Fordbank Posted October 22, 2018 Author Share Posted October 22, 2018 (edited) And now, as promised in the Spring (see post 20/04/18 )..... Peak Forest - Small Structures Series 2. Another case of life copying art? These two portacabins have been placed on the east (Up) side opposite the old station. Does anyone know whether they portend the construction of new traction facilities ( Freightliner at one time considered its own fuelling point to mirror the EWS facilities on the Down side); or perhaps a serious attempt at last to sort the chronic track plan problems; or is this just part of the ongoing fiddling by Network Rail? Edited October 22, 2018 by Fordbank 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fordbank Posted October 23, 2018 Author Share Posted October 23, 2018 (edited) No Access! No. Not another example of corporate secrecy - just co-incidence! Sadly to visitors to Peak Forest the footpath from the road bridge down to the Down Sidings, has not only been temporarily closed but very comprehensively barricaded. The path was an excellent viewpoint for the ever changing array of locomotives and wagons held in the stabling sidings. The cause of this misfortune is the corrosion of the footbridge which spans the little cutting through which a narrow gauge track once ran from Bold Venture Quarry to a loading chute for a standard gauge siding in Peak Forest yard. Moreover this does not seem to be a case Health and Safety gone mad: there appears a real risk of the concrete slabs forming the footway falling through the two supporting girders. But how long might it be before this well used footbridge is re-instated? If ever... PS. An upside? To paraphrase the modelling press, "Add Realism - Model a Disused Footpath". Probably not on Peak Forest Revived though; it's thankfully out of my period. But maybe a new entry into 'Small Structures'.... Edited October 23, 2018 by Fordbank 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Joseph_Pestell Posted October 23, 2018 RMweb Gold Share Posted October 23, 2018 Shouldn't that sign read "Eintritt Verboten"? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sandhole Posted October 23, 2018 Share Posted October 23, 2018 No Access! IMG_5586.JPG IMG_5573.JPG No. Not another example of corporate secrecy - just co-incidence! Sadly to visitors to Peak Forest the footpath from the road bridge down to the Down Sidings, has not only been temporarily closed but very comprehensively barricaded. IMG_5575.JPG The path was an excellent viewpoint for the ever changing array of locomotives and wagons held in the stabling sidings. The cause of this misfortune is the corrosion of the footbridge which spans the little cutting through which a narrow gauge track once ran from Bold Venture Quarry to a loading chute for a standard gauge siding in Peak Forest yard. Moreover this does not seem to be a case Health and Safety gone mad: there appears a real risk of the concrete slabs forming the footway falling through the two supporting girders. But how long might it be before this well used footbridge is re-instated? If ever... PS. An upside? To paraphrase the modelling press, "Add Realism - Model a Disused Footpath". Probably not on Peak Forest Revived though; it's thankfully out of my period. But maybe a new entry into 'Small Structures'.... Bad Score!! This means I'll go straight to Hazel Grove exhibition, rather than calling at Peak Forrest first. Mind you, if the weather is OK, I'll still go! Chris. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
pharrc20 Posted October 23, 2018 Share Posted October 23, 2018 No Access! IMG_5586.JPG IMG_5573.JPG No. Not another example of corporate secrecy - just co-incidence! Sadly to visitors to Peak Forest the footpath from the road bridge down to the Down Sidings, has not only been temporarily closed but very comprehensively barricaded. IMG_5575.JPG The path was an excellent viewpoint for the ever changing array of locomotives and wagons held in the stabling sidings. The cause of this misfortune is the corrosion of the footbridge which spans the little cutting through which a narrow gauge track once ran from Bold Venture Quarry to a loading chute for a standard gauge siding in Peak Forest yard. Moreover this does not seem to be a case Health and Safety gone mad: there appears a real risk of the concrete slabs forming the footway falling through the two supporting girders. But how long might it be before this well used footbridge is re-instated? If ever... PS. An upside? To paraphrase the modelling press, "Add Realism - Model a Disused Footpath". Probably not on Peak Forest Revived though; it's thankfully out of my period. But maybe a new entry into 'Small Structures'.... Oh buffers... I was planning to visit Peak this Friday or next Monday weather permitting to gets some more snaps... so the Holding Sidings are a long walk then up via Peak Dale itself.Cheers Paul Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fordbank Posted October 23, 2018 Author Share Posted October 23, 2018 (edited) Shouldn't that sign read "Eintritt Verboten"? "Eintritt für Unbefugte verboten", vielleicht. Edited October 23, 2018 by Fordbank Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
