LNER4479 Posted February 25, 2021 Author Share Posted February 25, 2021 48 minutes ago, Mallard60022 said: Sad news chaps if you knew Peter Smith, Bigwordsmith: Hi everyone, this is Peter's daughter Gemma. I just wanted to inform everyone that Peter caught covid over Christmas, and after a short battle passed away on the 6th Jan. He was so keen on the Waverley route. RIP Smiffy. Phil Sad news indeed. Thanks for letting us know. 3 4 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
richard i Posted February 25, 2021 Share Posted February 25, 2021 3 hours ago, Mallard60022 said: Sad news chaps if you knew Peter Smith, Bigwordsmith: Hi everyone, this is Peter's daughter Gemma. I just wanted to inform everyone that Peter caught covid over Christmas, and after a short battle passed away on the 6th Jan. He was so keen on the Waverley route. RIP Smiffy. Phil Such a sad loss, he was such a tremendous modeler. Richard 3 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post LNER4479 Posted February 28, 2021 Author Popular Post Share Posted February 28, 2021 (edited) More mundane running (it can't all be 'crack' expresses!) Back at Garsdale, A typical S&C stopping train awaits departure southbound. Loco is a standard Hornby product, acquired second hand. Have done nothing to it so far, apart from a clean up to make the numbers up for now as a layout loco. Of more interest (possibly?) is the rear coach. This is the Roxey Mouldings kit for the D.1778 full brake. In the end, I decided to go for unlined crimson, depicting an older coach, downrated from XP mainline use - effectively NPCCS. Need weathering(!) but otherwise addition of such vehicles appears quite common-place in pictures of these S&C trains so I think it adds a bit of character. Routine addition / detachment of such vehicles is all part of the plan once Carlisle station itself is up and running. Platform end view of arrival in Central, plat.2 And rolling into the main trainshed. Station pilot removes stock and positions in the adjacent centre road ... ... to allow the 5 to back out to the stabling sidings. A gathering of 5MTs! Each needs work doing to it to a greater or lesser extent but they'll have plenty of work on the layout. Edited February 28, 2021 by LNER4479 34 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post LNER4479 Posted February 28, 2021 Author Popular Post Share Posted February 28, 2021 (edited) Meanwhile, some workshop work to report on ... Remember this? This was back in November, when I was having a 'take stock' of my Stanier 3-cyl 4-6-0 firepower. This loco was scratchbuilt some 40 years ago by my late scratch / kit build 'mentor' Peter Sykes. It saw service on my Dad's layout back in the day but was eventually handed to me, along with the words 'it keep falling off' and has languished in the repair shop ever since. Until now. (the first bit of what follows next I posted on Tony's thread some while back so apologies for that bit a being a repeat if you also follow 'Wright writes') An initial attempt to clean it up and see if it still had some 'go' in it met with little success. You might have been able to second guess that with the 'from a different age' X04 in place. So this is my first chance to try out one of these DJH motor/greabox combos Tony goes on about. A hefty investment - but the rest of the loco is 'free' and hopefully should put it right for the rest of my lifetime. Also destined for replacement are the wheels. The loco was 'live' chassis with those older type solid Romford wheels on one side, with equally 'yuck' bogie wheels. Upon stripping the chassis down further, the true reason why 'it keeps falling off' becomes apparent. Yes you are seeing right - the axles are not set up parallel, and not one of them was truly parallel to the frames. It's a wonder it ever ran at all! A bit 'Heath Robinson', but my way of sorting out the axle parallel-ness. First of all the existing bearings were unsoldered, the holes in the chassis sides enlarged to allow for adjustment of the new bearings, then set up like this, using one of the existing bearings as the reference point. Careful measuring and adjustment of each, one at a time, got them back to something like parallel. Of course, that then threw out the coupling rods(!) as each side matched the uneven spacing and their centres were not the same! The worst affected was drilled out and a new length of brass tube soldered in, as shown here. The good 'ol Poppy's jig came in handy for checking and adjusting this aspect. Time for a try out. With flying leads temporarily attached, the chassis could be temporarily assembled. Success! Or at least smooth enough at this stage to give confidence to carry on. Note the replacement wheels. I didn't say 'new'! I had various odds and ends of otherwise serviceable 26mm Romfords insulated wheels to make up a set. I prefer my chassis dead. While I'm at it, I might as well get the other aspects of the valve gear up to scratch, as best I can. The loco had no slidebar brackets thus the slidebars themselves were only attached at the cylinder