engine sheds Basingstoke Shed - 70D - Comes to Buxton

[30368]

This layout will be my first. The baseboards were built for me to fit into my garage when we lived in Wiltshire however no track laying took place. Now that I have a fairly large (5mx5m) spare room I am determined to translate my lifetime desire for a working layout into a reality.

Back in the 1950's and early 60's our family lived in Old Basing and my brother and I both went to school in Basingstoke. On route to school we usually called in to Basingstoke shed or rather stood by the railings on the north side of the shed for 10 minutes or so each morning. Some interesting loco's visited due to the Reading - Basingstoke line with all the connection to the north of the country.  So like many, I wish to create a nostaligic version of Basingstoke shed so that my large collection of loco's can get some running done.

One thing I am interested in is to model the shed allocation in the 1950s and 60's to replicate the passing of time. I also intend to run a few trains as a backdrop to shed operation.

I did spend a few days working at the shed in 1964 when one of Eastleigh's Crompton type 3's failed with a collapsed traction motor suspension bearing. White metal bearing and an oil pad so steam technology really. I was an apprentice so it fell to me to get down the shallow steam pit and isolate the traction motor. I had earned my cuppa in the fitters bay that day. One "bonus" of sitting in the fitters bay for any time was the exposure to the countless smoking players cigs and a pipe or two of Three Nuns.

 I digress considerably!

 

I have had a lot of help starting this project from fellow modellers on this site:

 

 However given the planning stage was complete it has been suggested, rightly, that I continue to report progress here. All comments and suggestions happily received.

 

Kind regards,

 

Richard B

 

 

 

[30368]

A day of continual snow up here in the hills of Buxton, but pleasantly warm in the layout room.

 

Substantial boards.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Kind regards,

 

Richard B

 

PS Plan to follow.

Edited January 14, 2021 by 30368

[30368]

Spent a large chunk of today working out the best arrangement for the east end entrance to the depot from the "main line". Then moved on to connecting droppers in the shed yard and the connections to track isolation switches on each road.

 

Unfortunately the copper buss bars under the baseboard seem to have gone missing during the move - they will show up a day or two after the replacement copper arrives! Looking forward to connecting up the yard and running the first loco into the shed pit roads.

 

Main line connection is on the left by the anvil. Turntable will be on the right by the reel of solder.

 

 

30277, a Basingstoke loco, is on the middle road of the shed over the ashpit in front of the shed entrance.

 

The shed track layout will be retained as far as possible but some simplification and shortening will be required. The layout will be an inverted "U". At the top of the "U" will be a wayside station on the Basingstoke - Salisbury route so that I can play trains. The R/H side will be a fiddle yard.

 

30368 at the front of the shed with a Nelson behind.

 

My thanks to the RCTS.

 

Kind regards,

 

Richard B

 

 

[30368]

Soldered all the droppers (first batch anyway) to the 2mm copper buss bar. I found that RS Components supply  2mm tinned copper wire in reels of 7m for not a lot of money. Makes soldering droppers so much easier.

 

First loco to run into the shed fell to B4 30096 a loco that I rememeber well. The Winchester shunter was always a B4 until the 204HP diesel came along and now naturally their stomping ground is a car park. The Dapol model is very good, I have four of the little chaps due to an oversight on my part!

 

Awaiting bits to connect up the code 75 three way point and then I shall tackle the double slip.

 

 

 

Kind regards,

 

Richard B

 

Edited January 19, 2021 by 30368

[30368]

A further update.

 

I have decided to have two controllers for the layout. The first will manage the shed yard, turntable etc. The second will control the "main line" and rural wayside station which will be loosely based on Oakley. The latter will allow me to run local passenger services on the West of England Line. Basingstoke had passenger turns to Waterloo and to Salisbury (and further west I suspect but more research needed.) and beyond. Goods services also operated to Andover and Salisbury. So I can run trains from Platforms 1,2,3 to the West. 

I suspect that given I was a CM&EE chap and knew very little about train operations I am happy to receive constructive comments!

 

View from the end of the west facing Basingstoke platforms. Only the ends will be modelled. Four lines will merge into two going West to Oakley station which will be situated on the right.

A scenic element will hide the lack of Battledown flyover!!!

 

Platform ends with shed on the right. BR std class 4 Mogul heads two Bullied coaches past the shed. Sir Lamiel wonders were the heck the shed has gone. Trackwork is a work in progress!

 

Kind regards,

 

Richard B

 

 

Edited January 27, 2021 by 30368

[Ian Smeeton]

On 14/01/2021 at 18:19, 30368 said:

 

One thing I am interested in is to model the shed allocation in the 1950s and 60's to replicate the passing of time. I also intend to run a few trains as a backdrop to shed operation.

 

 

 

Have you seen the Shedbash blog: https://shedbashuk.blogspot.com/search?q=BASINGSTOKE

 

Listings of sightings from 1941-1966

 

Useful?

