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C126

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  1. C126
    Both surprised and pleased with the results of my pretend-ODA first kit previously, I bought a Peco 'Parkside' PC60 BR Ale Pallet Wagon.  An excuse to run something more unusual in my Southern Region goods yard, using 'Rule 1' to extend their working life into the late-1970's wagon-load network for breweries nationwide.
     
    Had I the time and talent, I would write a 'missing manual', but will just offer some tips I should have noted so others, if interested, do not make the same mistakes as me, and their wagons turn out better.  I was going to post Peco's instructions, but this would probably break Copyright law, so instead will describe them.  An A4 landscape sheet, with the instructions of five paragraphs taking up a quarter of the space, on the right side are four drawings of the sprues with part nos., sole-bar (including which parts to remove), underside of wagon to show brake-gear, and side elevation showing door pattern, etc.  There is a "Historical:" paragraph giving the history and operation of the wagon plus a couple of references, and livery notes.
     
    Again, not a 1970's Airfix booklet, so read everything several times and find a photograph of 'your wagon'.  Mine is to be B732383, illustrated on p.34 of Trevor Mann's excellent 'British Railways unfitted and vacuum-braked wagons in colour', Hersham : Ian Allan, 2013.  Photographed at Wigan in March 1981, and "one of the few that survived in ale traffic long enough to receive its 'ULV' Tops code".  Sadly, "ULV" is not included in the decal sheet provided with the model, only "ALE PALLET" and "RBV".  And nor is "B732383".  The mouldings are finely detailed - I am delighted with the thin end stanchions - with little flashing.  Unfortunately, the floor was distorted in all three dimensions and had to be returned to Devonshire for a replacement.
     
    Only after assembly, did I notice the floor was a fraction too narrow for the ends, and I should have glued a strip of 0.5mm. plasticard along one side to make it up to width.  Stupidly, I squeezed the sides onto the floor, leaving gaps at the wagon ends (see top right corner below).  Let this be the first lesson.
     

     
     
    Second lesson: the floor is not symmetrical.  Again, only after assembly did I realise one needs to align the sides' door pattern with the floor side abutting the brake cylinder - marked 'X' above on the moulding - and the sole-bars (again not identical).  To avoid further mistakes, I dabbed some correction-fluid to mark the end with the 'single door' on the floor and sole-bars:
     

     
     
    Now having four sides and a floor, I ignored Lesson 3 ('The Eternal'), 'Read the Instructions!'  Not knowing my 'Sprungs' from my 'Oleos', I used both buffer-beams from the same sprue, thinking they are identical, and it is the buffer that varies.  It is not.  Check your chosen photograph of the real thing.  Two (duplicate) black sprues of parts are supplied, but each has only one type of buffer-beam.
     
    The sole-bars were trimmed of flash and adjusted (removing a bracket on one side), and the brass bearing cups pushed in easily.  Like the ODA, I did not bother securing them with more glue, lest it foul something.  Here one learns the floor is not symmetrical, but has an off-set vacuum cylinder on one side, so check your sole-bars.  I bodged a piece of plasticard as a new mount for the brake-cylinder on the opposite side, and hope I have got away with it:
     

     
     
    I put the axle-boxes over the bearing cups before gluing the sole-bars on.  One then can use maximum pressure to secure them, rather than crushing a wagon in one's fingers, and I did not glue them as well.  Do check your photograph to ensure you have the correct sort.  The wheels were inserted and ran without wobbling: my major fear.  The brake-shoe assemblies had a piece of floor to be attached to, and in line with the 'OO' wheels, so all went well there.
     
    Some of the brake-gear is very fragile.  I have mended mine a couple of times, not helped by my lack of dexterity and shaky hands, and suggest adding it last after painting.  The buffers just push into the buffer-beams, and I added a pair of old Bachmann couplings on the mounts after the coupling hooks.
     
    Humbrol 'Liquid Poly' was used to glue parts, and I have still not learned 'less is more'.  The damage to the nearest end, where an excess leached onto my finger and melted part of the side moulding, can be discerned in the photograph below.
     

     
     
    Paints used were Humbrol no. 70 (Matt) - a guess for the faded Bauxite - and the new panel Precision Paints no. P129 'B.R. Freight Wagon Bauxite (Post 1964) (Matt)'.  I do not know what the interior is like, so chose a 'generic brown' - Revell no. 84 (Matt).
     

     
     
    Weathering and over-head electrification flashes need to be applied to match Mr Mann's photograph of B732383, not to mention a correct number and T.O.P.S. data panel, but until then, here is my model in 'revenue earning service':
     

     
     
    My Dad would turn in his grave if I did not have it being loaded with Harvey's of Lewes's kegs, so please excuse the over-sized promo. steam lorry as delivery vehicle.  The only picture I have seen of a correct Harvey's vehicle is a white Foden, not produced in a die-cast range in 1:76.  Aluminium beer/ale kegs are Bachmann 44-520, supplied with excellent service by post by Morris Models of Lancing, Colletts Models of Exmouth, and the Railway Conductor of Northants.
     
    I hope this will encourage others to try this kit.  However, I might have to start buying two of everything, to iron out my mistakes in the first attempt.
     
     
     
  2. C126
    Real life having intervened six months ago, the model railway has been neglected.  Dissatisfied with the results of my changes to the Wills railway arches on the station viaduct, I wanted to practice scratch-building a small brick structure, and in a darker colour, to improve my corners and try and get better looking mortar.  This is the result.
     

     
     
     

     
    (My dark jumper as background in the second plate is an attempt to get the camera not to over-expose.)
     