and were threatening to become detached altogether. The top of the bracket is also an attachment point for the front of the motion bracket so, all in all, worth doing. A plasticard template was cut to shape (left) then n/s parts cut (sweated together for the first rough cut). You can just about make out the new installation on the right hand photo. Also on view is the existing piece of brass which previously held the motion bracket in place but was a bit short. It still has a role, though... Spot the difference? The 'orrible chunk cut out of the frame to accommodate the X04 is now history - new pieces of brass cut to shape and soldered in place. Also the wheels have balance weights. Study of pictures show that the centre balance weights were all curious shapes and sizes; what I have portrayed is 'typical'. Also now installed are the pieces of n/s wire to hang the brake blocks off (they weren't previously fitted either). And now the motion brackets. The original ones are seen here below the wheels. They'll serve as the rear plates, with new, longer ones needing to be cut from scrap etch. Never throw anything away. Marked and sweated together, the trusty piercing saw is the 'tool for the job' here. I can't help myself! 5 amp fuse wire being used to add the raised detail along the bottom edge of the bracket, together with the raised cover for the bearing. I think it's worth it as it's quite a noticeable detail on a LMS / Stanier loco. Now being installed. The old brackets are on at the rear. The expansion links were made with spigots at front and back, with the prototype slot for the radius rod to sit in (nice). Unseen, I soldered on tiny little stops on the back of the radius rods so that they sit in the correct position in the expansion link AND could be adjusted to set a cut off position. Front bracket piece about to be soldered on, once the bearing cover plate is attached. The 'ta-daa!' picture. Painted up, it don't look half bad - and it works! Items of note here include the front valve guides (old w/m items from the scrapbox. Never throw anything away) and also replacement eccentric cranks, suitably set in '90deg forward' position. Radius rod is set in running position (ie 15-20%) which just imparts a nice back-n-forth 'lollop' to the whole thing. The top of the slidebar bracket has had its strengthening rib added to complete the appearance. For now, she's released to traffic for running trials. A few more things to do yet (eg brake blocks) but let's see how she fares. A change of identity to 46136 is being contemplated, which would be a most appropriate choice for Carlisle (the prototype was a long time Upperby resident) See how she gets on with her maiden run soon ... Edited February 28, 2021 by LNER4479 27 18 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Barry O Posted February 28, 2021 RMweb Premium Share Posted February 28, 2021 Very nice! I have some of those motors bought direct from China. I would imagine they were cheaper to me than buying from DJH. Mind you trying to find some more of them now is proving a bit more difficult. Baz 1 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
92220 Posted March 4, 2021 Share Posted March 4, 2021 Morning Graham, I assume you have this: Especially since I think the cover of the BRM dvd has a representation of the Maiden Lane very similar to that hauled by 46256 in the book. But if you haven’t got it, it’s yours. Iain 4 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
LNER4479 Posted March 4, 2021 Author Share Posted March 4, 2021 Like this, you mean? A little more dog-eared than yours! I categorise this as my first 'proper' railway book. It was a Christmas present in 1974 - I was ten years old at the time, so you can see you long the Shap candle has been burning. Yes, the Maiden Lane train is no coincidence; it was purposely assembled based on the photo in the book of '56 at Tebay. All Paul's work, I have to say. As soon as he saw the photo he declared that he already had most of the vehicles. A couple of kit builds later and Robert's your father's brother. Is that the March 2020 BRM DVD you're referring to? If not, I'd be interested to know which one! 7 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post LNER4479 Posted March 4, 2021 Author Popular Post Share Posted March 4, 2021 Whilst we're on the subject of the Maiden Lane, here's Andy (York)'s other picture of it (as originally posted on here, post-Peterborough), which I actually prefer. It certainly shows the formation of the train well. 24 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
