Cholsey & Moulsford (Change for Wallingford)

[MrWolf]

A lot of end loading docks had metal plates that were hinged to drop down over buffers onto the end of the wagon, usually hinged back to lay flat on the platform when not in use.

Some were completely removable.

[Neal Ball]

I wonder if it became an issue when cars were being loaded and needed the consistent height. 
 

Horse drawn vehicles, might have been easier to bounce up a slight difference in height.

 

Im guessing, but is it a case of “different times”?

[Nick Gough]

6 hours ago, Neal Ball said:

I wonder if it became an issue when cars were being loaded and needed the consistent height. 
 

Horse drawn vehicles, might have been easier to bounce up a slight difference in height.

 

Im guessing, but is it a case of “different times”?

Interesting suggestion Neal. 

 

I suppose it would also depend on how much end-loading traffic there was - I can't imagine it was a daily occurrence at Cholsey, though we are unlikely to find out at this distance in time.

 

However, I'm sure, by the same token, it's extremely unlikely that there's anyone around now who can say, "You've done that wrong!"

[Nick Gough]

Since the goods/loading platform is situated on the lifting flap I have glued it, in position, on the baseboard for finishing off:

 

The two rectangular holes in the background of the second photo mark the positions of the weighbridge and its hut.

 

Since the buffer stop is largely hidden by the platform  I decided to have a go at making this from scratch.

 

First I scanned a scale drawing, then printed four of the front sections onto paper, before pritt sticking these to a small piece of 30 thou plastikard. When dry these were cut out:

I then used needle files to try and make these roughly rail shaped.

 

With a small piece of balsa, for the buffer beam, painted and glued to the end of the siding:

The rails will need some weathering!

[Nick Gough]

Interesting news from Dapol, this week, regarding the 48xx and 517 models.

 

The Wallingford branch was worked almost exclusively by 517s, from the start of the 20th century, until the first 48xx appeared on the line in 1935. By the end of the next year these had completely taken over.

 

I have three of the old Airfix 14xx models, with their characteristic running qualities, so I think I will be looking to buy one of each of the new models.

[Nick Gough]

The latest issue of 'Western Times' has a nice illustrated article on the Wallingford branch:

With a few photos at Cholsey:

 

Including a 517 recorded coming off the branch, onto the Up Relief line, in 1931.

[Tallpaul69]

On 04/05/2024 at 14:47, Nick Gough said:

Since the goods/loading platform is situated on the lifting flap I have glued it, in position, on the baseboard for finishing off:

 

The two rectangular holes in the background of the second photo mark the positions of the weighbridge and its hut.

 

Since the buffer stop is largely hidden by the platform  I decided to have a go at making this from scratch.

 

First I scanned a scale drawing, then printed four of the front sections onto paper, before pritt sticking these to a small piece of 30 thou plastikard. When dry these were cut out:

I then used needle files to try and make these roughly rail shaped.

 

With a small piece of balsa, for the buffer beam, painted and glued to the end of the siding:

The rails will need some weathering!

Nick,

I have followed your endeavours with the loading bay buffer stop with great interest as I have a similar situation in my bay.

In my case, things are a little simpler as it is not an end loading bay, it is too near the end of the station buildings, but length is at a premium in this siding.

Originally I was thinking of a plain timber fixed to the wall, but I do like your solution! 

Cheers, Paul  

[Nick Gough]

1 hour ago, Tallpaul69 said:

Nick,

I have followed your endeavours with the loading bay buffer stop with great interest as I have a similar situation in my bay.

In my case, things are a little simpler as it is not an end loading bay, it is too near the end of the station buildings, but length is at a premium in this siding.

Originally I was thinking of a plain timber fixed to the wall, but I do like your solution! 

Cheers, Paul  

Thank you Paul.

 

Glad to give you food for thought!

[St Enodoc]

8 hours ago, Tallpaul69 said:

Nick,

I have followed your endeavours with the loading bay buffer stop with great interest as I have a similar situation in my bay.

In my case, things are a little simpler as it is not an end loading bay, it is too near the end of the station buildings, but length is at a premium in this siding.

Originally I was thinking of a plain timber fixed to the wall, but I do like your solution! 

Cheers, Paul  

http://www.lanarkshiremodels.com/lanarkshiremodelsandsupplieswebsite_229.htm

 

Usual disclaimer.

Edited Sunday at 23:50 by St Enodoc
speling

[Nick Gough]

To finish my goods/loading platform I covered the surface with Woodland Scenics "Ballast - Fine Cinders", together with the adjacent ground surface:

 

 

A few bald patches to fill in later.

 

To finally finish the platform I need to attach some wooden fencing to the rear and the ramp.

From photos it appears to be similar to this one at Didcot:

 

 

The main posts should be fixed to the vertical sleepers on the platform walls - like this:

So these should be roughly 8' 6" apart.

I haven't found anything suitable, trawling the internet, so I suspect I will have to make this from scratch.

 

Since this fencing is likely to be fragile I'm going to wait until later when I have finished other work in this part of the layout.

[Nick Gough]

Today 7029 Clun Castle is making its way to Plymouth, on a two day railtour, celebrating 60 years since the original 1Z48 railtour from Paddington to Plymouth & return - the swansong of the Castles in regular service.

 

Unfortunately , I wasn't able to make this one but, ten years ago I was on one of the 50th Anniversary trains, with 5029 Nunney Castle, from Westbury to Plymouth and back to Bristol Temple Meads.

 

5029 about to join the train at Westbury:

 

After arrival at Plymouth:

 

Heading for servicing at Laira:

 

5029 returned later, tender first, drawing the stock:

 

Then ran round, ready for the return journey:

 

On the return a short pause at Exeter St Davids, for water:

 

Journey's end at Temple Meads:

 

 

 

 

 

[Nick Gough]

At the start of the return journey we passed 5043 Earl of Mount Edgcumbe, which was just arriving at Laira for the second anniversary train on the following day.

 

5043 would be hauling its train from Plymouth to Oxford, via Bristol.

[Nick Gough]

The original 1Z48 railtour was also to commemorate 60 years since 3440 City of Truro, allegedly, achieved the first 100 mph, with the Ocean Mails on Wellington Bank, on 9th May 1904.

 

Twenty years ago, on the 100th anniversary, I was on another commemorative railtour.

 

This time it was with City of Truro herself, freshly returned from overhaul:

 

A couple of days before 3440 had brought a train, down into Devon, from Bristol Temple Meads.

Now I was on the return trip.

 

However, these two runs visited Kingswear, rather than Plymouth:

 

I believe Network Rail weren't too keen on 3440 running over the Devon Banks.

 

3440 was ready to go:

 

First stop Exeter:

Where the heavens opened.

 

Who would want to be in a Churchward cab?

[Nick Gough]

Wellington Bank was next, between Exeter and Taunton. Although we had a fast run down the bank, 3440 was limited to 60mph on this occasion.

 

There was a further pause at Taunton:

 

With the crew up front for a photo:

 

Then the final run to Temple Meads:

By which time, unfortunately, the light was failing.