lyneux Posted October 27, 2020 Author Share Posted October 27, 2020 Thanks for the continued comments everyone! Al, interesting photos there from your Dad. They do seem to show that the colour light signals next to the bridge were in use during the period that I'm modelling, presumably to control access into and out of the quarry. I'm guessing that both roads were bi-directional (they still are, right Jo?) since there are sets of signals on both. The most frequent path into and out of the quarry always seems to be a cross-over move to the hedge side (away from the river), under the bridge and then a cross back to the road closest to the river side. In fact, the road under the bridge closest to the river (and the sheds) usually seems to be occupied with stock (wagons). One thing that I don't have is good pictures of the stop boards during the 88-92 (ish) period, although I'm guessing that they look pretty similar to how they do today (as seen in Jo's photos). I've been getting on with a rake of KPAs the last week or so and I'll post some shots of progress shortly. I've been working on some 3D prints for the missing hopper actuators as well as replacement styrene hopper doors done on the Silouette Cameo cutter. The walkways at the end are a combination of Colin Craig's ladders and cheque plate (via Stenson Models) plus bits of brass section and wire. Big thanks to Ben for helping me out with some of the research for these! Guy 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Erixtar1992 Posted October 28, 2020 Share Posted October 28, 2020 This is mega cool! Have taken a few trains out of there and it really captures it 1 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steadfast Posted October 28, 2020 Share Posted October 28, 2020 9 hours ago, lyneux said: I'm guessing that both roads were bi-directional (they still are, right Jo?) since there are sets of signals on both. The most frequent path into and out of the quarry always seems to be a cross-over move to the hedge side (away from the river), under the bridge and then a cross back to the road closest to the river side. In fact, the road under the bridge closest to the river (and the sheds) usually seems to be occupied with stock (wagons). Yup can go in or out either side Guy, as you say there's usually wagons on the left hand road (looking at the quarry). Beyond the bridge they use the left hand road as I think the weighbridge is only on this line. At the end of the last video I posted the weighbridge is roughly where the loco is when the video ends. You can see the equipment connected to the track in this video. Turn your sound down though! I would be surprised if the stop boards have changed since your era Guy, they looked grubby when I was there. Jo 2 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
barrowroad Posted October 29, 2020 Share Posted October 29, 2020 Guy, I have managed to scan my photos taken, according to my notes on the back of the prints, in 1987. There are around 60 in total taken during 5 or 6 visits when I was working in the area. I'll post a few at a time so as not to overload your thread. The first were taken on the 14th April 1987. The first two are at Murder Coombe whilst the remaining four show the shed and track under construction from the road over bridge. Robin 14 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
lyneux Posted October 29, 2020 Author Share Posted October 29, 2020 Robin, My oh my... those are FASCINATING! Thanks so much for taking the trouble to scan and post them. It's interesting to see the evolution of the trackplan around the sheds. What's obviously notable is the truncated left facing turnout (that presumably went to the old shed on the left) that has been incorporated into the plan but is yet to be removed. That, plus the fact that both the middle road and the run around have yet to be laid at this point. Can't wait to see more! Guy Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
barrowroad Posted October 30, 2020 Share Posted October 30, 2020 Guy, I'm taking my photos in date order so the next are between Bedlam and Great Elm Tunnel on the new deviation line from Frome taken on the 21.4.1987. More to follow. Robin 8 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
lyneux Posted October 31, 2020 Author Share Posted October 31, 2020 Interesting shots of the deviation line there Robin. Presumably this was constructed at around the same time in 87? Guy Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
barrowroad Posted November 1, 2020 Share Posted November 1, 2020 Guy, I believe the deviation was put in place in 1974 when an expansion of the quarry required access for mainline locos. see https://www.northsomersetrailway.com/history.php The next set of photos were taken on the 28.4.1987. I remember parking my car at Murder Coombe an smelling the abundance of wild garlic when walking to the site where I took some of the photos. Taken at 2.25pm with #1 in view. Concrete pad - taken at 2.30pm 56033 exiting Murder Coombe tunnel at 2.50pm with 36 empty PGAs. 2.53pm looking toward Murder Coombe tunnel. 3.00pm - 56033 departing with 13 loaded PGAs. 3.03pm. After a quick dash back and across the road I managed this shot of 56033 exiting Murder Coombe tunnel. 3.05pm The tail end of the 56033's train of 13 loaded PGAs As the tunnel was now clear and safe I took the opportunity to take the next two photos. Robin 5 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
lyneux Posted November 1, 2020 Author Share Posted November 1, 2020 (edited) Hi Robin, Some great pics again there... also of the crucial 'Stop' boards just before the tunnel as well as 'Stop and Telephone' which I rather like. I guess that's conclusive evidence that the current boards have been there since 1987 (you were right Jo!)! I've been working on a rake of KPAs this week. I'll try and find some time to post up some photos of progress. Guy Edited November 1, 2020 by lyneux 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
