Broadoak

The back scene reminds me very much of the Welland valley. A lovely model. Kind regards Peter M

You will note at the rear of the cab is a curved pipe this was used to dampen the coal when running bunker first. Having run round its train no 82020 couples up to the brake van then propels the rake of empty wagons into the china clay dries siding. She then uncouples from the wooden wagons and leaves them in the siding to be loaded. Peter M

A selection of shots of a Standard class 3 prairie, which the western had a few. The model is a Bachmann version and following a few problems with the valve gear holding bracket coming adrift was trouble free. Having glued the bracket back with ACC I have had no problems with it since. They were not overly popular on the western as they tended to be rather heavy on coal and had a tractive effort similar to a small prairie. Although in winter it was a different story perhaps with a more enclosed cab and better seats. The standard prairie arrives with a train of empty wagons and stops in the loop just before the dries siding. It uncouples and runs round its train past the halt platform. Peter M

The class 26 was a diesel I simply liked the look of wearing her green and white livery. The model was on offer at the time so I quickly bought one. At this point my imagination came into play, a very useful tool the imagination. In reality the class 26’s never worked in the area I am modelling. The fiction is due to the smaller wheels the loco was on test as the local quarries are up curved undulating tracks on a gradient. The model is another Heljan example and apart from the droopy couplings, which I changed for Hornby ones has always run very sweetly. D5302 arriving at Broadoak with for a change a parcels train. Close up of the weathered bogies. D5302 about to run round her train. Peter M

Kevin not only does the 26 look good to my eyes as well but it runs very nicely too. As indeed do all my Heljan diesels. Andrew D, the pictures were a taken with a relatively inexpensive Canon compact camera with limited apertures and shutter speeds. It is not too bad but photos lack a depth of field but give an idea of what the layout is about. I must give some more thought to a suitable name, it has to begin Tre, Pol, or Pen. Regards Peter M

By way of a change it is time for a few shots of some of my diesels as I am an unashamed diesel fan. The first loco is a class 25/3 a Heljan model and like all their models is a superb runner. No D7661 is seen having arrived at Broadoak with a mixed freight train. She is seen having just uncoupled before going to the Midas Cement un loading facility. She is next pictured backing into the cement facility to collect two empty cement wagons. Peter M

The layout has developed if that is the right word over some twenty odd years. Its original use was to run a few British outline models as my main interest was an American switching layout. To start with with there was no pattern to what I bought other than I liked the prototype, however over time I have developed an interest in things Great Western. So now I generally buy locomotives that could have run on that system. The class 26 however is an example of modeller’s licence in that they never ran on GW metals. The model, a Heljan example was on offer at a very reasonable price so I bought one as I liked the look of it. The fiction is it is on test because of its lower gearing and so is suitable on the gradients and curves in the area. I think your imagination is one of the most useful tools a modeller can have. D5302 is seen here in the centre track of the left hand end with a small parcels train. The 26 is seen here in the loop going towards the clay dries area at the right hand end. I really must think of a decent name for the layout. Peter M

Because of the narrow width of the layout I’ve had to draw some structures on the back scene. There is not even room for low relief buildings. At the left hand end it is a collection of buildings with fictitious names who provide suitable loads in and out. At the right hand end is a drawing depicting a small clay dry with a siding for storing wagons. This means I can run china clay wagons empty and loaded and also coal in for the fires to dry the clay. Bagged china clay is also loaded into 12 ton vans outbound. To allow more operating potential there are loops at both ends of the layout. In the right hand leg is a small platform and a typical GW halt. When running steam sessions I run a Collet 0-4-2 and Auto coach and in the blue period a class 128 for parcels traffic. I am more interested in the freight side with a few passenger trains. On rare occasions a preserved train is run powered by a Southern livered Terrier. I must admit I find operating the layout the most satisfying aspect of railway modelling. A couple of shots of the Southern Terrier. Peter M

I must admit to being a diesel fan. As a lad I lived a five minute walk from Bushey troughs on the west coast mainline. I got used to seeing all the first generation diesels including the original Deltic regularly before I left school and started work. The first diesels that I saw after 1960 were the class 40’s although they weren’t called that then. The down trains used to pick up water at Bushey which was odd as they had only gone about 15 miles at this point. A trip to nearby Radlet would see the Peaks working express passenger trains on the old Midland main line. The locomotive I found most attractive though was the humble rat or classes 24 and 25. So that was the first model diesel I bought. It is the Bachmann version and runs very well although I’m told there are mistakes with the body shape. Peter M

No 5541 is seen in the track next to the engine shed which is also the head shunt for R E Lee farm supplies. This time she is seen shunting a cattle wagon which is used for the transport of broccoli and other vegetables when in season. A couple of shots of 5541 leaving the bay platform at Broadoak with a B set. Peter M

Eventually I sold all my American locos and stock just after Trump was elected, I lost all interest in things American overnight. The switching layout has been converted to an ex GWR branch line terminus. (Broadoak in the layouts thread.) The test track I thought might make something with a west country feel to it, I was undecided with regard to a location. I rather liked the idea of something lightly used and a little run down. I also have a fondness for small locomotives, panniers and prairies that sort of thing. I do have a couple of tender engines a Collet 0-6-0 and a mogul being the biggest. With regard to a location my fondness for prairies and panniers suggests two locations. Firstly the Forest of Dean and the second Cornwall. In the end I have chosen Cornwall at the end of the day I just like to watch small trains running through country scenery. A few pictures of a Collet 0-4-2 and autocoach trundling along. The model is the old Hornby version but runs very well now I have removed the traction tyres. Peter M

