Wright writes.....

[Iain.d]

I have shown the progress over the last couple of weeks on a new tender build for an old Triang MR 3F. The loco was modified/updated in 1993 but I only did minimal work on the original tender. I’d had in mind to change it out for a new tender at some point in the future and was able to purchase a George Norton Connoisseur’s Choice Johnson 3500 gallon tender a few years ago.

 

I had hoped to finish it last week using one of these 28 year old cans of black Humbrol spray, that I’d kept all this time with this project in mind!!

 

 

Shaking the cans told me there was plenty of paint in them, unfortunately one can had no propellant left in it, but the other seemed to work fine on my test piece, however, when I did the tender it left semi hard particles in the finish – not sure what they were, maybe bits of dry paint? So it got stripped and resprayed through the week, this time using Tamiya gloss black and Mig matt varnish. Its not quite the same colour as the locomotive, but close enough. I’ve toned the ‘brightness’ down with dry brushing some dark grey onto it, and added a fall plate.

 

 

One day I’ll fit a driver and fireman and a few fire irons and the like. Also when I was finding the paint and some low melt solder, in long ago packed boxes, I found a small bag of crushed coal! Probably enough to do half a dozen loco’s.

 

Kind regards,

 

Iain

[drmditch]

Re: 'My Railway'.

I enjoy both researching for and building my railway, which is 'based on' the LNER/NEA in the late 40s. (Although with 'special trains' from 1938ish and some even earlier.)

We are fortunate to have such a large amount of published material, and the examples of great modellers to inspire us.

 

My library is still a bit disorganised, but the book shelves carefully built into the Railway Room are still used for miscellaneous storage, while most of the railway books occupy the bedroom bookshelves. It is very important to have something to read first thing in the morning and last thing at night!

 

As far as I am concerned, all RTR products are grist to the mill, if they can be made to resemble something which I am happy with.

I've had some motivational (and health) problems this summer, and have just broken out of my logjam by another conversion of an Oxford Cattle Wagon.

 

 

 

This one is to Dia.40, with Morton Clutch single sided brakes.

This was quite an easy and quick job, until I thought I would try to represent roof-planking under ageing canvas!

 

 

 

 

Logjam now broken, and getting back to 'proper work'!

 

Edited October 23, 2021 by drmditch
Wrong Diagram Number.

[Ian Rathbone]

Regarding the BR crest introduced in mid 1956. It was derived from the crest (the bit above the helmet) of the BTC Coat of Arms -

 

As it is an heraldic device it can only exist in the form granted by the College of Arms but I presume BR didn’t realise that so RH & LH versions were used for both locos and coaches (I have photos of the coach version, and Fox now produce the transfers). The situation only existed for six months so from early 1957 only the LH versions were used (there is much photographic evidence for this). The 1959 date in ‘Blood and Custard’ must be an error.  I don’t know how one would decide which side of a coach gets which version.

 

One of the NRM’s many livery errors was to give the ‘Duchess of Hamilton’ a RH crest even though it didn’t get its Crimson Lake livery until 1958.

 

The cycling ferret was NEVER a crest. It was an emblem, badge or logo.

 

Ian R

[Dunsignalling]

Going by the number of their locos that are to be seen with "handed" lions in photographs, the Southern Region either did an awful lot of repainting (and possibly rebadging of recent repaints) in the months before the situation was clarified, or winged it to use up their stock of right-facing transfers for a while afterwards....

 

John

[Mark90]

12 hours ago, Ian Rathbone said:

Regarding the BR crest introduced in mid 1956. It was derived from the crest (the bit above the helmet) of the BTC Coat of Arms -

 

As it is an heraldic device it can only exist in the form granted by the College of Arms but I presume BR didn’t realise that so RH & LH versions were used for both locos and coaches (I have photos of the coach version, and Fox now produce the transfers). The situation only existed for six months so from early 1957 only the LH versions were used (there is much photographic evidence for this). The 1959 date in ‘Blood and Custard’ must be an error.  I don’t know how one would decide which side of a coach gets which version.

 

One of the NRM’s many livery errors was to give the ‘Duchess of Hamilton’ a RH crest even though it didn’t get its Crimson Lake livery until 1958.

 

The cycling ferret was NEVER a crest. It was an emblem, badge or logo.

 

Ian R

Hello Ian,

 

Many thanks - this is very informative. 

 

Mark

Edited October 24, 2021 by Mark90
Spelling error

[robertcwp]

2 hours ago, Dunsignalling said:

Going by the number of their locos that are to be seen with "handed" lions in photographs, the Southern Region either did an awful lot of repainting (and possibly rebadging of recent repaints) in the months before the situation was clarified, or winged it to use up their stock of right-facing transfers for a while afterwards....

 

John

I suspect the latter and that the same applied on other regions too.

 

There is a BTF film about carriage cleaners which shows a right-facing roundel on a maroon Mark 1.

[cctransuk]

1 hour ago, robertcwp said:

I suspect the latter and that the same applied on other regions too.

