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Old Mills .


RonnieS

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This is my “Old Mills” set up. Formerly belonging to Wolverhampton Model Railway Club it was originally operated as a Diesel era exhibition layout. I am now in the process of backdating it to the 1958-62 period.

 

I am trying to rebuild this thread following the late March 2022 technical problems so bear with me!

 

 

 

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Edited by RonnieS
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Local or "pick up" Freights were a feature of the line 

 

 

 

 

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Edited by RonnieS
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The Bristol and North Somerset Railway had a rather convoluted history. Opened in 1873, it joined an existing branch from Frome to Radstock North.

Passenger stations on the line

Brislington

Whitchurch Halt

Pensford

Clutton

Hallatrow

Farrington Gurney Halt

Midsomer Norton and Welton

Radstock

Mells Road

……………………………………………………………………………………………….

Old Mills  was situated between Midsomer Norton and Farrington Gurney Halt

………………………………………………………………………………………………..

The line's main traffic was coal and commuting in and out of Bristol. There was also cattle, stone traffic, profitable parcels traffic and a wagon works at Radstock. Passenger traffic ceased on the line in 1959, with complete closure of the line in 1973 following the closure of the last colliery in the Somerset Coalfield at Kilmersdon. However circa 1966 a connection to the S and D line at Radstock was built!

According to various sources it was a Dotted Red or Dotted Blue route restriction? I think Dotted Red as 42xx and 56xx tanks were noted working the line. In any event later in its history Western Diesels worked some traffic. Therefore route 5?

As a pre-teen I remember reading that that railway modelling was a hobby “where realism and imagination are friends” so taking the alternative history path I have taken liberties.

 

Assumptions (or the tongue in cheek history)

 

Realising that Bristol-Frome was a useful diversion route BR(WR) upgraded the line to Red in 1955. At the same time the connection to the S& D was installed. Unlike reality the connection also allowed traffic from Bath to Bristol. A useful alternative for light engines to and from St Phillip’s shed and empty stock from Green Park to Temple Meads.

Instead of abolishing local passenger traffic on the line it was reorganised and rationalised by replacing the spaced out 2/3 coach trains with more frequent 1 coach autos and single car DMUs. The ex GWR AEC units operated in reality (timetabled as the Bruton Diesel) but the class 122 and the 128 parcels cars are a work of fiction. However, both would have been justified.

Edited by RonnieS
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Lovely scenery. I like the layout's emphasis on the landscape. You don't need structures to make an interesting layout. Nice subdued colours, too. 

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And very nice too! Happy memories, used to live just below "Old Mills" (and Springfield Colliery), the old "Batch"(otherwise known as "Daddies Coal Tip") was visible from the lounge window.The Old Mills site was purchased by two local builders/businessmen who opened one of the very first DIY supermarkets around-Clapton Building Supplies. 

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Thank you both. It's unlikely it will ever be exhibited again so this is the only way of getting comments.

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374469882_WD.JPG.8dee0b5f685e6d13b738777d831590f1.JPGA WD on a freight. Clean ones were rare! The first vehicle is a Enparts wagon. I was told that the WR Enparts wagons built on ex horsebox u/fs had 2 large  locked boxes to carry Brasses and Bronze bearings. Later they had the 2 large boxes moved inboard and additional but smaller boxes in the middle and near the ends, They then became Denparts to carry Diesel engine parts. These are illustrated here  

 

 

And on Pauls site https://paulbartlett.zenfolio.com/denpartzrv

Looking at photos I don't think any 2 were the same! I based mine on a photograph taken at Standish Junction. In the days before Peco acquired Parkside Jim would let you have any moulding from his kits at a reasonable price.

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Edited by RonnieS
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I think I'll repaint it in Gulf Red. There are 2 dogfish, a Enparts van, a tool van and an Enwheels wagon also to be painted in this seldom seen scheme.

The 30 other wagons that I built during the lockdown awaiting the paint shop are going to be a 50 50 mix of grey and bauxite. Then in the next lockdown I'll transfer them up.

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On 09/11/2021 at 19:06, RonnieS said:

The Bristol and North Somerset Railway had a rather convoluted history. Opened in 1873, it joined an existing branch from Frome to Radstock North.

