darrel Posted February 18, 2019 Share Posted February 18, 2019 Photo taken on the Helensburgh and district model railway clubs layout. One thing to watch is the steps on the side are out of gauge so it wont fit through platforms or bridge parapets. I don't know if the steps on the real thing folded up or not. 2 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ndg910 Posted February 19, 2019 Share Posted February 19, 2019 Surely that gun barrel is out of gauge also! The steps seem a minor inconvenience! 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
JSpencer Posted February 19, 2019 Share Posted February 19, 2019 Has anyone fired it yet? 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium PhilJ W Posted February 19, 2019 RMweb Premium Share Posted February 19, 2019 13 hours ago, darrel said: Photo taken on the Helensburgh and district model railway clubs layout. One thing to watch is the steps on the side are out of gauge so it wont fit through platforms or bridge parapets. I don't know if the steps on the real thing folded up or not. I wonder how easy it would be to remove the steps from the model? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium M.I.B Posted February 19, 2019 RMweb Premium Share Posted February 19, 2019 Steps were not fitted for transit. I brought this up a while ago. I will be slicing mine off. Probably level with the step as opposed to taking thew verticals with them too. An the barrel end would have been plugged for transit as well - either a bung, or a canvas sleeve, or a tarp. But definitely not open to the elements. 1 1 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
SDJR7F88 Posted February 19, 2019 Share Posted February 19, 2019 (edited) Well, the wait is over and the first of the Oxford Rail Railguns has arrived! And what a model it is! Superb detail, hefty weight and easily negotiates 2nd radius, this really is an amazing model for the price!!! (Under £45 from Details). Been running her with my ROD 'Dean Goods', and they certainly make a great pairing. Now for the WW1 liveried ones Edited February 20, 2019 by SDJR7F88 3 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
1ngram Posted February 19, 2019 Share Posted February 19, 2019 What is the white circular disc on the starboard side? It doesnt seem to appear on the WW1 gun. Is it removeable? 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Colin_McLeod Posted February 19, 2019 RMweb Gold Share Posted February 19, 2019 Apart from the loco what else would a train with this gun contain? Would there be a support coach, van, brake van etc and are any suitable vehicles available rtr or rtr with a repaint? Thanks 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
sem34090 Posted February 19, 2019 Share Posted February 19, 2019 Out of interest, did these operate with the camo-liveried LNER F5's? 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
25901 Posted February 19, 2019 Share Posted February 19, 2019 When based on the south coast in WW2 they were moved about on location by diesel shunters so the Germans didn't spot their firing sites by the smoke when being moved 1 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
SDJR7F88 Posted February 20, 2019 Share Posted February 20, 2019 For those wondering how the model handles 2nd radius curves. Really is quite a sight watching it leave the yard. Just editing a video of the gun in action (along with a firing scene too), which will hopefully be up night 4 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jonhall Posted February 20, 2019 Share Posted February 20, 2019 Oh dear, that Rails of Sheffield video - could it have more inaccuracies? Its unfortunate that others will believe that nonsense as it seems to be from a reputable source... Jon 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
SDJR7F88 Posted February 20, 2019 Share Posted February 20, 2019 (edited) Done a little history clips for my video. Just hope I got it right. Must admit, it is a bit of a minefield trying to find info on them. Edited February 20, 2019 by SDJR7F88 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
JSpencer Posted February 20, 2019 Share Posted February 20, 2019 1 hour ago, jonhall said: Oh dear, that Rails of Sheffield video - could it have more inaccuracies? Its unfortunate that others will believe that nonsense as it seems to be from a reputable source... Jon I found the quote of firing across the English chanel during WWI, up to range of 12 miles, quite funny (the narrowist point is 21 miles!). Looking forwards to getting mine, to measure up the barrel and see what it actually corresponds too (I have dimensions of the actual guns within my various naval gun books). 1 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold The Stationmaster Posted February 20, 2019 RMweb Gold Share Posted February 20, 2019 11 hours ago, Colin_McLeod said: Apart from the loco what else would a train with this gun contain? Would there be a support coach, van, brake van etc and are any suitable vehicles available rtr or rtr with a repaint? Thanks A number of specialist vehicles worked with them the most critical being the equivalent of a handling room (using a sort of covered van) because being naval guns they used separate shells and bagged chanrges. not sure if any ammunition was transported with them but that would have had to be in vans for the charges. I think the handling vehicle is visible in some videos of the guns. as the vehicle stands it is a bit like a tender without a train or the engine to pull it so a lot to create around it for ordinary rail movement (I can't find any related wartime Instructions regarding their movement). I know they were worked in specially formed trains as one of my Drivers (in the late 1970s) had fired on a Dean Goods on a gun train in WWII. 1 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
