Steam here!

Thanks Andy Hayter, phil-b259, Alex, for going through the trouble to help me, that made things much easier to understand. I like the history as well, all of its very interesting. Regarding an SE&CR grey loco: The only ones I'm aware that have been produced ready to run: Bachmann C class Hattons P class Dapol D class (not yet released) I do have a set of the "wellington brown" that will need a loco. So I was wondering, would the D class in SE&CR grey be a suitable loco? I was thinking of using it for my branch line? As I understand it the D class will be (scraped beading? (Grey). Any thoughts?

Hi everyone, I just need some advice regarding the Bachmann SE&CR birdcage coaches "wellington brown" livery. Does anyone know any suitable ready to run SE&CR liveried locos suitable to pull this set? Also which SE&CR livery would be suitable? Also could anyone tell when this livery would have been introduced? I appreciate we only have so far: Bachmann C class Hornby H class Hattons P class Dapol D class (expected later on this year). Thank you for all of your help, its much appreciated.

Lastly Roversmith (off scene station), a small long, narrow and compact station site, with the least amount of trade, least amount of types of businesses and there is not really a passing loop, only except a small one to be used for shunting wagons to the timber yard, farm siding for milk to the fuel refinery). There is also a goods shed on accessed while travelling in the down position to Fordington, while on the up line side is the coal merchant that can only be accessed by travelling in the direction to Sierraton. Even though, the site isn't asgrand as Fordington, Vauxwell or Carltomholme, it still gets busy and is still vital to the railway network. Timber yard: The timber yard, is solely in the right place, with forests nearby and the demand for carpentry, for craftsman and shops, industrial even for railway purposes this is where its located, the location is also quite useful, as it located outside the station, this where the run round loop can be used to gain access, not only to the timber yard, but also to the farm siding and the fuel siding. Loco travelling to Fordington, uncouples train, moves forward, stops after crossover, reverses into timber yard. Loco travelling to Sierraton, stops at crossover before the station. Uncouples, pull forward, stops after crossover, reverses, to the station limits, pulls up to the brake van, couples up, pushes the rest of the goods train into the station. Reverses back to the loop, uncouples wagon, pulls forward pass the crossover. Reverses down the down line on the loop to the station limits. pulls forward and re-couples the wagon, pulls back to the station limits, pushes wagon into the timber Farm siding: This is the only station that has the facilities for milk tanker wagons to be filled up (not sure on the whole milk tanker journey process - beginning to the end) This is vital for the dairy at Carltonholme, as it needs to not only supply Carltonholme, but also Vauxwell and Fordington as well as here Roversmith. Loco travelling to Fordington, uncouples train, moves forward, stops after crossover, reverses into timber yard. Loco travelling to Sierraton, stops at crossover before the station. Uncouples, pull forward, stops after crossover, reverses, to the station limits, pulls up to the brake van, couples up, pushes the rest of the goods train into the station. Reverses back to the loop, uncouples wagon, pulls forward pass the crossover. Reverses down the down line on the loop to the station limits. pulls forward and re-couples the wagon, pulls back to the station limits, pushes wagon into the dairy farm siding. Fuel Refinery: Loco travelling to Fordington, uncouples train, moves forward, stops after crossover, reverses into timber yard. Loco travelling to Sierraton, stops at crossover before the station. Uncouples, pull forward, stops after crossover, reverses, to the station limits, pulls up to the brake van, couples up, pushes the rest of the goods train into the station. Reverses back to the loop, uncouples wagon, pulls forward pass the crossover. Reverses down the down line on the loop to the station limits. pulls forward and re-couples the wagon, pulls back to the station limits, pushes wagon into the fuel refinery Goods Shed: Due to with of the land on the station site, it wasn't possible to install a passing loop, never mind a second a platform with double track, for both directions. The goods shed can only be accessed in the station. However road entrance is accessible but its not as generous as Fordington's. Loco travelling to Fordington, stops at the end of the platform travelling in Fordington Direction, uncouples, wagons, pulls forward to the loop, organises the wagons for those that are needed for the goods shed, once done the loco must reverse back into the station and push the wagons into the the goods shed, the rest of the wagons on the loop need to be rejoined onto the goods train. Picking up wagons is a lot easier, loco stops, before the goods shed crossover. Uncouples,moves forward, stops after crossover, reverses into goods shed siding, couples up, pulls forward towards end of the platform, reverses back to rest of the train, re-couples and departs For Fordington. Coal merchant: Can only be accessed by facing in the Sierraton direction. Its a small but good size for the size of the village, not many coal wagons needed. Loco stops at the end of the platform, uncouples wagons, pulls forward to clear the crossover, reverses into coal merchant's, uncouples, pulls forward past the crossover, reverses back onto train, re-couples, departs for Sierraton.

