Churminster & Stowe Magna, Southern Railway

Tony Teague · April 25, 2023

Morning Iain

I really am most grateful for your offer to take this on and for the work you have since completed!

Both coaches look excellent and in painting & finishing them I will try to maintain the very high standard that you have set.

Together with the Bachmann crane and another coach, these will form a breakdown train; my remaining problem is to source some suitable transfers.

I have had an order in for these (& paid for) with Modelmaster Jackson Evans for about 6 months but there is no sign of them and reading elswehere on RMWeb it seems unlikely that they will ever arrive, so I must find another source.

Thanks again for your significant assistance with these vehicles.

Tony

Graham T · April 25, 2023

Have you tried Steve at Railtec for transfers? Satisfied customer here, and I know there are several others on RMWeb.

Winslow Boy · April 25, 2023

3 hours ago, Graham T said:

Have you tried Steve at Railtec for transfers? Satisfied customer here, and I know there are several others on RMWeb.

Would second that. I think Rob Wolf and Chris Chuffinhell have used the very recently and had excellent service.

Tony Teague · April 25, 2023

Thanks guys; will give him a try.

Tony

Tony Teague · May 6, 2023

Back on p.61 I exposed the very poor job that I had made of adding the 3rd class decals to the two brake coaches of Set 253, in that I had tried to get away with varnishing only those door panels that contained the "3".

I am pleased to say that I have now re-varnished all of the previously unvarnished areas and this given an even finish has solved the problem:

I deliberately left the centre trailer composite untouched so that I could compare the before and after appearance, from which you can see that aside from being glossier, the addition of wo coats of varnish has also considerably darkened the look of the paintwork.

The trailer will now get the same treatment which will allow the Set to finally enter service!

Tony

Tony Teague · June 4, 2023

Apologies for there being almost a month between updates; health issues plus leisure activities have got in the way of modelling, however, there HAS been progress.

This update continues the run-through of coaching stock, but the next one will show some long overdue updates on scenic progress.

So the first of two RTR sets shown today is a recent update to stock being the long awaited but newly arrived Bachmann Bulleid 63'5" stock, in the shape of Set No.790:

I must say that I am pretty impressed with the beautiful finish on these vehicles:

No.4342 is a semi-open brake 3rd, whilst No.5771 in the centre is a corridor composite

No.4341 book-ends the set, being a further semi-open brake 3rd.

The individual coach packs include accessory bags with such things as corridor 'blanking off' boards (as on No.4342 above, various hoses, a simulated buck-eye coupling, and a replacement "hose coupling" which is a new one on me:

I feel these look good and have fitted one as shown, but I now need to test whether this will navigate the regrettably over-tight curves on my train set (2'6" radius), plus whether they are robust enough to consistently manage a full load over a longer period of time. I will be ftting paper corridor connections - I just don't have them in stock!

The set is posed here with Hornby Q1 class No.C34.

The second set for today is No. 239, a Hornby four coach, Maunsell high window set:

Along with the Bachmann / EFE Set No.253 shown recently, one can only feel encouraged by recent improvements in the quality of new OO RTR coaches which make it really hard to justify the expense and / or effort of constructing kit-built equivalents, unless of course no RTR version is available.

No.2802 is a 6 compartment brake 3rd

In the centre are Nos 5688 & 5689 being corridor composites

Whilst a further 6 compartment brake 3rd completes the set:

This set is seen behind Hornby Battle of Britain class No.21C155 'Fighter Pilot'.

Still plenty of caoching stock to go, but next up will definately be some scenic progress updates!

Tony

Tony Teague · July 1, 2023

Time for that long promised update on progress with scenery, and here is a general view of the central part of what we have been working on:

As you can see, plenty of scenic grass in multiple layers, very ably applied by my good friend Steve Povey; also additional trees, but at this point the back-scenes had not been re-instated.

To the right of the area shown above is the airfield:

Again, a lot of progress; in this area we used grass mats for speed.

