Grantham - the Streamliner years

[Martin S-C]

The Spalding show in November is only 15 mins drive from me so no excuses then!

[jwealleans]

Another show over and done. I don't think we were ever quite at our best at Stevenage, but we have had praise from some knowledgeable spectators so perhaps we weren't as below par as we thought - or par is getting better as we develop.

 

Some photographs from Sunday morning before the heat and the hoi polloi assailed us once again:

 

 

Motive power going on and off shed. This was roughly halfway through the sequence and we see a single visitor from both Gorton and Darlington in among Doncaster's finest. Sir Nigel appears to be taking some bigwigs on a shed tour.

 

 

Further along the shed roads, what was by then the grandfather of modern East Coast motive power along with one of its descendants. A rather satisfying collection of wagons in the background too.

 

 

This is the view round the very back of the shed complex, looking up at the end of the goods reception and refuge roads and the back of the new shed. The granary building dominates the far side of the lines. You'll see why I was here in a moment.

 

 

At the end of the Ruston Hornby factory sidings, Roy Mears' Y7 acting as works shunter. The usual Y3 (Dapol) had failed and this was drafted in as a temporary replacement.

 

 

This is what we came to see, though - newly installed and working, the light controlling the single-carriageway underpass next to the Ruston works. It really needs a filmed sequence to show what it does, but what it does is work, in that it controls the movement of the road vehicles and stops them colliding.

[LNER4479]

This is what we came to see, though - newly installed and working, the light controlling the single-carriageway underpass next to the Ruston works. It really needs a filmed sequence to show what it does, but what it does is work, in that it controls the movement of the road vehicles and stops them colliding.

 

Ahem:

Edited January 15, 2019 by LNER4479

[Barry O]

It was surprising that we didn't have more problems due to the temperature in the hall. Watching some of the track expanding in the North Fiddle was a wee bit scary.. but, due to the track laying prowess of Red Leader.. all stayed in line.

 

A great weekend and some nice comments and questions.

 

Baz

[Clearwater]

My sons and I enjoyed seeing Grantham. We were there earlyish on Sunday morning and we did enjoy watching the traffic lights change...Thanks to the team for the explanations and good humour!

 

David

Edited January 14, 2019 by Clearwater

[LMS29]

An enjoyable show. I was glad I had a short sleeved summer shirt in my bag! There were some issues behind the scenes but most did not show to the spectators.

 

Tom

[Tony Wright]

Some pictures from the weekend; also on Wright Writes..............

 

 

 

 

 

[LNER4479]

Thanks for those Tony (previous page). As usual, the camera takes no prisoners. Must get round to:

- weathering station canopies (well, non-stock weathering in general really)

- ladders and last signal arm on south end of signals (although it was something of a minor mircale that the new south end signal - the concrete one - was up and running at all for the show)

- snip the pips off that south end trap point

- proper girder representation on Springfield Road bridge, plus suitable fencing above

- general shed detritus - not to mention a proper version of the 'new' shed building

Edited January 15, 2019 by LNER4479

[LNER4479]

Before we all get too much older, a few of mine, albeit only relatively crummy camfone snaps:

 

The usual Sunday morning 'before the crowds arrive' photo opportunity. Barry and Roy limber up on the main control panel, whilst Jonathan checks all is in place backstage in the fiddle yard. It's mid afternoon on the schedule and, following the arrival of the 3.30pm service from Peterborough (Grantham arrive 4.11pm) - ably depicted in Tony's views down the station platforms - the train loco has shunted its stock into the west side bay platform (plat.4) and retired to shed. This was a working for a Grantham-based pacific no less, but was otherwise just for operational convenience to get it back to home depot, to save a separate LE move.

 

Looking the other way, this view of the south end was really designed to show the road system, including the already highlighted traffic light. This apparently innocuous view hides some ingenious electronics - far beyond my comprehension but only a mildly brain stretching exercise for our electronics whiz, Andrew. There are three IRDOTS (if you look closely, you can just see one of them just above the heads of the horses on the beer cart) and three stop magnets (one of these is holding the LNER Harrington horsebox, seen hiding beneath the cover for the turning circle top right; these and the traffic light are controlled by a bespoke electronic sequencer Andrew built, tucked away out of sight beneath the road. As designed, it can cope with four road vehicles at once in this section of road; we only have three operational vehicles at the moment and the experience of the two days is that the rechargeable Faller batteries are only good for half a day's use at an exhibition with the amount of running they do. If you saw all three running at once you were quite lucky! I've added the piece of video again at the bottom of this post seeing as we are on a new page and I've remembered how to do it so that it plays directly from the thread!

So, in addition to lists like the above, we have some work to do to increase the number of vehicles. I don't claim to be any sort of expert but we will try and ensure the vehicles are typical of pre-war. Things to have a go at are a Foden steam wagon, a mechanical horse and - possibly - even a horse and cart (or two).

 

Lastly, especially for one of our Antipodean viewers, a certain A3 was captured working a southbound Leeds express in the early evening. Remarkably, as well as all the A4s, we do have access to all the Gresley A1/A3s for use on the layout. It's always a bit of fun before the show to have a look through the list and make a few special requests; conversely, literally any of them can turn up. Also spotted running during the weekend were No.2743 Felstead (the first production A3) and No.2553. Those who are aware of the layout's connection with the fortunes of the A1 Steam Locomotive Trust will appreciate the relevance of the latter one...

 

Edited January 15, 2019 by LNER4479

[Martin S-C]

I like the traditional sequence flip sheets so the spectators know what is going on. I don't like watching a layout being operated without having a clue what is happening. The trend in recent decades inspired by the Rice "theatrical presentation" philosophy means sequence flip-cards have gone out of fashion but I think they're one of the most useful and helpful things an exhibition layout can have.

