Leaderboard

A trip to Thelkeld gave an opportunity to get some more inspiration for my 16mm photo-plank. It was a rather windy and rainy day and being out-of-season trains were being operated by a Hudson diesel giving Sir Tom a rest. The shed doors were shut against the wind and the sky 'somewhat overcast'. A request in the office and the helpful folk were more than happy to let me take a look inside. Before going in I took a look at the inspection pit which is covered over by boards and a grate. I'd not seen this before as this is usually where Sir Tom sits between duties. Inside the shed Sir Tom rests and we get our first view of the inside of the shed, I'm sure the good folks at Thelkeld won't be offended if I describe it as 'workman like'. I took note of the sign inside the door, which was lucky as obviously I would have started tampering with machinery unless I had been specifically told not to! Every space is used for something in this shed, the bench grinder is on one corner of a clutter workbench with racks for files behind, hung off the beam are a large variety of hacksaws. Looking up in the far corner of the shed you can see the belt rollers which power an old lathe, against the wall behind the lathe is a pair of large bellows. I suspect that the umbrella may be required given the state of the roof. Opposite the lathe there is a belt driven pillar drill, the different pulleys gave different speeds. A little further along the wall is a belt driven milling machine, the old ammo boxes appear to hold various bits and machine tools. Looking back to the door the forest of timbers, drive shafts, belts and pulleys looks fascinating, there are additional milling and drilling machines at various positions in the shed. This belt driven lathe looks rather interesting. To provide a bit of heat the shed has a Tortoise stove, I've spotted that these were made in Halstead so maybe I also need to make some in 4mm as a wagon load for Clare! The top features a molded tortoise and the legend 'Slow but Sure Combustion'. I have a few more pictures if anyone is interested. As always I'd thoroughly recommend a visit to Thelkeld if you get the chance. There is so much there if you are interested in narrow gauge industrial railways and/or vintage industrial plant. David

Work progresses on Stourpayne Marshall at an extremely leisurely rate, interspersed with more running sessions where I can get some of my S&D-related models out of their boxes. As mentioned, I decided to replace the LSWR-style covered footbridge with a Ratio concrete one, which I felt was more in keeping with the S&D ambience, The Ratio kit is good value and goes together nicely. In common with the other two bridges that have occupied these platforms, I needed to build it with the steps facing in opposite directions, which meant some cutting and joining to work with the existing parts. The end result, at least, is something a little different from the standard build of the kit. I very much like the humdrum, low-key ambience of these concrete footbridges, in contract to the ornate structures which were here previously. The kit reminds me that I used to have a plastic Tri-ang bridge to a similar design. One consequence of the moving around of scenic elements for Stourpayne is the opening up of viewpoints that were not available before, such as this glimpse of a 9F on the far platform, In general the new version of the layout is more open and affords a less obstructed view of the platforms and any trains passing through, although at the cost of closing off certain sightlines elsewhere. The 9F, incidentally, is another S&D regular, one of the four that were transferred to Bath near the end of the line's existence. This model is an old Margate-era Hornby 9F which has been extensively tarted-up with a lowered body, new wheels and valve gear, brake shoes, and Comet detailing parts. Again tender drive, it benefits from 8-wheel pickup and a decoder, for very good slow running. A more general view of the platforms and goods yard. Some work has been done on the far platform with a hint of a greenhouse behind the 9F's firebox. This week several etches for LSWR seats and luggage trolleys arrived, so the GWR examples still in place will soon be removed. Taking in an even wider view, the Shillingstone goods shed now occupies the spot occupied by the removable cattle dock. The goods shed is a bit of a curate's egg, I feel, compared to the excellent model of the station. Obviously the sliding doors are far too thick and will need replacing. But from the side, the entire structure looks a bit askew, with the left-hand window opening (and associated stonework) sitting at an awkward angle. Perhaps there was some subsidence in the real shed which has been captured in the model, but since I've never seen a photo or a drawing of the structure in question, I'm not sure. The shed doesn't exist now and it doesn't show up in any of my many S&D volumes, so how the Bachmann model has been derived is a bit of a mystery, unless some some drawings were made available. In any case, it's nicely proportioned and doesn;t dominate the yard as the King's Hintock shed (intentionally) did but I feel it needs a bit of attention. Incidentally, a Ratio provender store will most likely sit next to the shed, but I removed it for this shot. Another option in the pipeline is one big provender store occupying the whole footprint of the shed. Finally, I didn't like the colours of the signal box as supplied (they're not necessarily wrong per se), so I've repainted it in stone/faded cream and green. Even though the WR took over control of the S&D, and certainly implemented a repainting scheme, many structures appear to have retained cream/green until the end, including I think Shillingstone box itself. Now at least it doesn't display the wrong name, which is a step! Thanks for reading all, and hooe this has been of interest.