'Ballamoddey' - 1937 on the Mid Sodor Railway

[billywhizz]

Stunning photo Tom! The lighting really adds to the effect of feeling like a early autumnal morning (or early autumn evening depending on the orientation of the layout!) 

like several others posted above, I don’t do Facecloth or other social media and can only get my fix of Ballamoddey on here. 
Regards, Bill. 

[Tom F]

Thanks for all the kind comments. Genuinely touched by the feedback.

 

I’ll update the first post of the thread with images and then do a link to where the images start again.

 

I’ll do a proper post with updates tonight. 🙂

[Tom F]

We have had some new arrivals in the last month.

I'd like to reveal firstly, MSR No. 6 'JIM'. Awdry's models were the old varikit from GEM that were not based on any particular prototype. Over the last few months I've been researching various prototypes that I feel were suited to a 25 mile railway with a steep mountain section. Enjoy!

 

MSR No. 6 ‘JIM’ Livery - Green

 

 

By the early 1900s, it had become clear that the MSR had severely underestimated the demand for goods traffic on the line. Numerous engines had come and gone over the years, but nothing that was present at this time, was particularly suitable. For goods traffic covering the 25 miles between Arlesburgh and Peel Godred double heading was becoming far more frequent, more than the MSR board were happy with.

By 1906, the situation was becoming desperate. The board had been keeping its eyes on narrow gauge events further afield. 1906 saw the construction and delivery of a large 2-6-2 tank engine by Hunslet of Leeds, for the North Wales Narrow Gauge Railway. The MSR board were particular impressed and a locomotive of a similar type was ordered. On arrival in 1907, the engine was named ‘JIM’ and given the No. 6. There was a however, a problem before the locomotive had even turned a wheel. There were severe clearance issues, in particularly regarding height, in the fourth tunnel of the ‘Mountain Road’. This information was common knowledge, but did not appear to have been passed on to Hunslet. 

 

There was a brief quarrel! The Board, blamed the Manager, the Manager blamed the foreman, the foreman blamed the chief fitter and the chief fitter blamed....well he had no one else to blame, so had to come up with a solution quickly! It was decided to cut down the locos fittings to within the loading gauge, reducing the height of the chimney, dome and cab. 

The tunnel situation was alleviated years later during ‘The Great War’ when the MSR carried military material from the Peel Godred garrison and the tunnels were opened out to a more generous clearance. Jim’s lower fittings were never altered throughout his working life on the MSR, which lasted until November 1936 when the locomotive was sold.

 

 

[didcot]

I'm glad you have decided to stick with this thread Tom. Your photos are a constant source of amazement. If only I was half a good I'd be very pleased.

[NHY 581]

4 hours ago, Tom F said:

We have had some new arrivals in the last month.

I'd like to reveal firstly, MSR No. 6 'JIM'. Awdry's models were the old varikit from GEM that were not based on any particular prototype. Over the last few months I've been researching various prototypes that I feel were suited to a 25 mile railway with a steep mountain section. Enjoy!

 

MSR No. 6 ‘JIM’ Livery - Green

 

 

By the early 1900s, it had become clear that the MSR had severely underestimated the demand for goods traffic on the line. Numerous engines had come and gone over the years, but nothing that was present at this time, was particularly suitable. For goods traffic covering the 25 miles between Arlesburgh and Peel Godred double heading was becoming far more frequent, more than the MSR board were happy with.

By 1906, the situation was becoming desperate. The board had been keeping its eyes on narrow gauge events further afield. 1906 saw the construction and delivery of a large 2-6-2 tank engine by Hunslet of Leeds, for the North Wales Narrow Gauge Railway. The MSR board were particular impressed and a locomotive of a similar type was ordered. On arrival in 1907, the engine was named ‘JIM’ and given the No. 6. There was a however, a problem before the locomotive had even turned a wheel. There were severe clearance issues, in particularly regarding height, in the fourth tunnel of the ‘Mountain Road’. This information was common knowledge, but did not appear to have been passed on to Hunslet. 

 

There was a brief quarrel! The Board, blamed the Manager, the Manager blamed the foreman, the foreman blamed the chief fitter and the chief fitter blamed....well he had no one else to blame, so had to come up with a solution quickly! It was decided to cut down the locos fittings to within the loading gauge, reducing the height of the chimney, dome and cab. 

The tunnel situation was alleviated years later during ‘The Great War’ when the MSR carried military material from the Peel Godred garrison and the tunnels were opened out to a more generous clearance. Jim’s lower fittings were never altered throughout his working life on the MSR, which lasted until November 1936 when the locomotive was sold.

 

 

 

 

Make no mistake, Tom, this thread is one of THE highlights of the forum. Your photos above are simply wonderful. 

 

Thank you. 

 

Rob. 

[Tom F]

54 minutes ago, NHY 581 said:

 

 

Make no mistake, Tom, this thread is one of THE highlights of the forum. Your photos above are simply wonderful. 

 

Thank you. 

 

Rob. 

 

Thank you so much Rob for that. I love the photography side, and being able to bring Awdry's creations to life. So glad others are enjoying it too.