Have yet to apply the three strands of razor wire to the top of the perimiter fence - a fiddly job but worth it!

Finally at that far end of the room and of the layout, there are the first signs of progress with the requisitioned station, which lies inside the perimiter fence of the airfield (ignore the red thing!):

At this point two of the three missing backscene panels were reinstalled and for the first time one can get a bit of perspective when looking beyond the immediate foreground:

The panels were painted (some time ago!) by Mike Gascoigne:

All is peaceful in the deer park!

The final backscene panel will have to wait until the station is completed - but it is certainly now the focus of attention.

Whilst all of this has been going on, I also chose to have all of the uncoupling 'ramps' replaced; there are 25 Heathcote uncouplers strategically placed around the layout, and as supplied, they come with a clear slip of perspex which is lifted by a wire loop powered by a servo beneath the baseboard so as to unlatch the standard Hornby / Bachmann couplings:

These do not look especially pretty, but the material is also quite flimsy and the wire can easily distort so that the plastic catches the couplings as they pass over the top. At his suggestion Giles Walburn 3D printed & then fitted some replacement ramps for me and these are linked to the servo by a heavier gauge of steel wire:

I feel they look better and are also giving a more reliable result.

Tony

Graham_Muz · July 2, 2023

On 04/06/2023 at 15:48, Tony Teague said:

Apologies for there being almost a month between updates; health issues plus leisure activities have got in the way of modelling, however, there HAS been progress.

This update continues the run-through of coaching stock, but the next one will show some long overdue updates on scenic progress.

So the first of two RTR sets shown today is a recent update to stock being the long awaited but newly arrived Bachmann Bulleid 63'5" stock, in the shape of Set No.790:

I must say that I am pretty impressed with the beautiful finish on these vehicles:

No.4342 is a semi-open brake 3rd, whilst No.5771 in the centre is a corridor composite

No.4341 book-ends the set, being a further semi-open brake 3rd.

The individual coach packs include accessory bags with such things as corridor 'blanking off' boards (as on No.4342 above, various hoses, a simulated buck-eye coupling, and a replacement "hose coupling" which is a new one on me:

I feel these look good and have fitted one as shown, but I now need to test whether this will navigate the regrettably over-tight curves on my train set (2'6" radius), plus whether they are robust enough to consistently manage a full load over a longer period of time. I will be ftting paper corridor connections - I just don't have them in stock!

The set is posed here with Hornby Q1 class No.C34.

The second set for today is No. 239, a Hornby four coach, Maunsell high window set:

Along with the Bachmann / EFE Set No.253 shown recently, one can only feel encouraged by recent improvements in the quality of new OO RTR coaches which make it really hard to justify the expense and / or effort of constructing kit-built equivalents, unless of course no RTR version is available.

No.2802 is a 6 compartment brake 3rd

In the centre are Nos 5688 & 5689 being corridor composites

Whilst a further 6 compartment brake 3rd completes the set:

This set is seen behind Hornby Battle of Britain class No.21C155 'Fighter Pilot'.

Still plenty of caoching stock to go, but next up will definately be some scenic progress updates!

Tony

A great summary, the one thing that stands out for me is the varnished drop lights on the otherwise excellent Hornby Maunsells that should be painted body colour when in malachite livery.

Tony Teague · July 3, 2023

23 hours ago, Graham_Muz said:

A great summary, the one thing that stands out for me is the varnished drop lights on the otherwise excellent Hornby Maunsells that should be painted body colour when in malachite livery.

Thanks Muz

I have to say that I didn't know that, but had I done so, then I agree - they really do stand out.

Whether I will ever get around to dealing with it is a different matter entirely!

Tony

Tony Teague · July 22, 2023

Time flies...........another 3 weeks on and about time for an update.

In that time the new ex-SECR D1 model has arrived from Dapol / Rails and it is certainly an improvement on their D class of a few months back:

This shot is as almost straight out of the box - I had only removed the front coupling, so their are potentially a few detailing parts to add, coal, crew and headcode discs to add etc.