[St Enodoc]

Thanks for those Tony (previous page). As usual, the camera takes no prisoners. Must get round to:

- weathering station canopies (well, non-stock weathering in general really)

- ladders and last signal arm on south end of signals (although it was something of a minor mircale that the new south end signal - the concrete one - was up and running at all for the show)

- snip the pips off that south end trap point

- proper girder representation on Springfield Road bridge, plus suitable fencing above

- general shed detritus - not to mention a proper version of the 'new' shed building

A gentle weekend's work ahead...

[Martin S-C]

- general shed detritus

I've got some I can let you have.

 

 

- not to mention a proper version of the 'new' shed building

Yep, got one of them as well.

 

 

Am I being helpful? Am I?

Edited January 15, 2019 by Martin S-C

[LNER4479]

Love the lamp stand! Now, where can we put that round the depot ... ?

[Barry O]

Must get my hair cut...

[jwealleans]

 

where can we put that round the depot...

The operator could wear it?

[LNER4479]

The operator could wear it?

You mean when he needs to lift his head up a shade? (ka-tish boom!)

[gr.king]

I suspect that being hidden under a lamp shade, as depot operator, would make little difference. Having been out front, at low level, not wearing my usual colours, and hidden by spectators for most of both days, I've already been informed that I wasn't at the show on the Sunday, which news came as a bit of surprise to me.

[jamie92208]

Perhaps you could say that the wearer of said lampshade had been the victim of a revenge attack by a dog.

 

 

Jamie

[Martin S-C]

The standard lamp can save you all that carrying of a layout lighting rig to shows. Any vertically challenged operators can stand on the upturned laundry basket. You can cut down the G-Scale brake van into some kind of bothy probably. The weedkiller spray filled with deoderant can be squirted at the more unwashed spectators... Lots of useful detritus in my shed.

 

3D print them for the team uniform?

 

GRANTHAM - THE CHINTZ YEARS

Edited January 16, 2019 by Martin S-C

[Clive Mortimore]

The standard lamp can save you all that carrying of a layout lighting rig to shows. Any vertically challenged operators can stand on the upturned laundry basket. You can cut down the G-Scale brake van into some kind of bothy probably. The weedkiller spray filled with deoderant can be squirted at the more unwashed spectators... Lots of useful detritus in my shed.

 

3D print them for the team uniform?

 

Image1.png

 

GRANTHAM - THE CHINTZ YEARS

Wearing that tit-fer that Baz won't need to get a hair cut as no one will see his Barnet.

Edited January 16, 2019 by Clive Mortimore

[Mallard60022]

That's my lounge that is…………………...

[St Enodoc]

Wearing that tit-fer that Baz won't need to get a hair cut as no one will see his Barnet.

Lower it a bit and we won't have to look at his boat either...

[wilks]

Some pictures from the weekend; also on Wright Writes..............

 

Grantham 15 01 shed scene.jpg

 

Grantham 15 02 A1 in station.jpg

 

Grantham 15 05 1888 FS.jpg

 

Grantham 15 06 J69 on bridge.jpg

 

Grantham 15 07 shed scene.jpg

 

I went to the CMRA show last weekend, particularly to see Grantham. I managed to time my two visits to be at the same point in sequence!! However the second time I did get to see the 1938 recreation of the 1888 Flying Scotsman. I took some pictures of Sir Nigel Gresley and the Stirling Single on its restored GN coaches - both trains looked fantastic. I showed them to my Dad today and he remembers seeing the Stirling Single and its train passing through Hadley Wood, where his family used to go and watch the trains at Greenwood Box at the end of the 4 track section. My father was 13 in 1938 and from that period remembers seeing the inaugural run of the Silver Jubilee, Mons Meg as a 2-8-2 at Kings Cross, and also the two P1s on coal trains. Large Atlantics were still common and I think they were his favourite engines.

 

Unfortunately his mobility is not a great as it used to be - he is now 93. I think it is about time I persuaded him to come to an exhibition to see Grantham. When is expected to exhibited in the south east again? In the mean time how can you purchase a CD?

 

Paul

[John Tomlinson]

That's my lounge that is…………………...

 

You may jest, we've actually got one of those lamp standards and shades in our lounge and it's in daily use!

 

I think the real heritage item here is the set of kitchen cupboards at the far end. Look '60's to me, if not before. My Dad's house still has its 1959 built kitchen, and these look quite similar.

 

John.

[LNER4479]

I went to the CMRA show last weekend, particularly to see Grantham. I managed to time my two visits to be at the same point in sequence!! However the second time I did get to see the 1938 recreation of the 1888 Flying Scotsman. I took some pictures of Sir Nigel Gresley and the Stirling Single on its restored GN coaches - both trains looked fantastic. I showed them to my Dad today and he remembers seeing the Stirling Single and its train passing through Hadley Wood, where his family used to go and watch the trains at Greenwood Box at the end of the 4 track section. My father was 13 in 1938 and from that period remembers seeing the inaugural run of the Silver Jubilee, Mons Meg as a 2-8-2 at Kings Cross, and also the two P1s on coal trains. Large Atlantics were still common and I think they were his favourite engines.

 

Unfortunately his mobility is not a great as it used to be - he is now 93. I think it is about time I persuaded him to come to an exhibition to see Grantham. When is expected to exhibited in the south east again? In the mean time how can you purchase a CD?

 

Paul

Hi Paul,

 

Thanks for your post; that's a lovely connection with your Dad's memories of pre-war LNER. Makes it all worthwhile when we get comments like that.

 

Next shows at Spalding (Nov 2019) and Southampton (Jan 2020). Not quite 'south east', but within striking distance perhaps?

 

I'll PM you re DVD.

 

Graham

Edited January 20, 2019 by LNER4479