Gresley Junction

[thegreenhowards]

This afternoon I’m showing the arrival of the 1854 inner suburban from KX terminating in platform 4. It’s headed by N1, 69458.

 

Now proceeding down the platform.

 

Here it is at rest at platform 4.

[thegreenhowards]

Next through Gresley Jn is the down Master Cutler hauled by DP2. The date must be between 1963 (when the loco moved to Finsbury Park) & 1965 (when it was painted two tone green), one of my latest workings but I wanted an excuse for DP2.

 

 

Here is the full formation which is short enough to be easy to photograph.

 

[Clive Mortimore]

1 hour ago, thegreenhowards said:

Next through Gresley Jn is the down Master Cutler hauled by DP2. The date must be between 1963 (when the loco moved to Finsbury Park) & 1965 (when it was painted two tone green), one of my latest workings but I wanted an excuse for DP2.

 

 

Here is the full formation which is short enough to be easy to photograph.

 

Hi Andy

 

I too have a Heljan DP2, in its later livery. I pre-ordered it and when I opened the box I was so disappointed with it. In trying to appease the 2nd radius modellers and the purist who wanted the right size wheels and the correct ride height at the same time, they altered the width of the nose and too me it looks wrong. I much prefer my old Lima conversion as the "face" looks right.

 

Saying that here it is in the Manchester sidings waiting its turn to whizz to Sheff Ex. So it gets used.

 And an older photo on a Pullman train.

 

 

Edited February 3, 2021 by Clive Mortimore

[thegreenhowards]

2 hours ago, Clive Mortimore said:

Hi Andy

 

I too have a Heljan DP2, in its later livery. I pre-ordered it and when I opened the box I was so disappointed with it. In trying to appease the 2nd radius modellers and the purist who wanted the right size wheels and the correct ride height at the same time, they altered the width of the nose and too me it looks wrong. I much prefer my old Lima conversion as the "face" looks right.

 

Saying that here it is in the Manchester sidings waiting its turn to whizz to Sheff Ex. So it gets used.

 And an older photo on a Pullman train.

 

 

Clive,

 

I hadn’t noticed the nose problem but then, sadly, I’m not the most observant of modellers. To me it looks convincing, works very well and will pull anything asked of it, so I’m happy. I never saw the real thing - I was only three when it met its unfortunate end.

While I think the two tone green suited it better, I’m pleased to have the earlier livery on mine as otherwise it’s too hard to distinguish it from a real Deltic.

 

Andy

 

[Clive Mortimore]

10 hours ago, thegreenhowards said:

Clive,

 

I hadn’t noticed the nose problem but then, sadly, I’m not the most observant of modellers. To me it looks convincing, works very well and will pull anything asked of it, so I’m happy. I never saw the real thing - I was only three when it met its unfortunate end.

While I think the two tone green suited it better, I’m pleased to have the earlier livery on mine as otherwise it’s too hard to distinguish it from a real Deltic.

 

Andy

 

Hi Andy

 

I have highlighted why mine hasn't been put in its box and hidden out of view. It doesn't look right in my opinion but works very well, after all a layout that works well and one that has reliable working locos and stock is a pleasure to operate.

[thegreenhowards]

Today it’s a Decoy to KX East Goods Class E. I’m not really sure what goods this train would have carried. It doesn’t seem to appear on PN so I suspect had disappeared by 1958 but is in my WTT from 1953 so I’m running something. I’m assuming it stopped to pick up traffic at New England, hence the brick wagons. It’s headed by K3, 61870 which is a Wills body acquired from Tony Wright on Bachmann chassis. Some might say that this is the worst of both worlds but it runs smoothly and the white metal means it pulls well so it works for me.

 

 

Here’s more of the train.

 

For its full glory you’ll have to watch the video.

 

 

[John Tomlinson]

I've never really quite known why people turn their noses up at the Bachmann K3. I realise the wheels are a tad small, but in service all locos had tyre wear, plus you have the illusion of larger wheels because of overscale flanges. It doesn't seem any more out than many kitbuilders would happily accept as a working compromise on their constructions in order to get brakes in, necessary working clearances etc. My own two are Bachmann top and bottom. Both chassis needed some fettling of rough rod and valve gear pressings to get running nicely, but after that were fine.