pharrc20 Posted October 23, 2018 Share Posted October 23, 2018 No Access! IMG_5586.JPG What is the poor Stig doing in the ground?? Ah I got it he is inspecting the bridge foundations Paul Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fordbank Posted October 25, 2018 Author Share Posted October 25, 2018 Throwback Thursday - Compulsory Purchase 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fordbank Posted October 30, 2018 Author Share Posted October 30, 2018 Eeeh 'eck! No room at the stables. The fiddle yard is filling up. Peak Forest Revived is going to need a bigger garage! Maybe not. Maybe cassettes.... Sizes vary from 20cm (class 08) to 100cm ( 3-car class 158 ). Cost from £1.20 to £6.00 Originally 15mm aluminium angle was screwed to 6mm ply cut to 46mm wide. However at Wigan this year Simon Cullen demonstrated the obvious - the rigidity of the aluminium angle is such that a continuous wooden base is unnecessary; all that is needed are wooden tie bars to prevent the two rails from splaying. A simple benefit to longer cassettes. Doubtless most modellers know this already. Simon simply glues the wooden tie bars to the aluminium rails. I found that an additional screw into the tie bar helps maintain the gauging during the gluing process. Loading and unloading the stabling cassettes utilises a simple dock in the fiddle yard. It's just like driving trains directly onto the shelves, and the locos and their delicate weathering (yet to be undertaken!!!) remain untouched by greasy human hands. I had hoped that accurate construction would ensure electrical contact between dock and cassette thereby avoiding the use of bulky bulldog clips. However reliability proved only 80%ish. My solution is a bit of copper glued to the end of a biro which is inserted vertically to guarantee electrical continuity.... . 9 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andrew P Posted October 30, 2018 Share Posted October 30, 2018 Hi Andy, this was the scene last Saturday on my way to the Hazel Grove Show, and YES, that is SNOW at 9am. And at 3pm brilliant sunshine. 9 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
rob D2 Posted October 30, 2018 Share Posted October 30, 2018 I’m wondering if the footpath was closed, because of a freak accident where “ the stig “ got decapatated.... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fordbank Posted October 30, 2018 Author Share Posted October 30, 2018 I’m wondering if the footpath was closed, because of a freak accident where “ the stig “ got decapatated.... E37169C3-3C5E-4B54-894F-7F29E1A0ABCC.png I think we may have to invite The Stig back to Reflections on Peak Forest: he's proving unexpectedly popular (albeit decapitated!). 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fordbank Posted October 30, 2018 Author Share Posted October 30, 2018 Hi Andy, this was the scene last Saturday on my way to the Hazel Grove Show, and YES, that is SNOW at 9am. IMG_6113.JPG IMG_6111.JPG IMG_6114.JPG IMG_6116.JPG IMG_6120.JPG And at 3pm brilliant sunshine. IMG_6127.JPG IMG_6126.JPG Andy you win the "First Cuckoo" prize for the first snow at Peak Forest. I dropped by on Monday 29th as I was out catching the last of the Autumn sunshine on my bike. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marcus 37 Posted October 31, 2018 Share Posted October 31, 2018 That was a stroke of luck then. I was up at Peak Forest on the 20th and due to lack of parking I parked up at Peak Dale and walked down through the fields.Wonder if it will get repaired or shut for good? Plenty of trains around including a couple of celebrity repaints. Does seem a bit strange seeing our locos up at PF in abundance. I do like the look of your cassette system. I've thought about it a few times as it would free up some space in the fiddle yard for longer trains. Certainly some food for thought. Layouts looking great by the way. Cheers Marcus 7 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fordbank Posted November 7, 2018 Author Share Posted November 7, 2018 Wordless Wednesday - although to be honest to me they look as if they're having a bit of a parley. 