To sleep perchance to dream
Entry posted by legomanbiffo
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With several months passing since the last entry there's a fair bit to report.
To begin with, what a brilliant summer we've been having for photography. After seeing some superb examples with incredible resolution in Rail Express last month I decided I had to upgrade to a D800 and up my game. Initial results were slightly disappointing (we're talking relative here, disappointing vs those Rail Express photos I'd set as a personal benchmark) but as with most things, application brought progress. This was aided in part by the loan of a series of books by Scott Kelby from Tim Rogers. After a bit of experimentation I'm now getting results I'm much happier with. Don't look too closely at this one though, it's a very low res copy of a failed experiment but I just love the colours.
The trip up to Perth gave a great opportunity to try out this new toy. Stops were made at Greenholme, Greenhillstairs and Crawford Village on the way up and Crawford Bridge and Docker on the way back. Upon arrival at Docker I was incensed to find that the farmer has planted a line of non-native, fast-growing trees to obscure the classic view, clearly an attempt to stop photographers getting under his feet. Shame on you Sir. Fortunately there's still a good shot from the bridge so I will make a point of going back there every year just to annoy him. Perth was well worth the trip and one we will be repeating next year for sure. So much more pleasurable than freezing your bits off taking photos on the way to the SECC. AMRSS take note.
The Caledonian Sleeper has been the target of several early starts, particularly given that this may be its last year with 90's on the front. I have to get up at 0545 and wear waterproof trousers as the favourite field is heavily soaked in dew at that time of day. Lovely pictures though. I was also fortunate enough to catch the Loram rail grinder which followed the sleeper one morning.
30-odd years ago I could often be found at Nuneaton station and / or behind a Class 86 on the main line. I also used to listen to Les Ross on Radio Birmingham and then BRMB (you know where this is leading don't you. Well, not quite where you think, but bear with me). If you'd told me 30 years ago I would one day ride in an 86 owned by Les Ross from Nuneaton to Crewe I would never have believed you but that is precisely what happened. I've been pestering Les to record his loco for a little while and after a possibility fell through recently he offered me the cab ride. And very enjoyable it was too, a great opportunity to hear the rheostatic braking and neutral section first hand, and speak with the on-board fitter from Willesden. Many thanks guys.
Anyway, what was it this blog is supposed to be about....? Oh yes. After several months hiatus, two recording sessions came along in quick succession; D1062 Western Courier at the Severn Valley Railway and D123 (Class 45) at the Great Central Railway. Many thanks to everyone for their help on the day. Both were really sweaty affairs in near 30 degree heat. In each case it was possible to attach mics very close to the exhausts to cut out unwanted sounds. With the Western I used two mics, one on either side. I’ve run with one mix but may do another version in future with an alternative mix for a bit of variety. A double-take was made as we passed a field in the Western and saw Elephant and Rhino wandering by; the adjacent West Midlands Safari Park of course. Although I don't like the look of the Westerns (alright, alright, stop throwing things), the sound is excellent. Initial prototyping took place with a Dapol model with it's integral bass reflex speaker in the body. Nice. Then Charlie sent down a Heljan one which has vast amounts of space in the underframe, duly converted to a big speaker enclosure. Even better. This afternoon I played it through a 7mm test bed (Visaton 60x60 speaker in a sealed box). Wow. The first production version is available from a Yorkshire retailer near you now.
For the first time in ages my pal Richard and I went to a model railway show as paying customers; the new marquee-based one at the GCR. Highlights for me were the superb Roundtrees Sidings and the ride behind Gordon Highlander. Now where's my mic...
Stopping off at the Co-Op on the way home after recording D123 I could hear something highly unusual approaching (the car park is next to the WCML). Whizzing past on the slow line went the Hasting Unit which I subsequently learned was on the way back from Crewe on a railtour. One of the most unusual things I've ever seen through Atherstone, and what a great sound! Where's my mic (again)...
This week, having rekindled some lost enthusiasm with the Western I have kept up the momentum and made a start on the Class 37 recordings made from 37175 at Bo’ness. I’ve put a ‘teaser’ video of progress so far on You Tube today. I really like the sound of this loco, thanks to Stuart and the guys up there for their assistance. On the subject of 37’s I’ve been given a set of Ruston 37/9 recordings which appear to be suitable for the purpose so once the Bo’ness chip is completed I’ll have a proper look at them...
Still on the subject, one of my 37's is presently away being fitted with the right coloured head lights. Why Bachmann are still bringing out models with sodium yellow headlights is beyond me.
Finally, after some delay the first production run of my replacement tanks for the Class 26, 27 & 33 are now at the (3D) printers. I've made several minor design changes from the initial test run. Now 3D printed in black, suitable for 4, 8 or 100ohm 20x40 speakers and hence usable with pretty much any sound chips, not just ESU. A straight replacement for the centre-section of the Heljan underframe, to which the sides clip on and the speaker clips in. Supplied with full instructions.
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