Overall it looks to be a good, crisp model and I won't repeat what Graham 'Muz' Muspratt has said in his detailed review at: https://southern-railway.com/2023/06/22/the-secr-sr-d1-4-4-0-from-rails-of-sheffield-arrives-a-review/

Perhaps the only area where my view might differ slightly from his relates to livery; whilst this is a lot better than was the D class, Dapol's rendering of the Maunsell olive green still looks a bit yellow to me - especially when put alongside one of my kit-built D1's:

Conversely the kit built loco lacks a lot of detail that is finely rendered on the new model and in some areas looks positively crude!

I also have a black liveried, kit-built D1 (both of these being from DJH kits and built for me by Chris Phillips), and to my mind the Dapol boiler looks very slightly slimmer and perhaps sits just a little lower than on the DJH models:

This could just be my eyesight as I have not measured the boilers - and in any event I have no intention of disposing of any of them, but the comparison is interesting. All of these would benefit from some weathering and that would cerainly be likely to tone down the offending green boiler!

Tony

Tony Teague · July 22, 2023

Returning to the detailed run-through of coaching stock, here is SR Maunsell 3-coach low-window Set No.392:

With the exception of the CCT at the rear the set is all Hornby RTR and is hauled here by their ex-LSWR Drummond wide-bodied T9 No.312:

The loco later disgraced itself - of which more anon!

These Hornby Maunsells are exquisitly lined and detailed; 4-compartment brake 3rd no.3218 leads

Followed closely by corridor composite No.5141; my corridor sets are all fitted with flexible corridor connections from Modellers Mecca (no connection - other brands are available, bla, bla)

A second 4-compartment brake 3rd, No.3219 completes the set, which runs in service with Parkside Dundas CR CCT No.1732:

Having completed my photography, I set the train to run back into the fiddle yard; nothing moved but I heard a distinct and rather familiar whirring sound.........😩!

No.312 had died in the effort of hauling the set into position and had to be immediately consigned to the cripple drawer; fortunately a relacement T9 was nearby on shed and was summoned to assist.

No.726, a narrow cab T9, looks a lot grubbier than No.312, but was able to haul the service train on its journey!

Tony

Tony Teague · August 27, 2023

A month on, seemingly becoming my normal posting frequency but it's still health issues that are interfering with normality.🙄

I feel I must first mention a new book from Mike King & Transport Treasury - 'The Atmospheric Southern' - for any follower of the Southern this is simply a must have! (no connection etc).

The photo reproduction quality is excellent and I thought that I might just do what I normally do with railway picture books and flit from page to page, but Mike's very detailed captions make for compulsive reading and so far I am more than half way through, having read every word! - an excellent addition to the library.

Returning to more usual fare, the next rake in my run-through of coaching stock is the Night Ferry:

Not only was this about the heaviest train on the Southern, but it is also the heaviest on Stowe Magna & Churminster, and for this reason it is prototypically double-headed; the lead engine is L1 class No.1786, a PDK model built for me by Chris Phillips.

She is followed (very) closely by the train engine, Hornby West Country No.21C142 'Dorchester, and then by the SR guard / luggage van No.2 - which was painted in dark blue to match the Wagon-Lits sleeper cars:

This, together with the following SNCF luggage van and the sleepers themselves are all RTR by Marc Models:

I also have a guards van variant of this SNCF Fourgon van which sometimes runs in place of the blue SR van. Following this there are three CIWL wagon-lits sleeping cars:

These three, Nos. 3797, 3799 and 3790 (of which only only two are pictured - they all look the same!), are where the weight comes from in the train - they are built from brass and white metal and are extremely heavy.

I used to include four of these sleepers but something had to give to make it possible to include the remaining coaches!