    I wanted a brick loading ramp looking like the station platforms I remembered from childhood - stone edged - and an excuse to run military traffic to a training camp on the High Weald.  A cameo will be attempted when time permits.
     
    Structure is made from plastic card, paint is acrylic (the brick Winsor & Newton 'Galeria' Burnt Umber), and the tarmac is fine grade glass-paper.  I hope to bed it into the cork base with some greenery soon, to counteract the distortion and make a smooth run up to the buffer-beams.
     
    Can I build my own Goods Yard office and crew room?  We shall see...
  3. C126

    25. Terminus station loco-release loop design.

    By C126,


    B.R. blue goods yard.
    Rather a dry subject, but I hope it will caution others from making this mistake.  Before cutting a single piece of wood, having designed and refined my layout to 'perfection' over the years, the passenger station throat looked like this :
     

    Perfect! I believed.  The junction was only 'two points long', so allowing the maximum length of train either side.  Trains could depart to the left, and be un-coupled by the 'Hand of God' un-seen behind a tall warehouse.
     
    However, in February I wondered again how a locomotive would run round its train.  Having had the pleasure of being aboard a '47' during such a manoeuvre one Saturday evening at Eastbourne - the 'Sussex Scot' running E.C.S. to Brighton - I looked more closely at the track layout I had proposed...
     
    After arriving and the crew changing cabs, the loco in Platform 1 would have to propel (push) its train back onto the bi-directional running line, un-couple and reverse a little into Platform 2 (which, therefore, also has to be empty), before running along the loop and back onto its train, pushing it back into Platform 1 for departure.  This also required smooth running over a 3-way point - not my favourite piece of model permanent way.
     
    A faster-operating and more elegant solution would be to have the loop on the other side of the running line and straight ahead of the platform :
     

    It also replaces a 3-way point.  The (shorter) Platform 2 can continue to be used by multiple-units, and the loco's train does not foul the running line.  The disadvantage is making the run-round loop less accessible to rarer loco-hauled trains using Platform 2 or the Milk siding, but I think this is out-weighed by the advantages.
     
    Thankfully, I realised all this before laying a single rail.  With model shops closed preventing me from buying the track, this is still a theoretical solution, but I hope it is the most economical and practical, and it appears more 'realistic'.  Any comments gratefully received, and I hope this is of use to others designing stations.
  4. C126

    42. A day out : D.E.M.U. Show-case 2022.

    By C126,


    B.R. blue goods yard.
    In an effort to escape the problems on my own layout (see future post), I sought solace last weekend at Sutton Coldfield.  Glad to see it is now rather easier to reach by public transport.  Realising quickly (a) how difficult it is to photograph a layout that captures its atmosphere accurately, and (b) it is impossible to photograph every one, I offer (sadly mediocre) photographs of three.
     
    Being a declining wagon-load goods yard in B.R. Blue, it was inevitable 'Clackmannan Goods' was the layout I wanted to take home with me.  I see how it is designed to put the shunting in the foreground, and uses two fans of sidings.  The air of dereliction was captured beautifully, and by using 'less as more'.  I.e., instead of crowding the mileage sidings (as I have) with lorries, figures, and loads, all is bleak and empty, with a few cameos of coal-yard equipment, pallets, and a couple of skips.
     

     
     

     
     
     
    'Towcester' had a wonderful cameo I will 'borrow' of steel coils being un-loaded, and looking rather better than the models I have.  Again, lovely 'brown stock' running, and a compact goods yard with a siding either side of the old goods shed, one from each direction.  If only I had the space and cash to make an offer for it...
     

     
     

     
     
     
    'Wellpark' was a beautfully observed 'cramped' location, with a couple of derelict scenes: an abandoned shed(?) and a 'King's Cross York Road-style' platform tucked away.
     

     
     

     
     

     
     

     
     
    I was glad of the opportunity to talk briefly to Mr Si Bendall about his splendid 'Modelling British Railways' 'bookazines', published by Key Publishing, Ltd.
     
    https://shop.keypublishing.com/products/modelling-br-wagonload-formations
     
    Pleading for a supplement to v.2, 'Wagonload formations' (China clay, Timber, Nuclear flasks, Scrap metal, and Cargowaggons), I hope he might make up for a copy I never found to buy of v.1 of 'Moving the goods' ('Railways of Britain' ser., Kelsey Media, Ltd.).
     
    https://shop.kelsey.co.uk/product/moving-the-goods-1-serving-the-community
     
    'Wagonload formations' being an excellent source of inspiring photographs, Mr Bendall told me the pubishers are influenced by locomotives being modelled, so he is reliant on them.  I had no idea this was how such monographs are marketed.  Whom should I lobby...?
     
    Despite resisting the second-hand stall on the stage, I still spent my day's budget, not helped by twenty-five per cent. off Dr Michael Rhodes's 'From gridiron to grassland : the rise and fall of Britain's marshalling yards', Sheffield : Platform 5, 2016.  2019 repr.  I remember buying the previous 'Illustrated History' at a 'Brighton Model World' nearly thirty years ago.
     
    Thank you to all the D.E.M.U. members who organised this show, the exhibitors, staff, and venue volunteers, and made it such a success.  I hope it thrives, and am looking forward to 2023's show.
  5. C126

    39. Put that bricklayer's trowel down.

    By C126,


    B.R. blue goods yard.
    The third stage of this task has not been 'fun', I admit.  I will spare the details of what felt like 'one step forward, two back' - see the bodged height of the girder, for example - but I think the viaduct looks presentable now, and have learned much from its construction over too long a time.  Most importantly, paint everything at once, so one does not get variations in tones.
     

