RMweb Gold Tony Teague Posted January 26, 2021 RMweb Gold Share Posted January 26, 2021 Graham I don't know whether you have "Never Again", the four volumes of images by the 'Master Neverers Association, but it contains some of the most stunning images of the later years of steam, mainly b&w but some in colour, including on Shap. Tony 1 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sandhole Posted January 26, 2021 Share Posted January 26, 2021 On 24/01/2021 at 19:29, LNER4479 said: Well, I'm hoping you'll enjoy what comes next. I certainly did! There you go - bare boards awaiting track don't stay bare long round these parts. The double track formation is continued from the top of Shap bank, round the curve .... ... into a simple piece of trackwork to make use of three roads of the temporarily positioned Shap fiddle yard board. You can never have enough Duettes! Some simple, temporary wiring to get us up and running. Time to dig out some stock! 46206 'Princess Marie Louise' has the honour of hauling the first train and here draws forward to take charge of a shortened 'Royal Scot' rake - max length of this nearest road is nine coaches, so that's the limit for now. This should put it into perspective if you still haven't quite got your bearings. The loco is at the absolute summit, 150mm above 'ground zero'. And now on to a view you might recognise as we glide down the bank. Even at a reduced 9-coach formation, it still looks appropriate for the scene. Now at 'Grand Junction', joining on to the rest of the railway. And on to Bog Junction. Another Shap favourite can be seen here, Tebay's Fowler 4MT tank No. 42424. Any trains requiring banking up Shap will have the banker attached here, an extra litte bit of operational interest for the Bog Junction operator. And now the brakes go on as we approach destination ... ... past the 'work in progress' at the loco stabling sidings. Journey's end. But there's a problem! As can be seen, a train like this is too long for the platform and is past the intended pointwork for any shunting to be done. But we've been here before and there is a plan for the longer term so no worries really. For now, we can just reflect on a successful first run. BLOODY GORGEOUS. Duettes and Clippers RULE. That's all I need to say really. 3 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
lincolnshiremodeller Posted January 26, 2021 Share Posted January 26, 2021 39 minutes ago, Sandhole said: BLOODY GORGEOUS. Duettes and Clippers RULE. That's all I need to say really. Proper "only 2 wires required" control! 1 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Barry O Posted January 26, 2021 RMweb Premium Share Posted January 26, 2021 Yes it is DCC.. Duette Digital (ie finger) Control 1 4 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sandhole Posted January 26, 2021 Share Posted January 26, 2021 25 minutes ago, Barry O said: Yes it is DCC.. Duette Digital (ie finger) Control I maintain, the H&Ms are some of the best controllers out there. And they can be repaired. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
LNER4479 Posted January 26, 2021 Author Share Posted January 26, 2021 3 hours ago, lincolnshiremodeller said: Proper "only 2 wires required" control! 2 hours ago, Barry O said: Yes it is DCC.. Duette Digital (ie finger) Control DC - Duette Control. Simples (But, beware - some Gaugemaster products have been delivered recently!) 2 1 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
LNER4479 Posted January 26, 2021 Author Share Posted January 26, 2021 (edited) 6 hours ago, Tony Teague said: Graham I don't know whether you have "Never Again", the four volumes of images by the 'Master Neverers Association, but it contains some of the most stunning images of the later years of steam, mainly b&w but some in colour, including on Shap. Tony Ah, yes - the Master Neverers. The railway 'angry young men' of the decade of change (1960s). Some of Paul Riley's 'master' shots are in The Colour of Steam Vol.5 - London Midland in the Fells by Derek Huntriss, one of the reference books whilst building Shap. If you've not read this before then enjoy and see how mad they - and Riley in particular - really were: https://gwrarchive.org/site/sitel2ph/sitel3ph/autobiography.php Edited January 26, 2021 by LNER4479 4 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Tony Teague Posted January 26, 2021 RMweb Gold Share Posted January 26, 2021 1 hour ago, LNER4479 said: Ah, yes - the Master Neverers. The railway 'angry young men' of the decade of change (1960s). Some of Paul Riley's 'master' shots are in The Colour of Steam Vol.5 - London Midland in the