Caley 439

Looks like an interesting modification to have a go at, I think the bunker extensions were made from whatever material was to hand, it looks like the whistle is buried under coal in that picture! I've got another battered Smokey Joe which I've now got running so I'm looking at ideas for what to do with it - missing the chimney, so I've got one of my 3D printed ones ready but very tempted to do it as an NCB engine with wasp strips front and rear.

If Hornby consider a Planet as their next engine I'd definitely get one - being one of those designs used by several early railways there'd be a wide range of possibilities. IIRC one of the first engines on the Edinburgh and Glasgow Railway was a Planet type, so I'd justify a purchase based on that

I've found similar with recent production Dapol wagons, which is a pity as all the older ones I have (from around 2000 to 2010ish) run well and have no issues. I think adding additional weight might help somewhat, and I hope so as I like the various liveries that Dapol offer

As an example, Oxford Rail have done a pre-grouping wagon (their NB Jubilee mineral wagon) , though this has had a few liveries put on it which are somewhat questionable (but nice nonetheless) Had a look through there and I like how they give a bit of information about the prototype wagons and the companies that used them - more of this sort of thing would be interesting I guess that it's always going to be a compromise of some sorts. The Fife Coal Co. wagon https://www.harburnhobbies.co.uk/acatalog/Dapol-4F-071-139-2898.html#SID=209 appears to be prototypical with regards to livery, whereas I'm not so sure about the Wemyss (were they grey?) or the Newbattle (only seen pictures of the black example at one of the coal mining museums, though Oxford Rail have done one of the Jubilee wagons in this livery as well) wagons

Pity about the database, it would be interesting to have a browse of. While packing some wagons away I came across an older Dapol wagon commission by the Bo'ness & Kinneil Railway - this is a 7 plank wagon (as per one in their museum), but compared to their newer wagons the brake gear is chunkier as the underframe & brake detail is a one-piece molding whereas more recent models have the brake lever added as a separate piece. Not yet had a chance to run the newer Dapol wagons, though the older ones (from about 10 years ago and before) were very reliable. A bit concerned when I saw Sam's Trains (no I'm not a follower, though it is handy seeing items if they've already been tried and tested) review of some Dapol wagons (egg vans) which kept derailing however, the wheel profile is shallower than those on Hornby & Oxford Rail stock but with a bit of added weight think they'll be ok.

All the liveries up to that point when Pat Hammond did that article..... I have a list of all the liveries (from searches on the old interweb and old catalogues), and as of 2020 there's been just over 35 different liveries throughout the design's illustrious history; I do have a particular liking for these pugs, even if not 'proper' scale models - some might say I'm crazy having 17 of them! I do have the list with me when visiting exhibitions (or a picture on my phone) just so I remember what liveries I already have.

There was also a similar incident in 1901 on the Caley Glasgow - Carlisle mainline (pg. 200 of The Springburn Story) , so the BoT requirement may have been the result of multiple such accidents across several companies. The Royal Train accident might have brought the issue to greater prominence mind

Yes Devlin's were trawler owners, the coal being transported in these wagons for their fleet of trawlers. Have come across these images on the HMRS site, which actually shows what some of the Dapol wagons were based on - close being the same number of planks, but having differences such as curved top plank on the ends and in the case of the William McLaren one dumb buffers! https://hmrs.org.uk/photographs/david-cook-dundee-10t-4-plank-no-10-op-r3l-regd-1901-age-neg-39021.html https://www.Dapol.co.uk/shop/oo-gauge/wagons-OO-Gauge/4-plank-wagons/4F-040-027-OO-Gauge-4-Plank-Wagon-David-Cook-12 https://hmrs.org.uk/photographs/william-mclaren-dundee-8t-4-plank-no-32-op-1897-f3r-dumb-buffers-disc-wheels-curved-fifth-plank-on-ends.html https://www.Dapol.co.uk/shop/oo-gauge/wagons-OO-Gauge/4-plank-wagons/4F-040-025-OO-Gauge-4-Plank-Wagon-W-McLaren-27 https://hmrs.org.uk/photographs/ballantyne-d-peebles-8t-5-plank-no-1-op-1898-f3r-open-spoke-wheels-wooden-solebars-side-doors.html https://www.Dapol.co.uk/shop/oo-gauge/wagons-OO-Gauge/5-plank-wagons?product_id=2565 I guess it's just the same as before with manufacturers putting liveries on wagons which are seen as being 'close enough', though was a bit surprised to see the small "empty to" plate on the McLaren wagon, which looks like it might say "empty to Springbank Colliery" as on the model.