     

     

     
    (Not a total success the final picture, but I like the perspective, if too far up the pier owing to a lack of desire to drill a large hole in the baseboard for the camera.)
     
     
    May I thank @Edward and @Nick Holliday for recommending solutions to the lack of capping stones, in answer to a question from me.  I went for a higher pier than expected, desiring a 'monumental' feel to the structure, and leading up visually to the increasing height (leftwards) of the warehouse (yet to be built).
     
    Again, the quality of the brick corners up close leaves something to be desired, but previous readers of my rambles have recommended using foliage to disguise errors, which sounds good.  When I have the courage, I will try and 'rust' the girder to get that neglected 1970's aesthetic.
     
    Only last week did I realise I need more arches, or rather the brick panels above with piers and capping stones, for the far side of the viaduct (facing the viewer) as well.  Doh!
     
    The next stage involves removing the upper base-board to lay the passenger station track, etc., and line the underneath of the bridge with more sheets of brick.  Thankfully, there are plenty more easier jobs in the Goods Yard to finish before I must face this.
  6. C126
    Taking time off from theoretical musings, I have reverted to the 'wagon-load' aesthetic in the general merchandise sidings, to try a homage to one of my favourite photographs around of goods yards, by Mr Kevin Lane :
     
     

     
    [73 005, Guildford Yard, February 1980.]
     
    I first came across it in Michael Hymans's 'Southern region through the 1970s year by year', Stroud : Amberley Publishing, 2018, and then discovered it on Flickr.  When I have time, I must browse the rest of this gentleman's pictures.
     
    Having taken delivery last week of several Bachmann VVVs, of which my 1970's consist was severely lacking, I played around arranging the wagons and '73' in suitable poses.  Of course, my yard is only two loading sidings wide and has no such buildings in the background, but it got me thinking about picture composition, wagon arrangement, and why I find the above photograph so evocative; I might post what I think are 'good and bad compositions' in another post.  Meanwhile, here is my Sunday morning's efforts, playing around with cropping and a filter.  Much more scenery is required and the background ignored, but I like the 'flow' of the wagons, and visual relationship with them, the tracks, yard scene and lorry, and locos (the 'milk train' on the viaduct above is a debatable bonus!).  When I get my model looking as atmospheric and detailed as Mr Lane's picture, I will be happy.
     

     
    The header photograph is courtesy of my partner, a picture of a visitor to the bird-feeder last year.
     
  7. C126

    37. My first wagon kit.

    By C126,


    B.R. blue goods yard.
    Happening upon the ex-Pipe 'ODA' wagon in 'government stores' (military) trains, I like the idea of running one as a pleasing visual addition to rakes of 'Vanwides'.  So tempting fate to have a manufacturer bring one out R.T.R., I bought Peco's Parkside wagons PC43 4 mm. kit at Alexandra Palace in March, and have just finished it, thus:
     

     
     
    Paints by Precision Paints, water-slide transfers by @railtec-models .
     
    Unfortunately, I did not do my research first.  Reading the blurb on the Peco web-site, "Additional parts to enable the vehicle to be modelled incorporating modifications made to the prototypes during their working life are included where appropriate", I assumed this meant the revised 'under-carriage' for an ODA would also be in the kit.  It is not; I should have bought in addition their PA30 VEA chassis kit.  The rods connecting the axle-boxes have been cut off, but of course it still does not look right.
     
    However, the results of my bodged fumblings appear to me much better than expected.  The kit goes together easily.  The metal bearings pushed into the axle-box interiors and wheels ran true and do not wobble, despite my lack of abilities.  The body remained square, and parts were easy to assemble and glue.  The only surprises were the assembly instructions' contrast with my memories of Airfix kits of forty years ago - no large booklet of many exploded diagrams here - and the step to attach the brake-gear in line with the wheels.  Unless the wheels are EM-gauge, the brake-gear each side must be set back about 2 mm. from the sole-bar to line up with the wheels, with nothing there to which to attach it.  I bodged it, and put it down to experience.
     
    Painting went well, needing three coats of paint plus touching-up using Precision Paints (also bought at Ally Pally).  I used Rail-Tec water-slide transfers, my lack of dexterity being accommodated better with these than rub-on dry-transfers.  Not having facilities for sprays, I defied the instructions by sealing the transfers with a thin coat of Humbrol 'Matt Cote' varnish.  Having had some loco numbers float away once when doing this, the ODA transfers were left twenty-four hours to dry, and most of the varnish 'brushed off' before application on the transfers.  The rest of the wagon sides were also painted matt.
     
    Incidentally, may I thank Steve of Rail-Tec for enabling me to place a telephone order, as I grew increasingly annoyed at the amount of information the impudent Pay-Pal demand to purchase over the internet, even as a 'Guest': a welcome distraction from the ironing on Wednesday after-noon.
     
    I knocked out a 'sheet' for the ODA (the subject of a future post), using the 'Tunnock Caramel Wafer wrapper' technique cited 'elsewhere in this parish'; I assume 1983 was late enough for the blue plastic.
     

     
     
    Here is a final shot of the ODA, behind a barrier-wagon, in a train arriving, with a new Bachmann VEA behind.  I look forward to staging a new cameo soon.
     

     
     
    Certainly preaching to the converted on this web-site, but I encourage any doubters to try a wagon kit.  If I can do it, anyone can.  There is a ULV to make next, to carry all those orders for Harvey's beer around the country, and I hope I will be as happy with that.  Then I might open the can of worms of 'weathering' at last...
     
