"Ironstone" - East Midlands rural quarry railway

[rope runner]

Back to locos now -

 

A class synonymous with the ironstone industry is the RSH "56" class.

RSH7673 at Corby, Gretton Brook loco shed. This loco survives in preservation where it has been christened "Ugly". I'm not so sure these are an ugly design, I'd go with "purposeful"

 

These were large 18'' cylinder modern trip working locos built by Robert Stephenson and Hawthorns in three build batches between 1950 and 1958. S&L Minerals had input into the design and it featured many of the same principles of the successful earlier 16'' locomotives supplied by Manning Wardle (later locos were supplied to the same design by Kitsons and RSH). More up to date features included electric headlamps, comprehensive lubrication feeds and pop safety valves.

 

They were known to be heavy on coal and water but nevertheless the initial seven locos took over the bulk of the iron ore traffic on the Corby system and this would remain the case until the end of steam. Ten of the class were constructed in total, the final example being delivered to Harlaxton in South Lincolnshire as RSH 8051 of 1958. RSH 8051 was to be the last standard gauge steam locomotive built by the company. 

 

The class are well represented in preservation, with five examples extant in various states. As with all industrials, there were minor detail differences between locos. 

 

RSH 7668 of 1950 "No.57"

 

A chance discussion with a fellow modeler who is also interested in modelling ironstone quarry railways led to an approach to Mike Edge to draw up a test etch. Much credit here must go to James D. who has done much of the research and collation of photographs in this regard. James asked me to build the test etch and to report back...

 

So far so good. The tank wrapper and chassis went together without any fuss. This was a few months ago now.

 

Chassis in more detail. Mashima 1020 mounted vertically in the large firebox. A High Level Roadrunner Compact+ gearbox drives the rear axle. Gibson wheels might be preferable to most in terms of appearance, but I've used Romfords here for robustness and ease. 

 

No.57 had several minor detail variations from other members of the class, but it was fairly typical in most regards. This loco is currently at the Spa Valley railway, though not complete. 

 

Now that the test etch looked to be largely OK (there were a few tweaks required, but not many) it was time to get cracking with the various pipe runs etc. With regards to the lubricator feeds I have elected to leave a few off for ease, but it looks reasonable to my eyes. 

 

Current state of play. Mike has done a fine piece of design with this etch, I'm sure you'd agree. 

 

I'm now looking at options for the distinctive chimney and sandboxes. Once we've pulled all the bits together and have a final etch with amendments we will figure out what the next moves are. 

 

Merry Christmas 

 

Paul A. 

 

 

Edited December 23, 2022 by rope runner

[Down_Under]

Paul, 

 

Loco looks great! Nice Summary too. 

 

Mike has done a great job on the etches. 

 

I'd agree - I'd call them powerful and purposeful :) 

 

If someone pesters me enough I'll look at writing up the summary of the research for those that are interested. Quite a few variations for such a small class of locomotives. Thankfully, being quite late to the scene they are relatively well photographed. 

 

 

J

Edited December 28, 2022 by Down_Under

[rope runner]

Time for an update...

 

The big RSH is now equipped with all fittings, castings and pipe runs. The chassis is currently being painted and the body will be completed when the weather improves. I'm hoping to get my hands on another one to do the oddball one from Harlaxton. 

 

A couple of new locos now - both are products of Kilmarnock and worked at Burley Ironstone Quarries in Rutland. 

 

Andrew Barclay 857 of 1899 EUNICE. This was formerly a cut-down steelworks loco which was later rebuilt with full height cab and ross-pop valves. There seems to be some confusion as to the scrapping date of her, possibly the worksplates from the donor loco were left on when the cabs was exchanged?  It had a rather curious appearance as it retained its low chimney. This would've been finished last year but I'm struggling to find a low chimney with a small diameter to complete it... The model is a Mercian 16'' pre-war loco with lots of modifications and a scratch built chassis giving the correct frame profile. There's a sheet for the rear of the cab which will be fitted after painting. 

 

Andrew Barclay 926 of 1902 BERYL. This was another Dorman Long cast off which came to Burley in 1937, also having been rebuilt. One of the challenges was replicating the tank-side mounted injectors, doubtless a DL addition - they probably make Barclay aficionados wince, similarly the home-brewed safety valve cover (which is prototypical...). The model is Mercian mostly scratch built using Mercian parts as a guide. I may yet also give this loco new frames as the motion bracket is too wide really and it wants doing properly. It's a large 0-4-0 and longer than half of my six-coupled models, it must have been a bit of a brute. 

 

Thanks for reading 

 

Paul A. 

Edited April 15, 2023 by rope runner

[RANGERS]

On 23/12/2022 at 11:26, rope runner said:

Back to locos now -

 

A class synonymous with the ironstone industry is the RSH "56" class.

