rope runner

So which size wheels are fitted to these, can KR models comment on this? KR seem to be happy to comment elsewhere on RMweb and this might be the different between me picking some up or not, as the ride height will be altered to suit. Paul A.

There was only one MSC wooden wagon and this was ex-ketton cement. The unique 3 skip wagons used for calcining are still present. The MSC was in extremely poor condition when recovered from Ketton, the frames being life expired. The parts have now gone to another museum, where they are hoping to restore a rake of these. Paul A.

In such small quantities that it would have come in by road. Certainly no evidence of dedicated rolling stock etc. The high explosive would have been kept securely with all the precautions you'd expect, but the low explosive (much more of this, quantity-wise) probably just in designated boxes in the workman's road vehicles. The idea in opencast ironstone quarries was for the charge to shatter the rock face just enough for an excavator to pick up the material. The explosive was drilled and stemmed in from above. Smaller charges were used to break up particularly large lumps. Paul A.

I can confirm that steel guitar strings do indeed rust, especially if not wiped down between playing or after having been stored for a few months. Paul A.

PGH made his own wheel centres in 7mm scale for his scratch built model. He doesn't post here anymore but can be found over on Western Thunder. Obviously Narrow Planet must also have this info, or know someone who does. This may all be academic ofcourse as the clearance of the motion bracket, slide bars, crosshead and overall assembly is unknown at this stage. Paul A.

Hi Tom, Yes - Agenoria do one, the kits are now sold by Ragstone models. This is one of the earlier ones and won't give you too much grief, I've seen several built examples out and about. Paul A.

For good measure here's a quick snap I took of the prototype earlier in the month. The notice under the nameplate notes the historical importance of the locomotive with reference to the proceedings at Harlaxton on the 14th of Feb, 1974. Paul A.

Hi All, Another loco post now, albeit fairly pedestrian compared to the last couple. 30 ton Sentinel S10201 "Betty" "Betty" in use at Harlaxton in the early 70's. Note the plastic Heron sticking out of the radiator (yes, really...) This loco was one of eight 30-ton examples built in 1964 for the Oxfordshire Ironstone Company, Wroxton and was fitted with buckeye couplers to work iron ore dumpcars. This design is lighter than the standard catalogue offering in order to put less strain on the basic and often poorly-ballasted quarry trackwork. The name was transferred from an earlier Hudswell Clarke locomotive, though the plates were originally sourced through the Hunslet Engine Company. OIC also had five 40-ton Sentinels, more on this in a later post. Upon closure of the quarries at Wroxton Betty was transferred to Harlaxton Ironstone Quarry in September 1967 and given the Stewarts and Lloyds plant number 8411/03. The loco had the somewhat dubious honour of hauling the last ironstone train from Harlaxton Ironstone Quarry on St. Valentines Day 1974 (the date referred to locally at the time as Black Valentines). Following a rebuild at Andrew Barclays works in May 1974 the loco was sold to NCB South Durham Area in December 1976 and sent to Blackhall Colliery County Durham and then later on to NCB Coal Products Division, Derwenthaugh. In April 1986 she was happily preserved at Cottesmore and is restored and operational. The model represents S10201 in early 1970's condition at Harlaxton and uses the Hornby model as a base with the valance join line filled and sanded flush. The sandbox spill plates are by RTmodels and the Sentinel motifs and Swords by Judith Edge. The coupling pockets (by this time the buckeyes themselves were removed, but the pockets remained) were scratch built from fret waste. The lifting eyes were also drilled out. Paul A.

Yes that's the one. Paul A.

There is an earlier combined volume of Eric Tonks work (revised) which is a little sparse on detail but has a fair overview of all the systems. However, a superb overview of the industry is offered in Pt.1 of the later individual series and for me this is the stand-out title from the 9 books. Worth seeing if you can pick up a hardback version S/H... Paul A.

When delivered new to Nassington Quarries both HE1953/1982 appear to have had this fitting and there are works photographs showing similar locos with Wakefield lubricators in situ on the footplate. Paul A.

Hunslet now finished. It hasn't been easy by any stretch but certainly worth it for something different. More soon Paul A.

It's taken me a while to get back to you Adam, so apologies for that, but you may find the following information of interest. http://www.ws.rhrp.org.uk/ws/WagonInfo.asp?Ref=10056 Preserved iron ore tippler B 383560 built 1954 at Shildon to Diag. 1/181, Lot No. 2601. Of particular note is that this vehicle was through-piped. It is the only preserved example of a through-piped 27 ton tippler and was out shopped in freight stock grey from new, as evidenced by old paint uncovered during conservation work. It is unclear in which year the piping was added though it is worth noting that it was not upgraded to roller bearings (which makes an 80's/90's rebuild unlikely). Paul A.