Fells by Derek Huntriss, one of the reference books whilst building Shap. If you've not read this before then enjoy and see how mad they - and Riley in particular - really were: https://gwrarchive.org/site/sitel2ph/sitel3ph/autobiography.php Great link, thank you! I hadn't read this before but the four books are full of such stories alongside the 'Master Shots' captured by this fairly crazy group of pretty impressive photographers; I haven't managed to read the whole work as it is more like something you browse from time to time, but when I do, it always makes me feel like I'd have loved to have been around then (well I was), and part of it (which I wasn't). Many of their images illustrate just how good your model of Shap Wells actually is. Tony 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post LNER4479 Posted January 27, 2021 Author Popular Post Share Posted January 27, 2021 (edited) Remember this? Well now it looks like ... This! Ha! Bet that surprised you (a bit?) Sleeper formations - like the day trains, will be a mixture of maroon (post-1956) or blood n custard so this will be first of several needed for the earlier part of the decade, where no RTR help is available for the sleeper vehicles themselves. The livery application 'fought' me a bit but I'm reasonably OK with how it eventually turned out, certainly as a 'layout' coach. One extra detail I added were what appears to be small vent grills on the corridor side, towards the top of the bodysides. Quite noticeable on photos for these D.2166 vehicles. Whilst we're on the subject of sleeper trains, my Dad has supplied a unique piece of research, all writted out in his best handwroten. This info is extracted from his cherished spotting records and are from the year 1955, when, as an 18 year old, he would regularly venture out into the evening from the family's north London home and take up position at somewhere like Hatch End station. He was after the Duchesses, see and knew that there was a strong likelihood that he'd see three or four of them (if he stayed long enough), heading the sleeper trains. They of course all bore a five digit number beginning with '4' but Dad seemed to prefer just using their old LMS number - perhaps old habits died hard? Not all of these locos would have worked through to Carlisle however. Some would have had a loco change at Crewe (almost certainly another Duchess!), especially the Perth train. If nothing else though, it's proof - if proof were needed - that much of the fine work of the Duchesses was done at night time and therefore seldom observed or recorded. I count up 19 different members - exactly half of the class. Carlisle's (4)6226 was the most frequently observed (9 times), so that's an obvious choice for a next Duchess acquisition! Noticeable is that 9.10pm Glasgow sleeper was clearly priority: only one occasion when a Duchess wasn't turned out. That's not too surprising as that was the 'Night Limited', sleeping car accommodation only. Also of interest is that, when a Duchess wasn't available, the next most common type was a Royal Scot (13 occasions) where you would perhaps more likely expect a Princess Royal. Edited January 28, 2021 by LNER4479 25 2 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post LNER4479 Posted January 30, 2021 Author Popular Post Share Posted January 30, 2021 (edited) Time now for a bit of a catch up on the loco stabling sidings at Central station, which have been quietly progressing in the background. Here the remaining pieces of track from the original layout are being removed. In this case, it is not a like-for-like replacement so only some of this will be directly re-used. Nearest the camera is the grafted on piece of 12mm plywood as part of the previous widening works and this provides space for an additional road. Here's the intended layout. Key to this is a Code 100 3-way insulated point I had in stock, so much of this 'new' trackwork will in fact be recycled Code 100. Not going to matter very much as this is still essentially a fiddle yard area. And if we end up doing mucky-grotty groundwork treatment then it won't show much anyway. What this DOES give me an opportunity for is to raid my '12 inches or less offcuts of Code 100' box and make good use of them. In some cases, I have fish-plated and soldered together some shorter lengths to make sections approx 12 inches long which is about the length for a loco isolating section. Laying of the new trackwork in progress. Here, I'm installing simple push-pull linkages to the edge of the baseboard before laying over the top of them. I'm happy to have these points digitally operated(!) as