Popular Post Edwardian Posted January 23, 2018 Popular Post Share Posted January 23, 2018 (edited) Yesterday, thanks to the kind agency of Nearholmer of this parish, I took delivery of this rather old, old school, and fairly decrepit layout. It takes the traditional traverser to BLT format, and is in many ways the antithesis of Castle Aching, i.e. an efficiently planned, compact design with reasonable operational complexity. It is certainly a no-nonsense design, entirely focussed upon the railway itself; as Nearholmer put it, the ghost of C J Freezer seems to linger over it. It was on the Bay of Fleas having been found abandoned in an attic. It looked forlorn, listed there at 99p, with some enigmatically poor photographs and a description that did not even specify the gauge or scale. I was attracted to it because it looked as if it might have some decent hand-built OO track, and no one appeared interested in bidding, so it seemed that some effort was required to rescue it from a probable brief future in a skip. So, £20 odd later, I was the unexpected owner of this layout but stuck for a means of transporting it back to base. Enter Kevin, aka Nearholmer (loudly shall we sing his praises) who very kindly picked it up and then brought it halfway to the Wild North. It is, from the surviving traces, clearly a Great Western layout, and the name, not discernable on the auction site pictures, is Aberdaron, which Kevin tells me is a real place on the Welsh coast, though one that never had a railway. The track is hand-built, and looks rather good. There was a small supply of N gauge flexi-track that came with the layout, so it seems possible that this is Code 80 rail, stripped and used to build the OO track. Some repairs are required, and the scenery probably needs a complete overhaul, but I suspect that the greatest challenge will be to get the thing powered up and the point motors working or replaced. This morning, the day having become as bright as it is going to be, I took some pictures (mainly with the flash, which tends to restore the colour that has in reality dulled and faded). I was wondering about platform capacity, and find that it will comfortably accommodate a small passenger tank and four 4-wheelers, which is the sort of fare that will be suitable for this layout. I really must finish those Ratio 4-wheelers and back-date the livery of that 517. There are unlikely to be many updates or any progress until Castle Aching is properly underway, but I thought the parish might be interested to see the starting point of another project. Edited January 25, 2023 by Edwardian 25/01/2023 Picture Restoration 23 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hroth Posted January 23, 2018 Share Posted January 23, 2018 Apart from the faded scenery, which has a period charm of its own, It looks like a perfectly adequate BLT well worth rescuing from oblivion! I realise you don't like the magick juice, but a furtle around with a cheap multimeter set to the resistance range will soon reveal any shorts or disconnections without whacking a full 12v through the system. The same goes for point motors! Apart from calling it Little Aching, how about Aching Parva or, for those holidaymakers who really need a break away from their toils, Aching by the Sea? 4 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
sem34090 Posted January 23, 2018 Share Posted January 23, 2018 Or, alternatively... MAKE IT LBSCR!!! Still, the idea of a Little Aching, Aching Parva, Aching By/On the Sea appeals. Also, it may be able to form the basis of an exhibitable layout, and we may therefore get to see a taste of the WNR at various shows - assuming, of course, that isn't the plan for Castle Aching itself! 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Caley Jim Posted January 23, 2018 Share Posted January 23, 2018 Apart from calling it Little Aching, how about Aching Parva or, for those holidaymakers who really need a break away from their toils, Aching by the Sea? Or you could go GNoS and make it Aberaching, or Inveraching. On the other hand, you could do the decent thing, CR (C&O) and call it Kinloch Aching. Jim 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Welchester Posted January 23, 2018 RMweb Premium Share Posted January 23, 2018 What is the brake coach at the far end of the train from the locomotive? It appears to have more passenger accommodation than the standard Ratio fare. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
sem34090 Posted January 23, 2018 Share Posted January 23, 2018 At a guess it will have made use of some of the frogmore etched sides, to be found on the Dart Castings website. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Edwardian Posted January 23, 2018 Author Share Posted January 23, 2018 (edited) Correct, replacement brass sides. These unfinished coaches represent some of the very little that was done during the Armchair Years, probably about 18-20 years ago and not touched since! They need detailing, glazing and some replacement wheels and bearings. I sort of lost heart, having lined the upper panels painstakingly only then to discover that this should have been in black, not chocolate! The M&L 517 (not built by me!) will probably go back to pre-1906 green, lined and with Indian red frames. I do like some of the naming suggestions. Perhaps, we should have a number of alternative running-in boards in due course? Edited January 23, 2018 by Edwardian 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
