Popular Post gordon s Posted April 3, 2021 Author Popular Post Share Posted April 3, 2021 (edited) Afternoon one and all.... Spent most of the day trying to catalogue my stock, so if anything should go wrong with my forthcoming surgery at least my dearly beloved family will have some idea what is what once the dust settles. Of course I'm upbeat about things, but I have to be realistic and would hate for ET and associated bits just to go into a skip or the local boot sale after all the numerous years of pottering around upstairs. Of course RTR is fairly straightforward, but kit built locos need a full description, so I've been ploughing through receipts and paperwork for supporting documentation. It's going to take ages as every time I unwrap a loco, I have to add a drop of oil and see it still works.... Most of these date back to 2005 when I had a good job and a few spare bob. Of course whilst they are running a photo might help, so here's a few from today. A DJH 8F which needs some more work on the weathering, so hopefully I will be able to sit at the table and do some light work if all goes well... Once lubricated, all of these run really well, so that's a result. Staying with the LMS for a change, here's a Coronation, 46251 City of Nottingham with some old MK1 stock. I have a real soft spot for these loco's as they were nearly always on the front of the train we took from Euston to Glasgow every summer. I hadn't appreciated at the time this loco had a disastrous history as it was involved in an accident at Winsford, which killed 24 people and injured another 30. Maybe I'll get it renamed and numbered. Back to the LNER and one of a pair of K3/2's, at least I think they are.... I had to trawl the loft to find the boxes and was surprised by the second box from South Eastern Finecast. This label is somewhat ambiguous and whilst it says the main kit will build a K3/2, the 'short kit' doesn't supply a full set of parts, so I don't really know if the second loco is a K3/2 or not. I suspect it will be fine as Graham is very meticulous with his builds. My ABC says the 61826 and 61954 are both K3/2's, but looking at this old pic from 2005, I can already see an ejector pipe down the side which the first one doesn't have. I have asked the question on TW's thread and am sure all will be correct. Oh well, onward and upward. The world is clearly upside down as I've just watched WBA beat Chelsea away 5-2....... No doubt Spurs will fritter away the opportunity for a top 4 place.... Enjoy the Easter weekend! Edit: Tony has very kindly provided an explanation as to what is what......Thanks. Edited April 5, 2021 by gordon s 2 2 18 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ian_H Posted April 3, 2021 Share Posted April 3, 2021 Hi Gordon .... can I have the..., only joking of course! We all know that at sometime in the future life comes to an end, three score years and ten was the norm at one time, both my parents passed at that age so what hope for me but life style changes and the three score years and ten is easily surpassed nowadays and a healthy attitude can help. Is the glass half full or half empty? I think you are very prudent to catalogue all your stock, the same as having your affairs in order, it doesn't mean your going to pass away tomorrow but rather less to be concerned about which is less of a pressure, why put of until tomorrow what you can do today? Sure you have a big operation looming and I certainly hope all goes well with it but I also think you have a very positive attitude and from what you have said previously you'll have a good team undertaking the op ..... you'll be fine and if you start to doubt it just remember the Monty Python song "always look on the bright side of life" ! All the best Ian 2 6 1 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Barry O Posted April 3, 2021 RMweb Premium Share Posted April 3, 2021 The Duchess is a thing of great beauty! Is it a DJH one or a model loco one? I have far too many of them but.. who cares? Yes the K3 "big" kit has lots of spare bits which can be converted into another K3 and will still leave 2 sets of cab side etches to play around with. Not sure if Squires are still doing the addon kit now? Fingers and toes crossed it will all go well on op day..then a bit of recuperation time.. a bit more weathering can be done.. or just more stock testing? Baz 2 1 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post gordon s Posted April 3, 2021 Author Popular Post Share Posted April 3, 2021 Hi Barry. It's one of a pair....well you have to, don't you... Both are DJH kits, built, painted and weathered by Graham. My memories were always of well cared for loco's on The Royal Scot and The Caledonian, so I asked for both to be lightly weathered. This is the second one, 46240 City of Coventry. No doubt Iain will be pleased as Nottingham was at Camden from '57-63 and Coventry from '48 -'63, so the odds are I would have had the pleasure of travelling behind them both on my summer holiday to Glasgow from Euston. Thanks for all your best wishes. I'm sure it will all be fine, but who knows. All I can do is cover a few bases and hope for the best. The surgeons are confident, but they only do three or four of these ops every year. I just hope they have a YouTube video to help them....... There may be more pics in the next few days..... 10 15 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Barry O Posted April 3, 2021 RMweb Premium Share Posted April 3, 2021 Get some lead in it Gordon.. the ones on Carlisle weigh in at 650gammes+ and make moving Larry Goddard built coach rakes look dead easy(!). My latest one has been weighted up for use on Shap.. it is still clean and is still green... next one will be a maroon one.. then .. perhaps.. a Blue one (!) I did this one for Carlisle as "shed cleaned".. it was built by Mike Edge and painted by Larry. The weathering was used to get rid of some of the chips to the paintwork . My maroon one will be like this one... Baz 12 2 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
