Peterborough North

[bigwordsmith]

You may be late but you're here, and that's good news of itself!

 

Tetley Mills provided the ability to focus in on so many tight aspects that just screamed realism that it made me want to curl up in a heap and give up - I watched the video about three times and bid - unsuccessfully - for  some of the buildings, so to me at least your opinion matters.

 

The consensus seems to be that a bit of background enhancement, effective cropping and rail height views are all fair use of the tools available, it's when people move to the esoteric and fake the shot heavily that I personally  don\t like. From the number of 'agrees' that have popped up I'd say that's probably a majority view, but to be honest it's aimed more at magazine editors than the modellers who do a damn tough job.

[Dr Gerbil-Fritters]

Of course, if you cleared the tables of all that model railway malarkey you'd not only have somewhere safe to store all your books but no need for photoshopping.

 

[great northern]

Of course, if you cleared the tables of all that model railway malarkey you'd not only have somewhere safe to store all your books but no need for photoshopping.

 

Yes, but then I'd have to find somewhere to store all the model railway stuff.

[Mallard60022]

Yes, but then I'd have to find somewhere to store all the model railway stuff.

I have a good space.........It could convert into a BR SR station ..........Ooops, I hear the sound of a large rifle being loaded

Quickers

[great northern]

Finally I have some time to run a few trains, and even to point the camera at a couple. Yesterday though I was at York, where Tim handed over a couple more items of rolling stock. Many years ago, I put together one of Danny Pinnock's lovely etched coach kits, or rather I tried so to do. The result wasn't very good, and has been kept well out of sight, until it occurred to me that it might be possible to turn it into a Departmental vehicle, and sit it in front of the District Engineer's department offices, It is an ex GN brake, so if it was still around in 1958 I suspect that is its most likely type of use. As usual I turned to Tim for help, and this is the result. It started life painted in post war brown by the way.

The many deficiencies are down to the original builder - Tim has done his best with it, and as usual his best is very good indeed. We now just need some transfers to add"District Engineer Peterborough" and something like " Mess van" or "tool van" to complete the job. Has anyone any idea where such things might be sourced? Anyway, there it will sit, for most of the time at least. Photos such as this one, copyright and by permission of Andrew C Ingram, show that this siding was often occupied by such vehicles.

Tim also handed over this beauty.

Bachmann's MK1's are an absolute saviour for a project such as this, but they don't do every type. Murphy's law dictates that one of those they don't do is  essential for ECML layouts. The Eastern region, and the LNER before it, liked BSO's for some reason, and most main line formations included at least one. Some had three, and I think one even had four. I believe just about every MK1 BSO went to the Eastern. I've acquired a few by a bit of horse trading, but not enough. Tim was incautious enough to say he could do a cut and shut job to produce on, and was very rapidly taken up on his offer. This is the result. I'll leave Tim to describe how he did it. it isn't an easy option, nor a cheap one, but still cheaper than getting one built from a kit. Even in the following very cruel close up it is very hard to see the join.

Tim's face did fall a bit though when I told him that I need another six.   One more is all I'll get, I'm told, but I shall be grateful indeed for that.

 

I thought you might like to see a train too, so here is the 7.33am Nottingham -KX, known apparently as the " Mark Lane Flyer". Often  a job for a Top Shed A4, today an A1 is in charge.

One of my favourite angles for a photo, not least because it is so easy to photoshop, but although we have had rear three quarter views of A3's and A4's, I'm not sure I've done one of an A1. The pedigree still shines through, doesn't it? A few more views at the South end to finish.

Time now for a brisk 4 mile walk before tea.

[Mallard60022]

Oooooh, very, very nice (just returned from my brisk walk, glass of wine by the canal ; slightly brisker walk home as the rain arrived).

I do like that 'Departmental' coach G. Splendid job from both you and Tim. It is the 'secondary' items such as this that really make your layout come to life. 

