Chumley End

[St Enodoc]

2 hours ago, gismorail said:

A very busy day today not so much on the layout or photo plank as I'm awaiting supplies to arrive for the next stages.  I keep looking at those embankments and still can't decide as to whether any trees need to be planted , been flicking through my Cheshire Lines Books and what tree's are present are mainly on the top edges. Mmmmmm think I'll sleep on that one for now. 

The main task today has been to have a really major tidy up of the railway room and workshop ....it's just become so cluttered I just can't STAND IT ANYMORE ....I seem to be spending most of my time looking for things !!!! why is our hobby such an untidy past time. Anyway from what I keep hearing from the radio DJ's on Planet Rock it's the 'in thing to do ' .....men tidying sheds  during lock-down ....

As is often the case while one is tidying up and some space appears that I didn't know I had ....I'd started another little project by mid after-noon ( what another one ) 

I'm not going to give the full details tonight....... but will show you all a photograph of the first stage and see if anyone can guess what it is ........Answers on a Post Card...

 

 

 

 

Armchair modeller's workbench.

[Podhunter]

14 hours ago, gismorail said:

I'd started another little project

Obviously a round tuit storage box.

[gismorail]

Well I reckon our Australia friend is the nearest but for what I'm going to do on it I wouldn't want to be sitting in an armchair .

 

 

And the final finished project 

 

 

It's a Locomotive servicing bench where I can service / program locomotives for both DCC and DC as controllers can be simply plugged into which ever track I wish to use. 

 

So many times when I'm building / modifying a locomotive or adding a sound chip and then programming the project I'm always struggling for space and organisation on the work bench and me being me things are precariously balanced in dangerous ways. When one considers the cost of even a 00 gauge locomotive I have for a while been  considering building a 'Loco Service Bay' for home use but more importantly at exhibitions where space is limited. 

 

 

 

With this service area I can simply plug the controller into the various power points on the top left hand side to activate which ever service facility that is required. 

 

 

 

 

For the basic wheel and contact cleaning operation I have wired two lengths of rail to either side of a wooden dowel which are held together with insulation tape and lengths of brass wire are added to ends of the rail to make contact with the pick wheels on the loco. It is then easy to hold these in position with one hand and clean the wheels with a cotton bud or whatever with the other hand. 

I hope this has been of interest to others who like me struggle with organisation  at the work bench 

 

I'm hoping some supplies might turn up with the post lady in the morning as it was all bills this morning 

I mean don't these people realise we are in the middle of a national emergency at the moment 

 

Take care all 

 

 

 

 

[KNP]

What a great idea.

I think it might be one I adopt as like you mentioned my locos seemed to be 'fitted in' wherever there is space, my cradle is a rolled up old tea towel!

 

Can we assume you have not applied for a patent...…..?

[gismorail]

3 hours ago, KNP said:

What a great idea.

I think it might be one I adopt as like you mentioned my locos seemed to be 'fitted in' wherever there is space, my cradle is a rolled up old tea towel!

 

Can we assume you have not applied for a patent...…..?

No patent pending on this one Kevin ......I've learn't so much from your Little Muddle thread that I've now created a 'Greater Muddle ' so it would be the height of cheek to patent something 

The thing is though if you were to build yourself one you might have to adapt the layout name to 'Little Lesser Muddle ' 

On a more serious note the main reason for the 'Loco Servicing Bay' was to try and keep the wires from controls etc out of the way and have a 'designated' area in which to work on Models so that those little screws don't go bouncing onto the 'dog shelf' to be lost forever 

Best of luck with your new project ......we will expect to see reports back 

[Andrew P]

And there was me, hoping it would be a Tea Tray with Welsh Cakes ready for my next visit Martin, haha.

 

Looks a great idea though, I need to do similar in O. Any one got a spare Shed for sale?

[gismorail]

Thanks Andy for your kind comments .... no Welsh Cakes today but it has had 'Easter Eggs' for a short while 

 

Unfortunately no supplies for further work on stock have not appeared  from the post office van this morning so this evening I dismantled a very old Replica full Brake in readiness for a good weathering and Kadee coupling fitting.

 

All the components of the coach laid out and ready for work to begin, again like the Lima siphons considering how long ago they were made the detail is not bad especially the under frame. It's worth remembering that these can be bought second hand for well under £20 ..... 

