Peterborough North

[bigwordsmith]

I've converted a couple of Bachmann B1s to new chassis, the problem is that they are as plentiful as Ducks' teeth! 

 

The last one I saw on the Great Auction Site That Pays No Tax went for £ 54.00. For £ 4.00 less I bought a returned Stock original from the Bachmann stand at Warley a couple of years back.

 

I had to miss Warley this year due to the wonky knee - (Result of an injury while working for HM 38 years ago which the MO missed), but I'm booked in to see a specialist on 2nd December - have to go all the way tp Bath would you believe as he is one of only 3 in the UK my knee doctor trusts to do the op!)

 

Ah the delights of getting older!

 

Separate topic, has anyone ever tried using sawdust coloured with powder paint as a flock treatment? I was cutting some 2x1 for baseboard frames with he chops over the weekend and produced a load of it, which struck me as a much more cost-effective way of treating a large layout with lots of screen scenery.

[Fat Controller]

I've converted a couple of Bachmann B1s to new chassis, the problem is that they are as plentiful as Ducks' teeth! 

 

The last one I saw on the Great Auction Site That Pays No Tax went for £ 54.00. For £ 4.00 less I bought a returned Stock original from the Bachmann stand at Warley a couple of years back.

 

I had to miss Warley this year due to the wonky knee - (Result of an injury while working for HM 38 years ago which the MO missed), but I'm booked in to see a specialist on 2nd December - have to go all the way tp Bath would you believe as he is one of only 3 in the UK my knee doctor trusts to do the op!)

 

Ah the delights of getting older!

 

Separate topic, has anyone ever tried using sawdust coloured with powder paint as a flock treatment? I was cutting some 2x1 for baseboard frames with he chops over the weekend and produced a load of it, which struck me as a much more cost-effective way of treating a large layout with lots of screen scenery.

I recollect that, back in the late 1960s/early 1970s, someone used to sell coloured sawdust as a ground cover! 

[bigwordsmith]

Thank You Sir Topham

 

 

Gilbert

 

I seem to recall a wee while ago there was much conversation around the Bluebell about the extortionate charges levied by Britt Alcroft's company for making any use of any Thomas The Tank Engine image as they had bought the right softer the Awdry estate. There was a lot of criticism about the way they protected their brand - which often resulted in legal action for unauthorised use of any likeness - even down to painting a face on a tank engine.

 

This was covered extensively in the Railway Press, with many preserved railways saying they could;t afford to stage Thomas days, so I wonder if your friendly engineering company are aware of the potential copyright infringement risks?

 

Is this something you encountered in your professional days?

 

Peter

Edited November 24, 2014 by bigwordsmith

[great northern]

Hi Gilbert

 

It is an interesting issue that one of what appears in photos, as we discussed just recently.  After you mentioned that most photos were taken on a weekend, especially Saturdays, I went back and checked through some of my books and sure enough, when I look through a few of them, including the most recent ones acquired through your good self, I was amazed to see how many were not of the weekday services, but mostly the anything goes Saturday specials and more unusual workings.  It really made me think long and hard about some of my previous justifications for certain items of rollingstock.

 

I suppose it comes down to using photos as just one of the items in our research to achieve a reasonable degree of prototypical accuracy, though I must admit the degree of comment regarding your two A4s crossing had me wondering how accurate can we really be when some of the most glaring, such as gauge, gaps between locos and tenders etc are always present but people overlook this and critique such minor details.  That you could go so far in reproducing such an prototypical photo so closely, even with a couple of differences, is an amazing achievement anddemonstrates to me how your vision to represent a piece of the ECML in looks and operation has been achieved so well.  Obviously we can all strive to improve, but enjoy what you have Gilbert, it is brilliant!

 

Cheers

Tony

I'm even more convinced of this now Tony, having done some more in depth research. I've backed off the idea of the Saturday timetable, too much like hard work, so instead I'm looking at the Q trains, and those that only ran on certain days of the week. it is hard to say that anything is "typical", but having analysed the official formations, I have found certain generic formations which will look OK.on any 50's ECML layout. Here we go.

 

 12 coaches, comprising  3x BSK(4), and 9 SK. These were mostly for Leeds/Bradford services, and thus ideal for your needs. The great thing of course is that the number of SKs can be reduced without changing the appearance of the train. One BSK in the middle to separate the Leeds and Bradford portions.

 

12 coaches, comprising 2x BSK, sometimes 4 compartment, sometimes 3, a CK inside the brakes at each end, and 8 All door SKs in the middle. Some of those on the Leeds services too, and interestingly without the third brake. The CK's are specified as 3/3, so Thompson cars.

 

11 coaches, comprising BSK(4), 5x SK(7), SO RF, FK, SK(7) and MK1 BSK. This was a Newcastle service, and it is noticeable that all of the trains to Tyneside had some first class accomodation, usually a FK, and almost all had catering cars, various formations, but SO RF being the most common.

 

12 coaches, comprising BSK(4) 5x SK(7), two catering cars, and then four MK1's, always including a FK and a BSK. Again, these were Tyneside trains.

 

The SK's on the Leeds/Bradford trains were almost always specified as all door, whereas on the Tyneside services they were mainly end door stock. Can someone explain the operational significance of that? Stationmaster?

 

So, plenty of options to allow the formation of trains other than the specified fixed formations for weekday use, but which will still look like the real thing.

 

As to your last paragraph, don't worry, I do enjoy the layout very much, even if I occasionally agonise over details. And which details I agonise over will continue to be a matter of persoanl choice.

Edited November 24, 2014 by great northern

[Grafarman]

 

As to your last paragraph, don't worry, I do enjoy the layout very much, even if I occasionally agonise over details. And which details I agonise over will continue to be a matter of personal choice.

