A Cartoon of Helston(ish)

[Mulgabill]

Right got a bit to share with you.

 

Heres what we're aiming at (pic from a book)

 

 

Ben Ashworth - BR steam in Dean (location Upper Soudley forest of dean)

 

But first I should also record my first bit of modelling for the club layout London Gloucetser Road.

 

 

A groundframe box for the release crossover, based on Washford Box but only half depth so as to fit on platform.

Just hope its ok as its a different style to what others have produced.

 

I expect thats my upload limit, so you'll have to wait a little for my take on Upper Soudley. But I will be back soon with

the basic installation of signals for Helstonish, illustrated by a rare visitor )28xx), with many 5 mph limits on the way

down the branch. Oh and Upper Soudley Crosssing.

 

TONY

Edited February 16, 2020 by Mulgabill
correct Washford Box as internals only are Midford onpreserved prototype

[Mulgabill]

I won't make you wait for too long, as I've a few minutes to spare before I leave for the club. Xmas party

tonight apparently.

 

A couple showing the 45xx arriving, and the 28xx waiting to leave. past the new signals. The single post is still awaiting a shunt ahead

signal, which is in hand.

 

 

 

And 2810 leaving under the overbridge.

 

 

TONY

[Mulgabill]

OK do you remember the prototype pic?

 

I took a rather poor print of the model to the club Xmas party last night, and

got a pretty favourable reaction. Especially from those who had grown up

in the forest.

 

So I'll share a copy here

 

 

Still planting some of the fencing, and need to add more detail in the garden. (Need to source a chicken

coop I think!)

 

Will also have to introduce the lines resident photographers Gwillam Prouse, who s;ips away to snatch some

pics after morning milking, and Dan Beechworth who cycled over to get the above pic.

 

I have deliberately tried not to share every step in real time, with this project. But I would appreciate any

comments or queries it prompts. I do have some pics taken as the work has been done, so may be able

to give illustrated answers. And its not too late to incorporate any useful suggestions.

 

And as a bonus a quiet moment at Helstionish shed.

 

 

I'm off to plant a couple of point groundlevers, if their supports have dried.

 

All the best

 

TONY

 

TONY

[Andrew P]

Looking very good Tony.

[Mulgabill]

Should have ffered some apologies as the recent batch of pics

were (mostly) grabbed free hand, and therefore suffered a bit

re quality. Hopefully it didn't detract too much from your

enjoyment.

 

Had good day today at the club. We had vowed to stay as long as it took, to

finish the point rodding. Plans were in place to camp out, but the 2 of us

escaped at 3:45, about an hour after the rest. But the main box is now

rodded, and most has been painted. Subject to re-evalution for

errors or ectification. The groundframe / release crossover remains

for me to do, but that should be relatively easy.

 

Then got home just in time for a visit from a grandson, which meant

an enjoyable hour with him driving, on a very overcrowded Helstonish.

Good job I had a bit of a tidy up yesterday.

 

A couple more recent pics - first a 45xx arrives with the branch train....

 

 

And the loco retires to shed for a rest / servicing.....

 

 

Scenes I think are enhanced by the signals, although I have to confess the shed ground sig got demolished

when we moved the prairie off shed - OOPS.

 

TONY

[Mulgabill]

As a prelude to Xmas I have been on the lookout for a Bachman pannier or similar,

for a reasonable price, to upgrade grandsons stud.

 

So why is it I have an 8F coming?

 

Meanwhile I have had a quick photo session to evaluate angles, viewpoints etc on

the new section. I will share some of these, and would welcome comments.

 

 

 

More will follow over the next few days, not necessarily in order.

 

TONY

 

 

[Andrew P]

Some nice angles there Tony, well done mate.

[Mulgabill]

Thanks Andy

 

A couple more for today

 

 

 

It's a good job a pannier never offends......... 'cos you'll be seeing quite a bit of this guy!

 

Back with more soon.

 

TONY

[Andrew P]

Merry Christmas Tony and Chris.

[Mulgabill]

Andys post just reminded me, I'd forgotten too.

 

Mind you it's nice to be in good company.

 

Todays offerings

 

 

 

The 8F arrived today - that was quick.

 

Doesn't seem to want to run properly, suspect transfer of current to tender drive. But also appears to have a couple

of shorts when tested for continuity with meter. So taking a lunch break, but need to get sorted before Mrs MB returns!

 

TONY

[Mulgabill]

Sorry I missed todays pics, but I hope this makes ammends.

 

 

p.s. Got the 8F running (in time) just needs some new tracyion tyres sometime.

 

 

[5BarVT]

Happy Christmas too.

Those last few photos show just how well you have reproduced the original.

Very well done.

Paul.

[Mulgabill]

With best wishes to all for a happy and good modelling New Year.

