I thought it was about time I updated my blog! I have been doing things, but nothing overlay exciting.

This is the first time I have ever painted 4mm figures before. The crew are from Dartcastings and I have used Games Workshop paints, washes and brushes. In MRJ 209 Trevor Pott describes how he produces his own personalised locomotive crews for his Churston layout and I’m rather pleased with my first attempt. Next time I will certainly be more adventurous with bending and replacing arms to create more individual figures, although I’m rather pleased with Claude and Bill.

Bill on the left and Claude on the right. They do need a bit of polishing, but I'm pleased with my first attempt.

The story goes thus; Claude (driver) and Bill (fireman) our working the 5:25 Laira to Tavistock goods, Turn Number 109. The locomotive is usually a 36xx pannier, in this case 3629. Due to Bill’s enthusiasm to please Claude, who is an old GWR man, he has overfired the loco, with coal being placed on unburnt coal breaking the cardinal rule of a fireman. The result is a poor steaming locomotive and despite Bill’s best efforts the train has to be held at Horrabridge, as the 5:50 Plymouth North Road to Tavistock South has now caught up.

This has two knock on effects. The first is that by the time the 5:50 passenger service has cleared the Horrabridge to Tavistock section, the 5:25 freight will be running about 25 minutes late. The second problem is that by the time the freight arrives at Tavy South, so too will all the merchants and the chaps will have to eat their breakfast whilst shunting, rather than being able to eat more leisurely from the comfort of the middle siding at Tavistock South!

Bill is well aware of his mistake and Claude is making sympathetic comments and tells Bill not to touch the fire tomorrow until he (Claude) arrives. Needless to say Claude builds the perfect fire the following morning and Bill learns a valuable lesson.

The above story is completely true and is from Laira Fireman Footplate Recollections of a GWR Fireman by Philip E. Rundle M.B.E and is well worth the list price of £19.95 just for the photographs, let alone the wonderful stories and memories.

More soon.

Regards,

Nick