 

Regards

 

Ian

[30368]

10 hours ago, Ian Smeeton said:

Have you seen the Shedbash blog: https://shedbashuk.blogspot.com/search?q=BASINGSTOKE

 

 

Ian,

 

Many thanks for this a really useful historical document that will make my planned "recreations" that much easier. I have a model of most loco's listed including an N15X:

 

 

 

I'm looking forward to giving Beattie a proper run on my planned local trains to "Oakley" and beyond!

 

Kind regards,

 

Richard B

 

 

 

 

Edited January 22, 2021 by 30368

[30368]

My goodness, soldering all those "droppers" really is a pain in the neck, that is until you run the first train over the newly laid and wired section, and it works!

Whilst my main focus on the layout will be the shed area I should be able to run four coach trains from the Basingstoke west end bay to "Oakley" and the FY and vice-versa. Must research appropriate SR set numbers for my Bulleid and Maunsell coaches.

Suitable loco's should not be a problem with an L12,D15 and a number of T9's plus my various H15's.

 

Three coaches + an SR GUV and 30777 in the bay.

 

Kind regards,

 

Richard B

 

[bike2steam]

I hope you include the grassy bank by the turntable - I spent many happy hour there on sunny summer saturdays in the early 1960's!!!

[30368]

Hi Paul,

 

Yes must do so - my brother and I spent much time on the same bank although a little closer to the shed. Our visits were weekday mornings on our way to school from 1962 until late 1963 when I started work although my brother may have continued with the visits being still at school.

 

There was aften something interesting on the shed apart from SR locos. Often a Hall, Grange or more rarely 28XX and sometimes a Black 5 and even a B1 on one occasion.

 

When I was at Eastleigh Works as an apprentice I was able to visit the scrap yard and recall 02 30199 waiting for the end and then 30368 turned up for its finale. I bought its front number plate and 70D shed plate. Sadly I sold the number plate around 1965 when I needed some cash to buy my first car!! (1957 Morris 1000 Estate) and lost the shed plate in one of the many house moves.

 

If anyone has 30368's front number plate I would be keen to buy it!

 

Kind regards,

 

Richard B

[30368]

On 27/01/2021 at 16:13, bike2steam said:

hope you include the grassy bank by the turntable -

 

The grassy bank (as opposed to a grassy knole) has now been officially scheduled on the layout design.

 

Kind regards,

 

Richard B

 

[bike2steam]

17 hours ago, 30368 said:

Hi Paul,

 

Yes must do so - my brother and I spent much time on the same bank although a little closer to the shed.

Like it! I preferred, the turntable end of the bank as it gave a better view of the main-line, clear of locos stabled in the yard.

[30368]

H15 30475 takes a turn at being track test loco. 30475 was built in 2015 from a DJH kit.

 

Valve gear needs to be properly weathered.

 

I have not seen a record of a B6 being anywhere near Basingstoke shed - shunters were ex LBSC E4 tanks and Adams G6 0-6-0T. Perhaps 30096 got lost whilst shunting in Winchester yard?

 

Kind regards,

 

Richard B

[30368]

30491 is now on track test duty although not much new track laid - working on the G5 0-4-4T build.

30491 is a PDK chassis and running plate/cab etc with a SEF boiler and a spare SEF Urie Tender modified to represent the large H15 5,000 gal. tender fitted to some of the first 10 H15's.

 

 

Kind regards,

 

Richard B

Edited February 6, 2021 by 30368

[30368]

The turn of H15 30335 to run up and down (and pretend to pull a short train).

 

30335 is a real odd-ball in a class of odd-balls. It started life as the one off Drummond 4 cylinder E14 4-6-0 to be re-built shortly after by Urie into a 2 cylinder H15. The body and chassis of the loco are a PDK kit. Whilst the loco looks a lot like one of Urie's first ten H15 it has a longer wheelbase between centre and trailing wheel to accomodate the long shallow firebox of the E14 the boiler shell which was re-used.

The tender is scratch built since it is also unique being the first (?) "Water Cart" tender being originally fitted to one of Drummonds double singles.

 

335 was a Salisbury loco for most of its life but was often to be seen on Basingstoke shed.

 

 

 

Kind regards,

 

Richard B

 

 

 

Edited February 8, 2021 by 30368

[30368]

Now that the ex LNER G5 0-4-4T is complete bar painting I can return to tracklaying and soldering electrical supply droppers, what fun!

 

My version of Oakley (Hants) station should accomodate a 4/5 coach train depending on coach type. A small yard is planned for location at each end of the station.

 

Looking towards the end of Basingstoke station with the shed on the left.

 

Shed yard with site of turntable marked out.

 

Further view of shed yard.

 

Site of Oakley station, sorry about the "heat haze" distortion!. I plan to hide the station from the shed and vice - versa with a double sided bridge, i.e. with different faces and divided by a sky backscene down the middle......we shall see. The Oakley siding on the left of the picture will be shielded from the shed with trees and backscene.