 

There is a BTF film about carriage cleaners which shows a right-facing roundel on a maroon Mark 1.

 

I strongly suspect that the film has been reversed in such a shot.

 

John Isherwood.

[robertcwp]

59 minutes ago, cctransuk said:

 

I strongly suspect that the film has been reversed in such a shot.

 

John Isherwood.

No it hadn't as the BRITISH RAILWAYS lettering is the correct way round. Look at 7 min 50 sec: https://youtu.be/DF8ETt70CCQ

[cctransuk]

6 minutes ago, robertcwp said:

No it hadn't as the BRITISH RAILWAYS lettering is the correct way round. Look at 7 min 50 sec: https://youtu.be/DF8ETt70CCQ

 

So it is - well, I learn something new every day!

 

Do you think that there would be a market for right-facing coach roundel transfers?

 

Regards,

John Isherwood.

[Ian Rathbone]

1 hour ago, cctransuk said:

 

So it is - well, I learn something new every day!

 

Do you think that there would be a market for right-facing coach roundel transfers?

 

Regards,

John Isherwood.

Fox are already doing them.

[Compound2632]

1 hour ago, robertcwp said:

No it hadn't as the BRITISH RAILWAYS lettering is the correct way round. Look at 7 min 50 sec: https://youtu.be/DF8ETt70CCQ

 

Now, are you sure that isn't from the rogue batch of transfers with BRITISH RAILWAYS in mirror writing?

[Theakerr]

My J6 is finally finished.  Not the easiest of kits to put together but I am OK with it.  It is a Nu-Cast kit on an SE Finecast chassis now with a High Level Road Runner + 45:1 gearbox.  Originally it had a 40:1 DJH gearbox powering  the centre axle and whilst it ran very well, I was not happy with the way the gearbox protruded.   I had planned to try a tender drive to the rear axle but for whatever reason I could not get the rear axle to rotate the other drivers smoothly and ended up opting for the conventional centre axle driver.   The High Level gearbox is very smooth and very quiet but the new motor does not appear to have quiet the same torque as the Mashima with the DJH gearbox.  This will not impact its use because it will be used on short pick-up goods or two/three coach local passenger trains.  For the second time i have used Humbrol acrylic paints and again I have to report that their touch up qualities are the best I have come across.  One other point that might be worth mentioning is if you use a spring loaded spreader holder to spray the body, depending on the design, do not leave it on the holder.  In this case the the running plate is essentially just a strip of white metal and over time the spring will push it out forming a vase like shape.  Interesting exercise pushing it back straight again

Edited October 24, 2021 by Theakerr

[robertcwp]

21 hours ago, Ian Rathbone said:

Fox are already doing them.

I think there are couple of right-facing ones on the HMRS sheet too.

[Tony Wright]

After a month of virtually no model-making on my part (too busy making programmes, writing and taking/processing pictures), I've, at last, got back to the bench..........

 

 

More work done on the DJH A3.

 

 

[Tony Wright]

I have a question, or several.

 

A friend has left some items for me to sell, with most of the proceeds going to charity. I'm examining them, and they include a Kirk 'Quint' non-gangwayed set (nicely made/painted in BR crimson, but no lettering). I'm told Kirk stuff goes for 'daft' money on Ebay. Can anyone suggest a price? I'll take pictures. There are also some non-gangwayed Kirk Gresleys in teak, but the (plastic) trussing is damaged. Again, I'll take pictures.

 

There are also three Metropolitan 'Dreadnought' carriages (the kits made by a shop in Harrow I'm told). The painting on these is hideous, but they can be stripped and repainted. They don't seem badly made. 

 

Does anyone know anything about Trackmaster Models? They were made in England by Pyramid Toys Ltd. There are five boxed examples (vans and open wagons) showing three shillings and sixpence as the price on one. They're in good condition; are they collectable? If so, is anyone interested?

 

There's an Exley LMS carriage, with slight damage. Again, I'll take its picture.

 

What's a Bachmann split chassis B1 worth? And, a similar J39? Both work well.

 

Any thoughts, please.

 

Thanks in anticipation. 

[richard i]

Close to Several hundred for the quint if eBay prices are any thing to go by.

split chassis locos go for 40-50 pds depending on condition or there abouts.

All approximates.

richard 

 

[Tony Wright]

2 hours ago, richard i said:

Close to Several hundred for the quint if eBay prices are any thing to go by.

split chassis locos go for 40-50 pds depending on condition or there abouts.

All approximates.

richard 

 

Thanks Richard,

 

You can see the set on Wednesday.

 

Here are a couple of the other items............

 

 

This is one of a trio of Met' 'Dreadnoughts' (each as bad, paint-wise, as the others). They're cast metal, so stripping shouldn't be a problem. 

 

 

And the Exley (at least I think it's an Exley). Do folk restore these? I said it had 'slight damage' in a previous post; oh dear, contravention of the Trades Descriptions Act? 

 

I'll post more pictures tomorrow. 

 

Regards,

 

Tony. 

