Wenlock's Blog

Just a thought deriving from the rodding before/after ballasting question, Dave. Will you paint them before or after ballasting? I'm really looking forward to seeing some correctly painted rodding. I think most folk probably believe it was always a dirty black or unpainted but, if you're not aware of it, there's some useful information in the 1894 and 1907 Signal Department painting instructions. Copies of these can be found at the bottom of this page. The Victorian/Edwardian GWR was rather colourful

 

Nick

 I think most folk probably believe it was always a dirty black or unpainted but, if you're not aware of it, there's some useful information in the 1894 and 1907 Signal Department painting instructions. Copies of these can be found at the bottom of this page. The Victorian/Edwardian GWR was rather colourful

 

I didn't expect that!

Before you begin ballasting, it might be worth considering mounting the ground signals and also routing signal wire which would have crossed under the track just like the point rodding.

You've done it again!Another good idea. Are you trying to wind me up?

 

Of course, when I say friends...

You really know how to wound, don't you?

there's some useful information in the 1894 and 1907 Signal Department painting instructions. Copies of these can be found at the bottom of this page. The Victorian/Edwardian GWR was rather colourful

 

Nick

 

Fascinating stuff. Quite detailed, even including the rainwater casks. They would be proud in Brussels!

 

One wonders if similarly detailed instructions existed for other parts of the organisation too (I have this vision of the Lost Ark of GWR livery schemes sitting somewhere in a Swindon attic) - or if it was just the Signalling Dept who were particularly pedantic about painting schemes, given the safety issues.

 

I'm intrigued by the need to request permission from the Divisional Superintendent *and* the Signal Engineer to paint windows. I wonder if it had to be in writing? 

Just a thought deriving from the rodding before/after ballasting question, Dave. Will you paint them before or after ballasting? I'm really looking forward to seeing some correctly painted rodding. I think most folk probably believe it was always a dirty black or unpainted but, if you're not aware of it, there's some useful information in the 1894 and 1907 Signal Department painting instructions. Copies of these can be found at the bottom of this page. The Victorian/Edwardian GWR was rather colourful

 

Nick

Wow! Thanks for that Nick, the information about the rodding colour is completely new to me :-) I wonder what shade of red "Torbay Bright" was? it's obviously different from "Torbay Signal Red" or they wouldn't specify the two colours. The early GWR was as you say a much more colourful beast than I realised, I love the idea of red rodding, cranks and even facing point lock covers! I think the logical way of moving forward on my project is to stain the sleepers, paint the rodding red and then ballast the track. I can then tone things down a bit with some airbrush weathering:-)

 

If anyone's got a pot of "Torbay Bright" they don't need, then I'm your man!

 

Dave

I thought you might like that. Yes, it is quite a surprise when you first read it. I'd always assumed black because the rodding often looks very dark in turn-of-the-century photos, but we all know what orthochromatic fim does to reds. btw. the 'Torbay' part of the names refers to the Torbay Paint Co, long term suppliers to the GWR, South Devon, etc. from mid-1800s including, I believe, the original paint for the Royal Albert bridge.

 

Nick

I thought you might like that. Yes, it is quite a surprise when you first read it. I'd always assumed black because the rodding often looks very dark in turn-of-the-century photos, but we all know what orthochromatic fim does to reds. btw. the 'Torbay' part of the names refers to the Torbay Paint Co, long term suppliers to the GWR, South Devon, etc. from mid-1800s including, I believe, the original paint for the Royal Albert bridge.

 

Nick

Certainly do like it! I thinks it's all to easy when looking at B/W pictures to form the impression that the Victorians/Edwardians lived in a dull monochrome world. The more I discover about the subject, the more I realise how wrong that impression is!

 

I wonder if the Torbay Paint company has any colour sample cards lurking anywhere, it would be fabulous to know what shade of red was used for the rodding. The term "bright" makes me think of china red rather than red oxide type shades, but I could be completely wrong!

 

All fascinating stuff and the fuel for much pondering!

 

Dave

There's a small book on the history of the company though I've not seen a copy and an ebay description mentioned only b&w pictures, also a few words here, but otherwise I didn't find anything when I was looking last year or this morning.

 

I've sent an email to Brixham museum to ask if they have anything that might help distinguish the colours.

 

Nick

 

I've sent an email to Brixham museum to ask if they have anything that might help distinguish the colours.

 

Nick

Excellent stuff! Let's hope Brixham museum have some interesting information.

 

Dave

...I've sent an email to Brixham museum to ask if they have anything that might help distinguish the colours.

 

Just for the record, I've not received any reply or acknowledgement from the museum. Maybe if someone is in the area it might be worth trying the direct approach.

 

Nick

A bit late I know, but I was scratching my head over how to do the point rodding on my layout.  This article is a god send, thanks so much.

 

I have the Ambis cranks and etched stools but Hobby Holidays has very little of the Ambis product line so that's disappointing.

 

John