Lydbrook Dean

[chuffinghell]

Happy Birthday 🥳

 

Edited August 1, 2023 by chuffinghell

[wiggoforgold]

All the turnout motors have been installed. I’ve tested them with a 9v battery attached the the terminals. The Peco points make a satisfying “clunk” as the blades go across, the effect of the over-centre spring in the tie bar.

I’ve made up a switch panel and installed the switches. The wiring is installed and the next step is to connect it to the switches.

[steaming_chris]

On 25/07/2023 at 15:20, wiggoforgold said:

The 16xx is a new addition to the motive power for Lydbrook Dean. It’s a Rapido model, fitted with Sprat and Winkle coupling loops, Modelu crew, Railtech number plates and weathered with powders. 
I sprayed different areas of the body with gloss and Matt varnishes, to try and give a contrast between areas which had been given a bit of a clean, and those left dirty.

 

Hello Alex

You may have mentioned this before, whose fine ballast have you used in this shot ?

 

Regards, Chris

[wiggoforgold]

2 hours ago, steaming_chris said:

 

Hello Alex

You may have mentioned this before, whose fine ballast have you used in this shot ?

 

Regards, Chris

Hi Chris

The ballast is a mixture of Woodland scenics grey and brown ballasted. Mixed dry 50/50 and shaken together in a box. It is applied dry and soaked with Woodland scenics scenic cement

Cheers, Alex

[steaming_chris]

On 03/08/2023 at 17:47, wiggoforgold said:

Hi Chris

The ballast is a mixture of Woodland scenics grey and brown ballasted. Mixed dry 50/50 and shaken together in a box. It is applied dry and soaked with Woodland scenics scenic cement

Cheers, Alex

Thank you Alex

[wiggoforgold]

Lydbrook Dean is alive! All the turnout motors have been installed and tested. The sections have all been wired up and apart from one small area, are operational.

The biggest problem was the mystery short circuit that occurred when I first switched everything on. Extensive work with a circuit tester tracked it down to the centre and right hand roads of the 3 way point. A rewire of that area looms, but nothing that will stop progress with the scenery on the station board.

Here's a picture of the unsuspecting 3 way point awaiting it's rewire.

Edited August 13, 2023 by wiggoforgold

[wiggoforgold]

One of the modelling mantras (presumably for GWR modellers) is “when in doubt, add a pannier”. A very useful idea.

I like pannier tanks. They look like a proper engine, solid and dependable.  Frankly, Thomas the Tank engine should have been one.

The motive power on Lydbrook Dean is entirely panniers. In the period I am modelling, the early 1960’s, they were the principal motive power in the Forest of Dean, and I am making models of all the types on view.

The Bachmann model provides an excellent starting point for the original 57xx and later 8750 classes. Bachmann make both types. Not a lot of work is required to either type, but I have made a few modifications to add some missing detail. and add a bit of individuality to what would otherwise be a plain black  (or green if you are modelling pre-nationalisation) 0-6-0 tank engine.

Dealing first with the omissions, perhaps the most glaring are the missing grab rails on the footplate above the front steps. I have added these from Alan Gibson handrail knobs and 0.33 brass wire. The Gibson knobs emphasise the chunkiness of the Bachmann knobs. These could be replaced by finer items, but so far I have left these alone. To my mind the improvement in appearance would be lost unless I could make the basic alignment of the knobs and handrails as good as what is already there. I don’t think a finescale “improvement” is appropriate if the end result isn’t as good as what was already there, and instead detracts from rather than enhances the model.

The other omission is the sandbox operating rods on the front footplate. An etched fret for these is available from RT models. These were made up and secured to lengths of wire inserted through holes drilled in the footplate. The etched rods are slightly short and the moulded sandbox filler caps on the footplate are not quite in the right place, so a bit of fiddling is required to line everything up.

For the fastidious, better whistles and shield can be added from Modelu. On the earlier version, 8701, I changed some of the injector pipework running round the edge of the footplate with brass wire.  Stem heat pipes and vacuum pipes are made up from more brass wire. Fine copper wire is wrapped round the brass wire to give the impression of the flexible hose. The cab roof shutter was opened out, and a new shutter made from 10 thou plastic sheet, which was fitted in the open position. Things like this add character, and help give the impression of a cab made from sheet metal rather that thick chunks of plastic.

I am modelling the early 1960’s, when the locos were painted plain black. This is an easy livery to apply, and means I can use any model as a donor, notwithstanding the livery. After a basic coat of matt black ( I have has good results with a spray can of Games Workshop “chaos black”), areas such as the cab roof and footplate are picked out in variegated blacks, made by mixing a little dark earth and dark grey into the black. This can be applied by brush or spray. Using a spray will give a softer transition between the different shades. Transfers for crests and weight/power class are from Fox or Railtech. Numberplates and shed plates are 3d transfers from Railtech, which I find easier to use than etched plates, and equal in appearance. The 3d transfers are applied by soaking them off the backing sheet like a normal waterslide transfer. They are then put on to a piece of kitchen towel to dry out. The plates are stuck in place on the model. I use a drop of Rocket “super phatic” glue, applied to the spot where the plate will go. The plate is then put in place with a pair of tweezers. The glue allows a short time for adjustment before drying. I have also had good results using Clearfix. They are given a fine coat of matt acrylic varnish for protection.