4 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fordbank Posted November 8, 2018 Author Share Posted November 8, 2018 Throwback Thursday Many months ago a pair of Class 20s were acquired with the intention of eventually upgrading them (high intensity headlights ,etc) to 1999ish condition to replicate RHTT and empty stock workings. However whilst researching PHV limestone hopper operations through Peak Forest I came across several photos of the hoppers worked by pairs of Choppers. And how fine they looked... Photo courtesy of Jon Gavin I suspect a second BR Blue Chopper, suitably heavily weathered, will find its way onto the future acquisitions list; but also a future dilemma - whether to update or leave in 1980s spec for yet to come 'Throwback Hopper Workings". 12 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marcus 37 Posted November 8, 2018 Share Posted November 8, 2018 Ah, you've beaten me to it. I've been meaning to dig my choppers out for a run on my hoppers. They certain look good though. Unfortunately the hoppers have given the excuse to buy even more loco's Peaks, 25s, and 40's spring to mind as well as the 47's and 31's but luckily I already possess some of those. Cheers Marcus 4 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fordbank Posted November 9, 2018 Author Share Posted November 9, 2018 Ah, you've beaten me to it. I've been meaning to dig my choppers out for a run on my hoppers. They certain look good though. Unfortunately the hoppers have given the excuse to buy even more loco's Peaks, 25s, and 40's spring to mind as well as the 47's and 31's but luckily I already possess some of those. Cheers Marcus Hi Marcus, At least it's slightly less damaging on the bank balance to look towards the past at Peak Forest. Given the amazing proliferation of new liveries that have put in an appearance this year, it would be a dear job trying to keep up with the current railway scene. Great to see you are still following the Reflections thread. It sounds as if the Big Trains kept you pretty busy over the summer. Cheers, Andy Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sandhole Posted November 9, 2018 Share Posted November 9, 2018 Throwback Thursday Many months ago a pair of Class 20s were acquired with the intention of eventually upgrading them (high intensity headlights ,etc) to 1999ish condition to replicate RHTT and empty stock workings. However whilst researching PHV limestone hopper operations through Peak Forest I came across several photos of the hoppers worked by pairs of Choppers. And how fine they looked... PF.Chinley.20104.20004.Jon_Gavin.jpg Photo courtesy of Jon Gavin IMG_5670.JPG IMG_5673.JPG IMG_5675 (2).JPG I suspect a second BR Blue Chopper, suitably heavily weathered, will find its way onto the future acquisitions list; but also a future dilemma - whether to update or leave in 1980s spec for yet to come 'Throwback Hopper Workings". Morning Andy. The layout is looking great. I remember the 'Choppers' on the hoppers. I was milking cows for the CooP in Gloucestershire through the 80s, so my visits to the 'Forest were limited to holidays back in Manchester stopping at my parents. My snow shots were during the Chopper era. Still haven't got a scanner yet. Christmas present to me I think!! Backdating means Peaks, including Lytham St Annes. I remember her on banking duty and then leaving on a train of ironstone tippler wagons. That was the beauty of that time. The LMS era bogies, 4 wheeled tipplers, as well as the, then, modern 4 wheeled hoppers. The latter were made into the double headed Class40 train. Never got a decent shot of that, just two hurried shots at Skelton Junction,which, together with Northenden Junction, were two of my favourite local locations. Right, coffee break over, back to doing housework stuff on my first restday. Chris. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fordbank Posted November 9, 2018 Author Share Posted November 9, 2018 Morning Andy. The layout is looking great. I remember the 'Choppers' on the hoppers. I was milking cows for the CooP in Gloucestershire through the 80s, so my visits to the 'Forest were limited to holidays back in Manchester stopping at my parents. My snow shots were during the Chopper era. Still haven't got a scanner yet. Christmas present to me I think!! Backdating means Peaks, including Lytham St Annes. I remember her on banking duty and then leaving on a train of ironstone tippler wagons. That was the beauty of that time. The LMS era bogies, 4 wheeled tipplers, as well as the, then, modern 4 wheeled hoppers. The latter were made into the double headed Class40 train. Never got a decent shot of that, just two hurried shots at Skelton Junction,which, together with Northenden Junction, were two of my favourite