RSH7673 at Corby, Gretton Brook loco shed. This loco survives in preservation where it has been christened "Ugly". I'm not so sure these are an ugly design, I'd go with "purposeful"

 

These were large 18'' cylinder modern trip working locos built by Robert Stephenson and Hawthorns in three build batches between 1950 and 1958. S&L Minerals had input into the design and it featured many of the same principles of the successful earlier 16'' locomotives supplied by Manning Wardle (later locos were supplied to the same design by Kitsons and RSH). More up to date features included electric headlamps, comprehensive lubrication feeds and pop safety valves.

 

They were known to be heavy on coal and water but nevertheless the initial seven locos took over the bulk of the iron ore traffic on the Corby system and this would remain the case until the end of steam. Ten of the class were constructed in total, the final example being delivered to Harlaxton in South Lincolnshire as RSH 8051 of 1958. RSH 8051 was to be the last standard gauge steam locomotive built by the company. 

 

The class are well represented in preservation, with five examples extant in various states. As with all industrials, there were minor detail differences between locos. 

 

RSH 7668 of 1950 "No.57"

 

A chance discussion with a fellow modeler who is also interested in modelling ironstone quarry railways led to an approach to Mike Edge to draw up a test etch. Much credit here must go to James D. who has done much of the research and collation of photographs in this regard. James asked me to build the test etch and to report back...

 

So far so good. The tank wrapper and chassis went together without any fuss. This was a few months ago now.

 

Chassis in more detail. Mashima 1020 mounted vertically in the large firebox. A High Level Roadrunner Compact+ gearbox drives the rear axle. Gibson wheels might be preferable to most in terms of appearance, but I've used Romfords here for robustness and ease. 

 

No.57 had several minor detail variations from other members of the class, but it was fairly typical in most regards. This loco is currently at the Spa Valley railway, though not complete. 

 

Now that the test etch looked to be largely OK (there were a few tweaks required, but not many) it was time to get cracking with the various pipe runs etc. With regards to the lubricator feeds I have elected to leave a few off for ease, but it looks reasonable to my eyes. 

 

Current state of play. Mike has done a fine piece of design with this etch, I'm sure you'd agree. 

 

I'm now looking at options for the distinctive chimney and sandboxes. Once we've pulled all the bits together and have a final etch with amendments we will figure out what the next moves are. 

 

Merry Christmas 

 

Paul A. 

 

 

Those etches look particularly fine, I've a stash of the Hardy Hobbies kits only one of which is built, but looking forward to seeing this one develop.

 

The pic of 57 is a new one on me, not seen that one before. Its taken on the Gretton Brook Rd crossing, just to the North West of the loco shed. The structure to the right is the tunnel vent above Corby Tunnel.

[rope runner]

On 16/04/2023 at 11:49, RANGERS said:

Its taken on the Gretton Brook Rd crossing, just to the North West of the loco shed. The structure to the right is the tunnel vent above Corby Tunnel.

That sounds like a good excuse to post another then... taken a few yards to the left of the crossing. 

 

 

Paul A. 

 

 

[rope runner]

A quick post and an easy win. A near-perfect RTR ironstone loco...

 

 

Hunslet 2374 of 1941 SPENCER as ordered by the Oxfordshire Ironstone Company. 

 

 

Being six-coupled the loco would've mostly worked the double-track "mainline" between the exchange sidings and the yard. Fitted with buckeye couplings from new, in later years several of these locos were also fitted with vacuum brakes. The vac gear exhauster pipe ran up the side of the cab on one of the Hunslet locos at Wroxton, but I haven't found a photo showing the one on this loco so this has been omitted (for now). All I've done here is detail the RTR product and re-name. 

 

The Rapido model doesn't have the modified buffer beam for the buckeye coupling. We can surely forgive that, it's doubtful many people are aware/are bothered... an easy job to add of course, and quite satisfying for something different. 

 

PS - I've cheated a bit here, the one in the B/W photo above is HE3872 of 1958 FRANK at OIC!

 

More soon.

 

Paul A. 

 

 

[skipepsi]

I found this today and read it from start to finish, I am really pleased you replaced the photos too. Now the tricky question is the layout finished?

[DLT]

Lovely work.

Thanks,

Dave.

[rope runner]

Another quick update and yet another product of Kilmarnock...

 

Andrew Barclay 2306 of 1951 DENTON

 

Outside the shed at Harston, on the Woolsthorpe system. 

An example of a 15’’ cylinder Andrew Barclay product popularised in the ironstone fields by Stewarts and Lloyds. There were several of these locomotives in the East Midlands all with names relating to local geography - BUCKMINSTER, RUTLAND, STAINBY, SEWSTERN, BELVOIR and DENTON. 

 

DENTON was delivered new to Woolsthorpe Quarries in Leicestershire and was joined three years later by RUTLAND and BELVOIR, the latter being the only surviving example from the ironstone fields (now at Rocks by Rail). The locomotives were fitted with Stanton-type heavy duty buffers for rough quarry work and some with water softener tubes owing to the hard water in the area. 

Classmate BELVOIR on the weighbridge at Woolsthorpe. A later loco, there are some differences with pipe runs and nameplate style evident. 

