Tom F Posted September 10, 2018 Author Share Posted September 10, 2018 Progress has gone well on 5774 tonight. More detailing to add but she should be ready for priming by the weekend. 12 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
chrisf Posted September 11, 2018 Share Posted September 11, 2018 A couple of matters arising on the subject of coaches, if I may. As Tom says, the E147 and E157 are similar but not identical. The windows of the E157 are 6" deeper than those of the E147 and the body profile is different, the E147 being as near as dammit vertical above the waist. The Comet ends supplied for the E147 are correct for the E157 but not for the E147. The Comet kit for the non-corridor third is said to be good for the C66 and C75. What you actually get is a hybrid, with the profile being right for the C75 and the sides correct for the C66. These niceties are easy to overlook, as many have done. The Comet parts go back a long way and have got many a modeller out of trouble but it's best not to look too closely. One of the E167s in the photo taken at Blaenau Ffestiniog is almost certainly W7082W. When the line closed it migrated south and came to rest at Barry, where I observed it in its original crimson livery in February 1962, two days before my 14th birthday. Chris Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom F Posted September 11, 2018 Author Share Posted September 11, 2018 Thanks for that Chris! I’ll make sure my E167 is numbered as W7082W in your honour! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Merfyn Jones Posted September 11, 2018 Share Posted September 11, 2018 Thanks for that Chris! I’ll make sure my E167 is numbered as W7082W in your honour! And on the subject of numbers, do you know the number of the B R Mk.1 non corridor second/third ? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold The Johnster Posted September 11, 2018 RMweb Gold Share Posted September 11, 2018 As Bachmann seem to be actually doing something about their 94xx, I should ease up on my banging on about it a bit, and transfer that energy into banging on about non-gangwayed GW coaching stock that isn't a B set. Even a flat ended B set would be a step in the right direction in terms of providing frames and ends for conversions. The other big 3 have all been nicely provided for in this area by the RTR trade, good pre-grouping stuff in the case of the Southern, but the temptation to model B sets (ideal, aren't they, complete train, only 2 coaches, ran everywhere; ok, they did, but was not the only thing that ran everywhere on the GW and a single brake composite that cannot be represented by half a B set was a common solution in sparely populated areas)) is always too much for them. What about suburban traffic? Trains of up to half a dozen non-gangwayed compartment stock were a feature of the London, Birmingham, Bristol, and South Wales areas and a 4 coach set even appears behind panniers in a photo of this branch. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom F Posted September 12, 2018 Author Share Posted September 12, 2018 (edited) The Bala-Blaenau Branch was described by a former guard, James Roberts as being a an 'artery' between Bala, Trawsfynydd and Blaenau Ffestiniog. A fascinating interview can be found below. In my research over the last few years, I've been lucky to have met a former signalman who worked the majority of boxes on not just the Bala-Blaenau Branch, but also the Ruarbon/Barmouth secondary route. John has told me many fascinating tales from the line, which frankly makes me love the branch that bit more. One story John told me, was when he was travelling in one of the single coach trains between Bala and Blaenau. Not far after Cwm Prysor, where the railway burrows through rocky cuttings on the approach to the viaduct, one of the springs broke on the 58XX (either 5810 or 5811) which flew at speed from the loco, and ricocheted off the rocky cutting into the side of the coach with a hell of a bang! Another tale, was when the first class cushions disappeared on one service near Trawsfynydd. A gentlemen in the area had thrown them out.... as he fancied them for his living room! Edited September 12, 2018 by 9793 5 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom F Posted September 13, 2018 Author Share Posted September 13, 2018 (edited) One of the E167s in the photo taken at Blaenau Ffestiniog is almost certainly W7082W. When the line closed it migrated south and came to rest at Barry, where I observed it in its original crimson livery in February 1962, two days before my 14th birthday. Chris Chris, I've found a photo of 'your' coach! Seen at Bala Town. Do you think there would have been more than one E167 on the line? Can't see it being the only one. Edited September 13, 2018 by 9793 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold 46444 Posted September 13, 2018 RMweb Gold Share Posted September 13, 2018 (edited) Hi Tom, Yesterday I was given a copy of Spirit of the Great Western (1980) published by M.Esau/OPC. Not sure if you've seen it but there's a two page spread on the Blaenau-Bala line? Plate 66: 4617 at Arenig on a freight Plate 67: 4683 at Blaenau on a Bala service Plate 68: 7414 at Trawsfynydd on a freight taking on water Plate 69: 3749 at Bala on Ffestiniog service. PM me if you want further information. Cheers, Mark Edited September 13, 2018 by 46444 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom F Posted September 13, 2018 Author Share Posted September 13, 2018 (edited) Hi Tom, Yesterday I was given a copy of Spirit of the Great Western (1980) published by M.Esau/OPC. Not sure if you've seen it but there's a two page spread on the Blaenau-Bala line? Plate 66: 4617 at Arenig on a freight Plate 67: 4683 at Blaenau on a Bala service Plate 68: 7414 at Trawsfynydd on a freight taking on water Plate 69: 3749 at Bala on Ffestiniog service. PM me if you want further information. Cheers, Mark Thanks Mark! A couple of those aren't familiar. You have a PM! Some further modelling tonight. Etched Sanding levers are now in place, and the sand box lids have now been refitted. Since I took the photo, I've now added the bunker lamp irons (masokits). Front and side lamps to be fitted tomorrow, along with the new handles for the water filler caps. Edited September 13, 2018 by 9793 6 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
