……

A start has also been made on the platform surfaces, dealing first with Kentside. The supporting matrix has been made from strips of foam board glued on edge, as can be seen here. The narrow rectangular area without the supports is to accommodate the ‘cellar’ of the station building.

The surface itself has been made up from artists mounting board, glued down with a generous application of PVA. The location of the station building shows up well here, together with a ramp down to meet an underpass that provides pedestrian access between the platforms. The small projection adjacent to where the piece of card marked ‘shelter’ is situated on the down platform, is where the ramp on this side will start from.

A further view of the almost completed platform surfaces, with subsidiary signals 7 & 8 now correctly sited on the up platform. It should look better once it’s been painted – I just used whatever offcuts of mount board that fitted the location, hence the piebald effect at present.

A view from something like foreshore level looking toward the site of the station pedestrian underpass. Again there’s a base structure of foamboard just to set the basic level. It’s been inspired by an example at Grange-over-Sands, the following photo should hopefully illustrate the sort of effect I’m aiming to achieve.

The pedestrian underpass at Grange-over-Sands. Headroom is around 9ft. I feel a lot more Wills coarse stone sheets coming on here……

Turning to the other side of the layout, the extra bit of baseboard has now been made up for the turntable surround.

And finally, now for something completely different! This Backwoods Miniatures Garratt was passed to me by a friend who’s asked for me to ‘convert’ it from OO to EM. In reality it involved a complete dismantling and rebuilding of the drive units, so no quick job. I’m rather pleased it now and it will be a shame to hand it back! Next month hopefully, more platform work and a start on some ground signals in preparation for the Missenden autumn weekend in November………

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KIER HARDY

With another 3-car Class 125 DMU conversion on the works list (donor Bachmann NSE 117 in the background), the required body sections have been made available as part of a deal with the Eastwell workshops - namely make up two Class 116 centre cars from a pair of TSL & DMS bodyshells, making use of the left-over bits and other items* for the Class 125 project. The fully decorated & glazed DMS bodies were obtained from Bachmann Spares, so the existing lavatory sections of the 117 centre cars could be chopped out and replaced to give the correct configuration.

Showing the two new Class 116 centre car bodies awaiting delivery back to the Eastwell workshops. Some of the roof ventilators have been removed to allow rubbing down and can then be glued back on afterwards. Future updates from Paul will show progress with his pair of blue liveried Class 116s.

Now on to the second of my Class 125 DMUs for Hornsey Broadway starting with the centre car. Using vertical cuts with the razor saw, it's easy enough to then slice just below the cantrail with a sharp knife to separate the body side from the roof without losing any height. The double window sections are the most sought after panels for this conversion, so the doors have been taken out with the double windows to preserve this section for refitting further down the bodyside.

The trimmed double window section with coach number is almost ready for fitting, whilst the area it came from will be filled with left-over sections from the previous green bodied project. Still waiting to be shaped is the double windowed section for the other side. The next couple of double window sections will be cobbled from the other left-over parts, which will require some careful bodyside blending afterwards.

The journey so far at the work bench.... the Bachmann Deltic fleet refresh has stalled, but at least all the sandboxes have been engraved into the nose end corners and bodysides. A couple of scrap Class 108 DMBS bodies* were pulled out of the Eastwell works sidings, with the cab roof pod and destination box hacked off to replace the headcode boxes for the driving cars. A diversion into chopping the interiors around has become necessary at this stage of the conversion, as shallow brass channel will reinforce the bodysides across the joined up sections, resulting in the seating unit side webs being partially removed to allow the body to fit.

Another 4-TC unit in blue & grey livery has joined the fleet to accompany the existing all-over blue liveried unit. This view shows the two units being propelled by a Class 73 (with the Bobby being quick off the mark putting the signal back on as the lead vehicle passed by!)

As the units required propelling on a regular basis, Kadee buckeye couplings are used between the sets for reliable operation. Due to the locomotive's buffing plate being in the withdrawn position (so it can be used on other non-unit work or stabling), the buffers on the end of the TC unit have been extended flush with the corridor connection to prevent propelling buffers from catching through the curves.

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GREG BROOKES

This Conflat A with Speedfreight container is new into the fleet, the wagon being made up of parts from Red Panda for the vacuum clasp braked chassis and a Parkside PC52 for the body sides. These containers were secured at each corner using the locking gear, which for this model are produced from 3D prints.

Showing the wagon during construction at the work bench, with the handed locking gear at each corner in addition to angle brackets for the positioning of the container. Additional sections of styrene strip and T section have been fabricated at each end of the wagon.

Whilst out and about at Shenston Road with camera in hand, the following snaps were recorded. Gloucester RCW Class 122 single car DMU heads south past the freight loops. This Dapol model has recently had the interior painted to match the era, rather than the bright blue and fawn colours it sported when it came out of the box.

Brush 4 number 1665 Titan held at the signals heading south with the Murgatroyd tanks.