(Edit due to wine effect)

P

Edited April 21, 2014 by Mallard60022

[Fat Controller]

Ref the transfers for the Departmental coach, I found these in Modelmaster's range:-

 Picture Price: £5.25  1 2 3 4 5    

0 in cart

ENPARTS, STORES VAN, MESS VAN & other ex Coaching Stock markings & numbers CREAM

Reference : 4663c

No Picture Price: £5.25  1 2 3 4 5    

0 in cart

As 4663c, but YELLOW

Reference : 4663y

No Picture Price: out of print  1 2 3 4 5    

0 in cart

Breakdown Train numbering & lettering for Crane, Jib, Packing, Tool & Mess Vans. 1948 - 1959

[coachmann]

The ex.GNR Departmental coach is a good idea. Is it one of John Fozards kits?  I also like the Mk.I conversion. If you need another five, it might be a easy to put etched sides on Backmann innards.

[Jason T]

I saw the BSO first hand on Sunday, was shown were the joins were (only able to spot them when holding the coach up to the light, basically) so know where to look but I am damned if I can see them in the photos.

 

It was a pleasure to meet you at York; looking forward to the next time we do.

[great northern]

 

Ref the transfers for the Departmental coach, I found these in Modelmaster's range:-

 Picture Price: £5.25  1 2 3 4 5    

0 in cart

ENPARTS, STORES VAN, MESS VAN & other ex Coaching Stock markings & numbers CREAM

Reference : 4663c

No Picture Price: £5.25  1 2 3 4 5    

0 in cart

As 4663c, but YELLOW

Reference : 4663y

No Picture Price: out of print  1 2 3 4 5    

0 in cart

Breakdown Train numbering & lettering for Crane, Jib, Packing, Tool & Mess Vans. 1948 - 1959

 

Many thanks. Not sure how I missed that.

[great northern]

The ex.GNR Departmental coach is a good idea. Is it one of John Fozards kits?  I also like the Mk.I conversion. If you need another five, it might be a easy to put etched sides on Backmann innards.

The coach is D&S Larry, 25 years old or more. As to etched sides, I'm still trying to find someone who will put some on Hornby Gresleys like the one you kindly sold to me. I did carry out an assessment as to whether I could do the job myself, but I think it is beyond me,

[Fat Controller]

Many thanks. Not sure how I missed that.

Easy enough done- 'Departmental Coaches' are listed under 'Wagons', not 'Coaching Stock'..

[great northern]

I saw the BSO first hand on Sunday, was shown were the joins were (only able to spot them when holding the coach up to the light, basically) so know where to look but I am damned if I can see them in the photos.

 

It was a pleasure to meet you at York; looking forward to the next time we do.

Good to meet you also Jason. We shall hopefully be able to arrange something in June.

Easy enough done- 'Departmental Coaches' are listed under 'Wagons', not 'Coaching Stock'..

Ah, I see. Not that intuitive then.

[jwealleans]

It is an ex GN brake,

Ah, a shadow of its former self...

 

 

Still, you can never have too much of this sort of thing.  Carry on, Gilbert.

Edited October 17, 2018 by jwealleans

[JeffP]

Gilbert, where would the A1 have taken over the train for the "Mark Lane Flyer"? Grantham?

[great northern]

Gilbert, where would the A1 have taken over the train for the "Mark Lane Flyer"? Grantham?

That's correct Jeff. A five coach core left Nottingham, no doubt behind a Colwick engine, and three more coaches were added at Grantham, where the Kings Cross engine took over. Pacifics were very rare on the Grantham - Nottingham line, whenever I visited Grantham all the trains had B1's L1's K2's and the occasional J6 or even a J39 or J11. I have seen photos of Pacifics on Colwick shed, but apparently they only went there for repairs at times of pressure elsewhere.

[great northern]

It has been rather inclement round these parts today, so having got a trifle damp while shopping, (the other sort), this morning, thoughts of golf or even walking were put back, which meant more trains, and more photos, though I now wish I hadn't, as these have been a pig to deal with. Why did the LNER have to pick lattice post signals? And why is there so much light in the room even when it is really gloomy outside?   I don't recommend viewing these at any other than normal size, as there are many errors which I didn't see until too late, and couldn't be ***** to go way back and correct. Rant over, here are the photos.

