Bristol Barrow Road - Hitting the Buffers
I have done some research on the type of buffer stops used on the shed and have identified three different types in five positions:-
The first type is found on the headshunt alongside the coaling tower and has been difficult to identify as photos of this area have usually have a 16 ton mineral wagon blocking the view. I have managed to find a couple of useful shots one of which is courtesy of Patrick O'Brien on his flickr site:-
http://www.flickr.co...157625157165429
The buffer stop is to the right of the 16ton mineral.
This buffer is made of lengths of rail and one of the same type is also to be found on one of the long wagon roads used for loaded and empty wagons for the coaling tower.
The nearest buffer stop in this photo is of the same type as that found on the headshunt.
The second type is also seen in this photo and I can best describe this as rail fabricated, using plates that are riveted and/or bolted together using horizontal pieces of rail to form the actual beam.
This buffer stop is similar, if not identical, to that found on Pete Harveys [PHD] website
http://www.phd-desig...ffer/Buffer.htm
The third and final buffer stop is to be found at the end of the track which leads to the south exit of the shed alongside the four sidings.
I have placed an order from Pete for a couple of his etches and in the meantime have borrowed an excellent rail bending tool, which I understand was available from the Scalefour Society stores. A quick check however shows no sign of it on the site - does anyone know it is still available as it is a most useful item.
I then spent some time looking for suitable drawings for my type 1 buffer stop but gave up and made my own.
During my research I did come across an article by Mick Moore in MRJ 121 which proved ideal for information on how fabricate a" Midland Bufffer Stop in 4mm". Mick's article has the benefit that the Midland bufferstop is of the type found at the shed south exit mentioned above.
Now to the task of fabrication.
The first photo shows the selection of tools I used to fabricate the buffers. It shows the jig I made for soldering up lengths of bent rail which are to be used to fabricate the main vertical supports.
A close up of the simple jig:-
The bending tool is also seen in the first photo and a close up is in the next photo.
Finally this is what I am aiming for.
This is completed model of a Midland Buffer Stop which used to be sold by "Puffers". This has been borrowed from a friend to use as a guide. Unfortunately I was not able to persuade him to part with it. Does anyone have one or two they no longer require?
To be continued..............................................
- 12
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