LNER4479 Posted April 3, 2021 Share Posted April 3, 2021 4 hours ago, gordon s said: Hi Barry. It's one of a pair....well you have to, don't you... Both are DJH kits, built, painted and weathered by Graham. My memories were always of well cared for loco's on The Royal Scot and The Caledonian, so I asked for both to be lightly weathered. This is the second one, 46240 City of Coventry. No doubt Iain will be pleased as Nottingham was at Camden from '57-63 and Coventry from '48 -'63, so the odds are I would have had the pleasure of travelling behind them both on my summer holiday to Glasgow from Euston. There may be more pics in the next few days..... Now yer talking! Another die-hard Duchess fan checking in. Never mind those weird A2 monstrosities, a big Stanier red 'un is the real business. Magnificent machines. I went to university at Nottingham so 46251 had to be one of mine. Just need the other 37 to go with it! 2 1 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Enterprisingwestern Posted April 4, 2021 RMweb Gold Share Posted April 4, 2021 14 hours ago, gordon s said: so if anything should go wrong with my forthcoming surgery Being pragmatic and not maudlin, there is probably more chance of a car accident finishing you off on the way to hospital. Personally, I'm awaiting your return to see if this train set ever gets finished, or if a few days lounging round in the wards gives you ideas about another direction! Mike. 11 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post gordon s Posted April 4, 2021 Author Popular Post Share Posted April 4, 2021 You must be a mind reader...... One of the dangers of doing little, is you get more time where your imagination wanders freely, but reality soon kicks in when you realise just how much time is involved in building a layout. Truth is once all the junk is cleared away upstairs, I can visualise open scenery down the back of ET which will change it’s appearance completely. Removing some of the original track to accommodate the new shed and storage will also open up space around ET station and again it should take the appearance of an industrial town with a decent rail service to other parts of the country. I will stick with it and once fit again, the several new crossovers and single slip will be installed and then more progress will be made. I’ve held off their installation as that means no running for weeks and the truth is I’m enjoying seeing various loco’s out of storage and trundling around. You will get to go to the ball, Cinderella......... 20 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ian_H Posted April 4, 2021 Share Posted April 4, 2021 3 hours ago, Enterprisingwestern said: or if a few days lounging round in the wards gives you ideas about another direction! ... whatever you do don't mention Bastille, I did it once I think I got away with it 2 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post gordon s Posted April 4, 2021 Author Popular Post Share Posted April 4, 2021 .....and that was a cracker! Wish I'd stuck with it...... Well here's your starter for 10 today. A B17 named after a club who clearly have seen better days. Currently languishing in 19th position of the National League North, I guess the future for Darlington is somewhat uncertain. The receipt from 20 years ago just said one kit, Mashima motor, Comet gearbox and valve gear. Having rummaged around in the loft, Voila!, a Crown Line kit. Rule one may need to apply as it was on shed at Cambridge and withdrawn in 1959. Couldn't help it, I just liked B17's...... Any ideas where I can get two halves of a football for the splashers? The one included in the kit is just an etched PCB. I did think of filing/turning two up in brass, but creating the ball panels may require further thought. Do any small suppliers make them? I've always loved Standard 5's. A beautiful design, so a DJH Standard 5 with Caprotti Valve Gear loco became irrestible. I checked the background and with Derby and Patricroft sheds in the 60's, it came within the LMS areas that could have been seen in ET. This still has to have a decoder fitted and if the truth be told has barely run as it pre dated any layout build. Another of Graham's that will find a regular slot in the ET running schedule this year. It's on the list for decoder fitting once I get home..... 21 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Barry O Posted April 4, 2021 RMweb Premium Share Posted April 4, 2021 Gordon Fox now do Footballer plates with a "ball" incorporated. One of mine (Grimsby Town) is just flat.. teh other has the "balls" see link below: Darlington Not cheap but they look really good.. looks like some muddling tokens must be coughed out by me(!) Baz 1 1 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Enterprisingwestern Posted April 4, 2021 RMweb Gold Share Posted April 4, 2021 11 hours ago, gordon s said: You must be a mind reader...... One of the dangers of doing little, is you get more time where your imagination wanders freely, but reality soon kicks in when you realise just how much time is involved in building a layout. Truth is once all the junk is cleared away upstairs, I can visualise open scenery down the back of ET which will change it’s appearance completely. Removing some of the original track to accommodate the new shed and storage will also open up space around ET station and again it should take the appearance of an industrial town with a decent rail service to other parts of the country. I will stick with it and once fit again, the several new crossovers and single slip will be installed and then more progress will be made. I’ve held off their installation as that means no running for weeks and the truth is I’m enjoying seeing various loco’s out of storage and trundling around. You will get to go to the ball, Cinderella......... Oh gawd, here we go again! Mike. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