     
  8. C126

    18. The layout's rationale : or, Where, Why, and When.

    By C126,


    B.R. blue goods yard.
    Inspired by @Ray Von 's musings and the contributions re his blog - Third Rail N Gauge Shelf Terminus - while waiting for the weekend, my thoughts turned to Atherington's location, industries, and train services.  While not a simple re-naming of a real town, being an 'ex-Central Division child' I wanted somewhere on the Sussex Weald, inland to model imagined fish and milk trains, all in a 'declining 1970's aesthetic' with both electric and diesel services.  Inspired by memories of the East Grinstead and Seaford branches, I then 'stretched reality' to a more optimistic 'history', where freight could be struggling on still with a more supportive economy and government.
     
    My solution was thus:
     

    Atherington’s 'successful' west station is on an electrified main line direct to the Sussex coast, with another branch South-westerly like the Three Bridges - Horsham - Littlehampton line.  Atherington Victoria station, 30 miles and 41 mins. from London Bridge, was opened later by a rival company, celebrating Her Majesty the late Queen of course.  Its line South-east is to a mythical industrial port, the 'poorer cousin' to the 'Brighton Line'-ish route of its neighbouring station.  This 'cousin' was electrified southwards just before W.W. II., but the northwards scheme cancelled.  With this in mind, it would appear to suit the sites of Ashurst or Eridge, but with the Hastings main line going there, not to Royal Tunbridge Wells, which remained only on a 'loop' from Eridge to Tonbridge.  I wished a link with the latter as an excuse for a second freight service.
     
    Despite the slower service on its less direct route to London, commuter traffic from Atherington Victoria remains buoyant, fares being cheaper than its whizzy electric rival and with a wealthy First class passenger-population living in the villages on the Weald, and using also the stations northwards.  Similarly, commuters, school-children, and sixth-formers travel to Atherington for work and teaching from the north, east, and south-east.  Consequently, there are two '33'-hauled peak-time trains to London Bridge morning and evening to supplement a basic hourly service by DEMU, that joins and divides further up the line serving another branch.  This is a blatant attempt at catharsis, my being born too late to have been 'something in the City' and commute daily behind a '33' in Mk. I compartments, a standard of comfort now vanished from to-day's trains, and not appreciated by me until seeing their replacements.
     
    Both Atherington and the port's manufacturing economy is stable, if not growing significantly, with the 'legacy industries', agriculture, and reliable coal merchant excuse to run an 'optimistic' 1970's vacuum-braked (and predominantly drab bauxite) wagon-load goods service.  A morning train from Norwood Jn to the port and back stops both north- and south-bound to exchange wagons.  Lacey's Aggregates receives a cut of wagons of various minerals from a larger train from Acton to other terminals, and also contributes local chalk, sand, and gravel.  This service might have a wagon or two added direct from the Western Region for speed and convenience.  Additionally, there is a daily after-noon service from/to Tonbridge Yard, that can also include a wagon or two to/from the port.  Depending on traffic, there is a TThO Norwood Jn/port goods train to 'mop up' any excess wagons, running 'Q' as required.
     
    With the introduction of the SLK 'Speedlink' air-braked service and recession of the early 1980's, goods trains are reduced to a twice-daily stop on a service from/to Willesden Yard to the port.  The aggregate train from Acton is now a 'COY' company block-train, but booming in the era of expanding road building...
     
    I have yet to satisfy myself as to the delivery of coal in hoppers, not wanting to dig holes in baseboards to model a huge Concentration Yard.  Apart from the coal merchant, I considered an extra private delivery for a coal-fired greenhouse plant nursery, but wonder if this would thrive on the chilly slopes of the Weald, even if heated.  There is probably a good reason why the fruit and vegetable growers are along the Brighton-Portsmouth line on the warm coast.  I hope to build some sort of cheap 'under hopper over rail' elevator to use the HKVs, HBAs, and HEAs.
     
    Loco-hauled and Non-Passenger services are run with similar 'modellers' licence', if based upon examples from an early 1980's Working Time Table: an early morning Parcels service from/to Bricklayers Arms, the Newspapers from London Bridge arriving at 04.27, fish dropped off in a 'Parcels' train from the port, and a milk train to take some of the Weald's dairy production to London for bottling.  There is a short van train late morning to convey the greenhouses' produce to Bricklayers Arms for market, and the portion of an inter-regional service to Newcastle via Kensington Olympia once a day, with more lovely Mk. I. coaches.  Sketching all these on a draft, clock-face time table, it had never occurred to me how complicated platform dwell-times, running-round, etc., could be.
     
    With their charming, arcane, artisan compositing I like so much, I should mock up a W.T.T. in 'Word', but lack the creative flair to compose three-dozen fictional names for the lines' subsequent stations.  No doubt there are many errors as to the suppositions above, if only owing to the physical geography of which I know little.  However, I hope this is of interest, and any ideas for improvements will be received gratefully.
  9. C126

    47. Shildon's finest : the VGA Van.

    By C126,


    B.R. blue goods yard.
    I was to write about the Gaydon Great British Model Railway Show I attended yester-day, but forgot to take my camera - it was one of those mornings before departure - so instead will just post a photograph of the new Bachmann VGA (37-601C) I bought there instead from the Cheltenham Model Centre stall.
     

     
    73 124 propels the first VGA to Atherington East Yard and an SPA of plate for one of the light engineering firms nearby.  Closely watched by the Yard Superintendent, the weary shunter waits to uncouple the ED and commence shunting.  The 'Roadline' lorry and fork-lift drivers snatch a quick word while waiting.
     