 

[gismorail]

Managed to finish off the old Replica full brake yesterday so I'm back to awaiting supplies again though I'm sure I can fins something to do 

 

Unlike the Siphon G I did last week I have had to fit the Kadee couplings onto the bogies, which is not my preferred mounting point as I would rather locate it onto the body but there just isn't the room on the model. The bogies were fitted with the very large old tension lock coupling so I carefully cut away the loop part of the coupling and was able to glue a 'whisker' type Kadee 

 

 

As can be seen in the second photograph you can just make out the base plate of the old style coupling. 

I have also replaced the old plastic wheels with a set of the excellent Hornby metal coach wheels which will greatly improve the running quality. 

 

The roof and under-frame has had a coat of Matt black (33) mixed with Meta coat gunmetal  and then I have added weathering powders to highlight area were rust and running dirty build up. 

Having carefully removed the window strips the body sides have been coated with track dirt wash and this was allowed to dry. Once dry I have soaked a cotton bud in white spirit and carefully rub in downward motion and the wash starts to dissolve but leaves deposits in all the nooks and crannies and the white spirit tends to dull the paintwork is in the real life situation. 

 

 

 

 

I might well search out some 'flush glazing' to improve the window fittings which would greatly enhance the general appearance. 

[gismorail]

I'm still awaiting supplies as I'm sure are many others on this web site never mind can't complain considering the current situation. 

I have now managed to get a Kadee coupling on the Siphon H, unfortunately I have had to mount it on the bogie's like on the Replica Full Brake as there is simply no room to fit it on the body . I had thought that the Siphon H was a Lima model but having looked at the coupling it would appear to be the Airfix version and I've not be able to source a NEMS box conversation so once again the Dapol coupling has come to my rescue 

 

This shows how I have been able to adapt the Dapol coupling head to fit on the old Airfix coupling Block. Also the original plastic wheels have been replaced by a set of Hornby metal coach wheel sets. 

 

This is the coupling head before modification which involved drilling a hole just behind the tails of the removable head then cutting the original hole end down to fit on the Airfix coupling box. 

 

The above picture shows the final fixing with the slightly smaller hole that I drilled on the coupling head clipping over the Airfix coupling block you can just see how much I have cut down the original base plate. 

 

 

The final work from yesterday was a quick spray of the under-frame ready with Halfords Grey Primer so that I can weather this area tomorrow. 

 

I hope my ramblings with regard to the different ways to fit the Kadee couplings is of interest to the followers of this thread as there are so many permutations considering the many types of coupling mountings involved prior to the standards we see on today's models. 

 

[Andrew P]

Hi Gizzers, You have been busy mate, I hope your going to separate all the items by a SCALE 2 Meters..

 

Keep well, stay safe, and keep off the scaffolding.

[gismorail]

Thanks Andy it's amazing what happens when enforced isolation takes hold of ones life 

 

I have finally completed the Siphon H project and as I said earlier in the thread it's amazing what one can achieve with an old model which cost ten pounds at a local Model Railway Show years ago . 

 

 

Another old wagon to work this country branch towards the end of it's revenue earning life. 

 

[saxokid]

21 minutes ago, gismorail said:

Thanks Andy it's amazing what happens when enforced isolation takes hold of ones life 

 

I have finally completed the Siphon H project and as I said earlier in the thread it's amazing what one can achieve with an old model which cost ten pounds at a local Model Railway Show years ago . 

 

 

Another old wagon to work this country branch towards the end of it's revenue earning life. 

 

Realy nice modelling here again...

[gismorail]

Good morning all hope that everyone is  well and safe as these strange times continue. Been somewhat distracted from any modelling activities as house renovation work has been ramped up as I have finally been able to get a delivery of sand and cement for rendering work that I'm trying to get done. 

I have turned my attention to detailing the cattle dock which as Chumley End is set in the heart of the Cheshire country side it is area that would have seen a great deal of action. I want to create a scene where freshly delivered cattle are being loaded into the local livestock dealers cattle vehicle. The first job was to source a suitable road vehicle and was surprised find that there's not much on offer for around the period I'm modelling. I finally settled on a Langley Kit's white metal body which I'm going to mount onto a modified Oxford Die cast Bedford TK  chassis. 

 

 

The first task was to cut down the truck sides to fit the chassis of the Bedford TK chassis proir to assembly. 