Interesting to see this, as I have considered cutting out frames in (3mm) acrylic - this doesn't suffer the problems of warping, though finer parts are more likely to break (having done 16mm scale ornate Caledonian Railway benches). It definitely opens up interesting possibilities for creating chassis for locos where no commercial one is suitable

I've picked up a few Dapol private owner wagons recently (pleasantly surprised to see that they're still produced in the UK), having chosen them because of their particular liveries. My question is, did many of these liveries actually exist - even if portrayed here on the wrong type of wagon? I'm not too fussed personally, but it's a curiosity. From what I've seen the "Fife Coal Co. "wagon is a prototypical livery (not sure if on a 7 plank wagon though), and the intriguing green "Devlin's" one must have some prototypical basis as Harburn Hobbies have a limited edition of it from Bachmann as well. Interested to hear peoples thoughts on this.

Yeah my thinking was for when I have a layout (a permanent loft set up idea) - most of the other bits and pieces I've designed for myself have eventually made it into a small scale level of production. Found the files, but don't have a screen shot - will see if I can get a copy of AutoCAD to open them, as I usually use the CAD programs which are already on the computers at the lab I use. I did the basic sketches on paper when away at sea last year, as well sketches of the Caley shed at Beattock and the GSWR design at Hurlford, Ayr & Dumfries (I had BR Steam Motive Power Depots - Scottish Region in my bag, hence why lots of MPD related sketches). Only the Inverness archway has been started in CAD though, may not do the others. Do like the look of the Highland shed available from Pop Up designs, and the other buildings would be very useful in creating a village scene - definitely match quite a few buildings out in Argyll that I can think of, and reminds me of a pub in Mallaig!

Thought I'd create a post here to praise the service of Wildcat Models, which is still a somewhat newish shop in Glasgow (on Dumbarton Road, along from Partick library). Have popped by previously pre-Covid, but usually was only needing paints or plastic card (good supplies of both Humbrol, Revell and Tamiya, and they're trying to improve their stock of plastic sheet and parts). Phoned up to order an item which I saw they had advertised on their Facebook page, and they were even able to drop it off later at my Mum's place of work nearby which was even better! Looks to be fair stocks of Hornby, Bachmann, Dapol, Peco, Gaugemaster, Metcalfe, Model Scene, so will definitely be making a visit or two there once lockdown is over

She was at York when I last saw her (that was in November 2019), there was a small exhibition on about her

There are the print off kits available from the GNSR association on a disc in several scales. Very nice, and with a good variety (several designs of stations and goods sheds) as well. I also have on the back burner a rough model of the Inverness shed water tower archway in 4mm (dimensions estimated from photos) - designed to be cut in 3mm and 6mm ply, I'll dig out a screenshot of I have one. This was more of a "let's see if it can be done" model. If released would come under the Red Star Steam Packet Co. banner (which currently is just larger garden railway kits)

It appears that maybe it's the result of the centenary after party - this was before I opened the box and I've seen a review of this, where the reviewers one was also upside down

Picked up a rather battered body for one a few years ago from a stand selling lots of scraps of old Triang and other locos, for £1 - will watch this thread with interest as it may lead to a use for it

Well got my own little bit of centenary memorabilia today - when I saw that this was one of the special models this year I decided I needed to get one a) as memorabilia b) it is a loco which will get use. Fortunately a small new model shop nearby had one in stock when I phoned them - I've wanted to support them since they opened, but they've not had much which had piqued my interest. Overall in my opinion a nice piece from Hornby, recognising what I feel is a significant loco in their history (even if not quite a scale model)

Was just thinking that I was sure I was meant to be somewhere today - then realised today would have been the day of the annual trip up to Perth! Will have to look forward to it next year

I'm one of those who still love these little coaches, for all their imperfections - my first layout (and so far only one, now sadly long gone) being 5' by 4' and with two loops was unable to fit bogie coaches other than the Triang clerestory and 4 wheelers - and the 4 wheelers captured the look that ten year old me was aiming for in my early vague attempts at pre-grouping models. Ended up with about ten of them in total, and it did look somewhat impressive with a short train of these behind a small engine (more often than not a CR type pug). Each to their own I guess.

I've got a BR one, languishing in the shed, and a few tins of primers and black gloss paint....this has given me a good idea now!

I may be completely wrong, but the diagram in the instructions makes me think of the WDLR pattern of point lever (see the Lincolnshire Coast Light Railway Facebook page for images)

When I get access to the uni 3D printers I'll give this a go, it'd be a nice little test piece as well. Thanks for making this available.

A bit more work done over the last few days - one side of the North British van fixed to the ends and inside partition, lots of scraps used as internal framing for this. The other side is actually in place now as well. Side duckets will get drawn out and cut over the next few days, and then it will be looking a bit more like a brake van. Still brake blocks & running boards to fit to the chassis as well. The clone cattle wagon can be seen in the background with one side on, this also has both sides fitted in place, ready for additional framing to be fitted for strength (it's a bit fragile without)

A little progress over the last few days - the cattle wagon kit assembly started, as the scratch built copy is ready to have its sides fitted. Also started work on a North British 4 wheel brake van - nothing exact, but based on the image on the wagon page of the North British Study Group website and images of other NB brake vans. Meanwhile parts for a Caley 6 wheeled one are gathering.....

No worries