 

Clive is of course quite right about the front end of DP2, but as he says you don't really notice as it bowls along with a rake of coaches, running splendidly per most Heljan offerings. Your all green variant on the Master Cutler looks the real deal.

 

John.

[Tony Wright]

4 hours ago, thegreenhowards said:

Today it’s a Decoy to KX East Goods Class E. I’m not really sure what goods this train would have carried. It doesn’t seem to appear on PN so I suspect had disappeared by 1958 but is in my WTT from 1953 so I’m running something. I’m assuming it stopped to pick up traffic at New England, hence the brick wagons. It’s headed by K3, 61870 which is a Wills body acquired from Tony Wright on Bachmann chassis. Some might say that this is the worst of both worlds but it runs smoothly and the white metal means it pulls well so it works for me.

 

 

Here’s more of the train.

 

For its full glory you’ll have to watch the video.

 

 

It certainly looks the part, Andy,

 

I'm delighted it's had a new lease of life and it certainly runs well. 

 

When I acquired it, someone had made and fitted a South Eastern Finecast etched chassis. Rather than that go to 'waste' (it runs very well), I ordered a K3 body kit from SEF, and made it to go on top of the chassis, utilising the original Wills tender. After my painting/weathering it, I think it suits quite well...................

 

 

Mention has been made of the under-sized drivers on the Bachmann K3. I think they scale at about 5' 3", which, even allowing for tyre wear and over-scale flanges, is a bit too much (or too little).

 

 

The difference between what the Bachmann wheel should be and what it is is visible here.

 

Nonetheless, the basic Bachmann K3 body is rather good, and I've got a couple...........

 

 

This one rides on an SEF set of frames and tows an LRM GNR tender; something different. I just altered it to RH-drive, made the front steps and modified the Bachmann valve gear. 

 

 

A similar thing was done for Tom Foster, this time fitting a new cab from SEF. I do think the 'correct-sized' drivers do make a difference.

 

And, why Bachmann never supplied the front steps with its K3, I don't know; something about fouling the pony on tight curves?

 

Thank you for an entertaining and enlightening thread. I dip in every day.

 

Regards,

 

Tony. 

 

 

[Clive Mortimore]

2 hours ago, Tony Wright said:

It certainly looks the part, Andy,

 

I'm delighted it's had a new lease of life and it certainly runs well. 

 

When I acquired it, someone had made and fitted a South Eastern Finecast etched chassis. Rather than that go to 'waste' (it runs very well), I ordered a K3 body kit from SEF, and made it to go on top of the chassis, utilising the original Wills tender. After my painting/weathering it, I think it suits quite well...................

 

 

Mention has been made of the under-sized drivers on the Bachmann K3. I think they scale at about 5' 3", which, even allowing for tyre wear and over-scale flanges, is a bit too much (or too little).

 

 

The difference between what the Bachmann wheel should be and what it is is visible here.

 

Nonetheless, the basic Bachmann K3 body is rather good, and I've got a couple...........

 

 

This one rides on an SEF set of frames and tows an LRM GNR tender; something different. I just altered it to RH-drive, made the front steps and modified the Bachmann valve gear. 

 

 

A similar thing was done for Tom Foster, this time fitting a new cab from SEF. I do think the 'correct-sized' drivers do make a difference.

 

And, why Bachmann never supplied the front steps with its K3, I don't know; something about fouling the pony on tight curves?

 

Thank you for an entertaining and enlightening thread. I dip in every day.

 

Regards,

 

Tony. 

 

 

Hello Tony

 

I have a Bachmann K3 and accept its wheels are too small. It runs reliably. When it is meandering around the running lines on my layout with the clickity click of the coaches behind it can I notice the wheels being smaller than they should be? The same is with DP2, its nose is 'orrid but whizzing around it looks the part. I suppose it is down to how much of a compromise the individual modeller is willing to make to achieve their vision of reality in model form.   As I said earlier on today a layout that works well and one that has reliable working locos and stock is a pleasure to operate. So slightly smaller wheels is a compromise I am willing to live with.