92220 Posted March 4, 2021 Share Posted March 4, 2021 Yes I thought you would have it! I probably ought even to have guessed just how well-thumbed it would be. A bit like one or two Camden articles and books I have. I just picked this up on eBay, adding to a few more of the old Bradford Barton series that I have. I think it was the March 2020 BRM dvd, yes. Iain 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Enterprisingwestern Posted March 5, 2021 RMweb Gold Share Posted March 5, 2021 12 hours ago, LNER4479 said: Whilst we're on the subject of the Maiden Lane, here's Andy (York)'s other picture of it (as originally posted on here, post-Peterborough), which I actually prefer. It certainly shows the formation of the train well. What is the prototypical operational reasoning of hanging milk wagons on the rear of train behind the brake van?, I'm sure I've read about it somewhere. Mike. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post LNER4479 Posted March 5, 2021 Author Popular Post Share Posted March 5, 2021 On 24/02/2021 at 21:16, St Enodoc said: You can't fool us! That's Heaton Mersey East! Following a recent complaint... 'Hurry up Fred - get that thing hung up there before Mr End of Dock gives us any more grief' 'Well it'd get done a darn sight quicker Bert if you lent us a 'and. Bloomin' 'heavy this thing, y'know!' 7 1 17 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gibbo675 Posted March 5, 2021 Share Posted March 5, 2021 17 minutes ago, LNER4479 said: Following a recent complaint... 'Hurry up Fred - get that thing hung up there before Mr End of Dock gives us any more grief' 'Well it'd get done a darn sight quicker Bert if you lent us a 'and. Bloomin' 'heavy this thing, y'know!' Hi There, Those blokes must be contractors foreign to Carlisle for not once have either of them said, "Eh, marra !" Gibbo. 3 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
LNER4479 Posted March 5, 2021 Author Share Posted March 5, 2021 13 hours ago, Enterprisingwestern said: What is the prototypical operational reasoning of hanging milk wagons on the rear of train behind the brake van?, I'm sure I've read about it somewhere. Mike. Well I'm absolutely convinced that we've already had this conversation on here somewhere ... but I'm blowed if I can find it! Attaching odd milk wagons to the rear of trains seems to have had a long history on the Lancaster & Carlisle - there's some lovely Treacy 1930s pictures of them tagged onto the back of express passenger trains. However, as to 'why', I really don't know for certain. There was a dedicated WCML milk train so whether these additional vehicles 'missed' the main train ... dunno? Of course, there's also the other, completely unrelated, operational reason - and that's to give the guard a more comfortable ride (ie to stop the guard's van bucking around too much on the rear of the train). Happy for others to wade in if they know the real story. 2 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Barry Ten Posted March 5, 2021 RMweb Gold Share Posted March 5, 2021 1 hour ago, LNER4479 said: Well I'm absolutely convinced that we've already had this conversation on here somewhere ... but I'm blowed if I can find it! There was a similar one on Tony's thread about hanging fish vans on the rear of a train, behind the brake, I think. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium St Enodoc Posted March 6, 2021 RMweb Premium Share Posted March 6, 2021 7 hours ago, LNER4479 said: Well I'm absolutely convinced that we've already had this conversation on here somewhere ... but I'm blowed if I can find it! Attaching odd milk wagons to the rear of trains seems to have had a long history on the Lancaster & Carlisle - there's some lovely Treacy 1930s pictures of them tagged onto the back of express passenger trains. However, as to 'why', I really don't know for certain. There was a dedicated WCML milk train so whether these additional vehicles 'missed' the main train ... dunno? Of course, there's also the other, completely unrelated, operational reason - and that's to give the guard a more comfortable ride (ie to stop the guard's van bucking around too much on the rear of the train). Happy for others to wade in if they know the real story. Perhaps they were so that the customers got ready-churned butter? 1 3 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Enterprisingwestern Posted March 6, 2021 RMweb Gold Share Posted March 6, 2021 11 hours ago, LNER4479 said: Well I'm absolutely convinced that we've already had this conversation on here somewhere ... but I'm blowed if I can find it! Me too! Apologies for re-starting an old discussion. Mike. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Mallard60022 Posted March 6, 2021 RMweb Premium Share Posted March 6, 2021 On 05/03/2021 at 16:41, LNER4479 said: Following a recent complaint... 'Hurry up Fred - get that thing hung up there before Mr End of Dock gives us any more grief' 'Well it'd get done a darn sight quicker Bert if you lent us a 'and. Bloomin' 'heavy this thing, y'know!' Those Roof Finials are 7mm ; you have been conned. 19 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
LNER4479 Posted March 6, 2021 Author Share Posted March 6, 2021 Yes, I spotted that ... after I'd taken the picture. I knew some smart ar$e would comment on it ... 2 1 1 1 5 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
