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wenlock

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The Stygian gloom that descends upon Sherton Abbas platform at nightfall has been a concern for sometime now. Complaints from passengers about the complete absence of platform lamps has been on the increase as nights are drawing in and Winter approaches. Rumours of "Ne'er-do-wells" lurking in the darkness abound, which although completely unfounded have proved unsettling for passengers of the fairer sex. The Sherton Abbas Chronicle has been stoking this discontent and shouts of "Something must be done!" have been shattering the tranquillity of this normally quiet market town.

 

Fortunately something has been done!

 

The previous paragraph in reality just means I've finally got round to making some platform lamps for the layout:-)

 

I've held off sorting some lamps out for a couple of years now, mainly because I haven't found any that I liked. The proprietary white metal offerings look a bit coarse to my eye and although I was impressed by these brass versions https://www.kemilway.com/kemilway-architecture.html, despite numerous email requests I had no response back from the manufacturer:-(
Modelu have been promising some for a couple of years now, but I think other projects have taken priority.
I probably should try to make some splendid examples like Mikkel's http://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/index.php?/blog/75/entry-20710-lamps-and-lamplighters/, but know when I'm beaten!

 

I rather liked the fineness of these lamps from Peco https://peco-uk.com/collections/lineside-scenic/products/station-platform-lamps but was initially put off by the hexagonal cross section posts.
I also liked these white metal posts from S&D models https://www.sanddmodels.co.uk/products_43_lamps.htm GL14 in their range.

 

A plan was hatched to combine the Peco lamp tops, the S&D posts and hopefully make something at least a little GWR looking!

 

Peco and S&D components

IMG_2266a.jpg.dfaa8e1bd347b71b9ffb4f62385460e2.jpg

 

Peco parts

IMG_2269a.jpg.d8e868901a1bac64939f1aabe1a6c178.jpg

 

The Peco plastic lamp housing was cut off the posts and then glued to the top of the white metal posts using 5 minute epoxy resin.

 

Lamp housing glued to post

IMG_2270a.jpg.4861e1d51cccf71b5d7cea8f0fa0c173.jpg

I want two of the lamps to be wall mounted, so brackets were made using some plastic card strip and etched brass scroll pieces from the scrap box:-)

 

Lamps and posts

IMG_2286a.jpg.32c22a209940a7ddff559b8afe2be662.jpg
 

Completed lamps

6E2E6B0F-C8C1-4559-88F2-1757BE82F23F.jpeg.7b681261647106b3681aadabe8288f58.jpeg

The lamps and posts were then positioned on the platform, the wall mounted versions were fixed onto the Goods shed and Station building.

 

Lamps in situ on the layout

 

231779460_lamps1.jpeg.a2961652e717a3858e1421ae59882d65.jpeg

 

1640353155_Lamps2.jpeg.952139148a4d9eb1cd1be13bb3cf1bff.jpeg

 

329093080_lamps3.jpeg.71d9426869a624d5a60d4ba9fea42cc8.jpeg

 

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I’m reasonably happy with the way the lamps have turned out. The finials on top of the lamps aren’t quite representative of G.W.R. practice, but are probably adequate, at least until Modelu bring out some scanned examples!:-)

 

 

Peace and tranquillity have returned to Sherton Abbas, indeed a number of passengers are reported to have expressed their gratitude to the Station Master. The following headline has also appeared in the “Chronicle”

 

Lamp lighting ceremony at Sherton Abbas station!

 

We are pleased to report that a lamp lighting ceremony took place at Sherton Abbas station last Thursday evening. Local residents arrived in considerable numbers to witness the event which was presided over by the Mayor of Sherton Abbas, our Station Master and members of the Great Western Railway board. The ceremony was punctuated with enthusiastic applause and a rousing chorus of “For he’s a jolly good fellow!” rang out across the station forecourt once the lamps had been lit.

 

Until next time ..........