sem34090 Posted January 23, 2018 Share Posted January 23, 2018 May I ask exactly what locos you have in your collection? It seems every new thread reveals something else new that has otherwise yet to appear! At the moment, I gather the following: LBSCR K Class 2-6-0 LBSCR E4 Class 0-6-2T LBSCR I3 Class 4-4-2T GWR Class 517 0-4-2T GNR Class C1 4-4-2 LSWR Class A12 0-4-2 (Very much a guess from a photo which appeared to show the chassis of one!) LSWR Class M7 0-4-4T What else?! I'm jealous of that little lot - I only have the E4, and my M7's all require backdating. One is staying in BR Black, another is staying in SR Bulleid Wartime Black and the other will be getting LSWR Drummond livery at some stage. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Edwardian Posted January 23, 2018 Author Share Posted January 23, 2018 May I ask exactly what locos you have in your collection? It seems every new thread reveals something else new that has otherwise yet to appear! At the moment, I gather the following: LBSCR K Class 2-6-0 LBSCR E4 Class 0-6-2T LBSCR I3 Class 4-4-2T GWR Class 517 0-4-2T GNR Class C1 4-4-2 LSWR Class A12 0-4-2 (Very much a guess from a photo which appeared to show the chassis of one!) LSWR Class M7 0-4-4T What else?! I'm jealous of that little lot - I only have the E4, and my M7's all require backdating. One is staying in BR Black, another is staying in SR Bulleid Wartime Black and the other will be getting LSWR Drummond livery at some stage. Not a particularly coherent collection, you'll note. But, again, you are correct. 7 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Owd Bob Posted January 23, 2018 Share Posted January 23, 2018 Everleigh Aching? 3 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Edwardian Posted January 23, 2018 Author Share Posted January 23, 2018 Correct, replacement brass sides. These unfinished coaches represent some of the very little that was done during the Armchair Years, probably about 18-20 years ago and not touched since! They need detailing, glazing and some replacement wheels and bearings. I sort of lost heart, having lined the upper panels painstakingly only then to discover that this should have been in black, not chocolate! The M&L 517 (not built by me!) will probably go back to pre-1906 green, lined and with Indian red frames. I do like some of the naming suggestions. Perhaps, we should have a number of alternative running-in boards in due course? I believe I used these, which appear to still be available: http://www.dartcastings.co.uk/shire/S103.php I note instructions on the web-page to move the lamp tops. I don't recall that instruction, so I bet mine are in the wrong place! I'll just now know to add that to the list of jobs necessary to finish these coaches. 1 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Welchester Posted January 23, 2018 RMweb Premium Share Posted January 23, 2018 I believe I used these, which appear to still be available: http://www.dartcastings.co.uk/shire/S103.php I note instructions on the web-page to move the lamp tops. I don't recall that instruction, so I bet mine are in the wrong place! I'll just now know to add that to the list of jobs necessary to finish these coaches. Oh yes. There may be some of these in the black hole I laughingly call my stash. Thanks, Ed. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Edwardian Posted January 23, 2018 Author Share Posted January 23, 2018 I can't believe I just split an infinitive! What is wrong with me?!? 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
sem34090 Posted January 23, 2018 Share Posted January 23, 2018 I don't know, Mr Dwardian, but I suspect it may be attributable to your current unstable nature following the revealing of the fact that your photograph does not truely represent yourself! Please take the above in jest, it is not intended to cause any offence. Good Day, Sir, Dr. Whom 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold NeilHB Posted January 23, 2018 RMweb Gold Share Posted January 23, 2018 Borrowing heavily from the 'Norfolk Burnhams' - how about: Aching Thorpe Aching Overy Town Aching Overy Staithe Aching Burnham And of course the lovely little town of Aching Market, actually being a combination of Aching Sutton, Aching Westgate and Aching Ulph... Staithe for me is strongly associated with North Norfolk - having spent many happy childhood holidays staying just outside of Brancaster Staithe, and trips to Burnham Overy Staithe to go crabbing. Not forgetting a stop off en-route at Castle Rising to pick strawberries! 3 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Regularity Posted January 23, 2018 RMweb Gold Share Posted January 23, 2018 I can't believe I just split an infinitive!Do you know why we split infinitives in English, but not other languages? Because we can. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hroth Posted January 23, 2018 Share Posted January 23, 2018 Everleigh Aching? Hmmmm.... Or, Much Aching in the Marsh. H,C&O 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hroth Posted January 23, 2018 Share Posted January 23, 2018 I believe I used these, which appear to still be available: http://www.dartcastings.co.uk/shire/S103.php I note instructions on the web-page to move the lamp tops. I don't recall that instruction, so I bet mine are in the wrong place! I'll just now know to add that to the list of jobs necessary to finish these coaches. Actually, for a financially impecunious prudent Company, third class accommodation might share an oil lamp between two compartments, positioning each lamp over a compartment partition.... 3 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Edwardian Posted January 23, 2018 Author Share Posted January 23, 2018 Hmmmm.... Or, Much Aching in the Marsh. H,C&O I indeed have much aching, but not in the marsh! Much Aching in the Legge wouldn't be much of a place! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
sem34090 Posted January 23, 2018 Share Posted January 23, 2018 Selsey (LBSCR) Station? (Runs for cover) Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hroth Posted January 23, 2018 Share Posted January 23, 2018 Selsey (LBSCR) Station? (Runs for cover) You'll get billed for that..... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Welchester Posted January 23, 2018 RMweb Premium Share Posted January 23, 2018 I can't believe I just split an infinitive! What is wrong with me?!? Even Homer nods. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hroth Posted January 23, 2018 Share Posted January 23, 2018 Even Homer nods. Mainly in agreement....... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
sem34090 Posted February 2, 2019 Share Posted February 2, 2019 "Any news from Aberdaron Sir?" The captain shook his head gravely... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Annie Posted February 2, 2019 RMweb Premium Share Posted February 2, 2019 Your rescued layout certainly has a pleasant charm about it James. Definitely well worth the purchase and sympathetically restored it would make a very pleasing layout indeed. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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