The locomotives are weathered. I am trying to achieve a balance between a clean loco and a completely filthy one. I want them  to look grubby, but in good working order. I have tried to create a patchy appearance between areas that have been cleaned (round numberplates and crests for example) and areas where dirt has built up. Reference to photographs which show the build up of dirt are helpful here. After the basic painting is done, I gently spray the “cleaned” areas with Aquagloss varnish. A card mask is then held over the areas which are to look clean while the model is given a spray of Humbrol matt acrylic varnish, which leaves a contrast between matt and gloss areas.

Further weathering is carried out with airbrushed coats of acrylic paints –  various mixes of dark earth, matt black and dark grey. This is followed by the application of weathering powders, mainly smoke and dark earth. Gunmetal powder is used on areas where the paint had worn off – such as hand rails, the edges of steps and the edges of cab apertures where the crew have worn the paint away while leaning out. Wet patches round tank fillers are gloss varnish and oily areas such a wheel centres and parts of the back head are Mig engine oil.

Individuality is created by coal in the bunker, crew, fire irons and lamps. As well as the Bachmann versions, there is a Rapido 16xx, which has been finished using the same methods.

Edited August 16, 2023 by wiggoforgold

[F-UnitMad]

Glad to see the hosepipe hanging out the fireman's side of the cab on 3737 👍 that seems to be a Pannier 'trademark' of the era. 

[Captain Kernow]

Hi Alex - your 57XX/8750 numbers are the same as some of my panniers - we must be reading the same books (of course we are!).

 

A couple of suggestions, which I intend to follow up on in due course - 7788 was never repainted into BR black and survived until the early 1960s in a very dark and dirty GWR green, but with 'GWR' still legible on the tank sides. It certainly worked on the Bullo to Cinderford section and there is a photo of it and it's train stopped outside a pub in Soudley on that branch.... John Farmer bought a P4 converted one last year and it is currently with me, waiting the detailing that you have just described and then weathering. It will then see use on 'Parkend Marsh Sidings'.

 

Also, 8745 was one of the riveted tank versions - I have a mind to try some Archers rivets on a Bachmann body and see how it turned out.

 

Also - one or two 64XXs appeared in the Forest on rail tours, as far as I'm concerned it would be rude to ignore them!

 

Finally, 5420 (one of the very last surviving 54XXs at the time) was outstabled at Lydney for a while, for the Sharpness school trains (via Gloucester) and would almost certainly not have been used on goods trains in the Forest, but... who knows....?!

 

Edited August 19, 2023 by Captain Kernow

[wiggoforgold]

On 18/08/2023 at 19:50, Captain Kernow said:

 

 

Also - one or two 64XXs appeared in the Forest on rail tours, as far as I'm concerned it would be rude to ignore them!

 

 

 

I feel a railtour coming on :)

[wiggoforgold]

The disused passenger station at Lydbrook Dean.

[wiggoforgold]

Lydbrook Dean station was closed to passengers many years ago, but occasionally a rail tour ventures up the line. Here is 6400 with such a train.

 

 

[wiggoforgold]

1623 shunting a brake van into Lydbrook Dean station.

 

[Captain Kernow]

That second photo of 6400 gives a real feel of Coleford S&Y.

 

[wiggoforgold]

A few huts round the yard at Lydbrook Dean:

 

A GWR lamp hut succumbing to the undergrowth. Model is a 3D print from Dartmoor Model Services.

 

The office for the quarry loading siding started as a Ratio kit.

 

An old garage in the woods at the back of the yard. The model is scratch built from plastic card. I used Slaters planked sheet for the sides and Wills clear corrugated glazing for the roof. I prefer the clear because it gives a slightly thinner section.

 

 

 

Edited September 15, 2023 by wiggoforgold

[AdeMoore]

Lovely work Alex 3 x wonderful little buildings.

[wiggoforgold]

The entrance to Whitehill Tunbel can just be seen below the woods as the line leaves Lydbrook Dean. In the foreground are the quarry sidinges

Edited September 24, 2023 by wiggoforgold

[wiggoforgold]

Whitehill woods, Lydbrook Dean.

 

 

[Captain Kernow]

This layout just gets better and better!

 

[NHY 581]

Cor ! 

[Oldddudders]

44 minutes ago, NHY 581 said:

Cor ! 

And that observation, from a chap whose own landscaping is much admired, says it all. Quite remarkable stuff here.

[wiggoforgold]

Lydbrook Dean is having its first outing  next weekend to the Saltash model show at the Ashtorre rock. Here’s a couple of pics of the engines being prepared.

 

[46444]

Lovely modelling Alex.

 

You have certainly captured this Forest trio nicely.

 

Some nice prototype acutraments embellish the models giving them that work-a-day Forest look.

 

The Railtec 3D printed numberplates from Steve look good and I have been converted. An excellent product.

 

All the best for the forthcoming exhibition.

 

Cheers,

 

Mark 

 

[Siberian Snooper]

I believe that the Yealmpton show is also next weekend!

 

 

[F-UnitMad]

4 hours ago, wiggoforgold said:

Here’s a couple of pics of the engines being prepared.

Ooooh, Forest Panniers!!

 

Wibblewibblewibble..... 😍🤪🥳