Jump to content
 
  • entries
    42
  • comments
    102
  • views
    68,084

About this blog

A 'gritty reboot' of the Rev. Awdry's universe, modelling Sudrian Railways from 1905-1970. Including The North Western Railway/The Tidmouth, Knapford & Ffarquhar Railway/The Skarloey Railway

Entries in this blog

Timetables and Traffic Requirements

A large theme of this alternate fictional universe is to give things reasons to exist. I've changed a lot from the Reverend's version, as I wanted to backdate the opening of the main Sudrian railways and give the island a chance to industrialise rapidly at the beginning of the 20th Century.   A big part of any railway is the traffic demands, these will guide what kind and amount of stock the line should have on its books.   For 'fun', I've begun to devise timetables for the NWR main line and
Corbs

Corbs

6

The TK&F - Braking

In the early days, train brakes were not of much concern to the Knapford and Elsbridge Tramway, all the trains being unfitted goods, slowed either by the brakes on the loco or by pinning down the wagon brakes. It was not until 1904 that the company had to confront this issue, with the expiration of the contract for the W&S to supply passenger services. Both the 0-6-0T No.5, and the two new Kitsons arrived fitted with only steam brakes on the loco, and it was not until 1906 that all locos w
Corbs

Corbs

0

The Flying Kipper

All kinds of ships use the harbour at the big station by the sea. There are passenger ships, cargo ships and fishing boats also come here. They unload their fish on the quay. Some of it goes to shops in the town, and the rest in a special train to other places far away. This is the train the railwaymen called 'The Flying Kipper'.     Yes yes, I know that this story is before Henry I gets replaced with Henry II, just a bit of fun now I have weathered my insulfish wagon. I took this in the mo
Corbs

Corbs

6

Sudrian Story Scenes - 2

A couple of little vignettes from around the layout, sometimes referencing the books.   Thomas and Henry swapping stories at the junction.   My friend Rich gave me an early christmas present. All of the switches on the layout were previously marked by coloured stickers, which isn't very prototypical, so we decided to position appropriately-coloured objects next to the points instead. The little green Trojan marks the 'green' point, the red car denotes the freshly-repl
Corbs

Corbs

1

Sudrian Story Scenes - 1

I've been mucking about practicing focus stacking in photoshop and using the DSLR. What better excuse to channel my inner child and make little homages to scenes from The Railway Series?   "I see Daisy's left the milk again..."   "I'll have to make a special journey with it I suppose. Anyone would think I've nothing to do."   "It was raining hard. Water swirled under my boiler. I couldn't see where I was going, but I struggled on." "Oh, Percy, you are brave.
Corbs

Corbs

5

Sudrian Spotlight - Tidmouth, Knapford & Ffarquhar No.5

Well, I've been asked over and over to feature Thomas, but I wanted to lay down some groundwork first, so here's No.301's predecessor on the Ffarquhar branch, TK&F No.5! I've included a bit of info on my version of the TK&F, which deviates heavily from Awdry's original.
Corbs

Corbs

0
NWR Locos

Sudrian Spotlight - NWR ex-ROD 2-8-0s Nos.700-703

NWR No. 700-703   NWR Name: Erin, Triumph, Vanguard, Powerful   Wheel Arrangement 2-8-0/2-8-4T   Builder Various   Class ROD 2-8-0 (GCR 8K)   History   The first locos of this class were among those drafted in by the ROD to operate the newly-formed NWR during WW1. Upon cessation of hostilities, masses of these heavy goods locos were surplus to requirements and put up for sale. The embryonic company, faced with the withdra
Corbs

Corbs in NWR Locos

2

Sudrian Spotlight - NWR Alumina Hoppers

This spotlight focuses on the Alumina wagons for the Tidmouth-Peel Godred traffic, heavily inspired by the NE ones used on the Burntisland (which I fumble the pronunciation of) to Fort William route.          
Corbs

Corbs

2

Sudrian Spotlight - B. H. S. Co. No.14

Toot toot! A new Sudrian Spotlight is out! This time it's the product of the fictional expansion and life-extension of the Barrow Hematite Steel Company. Hunslet 48150 Class No.14....  
Corbs

Corbs

0

Sudrian Language

It was once said of Tolkein that he ended up writing the Lord of the Rings as a by-product of creating the Elvish language. Whilst not quite as expansive as Middle-Earth (or even Westeros), I think Wilbert and George Awdry had a lot of fun creating the world of Sodor. The elusive book 'THE ISLAND OF SODOR; Its people, history and railways' is all about building the world that the stories inhabit, with its own colourful history. My modelling is my own take on this world, I've changed some details
Corbs

Corbs

6

Sudrian Histories is now on YouTube too...

After much deliberating, I've decided to take the plunge and make videos about the Sudrian Histories project! It's hosted on the Railway Mania channel. Here's the introduction, which gives an outline/insight into the grand scheme. Hope you enjoy!
Corbs

Corbs

0

Steam, Snow and Sound FX on the NWR

Tidmouth Yards, Winter 1960. An intrepid enthusiast has braved the cold weather to capture some rare colour footage of NWR and SCC locos at work. The tight confines of the yard here make for some interesting shunting manoeuvres.   This is something I've been working on for a while, I hope you enjoy it! I wanted to give the impression of a small story unfolding, but with no voiceover or titles, just the engines going about their business as if someone was really filming them. This vide
Corbs

Corbs

6

NWR No.901 'Revenge' - Info Sheet

FACT SHEET NWR No. 901 NWR Name: Revenge Wheel Arrangement 2-8-0+0-8-2 Builder Beyer Peacock, Gorton Works, Manchester, 1924 Class Beyer-Garratt History Since Cronk and Maron are much higher than Suddery Junction near Wellsworth, the four miles at a ruling gradient of 1 in 45 have through the years been a testing ground for NWR locomotives. Bankers are stationed at Wellsworth specifically for this section. In 1924 the NWR ordered an articulated 2
Corbs

Corbs

5
NWR Locos

NWR No.705 'Westlin' - Info Sheet

Here's the info sheet on NWR No.705 'Westlin'. The build was covered in my cobbling thread.     FACT SHEET   NWR No. 705   NWR Name: Westlin   Wheel Arrangement 4-6-0   Builder North British Locomotive Company (1929)   Class Hatt 7P   Fate Withdrawn 1961   'Prototype' Info   Designed and built during Sir Topham Hatt’s tenure as CME, this loco was the first of three ‘Hatt Class Sevens’
Corbs

Corbs in NWR Locos

2

NWR No.704 'Duke of Gordon' - Full Story

Here's the combined build story for the flagship express locomotive of the North Western Railway, No.704 'Duke of Gordon' (or Gordon for short)     FACT SHEET   NWR No. 704   NWR Name: Duke of Gordon   Wheel Arrangement 4-6-2   Builder North Eastern Railway   Class A0   Purchased by NWR 1923   FULL BUILD THREAD BELOW   So, firstly, the numbering scheme... I always thought it a bit o
Corbs

Corbs

2
×
×
  • Create New...