Cholsey & Moulsford (Change for Wallingford)

[Nick Gough]

The first yard of track into the Down Relief platform:

With the glued sleepers, for the Up Relief joint, sitting on the platform ramp, before placing into position.

 

The facing points for the Up Relief to Up Main crossover in place:

 

Edited October 26, 2022 by Nick Gough

[Nick Gough]

I have finished laying both relief lines through the station:

 

and have installed the platform sides for the Up Relief/Branch Bay:

 

The first section of the Wallingford branch line has been laid in the bay platform:

 

It's probably going to be a while before I lay any more track on the branch line - mainly due to the lack of bullhead points. However, it is, as they say, a statement of intent. Also, now I have track here, I can confirm the edge of the trackbed so I can put in the embankment sides and finish the edge of this baseboard.

 

On the Reading side of the station I have used some recycled lengths of Peco code 100 to plot out the route of Down Relief line:

The Relief lines gradually converge with the Main lines here, from the width of the island platform. 

(There will also be a refuge siding, for the Down Relief, eventually, between the two pairs of running lines)

Edited October 26, 2022 by Nick Gough
Removing an error.

[Nick Gough]

A little bit of inspiration from last Sunday:

 

Edited October 26, 2022 by Nick Gough

[Nick Gough]

Both relief lines are now laid to just past Silly Bridge:

Silly Bridge is just beyond the buffer stops of both Down refuge sidings and, therefore, marks the Reading end of the station layout. The goods wagons are sitting on the position of the Down Relief refuge.

 

Looking back towards the station from the bridge parapet:

the station platform ramps are approximately fifteen feet away on my model.

 

The nearby points, on the right, will form the trailing entry from the Up Relief into the goods yard and will be attached to a double slip, once they are available, starting two sidings (including the goods shed road) and a kickback to the headshunt:

Edited October 26, 2022 by Nick Gough

[Nick Gough]

A short break this week as we enjoyed the Dorset sunshine staying in a log cabin at Swanage.

A bit different from what we had planned - a river cruise from St Petersburg to Moscow - and we were joined by our daughter and her family instead of their trip to Disney World.

However, this meant we could support the local steam railway by booking a compartment for a return journey. All passenger movement was carefully controlled at the stations and this did limit the opportunities for photography:

I don't know whether this type would have worked any of the Southern goods trains, through Cholsey, from Moreton Yard? Although since the yard wasn't opened until the 1940s that's outside my period.

 

We also visited the Tank museum, at Bovingdon, where I picked this up:

with the thought it might look good on a Crocodile wagon or similar. 

I know it's really too early for me but there were no models of 1920s or '30s tanks there.

In any case I can always suggest it is being taken up to London for display at either the Royal Tournament or Armistice Day at Horseguards.

Edited October 26, 2022 by Nick Gough

[Tallpaul69]

Hi Nick,

the U and the WW1 Tank are good Rule 1 items!

My southern Rule I items are southern local passenger trains running through Maidenhead to terminate at Slough from Basingstoke etc. rather than terminating at Reading!

The story?

Limited capacity at Reading to terminate trains from the Southern due to station rebuilding with the closure of Reading SR station!

- yes I know that effected the trains to the east end bays, not those to the west end bays, but I like my southern green!!

 

Glad you got away for a few days, we have yet to manage anything!

 

Cheers

Paul

 

[Siberian Snooper]

Southern engines ran through to Oxford from Reading on inter-comany trains. So no need for rule 1.

 

 

[Tallpaul69]

20 hours ago, Siberian Snooper said:

Southern engines ran through to Oxford from Reading on inter-comany trains. So no need for rule 1.

 

 

Mainly spam cans, rebuilds and Nelsons on passenger workings. I think Nick was referring to the U, which admittedly could be used as a substitute?- good reason to run the train late!!

[Nick Gough]

All true, but it's a bit academic for me since the only Southern loco I have, at the moment, is a Hornby Dublo R1 0-6-0T and I don't think that they got to Oxford very often!

Adrian Vaughan's book 'Heart of the Great Western' has two nice colour photos, at Oxford, on the cover.

Taken in April 1939 the first shows a mixed train of GWR and SR coaches having arrived at the Up platform behind a Castle, and the second with a King Arthur now at the front of the same train.

If I do have a cross-country train a King Arthur is, I think, what I would choose to run it with.

 

Back to the Mark I tank, I was inspired by an article in Railway Modeller from about two or three years ago. This was the creation of a WWI era tank carrying train. This included one commercial model tank but the rest were cunningly formed from wooden shapes hidden under tarpaulins/sheets - helped by the simplicity of the prototype's profile.