 

Train running is fine although there is room for improvements to track levels and (lot of secondhand strack used) cleanliness. Track laying has reached the third board - the fiddle yard. Clearance and mounting holes all drilled for point motors.

 

Kind regards,

 

Richard B

[30368]

Have now reached the end of the world! As expected all the talk of a round globe is wrong! After Oakley station the world just drops away to a deep nothingness!

 

Looking back towards Basingstoke, site of Oakley station.

 

Nothing ahead!!

 

Where is that fiddle yard board!

 

Kind regards,

 

Richard B

 

Edited March 14, 2021 by 30368

[30368]

Working on the Heljan turntable well and bridge today. As expected, some compromises necessary although the approach roads are not far from prototype just contracted somewhat. I am awaiting some embossed brick card to fit to the walls of the well and then I will modify the turntable well railings etc so they are closer to Basingstoke's turntable. I seem to remember a small hut near the turntable but can't remember if this was on the bridge or just by the well. Can anyone recall?

 

Well will need some modification and weathering!

 

Tracks cut to length, sleepers removed to level track with bridge track and I have chamfered the end of the track as recommended by Heljan. I have used either peco or Marcway bullhead rail throughout the layout.

 

Battered Mk1 Basingstoke coal stage temp. in place. It will need re-building for this layout.

 

Just need to finish the turntable by programming the track positions and then add a few sidings alongside Basingstoke "station" and the track laying and wiring is complete. On to point motors next.....and perhaps some buildings and scenery....

 

Kind regards,

 

Richard B

[30368]

Bit indulgent but Beattie has a ride on it's home shed turntable.

 

 

 

Kind regards,

 

Richard B

Edited March 15, 2021 by 30368

[30368]

I have started to adapt the Heljan turntable to look more like Basingstoke's example. Firstly I removed the little grey cabin and then added brass outriggers to the turntable bridge. The well is improved by simply adding some brick paper. The latest addition are the protective covers for the four corner wheels of the bridge. These are not fitted to the Heljan device and their absence is not realy noticable but the covers are. These were constructed from 10 thou brass sheet and plasticard. They will be painted before fitment. Awaiting some thin plasticard strips for the centre of the bridge track.

 

 

 

 

 

The result is not perfect but closer to prototype.

In the fullness of time, debri, grass etc will be added to the well and top of the well.

 

Kind regards,

 

Richard B

 

Richard B

Edited March 24, 2021 by 30368

[30368]

Tracks all in position ready to programme controller.

 

Kind regards,

 

Richard B

[30368]

As mentioned elsewhere, I will move on to re-erecting the Engine shed on my layout now that the B9 locomotive is complete. I will progress the layout in parallel with building 61475's tender (don't ask why an SR modeller would build an ex GCR 4-6-0!).

 

The turntable is now programmed and the operation is very impressive. The shed building walls are going up progressively.

 

This is how far the shed progressed on my layout when we lived in Wiltshire. Mostly survived the move!

 

Making a start on re-assembly in Buxton.

 

The turntable - still some scenic work to do.

 

Kind regards,

 

Richard

 

 

[30368]

Some progress with re-constructing the engine shed on my layout. Townstreet supplied the plaster cast sections and I painted/enhanced them. Lots more to do though!!

 

 

The Townstreet sections are not a perfect fit for Basingstoke but it is close. Basingstoke Station plateform in thebackground.

 

A view from where the coal stage will be located. This is built and awaits re-furb and fitting in. Water tower in a very temp. location!

 

Kind regards,

 

Richard B

[30368]

Back to 70D after building an LNER B9 4-6-0. As you can see from the previous image, I have had to raise the shed walls by about 10mm due to the new baseboard. This creates a problem with the townstreet casings. I used some 2mm thick card to create extentions to the wall buttresses. I then covered the new surfaces with brick paper, something I have never used before. The result is not too bad.

 

The station side of the shed, the whitewashed area locates the shed offices along this side. The 10mm additional hight will create the raised bank and stores unloading bay platform located on this side of the shed.

 

This side has had the brick paper applied - not too bad. Much will be hidden beneath the ash and general rubbish that accumulated on this side of the shed - two ashpits on this side. The additional "step" caused by the 10mm insert has resulted in a side elevation that is closer to the prototype than the Townscape castings alone.

 

Kind regards,

 

Richard B

Edited June 3, 2021 by 30368

[30368]

It is snowing fairly hard in Buxton - nothing new, we are high up at about 300m.

 

Having completed S15 number 30507 I have decided it is high time I returned to my layout. The next stage is to motorise (at least) all the 17 points on the main line. I have made a start with SEEP point motors screwed directly under the points. I have a large number of toggle switches that could be used to control the motors utilising the spare contacts on the motor to indicate the status of the route. I guess with this approach I will need to make a control panel for the switches and a route diagram etc..

 

Any advice given that this is my first layout?

 

 

 

Kind regards,

 

Richard B