they're right in front of you and it is a fiddle yard (of sorts). Life's too short. Done! Well, at least the tracks are down. Wiring up still required but at least we can park locos for now. A little bit of an interim milestone as that's the last of the Central rebuilding (in terms of track reconditioning) needed at the present time. In fact, it's not a bad overall view of the whole station area from here almost all of which has been relaid since August last year. Sir Bill can now take a spin on the turntable, having waited patiently since arriving with the Perth train. He did in fact once visit the real Manchester Central station for an exhibition there in 1961 I think it was. The turntable itself is wot I scratchbuilt all by myself nearly 25 years ago, all soldered up from brass strip. It's been waiting a long time to be properly finished off. With the future in mind, even back then, it was built to a scale 70ft size so it can handle Sir Bill and his siblings / cousins. Happiness is a yard full of locos (of the Stanier persuasion). It'll accommodate a dozen locos quite comfortably. All needs wiring up now ... but I think I'll be having a play every now and then to relieve the boredom of wielding the soldering iron. Edited January 30, 2021 by LNER4479 29 1 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Enterprisingwestern Posted January 30, 2021 RMweb Gold Share Posted January 30, 2021 Just as a matter of interest, what would be the track centres on a stabling siding like that, did you use the standard 50mm (or thereabouts)? Mike. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
LNER4479 Posted January 30, 2021 Author Share Posted January 30, 2021 Yep - spot on. 50mm minimum. If it was a proper loco depot then a bit wider to allow for staff walkways between locos. 2 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Clive Mortimore Posted January 30, 2021 RMweb Premium Share Posted January 30, 2021 1 hour ago, LNER4479 said: Yep - spot on. 50mm minimum. If it was a proper loco depot then a bit wider to allow for staff walkways between locos. Or trainspotters to run away from the foreman. 3 4 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post LNER4479 Posted February 1, 2021 Author Popular Post Share Posted February 1, 2021 (edited) More trains running ... With the station now up and running and the track gang cleared off, the station pilot indulges in a first spot of serious work. The hitherto random jumble of 'layout stock' is being sorted into some more believable formations. Here he is in more close up (not sure about calling this one 'she'?). He's had a quick trip to works for fitment of Gibson wheels to both pony truck and also a rear coupling bar with 'pusher' soldered on (small length of brass L bar) to cope with any uneven coupling heights. Turns out that the Gibbo wheels are slightly small diameter; coupled with smaller flanges, this has satisfyingly eliminated a slight tendency to short on some of the tighter curves. Runs lovely now (thanks, Tony). Note to self - trim back that actuator bar from that point motor Note to self 2 - must do something about that plain background wall The currently anonymous Crapotty 5 helps out by bringing in some more stock. The rear two vehicles are part of a 4 set of Mainline period 1s I bought in about 1982, my first 'proper' coaches! They'll find a place on the roster. Meanwhile, heading down the bank is an unusual sight (for Shap) - a block coal train. Not intended as a regular sight on this section so enjoy it while you can. Good however to see a genuine goods train using the goods lines at Bog junction. And snaking its way into the goods yard in a satisfying manner. Whilst I did (obviously) pause the train for this picture, it ran into the yard as shown without any undue problems so that's another 'tick'. The 'Crab' awaits departure with the first proper goods train to leave the yard. Next time, perhaps?... Edited February 1, 2021 by LNER4479 38 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Enterprisingwestern Posted February 1, 2021 RMweb Gold Share Posted February 1, 2021 Now you're playing trains testing the stock, that's further development curtailed! Mike. 1 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium St Enodoc Posted February 2, 2021 RMweb Premium Share Posted February 2, 2021 3 hours ago, Enterprisingwestern said: Now you're playing trains testing the stock, that's further development curtailed! Mike. I suspect not... 2 1 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