A few shots of another couple of my favourite locomotives. The small prairie. I have two a black version with the smaller tank and the green version with the larger sloping front tanks. Both are Bachmann models and run superbly. No 4545 about to leave the road behind the engine shed for a day working the fly. The black prairie hard at work shunting a stone train in the yard. Here we see no 4545 shunting in the yard with a pannier waiting to leave the bay platform at Broadoak. Peter M

A few more photos of the Collet 0-6-0 arriving at Broadoak then shunting in the yard. The cut of wooden wagons with loads of stone is spotted in a long siding next to the goods shed yard. After several loads are spotted here a larger loco will take the whole cut to the main line connection. In the first photograph the hut next to the signal box appears to have sunk into the ground on the right side. It must be an optical illusion as the model is perfectly level. Peter M

The test track has existed for some twenty years originally and was used to test British outline locos because at the time I had a large HO scale American switching layout. I have always liked British locos so over the years have bought models simply because I liked them. There was no real plan to this, I liked not only steam outline locos but first generation diesels as well. Overtime I had collected a selection of steam locos from just after nationalisation through the transition period to the early days of blue diesels. Bit by bit I painted a very basic rural back scene with some rocky contours to add interest. At that time I was exhibiting a small large scale layout called Two Sister’s Farm so I used the test track for testing motive power suitable for using on it. The test track was only rural scenery with no buildings so the larger scale was not noticeable. A few pictures of the layout taken at this time. Two Sister’s Farm layout. Regards Peter M

Is this an O scale project Dave? Looking at the couplings it must be, I like it very much. Kind regards Peter

Would a layout ten feet long and 9 inches wide at one end tapering up to about 15 inches wide with a very simple track plan be allowed in this section. Peter M

Some most attractive scenes that Clive you have created. The Collet scene I think is very realistic indeed. It has a lovely atmosphere and that is something you can't just spray on. I love it, thanks for sharing. Kind regards Peter M

Thank you for your kind remarks Clive. I have already featured a Western class 22xx, a rather tatty one that I was given many years ago. I must say I like these little engines and to my mind are the perfect branch line power having a tender and able to carry that much more water. Some say they look a little un- balanced but to my mind they have a purposeful look about them. This version is another Bachmann example. The motor unusually is mounted vertically but like all Bacmann locos runs very well indeed. She has a crew lamps and fire irons added. She has had a light dirty coloured wash over her body so she looks used but still in fairly clean condition. Peter M Peter M

Thank you Gopher, the wagons are Dapol models and all I've done is given them a few gentle washes of acrylic paint using an ordinary brush as I don't have an airbrush. I don't have any kit built wagons I'm afraid. I'm far too clumsy to build delicate kits, it's an age thing probably. Kind regards Peter M

By way of a change I am featuring a few shots of locos taken looking towards the back and looking downwards. I don’t know why but I find these sort of views most attractive. Perhaps it’s because in books of photographs many are taken at the line side looking towards the front of the loco and the whole train. This pictures no 3711 propelling a shunter’s truck with the shunter hanging on the side. The figure is actually a sailor figure so what he is doing in Broadoak yard I’m not sure. In this picture we see no 8771 in rather clean condition arriving with a short freight train. In the background is a 45xx prairie in the bay having taken on water. This time we are looking down on no 3711 arriving to do some shunting in the yard. You will note she has the customary bucket and fire irons lodged in the lamp brackets. A closer view of 57xx class no 3711 shunting in the yard behind Medusa Cement. Peter M

This time we feature the cleaner of my two class 57xx panniers, I don’t think you can have too many on any Great Western themed layout. This one is also a Bachmann version and like its sister runs very well indeed. In the pictures we see her shunting in the yard and finally at rest on shed. Peter M

To be quite honest the class 128 was an impulse buy as it was on special offer from a well known emporium near Liverpool. It being in the blue livery I thought it would cover the times when I run a few blue diesels. When it arrived well packed, I opened the box and the body of the loco was fine but all the underside details had fallen off. At first I thought I would send it back but in the end by using photos on the net decided to glue the parts back on myself. My original disappointment changed when after some careful painting of the under frame details I tried it out on the track. It ran superbly so I eventually forgave its earlier problems. In fact it has turned into a rather useful member of my loco stud, bringing in parcels and often a trailing wagon which it then spots where it is required by itself. It all adds up to a few more operational moves which is good on a small layout like mine. Peter M

The fiction regarding no 5637 is she is used on the heavier stone trains from the quarries up the branch. It’s the Bachmann model and she too runs very well using a hand held feed back controller. Here we see her in the bay at Broadoak taking water before leaving with a parcels train for the main line. Peter M

I think you are probably right Graham but I suspect I would ruin the model trying to glue it in the right place. Of late I seem to be getting very clumsy, probably an age thing . Regards Peter M

I have only recently seen your superb layout. I think it is an absolute delight in every way. From the excellent collection of locomotives to the wonderful country scenery. I especially like the shops and people all realistically posed. My overall favourite though is the farm and yard itself, with the tractors and implements looking very realistic. I just wish my work was half as good. Many thanks for sharing a lovely model. Kind regards Peter M