     
    Built in 1983 by B.R.'s Shildon Wagon Works, the VGA prototype measures 41'1" over the head-stocks, with an aluminium body, and two 'out and over' sliding doors 20' 8.5" x 7' 2.5".  With a maximum load of 29 tonnes they could travel at 60 M.P.H., but loaded to only 24 tonnes maximum speed increased to 75 M.P.H.  However, after modifications in service, maximum load was decreased to 28 tonnes.
     
    I regret I could not get the camera to take better close-up pictures of the model's data-panels, etc., but the printing looks crisp and legible, and the appearance good.  Having missed its first release, I am pleased the wait was worth it.  But if only B.R. had invested in such vans as these, the VAAs, etc., in the 1950's...

    Bibliography.
    MARSDEN, Colin J. - 'BR and private owner wagons' (Ser. : Rolling stock recognition ; 2), Lond. : Ian Allan, 1984.
    Paul Bartlett : https://paulbartlett.zenfolio.com/brvga
    L.S.T.V. : https://www.ltsv.com/w_profile_029.php
    L.S.T.V. (New) : https://www.ltsv.com/rd/tops_detail.php?id=T-VGA
  10. C126

    31. "Care for a little trade, sir?"

    By C126,


    B.R. blue goods yard.
    As a relief from the brick-work, I have been churning out loads for wagons and lorries over the last week.  As a confirmed tea-drinker, I had to have pallets of tea-chests, inspired by @Mikkel 's (if nowhere near as good), so I sawed, trimmed, and edged in silver some wood strip.  A delivery awaits collection and complete unloading from the VBB:
     

     
     
     
    A load of timber planking is put on a wagon for its customer from the lorry, with the unorthodox aid of the Freightlifter, the product of the plantations on the High Weald:
     

     
     
     
    I have been playing around with tissue paper, trying to get a tarpaulin to 'drape' nicely.  This looks as if made from Barbour coat cloth (the day-light bulb is flattering) - I will try weathering it later with a grey tone - but I was pleased with the appearance.  The gang take a tea-break from loading wool bales, having completed and sheeted an OBA, before putting the remainder on the OCA behind it.
     

     
     
     
    I obtained a lump of genuine Lewes chalk, to my delight, when pottering round Southerham on a visit a few months ago.  This has been crushed and sieved, and made into loads for lorry and wagon, and a (unconvincing, I admit) pile for the J.C.B. to load.  A '56' makes a rare visit to take the minerals away.
     

     
     
     
    Finally, after collecting four pallets of widgets, the engineering firm's delivery driver does a little 'private business' with his brother-in-law, taking a package back on the lorry to drop off at home en route...
     

     
     
    Lots more to do to the model, of course, but I am glad still to be making some sort of progress.
     
  11. C126

    30. A little more back-drop completed.

    By C126,


    B.R. blue goods yard.
    I will not pretend the making of the passenger viaduct sides is now fun.  Found a burst of enthusiasm this weekend to complete another stage of the arches, etc., including the more difficult 'stretching' of brick panels and cutting bespoke piers, buttresses, etc.
     

     
     
    The arch section of the extreme left need not be finished with another buttress, as it is to be hid by the end of the warehouse (still substituted by cardboard boxes).
     
    Sadly, I can not say I am happy with the results.  The joined panels from rail height look 'joined' despite my best efforts with modelling clay, scribing, more painting, and finally hand-painting some of the bricks to try and make it uniform.  Now disillusioned of the making of a bespoke passenger station building from plastic brick sheet - however superior the preferred finish is to cardboard - I bought a 'Superquick' 'Country Station Building' I hope I can bodge into a sort of terminus structure one day.
     
    I tried painting the extreme left arch's orange 'rubbers' individually with a fine brush (took half-an-hour) to compare to the others done with a sponge.
     

     
     
    It does not appear superior, but I think this is my novice brick painting technique.  These photographs were taken using a 'daylight bulb' for the first time, as well.
     
    Just need to finish a row of banding on the right arch above, and then do 'Stage 3', being new brick piers for the girder, and the walls under the bridge.  Now to regain my enthsiasm by contemplating more wagon loads, especially how to make tea-chests 5x6x8mm.
  12. C126

    40. Tarmac, or water in flood?

    By C126,


    B.R. blue goods yard.
    No, it is not a Turner sea-scape, but my umpteenth attempt to get a simple, even coat of tarmac-grey on the loading area for my goods-yard.
     
    I started with a darkened (water-based) Green Scene 'Light Tarmac' textured paint, and failed to apply it evenly.  Then I decided to cover this with a coat of sieved sand, glued down with P.V.A.  This did not adhere evenly either, not helped by my doing it in three areas (if immediately after each other on the same after-noon).  'Bother', I thought, 'at least I can use the faults as scenic details such as puddles.'  So I slapped on a few coats of acrylic paint, and again achieved a 'varied' finish.
     
    After several coats of slightly thinned acrylic, then much thinned poster paint, and all applied by a 1" paint-brush or a natty little sponge-roller my partner found in a charity shop for me, I returned to using the 1" paint-brush with a poster-paint, hoping this would be the last coat.  Alas, not: while it looked beautifully even on application, the paint has dried with pale and white 'flecks' and 'surf froth' I would be proud of if painting a view out to sea one stormy after-noon.
     
    Now I have given up for the moment, and gone back to playing trains...
     

     
    ... while I decide how to cover everything up satisfactorily for the final option: Halford's 'rattle can' primer spray-paint.  If this does not work, I will sulk and eat cake.  What I need is some fine-grained sand-paper in A2-sized sheets one can just paint and glue down.  But then would this 'blister' and warp?  Probably.
     
    Anyway, the wagon inspector visits...
     

