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Hull & Barnsley H1 2-4-0 Scratch-build


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Before describing my current project, a Scale 7 model of a Hull & Barnsley Railway H1 Class 2-4-0 locomotive, I thought a little background information would be helpful, mainly to show that it's never too late to start modelling and additionally to show that you can achieve anything if you put your mind to it.

 

Since I was five, (I'm now 68), I've had an interest in British railways, and in the intervening years, I've been what is termed an armchair modeller. During that time I've dabbled in OO, EM and P4, although I've never completed a layout, any rolling stock, or locomotives during that time, although I have a small number of unfinished kits stored away. I've spent interminable hours dreaming up layout schemes, none of them coming to fruition mainly because I couldn't decide what to model. At one time or another I've probably considered modelling most of the railway companies, from pre-grouping, through the Big Four to post nationalisation. As the years have advanced I've become more and more interested in the more obscure railways, particularly the Hull & Barnsley Railway. 

 

As retirement approached I decided it was time to stop dreaming and to do something positive. So with the aid of Templot, I came up with a layout idea, which would be interesting to operate and which would challenge my modelling abilities. The layout, which rejoices in the name of 'Staircliffe Exchange Sidings,' is a c.1908 H. & B.R. themed layout, set in a fictitious location in the Barnsley area. It is still in the process of being built and is being built to Scale 7 standards. Now the problem with modelling the H. & B.R. is that there are few kits available. in fact through my numerous searches I've found two. Firstly there is a horse box by Dragon Models, which I'm in the process of building. The second kit is for a H1 class 2-4-0 and is marketed by Laurie Griffin. The kit and all the design work was done by the late Paul Gram. Because of Paul's terminal illness he came to an arrangement with Laurie to market his kits.

 

It is the H1 kit which will form the basis of my scratch-build. Because I am building to Scale 7 standards, the frame spacer etches were too narrow for my needs. Also, on checking the main-frame etches, against the drawing supplied with the kit, it became obvious that the profile is incorrect, and was dimensionally inaccurate, so I drew up a new frame profile and frame spacers on my CAD system. These I marked out  on 0.028" nickel-silver sheet and then profile milled on my milling machine. The accompanying photographs show the various frame components soldered up to form the main frame sub-assembly. As work progresses I will post updates on the build.

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Guest bri.s

Nice work and I see you said Barnsley area layout ,will you be doing a layout thread ?

 

Can't have too many Barnsley area layouts :)

 

Brian

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Hi Mick,

 

Hopefully the finished model won't look like anything like damaged No.34. If it does then I think I will retire from modelling permanently! It's interesting that the damaged locomotive is the same one as depicted in your first picture, taken at Leeds I think.

 

Dave

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Hi Johnathon,

 

I'll reserve judgement on the kit until the build is more advanced. What I have to say, is that the quality of the predominantly brass castings, which Laurie Griffin commissioned for the 7mm version are excellent.

 

Dave

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Guest bri.s

If I see one crop u

Hi Brian,

 

It is my intention to start do a layout thread on 'Staircliffe Exchange Sidings' but please don't hold your breath. :nono:

 

Dave

If I ever see one crop up I'll surly be a follower

 

Brian

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Nice to see something a bit less mainstream being built. I will be following this thread with interest. I assume the loco is a Mathew Stirling design. I am building one of his uncle James' lockos. An 8 class from the G&SWR. Bit more archaic as it has slotted splashers in the style of the senior Stirlings but also with the family style of round cab.

Ian

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The H&BRly 2-4-0's were actually designed by Mr Kirtley of the LC&DRly, he was the railway's consultant during the construction period. Attached a photograph of a 2-4-0 in original condition, and when the H&B was using the Westinghouse Brake, but within a few years, it changed to the Vacuum Brake.

 

 Best part of forty years ago, I built a 4mm version, picture attached.

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Hi Ian,

 

Sorry for not responding to your comments sooner, and many thanks for taking an interest in this topic. Yesterday I was up at Elsecar in South Yorkshire helping fellow members of the Hull & Barnsley Stock Fund in the restoration of an 1885 built, 4 wheel Brake 3rd carriage of the H&BR. The original design was again the work of William Kirtley, as alluded to in Mick Nicholson's response to your query regarding my scratch-build. Mick is very much an authority on the Hull & Barnsley Railway and a valuable source of help and guidance in this project and my under construction layout 'Staircliffe Exchange Sidings'.

 

Like you I have a fascination for all things Stirling and have admired your various scratch builds of G&SWR locomotives and rolling stock, having seen samples of your work at Guildex.

 

Dave

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  • 1 year later...

Sad to relate, but it was back in June 2015 when I first started this topic. In the interim period I've been, layout building, 'Staircliffe Exchange Sidings', rolling stock building for the afore mentioned layout and working on the scratchbuild which is the subject of this topic.

 

Attached are some pictures of the locomotive mainframes, now more advanced and wheeled too.

 

 

 

Davey

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To follow on a selection of photographs of the footplate.

 

This is made from two pieces of 0.010" brass. I made the footplate this way in an attempt to create  a prototypical footplate thickness whilst giving it some rigidity. The only original parts used from the kit etches are the buffer-beam, the drag-box and the front and rear footsteps.

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Really interested to see this. Grew up, and went to school next to the remains of the H and B Wath branch where it went through Bolton on Dearne. Station building (Barnsley Cottage) and station masters house for the terminal station at Wath are still standing. Both are by a busy roundabout, and lots of people must drive past every day without realising what they are. Some interesting remains of the Denaby branch around Sprotborough. 

 

Good to see an often forgotten railway being modelled. Any idea where the photograph of the loco was taken?

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  • 2 weeks later...

Lovely work. A beautiful engine it will be, in due course, I have no doubt. The H&BR was a fascinating railway with many interesting features. There's at least one branch terminus that would make one hell of a model. I suspect the apparent lack of interest in the railway is mainly down to the unfortunate lack of kits for it. Because I can't believe that there aren't people out there who would model it if so much scratch building was not necessary.

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