Edited February 5, 2021 by Clive Mortimore

[thegreenhowards]

Thanks Tony,

 

13 hours ago, Tony Wright said:

And, why Bachmann never supplied the front steps with its K3, I don't know; something about fouling the pony on tight curves?

 

I agree. I have fitted some plasticard versions on a couple of mine and they're fine on my 36" curves. It would probably be an issue on train set curves but that's why they supply them as optional detailing for the purchaser to fit on other models. Definitely worth doing. 

 

 

13 hours ago, Tony Wright said:

 

 

 

 

Mention has been made of the under-sized drivers on the Bachmann K3. I think they scale at about 5' 3", which, even allowing for tyre wear and over-scale flanges, is a bit too much (or too little).

 

 

I agree that when shown back to back the drivers are clearly far too small...even allowing for a lot of wear. However when running on the layout I don't notice this as there isn't another K3 next door to compare. It's a compromise that I'm prepared to accept for a well running running chassis. I think the footsteps is a bigger issue and luckily easier to fix.

 

13 hours ago, Tony Wright said:

 

Quote

 

Thank you for an entertaining and enlightening thread. I dip in every day.

 

Regards,

 

Tony. 

 

 

 

Thanks for those kind words - It's good to know that you appreciate it.

 

Regards

 

Andy

[Tony Wright]

15 minutes ago, thegreenhowards said:

Thanks Tony,

 

 

I agree. I have fitted some plasticard versions on a couple of mine and they're fine on my 36" curves. It would probably be an issue on train set curves but that's why they supply them as optional detailing for the purchaser to fit on other models. Definitely worth doing. 

 

 

 

I agree that when shown back to back the drivers are clearly far too small...even allowing for a lot of wear. However when running on the layout I don't notice this as there isn't another K3 next door to compare. It's a compromise that I'm prepared to accept for a well running running chassis. I think the footsteps is a bigger issue and luckily easier to fix.

 

 

Thanks for those kind words - It's good to know that you appreciate it.

 

Regards

 

Andy

Thanks Andy,

 

I think you've made the point well about your not having another K3 'next door' to compare. 

 

All my K3s (the ones I use on LB), whether kit-built or the one with the Bachmann body, have the 'correct'-sized driving wheels, so I'd notice under-sized ones. However, as you say, on a layout (at over 3'), I doubt if most would notice. 

 

If you have a good-running Bachmann K3 chassis, then stick with it. The one originally-under my 61812 was a real dud, and it's not the only one I've seen. 

 

This one does run well, though it lives in its box; having five other K3s, it's not really needed. 

 

 

It's a Bachmann one, beautifully-weathered by Tony Geary. I added the wiggly pipes. 

 

Are the too-small drivers that noticeable on a layout? Much less so that the lack of front steps (these are made of metal).

 

Regards,

 

Tony. 

 

 

 

[thegreenhowards]

5 hours ago, Tony Wright said:

Thanks Andy,

 

I think you've made the point well about your not having another K3 'next door' to compare. 

 

All my K3s (the ones I use on LB), whether kit-built or the one with the Bachmann body, have the 'correct'-sized driving wheels, so I'd notice under-sized ones. However, as you say, on a layout (at over 3'), I doubt if most would notice. 

 

If you have a good-running Bachmann K3 chassis, then stick with it. The one originally-under my 61812 was a real dud, and it's not the only one I've seen. 

 

This one does run well, though it lives in its box; having five other K3s, it's not really needed. 

 

 

It's a Bachmann one, beautifully-weathered by Tony Geary. I added the wiggly pipes. 

 

Are the too-small drivers that noticeable on a layout? Much less so that the lack of front steps (these are made of metal).

 

Regards,

 

Tony. 