Taken with a telephoto lens from the other end of Platform 3, an A1 negotiates the curve with the 8.00am KX - Leeds.  Best categorised as a near miss I think. Being able to see the rest of the train the other side of the bridge spoils the hoped for effect.

It's only Great Central again. Who nicked that signal box finial?

Nice nameplate.....

The sky I selected accurately reflects the weather outside, but it seems to make photoshopping very difficult. This is one of the few I didn't reject. The train is a New England- Hatfield Class H, of very mixed composition.

Focus on stock rather than loco for a change. Those signals look nice, but take an age to deal with.

This one was easier, thank goodness.

And this one was easier still. Am I alone in seeing a sort of functional beauty in this loco?

 

[gwrrob]

A nice looking van train there Gilbert.

[bigwordsmith]

Gilbert - as ever great pics and I loved the one looking through the canopy

 

Hope you don't mind, but I've done a wee edit...

 

I find that sometimes putting the loco off centre adds to the realism and tightening into he centre of the frame increases the atmosphere, but then I've learned to like that style as I lack your skills with Photoshop! 

 

 

ATB

 

Peter

Edited April 22, 2014 by bigwordsmith

[Theakerr]

I think the photo looking through the canopy actually rates high in the top ten taken on the layout

[Alister_G]

Some more cracking photos, and I agree with Theakerr, the shot through the station ls brilliant.

 

 

EDIT: To ask, the A1 already has a set of lamps, so did you just add the others to make them stand out, or is there some LNER etiquette I'm not aware of?

Edited April 22, 2014 by acg_mr

[ROY@34F]

That's correct Jeff. A five coach core left Nottingham, no doubt behind a Colwick engine, and three more coaches were added at Grantham, where the Kings Cross engine took over. Pacifics were very rare on the Grantham - Nottingham line, whenever I visited Grantham all the trains had B1's L1's K2's and the occasional J6 or even a J39 or J11. I have seen photos of Pacifics on Colwick shed, but apparently they only went there for repairs at times of pressure elsewhere.

Pacifics and V2s were'nt allowed over the Grantham/Notts. line . They were RA9 (route availability) , too high for that route. I believe it was to do with a bridge or two in the Bottesford area , and the high axle weight of the engines . Someone may know better , but I believe that was the case .

I still follow and enjoy your wonderful railway/conversations Gilbert , keep 'em coming .

 

Regards , Roy .

[great northern]

Some more cracking photos, and I agree with Theakerr, the shot through the station ls brilliant.

 

 

EDIT: To ask, the A1 already has a set of lamps, so did you just add the others to make them stand out, or is there some LNER etiquette I'm not aware of?

Some LNER locos built after the war were fitted with electric lighting, including the A1's. Apparently though they weren't very reliable, so a pair of traditional lamps were used too. Railwaymen back then were very conservative. Quite a number of locos had the electric lighting removed during their lives. New fangled rubbish!

[great northern]

Pacifics and V2s were'nt allowed over the Grantham/Notts. line . They were RA9 (route availability) , too high for that route. I believe it was to do with a bridge or two in the Bottesford area , and the high axle weight of the engines . Someone may know better , but I believe that was the case .

I still follow and enjoy your wonderful railway/conversations Gilbert , keep 'em coming .

 

Regards , Roy .

I do have some photos of Pacifics at Colwick Roy, always captioned as being there for repairs, and I believe they had to travel there and back light engine. I can't post any I'm afraid- copyright issues.

[Oldddudders]

 

Taken with a telephoto lens from the other end of Platform 3, an A1 negotiates the curve with the 8.00am KX - Leeds.  Best categorised as a near miss I think. Being able to see the rest of the train the other side of the bridge spoils the hoped for effect.

 

The problem here is that your lens has been set with an aperture that allows too much depth-of-field, hence the rest of the train, which is quite some distance behind the loco, appears in focus and thus looks "wrong". By contrast, the foreground being blurred and out of focus looks realistic. Isolating a subject is a powerful tool, but needs work in such confined circs. Try it again with a larger aperture?