 

 

Edited October 25, 2021 by Tony Wright
to add something

[TheSignalEngineer]

3 hours ago, Tony Wright said:

Does anyone know anything about Trackmaster Models? They were made in England by Pyramid Toys Ltd. There are five boxed examples (vans and open wagons) showing three shillings and sixpence as the price on one. They're in good condition; are they collectable? If so, is anyone interested?

Trackmaster was made c1947-50. Pyramid toys did sets with a clockwork N2 tank, a 7-plank open and a box van both available in GWR and LNER guise. The original wagons had cast metal non-insulated wheels. Some later opens came with coal loads and some came with Hornby Dublo couplings. 

The tooling was bought by Rovex in 1951.

The Pat Hammond book lists prices in the Rovex Tri-ang Hornby section. The original version of the wagons is listed at £12 for mint boxed. HD couplings or coal loads are higher.

A pity there isn't an 0-6-2T as these are listed at £95-£125 for the various versions.

 

Eric

[Tony Wright]

I'll be taking a picture of the Kirk Gresley Quint set later (I'm off to operated an HO American layout today), and I'll be putting a price on it. 

 

As for the other items; is anyone interested in the 'Dreadnoughts'? I thought £15.00 each, given their poor painting. Please PM me if anyone would like them. I thought £12.00 for the Exley. 

 

Regarding the Trackmaster wagons, a fiver each?

 

There's also a Crescent round water tank (in excellent condition). Are these collectable? 

 

I'll be posting more pictures later. 

[PMP]

On 25/10/2021 at 20:24, Tony Wright said:

 

 

 

And the Exley (at least I think it's an Exley). Do folk restore these? I said it had 'slight damage' in a previous post; oh dear, contravention of the Trades Descriptions Act? 

 

I'll post more pictures tomorrow. 

 

Regards,

 

Tony. 

 

 

I’m pretty sure that’s an Exley, the overall style and corridor bellows look almost identical to a GWR coach my father had. For their time they were highly desirable (and expensive) I think they did a brake and also a dining car in the same style in GWR livery too as well as LMS.  I can’t recall seeing ads for them in LNER  or Southern liveries, but I suspect those too were available.

[Tony Wright]

46 minutes ago, PMP said:

I’m pretty sure that’s an Exley, the overall style and corridor bellows look almost identical to a GWR coach my father had. For their time they were highly desirable (and expensive) I think they did a brake and also a dining car in the same style in GWR livery too as well as LMS.  I can’t recall seeing ads for them in LNER  or Southern liveries, but I suspect those too were available.

Thanks Paul,

 

The reason why I'm not sure is that there's no Exley maker's mark on the underside. Other Exleys (and whatever railway they purported to represent, they were just LMS cars) I've had, all had the Exley provenance.

 

You're right about the price. I once called in at the Exley shop in Baslow (nearly 50 years ago) and Exley carriages were selling at about £25.00 each. There were some LMS carriages painted in teak, yet they were the same price! 

 

I'm pleased to say the trio of Dreadnoughts has sold. Despite the shocking paintwork, they run rather well on their distinctive shorty bogies. The new owner is looking forward to resurrecting them.

 

Regards,

 

Tony. 

[Tony Wright]

Apologies for not showing a picture of the Kirk Quint set as promised. Today has been rather busy.

 

Tomorrow then. 

[Tony Wright]

As promised, a shot of the Kirk Quint set........

 

 

The chap who owns this is suffering from cancer himself, and most of the proceeds from its sale will go to CRUK. 

 

He didn't build it (builder unknown) but it's 'adequately-made' and runs well on its pin-point bogies and Jackson wheels. It needs lettering/numbering. 

 

Having been told of some of the current prices asked for Kirk kits (made and unmade) I've put a price of £175.00 on this. Anyone interested, please PM me. 

 

Another carriage in the collection is this.............

 

 

It's a Kirk Gresley non-gangwayed Brake 3rd (a type made now by Hornby RTR). It was in a very sorry state with poorly-made bogies and the underframe all broken. I've tidied it up and weathered it, and I think it's now 'presentable', though it needs its number completed. Given that a similar (but much better) vehicle is now available RTR, I wonder what this might be worth? 

 

 

 

 

[Tony Wright]

Friend Richard Irven popped over yesterday with his three fine sons (they drive Bytham's trains really fast - good!). 

 

He brought with him some models he's made/making. Including..................

 

 

An A2/3.

 

 

A V2.

 

 

The LNER Dynamometer Car.

 

 

The GC Inspection Saloon. 

 

 

And a complete Great Central train.

 

I'll let Richard explain the origins of these. 

 

 

[Tony Wright]

In response to some praise for a picture I took some time ago, I've had a couple of goes at taking it again; this time with Bytham all but finished.

 

 

 

I can't decide which shot is better.

 

It's the same loco, but on a different train from the original picture. This is the Up afternoon Talisman. 

 

Apologies for the incongruous LNER train on the MR/M&GNR, some eight years too early!

Edited October 28, 2021 by Tony Wright
to add something