CKPR

Very nice indeed - I don't model Irish prototypes but if I did, I would model the SL&NCR.

Mikes Models used to do white-metal kits for this type of mobile crane.

More evidence of the long-standing inclination of the good folk of Kingston-upon-Hull to do things their own way (telephone systems, the Hull Barnsley & West Riding Junction Railway and Dock Company, etc).

Of course, this being Edwardian's thread, any anarchists ( 4 or 5 at most) are safely confined to the shabbier end of Whitechapel, where they are plotting an ineffectual attempt to assassinate Prime Minister Balfour.

Copyright issues aside (I do rather like the cheesy Radio 1 soundtrack !), the overall impression is of a modernised integrated rail system that vindicates the decision to accelerate the modernisation plans of the 1950s and scrap steam earlier than planned.

I can only agree - I bought that copy of RM when it first came out and it is still in the small pile of magazines under my bedside table.

That looks like an original 1970s Mike Models catalogue.

I've got one of these and it's a basic if reasonable tool for cutting of wood and plastic strip but there's a fair amount of slack in the rivet on the chopping arm - I've since upgraded to a NWSL 'chopper' but will be keeping it for roughing out and scenic work.

I recall an article by Cyril Freezer in the RM in 1977 on 'modern image' modelling in which he suggested the very same.

I've already had to de-solder much of it after I bought it S/H, so I might have to pass on that suggestion !

Very slow progress alas - I was sent a copy of the instructions and have made some progress on the 517 but I need to make a new bunker given my decision to go for an open cab & round top firebox version. As my workshop is still packed away, I haven't even started on this even though it's fairly straightforward. However, the news that Mrs CKPR-to-be has decided that we need a new dining table means that I might now get access to the old and rather battered pine kitchen table for a spot of sawing, filing and soldering of the old nickel silver sheet ! As for building the Mallard 517, I've found it to be quite straightforward with the only awkward step being the very thin overlays - they were a bit of a pig to solder on but do look very nice once in place. and after some post-soldering cleaning up with a fibreglass pencil.

For what it's worth, I recall catching a train from Durham to Newcastle one Saturday morning c.1982-83 that comprised a classic 'train set' consist of BSK,CO, RMB and BG - where it originated from I've no idea.

Why does this look so authentically mid-1960s in a way that so many finescale efforts can't match ? I write as a finescale EM gauger...

Might be better posting on the 'Collectable' forum ?

Closed as recently as 1976. I have seen a model of Alston in 4mm and it was pretty big for a BLT - Brampton Town on the other hand would be perfect but I've never seen it modelled ( I still have a D&S autocoach kit for the day I ever get round to it).

From henceforth onwards, I shall always refer to FR No 115 as falling into a reet big 'ole in t'ground !

Probably happened because the FR baltic tanks were ostensibly 'designed'by Rutherford who was actually the CCE with no actual experience of engine design and so contracted the work out. Moreover, despite having superbly well appointed engineering works, the FR always bought in its new engines from outside builders. Given these circumstances and the fact that the baltic tanks were a maximum size design, it was perhaps inevitable that there was some 'drift' on some of the dimensions. Anyway, it's a good story and entirely in keeping with being the only railway to ever lose an engine down an old mineshaft where it remains to this day !

I'm fascinated by the early history of model railways in the UK, especially in the 1940s and 1950s - am I right in thinking that Formo was originally a separate company to Graham Farish in the way that Trackmaster was to Rovex and Rovex to Tri-ang ?

This happened in real life when the Furness Rly. sent their new 4-6-4T engines up the line to Whitehaven and discovered that they wouldn't go through the doors of Corkicle loco shed...

The large white "M&C" lettering on the HMRS (nee PC Models) sheet is for high-sided coke wagons but what the black letting is for is unclear as the M&CR certainly didn't have any refrigerator vans. I've found this sheet to be a good source of the individual letters required for the 'M.& C.R.' or 'M.& C'. found on most M&C wagons.

I got as far as making a station name board for Allonby - I envisaged it as being a very basic loop and siding terminal. Caldbeck on the other hand would have to have had facilities ( a la Helston ?) for handling various forms of mineral traffic

I think it was actually the most profitable of all of the pre-1923 railways as it pretty much stuck to its brief of linking Maryport and Carlisle - there were several schemes for extensions, including lines to Caldbeck, Bassenthwaite and Allonby, none of which ever came to anything and probably for the best.

IIRC, that article suggests Brayton as a good prototype with interchange with the Solway Junction / Caley and, if you stretch things a bit, the NBR/LNER. The interchange and junctions with other lines is one of the good things about taking the M&C as the basis for a model railway. Obviously there's the LNWR at both ends, but also the NER at both Carlisle and again at Brigham at the end of the Derwent branch (NER mineral trains came in via the CKPR), as well as the Furness via the Cleator & Workington Junction Rly. at Linefoot Junction, also on the Derwent branch. There were also various through workings by all parties and so LNWR and FR trains were to be seen on the M&C. Also, the M&C hired some LNWR coaches (i.e decent ones with bogies and corridors) for their through working to Keswick via the Derwent branch and Cockermouth - I was born in Cockermouth and grew up in Keswick and so you can see why I'm a more than a bit interested in the Derwent branch ! The other thing about the M&C, and this is straying into 'Castle Aching' territory and Edwardian's domain, is that it seems to have been a very nice little railway under the benign autocracy of Sir Wilfred Lawson - they didn't seem to have alienated local businesses and industries in the manner of the LNWR in West Cumberland nor to have antagonised the neighbouring lines (well, not after that unpleasant business over the building of Carlisle Citadel anyway !) and was in many ways the epitome of a pre-1923 local railway company.

That's a lovely M&C mineral train, Phil and I'm not in the slightest bit (Mid Quaker) green with envy...