Fordington (off scene station) is where is gets interesting, between here and Vauxwell, its double track. Also, this is the busiest station on the branch line, dealing with 9 types of freight/trade combined from both directions, not to mention businesses spurring of the running lines just outside the station itself. I wanted to create just out of interest a congested but efficient atmosphere at the same time. which would involve a lot of dropping and picking goods up. I wanted to include three sets of cross overs to brake the sections up a bit, so where is shunting taking taking place between the cattle dock, mill and goods shed with the kick back siding opposite it next to the level crossing. Another locomotive could enter the station from Vauxwell and have no interference. Plus, some of the freight that will come to Carltonholme, won't necessarily be used, it will remain more or less with the brake van and mostly likely come back in this direction. Sand works: There is only the one line entering the works and in order for it to be attached or detached either the way the loco has to push the empty sand wagon in first. In order to attach the wagon to the train, the loco must reverse down the up platform over the level crossing and run round that wagon and then go to the front to attach. For detaching on the up platform, the loco must pull forward with the sand wagon, reverse down the down platform and push it in. Once done back down the down platform over the crossover, change points and re-couple, carry on to next journey. All steam locos need sand for traction, to aid in wet and poor weather conditions, Carltonholme MPD will need sand on a regular basis. Iron works: There is only the one line entering the works and in order for it to be attached or detached either the way the loco has to push the empty Iron wagon in first. In order to attach the wagon to the train, the loco must reverse down the up platform over the level crossing and run round that wagon and then go to the front to attach. For detaching on the up platform, the loco must pull forward with the sand wagon, reverse down the down platform and push it in. Once done back down the down platform over the crossover, change points and re-couple, carry on to next journey. This will receive regular delivery from another station mostly Carltonholme (working on Carltoholme goods register) Loading dock: This is an over flow if you like from goods shed, due to how busy it gets on a regular occurrence, its necessary to have this ease congestion of loading and unloading general goods. On the up line going to Roversmith the loco uncouples the necessary wagons and pulls forward to the very end of the crossover past the level crossing. uncouples, runs round re-couple and reverses down the down platform towards Vauxwell and then crosses the cross over. pulls forward clearing the points for the siding for the loading dock towards the station limits and reverses in. Thankfully a lot easier on the down platform, loco uncouples the wagons, pulls forward towards the station limits and reverses on the cross over and then pulls forward on the up line (but going in the wrong direction) and proceeds to the station limits and then reverses in. Siding for empties: The siding is also ease congestion, but also to be allowed to make up goods trains. The procedures are the same for the Loading dock. Coal merchant: Every station on my branch line has a coal merchant, coal merchant, for businesses, factories and homes, I Deliberately put it on the upside of the line (heading toward Roversmith) one reason is because the coal comes from Vauxwell colliery meaning its the 3rd station on the line to recieve coal. Loco arrives in the station from Vauxwell, uncouples, pulls forward pass the final set of cross overs, reverses into coal merchant. uncouples, pulls forward, stops just before level crossing reverses back onto train in platform re-couples and departs for Roversmith. On the down platform, the loco will proceed straight to Vauxwell and on the way back (up line) it will set down the coal. Coal delivery sequence: 1st stop = Carltonholme 2nd stop = Vauxwell 3rd stop = Fordington 4th Stop = Roversmith 5th Stop = Sierraton (at this point coal wagons either go to Sierraton colliery, Sierraton MPD or return to Vauxwell Colliery). Goods shed: On the down line, in a small pocket with the cattle dock, mill and kick back siding. The purpose of this was good access, The goods shed faced the station forecourt which had a generously large parallel entrance just like the one for the Loading bay, siding for empties and the coal merchant. Also it made sense to locate adjacent to the mill, for ocassions when the Mill goods demand was increased and needed extra rolling stock to help. On the down line, loco stops at the end of the platform, loco uncouples pulls forward, crosses the cross over, reverses down the up platform and stops before the final set of crossovers (in front of the tunnel), uncouples, runs round to crossover at the beginning of the down platform, reverses to the tunnel, re-couples, reverses into the tunnel, pushes forward to the goods shed. Cattle dock: On the down line, play a vitals role for cattle markets and offers operational interest, again generous entrance. On the down line, loco stops at the end of the platform, loco uncouples pulls forward, crosses the cross over, reverses down the up platform and stops before the final set of crossovers (in front of the tunnel), uncouples, runs round to crossover at the beginning of the down platform, reverses to the tunnel, re-couples, reverses into the tunnel, pushes forward to the cattle dock. Mill: Textiles also plays as a major key industry, tucked in, in a small pocket along with the cattle dock, goods shed and kick back siding. This also has a generous premises with several buildings, its own siding and an agreement with the railway should they need more rolling stock or extra loading facilities they can use the goods shed, but only if its free and doesn't interfere with the railway operations. On the down line, loco stops at the end of the platform, loco uncouples pulls forward, crosses the cross over, reverses down the up platform and reverses to the tunnel, pulls forward to the cattle dock, reverses onto the mill siding. Granite works: The granite works was needed for the branch, which country roads, ballasting for the railway payments, yards was needed and is still operational, it also sends some to Sierraton mainline when they are in short supply and some also go to Carltonholme, which is just 2 miles short from the coast. Probably one of the easiest shunting sequences on the station! Loco uncouples wagons, pulls forward to the last crossover before the tunnel, uncouples, moves forward, reverses down the down line to the beginning of the down platform, crosses over to the up line, re-couples, pushes wagon forward to granite works, uncouples, reverses to rest of the train in the up platform, re-couples, departs for Roversmith.