Bringing up the rear are Hornby 12 wheel Pullman Kitchen car Monaco, followed by a Hornby Maunsell corridor 1st, No.7215:

In an ideal world this part of the train should also inclde a Maunsell dining car and a 1st class 'continental' brake, but whether the combined effort of the two locoas at the front would then be able to shift the train is certainly open to question!

One day I will reach the point of adding these vehicles, but this may in turn present me with a problem in the fiddle yard becasue of the length of the complete train!

Tony

TrevorP1 · August 27, 2023

Sorry to hear about the health problems Tony but that’s an interesting read nonetheless.

Whenever I see a Southern L1 I always think about the Tri-ang version from my childhood. Oh how I wish I had it now!

Edited August 27, 2023 by TrevorP1

Tony Teague · September 27, 2023

It's been another month since my last update - and 9 months since I last reported on the "missing locos list", however, I am delighted to report upon the arrival of ex-SECR Wainwright class F1 No.1031, very skillfully constructed from an incomplete Jidenco kit by Mike Edge:

The model is exquisite, and aside from the known deficiencies in Jidenco kits, this one had a number of key parts missing and so is part-scratch built; to look at some of the issues Mike had to overcome, see:

This addition to stock reduces to just 7 the number of classes of SR loco as at nationalisation, which are not represented within the fleet, as follows:

(The number in brackets represents the total number of each class originally built)

LB&SCR Billinton E5X (4) - As per my previous observations, I have no excuse for this model still being incomplete as the 3D printed body and SEF E5 chassis have each been in stock for more

than four years! I just need to extract the digit and finish it.

LB&SCR Marsh C3 (8) - Arun Sharma's 'kit of parts' for the loco and related B2X tender, are both with the intended builder & continue to await a slot in his work queue.

LB&SCR Marsh D3X (1) - the solution proposed is via a 3D printed body, and use of the chassis from a Chivers D3 kit (in stock), however, design work on the body

has yet to start so this one is not going to be a quick win.

LB&SCR Billinton B4X (12) - A commission for this to be built from existing etches has been agreed, and so this one awaits its turn on the builder's list.

SECR Wainwright B1 (16) - I have been waiting on SER Kits who have had designs and drawings in hand for a 7mm kit for several years; they had indicated their willingness to scale these down

to produce 4mm etches but there has been no recent progress. As a result I have now agreed a commission for this to be scratch built in due course
LSWR Drummond S11 (10) - Andy Sparks offered some time ago to assist with the build of what is a set of L12 body parts (S11 = L12 with smaller wheels or T9 with large boiler & smaller wheels);

it remains for me to acquire the correct driving wheels; the plan is to use an adapted SE Finecast T9 chassis.

SR Maunsell I1X (18) - Development of a 3D printed body was halted by the pandemic but was intended to re-start, however I have no current update; the intention remains to combine this

with Alan Gibson milled chassis frames which are in stock

So my summary for the remaining 7 now is as follows:

'certain solution / within forseeable future' = 5: E5X, C3, B4X, B1, S11

'some issues remain to be solved' = 2: D3X, I1X

As to No.1031, I just need to add a crew, headcode discs, and coal - plus perhaps some light weathering, but here she is at the end of the Churminster down platform, ready for a test run.

Tony

BlueLightning · September 27, 2023

1 hour ago, Tony Teague said:

SR Maunsell I1X (18) - Development of a 3D printed body was halted by the pandemic but was intended to re-start, however I have no current update; the intention remains to combine this

with Alan Gibson milled chassis frames which are in stock

I recently printed one of these, with instruction that it is for you, I need to check it over for defects, and get it ready for shipping, and then get it touch with you about it, it's currently sat at my shop, I won't be there until Friday, but expect a message from me then.

Gary

Tony Teague · September 27, 2023

14 minutes ago, BlueLightning said:

I recently printed one of these, with instruction that it is for you, I need to check it over for defects, and get it ready for shipping, and then get it touch with you about it, it's currently sat at my shop, I won't be there until Friday, but expect a message from me then.