barrowroad Posted November 2, 2020 Share Posted November 2, 2020 Hi Guy, Glad you like them:-) The next set were taken on thursday 7th May 1987. Taken at 12.50pm with a bit more track laid. #1 and another shunter on the 'hedge' road. 56033 plus 37 empty PGAs crossing Mells River viaduct. 2.51pm Tail of train entering Great Elm tunnel. 3.03pm 56033 departs light engine to Westbury? Robin 9 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
37114 Posted November 2, 2020 Share Posted November 2, 2020 Stunning layout, really great work and an interesting subject. Look forward to seeing the extension develop as well. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steadfast Posted November 5, 2020 Share Posted November 5, 2020 Afternoon Guy. I knew there was still a stop board in the bushes next to the hedge road! Found this on Flickr. From memory it's slightly closer to the tunnel than the two for the middle and run round, but not by more than a loco length. Jo 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
barrowroad Posted November 11, 2020 Share Posted November 11, 2020 It's gone a bit quiet on this thread so I'll add a few more photos taken on the 9th June 1987. Here are a few more taken at Murder Coombe - I love that name:-) taken at 2.15pm Buffer detail. Taken at 2.20pm Unidentified shunter arrives at 2.30pm - Oiling points? Departs at 2.40pm 11 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
lyneux Posted November 11, 2020 Author Share Posted November 11, 2020 Nice shots there Robin. That looks like a sentinel. First time I've seen shots of one at Whatley (and different to the TH Vanguard photos that I've seen). I was trying to read the words on the side of it to be able to identify it. It looks like 'Loco Hire'? Guy 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
barrowroad Posted November 11, 2020 Share Posted November 11, 2020 Guy, Looking at my note on the back of one of the photos it is indeed a 'Hire Loco'. Robin 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
barrowroad Posted November 11, 2020 Share Posted November 11, 2020 A few more from the 9th June 1987. A series of photos of 56034 " Castell Ogwr - Ogmore Castle" first with 18 empty PTAs at 2.50pm followed by a train of loaded PGAs leaving at 3.13pm. 6 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steadfast Posted November 11, 2020 Share Posted November 11, 2020 1 hour ago, barrowroad said: 2.50pm followed by a train of loaded PGAs leaving at 3.13pm. Blimey that's a quick turnaround! You'd struggle to do that these days. It looks weird seeing pictures of an empty Whatley! Even when I was last there a few years ago it was hectic and virtually always something on one of the roads, and it's only got busier since! Jo 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post lyneux Posted November 28, 2020 Author Popular Post Share Posted November 28, 2020 (edited) EDIT: 11/12 - Reinstated broken links to Flickr images. More great photos there Robin. Many thanks for sharing! I've made progress in the past few weeks on a rake of KPAs being back-dated from Bachmann Auto-Ballasters. Out of the box, this is a real quality model with many, many detail parts. Sad then, to have to snap most of them off to get the model back to its base state. Most parts snap off easily with a blunt flat blade inserted and twisted. More or less everything has to be taken off: chutes, generator gear (if using a generator donor vehicle), electrical connectors and lights, canopies, some of the handrails and finally the protective covers that shield the braking equipment at either end. Generator donors are missing one of the covers so I'll have to scratch build or copy replacements in resin. The first job was to have a go at reproducing the original walkways. My initial thought was to design an etch for these, but the more I looked at them, the more they just looked like standard ladders, bent to shape with extra metalwork and handrails added. The problem with etching this would be that the parts would be flat instead of round in profile. This is quite a noticeable difference so I decided to have a go at scratch building them. The plan was to have a couple of goes at this, one using soldered construction in metal and the other, using styrene. Whichever worked out best would be the way to go. The prototype platforms are quite different from the ones present on the Auto-Ballasters and I think there are at least two different patterns. Choosing what seemed to be the most common pattern, I drew up a scale drawing which could be printed out and taped to an old ceramic tile. This could then be used as a template on top of which I could construct the platforms. My first attempt used styrene and was based on the LS-2P plastruct ladder. These are about the right width but I removed every second rung to get something approaching the right step pitch. The ladder was then bent by holding one end in a vice and bringing a soldering iron close so as to warm the plastic and then bending it at a 45 degree angle. I succeeded in forming something approximating the right shape but the ladder was still quite coarse so without bothering to go any further I decided to go with my original plan of building the ladders in brass. For the base ladder, I used Colin Craig's brass ladder kits (now sold by Phil Eames at Stenson Models). I made up a ladder to the appropriate length, omitting some of the rungs where the walkway needed to be. The ladder was then bent twice at 45 degrees (again in a vice) to form the main structure. The next job was to form the platform. For this I used a rectangle of Stenson Models check plate, bent either side in a vice to form an n-shape. A couple of triangular sections of scrap brass and some L-section were then used to solder up the platform to the ladder. The remainder of the handrails were then bent to shape from 0.4mm brass wire and soldered in place. The brass wire was cut slightly over length and then the whole assembly offered up and the brass wire fettled to the appropriate length so