Grantham - the Streamliner years

[gr.king]

Hello "Robert" - As you mentioned that you don't always check your e-mail account, I thought I'd just flag up the fact that I've sent you an e-mail......

Edited August 19, 2013 by gr.king

[LNER4479]

Feeling a little bit deflated over the desperately sad news about Andy Rush, who's posts on this thread I always enjoyed reading. It was Gilbert (Great Northern) who told me in person earlier today as I made my way over for my (hopefully) first look at Peterborough North. A day therefore of extreme contrasts. I shall be posting some pictures on the PN thread in due course; but for the rest of this evening, I intend sitting here quietly, uploading some goods train operational information (as provided by Andy) into the Grantham running schedule... I'm sure he would approve. 

Edited August 9, 2013 by LNER4479

[LNER4479]

Hi All,

 

Was away on a foreign beach most of last week  (not really my type of holiday, more my yearly penance for not-so-little-anymore person  )

 

Now you might think that's something of a deterrent for modelling - but not so! I find foreign beaches the perfect place to design model railway signalling interlocking (in my own idiosyncratic, teach yourself way  ) so, for any signalling buffs out there (I'm sure there's one or two?) I might feel brave enough to show the results of my efforts in due course  - and you can roll helplessly round on the floor, clutching your sides  , this being the prelude to the planned construction and installation of the next set of signals for North box in the autumn.

 

Meanwhile, work proceeds on wiring point motors and section switches for the depot. As that is kinda desperately boring for a post, then here's a further crummy piece of video to be going on with. This was 61070's idea, a sort of helicopter view of a train doing a circuit of the layout.

 

More soon (with any luck).

 

'Robert'

[Guest 2750]

Wow 4479, it shows the epic size of your layout!

Was that Mr A's Coronation? Lovely set and at least it was haulable unlike the Golden Age one.

 

Looking forward to the next update.

[Alister_G]

 here's a further crummy piece of video to be going on with...

 

Permission to disagree, Sir!

 

On the contrary, a very excellent bit of video, If I may say so.

 

Cheers,

 

Al.

[LNER4479]

Was that Mr A's Coronation? Lovely set and at least it was haulable unlike the Golden Age one.

 

Certainly was, Tom. It was actually it's third visit to the layout. The first (Aug 2010), nothing would budge it! (the vehicles are quite heavy). A simple drop of oil on each of the axle bearings sorted that out. On its second visit (April 2012), it wouldn't go round the three foot radius curves round the back. Vehicles too tightly coupled together. To Mr A's credit he was amenable to some adjustment. On this visit it ran perfectly, throughout Jonathan/Paul's visit and a week later for Mr Wright. No sign of a derailment or even a jib anywhere, both visiting (Hornby) A4's equally able to shift it, the whole thing in unison as a true trainset. A great credit to its builder (Roy Mears). So by the final Sunday evening, I had enough confidence in it to leave it running at speed and follow it with the mobile (think what could have happened if it had jumped the tracks anywhere when I was some distance from the controller!).

 

I think good running is very important on a layout like this so, at the third time of asking, the Coronation passed the test! I look forward to it entertaining exhibition crowds in the future

Edited August 19, 2013 by LNER4479

[micklner]

What is the origins of the Coronation set ?

[LNER4479]

What is the origins of the Coronation set ?

All mailcoach kits but with numerous detail parts added (MJT and the like) and additional fine details (like pipe runs underneath!)

[Nelson Jackson]

I'm loving the coronation set, and the quiet goods train in the backround of the last scene. the view in the video reminds me, of one of those "news reel" type videos, for promoting the latest luxury train.

[jukebox]

I agree with Nelson - had it been in B&W, it could have passed for a Pathe newsreel.  

 

Love the generous radius on the curves, too!

 

Very enjoyable.

 

S.

[micklner]

All mailcoach kits but with numerous detail parts added (MJT and the like) and additional fine details (like pipe runs underneath!)

Awful kits !!!! we need a modern version !!. Close up pictures would be good if you get a chance please.

[gr.king]

Hello "Robert" - As you mentioned that you don't always check your e-mail account, I thought I'd just flag up the fact that I've sent you an e-mail......

 

There's another one to read now when you're ready.

[LNER4479]

She's here....!!

Yes, courtesy of Tony Wright, Grantham was yesterday safely delivered of a beautiful new station pilot (you may have read about it on Tony's 'Wright writes' thread).

 

[photograph by Tony Wright]

After initial inspection, the loco was put through her paces, trying out the various moves she will be required to perform on the layout. A sweeter running loco you're seldom likely to meet.

 

[photograph by Tony Wright]

However, the contrast between Tony's 'billiard table' track on Little Bytham and my more agricultural Code 100 (however well laid) was cruelly exposed, particularly over the dead frogs on the slips, and a modification was required in the shape of additional pick-ups on the front bogie which Tony willingly attended to. Some good hearted banter was to be had as the requests for materials and tools were called out ' cutters!', 'soldering iron!', 'wire!', 'flux', 'tweezers'.... Tony has since described it as 'like a brain surgeon operating on a critically-ill patient with no more than a knife and fork and candlelight'.   Yes, my tools sadly failed to match up to his exacting standards.

 

Her trials complete, the new loco gets acquainted with some of the Grantham regulars...

 

...before being descended upon by the eager shed staff who have clearly taken the new arrival to their hearts. Note the Kadee coupler now fitted to the rear. Tony will be horrified to see that I took this photo before blacking out the pick-up modification but if you look closely, you'll just be able to make out the additions to the front bogie. Don't worry Tony, one of the shed staff has just gone to the stores for the tin of black paint. She needs to look her best as there are some further visitors due...(!)