gordon s Posted April 4, 2021 Author Share Posted April 4, 2021 (edited) Rest easy Mike, nothing will change beyond what we talked about a month or so ago. Reversing the storage roads means removing the old access across the stairwell, so that’s two tracks removed and moving the shed around then frees up the whole back straight section and allows me to accomplish a view of main lines on an embankment that will drop down to a river/canal if similar. All of that has been pushed to one side to allow running sessions. To fit all the new crossovers etc will mean dismantling and moving the boards into the room to work on in comfort. Edited April 6, 2021 by gordon s 6 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Enterprisingwestern Posted April 4, 2021 RMweb Gold Share Posted April 4, 2021 13 minutes ago, gordon s said: To fit all the new crossovers etc will mean dismantling and moving the boards into the room to work on in comfort. Are you in a private ward? Just askin'! Mike. 14 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
gordon s Posted April 5, 2021 Author Share Posted April 5, 2021 (edited) Thanks for the info re Darlington, Baz, just what I had hoped for. A set of plates duly ordered, so they will be here when I get back. This really has been a trip down memory lane for me to recall those wonderful days when life was simple and we were blessed with living, breathing steam locos every day. I could have stood at the the end of ET platform every day, such was the variety of trains passing through thanks in no part to Rule 1...... I thought both of these would be staying with the Midland side of ET, as they were based in Carlisle Kingmoor during the mid 60's, but just noticed the shed plate on 70002 says 31B so that's March which would place it '59 and pre date its move to Carlisle. Both look good at the head of a fast express from ET to the Capital. I certainly saw 70002 Geoffrey Chaucer at Kings Cross or Liverpool Street as it was on shed at Norwich and March in the late 50's before crossing over to Carlisle in the '60's. Personally I prefer the later tenders with the high sides as shown with 70048 The Territorial Army, again from Carlisle, celebrating 50 years of the TA. Both DJH kits from Graham and approaching 20 years old. Nicely built and painted and soon to be pressed into daily service. Seems they both need a good dusting after being packed away for so long. One day I'll get round to painting the platforms and brickwork, but track changes are the first priority. Here's the real thing. A beautifully turned out Britannia at Virginia Water on a steam special. 7th June 2012. Apologies for the self indulgence of posting pics of locos, but I haven't seen them in a while and need to take pics to catalogue them. Edited April 5, 2021 by gordon s 18 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Barry O Posted April 5, 2021 RMweb Premium Share Posted April 5, 2021 strange that.. I have one of my DJH Britannias in bits on my work bench as I am about to use a Comet Detailing kit to add on some of the "missing bits" which Graham has already added. ET looks a lot better with Brits and Duchesses Gordon all you need are some Black 5s, the odd Jubilee and some Scots and..... Baz 2 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold teaky Posted April 5, 2021 RMweb Gold Share Posted April 5, 2021 Don't listen to him, Gordon. Bring back the LNER! 1 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post gordon s Posted April 5, 2021 Author Popular Post Share Posted April 5, 2021 Well I've had my Lyons Fruit Pie and a Jubbly, so fed and watered to see what comes through this afternoon.... Probably the most famous train in the world. I have used the word 'train' and not 'loco' deliberately, as to someone in their 70's who spent a lot of time at KX, it was the non stop train that got the publicity and now it's switched over to the loco, mainly because of the renovation and media channels which weren't there in the late 50's. The cleaners at the 'Cross have had a field day and the clean paintwork even gave my camera a problem with lens flare on the tender.... Two more DJH's with Comet Valve Gear and NS wheels. I nearly burst into song as ' it was 20 years ago today' when these arrived (well almost: May 2001) Of the two, I have always had a soft spot for the addition of German smoke deflectors, so 60077, The White Knight is my favourite of the two. Shed plate is 56C, which will please Baz, as it's Leeds, Copley Hill which would place it as 1961. If ever there was a need to get ET finished, the last few days sum it up and I want to see these run. Apart from a chug up and down the dining room table on 6' of track 20 years ago they have yet to turn a wheel in anger. I had no idea it was going to take so long, but before anyone chips in, yes, it was all self imposed.... 