that the ladder sat at the right angle with the two ladder rails sitting just underneath the rounded bulkhead (as per the prototype). This was all constructed by soldering directly on top of the drawing (which got a little singed but is easy enough to replace) taped to a ceramic tile to protect the work bench. Next up, was to make some replacement hopper doors. The doors themselves were constructed from 30 thou styrene with 10 thou styrene for the side brackets that they swing on. A prototype was made by hand in styrene and fettled to the right shape with multiple 'test-fits'. To get a consistent cut and to reproduce enough for a whole rake, I decided to draw up artwork for the Silouette cameo. This has been quite a time saver... it's so much easier to just snap the parts out than have to measure and cut them all one at a time from sheet. The cut is also much more accurate and cleaner than can be achieved by hand. Once the doors were done, the last element was to reproduce the actuators that protrude through the sides of the hopper. Upon conversion to auto-ballasters, these were removed and the hole plated over. I briefly considered using the ones that come with the Cavalex PGA as these are to the correct pattern. However, on the KPA they also have a mounting bracket either side which I'd have to scratch build if I went this route. I ended up drawing these up as 3D parts and printed using my Anycubic Photon. Rather than re-open the holes in the side of the wagon, I designed the print already cut at an angle so that they can just be stuck in place. They fill almost the entire cavity so I didn't really see the visual benefit in opening these up. The last part was to fit the locking handles. These were made from microstrip glued into a t-shape and with a small 0.4mm section of styrene rod for the handle. I strengthened the join between the rod and the strip with a dab of thin super glue. The photo below shows these in place as well as a test print of the Tiphook logo printed onto paper and blue-tacked in place (just to get the sizing right). To remove the printed Railtrack blue paint and logos, I used some medium grit wet and dry on each side with plenty of water to get a nice even beige surface onto which paint could be applied. I now have one wagon finished to check the decoration (photos below). Four of the rest of the batch are following close behind, but the last of the six will take a bit longer as some if its parts are currently being used to make moulds so that I can copy a couple of parts: the round top and the missing equipment cover for the wagons that are derived from the generator versions of the auto-ballaster. The paint job was fairly straightforward albeit with the usual airbrush frustrations/clogging. In the end I settled on Tamiya LP35 Insignia White for the light grey and then a coat of Vallejo 70.925 followed by a coat of 71.090. 71.090 is closer to the correct colour but is still a bit dark. It looks ok over the top of 71.925 though. On top of that, two coats of airbrushed Klear and transfers from Precision decals. The Tiphook logo though I printed myself on white-backed paper from Mr Decal Paper. Thanks to Ben Ando for help with this. It still needs a coat of Klear to seal the transfers and then a a matt varnish and weathering. I'll probably just focus on getting the other wagons to the same 'pristine' state first though. Guy Edited December 11, 2020 by lyneux 19 10 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clink junction Posted November 29, 2020 Share Posted November 29, 2020 Top top modelling sir!! Whatley has quickly become my favourite layout. Same Era and area I am modelling, and doing what I love too - modifying RTR. Great work, Keep the updates coming Guy. 1 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Southwich Posted November 29, 2020 Share Posted November 29, 2020 Stunning work Guy, the KPA is a stunner! How many more are in the pipeline for Whatley? Kind regards, Will 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
lyneux Posted November 29, 2020 Author Share Posted November 29, 2020 Thanks both. Will, I'm doing an initial 6 with another 8 possibly behind them. More photos to follow shortly! Guy 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clink junction Posted December 9, 2020 Share Posted December 9, 2020 If you get bored after 6, you could always supplement them with some of the new Cavalex Bardon wagons! I don’t remember them in mixed rakes but Australia3393’s photo on Flickr is evidence. Would need some serious weathering to tone down those yellow bogies though!! 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
lyneux Posted December 9, 2020 Author Share Posted December 9, 2020 (edited) Hi Steve, you read my mind! Already ordered 6 Bardon's to pepper into the rake. The Cavalex ones are of a slightly different build code to the ones in the photo above that ran intermixed with the KPAs but I'm willing to bend the rules a bit for the nice colourful effect! P.S. The bogies on the first batch were black, but yellow on the second batch (that Cavalex are doing). Guy Edited December 9, 2020 by lyneux 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
lyneux Posted December 9, 2020 Author Share Posted December 9, 2020 Here's a couple of shots of the rake in progress. Still only 5 on the layout but the last of the batch is close behind. I think I'll probably have a pause after this and work on something else. Weathering the PTAs? I had a notification this morning saying that 20 more ARC PTAs are on their way! Guy 18 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clink junction Posted December 9, 2020 Share Posted December 9, 2020 (edited) More PTAs? Nah, you need to challenge yourself!! How about some of the aluminium Yeoman procor PHAs. They are on my wish list but no idea how to get the horizontal ribs perfectly parallel! Edited December 9, 2020 by Clink junction 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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