 

 

Its been many years since I have worked with a white metal kit so it did take some time to get the livestock body together having dismantled the wagon chassis and modify the deck to suit. 

 

 

Prior to painting in a primer a trail fitting has been put together and on the whole I reckon it looks OK. So the next stage will be a good rub down of the bodywork and clean up before a coat of paint, 

 

 

 

 

[KNP]

2 minutes ago, gismorail said:

Good morning all hope that everyone is  well and safe as these strange times continue. Been somewhat distracted from any modelling activities as house renovation work has been ramped up as I have finally been able to get a delivery of sand and cement for rendering work that I'm trying to get done. 

I have turned my attention to detailing the cattle dock which as Chumley End is set in the heart of the Cheshire country side it is area that would have seen a great deal of action. I want to create a scene where freshly delivered cattle are being loaded into the local livestock dealers cattle vehicle. The first job was to source a suitable road vehicle and was surprised find that there's not much on offer for around the period I'm modelling. I finally settled on a Langley Kit's white metal body which I'm going to mount onto a modified Oxford Die cast Bedford TK  chassis. 

 

 

The first task was to cut down the truck sides to fit the chassis of the Bedford TK chassis proir to assembly. 

 

 

Its been many years since I have worked with a white metal kit so it did take some time to get the livestock body together having dismantled the wagon chassis and modify the deck to suit. 

 

 

Prior to painting in a primer a trail fitting has been put together and on the whole I reckon it looks OK. So the next stage will be a good rub down of the bodywork and clean up before a coat of paint, 

 

 

 

 

 

Great idea.

Will there be the sound of cows mooing emanating from the interior?

[gismorail]

Nice thought there Kevin , in my experience of livestock loading there can be a great deal of swearing , shouting and Sh1t going in all directions. 

[KNP]

5 minutes ago, gismorail said:

Nice thought there Kevin , in my experience of livestock loading there can be a great deal of swearing , shouting and Sh1t going in all directions. 

 

Well what's stopping you, we aim to be as authentic as possible!  

[gismorail]

Doesn't time fly when your enjoying ' enforced self-isolation'  should be spent on building a model railway but the weather has been so good that house renovations have had to take priority. 

A couple of shots to prove the work involved. 

 

 

At last the new rendering has been completed and I now need the good weather to continue so that it can dry out and then the painting starts.  All the dormer windows on the upstairs have been totally stripped down and new wood fitted and stained .......all those base board building skills suddenly became valuable and all in the name of enforced enjoyment..........well it beats driving to 'Durham' or any other Cummings and going's  

 

So today the good old welsh weather has come back so where does one go ar yes of course the railway room 

Work has continued on the cattle dock scene and the above mentioned Bedford TK and Langley models cattle wagon has been completed in the odd hour that I have found free. So today's task was to populate the  cattle dock and I didn't just want to have cattle standing around so I have created a scene where the local cattle haulage contractor 'Proudlove & Sons' from the near by Malpas area ( a company that is still operational to this day) are collecting some fleshly purchased dairy stock from the Chester Livestock market which was at the time situated just down the road from Chester Northgate station. I can remember as a lad seeing cattle being herded up Delamere Street to the cattle loading facility at the goods yard at Northgate but I'm not sure what health and safety would make of that practice today !!

 

 

 

 

Once the first couple of cows have got onto the loading ramp it's all hands on to get the others to follow before they change their minds and attempt to turn around, having done this many times myself it's a mucky old job and not for the faint of heart. The farmer and the two haulage men get the cattle loaded whilst the dock attendant secures the pen gates, the cattle in the far pen are very inquisitive as to what is going on......

when I have my artistic head on I will have to mix up a suitable solution to create a convincing s.h.1.t mixture on the dock floor. 

 

[St Enodoc]

3 hours ago, gismorail said:

the cattle in the far pen are very inquisitive as to what is going on......

They'll find out soon enough.

[gismorail]

Good morning all thought I'd update the Chumley End layout progress from the still currently 'lockdown state of Wales ' ....when will it end 

Work has been very slow I'm afraid mainly due to continued work on the house which is now nearly completed still a bit of external painting to complete once the weather allows. I have been putting together some scenic details which I will update once completed.

