N GAUGE SOCIETY NEWS

[scottystitch]

I think it has been a bit remiss of me not to have set up a dedicated thread on RMWeb to disseminate news and announcements in relation to the N Gauge Society.  With Andy's blessing this thread is intended to address that.

 

The official avenues for distribution of Society information is via the Society Website, Journal, and Facebook page, but where relevant and where circumstances allow, I'll endeavour to share via this thread as well.

 

For reference, the Society Website can be found here:

 

https://www.ngaugesociety.org/sandpit/

 

the Facebook page here:

 

https://www.facebook.com/NGaugeSociety

 

Best

Scott

 

 

 

 

Edited April 26, 2023 by scottystitch
addition of website and Facebook page addresses.

[scottystitch]

BR 1/227 FERRY VAN

 

First up is the news that the Society's latest exclusive RTR project,  the VIX Ferry Van, is now reaching maturity, following review of livery samples, with the production examples being prepared for shipment from the factory to the UK.

 

Based on the current schedule, they should be available in the Society shop sometime in June.

 

There are 3,450 units covering 12 variants coming, with an expected price of £30.00 each, and will be available to Society members only.

 

Further announcements to follow when the models are released for purchase.

 

Best

 

Scott.

 

To keep you going, here are some photos of the review samples:

Edited April 26, 2023 by scottystitch

[woodenhead]

Might have to rejoin...

[scottystitch]

There is another thread discussing the NGS Event in York in May, but for completeness I thought it prudent to include here as well:

 

 

Details of the layouts can be found here:

 

https://www.ngaugesociety.org/sandpit/n-gauge-york-three/york-2023-the-layouts/

 

To help plan your day, the timetable of lectures and demonstrations is as follows (similar times for both days):

 

 

Best 

Scott.

[scottystitch]

COWANS SHELDON TRAVELLING HAND CRANE

 

Following the Ferryvan, the Cowans Sheldon 6.5 and 10 ton travelling hand crane will be the next exclusive ready-to-run from the N Gauge Society.

 

The Prototype

 

 

Cowans Sheldon built prototype 6.5 ton hand crane No. M1 in 1935 for the LMS and several production 6.5 and 10 ton rail mounted travelling cranes during the Second World War, primarily for the LMS, but also a smaller number for the SR. These passed to British Railways at Nationalisation and could be found in yards, works and sidings all over the network.

 

The prototype crane consisted of a conventional yard crane design mounted on a four-wheel steel well wagon. The adoption of a tall 6 foot wide 9 ton counterweight avoided obstructing the adjacent track whilst working and cleared any lineside structures. The crane could lift a maximum load of 6.5 tons when operating ‘on rail’. When in running condition, the jib was secured to the chassis using bracing and the maximum axle load was limited to 14 tons. Some cranes were provided with outrigger jacks and a heavier counterweight and were thus uprated to 10 tons capacity.

 

Rather than the jib resting on a runner wagon, the crane incorporated a tool box/inclined jib rest to which the jib would be restrained using tie down turnbuckles. The cranes worked with match wagons which carried spare lifting tackle, tooling etc. These were of widely different types, often local conversions and thus unique to the crane with which they were paired. The cranes were unfitted (handbrake only) and were not self-propelled. All crane operations were performed by hand using the winding gear contained on the crane superstructure.

 

Initially, the cranes were used during World War 2 in temporary goods yards for Operation Overlord, and to assist in emergency repairs following air raids. They were also utilised in smaller or remote yards and sidings for general lifting tasks where a yard crane was not provided. With the advent of ISO containerisation, this work largely disappeared and by 1965 BR was concerned about the number of accidents involving the cranes. Some cranes were withdrawn whilst a number found a new lease of life in wagon maintenance depots and sidings where they were often used for the fitting and removal of wheelsets with some lasting in BR service until the 1990s. Some examples found their way to preserved railways where they can be seen today.

 

The major differences between a 6.5 and 10 ton crane were the inclusion of outrigger jacks and different sized counterweights. There were also axle box differences between the LMS, and SR types and some cranes showed differences between an angled and a straight upper superstructure frame. These major  visual detail aspects varied from crane to crane and each will be correctly represented on the model.

 

The Model

 

 

The Society plans to offer the crane in both 6.5 and 10t variants and in a number of liveries to span a variety of eras from Era 3 to era 9.

The model will be fully detailed with all usual refinements include fine moulding, etched detail, RP25 wheelsets, NEM coupler pockets and will have a poseable jib and rotating superstructure.

 

Owing to the wide variety of wagons used, many already existing in RTR and kit forms, the model will be offered without a match wagon, leaving the choice up to the modeller.

 

A detailed survey of preserved Crane ADM27 at the Buckinghamshire Railway Centre has been undertaken, and a full set of Cowans Sheldon Works drawings has been obtained to assist in making the model as accurate as possible.