local locations. Right, coffee break over, back to doing housework stuff on my first restday. Chris. Hi Chris, Love the phrase 'milking cows for the Co-op in Gloucestershire'. Sounds bucolic but I bet it was early starts, hard work, and cow muck. Watch out on the scanner. I bought one a few years back, but the quality on negatives was always disappointing and as a result I've used it rarely. I suspect the good ones are quite pricey. I've pinched a couple of Choppers in the Snow shots from the web. Here's a favourite from November '85... Cheers, Andy 5 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sandhole Posted November 9, 2018 Share Posted November 9, 2018 Hi Chris, Love the phrase 'milking cows for the Co-op in Gloucestershire'. Sounds bucolic but I bet it was early starts, hard work, and cow muck. Watch out on the scanner. I bought one a few years back, but the quality on negatives was always disappointing and as a result I've used it rarely. I suspect the good ones are quite pricey. I've pinched a couple of Choppers in the Snow shots from the web. Here's a favourite from November '85... PF.Real. Great Rocks.Nov.85.jpg Cheers, Andy Thanks for the tip on the scanner. The agric job was great until the last two years . I was moved to a huge unit and we started to keep cows in all the time!!! That is just not right!!! The estate closed and we all got made redundant in 2002. Truthfully, with the state of the industry at that time I wasn't totally disappointed!! That is a proper snow shot!! I have tried to get to Peak Forest twice in the past two weeks but stuff stopped me. I'll try again next rest days, next week. Chris. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fordbank Posted November 14, 2018 Author Share Posted November 14, 2018 (edited) Wordless Wednesday Edited August 10, 2022 by Fordbank 6 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Iron Horse Posted November 14, 2018 Share Posted November 14, 2018 Gutted, saw your post and thought it must be Thursday..........cool pic though regardless Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fordbank Posted November 15, 2018 Author Share Posted November 15, 2018 Yep. Throwback Thursday! Photo: David Hills Fabulous photo by David Hills; note Peakstone 07 in distance. Those limestone hoppers have a lot to answer for. All that research just threw up loads of lovely old Peak Forest photos. The limestone hoppers were around for so long that there was a healthy variety of diesel traction to power the workings from Tunstead over Cheshire Lines to Northwich. Before the Class 20s which appeared in the in the previous Throwback post, the limestone hoppers were hauled for twenty years from 1964 to 1984 by class 25s. Any Reflection on Peak Forest would therefore be incomplete without them. {I appreciate that most readers of this thread will already be familiar with chapter 'Limestone trains from Great Rocks/Tunstead' ( www.derbysulzers.com/5274.html ) but I mention it as it provides a fine summary of the stone workings from Tunstead.} 13 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sandhole Posted November 15, 2018 Share Posted November 15, 2018 Yep. Throwback Thursday! 25047-L.jpg PF.25144.23.11.78.David_Hills.jpg Photo: David Hills Fabulous photo by David Hills; note Peakstone 07 in distance. IMG_5701.JPG IMG_5695.JPG Those limestone hoppers have a lot to answer for. All that research just threw up loads of lovely old Peak Forest photos. The limestone hoppers were around for so long that there was a healthy variety of diesel traction to power the workings from Tunstead over Cheshire Lines to Northwich. Before the Class 20s which appeared in the in the previous Throwback post, the limestone hoppers were hauled for twenty years from 1964 to 1984 by class 25s. Any Reflection on Peak Forest would therefore be incomplete without them. {I appreciate that most readers of this thread will already be familiar with chapter 'Limestone trains from Great Rocks/Tunstead' ( www.derbysulzers.com/5274.html ) but I mention it as it provides a fine summary of the stone workings from Tunstead.} IMG_5699.JPG That is the locomotive on the Hoppers that I first came into contact with. I, together with Mike Wiltshire, Coach Bogie of this parish, and his Dad Brian, was lucky enough to get a cab ride in a 37 down to Tunstead to bank a loaded train back up. Said train had a 25 on the front. Brian took some cine footage of the event. The video transcription is still one of my treasured possessions!! The layout just gets better and better!!! You really are getting the atmosphere right! Chris. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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