 

And to cheer us on our way, a couple of pics from the WSR Winter Gala on Monday.

 

 

 

Unfortunately the pannier had to stop to raise steam twice on Saturday, eventually being rescued and relieved by a class 33.

Losing about an hour on the timetable.

 

It was out and seeemingly ok on Sun / Mon for the gala.

 

For Xmas I received a "new"vtripod which I hope to test out and bring some layout pics to share, soon.

 

TONY

[MullionPeter]

Tony, All the best for the new year, thanks again for the articles, I have also started  my own blog also on the Helston Branch LIne "In Praise of Praze"

[Mulgabill]

Peter - good that you are inder way. I always thought Praze a little limited operationally, but

an interesting modelling subject. Mind you it's more involved and extensive than the 2 wagon

siding I 've just taken a year to instal!

 

For the rest of you a couple more from the WSR before I pay my 1st visit to the railway room

since Christmas.

 

 

 

 

May even plant a couple more trees. As promised last time pics are also on the agenda.

 

All the best

 

TONY

 

[Mulgabill]

A couple of hours later ........ and I have \ bunch of new pics, which will appear here soon.

 

Some are typical branch workings, some of an exceptional visitor. And a few of scenic cameos

with, shock horror, no trains!

 

First for Paul, in recognition of his help re signalling.

 

 

And of the BIG intruder which arrived just before Christmas

 

 

Still needs new traction tyres and a good dirtying, but theres plenty of time for that, it wont be

appearing here very often!

 

More to come

 

TONY

 

 

 

[Mulgabill]

 

This morning we see a 45xx hauled up coal train.

 

 

Just how, or wht< the train is loaded in that direction is unclear. But it may have something to

do with my relacing the 3 links with ratio couplings, and the neeed for testing.

 

As the coal continues the photographer noticed he was not alone, but in the company of "royalty".

 

 

 

So he grabbed a pic of Dan Beechworth. No doubt he is there in the hope that a pannier will come

down , on a goods, and chimney first. He wants to get "that shot". Note he has his trusty bike

close to hand, and there is no need to climb any trees today.

 

TONY

[Mulgabill]

For this morning, this is Dans next shot. After a quick climb of a nearby treem the branch train

continues towards Helstonish.

 

 

Meanwhile on what would later be called an Industrial Estate, earnest work conversation, even with

no crate in sight.

 

 

Bye for now

 

 

TONY

[St Enodoc]

1 hour ago, Mulgabill said:

even with

no crate in sight.

That van looks a bit of a crate...

 

All the best for 2020 to you and Chris.

[Mulgabill]

Good morning...

 

This was Dan's 1st pic of the down working.

 

 

And a view of the station masters garden. Presumably thats his father in lsw toiling in the garden, 'cos he always seems to be there!

 

TONY

[Mulgabill]

Today the coal train featured before, continues past the crossing keepers cottage, towards

the tunnel entrance.

 

 

And a cws scarrab leaves the milk depot. I'm not sure what it was doing there because theres no

bottling facility. But when I came across the lorry I felt I had too have it to go with the ril tankers.

 

TONY

[Mulgabill]

Quick couple of pics from last batch

 

 

[St Enodoc]

20 hours ago, Mulgabill said:

And a cws scarrab leaves the milk depot. I'm not sure what it was doing there

It's a long way from home too Tony.

[Andrew P]

That old tin roof is excellent Tony, well done matey.

[Mulgabill]

On 07/01/2020 at 12:29, Andrew P said:

That old tin roof is excellent Tony, well done matey.

 

Thanks Andy - the covered coal staithes were one of the first bits built for Helstonish.

The corrugated iron is actually from coffee cup sleeves, and is therefore a bit overscale,

but does convey the dilapidated feel of the cobbled together structure. The original was

real 12" to the 1' BODGING!

 

Would really look good in 7mm scale - theres a free tip.

 

I should add my apologies to you, and other readers. A week ago our laptop crashed and

we couldn't get back in. I had advice from the GMRC crowd. summoned my son, who verified

and refined said advice. To no avail, he retreated too consult and expert (our grandson), who

apparently felt reloading windows would be appropriate. We felt that sounded both extreme and

not without risk.

 

I concluded that perhaps in the first instance we should seek a relacement, but that is not easy,

when using a tablet which itself has been un cooperative for some while. But its usability was

improved yesterday with my daughters suggestion that we use chrome to browse.

 

So today modelling time has been taken ploughing through the technical minefield of laptop specs.

Until, when showing Mrs MB where I had got to, out of frustration I turned on the computer......

and it had repaired itself!!!!!

 

Hence this missive. I do not propose turning it off, or even closing the lid. How long it will keep going

I don't know, but such time will be taken up largely by my catching up with the last weeks worth of RMWeb.

 

TONY