 

 

 

I rather like K3s and also have five which is far too many for the south end of the GNML in the ‘50s. So I have to use them whenever there’s an excuse. Which basically means the Hull and Grimsby fish trains and the occasional other goods. Two of them are SE Finecast with correct size wheels, but they don’t run at the same time as my stunted wheel variants!

 

One should make an appearance shortly as it’s getting towards fish ‘O’ clock!

 

Regards

 

Andy

 

[thegreenhowards]

Today it’s the 1925 KX-Cambridge formed of a corridor 6 set and a couple of non corridor strengtheners and headed today by baby Deltic D5901.

 

Here it has stopped in platform 2.

 

The carriage workings say that it picked up a BG and vanfit at Hatfield, so as I’m pretending to be Hatfield that’s what I do. They are waiting in platform 1 behind the loco with a D.120 BY instead of a vanfit - anyone know if that is reasonable? The Baby Deltic uncouples and collects the vans. I’ve no idea whether that’s what would have happened or whether the station pilot would have added them to the rear of the train.

 

Having attached the vans, the Baby Deltic is ready to leave.

 

And here she is rounding ‘gasworks’ curve.

 

Edited February 5, 2021 by thegreenhowards

[thegreenhowards]

As trailered yesterday, it’s now fish ‘o’ clock. There were three up evening fish trains on the southern part of the GNML, two from Hull and one from New Clee. This is the first Hull. In honour of yesterday’s exchange on K3s, this is headed by, 61905, one of my SEF versions with the correct sized drivers. It was an eBay purchase last Summer and all I’ve done is renumber and weather it.

 

 

Here is an aerial view of the whole train.

 

 

And a going away shot.

 

The video shows more of the fish wagons for those interested.

 

[thegreenhowards]

This evening it’s a down Class C from KX Goods to Leeds headed by my namesake V2, 60835.

 

 

Now with a going away shot.

 

 

you'll have to watch the video to see the whole train.

 

 

[thegreenhowards]

The sleeper trains are some of my favourites and today marks the first of the evening trains through Gresley Jn. This is the Aberdonian headed by 60156, Great Central. 

 

Here is a longer look at the train.

 

 

This is the heaviest train on Gresley Jn and not many locos will manage it. This Bachmann A1 has been well weighted and now manages fine although there’s a bit of wheel slip on starting and it slows a little on the curve.

 

The formation is based on the Summer 1956 version of the train and the stock is mainly kit built (10 of the 14 vehicles) with my particular favourites being the sleeping and restaurant cars as follows.

Thompson SLTTP (Mousa sides with the rest scratch built/ cobbled together)

 

Gresley 66’6” SLF (Kirk cut ‘n’shut)

 

Gresley twin SLC (D.161/2 Kirk cut ‘n’ shut). Only two of these were built and both worked the Aberdonian - one northbound and one southbound.

 

 

Gresley SLC (Mousa sides on Hornby donor).

 

D.11 Restaurant car (Kirk cut ‘n’ shut). This went on the rear and came off at York after serving dinner.

 

The video shows the full train.

 

 

 

 

Edited February 8, 2021 by thegreenhowards
Cropping photos

[thegreenhowards]

Tonight it’s the 1955 KX- Cambridge buffet express headed by B17, 61646, Gilwell Park.

 

 

I’m afraid this is out of the box Hornby and I’ve even put the lamp on lopsided.
 

The train is formed from my standard Cambridge line corridor set with the Gresley BSK(3)s replaced by Mark 1 BSOs and a tourist buffet inserted. This has to be done reaching across 2’ of fiddle yard and is so much easier with the Hunt couplings.  Here’s the full train.
 

 

the BSOs are Southern Pride

 

and the buffet is Mailcoach

[thegreenhowards]

Frozen points have stopped all services at Gresley Jn - a.k.a. It’s too cold in the loft for me to go and play trains!

 

But in the meantime, I’ve been working on the New Year’s Resolution which @St Enodocset me, namely to improve the station signage. This is my first attempt at a new running in board. It’s made from 2mm square plastic section round off at the top of the posts with a backing plate of 0.5mm plasticard and some plasticard strips top and bottom. The signage is from Scalescenes. The black section at the foot of the posts is too tall. The excess will either be buried in the platform (if I can work out how to create a square hole neatly or cut off.