 

Best wishes

 

Dave

Edited by wenlock
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Dave,

 

I'm pleased to hear that the good burghers of Sherton Abbas are pleased with the latest addition to their station - and so they should be!

 

I was looking forward to seeing the layout in the flesh at the recent Portsmouth show, and my expectations were fully met. It's a wonderful scene, with lots of cameos to explore while you're waiting for the next train. There's obviously a great deal of research and observation gone into it, and the standard of modelling and presentation really does you credit. As someone who normally likes his trains smaller and "from a bit further north or east", I was really captivated by it and spent a good deal of my time at the show just soaking in the atmosphere you have created.

 

Congratulations! Do you have any more shows planned in the near future?

 

Regards,

 

Geraint

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Very effective Dave.

 

I can fully sympathise with the trade offerings not being quite right - you think you have problems in 7mm, you should see some of the abortions that are N gauge / 2mm scale!

Ian

 

PS. I see that you are at Aylesbury Railex in May, hopefully I will get down to see Sherton Abbas.  Although I had an invite myself from David to bring Modbury a couple of days ago but unfortunately I've had to decline.

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Dave,

 

I agree with you and Ian about the compromises that currently have to be made, I haven't seen any on the market that are truly in the correct GWR pattern, that said I think that you've made an excellent representation with your workmanship.

 

It would make our modelling much easier had the K/way ones been available and I too have experienced the same as you sadly.

 

Moving on, they do look quite at home on Sherton Abbas and just add that little extra.

 

Keep up the good work,

 

G

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The flowers look a bit like summer though, rather than the depths of winter...!

 

They're probably some of those ( Thomas ) Hardy Perennials !

 

C.Dymock

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Dave,

 

I'm pleased to hear that the good burghers of Sherton Abbas are pleased with the latest addition to their station - and so they should be!

 

I was looking forward to seeing the layout in the flesh at the recent Portsmouth show, and my expectations were fully met. It's a wonderful scene, with lots of cameos to explore while you're waiting for the next train. There's obviously a great deal of research and observation gone into it, and the standard of modelling and presentation really does you credit. As someone who normally likes his trains smaller and "from a bit further north or east", I was really captivated by it and spent a good deal of my time at the show just soaking in the atmosphere you have created.

 

 

Thanks Geraint, I'm really pleased that you enjoyed seeing the layout at Portsmouth

 

 

 

 

Congratulations! Do you have any more shows planned in the near future?

 

 

Ill be showing the layout next year at Railex Aylesbury on May 25th & 26th http://www.railex.org.uk/, Guildex in Telford 31st August and 1st September http://www.gauge0guild.com/events/guild_shows.aspx?id=1 and the Cardiff Show in Mid October. I hope you can come along to one of the events.

 

 

Very effective Dave.

 

 

Thanks Ian!

 

 

 

I can fully sympathise with the trade offerings not being quite right - you think you have problems in 7mm, you should see some of the abortions that are N gauge / 2mm scale!

Ian

 

 

I shudder to think!:-)

 

 

 

 

 

PS. I see that you are at Aylesbury Railex in May, hopefully I will get down to see Sherton Abbas.  Although I had an invite myself from David to bring Modbury a couple of days ago but unfortunately I've had to decline.

I hope you can make it along to the show it would be great to finally meet up:-)

 

 

Dave,

 

I agree with you and Ian about the compromises that currently have to be made, I haven't seen any on the market that are truly in the correct GWR pattern, that said I think that you've made an excellent representation with your workmanship.

 

 

Moving on, they do look quite at home on Sherton Abbas and just add that little extra.

 

Keep up the good work,

 

G

Thanks Grahame!

 

 

.

 

It would make our modelling much easier had the K/way ones been available and I too have experienced the same as you sadly.

 

 

 

I certainty would, a very strange way of running a business!

 

 

Superb as usual Dave. This just gets better and better.

Thanks Richard!

 

 

The flowers look a bit like summer though, rather than the depths of winter...!