Gary

Hi Gary

Very pleased to receive your message - I had understood that something was being set up but not heard much since, so I shall be delighted to hear from you whenever you are ready.

Tony

St Enodoc · September 28, 2023

8 hours ago, Tony Teague said:

It's been another month since my last update - and 9 months since I last reported on the "missing locos list", however, I am delighted to report upon the arrival of ex-SECR Wainwright class F1 No.1031, very skillfully constructed from an incomplete Jidenco kit by Mike Edge:

The model is exquisite, and aside from the known deficiencies in Jidenco kits, this one had a number of key parts missing and so is part-scratch built; to look at some of the issues Mike had to overcome, see:

This addition to stock reduces to just 7 the number of classes of SR loco as at nationalisation, which are not represented within the fleet, as follows:

(The number in brackets represents the total number of each class originally built)

LB&SCR Billinton E5X (4) - As per my previous observations, I have no excuse for this model still being incomplete as the 3D printed body and SEF E5 chassis have each been in stock for more

                                                  than four years! I just need to extract the digit and finish it.

LB&SCR Marsh C3        (8) - Arun Sharma's 'kit of parts' for the loco and related B2X tender, are both with the intended builder & continue to await a slot in his work queue.

LB&SCR Marsh D3X     (1) - the solution proposed is via a 3D printed body, and use of the chassis from a Chivers D3 kit (in stock), however, design work on the body

                                                   has yet to start so this one is not going to be a quick win.

LB&SCR Billinton B4X (12) - A commission for this to be built from existing etches has been agreed, and so this one awaits its turn on the builder's list.

SECR Wainwright B1   (16) - I have been waiting on SER Kits who have had designs and drawings in hand for a 7mm kit for several years; they had indicated their willingness to scale these down

                                                    to produce 4mm etches but there has been no recent progress. As a result I have now agreed a commission for this to be scratch built in due course
LSWR Drummond S11 (10) - Andy Sparks offered some time ago to assist with the build of what is a set of L12 body parts (S11 = L12 with smaller wheels or T9 with large boiler & smaller wheels);

                                                    it remains for me to acquire the correct driving wheels; the plan is to use an adapted SE Finecast T9 chassis.

SR Maunsell I1X       (18) - Development of a 3D printed body was halted by the pandemic but was intended to re-start, however I have no current update; the intention remains to combine this

                                                   with Alan Gibson milled chassis frames which are in stock

So my summary for the remaining 7 now is as follows:

   'certain solution / within forseeable future' = 5: E5X, C3, B4X, B1, S11

   'some issues remain to be solved' = 2: D3X, I1X



As to No.1031, I just need to add a crew, headcode discs, and coal - plus perhaps some light weathering, but here she is at the end of the Churminster down platform, ready for a test run.

Tony

Tagged for @Michael Edge in case he misses it.

Michael Edge · September 28, 2023

Thanks John, I had seen it - on the layout within 24 hours of posting it!

St Enodoc · September 28, 2023

30 minutes ago, Michael Edge said:

Thanks John, I had seen it - on the layout within 24 hours of posting it!

Of course - I was referring to Tony's very complimentary post above!

Tony Teague · October 13, 2023

As followers of this thread will have seen, very shortly after posting my most recent "Missing Locos" update, @BlueLightning posted to say that he had an I1x 3D print ready for me, which came as a very pleasant surprise!

This was designed by @Javier L in the USA and then 3D printed here in the UK in resin by BlueLightning, for which I am most grateful.

It was then a great pleasure to have received the print in the post yesterday; it looks the part and aside from the need to straighten out some distortion in the tank sides, looks like it has a pretty smooth finish:

I will set about straightening this before checking some measurements, and then, if all is well it seems that the onus will be on me to get this built!

I have most of the chassis components in hand and so, as with the E5X, there will be few excuses left to me.

So, providing this all falls into place, the latest update on those "missing locos" will look like this: