British steel: Plumtree Works , an extension of scunthorpe

[Busmansholiday]

On 25/12/2022 at 16:16, gpplumy said:

Christmas is afoot, and Plumtree works got a Christmas tree

Spot on, there used to be a sort of "competition" between areas as to who had the best Xmas tree in front of the offices. I know one manager wasn't impressed with his subordinates attempt and dispatched a works truck, complete with a few employees and a chain saw, "to get a better tree", allegedly!

[gpplumy]

Updates.

 

We have a "shed" load of locos and a shed weathering update

First the hudswell is pretty much finished. Not fully. But it's good enough for now. Thanks again again to Railway Mania for doing this special. Featuring a a BR bonnet and industrial peak cab , the varient that was used at normanby Park.

 

Next we have john dunns Andrew barclay no8. Modified with the rolled edge running board , later cab (from Planet Industrials ) new Ross pop safety valves and the whistle moved to the cab roof .

 

Finally. The shed. The pit has been weathered, junk and oil added to make it look used but clean

Finally the shed

 

Also ! static grass trails

[gpplumy]

"Alex"*, a Rapido Trains UK story. (A tale of good service)

 

(* soon to be renamed frank)

 

"Alex" arrived in January. And I was so very excited, however, while running in It derailed, again , and again ,and again.

It had no side play I the front axle. With a quick contact to rapido , a label arrived for sending him back, and off he went. 

 

A week (or maybe 2) later, the boy returned! Or rather a new model, And Worked perfectly, but missing something.... thats right. His funnel! Looking a little bit like Peter sam from those thomas and friends/railway series stories! 

 

Off went another email. And back with a very apologetic one , a quick form filling and a new funnel made its way back to me. 

 

And finally. Alex looks brilliant with his funnel and runs brillianty.

 

 

Oxfordshire ironstone had a small number of hunslets , "Alex"being one. And another of the number , called "Frank".

 

"Frank" (Hunslet 3872/1958), as I understand , was the last steam locomotive delivered to the ironstone industry.

 

Unlike "Alex", "Frank" was fitted with vacuume brakes. It also carried buck eye style couplings used on the dump cars with a altered buffer beam. 

 

For now the main addition was the vacuume brakes. I may one day add some form of buck eyes. But I have used the buck eye shaped magnet couplings. 

 

I've found 2 photos I've used for reference. This also includes the various bits of wood I've added to the buffer beam. 

 

And finally, 

Thanks so much to rapido for the brilliant service. Absolutely top notch.

[gpplumy]

just a few more photos 

[gpplumy]

Double barrel post ! 

 

First of all , 2 new locos have joined the fleet. 2 more janus in the British still 85-87 all yellow liveries , including very short lived logo 

 

15 with the short lived scunthorpe works logo 

 

 

 

And next , some honest to God scratch building using styrene. I've built a gantry for holding the conveyor and walkway to hide the fiddle yard. I've not been happy with this area for some time. I feel this very much improves it. Just need to add some crossmembers , a concrete base . And paint  ! 

 

[gpplumy]

And stanchion complete ! Used a few photos for the colouring and a wash to give it a dirty feel. 

[gpplumy]

Plumtree works is at its first show ! 

 

This weekend Plumtree works will be appearing at the railriders show , at crewe heritage center.  Open to members and non members of Rail Riders. I hope you'll come and enjoy what will hopefully be a good day out

 

Plumtree works will be running current era stock with appearances from heritage Appleby frodingham railway tours 😉 

 

 

A few new things have been added to the layout including lights. Which will appeared here after the show in photo form of course ! 

 

[gpplumy]

a few photos from the railriders show , hope anyone who saw the layout enjoyed it !

[gpplumy]

If all goes to plan, plumtree works shall be attending

[gpplumy]

So ! all ready for the model show , light bar fitted to make it a little brighter, more bushes and plants around the layout, a night running mode for use at home, and 2 more janus have been renumbered and joined the family. 

[gpplumy]

So ! Scunthorpe show was a success ! .

 

Besides a minor controller failure on Saturday (009 side) and 2 locos failures . We had 2 good days of running the layout. Plenty of wonderful comments. And many friends visiting 

 

Not to mention a steelworkers reunion as such as they gathered around the layout. 

 

Really enjoyed to opportunity to display  the layout on home ground 

[gpplumy]

And thanks to Paul gaylar for one of these photos