Ah The Johnster, thank you, that's great help, it'll make things easier for me in the long run, With shed, loco and freight procedures.

I'll now talk you through each of the other stations, I covered Carltonholme earlier on and in turn its only right I cover the other stations along the route. 1st off is Vauxwell station (Off scene station) Vauxwell is a very narrow but long and busy 2 platform station, due to the steep gradients on either side of the station grounds the area couldn't be made any wider. Below I have listed the station facilities that I think separate from the rest of the route. Colliery: The collieries facilities are very basic, a busy place but very crammed, to make things more interesting due to the entrance of the colliery just after the level crossing, the driver has no choice but to proceed to Carltonholme to run round before heading in the opposite direction. Colliery = I thought it would be interesting to bring different, but unusual types of locos into the scene, such as Pecketts. Limestone works: Again due to the entrance location, the driver has no choice but to proceed to Carltoholme to run round before heading in the opposite direction. Limestone works = I wanted Carltonholme to have a varied but controlled number of different types of goods delivered. Carriage shed/sidings: Where most of the branch lines coaches are stored, cleaned and repaired or overhauled. Carriage shed/sidings = I thought it would be interesting to have fixed and adjustable coach sets for interest.

Other things have been happening as well on the layout, I have now reached the stage where I am satisfied, with the track plans and station names of the branch line. In the real world due to space, some of it has to be imagined off scene and comparessed. The road bridge is supposed to act as a scenic break. If you look closely at the photos, you can see where I have had to widen it. Regarding the branch line route. station names are as follows in this order: Carltonholme = branch line terminus Vauxwell (off scene) Fordington (off scene) Roversmith (off scene) Sierraton = Sierraton MPD/ mainline/ run round loops. Each station along that branch line route has a purpose, there are in some cases conflicts and contrasts depending what the station facilities have to offer regarding the different trades and businesses and station facilities and railway structures. Below I have included the finalised track plans of the branch line:

Just regarding the Airfix turntable, I looked at the one located at Minehead on the West somerset railway. SOURCE: Wikipedia.org >West Somerset Railway Below are comparison models between the Airfix version and the one at Minehead.