 

The CAD model for the crane has been produced and approved. The model is currently at the tooling stage and is tentatively anticipated for release sometime in 2023 and, barring any unforeseen occurrences, it is similarly anticipated that the price will be £51 per model, including VAT.

 

Proposed Liveries:

 

 

Best

 

Scott.

Edited April 26, 2023 by scottystitch

[Crepello]

Thank you Scott for putting this on RM Web, which is my first port of call for checking the latest developments. The ferryvans do look terrific!

[ianwales]

Can visitors to the NGS show at York purchase NGS Wagon kits or are they still only available to members at shows?

 

Ian

Edited April 30, 2023 by ianwales

[scottystitch]

13 minutes ago, ianwales said:

Can visitors to the NGS show at York purchase NGS Wagon kits or are they still only available to members at shows?

 

Ian

only available to members, Ian. 
 

annual membership is very reasonable though and along with access to NGS exclusive products, also includes a very well regarded bi-monthly Journal, access to an N gauge helpline and more. 
 

https://www.ngsjoin.com/join---pay-by-card-or-by-paypal-349-c.asp
 

Best

 

Scott. 

[ianwales]

12 minutes ago, scottystitch said:

only available to members, Ian. 
 

annual membership is very reasonable though and along with access to NGS exclusive products, also includes a very well regarded bi-monthly Journal, access to an N gauge helpline and more. 
 

https://www.ngsjoin.com/join---pay-by-card-or-by-paypal-349-c.asp
 

Best

 

Scott. 

 

Thanks Scott, unfortunately membership not possible for me at the moment.

 

Ian

[Izzy]

On 26/04/2023 at 11:51, scottystitch said:

COWANS SHELDON TRAVELLING HAND CRANE

 

Following the Ferryvan, the Cowans Sheldon 6.5 and 10 ton travelling hand crane will be the next exclusive ready-to-run from the N Gauge Society.

 

The Prototype

 

 

Cowans Sheldon built prototype 6.5 ton hand crane No. M1 in 1935 for the LMS and several production 6.5 and 10 ton rail mounted travelling cranes during the Second World War, primarily for the LMS, but also a smaller number for the SR. These passed to British Railways at Nationalisation and could be found in yards, works and sidings all over the network.

 

The prototype crane consisted of a conventional yard crane design mounted on a four-wheel steel well wagon. The adoption of a tall 6 foot wide 9 ton counterweight avoided obstructing the adjacent track whilst working and cleared any lineside structures. The crane could lift a maximum load of 6.5 tons when operating ‘on rail’. When in running condition, the jib was secured to the chassis using bracing and the maximum axle load was limited to 14 tons. Some cranes were provided with outrigger jacks and a heavier counterweight and were thus uprated to 10 tons capacity.

 

Rather than the jib resting on a runner wagon, the crane incorporated a tool box/inclined jib rest to which the jib would be restrained using tie down turnbuckles. The cranes worked with match wagons which carried spare lifting tackle, tooling etc. These were of widely different types, often local conversions and thus unique to the crane with which they were paired. The cranes were unfitted (handbrake only) and were not self-propelled. All crane operations were performed by hand using the winding gear contained on the crane superstructure.

 

Initially, the cranes were used during World War 2 in temporary goods yards for Operation Overlord, and to assist in emergency repairs following air raids. They were also utilised in smaller or remote yards and sidings for general lifting tasks where a yard crane was not provided. With the advent of ISO containerisation, this work largely disappeared and by 1965 BR was concerned about the number of accidents involving the cranes. Some cranes were withdrawn whilst a number found a new lease of life in wagon maintenance depots and sidings where they were often used for the fitting and removal of wheelsets with some lasting in BR service until the 1990s. Some examples found their way to preserved railways where they can be seen today.

 

The major differences between a 6.5 and 10 ton crane were the inclusion of outrigger jacks and different sized counterweights. There were also axle box differences between the LMS, and SR types and some cranes showed differences between an angled and a straight upper superstructure frame. These major  visual detail aspects varied from crane to crane and each will be correctly represented on the model.

 

The Model

 

 

The Society plans to offer the crane in both 6.5 and 10t variants and in a number of liveries to span a variety of eras from Era 3 to era 9.

The model will be fully detailed with all usual refinements include fine moulding, etched detail, RP25 wheelsets, NEM coupler pockets and will have a poseable jib and rotating superstructure.

 

Owing to the wide variety of wagons used, many already existing in RTR and kit forms, the model will be offered without a match wagon, leaving the choice up to the modeller.

 

A detailed survey of preserved Crane ADM27 at the Buckinghamshire Railway Centre has been undertaken, and a full set of Cowans Sheldon Works drawings has been obtained to assist in making the model as accurate as possible.

 

The CAD model for the crane has been produced and approved. The model is currently at the tooling stage and is tentatively anticipated for release sometime in 2023 and, barring any unforeseen occurrences, it is similarly anticipated that the price will be £51 per model, including VAT.

 

Proposed Liveries:

 

 

Best

 

Scott.