 

Many thanks to Tony, not only for the beautiful new addition to the stud, but also to he and Mo for making the long journey north yesterday to personally deliver the loco. And, thanks to the most agreeable 'bartering' arrangement in place, not a penny has changed hands. What a great hobby this is.

Edited August 31, 2013 by LNER4479

[Dr Gerbil-Fritters]

I'm prepared to barter the Mrs and the first born for a TW built C12...

[Guest 2750]

Roll on Operating Day!

[manna]

G'Day Gents

 

Aren't C12's a great looking loco, I must get on and get mine running.

 

manna

[LNER4479]

Another lovely day hosting further visitors to the railway

 

It was great to welcome Tom (Leaman Road) Foster, Graeme (3279) King, Gilbert (Peterborough North) Barnatt and Jonathan Wealleans to Grantham. Definitely an august LNER/ECML gathering

 

We ran to a sequence based on early afternoon. Photography was a little spasmodic but hopefully the selection captures something of the day.

 

This is the station under siege at 2.30pm. All platforms occupied as northbound and southbound services pause for loco changes, local trains from Nottingham, Lincoln and Boston having already arrived, providing the usual connections.

 

The running session was greatly enhanced by visiting locos and stock. Behind the new station pilot is Graeme's exquisite GN Howlden three-coach set (D&S kits), absolutely 'to the manor born' as a 1930's local passenger set working off the Nottingham line. Beyond, in the main northbound platform can be glimpsed the stock of the afternoon King's Cross-York semi-fast which was partly formed of articulated stock. Again, beautifully recreated by Graeme.

 

The north end loco change about to take place. Tom's skilfully weathered A4 4901 'Capercallie' has brought the train from King's Cross and is about to make way for ex-GCR B4 6104 (Graeme). The latter is on the regular afternoon running in turn from Doncaster. What a lovely pairing!

 

At the south end, Tom's A1 'Night Hawk' has brought in an express from the north and will shortly be making her way to shed.

 

On shed, the arrival of the various local services has brought together this rather attractive grouping, again all Graeme's work (apologies for the tea cup in the background - one of these days I'll learn how to use photoshop!)

 

2577 takes her turn at the coaler

 

Finally, the star of the show? One of the celebrated P1's has unusually worked north of Peterborough and here heads back south through Grantham on an inevitable loaded coal train. Another stunning example of Graeme's work and greatly admired by all as it plodded round the layout.

 

After that, we lapsed into 'play' mode  ...more of which anon!

 

'Robert'

Edited September 1, 2013 by LNER4479

[Guest 2750]

To follow on from LNER4479's post, it was a thoroughly enjoyable day at Grantham, here is a selection of photographs from today.

 

Graeme King's 4005 with scratchbuilt cab

 

Graeme's 6104

 

The C12, Grantham's recent addition built by Tony Wright

 

My 4901 ready to depart for the North, with 6104 waiting patiently behind

 

My Sunstar passes through Grantham with the Up 'Flying Scotsman'

 

Graham' 4494 'Osprey' alongside my 4901 'Capercaillie'

 

4901 charges South doing 70!! With an Up Express for the Cross

 

'Osprey' is turned

 

Graeme's P1 trundles through Grantham

 

Thanks to LNER4479 for making us ever so welcome, and to Jonathan for the cakes!!! YUM YUM!

I didn't leave empty handed, as I have the honour of weathering 'Roberts' 4479 'Robert the Devil'. I shall be cracking on with her this week... Clean but a working engine, wasn't that right 'robert'?

Edited September 2, 2013 by 2750

[Guest 2750]

Oh ######.... I've left my 1938 Working Time Table at Grantham! 

 

At least I now have a reason to give back 4479 and not keep her for myself!

Edited September 1, 2013 by 2750

[LNER4479]

Oh ######.... I've left my 1938 Working Time Table at Grantham! 

 

At least I now have a reason to give back 4479 and not keep her for myself!

Curses, I hoped you wouldn't notice that! I shall read and inwardly digest over the next week or so

 

Tom - it will be an honour for 4479 to be treated by one so skilful as yourself with the thinners, weathering powders et al. And yes - well looked after but with just a patina of road dirt to take away that 'out of the box' plastic sheen. She comes out far too garish and toy like on the pictures at the moment!

 

Like the pics; some lovely portrait shots there.

[Barry O]

Looks like you all had a good session...  nice layout and nice locos and stock.

[Nelson Jackson]

What beautiful looking engines, many thanks for sharing these wonderful photos with us.

[jukebox]

Lovely work on the weathering around the panel lines on 4901 - oft seen in photos, but rarely modelled.  Well done!

[jwealleans]

Many of my photos duplicate what's been (or will be) posted, but I did think this was worthy of your consideration:

 

 

I've put the rest of mine on this layout thread on the LNER forum.

 

My thanks to Robert for the invitation, to Mrs Robert for lunch and everyone else who was there for some excellent company and conversation.

Edited October 17, 2018 by jwealleans

[great northern]

My thanks also for a most enjoyable day, great company and hospitality, and some very handsome locos and rolling stock. It was well worth the long drive, which to complete a lovely day was uneventful and speedy in both directions. No photos from me, as I forgot to take my camera. but those shown above more than adequately reflect the ambience of the layout, and the quality of the stock, both resident and guest. Some lovely locos to be seen and greatly admired and even coveted, but sadly backdating PN to accomodate such things is beyond the bounds of possibility.

 

As the only person present to have trodden the platforms of Grantham during the glory days of steam, though not those which "Robert" is recreating   I can confirm that all the essentials are present, plus that lovely feeling of the correct atmosphere which is so hard to achieve. Thanks again for the invitation, and I hope to see the layout again as things progress even further. I doubt though that I would ever understand the operational siide of things. Too many switches and such like things for my struggling memory.