LNER4479 Posted February 2, 2021 Author Share Posted February 2, 2021 13 hours ago, St Enodoc said: I suspect not... You might be right, there... 11 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Barry O Posted February 2, 2021 RMweb Premium Share Posted February 2, 2021 No testing = unspotted mistooks = lots of aggro later on Barry 2 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Chas Levin Posted February 2, 2021 RMweb Premium Share Posted February 2, 2021 On 01/02/2021 at 16:25, LNER4479 said: More trains running ... With the station now up and running and the track gang cleared off, the station pilot indulges in a first spot of serious work. The hitherto random jumble of 'layout stock' is being sorted into some more believable formations. Here he is in more close up (not sure about calling this one 'she'?). He's had a quick trip to works for fitment of Gibson wheels to both pony truck and also a rear coupling bar with 'pusher' soldered on (small length of brass L bar) to cope with any uneven coupling heights. Turns out that the Gibbo wheels are slightly small diameter; coupled with smaller flanges, this has satisfyingly eliminated a slight tendency to short on some of the tighter curves. Runs lovely now (thanks, Tony). Note to self - trim back that actuator bar from that point motor Note to self 2 - must do something about that plain background wall The currently anonymous Crapotty 5 helps out by bringing in some more stock. The rear two vehicles are part of a 4 set of Mainline period 1s I bought in about 1982, my first 'proper' coaches! They'll find a place on the roster. Meanwhile, heading down the bank is an unusual sight (for Shap) - a block coal train. Not intended as a regular sight on this section so enjoy it while you can. Good however to see a genuine goods train using the goods lines at Bog junction. And snaking its way into the goods yard in a satisfying manner. Whilst I did (obviously) pause the train for this picture, it ran into the yard as shown without any undue problems so that's another 'tick'. The 'Crab' awaits departure with the first proper goods train to leave the yard. Next time, perhaps?... Fabulous! 1 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post LNER4479 Posted February 3, 2021 Author Popular Post Share Posted February 3, 2021 Just come across this piece of video of us at Glasgow show last year - must have missed it at the time. It's a pity he missed the maroon (late 1950s) era but a nice piece of video nonetheless: 22 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
LNER4479 Posted February 4, 2021 Author Share Posted February 4, 2021 Well I guess it had to happen, didn't it? Included in Bachmann's 2021 product range. Fivepence short of £80 mind. Barry O did a great job building the two we have for the 1967 Euston-Glasgow relief set on Shap so I'm happy with the ones we have. 4 2 2 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium St Enodoc Posted February 4, 2021 RMweb Premium Share Posted February 4, 2021 Just now, LNER4479 said: Well I guess it had to happen, didn't it? Included in Bachmann's 2021 product range. Fivepence short of £80 mind. Barry O did a great job building the two we have for the 1967 Euston-Glasgow relief set on Shap so I'm happy with the ones we have. Indeed, a bit steep. I'd be wanting DCC sound at that price... 2 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post LNER4479 Posted February 4, 2021 Author Popular Post Share Posted February 4, 2021 I believe you get lights. A reminder of Barry's work to create the vehicles for this Euston-Glasgow relief train that we originally put together for Shap 1967 at the 2017 Warley show. Photo by Tony Wright, taken at said show. 21 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gibbo675 Posted February 4, 2021 Share Posted February 4, 2021 18 minutes ago, LNER4479 said: I believe you get lights. A reminder of Barry's work to create the vehicles for this Euston-Glasgow relief train that we originally put together for Shap 1967 at the 2017 Warley show. Photo by Tony Wright, taken at said show. Hi There, I do like the above photograph for the reason it doesn't seem to have been taken from a tall building randomly placed in a field or a low flying helicopter ! Gibbo. 3 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Barry O Posted February 4, 2021 RMweb Premium Share Posted February 4, 2021 8 hours ago, St Enodoc said: Indeed, a bit steep. I'd be wanting DCC sound at that price... and the bits that were added on for ETH on the ends of the coaches as well.. mind you I didn't add them as I didn't have a decent drawing of them.. Baz 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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