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The 'Halt in the Corner' – or an excuse for some pictures of the new Dukedog from Bachmann

Silver Sidelines

Entry posted by Silver Sidelines

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Continuing my journey around the layout I thought it time to return to the Branch Junction and catch the ex GWR branch train.

 

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Bachmann Dukedog ready and waiting

 

The next station down the old GWR branchline is the ‘Halt in the Corner’ or more simply the ‘Passing Loop’.

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The Halt in the Corner

 

Neither the station nor the passing loop featured in my original plans. Trains leaving the Branch Junction for the Main Terminus via the old GWR line (literally the Great Way Round) followed a circuitous path around the outside of the layout eventually appearing out of a tunnel at a suitably lower level by the engine sheds.

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Outside the engine sheds – the branch tunnel exit in the background

 

It soon became obvious operationally that a passing loop was needed midway along the Branch – both to enable trains to pass each other but also to provide some temporary storage. At the same time I was thinking how best I could utilise an Autotrain. Historically modellers would simply provide a short spur off the Mainline ending in a tunnel. What about having a Bay Platform adjacent to the passing loop just to store the Autotrain?

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Hornby 14xx and Autocoach

The original six or seven foot radius curve was changed for two smaller radius curves with two points forming a passing loop arrangement and two extra points were added to provide two sidings.

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Bachmann 22xx on pick up goods duty

Scenery is still rather sparse. An ex GWR corrugated iron Goods Shed and a Provender Store are provided by suitable Scenecraft models. The Yard Crane is from the Mike’s Models range and featured in an earlier Blog.

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Ex GWR Yard Crane by Mike’s Models

Station buildings are from the original Hornby Skaledale range whilst the platform is scribed balsa with an asphalt infill provided by ‘wet and dry’ emery paper.

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Bachmann Dukedog resting - something that it was probably good at?

As the title suggests this Post is really an excuse to look at the new Bachmann model of the Dukedog. In contrast to some other recent models I have to say I am impressed. My model looks good and runs very smoothly. A word of caution, don’t expect great haulage power.

I think the Dukedogs had disappeared from service when we holidayed in Wales in the early '60s. However I have always been fascinated by the engine’s appearance which I feel is symbolic of a much earlier age. The Model Railway Constructor magazine had an article in August 1964 on how to make a Dukedog from an Airfix kit – something I have always fancied doing but knowing that I would probably never get round to.

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How to construct an Airfix Dukedog

Oh well time to get back on the train and return to finish this post off.

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Bachmann Dukedog on Mainline ‘B’ Set rewheeled with metal wheels and close coupled with Bachmann mini couplings (long)

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paulprice

The more postings I read from of your layout the more envious I get, it certainly put us chaps with simple roundy roundy layouts to shame.

 

The Bachmann model looks a cracker if only they were available in N gauge

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gwrrob
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What make is the platform mounted water crane in the first photo please.

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Silver Sidelines

Hello Paul
It is good to receive your comments.   My model of the Dukedog is one of the best finished models that I have had from Bachmann.  Full marks there although I suspect that some people might have liked a more powerful model.

.... put us chaps with simple roundy roundy layouts to shame.

Nothing wrong with a round and round layout - very necessary for testing etc, very therapeutic when you need to unwind.

 

Speak again

 

Ray

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Sasquatch
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Great stuff Ray! This is the best use of a layout corner I've come across. That Station building looks great and probably a collectors item worth a pretty penny now!

Don't we all miss Mikes Models, their stuff was good.

I'd quite like a Dukedog for Dunster but my budget for this month is going on a J11 and a Bachmann pannier and Lima J50 for a detail mix and match job.

 

I can see that you've been blogging like a freak over the holidays and I,ve got much catching up to do!

 

Regards Shaun.

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Mikkel
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Hello Ray, what a lovely blog entry, the Dukedog looks right in place and the photos are as usual superb.

 

Like Rob I am interested in the water crane. It looks smoother than the old Mikes Models version? I didn't quite get the Westwood hint, can you reveal a bit more about where you got it please?

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Silver Sidelines

Hello Mikkel

 

Good to read your comments.

..Like Rob I am interested in the water crane. It looks smoother than the old Mikes Models version? I didn't quite get the Westwood hint, can you reveal a bit more about where you got it please?

May be I should have said Westward - that is how I spelt the name 16 months ago when I purchased the platform mounted crane kit secondhand off eBay.  The floormounted kit came via the same route but maybe tow or even three years back.  I would have liked to buy others but have never seen any more.

 

Hope that helps?

 

Regards

 

Ray

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Silver Sidelines

Happy New Year Shaun

 

I am thinking that you could still be encased in ice and snow?  We are just slowing sinking in the mud and water.

 

.. Mikes Models..

I had a lots of thoughts to share in the New Year.  It does seem that the way Hornby products are going that there might be an increasing market for the more specialist kits like Mike's Models.  I think the hobby goes in cycles and maybe the era of cheap manufacture is coming to an end and it will be be back to making things ourselves?

 

Regards

 

Ray

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Silver Sidelines

Thanks Steve

......Lovely pictures too.

Yes - I have had my camera apart and back together since I posted this Blog (and it still works).

 

Regards

 

Ray

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Horsetan

As it happens, I have just started having a go at the Dukedog conversion, using much hacked bits of the old Airfix "Truro" kit and a Branchlines chassis. It's like a voyage of discovery, correcting the position and depth of the footplate drop and then wondering what on earth you're going to do for a smokebox, boiler and firebox!

 

Technically you could combine the Brassmasters/Finney "Bulldog" kit with a couple of etches from the "Duke" kit and achieve much the same result, albeit more expensively!

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Silver Sidelines

If the GWR did it (with standard bits) then presumably a model is also possible.

 

I am not familiar with the variations and adaptions that appeared - the Flower Class?  Some with curved footplates?  You might need the boiler and firebox from an ex Mainline 22xx?

As it happens, .... what on earth you're going to do for a smokebox, boiler and firebox!...

The Bachmann Dukedog is an excellent model but the front bogie spring needs attention if the model  is move let alone haul anything.;

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Horsetan

Dukedog's parallel boiler can be made out of a simple tube, but the reverse curves of the smokebox are going to need the help of an Olfa compass cutter and the firebox God only knows.

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Silver Sidelines

Hello Horsetan

 

Just beginning to puzzle about why you wouldn't just buy a Bachmann body shell.  The rivet detail on the smokebox is pretty good.

....and the firebox God only knows.

Seem to think that there has been a lot of talk about what might and might not appear from Oxford models and their Dean Goods.  At the firebox end the ex Mainline Goods might be a suitable donor for you?

 

Regards

 

Ray

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