     
    ... while the coal merchant leaves him to get on with his next round:
     

     
     
     
    Meanwhile, the mileage sidings are seeing traffic.
     

     

     
     
     
  13. C126

    23. Illustrated musings on 'realistic' goods yard operation.

    By C126,


    B.R. blue goods yard.
    Pottering at my layout recently, thoughts turned to seeing in model magazines sidings full of wagons in 'post-steam' goods yards.
     

     
    Please ignore the detritus in the background of these pictures!
     
    This made me wonder.  Did the goods train call only once a day?  Did the wagons change every day?  What shunting was needed within the yard after the train departed?  Most importantly, if a yard's arrival siding is no longer than each of its 'mileage' (wagon-load loading and un-loading) sidings, surely the day's wagon 'throughput' can be only this siding's length?  So from where have all the others arrived?
     
    Assuming the declining 1970's goods yard received one visit a day in and out, that train must have been no longer than the arrival siding (or it would not have fitted, fouled signals, etc.).
     

     
     
     
    If we start with an otherwise empty yard and three un-/loading sidings...
     

     
    ...the three sidings need be only a third of the length of the arrival siding.  (If we had four sidings, each need be only a quarter the length; if only two sidings, they need be only half the length of the arrival siding.)
     
    As the third siding on this model layout is in the other 'fan' of the yard, I will illustrate using only two.  'East Yard's arrival siding of four feet gives mileage sidings of only 1'4": less than three long-wheel-base Speedlink wagons.
     

     
     
    Thankfully, other factors increase this.  RMWeb members were kind enough to answer my question about 'dwell times' - how long it might take a wagon to be un-/loaded - and contributors agreed it could be two or three days instead of the ideal 'over-night'.  So if we say half of two sidings' wagons spend two or three nights in the yard, we could have four more wagons on display.  This gives two sidings a length of 2'4".
     

     
    But we are still stuck with a maximum operating capacity of four feet.  These 'lingering' wagons would have to depart on a train which is loaded lighter (shorter) than usual, and would have the space.  So we have not gained capacity after all, only the ability to justify displaying our favourite wagons for a few days longer.
     
    However, what if there is an annual seasonal traffic, such as sheep fleeces, where more and more wagons are loaded, and eventually depart on a 'special' in one long train?  This gives an excuse for both a spare siding, and delivery of extra wagons to be shunted out of the way until the 'special' is complete.  These would be delivered in the daily train, but lead to the yard appearing more and more full.
     

     
     
     
    The trusty coal merchant's deliveries will be seasonal as well, although s/he would even out purchases by buying cheaper in the summer.  Also, for historical reasons, space for coal wagons would be plentiful owing to the decline in trade over the preceding century.
     

     
     
     
    Finally, the yard needs a departure siding of equal length to the arrival, wherein the wagons for the day's departure can be shunted prior to the daily goods train's arrival.  Seeing the layout at that moment would cause one to think the yard was even more denuded.
     

     
     
     
    So all this has taught me:
     
    (1) Have your arrival and departure sidings as long as possible to have as many wagons in use as possible (if this is what you wish).
    (2) Short mileage sidings are acceptable, and leave room for more scenery.
     
    Thanks for reading this far, if you have done so.  I hope this 'thinking aloud' has provoked ideas.  All thoughts pro or anti above gratefully received.
     
  14. C126

    56. "Through to the Continent by British Rail."

    By C126,


    B.R. blue goods yard.
    Taking a week off work recently, I started 'the factory' as what I thought would be a quick, simple, discrete project.  This monolith hides the passenger station viaduct on the left of the layout, behind the minerals yard and arrival/departure sidings, currently substituted by cardboard boxes to give an idea of the 'massing'.
     
    I can not say the modelling has been enjoyable, but have been able at last to stage a cameo dreamed of when first mooting the layout's track plan.  A VIX is shunted away from the loading dock of the 'international food-stuffs' company, while the warehouse men check and move the last of the pallets, dusted with sand from the Dasht-e Loot Desert and perfumed with the exotic orient: dates, pistachios, rice, and dried fruit.
     

     

     
     
     
    Here is the complete elevation, thus :
     

     
     
     
    The glazing must be installed and the canopy is un-finished, but I am impatient.  I must sculpt the external corner element to join to a plain wall on the right, and glue on the 2" wide brick wall on the left, as part of what will be the main agricultural warehouse and grain silos.  For this, I will be hoping to bodge a Superquick card kit or three...
     
  15. C126

    1. Introduction.

    By C126,


    B.R. blue goods yard.
    The model world is awash with 'shunting planks', I know, but I hope my design might be of interest to a few readers, and maintaining this diary might spur me to keep working on the layout.  The track plan (9'6" x 2'6") is thus:
     
    [PICT2209 DESTROYED]
     
    The red line denotes the boundary between the two levels.  Inspired by a diagram by Iain Rice, I can claim no credit for the ideas.  I am working on the lower layout at the moment:
     
    [PICT2204 DESTROYED]
     
     
    Below is before I started track-laying, with the upper (passenger station) board, 'Atherington Victoria', balanced on timber to give an idea of design.  The boxes are where buildings will be - a warehouse and grain silos on the left, and a small station building (part) on the right end of the viaduct.  Hope this all makes sense.  The yard on the lower board, 'East Yard', will be a B.R. blue-era general goods yard, merging into a 'Speedlink' yard depending on the stock run, somewhere on the High Weald of the South Downs (Tunbridge Wells, East Grinstead, Haywards Heath, Guildford).  However, as I rather like boat trains, it might be 'moved' occasionally to the Sussex coast to allow an inter-regional portion to use the station.
     