I've used some Romfords on this one, the newer type with the RP25 flanges. The rear wheelset has had some sections filled in and smoothed flush in an attempt to replicate the unusual homebrewed one on the prototype. It was easier to do this than to use mismatched wheels with different centers as the crank throw is matched to the front set 100%. Paul A.

Hi All, Another update in the loco department, a work in progress. Hawthorn Leslie HL2604 of 1905 "Jupiter" The heavy industry origins of this loco are self-evident. They must be shorter on Teeside as there's not much head room for the driver...! Built by Newcastle makers Hawthorn Leslie to their standard 14'' design, HL 2604 was delivered new to Dorman Long in 1905 and worked in their Cleveland Steelworks empire on Teesside. The loco was much rebuilt to negotiate the cramped environment of the steelworks and featured a cut down cab and associated fittings along with large dumb buffers. The HL type Injectors and rear wheel set were also replaced. The name "Jupiter" came from a series of locos at Dorman long which were given names of planets. In 1940 "Jupiter" was transferred to Dorman Long's Ironstone quarry at Burley, Rutland. Here she joined a fleet of other DL loco outcasts of similar outline, though mostly Andrew Barclay products. The primary role of the loco was to propel MSC type tipping wagons to the calcine clamps from the quarry face. She appears to have been much-liked and despite being overhauled in early 1961 she was cut up on site in June 1962. The model uses the superb High level 14'' HL as a basis, with a cut down cab being scratch built and fittings modified to suit the locos rebuilt condition. The buffers are 3D printed centres with laminations of brass sheet. There's still a fair way to go with this one including mechanical lubricator, toolboxes and a few more things to add to the frames but it's looking reassuringly more purposeful with each hour spent. I would welcome any further information on other locomotives at Burley, particularly photographs, if any RMweb members can assist. Paul A.

Buffering heights look about right so sadly I don't think the correctly sized wheels will be included. Paul A.

Lanarkshire do some buffers which look suspiciously like that type. Paul A.

Some lovely builds here. Were there any parts in the CSP kit to allow 813 to be modelled in its original pre-GWR guise? IE original style bunker and safety valves? Paul A.

Any chance of posting a photo of the sprues here Nick? Thanks Paul A.

Mike A further loco here built from your etches. As you say, much better than "maturing" in a cupboard. 1880's Hunslet contractors ST (minus firebox, currently being painted). I've cheated here and there by incorporating a few bits from the MRJ Manning Wardle F class detailing pack, but I won't tell if you don't... Thanks again, Paul A.

Thanks Mol and yes - a raised firebox as you say. I wouldn't like to say for certain but one can imagine that Hunslet locos of this size would have shared some components with the larger NG products from Jack Lane. Paul A.

Hi All, A brief update on the 1880's Hunslet. The bottom half is nearing completion and all the soldering is done on the body. The eagle eyed will note that there's a backhead/firebox missing. This has been made removable for painting and can be slipped in (just!) after the rest of the loco is complete. All that is left once that has gone in is to affix a length of thin-walled tube from the top of the safety valve cover out through the roof. Much fun was had with slimming the captive nuts on the forward crankpins to give sufficient clearance behind the crossheads but we got there in the end. As soon as my order of Loctite 603 arrives for securing the final drive gear to the axle I can get it on the rolling road. It looks just the job on a short rake of WW1 Ministry of Munitions ore wagons and it was good of Hornby to do two running numbers of these and Bachmann to follow suit the year after with another... In reality of course even these would have been a challenge for the driver of a loco of this class - there is no steam brake! More soon I hope Paul A.

Thank you for sharing that with us Paul, a nice study of the loco Industrial loco aficionados will note there are several interesting features on display, not least the non-standard Hunslet worksplate, partial guard sheet over the leading driving wheel and the lack of conventional cylinder drain cocks. Paul A.

@Corbs The loco is listed as having been scrapped in 1958 and there were few photographing industrial locos during this era in colour. It may be worth enquiring with the IRS as Ken Cooper was one of the few taking colour photographs at this time, and they hold his archive. Locos at Bilston were mostly yellow or black/dark green. Looking at B/W photos it's a fair assumption that this loco was yellow. I would lean more towards a light ochre for a more convincing livery/base for further work. Paul A.

I can't see it happening this year personally, Peco need to focus on getting back on top of their core range which has suffered during the pandemic. Paul A.