[Tallpaul69]

A King Arthur is a good choice for the 30s cross country!

[snailpace]

There are lots of pre-war tank models, plastic and resin, out there.  You just need to find them! Try Hannants for starters, usually a few Vickers and cruiser tanks on there (1/72). Not really sure whether many would be seen on the railway tho, there weren’t many of them around. I have invoked rule 1.... Cheers, Mark

[Nick Gough]

17 hours ago, snailpace said:

There are lots of pre-war tank models, plastic and resin, out there.  You just need to find them! Try Hannants for starters, usually a few Vickers and cruiser tanks on there (1/72). Not really sure whether many would be seen on the railway tho, there weren’t many of them around. I have invoked rule 1.... Cheers, Mark

 

Thanks Mark. I'll have a look.

 

I've tracked down the Railway Modeller article I mentioned. It dates from December 2016.

Not only did the author put together an Airfix WWI tank kit and scratchbuild three tank shapes.

He also scratchbuilt four GWR 'Macaw' bogie flat wagons to carry them.

[Nick Gough]

I've called a halt to tracklaying at the moment - mostly due to the Peco points and crossings situation, so I have decided to have a go at something a bit different.

Can you tell what it is yet?

 

Edited October 26, 2022 by Nick Gough

[Tallpaul69]

On ‎07‎/‎09‎/‎2020 at 17:00, Nick Gough said:

I've called a halt to tracklaying at the moment - mostly due to the Peco points and crossings situation, so I have decided to have a go at something a bit different.

Can you tell what it is yet?

 

Nick,

By the deafening silence, I think you have stumped us all?

 

Can we have another clue??

 

On a serious note, do you have any idea when normal Peco track supplies will resume/

 

Cheers

Paul

[Nick Gough]

17 hours ago, Tallpaul69 said:

Nick,

By the deafening silence, I think you have stumped us all?

 

Can we have another clue??

 

On a serious note, do you have any idea when normal Peco track supplies will resume/

 

Cheers

Paul

I'm afraid I'm as much in the dark as everyone else on the Peco situation.

I managed to get a few yards of Bullhead and a pair of points in the Northampton model shop recently.

The biggest question for me is when the long promised slips and crossings will be out (that were originally due last year) plus the medium radius points that were promised for this year, before the world went mad.

[Nick Gough]

Only a little progress since my first photo, but it may be a little clearer:

Edited October 26, 2022 by Nick Gough

[Tallpaul69]

5 hours ago, Nick Gough said:

Only a little progress since my first photo, but it may be a little clearer:

I think it's the goods shed?

 

To me, the road access looks a bit tall and narrow, but I'm only going by the GWR Goods sheds I am familiar with! I guess the height is reduced by the awning?

 

Not quite sure what the three pieces at the bottom of the photo are, but looks like the roof line is different to Maidenhead Tetbury etc.?

 

Keep up the good work, looks like you are beating me on the goods shed front hands down - I have still to finish my drawings!

 

Cheers

Paul

 

[Nick Gough]

On 10/09/2020 at 14:19, Tallpaul69 said:

I think it's the goods shed?

 

To me, the road access looks a bit tall and narrow, but I'm only going by the GWR Goods sheds I am familiar with! I guess the height is reduced by the awning?

 

Not quite sure what the three pieces at the bottom of the photo are, but looks like the roof line is different to Maidenhead Tetbury etc.?

 

Keep up the good work, looks like you are beating me on the goods shed front hands down - I have still to finish my drawings!

 

Cheers

Paul

 

Yes, it's the goods shed.

Similar to the sheds at Maidenhead:

and Tetbury:

but shorter than both with several differences.

 

I am making the shed slightly taller than it should be to allow me to bury it slightly into the surrounding ground cover, and the road access is narrower than Maidenhead and Tetbury. Both of these had double door road accesses, taking up the space across two window bays:

whereas at Cholsey there was just one door covering one bay - no doubt the traffic was lighter than the other two.

 

I am making the basic structure from 3mm ply and will cover this with brick effect plasticard, with further plasticard laminations to create the recesses and buttresses, similar to this model construction:

http://www.mrol.com.au/Pages/Vu/ModellingTetburyGoodsShed

 

The three pieces at the bottom of my photo will form the outside walls of the semi-detached goods office.

 

Edited October 26, 2022 by Nick Gough

[Tallpaul69]

21 hours ago, Nick Gough said:

Yes, it's the goods shed.

Similar to the sheds at Maidenhead:

and Tetbury:

but shorter than both with several differences.