Passenger stations on the line

Brislington

Whitchurch Halt

Pensford

Clutton

Hallatrow

Farrington Gurney Halt

Midsomer Norton and Welton

Radstock

Mells Road

……………………………………………………………………………………………….

Old Mills  was situated between Midsomer Norton and Farrington Gurney Halt

………………………………………………………………………………………………..

The line's main traffic was coal and commuting in and out of Bristol. There was also cattle, stone traffic, profitable parcels traffic and a wagon works at Radstock. Passenger traffic ceased on the line in 1959, with complete closure of the line in 1973 following the closure of the last colliery in the Somerset Coalfield at Kilmersdon. However circa 1966 a connection to the S and D line at Radstock was built!

According to various sources it was a Dotted Red or Dotted Blue route restriction? I think Dotted Red as 42xx and 56xx tanks were noted working the line. In any event later in its history Western Diesels worked some traffic. Therefore route 5?

As a pre-teen I remember reading that that railway modelling was a hobby “where realism and imagination are friends” so taking the alternative history path I have taken liberties.

 

Assumptions (or the tongue in cheek history)

 

Realising that Bristol-Frome was a useful diversion route BR(WR) upgraded the line to Red in 1955. At the same time the connection to the S& D was installed. Unlike reality the connection also allowed traffic from Bath to Bristol. A useful alternative for light engines to and from St Phillip’s shed and empty stock from Green Park to Temple Meads.

Instead of abolishing local passenger traffic on the line it was reorganised and rationalised by replacing the spaced out 2/3 coach trains with more frequent 1 coach autos and single car DMUs. The ex GWR AEC units operated in reality (timetabled as the Bruton Diesel) but the class 122 and the 128 parcels cars are a work of fiction. However, both would have been justified.

Dotted blue actually (source 1961 WTT). Certain 'Red' engines permitted at no more than 20mph throughout. And another minor point, the line closed in 1968 after the storm.

Of course the real Old Mills was not a blockpost, so could not pass trains as you are showing, but hey, whose model is it! It certainly looks like Old Mills - which is what counts!

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I was a bit disappointed with the Mike Vincent book when it came out, as I had some input into it.

 

You may like the attached, from the 1960 Sectional appendix. The 1948 appendix is pretty similar - but outside your period of interest.

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img1962.jpg.0495e2c371bbe2ca594aede546ed968e.jpg

 

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Wolverhampton made a good job of representing the ground frames

 

 

 

Much wagon weathering needed!

 

 

 

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Edited by RonnieS
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It's hard to get far enough back to take a photograph of the ends but here goes

 

 

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Edited by RonnieS
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I rarely seem to get a photo I'm happy with. Which is why Tony Wright was conscripted for the mag article.

 

 

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Edited by RonnieS
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 The fiddle yard. All lines are tandem.

·        Line 1 is divided into 3 even length trains.

·        Lines 4,5,8 and 9 are divided into 3 giving 2 uneven length trains. Typically, a 10 wagon and a 30-wagon train.

·        Remaining loops are divided into 2 even length trains.

·        There are also 4 spurs to allow 3 trains (railcars and push pull) to shuttle up and down.

·        Additionally (I put in an extra crossover and siding for this) 4 kickbacks and a loop.

This gives me 31 trains or (because the railcars and push pull do 2 ups and 2 down shifts each) 37 moves in the sequence.

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Edited by RonnieS
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The kickbacks I mentioned. A very short freight train, an A E C railcar, an Inspection saloon and an 8 coach race special.

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Edited by RonnieS
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The 2 Frome End spurs mentioned earlier. A class 122 in view and a auto hiding behind the vans. The loop in the foreground holds a 14 wagon coal train

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Edited by RonnieS
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In My “Alterative History” much of the line became double tracked. In reality this was always the designed intention with (for instance) Pensford Viaduct being built with sufficient width for this. Parts remained single track (i.e., the bit through Old Mills) making it a bit like the S and D.

In summer months the S and D coped with enormous amounts of traffic. This makes the real 1959 pm timetable (for the North Somerset line) seem laughable.