     

     
    I will post more, when I get the hang of this 'blogging lark'.  Thanks for reading.
  16. C126

    29. 'Sliding doors' ; or, putting a wagon under the knife.

    By C126,


    B.R. blue goods yard.
    Ignoring the urgent jobs that need doing on the layout - cleaning track, painting ballast, finishing brick-work, and painting the poor Yard Foreman! - on Wednesday I wondered how difficult it would be to cut open the doors on a Bachmann VBB van.  With only the Hornby VIX to pose as being loaded in East Yard, I wanted a change.  To my surprise, armed with a new blade in the Stanley knife and a metal edge, it was a doddle.  I spent this morning making some loads for the large pallets, and here is the result.
     

     
    The lorry has gone back to the depot for more stock to send up North - perhaps the soap and perfume manufacturer at Lewes - and the Yard Foreman keeps an eye on the part-loaded VBB van.
     
    I chose this rather than the Hornby VDA because the latter's doors are hinged, and are double the number each side.  I confess I am ridiculously pleased with the result, and will try doing a VVV Vanfit next for the 'wagon-load' era.  Now to making some better boxes, and continue cutting up drinks stirrers into 65mm. lengths for a timber load...
     
  17. C126

    27. "Brick keeps Britain beautiful."

    By C126,


    B.R. blue goods yard.
    I could put it off no longer, weary of plywood as a back-drop to my photographs of the general sidings, so have made an attempt at building the brick arches of the passenger station viaduct behind, plus scratch-building the girder bridge.
     
    First the latter: the results of the piers look better when painted, but I am not endeared to working in plastic sheet (Wills, English bond, to match the arches), lacking the skill to butt the joints perfectly.  Thankfully, the errors look less obvious after painting.  The sheet on the right in the 'unpainted' photograph is just for comparison.
     

     

     
    Still more work to do here, of course.
     
     
    I took the Bank Holiday and a few days off work before to set myself the task of finishing the 'simple' eight straight arches, adapted from the Wills kit 'pack of four'.  I replaced the rain-pipe with a brick buttress(?), as this is how I remember the local viaducts' design from my childhood, and with a less recessed arch.  I would have made the arch flush, but knew attempting this would be a recipe for failure.  While the whole exercise has quashed my desire to build structures thus from scratch (a Superquick warehouse from card will now be quite adequate!), the arches look better than I expected, if not as good as hoped.  The darker 'blotches' of brick colour do not work, I fear, so I will go over them some time.  Now I just need to work out the spacing and techniques necessary to build the retaining wall around the corners.  Perhaps leave that for my next holiday.
     

     

     
    I am pleased to report my collection of milk tanks is almost complete...
  18. C126

    34. Timber!

    By C126,


    B.R. blue goods yard.
    Passing Cooksbridge timber yard whenever we went up to Town by train is a vivid memory from childhood, and I am pleased to say it is still trading (if never rail-connected to my knowledge).  We even walked out there from Lewes one day in the 1970's when it caught fire.  My commuting providing free drinks-stirrers every day, I had to have some loads of timber for my Goods Yard.  As storm Eunice prevented me from going to work on Friday, I put the 'forced holiday' to good use by finishing my model stacks of timber thus:
     

     
    It is tea-break on the right for the Freightlifter operator and timber-yard loaders.  They have almost finished the 'thin planks', and their lorry can return to the depot.
     
     
     
     

     
    The yard Foreman makes a note of the OAA's number, and the stacks of 'thick planks' await the end of the morning tea-break.  Sadly, I did not think to do the 'red ends' until the stacks of thin planks were all glued together.  If anyone knows why red is painted on the end of wood stacks, I would love to know.  Something I have pondered since childhood...  Thanks for taking the time to visit.
  19. C126

    53. D.E.M.U. Show-case 2023.

    By C126,


    B.R. blue goods yard.
    Thought I would add my two-penn’orth of praise for D.E.M.U. Show-case 2023 with some photos of my favourite layout there, @sf315 ‘s ‘Hillport Goods’.  All the models were to an enviably high standard I thought, but this one beat the others by a whisker (and a few of my resulting pictures are presentable), having the liveries I like best and capturing an ‘atmosphere’ I find so evocative.  Thank you to the operators for letting me distract them with my photographing: I was trying to reproduce the feel of ‘peering over the wall’ one got from certain viewpoints.  I hope others agreed it worth a prolonged viewing.
     

     

     
     

     
     

     
     

     
     

     
     
    I rather liked Bakewell Street as well, and caught the cameo of the covert photographer:
     

     
     
     
    I managed to arrive as the doors opened at 10.00, and did not leave till 16.15 there was so much to see and do and try to resist buying.  Too shy to harangue the manufacturers’ stands – they will have heard it all before anyway - but was told Bachmann’s Bitumen tanker’s C.A.D. files are in China and the rep. had no idea when they would be for sale.  Sigh.
     
    Paid my respects to the ‘Wagon God’ Mr David Larkin, and thought of a question:
     
    “Can one modify a model of a BDA to a ‘Trestle’ XVA?”
    “No”.  The latter has an open frame beneath the trestle.  Bother.
     
    I am looking forward (August?) to his first volume of four on Speedlink wagons with lots of photographs, and, if I understood correctly, there will be three more to follow on Wagon-load trucks.
     
    Prompted to explore the town for luncheon, I was delighted to find my way, past many attractive buildings, to the 1970’s ‘The Parade’ where a Saturday Market was being held, including… Indian Street Food.  Hurrah!  Gorged myself on veggie samosas and pakoras, and bought a jar of 'Hibiscus' mixed-peppers and jalapeno chutney (can not find a web-site, and not tried yet).  With cheery Sikhs pressing bottled water on passers-by, the day could not get much better.
     