 

In later years DENTON was transferred to the nearby Harlaxton system where she was much photographed, laying for her final few years in the centre of the main yard. The loco was cut up in  1969. 

Although similar in appearance to earlier 14’’ locos (see earlier in this thread for SALMON, another Woolsthorpe engine) these locos have longer tanks, shorter cabs, larger bunkers and a different lubricator arrangement. 

 

The Model

 

The model is mostly scratch built in nickel silver using measurements taken from BELVOIR. Fittings are from a DJH 14’’ kit though some have been modified. Still very much a work in progress, as you can see... 

 

More soon(ish)

 

Paul A. 
 

[rope runner]

On 01/05/2023 at 12:39, skipepsi said:

Now the tricky question is the layout finished?

Not a tricky question as the answer is easy to determine... no! Too distracted with the measuring tape and soldering iron...

 

Paul A. 

[rope runner]

Hi All,

 

Time for another loco update. A model which is few years old now but worthy of a quick overview –

 

Bagnall 2629 of 1941 STAVELEY

 

This design is synonymous with Ironstone quarrying, with six being built during the second world war. Prior to this, there was a similar loco WB2508 of 1934 AMINGTON No.3, but which had a flared bunker, typical of earlier Bagnall products.

WB 2629 of 1941 STAVELEY

WB2654 of 1942 CHERWELL – preserved Rushden Historical Transport Museum

WB2655 of 1942 BYFIELD NO.2 later LODDINGTON NO.2 – preserved Plym Valley Railway

WB2668 of 1942 CRANFORD NO.2 – preserved Rocks by Rail: The Living Ironstone Museum, Rutland

WB2669 of 1942 LAMPORT NO.2

WB2670 of 1942 LAMPORT NO.3 – preserved Chappel & Wakes Colne Railway

 

The design was successful for the most part, though it is documented that the loco STAVELEY at Pilton was not much likes by crews in comparison to their earlier Avonside locomotives. All of the class worked into the 1960’s, however. Four are now preserved in and three of these have run on preservation.

 

Shown here is LODDINGTON No.2 at Cranford. The patch devoid of paint below the coupling hook is where the dump car coupling pocket was originally sited. 

 

All were outshopped in Bagnall’s distinctive mid-green with ornate lining. Some has an additional buckeye swinging arm arrangement for dealing with ironstone dump cars though interestingly of two different patterns. With a relatively short life-span they rarely moved between quarries, though perhaps the most interesting was WB2655/42 which had stints at Byfield Quarries, Oxfordshire Ironstone Co. at Banbury, Loddington Quarries and finally Cranford. The plates LODDINGTON No.2 were curious, the name reputedly coming from a scrapped narrow gauge loco with “No.2” cast in the same font and bolted alongside.

 

The Model

 

The model is built from an etch based on the Agenoria 0 gauge kit, with some modifications. This was done as a small batch (and supplied to a few fellow RMweb members) with the drawings being prepared by the then proprietor of Agenoria, which has since changed hands.

 

 

There’s nothing too exotic about this build – Markits wheels driven through a High Level gearbox with the motor mounted horizontally in the boiler. It runs well, which is always a relief… The fittings are from numerous sources including Lanarkshire Model Supplies, DMR, Markits, Alan Gibson and Masokits.

 

 

The lining was done by me using fox transfers. Each colour was laid individually, yellow alongside red and then black on top – thus giving half-width yellow and red. It was tedious but necessary, there is virtually no other livery suitable for this class of locomotive, though WB2654/42 wore plain green in later years and WB2655/42 had an altered lining scheme of black edged yellow when withdrawn.

 

More soon - I have heard some suitable wagons for Ironstone traffic are on their way from a kit manufacturer...

 

Paul A. 

 

 

[rope runner]

A quick update - that's DENTON finished now pending a few weeks in the paint shop when the weather improves.

 

 

Paul A. 

[rope runner]

Hi All, 

 

The big RSH is now finished. 

 

 

Hoping to have a further update prior to Christmas...

 

Paul A. 

[Giannis Halkis]

Hello Paul,

Highly inspiring work, I love!

Thanks also for the various details about the workings and history behind this models.

Giannis from Greece.

[RANGERS]

On 11/12/2023 at 18:53, rope runner said:

Hi All, 

 

The big RSH is now finished. 

 

 

Hoping to have a further update prior to Christmas...

 

Paul A. 

Now that looks as Ugly as they come, a real masterpiece.

[Captain Kernow]

I've only just found this topic but I'm glad I did.

 

I do like an industrial and have acquired some knowledge over the years, but I haven't got the really specialised knowledge exhibited on this thread.

 

It's a joy to read and I look forward to further installments!

 

[rope runner]

Many thanks for the kind comments gents, glad that you're finding parts of this interesting and engaging.  

 

I've missed that pre-Christmas update I promised as I've been too busy building wagons. Watch this space, as they say...

 

Paul A. 

[Caledonian]

Looking forward to it 👍

[Michael Edge]

The RSH looks great, I'll have a look at your suggested corrections as soon as I can.