chrisf Posted September 14, 2018 Share Posted September 14, 2018 Chris, I've found a photo of 'your' coach! Seen at Bala Town. 41691798_279597066206858_7294451337448652800_n.jpg Do you think there would have been more than one E167 on the line? Can't see it being the only one. Tom Look at post #150 above! Chris Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom F Posted September 14, 2018 Author Share Posted September 14, 2018 (edited) Tom Look at post #150 above! Chris Ha! Forgive me! Having one of those moments! Edited September 14, 2018 by 9793 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom F Posted September 15, 2018 Author Share Posted September 15, 2018 Afternoon all!An update on 5774. She is about ready for the coat of primer. I've just realised I need to add the bunker top lap iron which is easy enough to do. I'm pleased so far! 15 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Captain Kernow Posted September 15, 2018 RMweb Gold Share Posted September 15, 2018 Afternoon all! An update on 5774. DSC04093.jpg DSC04094.jpg She is about ready for the coat of primer. I've just realised I need to add the bunker top lap iron which is easy enough to do. I'm pleased so far! That's looking very nice, Tom. Out of interest, what is the origin of the etched rear spectacle plate grilles, please? 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom F Posted September 15, 2018 Author Share Posted September 15, 2018 (edited) That's looking very nice, Tom. Out of interest, what is the origin of the etched rear spectacle plate grilles, please? Thanks CK! It's the Mainly Trains detailing etch (which I think is now sold by Andrew at Wizard Models). I carved off the moulded front ones too and replaced with those on the etch. Lamp Irons are Masokits, and the pull rods are RT Models. Edited September 15, 2018 by 9793 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Brinkly Posted September 15, 2018 RMweb Gold Share Posted September 15, 2018 Lovely work Tom. The panniers look completely different without top feeds. Kind regards, Nick. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom F Posted September 15, 2018 Author Share Posted September 15, 2018 Lovely work Tom. The panniers look completely different without top feeds. Kind regards, Nick. Thanks Nick, it does doesn't it. There were three that were on the Branch between 1955-1961. 5774, 9669 and 8791. 8791 along with 4645 worked the SLS special over the branch in January 1961 before closure. 9669 I believe had worked as far as Bala where 8791 took over. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom F Posted September 15, 2018 Author Share Posted September 15, 2018 I've been messing around the with now converted AA19 Toad tonight (photos tomorrow) with it's axle boxes now in place. All I'll say....if you want an AA19...I wouldn't bother with this method! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Brinkly Posted September 16, 2018 RMweb Gold Share Posted September 16, 2018 I've been messing around the with now converted AA19 Toad tonight (photos tomorrow) with it's axle boxes now in place. All I'll say....if you want an AA19...I wouldn't bother with this method! I still think the best route is to upgrade th Ratio kit. Having mucked around with a couple of Bachmann Toad bodies, I feel Bachmann's plastic handrails are almost too difficult to remove safely. At least Ratio plastic is easier to cut and sand smooth. Best wishes, Nick. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium maq1988 Posted September 16, 2018 RMweb Premium Share Posted September 16, 2018 Whilst I know nothing of the location, the simplicity of the layout works wonders. Your track work in particular is superb - followed very closely by the general landscape. It does look like the landscape was there first. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom F Posted September 16, 2018 Author Share Posted September 16, 2018 I still think the best route is to upgrade th Ratio kit. Having mucked around with a couple of Bachmann Toad bodies, I feel Bachmann's plastic handrails are almost too difficult to remove safely. At least Ratio plastic is easier to cut and sand smooth. Best wishes, Nick. I think if knowing what I know now.....I wouldn have lived with the GWR axle boxes. Essentially I should have probably fitted an all new W irons. The bearings do not work inside the W irons as it makes it far too tight and pushes out the W irons. So they are glued to the outer edge of the W irons and the axle boxes drilled out (superb castings from Rumney Models). Refitting the footbaords made me realise that they must be sat lower on an AA19 as they were initially sat above the axle boxes on refitting. So I’ve had to alter the hangars. So what we no have is something that doesn’t run as freely as it did from the box. Is going to be incredibly fragile, but hey it will sort of look right! 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Brinkly Posted September 16, 2018 RMweb Gold Share Posted September 16, 2018 You have been a modeller not a buyer! Well done for having a go. Regards, Nick. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom F Posted September 16, 2018 Author Share Posted September 16, 2018 Whilst I know nothing of the location, the simplicity of the layout works wonders. Your track work in particular is superb - followed very closely by the general landscape. It does look like the landscape was there first. Most kind of you maq1988 I just wanted to be able to operate the layout and feel I’m in the middle of knowhere. I’m already having thoughts on photographing the layout when it’s finished and achieving some atmospheric effects! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom F Posted September 16, 2018 Author Share Posted September 16, 2018 You have been a modeller not a buyer! Well done for having a go. Regards, Nick. Thanks, that has made me feel better! The Croes Newydd AA13 will be easier as a I’ll retain the GWR fittings with cosmetic body alterations. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom F Posted September 16, 2018 Author Share Posted September 16, 2018 Now sprayed in Citadel Chaos Black Primer. I'm not going to bother with a top coat, really pleased. 19 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Brinkly Posted September 16, 2018 RMweb Gold Share Posted September 16, 2018 Nice work on the pannier sir. I use Chaos Black spray paint. The colour, I feel, is a understated black! This is one of a pair I did over the summer. It still needs a bit of touching up, but the paint looks dull, rather than bright! Sorry to hijack your thread! Regards, Nick 7 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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