In my TOPS fleet is 08951 captured at rest in the stabling sidings just north of the station.

Another recent project for the loco fleet is D8587, a Rolls Royce engined Clayton passing through Hornsey Broadway with D8599. There were 2 Claytons fitted with Rolls Royce engines (D8586/7) which were easily identified by their raised bonnets, with neither of the pair making it into blue livery, although D8586 did receive full yellow ends in green. This Heljan model of D8587 has been fitted with NIU Models resin bonnets.

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HYWEL THOMAS

Due to a combination of factors modelling time has been rather limited this month. One small project was the introduction of three chunky Steel Company of Wales internal box opens. These were acquired from Kyle Humphries (of Margam Blast Furnace layout fame) and had been 3D printed a while back using an old spool printer. With plenty of filling, sanding and priming and a liberal coating of rust they will prove useful additions to the layout. One was modified with new ends based on photographs I took at the plant in the early 1980s.

Here we see two of them well into the weathering phase. These wagons took a tremendous beating but were well-built (this batch was built by Cambrian Wagon in Cardiff during the late 1950s following an earlier batch from Head Wrightson).

This is 2527 heading down the branch, where it will join its two compatriots at Knill’s scrap yard in the background.

With little other projects underway we take the opportunity to have a wander around the run-down backwater of Morfa Bank with our camera. Visiting Knill’s yard we find the weighbridge operator lost in thought, no doubt dreaming of the coming weekend and more salubrious surroundings! BSC Aberavon Works looms over the yard, which sports a healthy variety of scrap metal.

The scrap yard dominates the scene between the Port Talbot Dock maintenance canal and Aberavon Works. The main lock, at that time closed, was away beyond the works building with this entrance only used by small work boats and as a feeder overflow. The staircase locks takes workboats to the level of the enclosed dock beyond the former coal tip lines in the background.

Looking the other way we see the edge of the sand wharf and the Lock Siding of the long-lived Aberavon Wharf & Tramway Company. Their Yorkshire 0-4-0DE is parked up at their fuelling point with an old internal shunt truck and an Italian tank wagon that will be loaded with pesticides for export at the Mechema works further down the tramway. A E Knill’s Barry yard was very close to the famous Woodham yard and I took hundreds of wagon photos at both yards throughout the 1980s.

A close up of the lead in from the river to the maintenance canal. An essay in DAS modelling clay! The seaweed is old tea leaves and the rickety structure beyond is balsa. Both are overlooked by the old World War Two pillbox positioned to give a wide arc of fire over the river and canal should the Germans ever have arrived.

Turning around a bit further reveals the sand wharf. The usually Bristol-based dredger ‘Sand Pearl’ has yet to arrive with a fresh load of channel sand and the Ruston quietly awaits the incoming tide. The salty environment has done nothing for the paintwork on the various hoppers behind.

Crossing the neck of the BR yard takes us to Charles Street and the various businesses alongside the maintenance canal. The steps lead up to Forge Lane and some more small businesses. Moruzzi’s Cafe offers a fine cooked breakfast, much in demand from the local workforce.

Following the quay around to the left we find another flight of steps up to Forge Lane and also a bridge over the waterway (based on a still-existing example lost amongst the redeveloped dock in Cardiff). The retaining wall once supported lines to long-gone hydraulic coal tips alongside the main dock, closed in 1971. What the old Series 1 Land Rover has delivered to the nondescript warehouse remains a mystery. The rail line leads into the back end of Knill’s yard.

Walking over the bridge brings us to the BR yard office at Morfa Bank. The BR Viva van is prominent down on Morfa Lane. Alongside is the shunter’s motorbike, a ‘decommissioned’ Airfix RAF dispatch rider machine I recall. The yard light ladder seems to have suffered a hefty bump from something. Another mysterious lock-up lurks behind.

Following the footpath that runs behind the yard office brings us to a derelict ganger’s hut (a modified Ratio kit) alongside some steps up to the overgrown and disused high level tip sidings.

Continuing along the back of the yard and then crossing a redundant rail bridge that once accessed long-gone coal tips alongside the River Afon brings us back to the other end of Morfa Lane. More old buildings run to the right with a flight of steps leading up to the yard past a pair of old railway huts. The hollow bridge pier, like the original on Barry Docks, has been used as a useful store.

Morfa Lane soon crosses the rail line to the spoil tip passing this derelict office building and cleared site for a development that will never come. In the background vans of tinplate await transfer down to the quay.

Passing the abandoned tramway office takes us past a mainly glassless telephone box and a public urinal before crossing a drainage culvert from the dock.

A bit further down Morfa Lane and we find another railway hut, this one used by tramway staff when exchanging wagons with BR. The set of narrow steps behind it leading down to the drainage culvert do not look particularly inviting. The meaning of the obscure graffiti ‘Dai Butty ate my daps’ is now lost in the mists of time!

This is what awaits those brave enough to venture down those steps. Not somewhere to find yourself after dark.

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