 

Continuing my fictional post-war engineering changes in the area; it would have made sense to add a connection South of Westbury.  This would have allowed O58 (the Cardiff to Portsmouth express) a quicker route. The Fawley to Bromford Bridge oil trains and Southampton Banana specials would have benefited too. And the race special I run to Salisbury would be justified.

 

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Edited by RonnieS
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1 hour ago, RonnieS said:

In My “Alterative History” much of the line became double tracked. In reality this was always the designed intention with (for instance) Pensford Viaduct being built with sufficient width for this. Parts remained single track (i.e., the bit through Old Mills) making it a bit like the S and D.

In summer months the S and D coped with enormous amounts of traffic. This makes the real 1959 pm timetable (for the North Somerset line) seem laughable.

7.png.0b197eed7763ec240dede9ea26b4c9fd.png

Continuing my fictional post-war engineering changes in the area; it would have made sense to add a connection South of Westbury.  This would have allowed O58 (the Cardiff to Portsmouth express) a quicker route. The Fawley to Bromford Bridge oil trains and Southampton Banana specials would have benefited too. And the race special I run to Salisbury would be justified.

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Not quite a fair comparison. The BN&S shows local traffic, while the S&D includes all the through traffic. Pull out the through traffic (i.e. not originating on the line), and you end up with a very similar timetable.

 

One of the reasons why the S&D closed, it had no sustainable traffic originating on the line.

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The entrance and exit to the fiddle yard are disguised with Pipe bridges.

 

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Edited by RonnieS
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On 12/11/2021 at 06:26, Tim Chambers said:

And very nice too! Happy memories, used to live just below "Old Mills" (and Springfield Colliery), the old "Batch"(otherwise known as "Daddies Coal Tip") was visible from the lounge window.The Old Mills site was purchased by two local builders/businessmen who opened one of the very first DIY supermarkets around-Clapton Building Supplies. 

Thanks for this you inspired me to do more research and correctly model the Langley's Lane bridge.

Next time we visit our friend in Bradford on Avon, for a stay, I intend to visit the site of the train set.

Looking at google maps I am 98% sure it's per pics below.

With the fiddle yard being what looks like a hedgerow at 20 degrees below the A362; crossing Langley's Lane at the scenic break. 

Old Mills colliery at Toolstation (you can see the spoil heap top right) Springfield colliery in the area around Tesco and the engine shed@ Avon door and lock.

 

Looks like I can park on the corner of Langley's Lane and look over the bridge?

 

 

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Edited by RonnieS
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I intend to model Langley's Lane  bridge here. This was also the intention of Wolverhampton MRC's Chairman, Rob Kinsey. Rob was instigator and driving force behind the construction of Old Mills. Mr K  put in a removable scenic section to allow for  the insertion of said bridge,

 

The line pictured on the right is the main from Bristol. The line on the left was the branch line to Farrington Colliery. When that pit closed in 1921  the track was used for wagon storage

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Edited by RonnieS
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The Diesel era photograph is by Mike Peabody; who also took most of the other Diesel era pics on this thread. The loco shed was owned, post 1947, by the NCB. Both the shed road and the line to the left of it continued  into the Old Mills Colliery complex. There was then a crossover and the lines fanned out into 5 parallel tracks, At least  3 of these were served by overhead loading. Beyond this was a series of crossovers and spurs. A relatively large yard and, as the pit employed 320 people, a productive one.

 

In the early 50s there was a NCB Rushton Hornsby loco stationed here, but later on? I don't know. In a 1959 photograph no (now preserved) 4555 is shunting loaded wagons within the complex. There is a toad brake van in the spurs. In a 1960 Ivo Peters shot a pannier  hauls 16 loaded coal wagons as the "4.15 Old Mills to Bristol goods"

 

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Edited by RonnieS
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During the recent wet days I built a few more wagon kits including a Parkside GUNPOWDER van.

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Edited by RonnieS
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On 14/11/2021 at 15:41, RonnieS said:

I rarely seem to get a photo I'm happy with. Which is why Tony Wright was conscripted for the mag article.

 

 

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This is another Tony Wright Shot

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I rather like Collett 2-6-0s, however the Dapol offering is very light-footed. I am scratching my head on how to add a bit more weight. I have 3 of them. One I purchased at full price, one I purchased at bargain price and one was a gift from Tony Wright (part of a bit of "horse trading")

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