The layout was due to appear at the Hazel Grove Model Railway Show at the end of October this year but I have just received an email from them to inform me that like so many other shows it will not be going ahead this year Those that know the show venue will be aware that it is held in a sport complex which is not due to re-open until early September and the group have been informed that mass gathering will still be 'in doubt' so they have decided that with all the logistic's involved it would be better to make an early cancellation rather than a last minute assessment. 

I am able to relay the dates for the next two years shows if you wish to make a note in your dairies 

2021 will be on Saturday 30th & Sunday 31st October 

2022 will be on Saturday 29th & sunday 30th October 

Hopefully 'Chumley End' will make an appearance during the next couple of years at this very friendly show. 

[sidmouth]

On 06/06/2017 at 09:36, gismorail said:

As promised here are some close up pictures of the wooden Bachmann goods shed as supplied.  

 

 

I imagine that the Cheshire Lines Commitee would have sub-contracted out the building of this structure to a local builder. This seemed to be a common practice at the time of the formation of railways in the area and two examples that come to mind is the station buildings at Liverpool Road Chester and Wrexham Central which has been compared with a religious building which was not surprising as it was ordered from an 'iron chapel' manufacturer 

 

The basic building is a wooden structure that has been built on a brick base the style of which is in keeping with many of the agricultural buildings throughout the area. I intend to white wash the interior walls which will enhance the detail that I am going to add to bring the building to life. A wall will have to be added to the interior where the office space is at present and I will install  lighting both interior and externally and this should also enhance the general scene. I have started to lay out some of the Wills cobbling sheets around the outside of the shed and will carry on down to the end of the goods platform which will also be faced with Wills paving and block work on the sides. I need to complete this work in a basic form before the surrounding track work gets ballasted as the base of the goods shed and loading dock will be fixed to the base boards but the main building will be removable. 

 

just found this thread and probably at severe risk of duplication but that is very much based on Watlington goods shed and probably those at Aston Rowant and Chinnor too

[gismorail]

16 hours ago, sidmouth said:

 

just found this thread and probably at severe risk of duplication but that is very much based on Watlington goods shed and probably those at Aston Rowant and Chinnor too

Yes I think you are right with that comment even though the layout is not of GWR origins there where well know agricultural building manufacturers in the Whitchurch and Wem areas in neighbouring Shropshire and the Bachmann structure is very much in the style of the agricultural buildings of the time.

[gismorail]

Well I reckon an update on the Chumley End layout is very much well overdue. The current situation is that I have sold my home here in the wonderful Dee Valley and am heading back to the flat lands of the Cheshire area. Without going into all the details having completed the cottage restoration work I made the decision to make the most of a very vibrant property market and very much to my surprise it sold with a week of going on the market and I have been able to secure a property with a larger outdoor space ......which can only be put to one possible use .....a bigger and better model railway room, so watch this space for another shed building thread ...... 

[St Enodoc]

19 minutes ago, gismorail said:

Well I reckon an update on the Chumley End layout is very much well overdue. The current situation is that I have sold my home here in the wonderful Dee Valley and am heading back to the flat lands of the Cheshire area. Without going into all the details having completed the cottage restoration work I made the decision to make the most of a very vibrant property market and very much to my surprise it sold with a week of going on the market and I have been able to secure a property with a larger outdoor space ......which can only be put to one possible use .....a bigger and better model railway room, so watch this space for another shed building thread ...... 

Northgate again?

 

Good luck with the move.

[gismorail]

Ok hello I’m still here I think ……probably in bad books as I have been reminded that I haven’t posted anything in 2021 ……..well it was a year to forget with everything that’s been going on. 
So a quick update ……moved house done all the bits and bobs that are associated with ‘moving house’ like decorating and spending a fortune on furnishing……just glad the new house is a small property …I think it’s called downsizing …..now I do feel old . Chumley End is still in store, along with all the many boxes that come with our hobby, as I have still to build the new railway room but fear not plans are now in motion and having knocked down an old brick garage and a lot of garden clearance the new shed build has finally been started and Chumley End will soon have a nice new home. 
I will describe the build on my other thread new home needs a shed so watch out for forthing updates 

oh yes Happy New Year Everyone 

[Regularity]

1 hour ago, gismorail said:

I haven’t posted anything in 2021 ……..well it was a year to forget with everything that’s been going on.

You didn’t mention 2020 as being similarly afflicted.

Is that because you have managed to forget it?