 

Speaking of which....I was going to post this tomorrow, but might as well do it now 😉

 

MSR No. 7 ‘TIM’ (livery unlined black)

 

 

The early years of the 20th century were very much the ‘Golden Age’ of the Mid Sodor Railway. With traffic increasing at Arlesburgh, the board felt another locomotive was needed predominantly for working around the dockland area. In 1912, MSR No. 7 ‘TIM” arrived at Arlesburgh by ship from England.

 

The engine was a second (or possibly third hand) Sharp Stewart Tram locomotive, which had a strong similarity to the larger 3ft Clogher Tramway engines in Ireland, but designed for 2ft-2ft 6in gauge. Due to the loading gauge issues of the mountain section, for the short term the locomotive was utilised at the Arlesburgh Harbour, shunting the vans and wagons being imported and exported from ‘Man’ and further afield. The locomotive was strong and versatile, and on occasions was borrowed for mineral traffic out of the quarries and mines at Marthwaite and Ffarquhar Road. No. 7 was later utilised on the workman trains out of Arlesburgh but always came off the train at Arlesdale, due to the aforementioned clearances.

 

This was all to change in 1914.

Not even the pleasant way of life on remote Sodor could escape the upheaval of war across Europe. The SODOR REGIMENT at Peel Godred was thrust into action and troop trains were provided by the MSR. It soon became clear that the army would be required to transport munitions and such on the railway, and decision was finally made to open out the fourth tunnel near Ulfstead Road. The army were good enough to oblige and help the MSR engineers. The infrastructure work finished in early 1915. No. 7 made his first venture on a test train not long after.

No. 7 and No. 6 ‘JIM’ were utilised heavily for the war effort (being the strongest locomotives in the MSR fleet). In the late 1920’s until the closure of the Cas-ny-Hawin-Peel Godred section, No. 7 would be used extensively on the morning workmen’s train from Peel Godred, being stabled at the old station site ‘Arlesburgh Road’. With the 1936 closure, and the engine being in poor mechanical condition due to years of hard work, No. 7 TIM was sold. Whether this was to another railway, or scrap is sadly unknown.

 

Edited April 21, 2022 by Tom F

[mullie]

Absolutely stunning. As others have said Tom, I am very glad you have decided to keep posting on here. The models and photography are a true inspiration.

 

Martyn

[Tom F]

7 hours ago, mullie said:

Absolutely stunning. As others have said Tom, I am very glad you have decided to keep posting on here. The models and photography are a true inspiration.

 

Martyn

Thanks Martyn, it's become a real labour of love!

 

[geoff west]

Keep posting Tom, as others have said absolutely stunning. 

[Tom F]

What a lovely surprise! Fresh off the paint brush! 
 

Dan Evason has just shared these images of the beautifully finished Modelu figures.

 

Crew and Passengers for Ballamoddey!

Thanks Dan, they are perfect!

 

[Tom F]

Finally got around to writing the article for Scaca Fell Forestry Crossing tonight, just a few edits required. 
 

Hope for it to be in Railway Modeller later in the year.

 

[Alister_G]

As we were discussing at SWAG this weekend, real sunlight on a model lifts it and adds a realism that no artificial illumination can give.

 

That's superb Tom, absolutely gorgeous.

 

Al.

[NHY 581]

7 hours ago, Tom F said:

Finally got around to writing the article for Scaca Fell Forestry Crossing tonight, just a few edits required. 
 

Hope for it to be in Railway Modeller later in the year.

 

 

Outflippin'standing...........on every conceivable level.........

[The Bandit]

Your models and photographs are a pleasure to see. Simply stunning.

[Tom F]

Thanks again everyone for the positive feedback, 

 

Had a nice surprise when I came home from work, the painted Modelu figures by @Dan Evason

 

'No. 2's driver eases the regulator as they begin the climb beyond Arlesdale...'

 

[didcot]

Another cracking photo Tom. Can I ask how you make the Slate fences?

[Tom F]

1 hour ago, didcot said:

Another cracking photo Tom. Can I ask how you make the Slate fences?

Thank you! 
15 though platicard, roughly cut and painted grey and weathered with washes and drybrushing.

 

Hope that helps

[didcot]

Thanks Tom. You wouldn't know it was plasticard. I was eyeing up the Slate in one of my Wife's plant pots. But gluing might be a problem. 

 

[Nick C]

On 26/04/2022 at 22:18, Tom F said:

Thanks again everyone for the positive feedback, 

 

Had a nice surprise when I came home from work, the painted Modelu figures by @Dan Evason

 

'No. 2's driver eases the regulator as they begin the climb beyond Arlesdale...'

 

Posting photos of the real thing again Tom! ;)

[Tom F]

1 hour ago, Nick C said:

Posting photos of the real thing again Tom! ;)

If only it was Nick!

 

Jim working an EBV

[Tom F]

MSR No. 7 'TIM', quietly simmers at the Quarry before the crew begin to start shunting the wagons, ready to head back to Marthwaite.

[SteamLance]

I love that you weren't afraid to go with the bigger design for Tim, it definitely looks good and a new take on him is interesting to see. Also, it seems that I can't access your group on Facebook?

[Edge]

Superb layout - am hoping to join the mid-sodor fraternity in the not too distant future with a layout based on arlesdale and Ulfstead road. Hope it will be half as good as this

[rockershovel]

Very nice indeed, sets the bar for 009