 

It’s loosely based on this one.

 

I also intend to embellish my lamps with totems like this.

 

 

Any comments on obvious errors I’ve made or areas for improvement gratefully received.

 

Andy

 

[St Enodoc]

8 hours ago, thegreenhowards said:

Frozen points have stopped all services at Gresley Jn - a.k.a. It’s too cold in the loft for me to go and play trains!

 

But in the meantime, I’ve been working on the New Year’s Resolution which @St Enodocset me, namely to improve the station signage. This is my first attempt at a new running in board. It’s made from 2mm square plastic section round off at the top of the posts with a backing plate of 0.5mm plasticard and some plasticard strips top and bottom. The signage is from Scalescenes. The black section at the foot of the posts is too tall. The excess will either be buried in the platform (if I can work out how to create a square hole neatly or cut off.

 

It’s loosely based on this one.

 

I also intend to embellish my lamps with totems like this.

 

 

Any comments on obvious errors I’ve made or areas for improvement gratefully received.

 

Andy

 

They look just right Andy. Glad I got under your skin...

[thegreenhowards]

On 13/02/2021 at 00:56, St Enodoc said:

They look just right Andy. Glad I got under your skin...

Thanks John,

 

They weren’t on my radar until you said something but once you had drawn them to my attention they screamed ‘shoddy’ at me. I will take the radio silence from other followers as acquiescence and go into production mode. Look out for an improvement on the layout soon.

 

Andy

 

 

[thegreenhowards]

The loft has thawed out now so I’ve run some trains. First up is a Highbury Vale to New England empty coal train headed by 90158.

 

Now rounding Gasworks curve.

And a couple of going away shots.

 

[thegreenhowards]

Today, it’s a debut performance from C1, 2881 on a Royston-KX outer suburban.

 

 

This loco is the Bachmann/ Locomotion model renumbered into LNER post war condition as featured on Coulsdon Works recently. I don’t have carriage workings for the late ‘40s. This was a non corridor 6 set with a couple of vanfits added by 1958 so I’ve used my teak non corridor set.

 

Here it is at rest in platform 5.

 

Instead of the vanfits, I added my new ex GNR milk brake to the rear of the formations I needed an excuse to run it!

 

[thegreenhowards]

This afternoon its the turn of another of my favourite overnight trains, The Car Sleeper Limited, headed by 60066, Merry Hampton.

Merry Hampton is a Wills body on a Hornby chassis. The weight from the white metal is useful on this train.

 

This was the first motor rail service in the UK and ran on every night except Friday from KX to Perth. This is the 1956 formation when it still had the four wheel CCTs and the 61’6” SLTs. Later it got bogie vans for the cars and the longer 66’ SLTs. There is a good picture of the train in the Banks and Carter LNER train formations book.

 

Here it is crossing the viaduct.

 

 

...and a going away shot.

 

 

The CCTs are the Hornby ones. I invested when Hornby were selling off surplus stock cheap and I think I paid about £10 each. I’ve had to renumber most of them and weather them. I think they look quite impressive en mass.  The most interesting coaches are the three convertible sleepers to D.95. These are Kirk sides - one  a complete Kirk kit and the others built onto Hornby donors. As far as I can tell, these were not branded ‘sleeping car’.

 

 

The video shows the complete train crossing the viaduct.

 

 

[Tony Teague]

Thats a nice rake of car carriers! - but I always like vans & NPCS of all kinds.

Tony

[thegreenhowards]

4 minutes ago, Tony Teague said:

Thats a nice rake of car carriers! - but I always like vans & NPCS of all kinds.

Tony

Thanks Tony. I agree about NPCS and also have a thing for sleeping cars, so put the two together and it’s almost a perfect train. I’d really like to build some of the 66ft SLTs (D148) for it which were in the formation from 1957(I think) as they look more like sleeping cars. But sadly there’s no kit or sides for them. I’m working on a couple of possibilities so watch this space!

 

Andy