22 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Barry O Posted April 5, 2021 RMweb Premium Share Posted April 5, 2021 Very nice.. but a clean Copley Hill A3... when was that??? Baz 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Siberian Snooper Posted April 5, 2021 RMweb Premium Share Posted April 5, 2021 6 hours ago, gordon s said: Thanks for the info re Darlington, Baz, just what I had hoped for. A set of plates duly ordered, so they will be here when I get back. This really has been a trip down memory lane for me to recall those wonderful days when life was simple and we were blessed with living, breathing steam locos every day. I could have stood at the the end of ET platform every day, such was the variety of trains passing through thanks in no part to Rule 1...... I thought both of these would be staying with the Midland side of ET, as they were based in Carlisle Kingmoor during the mid 60's, but just noticed the shed plate on 70002 says 31B so that's March which would place it '59 and pre date its move to Carlisle. Both look good at the head of a fast express from ET to the Capital. I certainly saw 70002 Geoffrey Chaucer at Kings Cross or Liverpool Street as it was on shed at Norwich and March in the late 50's before crossing over to Carlisle in the '60's. Personally I prefer the later tenders with the high sides as shown with 70048 The Territorial Army, again from Carlisle, celebrating 50 years of the TA. Both DJH kits from Graham and approaching 20 years old. Nicely built and painted and soon to be pressed into daily service. Seems they both need a good dusting after being packed away for so long. One day I'll get round to painting the platforms and brickwork, but track changes are the first priority. Here's the real thing. A beautifully turned out Britannia at Virginia Water on a steam special. 7th June 2012. Apologies for the self indulgence of posting pics of locos, but I haven't seen them in a while and need to take pics to catalogue them. Last time I saw the Brit, she was languishing on a siding at Arley, looking decidedly unloved. Best of luck with the op, Gordon. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jack P Posted April 5, 2021 Share Posted April 5, 2021 6 hours ago, gordon s said: Apologies for the self indulgence of posting pics of locos, Not needed! These photos are excellent, would it be rude of me to request some more (upon your return)? 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post gordon s Posted April 6, 2021 Author Popular Post Share Posted April 6, 2021 (edited) Afternoon all..... Had my Covid test this morning, so now all set.... Just to show life isn't all beer and skittles and large Pacific loco's, here are a few of the more mundane loco's and coaches I grew up with in North London. N2's and L1's were a way of life to a young trainspotter, consequently they had to be included one way or the other. Rule 1 was specifically designed for this eventuality and you'll see why. Late 50's and Palmers Green was well served by N2's and Quad Arts, mostly double sets for the rush hour trip to KX for all the city workers. Trains were packed and every compartment had its share of smokers. Pipes and cigarettes in those days....No wonder passive smoking became an issue years later. Hornby introduced a new N2 in the early 2000's (my receipt is dated 2003) and Graham converted three of them for me with Comet chassis, DS10 motors, flywheel and gearboxes along with new wheels. Managed to find two this morning, so the third must be around somewhere. The four coach Quad set was from Marc Models and is cleverly articulated with press studs. I guess they would have disappeared by the early 60's. 69522 was based at Hornsey, so Rule 1 will have to apply when it appears on ET suburban traffic. I seem to have a wonky toplight. Photography certainly pulls up the things you don't normally see. The next N2 is 69506 from KX, so I probably was pulled by both of them many years ago. Here it is with three LNER 51' coaches from Kirk Kits. Bogies are from Comet and MJT supplied under frame components. Here I'll plead ignorance as I knew little about these coaches at the time (2003) in terms of where they ran and what time period. I'm guessing from the panelling etc they were a Gresley design, so please feel free to fill in the history. And so the years roll by. The Quads had gone and along came diesels for the Hertford North and Hatfield suburban traffic. Of course as a youngster you plonked yourself in the front seat behind the driver and sat wide eyed with a drivers view of the track ahead. I still recall the Acme Brush Company on the left as you approached KX. Of course all long gone and under the Millennium Stadium I suspect. This is another kit built version which clearly pre dates the Bachmann version. Runs smoothly with a similar noise to a Cravens unit even without a sound decoder. I hope you enjoyed the meanderings around North London.... Edited April 6, 2021 by gordon s 25 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Rowsley17D Posted April 6, 2021 RMweb Gold Share Posted April 6, 2021 All the best for the forthcoming op, Gordon. My Covid test is Friday ready for Monday early doors. 2 4 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
hayfield Posted April 6, 2021 Share Posted April 6, 2021 (edited) I remember as a youngster riding on an early DMU on the St Albans flyer (Watford Junction to St Albans Abbey), as you say sitting in the front seat looking over the drivers shoulder, the seats were more like bus seats than coach seats !! Edited April 6, 2021 by hayfield 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Barry O Posted April 6, 2021 RMweb Premium Share Posted April 6, 2021 Gordon is the N2 I fitted a new gearbox in missing? I know I sent it back but is it with a BR Standard loco in the same place? Baz 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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