The ash pit, Ash tower and coal drops. The ash tower will stand just above the hoppers. I intend to build a ramp upto the ash tower for the staff with wheel barrows. Regarding the coal drops I intend to develop them further, by making sure that wagons with side doors can also be used here. (The coal drops will be like a hybrid or some sort). The orignal plan around the coal tower was to have a siding at the side of the coal tower. Due to lack of space and a compress feeling, I went for the "less is more" aproach.

Step 7: Driver's granted permission to enter section from signalman.

Step 6: Loco outside the main MPD office. Inside driver is requiring permission to leave the MPD and to enter the main line section. To Sierraton Station.

Step 5: Small run round loop.

Step 4: Coal up!

Step 3: Small passing loop.

Step 2: Loco stops outside adjacent to the MPD office. inside shed foreman is on the phone to the signal man requsting permission to enter main line section to clear the points to change direction.

Now for Locos exiting the MPD: Step1: •Cleaners, due the usual prep for the loco. •Getting the fire going. •Cleaning the engine •Loco oiling points •Loco is filled with water. Driver speaks to shed Foreman, coming to a clear understanding between them, before moving off.

Step 7: Loco placed on the road. (Not sure if this would be road 1 or road 2, with the breakdown train on the left).

Step 5: Ash disposal. (Ash pit was only put in the other day, still have lots to do).

Step 4: Coal tower. (Here due to the length of the actual siding I can have a loco coal up with ease while facing in either direction).

Step 3: If required, use the turntable.

Step 2 & step 6: Passing the small loop. (This is help keep things moving smoothly in this case allowing two locos to pass each).

I will now show you entrance procedure (locos arriving on the mpd). Step 1: The loco will enter the MPD and will stop outside Shed office, take on water and speak to the shed foreman. (The person in charge of the MPD (not sure if I've used the correct terminology there). Here this is where the Driver will be told where to put his engine all depending what is required. In this case, "road 1, loco rostered for tomorrow".

The history of Sierraton MPD Sierraton MPD was built very early by the North Eastern railway. originally, there was only four locomotives allocated to the MPD. with two coal stages occupying both roads. Soon afterwards as the railways in Britain evolved, it was necessary to install a coal tower next to the shed and has always been in the same position since. The coal drops next to the coal tower were also NER origin, to the right of it were several sidings used to store wagons and several coaches. On the other side of the MPD was the coach shed and siding, where just the old office was attached to carriage shed, now relocated to the MPD Entrance, meaning that siding was extended. (This is where the breakdown train is now). To the right of that was the repair shop, one road for coaches and the other for locomotives. Next to that were two sidings ideal for deliveries by rail. The original set up, did cause problems, being located by the station and unable to physically expand any further and with the original set up affecting the branch line to Carltoholme and the main line. one of those was, no turntable, the nearest was 5 miles away, meaning for locos to be turned for the opposite direction, would have to be uncoupled, run round their train, just like you would expect at a branch line terminus. Turn around on that turntable 5 miles away and then return. another issue was the lack of space for locomotives, was a problem and things weren't easier when Carltonholme was too under developed causing back logs affecting the timetables between the branch and the main. To overcome this, the branch line was upgraded all the way through, the coaches would no longer be stored at the MPD, the would have a more upgraded covered workshop and more sidings. The carriage shed was converted for use to station more steam locomotives. A breakdown train siding was allocated, the general repair shop was allocated to steam locomotives. The track layout was heavily upgraded and reorganised, on the basis that space would be allocated for a turntable and facilities. Unable to get a turntable, a large water tower and a few other related MPD structures, to be made at little notice, The NER approached several railway companies and found out that the GWR was removing some of their turntables from some of their branch lines and as a result the NER approached the GWR to buy a turntable, large water tower and a couple of huts, permission was granted on the terms it stayed in its GWR colours, if the turntable was to alter it would only to be allowed to fit bigger locomotives. As for road deliveries, the route would be simple, over the level crossing, pass the turntable, coal drops. Along the top and pass the original engine shed and to the end and drop down by the loco head shunt.

Thank you for your interest, more photos will be uploaded in the next few days. Stay safe and happy modelling.

Llike the class 60 in front of the the background. This looks like a great shelf layout. Credit to you. :)