Lol! I did think about lopping their heads off and causing some frost damage, but thought it might be a step too far!:-)

 

 

They're probably some of those ( Thomas ) Hardy Perennials !

 

C.Dymock

Exactly! I've now got an image of Miss Dymock in her vest top that I cant shake off!:-)

 

Best wishes to all 

 

Dave

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A splendid addition!  If you are like me, you'll enjoy watching trains rolling by with all other room lighting turned off!

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Slightly disappointed there isn't a bottle of gas under the layout and genuine block tin gas pipes leading to each lamp. Mind you the safety elves would have a fit if you turned up with that at a show. 

 

Superb as ever, the internal detailing of the lamps is first class. 

 

Oddly Partick Central also had some flower beds, digging back through your blogs to copy the way you did it. 

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You have done a great job. Sometimes we have to compromise, but the final result is looking good.

Like your story telling of the installation of the platform lamps. For my it makes a layout more alive. Saw in the past a information board by a layout with this kind of information for the visitors.

Best wishes for Christmas and a happy new year.

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Proper bricolage!  I do like the idea of mixing products. Like you I am hoping Alan will bring out some lamps, but on the other hand it's fun to experiment. Bit of a dilemma, really. Anyway they look great and much finer than the ones at Farthing. But then the citizens of Sherton Abbas always were a demanding lot :-)

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A splendid addition! 

Thanks Mike! 

 

 

 If you are like me, you'll enjoy watching trains rolling by with all other room lighting turned off!

That sounds lovely, but in my case would be a bit of an anticlimax because unlike yours, my lamps are only for show and don't actually work!:-)

 

 

Dave, Look forward to another viewing at Railex! Geraint

Great! make sure you come for a chat:-)

 

 

Slightly disappointed there isn't a bottle of gas under the layout and genuine block tin gas pipes leading to each lamp. Mind you the safety elves would have a fit if you turned up with that at a show. 

 

Lol!  That risk assessment would be an entertaining read!:-)

 

 

 

Superb as ever, the internal detailing of the lamps is first class. 

 

The internal detail including the gas mantle is included in the Peco kit so I can't take much credit, but I suppose I did paint it!:-)

 

 

 

Oddly Partick Central also had some flower beds, digging back through your blogs to copy the way you did it. 

Looking forward to seeing Partick's flower beds!

 

 

You have done a great job. Sometimes we have to compromise, but the final result is looking good.

 

Thank Job!

 

 

Like your story telling of the installation of the platform lamps. For my it makes a layout more alive. Saw in the past a information board by a layout with this kind of information for the visitors.

 

I'm glad you enjoyed the "back story" :-)

 

 

 

Best wishes for Christmas and a happy new year.

Thank you!  Best wishes to you and yours for the festive season and for 2019 

 

 

Proper bricolage!  

I had to look up Bricolage! :-)

 

 

 Anyway they look great and much finer than the ones at Farthing.

Kind of you to say so, but I have to disagree, Farthing's lamps are fabulous!

 

 

 But then the citizens of Sherton Abbas always were a demanding lot :-)

They most certainly are! They'll be wanting electricity next!

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They most certainly are! They'll be wanting electricity next!

 

Spoiled lot :-)

 

Just noticed the view through the windows here, gives a real sense of depth. 

 

blogentry-5869-0-25504800-1544367814_thu

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Spoiled lot :-)

 

Just noticed the view through the windows here, gives a real sense of depth. 

 

blogentry-5869-0-25504800-1544367814_thu

Well spotted! I’d like to say I spent ages posing the wagon and working out lines of sight, but in truth it’s a lucky accident!:-)

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Four years later and they still look good. The baby in the pram must be walking and talking now 🙂 In fact, that is one feature we rarely model: The passing of time at a station. I've been looking for a younger version of the station master at Farthing, but haven't found a good match yet.

 

I remember the thread on poster board colours which was recently re-visited. Nicely illustrated here.

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