JSpencer Posted February 20, 2019 Share Posted February 20, 2019 Charges and shells would have been kept seperately. Different types of explosive - in particular the fumes from differnet types - made a lethal cocktail when mixed. They also have different storage rules (humidity, temperature etc, cordite grew volatile quite quickly if stored incorrectly or it could take ages to ignite and then not fully - you can imagine the dangers of needing to unload a dud in such a large weapon). Being naval guns, there was a choice of ammo too. In WWI, Armour Piercing, Semi Armour Piecring and High Explosive. But the rail guns would have used high explosive unless attacking forts. An armour piercing shell of these sizes would easily go through several feet of concrete. WWII saw the semi armour piercing dropped. They did increase the range of the weapons with the invention of super charges, basically a charge which maintains full barrel preasure for as long as possible. But barrel wear increased substantially. 2 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Colin_McLeod Posted February 20, 2019 RMweb Gold Share Posted February 20, 2019 Stationmaster and JSpencer many thanks for that info. 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold PaulRhB Posted February 20, 2019 RMweb Gold Share Posted February 20, 2019 5 hours ago, jonhall said: Oh dear, that Rails of Sheffield video - could it have more inaccuracies? Whoops! Different gun at Fort Nelson, they need to read this thread Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
1ngram Posted February 20, 2019 Share Posted February 20, 2019 Are there any photos of the WW1 charges? There are photos in Aves but they seem to be complete shells for smaller howitzers? 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold PaulRhB Posted February 20, 2019 RMweb Gold Share Posted February 20, 2019 (edited) 5 minutes ago, 1ngram said: Are there any photos of the WW1 charges? There are photos in Aves but they seem to be complete shells for smaller howitzers? They are the six cylindrical bags piled in a column between the shells and breech here Edited February 20, 2019 by PaulRhB 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigherb Posted February 20, 2019 Share Posted February 20, 2019 The magazines for the Railway guns weren't very elaborate just a brick room cut into the embankment most are still extant at Bishopsbourne and around Dover. There would have been tracks on the ceiling to handle the shells 6 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jonhall Posted February 20, 2019 Share Posted February 20, 2019 (edited) 9 hours ago, JSpencer said: I found the quote of firing across the English chanel during WWI, up to range of 12 miles, quite funny (the narrowist point is 21 miles!). Not to mention that IIRC the Nord-pas-de -Calais wasn't occupied in WW1 so the French might have objected to being shelled by their allies, the calibre is wrong (consequently so is the range quoted) , I'm not sure on that basis if I even believe Rails have had their shop redecorated, since I only have their word for it. I had to stop watching.... Jon Edited February 20, 2019 by jonhall 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jonhall Posted February 20, 2019 Share Posted February 20, 2019 I've just compared mine to the drawing in the book 'Railgun' by John Batchelor and Ian Hogg, it appears to scale quite well, although the drawings are un-dimentioned, and in my copy the 4mm drawing is slightly shortened by the bookbinding! The model is obviously down to a price, its a shame things like the cranes are not pose-able, I would think this is more use to the military diorama builders than to most railway modeller, and I'd expect them to want to arrange the crew loading. There seems to be a great shortage of rivets on the top surfaces, and all the sticking out platforms that are foul of gauge as supplied would be better folded out of the way (if that's what the prototype did) rather than sticking out so that they need to be removed. The platforms do seem to be etched brass, so folding them against the sides might work. Jon 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike Harvey Posted February 20, 2019 Share Posted February 20, 2019 10 hours ago, JSpencer said: I found the quote of firing across the English chanel during WWI, up to range of 12 miles, quite funny (the narrowist point is 21 miles!). Looking forwards to getting mine, to measure up the barrel and see what it actually corresponds too (I have dimensions of the actual guns within my various naval gun books). At least 12 miles would be enough to target enemy shipping in the Channel. 1 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
SDJR7F88 Posted February 20, 2019 Share Posted February 20, 2019 (edited) A look at eagerly anticipated 00 Gauge BL 13.5 inch Howitzer Railgun "Gladiator" from Oxford Rail. Oxford Rail have done a superb job in capturing the overall look of these Behemoths. The model throughout features a high level of detail, including extensively detailed undercarriage, barrel, and breech, heavy die-cast construction, as well as wealth of separately fitted parts, such as pipe work and chains. Despite it size, "Gladiator" has no trouble in negotiating 2nd radius curves and pointwork. Paired up with my Railway Operating Division (ROD) Oxford Rail 'Dean Goods', we see "Gladiator" being hauled into position, ready for action, before being returned to the yard. Oxford Rail really have outdone themselves, and should be highly commended for taking on such an unique and interesting prototype. This model is not only a very welcome addition for many WW1 and WW2 railway models, but military modellers too! And at under £45, it really is excellent valve for money! Highly recommend! Hope you enjoy! https://youtu.be/1Yj3c53yB44 Edited February 20, 2019 by SDJR7F88 3 1 1 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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