    I will book a week’s Annual Leave after in 2024, so the energy and enthusiasm are not dissipated like this year into lethargy and ennui at work.  And now I know where to get lunch.  Thanks again to all concerned for a wonderful day.
     
     
  20. C126

    7. Ash ballast.

    By C126,


    B.R. blue goods yard.
    Spent Wednesday covering everything with what looked like Cornish china clay, but was far less romantic: Hobbycraft air-drying modelling clay.  It gets everywhere.  However, I filled the 'four foot' almost to my satisfaction, and must now pluck up courage to attempt not to glue up a point.  Thankfully, it takes about a fort-night to dry, and it is freezing cold and snowing outside, so a good reason to find something else to do, or at least start wondering whether the cracks will show under a couple of layers of acrylic paint.
     

     
     
     

     
    Such a shame I had to dismantle everything for this task.  It all looks so offensively untidy!
  21. C126

    35. Storage solutions.

    By C126,


    B.R. blue goods yard.
    Weary of the clutter on my un-built viaduct passenger station behind the Goods Yard, I decided to do something about it.  From this:
     

     
    ... to this :
     

     
    Thanks to some box-files ...
     

     
    ... with bodged dividers made from corrugated cardboard, some divisions lined with bubble-wrap:
     

     

     
    Had I the talent, they would be bespoke boxes of wood with dove-tailed joints, etc.  But I do not, so this will have to do.  The disadvantage of having full-depth dividers (making it less easy to retrieve items) is out-weighed, in my opinion, by having the contents remaining within if one upsets the box.
     
    I am making another for the motor vehicles.  Hope this is of interest to others.
  22. C126

    33. A 'military special', with brick-work.

    By C126,


    B.R. blue goods yard.
    As we appear now to be heading for a new Cold War, it might be appropriate to return to the 1970's and play 'soldiers' with a few resin and white-metal kits from S. & S. Models.
     
    Using the excuse of a camp like Crowborough nearby on the High Weald, a 'military special' train collects a couple of C.V.R.(T) FV107 Scimitar Armoured Fighting Vehicles and a Casspir Personnel Carrier (the latter under 'Rule 1' because I wanted something more sinister-looking than anything the British Army had).
     

     
    (Sorry about the garden tap in the background.)
     
     
     

     
    Of course the scene needs swarms of soldiers, and perhaps a crane to get the Casspir onto the Lowmac, but it kept me amused as a trial shoot.  I made a little ramp from Pastikard and staples to cover the gap between the brick ramp and the PFB's buffer-beam.  I have no idea if this is realistic.  To model a formation thus in air-braked/Speedlink days, I asssume I need to find a 'Warwell'.
     
    Thanks for reading, and I hope this is of interest.
  23. C126

    44. Working Time Tables.

    By C126,


    B.R. blue goods yard.
    Inspired by @Ray Von 's queries more than a year ago, I have had the idea of a Working Time Table for my layout nagging me for just as long.  Composing a clock-face list of arrivals and departures for a week-day, at last I had chance to play on 'Word' at work one quiet Saturday and draft a sample page.
     
    This meant I had to give thought to station names along the lines, route times, and what of 'reality' to leave and what to ignore or replace.  The following needs its names making fictional, and head-codes and train no series allocated, but I admit I am pleased with its appearance, compared to the real examples I possess.  Sadly, I can not achieve the attractive 'artisan' hand-set appearance of the 1970's tables, but I hope others agree it is a good start.
     

     
    The Tonbridge-Eridge line has been renamed and moved, and I have used the Tonbridge-Hastings line as a basis for the port route.  As a fan of E. F. Benson's Mapp & Lucia  novels and television series, I decided I might as well borrow his fictional Rye.  No prizes for spotting the Spaghetti Western reference; I am still trying to get an idea for one for Bollywood as well.  Please indulge me.
     
    The allocated names bear no reality to the topography of a possible route.  They were just on a suitable line on an O.S. map proceeding to a junction near Sanderstead.  Indeed, I was pleased to discover, when looking at Sanderstead, dear old Col. Stephens proposed an electrified light railway to this very place, so I stole his location.
     
    Now I have merged the W.T.T.s for a 1970's and 1980's goods service, and am busy playing with times for Wagon-load and Speedlink services on a second template.  I will post it later, when done.
  24. C126

    8. 'Do not try this at home'; or, the tedium of ballasting.

    By C126,


    B.R. blue goods yard.
    Having waited a week for the modelling clay to dry, on closer examination I see my method of squashing and scraping with my thumb a large lump of modelling clay across and into the track has caused the sleepers to move and distort:
     

     
     
    My how I laughed!  Thankfully, this was done for only one-third of the layout.  For the right hand sidings (general merchandise) I will make little 'sausages' and cut them off to push down into the sleeper gaps.  For the passenger station viaduct, I will be using granite chippings and P.V.A. glue, so the problems will differ, no doubt.  'Let the shipwrecks of others' misfortunes be your lighthouses', or suchlike...
  25. C126

    46. Sorry for cluttering up the Blog lists.

    By C126,


    B.R. blue goods yard.
    Please accept my apologies for cluttering up the list of blogs.  Re-numbering my posts is an attempt to get them back in date-order, as 'editing' to restore the lost photographs then puts the post at the head of one's list, and so quite out of date sequence.
     
    I am very sorry for the temporary dominance of the 'front list', and assure readers it is not a crude attempt to 'bump' interest.  I look forward to reading far more worthy entries from others as soon as possible.  Thank you for your tolerance.
     
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