Mike Posted March 11, 2018 Share Posted March 11, 2018 (edited) Mining in the Black Country. The Earl of Dudley Wallows Pit Number 29 Brierley Hill. An 0 gauge micro layout. The mining subsidence, open shafts, cinder tips, heaps of slag and waves of black smoke made the Hill a very unappetising place to live on, so much so that a rhyme was composed comparing it to Hell. When Satan stood on Brierley Hill And far around it gazed, He said, “I never more shall feel At hell’s fierce flames amazed.” As far as the eye can reach, on all sides, tall chimneys vomit forth clouds of black smoke, and the sulphurous flames of the fiery furnaces are observed in all directions. From ancient times it was known that Staffordshire was rich in ironstone and coal. In fact, during the Roman occupation iron was manufactured in the Dudley area by primitive means. During the 19th century the Earl of Dudley was to own the ground under which lay the coal seam 10-15 yards thick which would provide the fuel for the ironmaking and the industries that would make the Black Country the industrial heartland of Britain. There is a simple formula: (Coal + Iron ore) + (limestone + clay + sand) = Black Country industrial development. One of the last working pits was on Burton Road in Upper Gornal, worked until about 1950. True to form, I have massaged history for the Wallows Pit Number 29 (often referred to as Nine Locks) to be still working around the same time. The model, my tenth in a series of Black Country themed layouts, is purely a snapshot of one of the Earls Mines. More than 40 such mines are shown on old plans and this model represents a typical small pit. Small scale, rough and ready. In th attached photo it shows the headframe and small winding house under construction and placed on a very temporary raised section. Edited March 11, 2018 by Mike 12 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike Posted March 13, 2018 Author Share Posted March 13, 2018 Building the terrace that will hide the traverser and head shunt from a couple of Petite Properties kits with embossed overlays. Pictured just plonked on the layout. 11 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
railwayrod Posted March 16, 2018 Share Posted March 16, 2018 I like what you are planning to do here Mike and you already seem to have made a good start. Will this new layout fit into your other layouts or is it intened to be full separate? Keep up the good work - I like it! Rod Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike Posted March 17, 2018 Author Share Posted March 17, 2018 HI Rod, the layout is a standalone, but has the potential to be extended. As for my other layouts they have all gone to good homes. Lenches Bridge* (now named Bankfield Road) Ashwood Basin*, Pattingham, Spinners End, Reely Grate*, Primrose Hill*,The Muck Works* , Wellington Street*, The Wallows. Those marked with* are still being exhibited the other two are home based layouts. This latest venture is mainly for home use although I do have 2 exhibition invites for November, I just enjoy my hobby. 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike Posted March 21, 2018 Author Share Posted March 21, 2018 Wiring all complete, electromagnets fitted and tested operating my Lincs couplings. Pit shaft fitted and cage can now descend and rise to ground level. Head frame and winding house loseley placed in position. Next job is to complete the control panel and folding desk for the Morley Controller. Photos via my phone looking from the front. 3 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
meil Posted March 23, 2018 Share Posted March 23, 2018 My one observation is that Black Country head-frames tended to be triangular not square as yours. The timbers came together at the top to hold the wheel. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike Posted March 24, 2018 Author Share Posted March 24, 2018 My one observation is that Black Country head-frames tended to be triangular not square as yours. The timbers came together at the top to hold the wheel. Yes, you are correct most headframes are as you describe. I have opted for a modified version which when finished (it's still w.i.p) will have a platform on the top surrounding the sheave. The model also has to fit into the space available. Thanks for your comments. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike Posted March 28, 2018 Author Share Posted March 28, 2018 (edited) Keeping it simple, control box: feeds for 2 controllers and 12 volt for electromagnets, switches are centre off and feed the track that the switch lever faces. Narrow gauge track just placed for effect. Controller Morley Vector controller 1 main board and 2 narrow gauge. Really must add the short board to the other end all 1ft 4" of it. Edited March 28, 2018 by Mike 5 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike Posted March 30, 2018 Author Share Posted March 30, 2018 Things not to do on a wet afternoon, don't take your eyes off a loco when running towards the unfinished baseboard end. Result, loco off the end of the layout and on to the floor. Fortunately no serious damage other than dislodged buffer shank and the driver diving off the footplate. Tomorrow it will be off to the timber yard and the extension built. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Mick Bonwick Posted April 1, 2018 RMweb Gold Share Posted April 1, 2018 Pictured just plonked on the layout. Plonked. Is that one of these newfangled technological terms? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike Posted April 17, 2018 Author Share Posted April 17, 2018 A bit more bodging with work on the pit loco shed, for want of a better description. The shed is based on the Stewart and Lloyds Minerals shed at Corby, just about big enough to take an 0-4-0. Oh and Mick using that technological term this is also just plonked. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
81A Oldoak Posted April 17, 2018 Share Posted April 17, 2018 Progressing nicely Mike. Great to see you at NEWGOG last week. Regards, Chris Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike Posted April 20, 2018 Author Share Posted April 20, 2018 I've have managed a bit more bodging with a start on the engine house for the Newcomen engine. 6 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike Posted April 27, 2018 Author Share Posted April 27, 2018 Backscene boards fitted to the main baseboard and the timber obtained for the 350mm extension. New wheel fitted to the headframe and the Newcomen pump house has been clad ready for undercoat and paint. I plan to have a major painting session weather permitting to complete all the structures and then paint, weather and ballast the trackwork. The pit cage has been designed to work as well as the Newcomen beam just need to modify the electrics. Must buy a packet of Peco track pins so that the bolt details can be added to the engine shed before that is completed. 9 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike Posted May 4, 2018 Author Share Posted May 4, 2018 Just a bit more bodging, work on the terraces and the pub "The Jolly Colliers". The pub building is a Petite Properties low relief model which I have converted to full depth. Still work in progress with lots to do, base colour painted then I will apply the cement courses and finally dry brush the brick colour before weathering. Glazing to be fitted and then the bay windows and inner door can be added along with the over door canopy. 4 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
railwayrod Posted May 11, 2018 Share Posted May 11, 2018 Really nice work Mike. I trust that you are keeping well after your problems earlier. Rod Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike Posted May 16, 2018 Author Share Posted May 16, 2018 (edited) Postings are now in the Boxfiles, Micro layouts & Dioramas section as 0 gauge mico. Edited May 16, 2018 by Mike Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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