 

I am making the shed slightly taller than it should be to allow me to bury it slightly into the surrounding ground cover, and the road access is narrower than Maidenhead and Tetbury. Both of these had double door road accesses, taking up the space across two window bays:

whereas at Cholsey there was just one door covering one bay - no doubt the traffic was lighter than the other two.

 

I am making the basic structure from 3mm ply and will cover this with brick effect plasticard, with further plasticard laminations to create the recesses and buttresses, similar to this model construction:

http://www.mrol.com.au/Pages/Vu/ModellingTetburyGoodsShed

 

The three pieces at the bottom of my photo will form the outside walls of the semi-detached goods office.

 

Understand the tree small pieces now!

 

I agree about using brick effect plasticard surfacing and for buttresses etc.. I am thinking of using thick cardboard or a plastic sheet for the basic structure, both of which I have a good supply of!

 

Because Maidenhead is so long I was thinking of making it in three parts:- Two identical halves for the main shed plus a third one for the extension.

Alternatively I could make the main shed in one piece with cross reinforcements either at each quarter way or at each third way along.

I might pose a question in the structures forum to see what the experts think!

 

I guess with your plywood on a shorter shed you will not need cross strengtheners?

 

Cheers

Paul

[Nick Gough]

4 hours ago, Tallpaul69 said:

Understand the tree small pieces now!

 

I agree about using brick effect plasticard surfacing and for buttresses etc.. I am thinking of using thick cardboard or a plastic sheet for the basic structure, both of which I have a good supply of!

 

Because Maidenhead is so long I was thinking of making it in three parts:- Two identical halves for the main shed plus a third one for the extension.

Alternatively I could make the main shed in one piece with cross reinforcements either at each quarter way or at each third way along.

I might pose a question in the structures forum to see what the experts think!

 

I guess with your plywood on a shorter shed you will not need cross strengtheners?

 

Cheers

Paul

The cart deck, which will attach to the road side and the ends, should provide some rigidity. I am  also considering including the rafters, above each buttress, to join the two sides.

[Nick Gough]

No progress to update on at the moment.

However, I did manage to fit in a research, field trip, this week, to Moulsford Bridge.

Both ends of the bridge can be visited, along the river bank, but they are over half a mile from the nearest road. Because of the current state of the foliage the bridge is not properly visible until you get quite close.

 

This is the London end of the original, Brunel side of the bridge:

 

A second bridge was added alongside, for the relief lines, in the 1890s:

There are four small brick arches connecting the two at the crown of each main arch. The girders and pipe, I believe, are a much later addition.

 

The main reason for my visit was to establish the distance between the two so I can fix my own relief line bridge in the correct place:

The gap at the London end I measured at 9'3" whereas the Bristol end is 9'8"!

 

Returning to my car, from the London end, I then had a six mile drive, and further half mile walk to the Bristol end. The nearest river crossing is at Wallingford.

 

The 'new' bridge:

Although a different coloured brick this very much follows the style and design of Brunel's original. The main difference is the substitution of brick for the stone edging of each arch:

and this creates an interesting pattern due to the skew of the whole structure:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited October 26, 2022 by Nick Gough
Spelling mistake

[RJS1977]

Had you been up at Cholsey station at the right time today, you would have seen something that hasn't been seen there in a long time - if at all.

 

Our Wickham Trolley made its first full run up the branch after a long period out of use.

 

There may be something else unusual going up the branch next Saturday....

[Nick Gough]

On 19/09/2020 at 17:26, RJS1977 said:

Had you been up at Cholsey station at the right time today, you would have seen something that hasn't been seen there in a long time - if at all.

 

Our Wickham Trolley made its first full run up the branch after a long period out of use.

 

There may be something else unusual going up the branch next Saturday....

Good to hear that you can get something running on the branch this year.

 

I did go up to the station after I left the bridge but this was on Tuesday.

My first visit since the ironmongery and knitting went up:

 

At least the entrance still looks the same:

Edited October 26, 2022 by Nick Gough

[RJS1977]

1 minute ago, Nick Gough said:

Good to hear that you can get something running on the branch this year.

 

 

I asked the Chairman if the Wickham had been the first working to Cholsey this year - he said no, as a firm have been using the line to test on-track plant and I think there may have been a couple of other test runs as well.

 

Sadly we're still quite a way off being able to operate public services as the canopy work is still ongoing and the coaches are undergoing major overhauls.

[Nick Gough]

8 minutes ago, RJS1977 said:

Sadly we're still quite a way off being able to operate public services as the canopy work is still ongoing and the coaches are undergoing major overhauls.

When it's finished you will certainly have an impressive station to welcome visitors.