LNER4479 Posted March 7, 2021 Author Share Posted March 7, 2021 (edited) A few more snaps from recent running ... At Central, the WCML stopping train, which has been waiting patiently for what seems like an eternity, finally gets the road and eases away from Platform 5. A relative piece of exotica is parked in the nearest loco siding (so exotic in fact, that his driver appears to have fallen over in disbelief - oops!) Freeing up Platform 5 allows the station pilot to shunt the stock of the S&C arrival across. As he does so, a yet-to-be-bling'd, layout loco rebuilt Patriot, limbers up ready for the next departure. Old loco but good runner. Meanwhile, with a clear road, the 2-6-4T is already scampering up Shap. Bit anomalous, being early crest with all maroon stock (and a Ford Anglia parked in the field); normally, this runs with a early BR Eastern Region set, 'borrowed' for the afternoon Carlisle-Oxenholme service. The leading Thompson BSK is at least a sop to that. In other news ... keep tuned for some exciting news re next weekend Edited March 7, 2021 by LNER4479 19 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Theakerr Posted March 7, 2021 Share Posted March 7, 2021 (edited) I was part of the discussion on Wright Writes. My Father, who was a Station Master on the Grimsby to Boston line that carried many express fish trains, told me that it was to give the Guard a better ride, especially so that he could do his paper work. I can believe this because those express fish trains used to really rattle through at speeds I would guess would have been in the 60+ mph. My memory thinks the Guards van could be as far as 5 wagons in. There were a number of comments suggesting that no way would the Railways consider the comfort of the Guard. Bearing in mind the labour shortage just after the war I don't agree with that perspective but everyone to their own opion, informed or not. There were others who said the guards Van had to be at the end until a number of photos were produced. There were others who said the BR rules did allow for the Guards Van to be 2 wagons in. Take your pick. Edited March 7, 2021 by Theakerr Edited to ciorrect several typos 1 1 3 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wheatley Posted March 8, 2021 Share Posted March 8, 2021 Knowing nothing about the Maiden Lane, I would suggest that if the milk tanks were on the back from the start of the journey, then they are there to give the guard a smoother ride. If they were picked up en route they are there because, on a fully fitted train, there is no need to shunt the guards van off to attach them because fitted vehicles certainly were permitted behind the guards van, although the number of vehicles/axles varied a bit over the years. Or both. As for people telling you "the railways would never consider...", in the case of making up a goods train "the railway" at this level consists largely of the guard, loco crew and maybe a shunter. Making up the train in such a way as to avoid the guard ending up black and blue before Lancaster is well within the bounds of possibilities. I was once partly complicit in running a Class 47 round a triangle because the hot plate wasn't working in one cab. "The railway" probably didn't consider that necessary either but we did it. 10 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium St Enodoc Posted March 8, 2021 RMweb Premium Share Posted March 8, 2021 5 minutes ago, Wheatley said: I was once partly complicit in running a Class 47 round a triangle because the hot plate wasn't working in one cab. "The railway" probably didn't consider that necessary either but we did it. Never came across that but it was, and probably still is, common to turn a loco or a whole train because the windscreen wiper and/or washers at one end weren't working. Also applied to head, marker and tail lights. 4 4 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post LNER4479 Posted March 8, 2021 Author Popular Post Share Posted March 8, 2021 Meanwhile ... So what's going on here then? Well, I'm pleased to announce that Hills of the North is going to feature in a exhibition ... sort of. This coming weekend, is the BRM/World of Railways third virtual exhibition and I've been doing some filming (to the best of my abilities, given lockdown situation). It's all been edited up and we're due to be 'on' at 3.45pm on Saturday. Not a bad time, actually, visitors starting to thin out a bit so you should get a good spot at the barriers... The edited up piece of video I've seen lasts some 25 mins and features all parts of the layout where trains are currently running. So grab yerself a mug of tea and a slice of toast and (hopefully?) enjoy. In the meantime, here's a little taster ... 25 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium St Enodoc Posted March 8, 2021 RMweb Premium Share Posted March 8, 2021 3 hours ago, LNER4479 said: 3.45pm on Saturday Hmm. 0245 AEDT Sunday? Have to give it a miss, sorry! 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
manna Posted March 8, 2021 Share Posted March 8, 2021 G'Day Folks Better let you know the Well wagon, is out of Gauge.......... manna 1 1 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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