 

I have to say that when I built my 2mm model I never really ever expected to see a RTR model produced. The rigging is perhaps the biggest challenge.

 

 

It does allow a nice maintenance train to be run.

 

 

Bob

[scottystitch]

For those attending the NGS event at NRM York by car, below is a nice clear map of the excellent York Park and Ride system. As you'll note, the Rawcliffe Bar service (Green Route) stops right outside the NRM, and so this P&R is ideal for your event.

 

In addition the blue turquoise, white and red routes both stop at the Station entrance.

 

Best

 

Scott.

 

Edited May 10, 2023 by scottystitch

[scottystitch]

Journal 3/23 – Faulty Copies

 

It has come to the Society’s attention that the batch of Journal 3/23 recently posted to members may contain some faulty copies.

 

The copies concerned are missing pages 35 to 66 – these have been replaced by a duplication of previous pages.

 

Please examine your copy at the earliest opportunity and, if you have been unlucky enough to receive one of these rogue copies, please advise the membership-secretary (membership-secretary@...), preferably by email, so that steps can be taken to obtain replacements and get them sent out as soon as possible.

 

Best

 

Scott.

[Liddy]

Hi,

Glad to say my copy looks fine. 👍

[scottystitch]

An update has been posted elsewhere by an officer of the Society that will interest those awaiting the remainder of the NGS Hunslet shunters:

 

"The NGS is very conscious that some members still have not received their Hunslet models and work is ongoing to rectify this.

 

The issue is that insufficient functional PCBs were supplied, and the PCB supplier is no longer working.

 

The NGS is pursuing multiple options. These include exploring whether the failed PCBs can be repaired and, if that is not feasible, sourcing replacements from an alternate supplier.

 

The NGS would like to apologise again to those members still waiting and thank them for their ongoing patience and understanding."

 

Best

 

Scott.

[scottystitch]

Recently arrived in the Society shop is a new rolling stock release under the NGS banner. Kit 80 is a model of the LMS/BR 3 plank Medium Open "Medfit". This is another ex-Parkwood Kit resurrected by the Society.

 

The LMS, and later BR, built over 10,000 of these medium open drop sided wagons between 1935 and 1950. The LMS was the only group company to build medium open wagons. Under BR they were often borrowed by the engineers, for example for carrying used ballast, and in the 60s most were transferred to the engineers department where they lasted into the 80s. The kit is straightforward to build using a Peco 10ft chassis kit which is included.

 

Go get them here (members only): https://www.ngsjoin.com/kit-80-lmsbr-3-plank-medium-open-8982-p.asp

 

Decals are not included in this kit, but are available under 'NGS Decals, item NGST0800

 

Further details and building instructions can be found here: https://files.ekmcdn.com/dec4p0d/resources/other/kit-80-lms-br-medfit-3-plank-open.pdf

 

Best

Scott.

 

 

Edited May 30, 2023 by scottystitch

[Liddy]

Good morning @scottystitch

Is there any news on the Society Ferryvans please?

Rgds

Ian

[scottystitch]

Good morning. 
 

it is expected that the Ferryvans will be released for sale today. 
 

Best

 

Scott. 

[scottystitch]

Ferryvans now available to members. 
 

https://www.ngsjoin.com/br-ferryvan-vix-8882-p.asp

 

Best

 

Scott

[Stuart A]

Ordered 3 - Departmental Railfreight livery, Departmental Dutch and Satlink.  Was only going to get two, but couldn't choose between the latter two.

[Crepello]

2 ferry vans ordered. Hopefully they’ll negotiate my points smoothly.

 

 

 

[Steven B]

I'm looking forward to working on a couple of conversions using the unpainted and chassis only ones:

 

The bogie carrier conversion looks simple - were they used anywhere else other than NSE land?

(All from Paul Bartlett's collection).

 

Anyone know where I can get some decent cosmetic bogies from? Best I've found are West Hill Wagon Work's class 47 but want some four wheel bogies for the bogie carrier conversion.

 

Steven B.

[woodenhead]

15 minutes ago, Steven B said:

(All from Paul Bartlett's collection).

 

Anyone know where I can get some decent cosmetic bogies from? Best I've found are West Hill Wagon Work's class 47 but want some four wheel bogies for the bogie carrier conversion.

 

Steven B.

There's always Bachmann Spares for some Mk1 bogies.

[Suffolk Rob]

Ferrywagons ordered at midday on Tuesday, delivered before midday on Thursday, all by volunteer packers. Great little models, thanks to all involved at the Society

 

Rob

[Steven B]

23 hours ago, woodenhead said:

There's always Bachmann Spares for some Mk1 bogies.

The trouble is with RTR bogies is that they look nothing like the prototype once you're removed the body sitting on them:

West Hill do a OO Gauge Y25 which for a cosmetic item looks so much better than what actually runs under a model wagon.

 

Steven B. 

[acg5324]

My ferry vans arrived today. Very well packed. Nice boxes with sleeves. First impressions very good but not the freest running piece of rolling stock ever.