 

I think it's a given that there must be something to agonise over on a layout, otherwise it becomes, well, same-y and a bit boring IMO...!!

 

 

David

[bigwordsmith]

Pardon my ignorance Gilbert, but is an all door SK the same as a 57' suburban coach?

[jwealleans]

A 'K' is a vestibuled coach, so probably not.  I'm guessing these would be former Gresley 3rds of the general type Hornby do (TK in old money) now reclassified.

Edited November 24, 2014 by jwealleans

[bigwordsmith]

Thanks Jonathan 

[great northern]

Pardon my ignorance Gilbert, but is an all door SK the same as a 57' suburban coach?

Afternoon Peter,

 

Three queries I think?

 

First, died sawdust. This can be done, and as stated above, it has been. The problem is that it looks remarkably like...er.. died sawdust. We've come on a long way since then. I'd thoroughly recommend Woodland Scenics, who do different colours and textures which can be mixed together to get a really good result. It will cost more, but it is worth it.

 

Second, well I was never a copyright lawyer, but my view of this would be that these people have paid for a proprietory figure, and are therefore allowed to use it, and to photograph it. After all, that is what we do all the time, isn't it?

 

Third, the "all door" SK is the early type of Gresley SK, the one that Hornby do. It is a corridor coach, and therefore  61ft 6ins long. "All door" refers to the fact that each compartment is separately accessible. Why Hornby had to choose this one instead of the end door type is one of life's mysteries. And a bit annoying,,, if you allow it to be.

[69843]

As some of you are aware, I am doing up the station lamps in CAD to 3D print for Gilbert. This is a new learning curve for me due to some of the fine detail and finesse of the top loop, which will be pushing the FUD limits I think. All being done off of pictures as well.

 

I started tonight (actually this morning, as it was past 12am). Well, one hour of fiddling later....

 

This is the pedestal for one design, with a steel base. Some of the others have a much simpler concrete base, which will also be being done. The A1 diagram is there, as some of the pictures Gilbert sent over had an A1 in them meaning it was easy to scale dimensions.

Edited November 24, 2014 by 69843

[great northern]

As pictures speak louder than words.....

Hornby all door Gresley SK.

and....

an end door SK, achieved by some chopping about of the one above. Why couldn't Hornby, a) have done it correctly? and b) done this type, which is much more useful for running behind their nice Pacifics.

[bigwordsmith]

Thanks Gilbert - I've got some of those courtesy of Mr. Kirk - unfortunately half of them are in teak!

[coachmann]

I think Hornby's choice of an all-door third was the correct one. According to 'LNER Carriages', the D23 and D115 were the most numerous Gresley corridor carriage and spanned the longest period from 1924 to withdrawal in the early 1960s. Despite the end-door version of the 1930's, the all-door version continued to be built. This may have been due to more rapid loading and unloading of passengers from all-door stock.

Edited November 24, 2014 by coachmann

[trw1089]

Well just over a week ago I was fortunate to have a fleeting visit to PN and enjoy Gilbert's company.  Things didn't go quite according to plan, as I was hoping to have at least a couple of hours to catch up, but alas, SWMBO needed to be satisfied with shopping in Nottingham, and due to not being able to use her Aus phone in the UK, and the lack of any other communication (smoke signals being a bit hard to see in the centre of the city) meant that the pre-arranged rescue of the credit card from her clutches could not be moved back another hour (probably fortunate for me anyway...).

 

Still, we had a good chat for an hour or so and I got to take a few photos as per below.

 

First, some spotters at the end of the platform:

 

While a big engine sits over near the goods sheds

 

Luckily for me, a footballer had just arrived, I must admit that until I had seen one on this thread they were not a loco I cared much for, but now they are a firm favourite, with one acquired for Wakefield West (there is a pic of one substituting for a failed pacific),

 

At the other end of the platform I spied this lovely Fairburn, This is one of my favourite pics of the layout:

 

The details are everywhere and I just wish I had a few more hours to look over them:

 

Gravy Train's work on the buildings is superb and very inspirational, the roof angles and styles are brilliant:

 

It was also great to see the station forecourt area, again something I would've liked to look at in more depth:

 

But, alas, I did spot something that had me worried (and just a tad jealous).  Evidence of locoholism was quite prevalent:

 

And if one is afflicted by that last malady, then they must also be afflicted by its relation, coachaholism (now this was where I was very jealous!).

 

Thanks very much for an excellent visit Gilbert, your generosity and willingness to share your knowledge is greatly appreciated and I felt very privileged to have been able to visit and spend some time with you and you most inspiring layout.

 

I do however have a complaint, I think I am now afflicted with your loco and coach maladies and have now had to go home and figure out how I can include some cassettes for loco and coach storage!

 

Cheers

Tony

[bigwordsmith]

Hello. my name is Peter and I'm a locoholic.

 

I suppose I've been one for many years, but it's only now that I realise that I'm actually suffering from it. 

I should have recognised the signs.

At one stage my wife was worried I was having an affair with someone called Hatton, I spent so much time corresponding with her.

Then there were the parcels that kept turning up in the post. I even tried to organise them arriving on days when I knew she was out of the house. 

But of course she spotted the packaging, even when I had tried to hide it in the bottom of the wheelie bin.

At one stage even the man from UPS told her he was a bit concerned about my habit - not that it was any of his business.

 

OK, so  now I've admitted it in public, I'm told that 's the first step to a cure.

 

So, after the K1 and the Crosti 9F I've just read about Locoholics Monthly, I will cut down.

 

Honeslty....

[Mallard60022]

Well that's three of us 'outed' then....when's the next L&CA meeting and should it not be at the NRM?

Nurse,..........Brandy.......now.......yes I know it's only 07.05..........

P 

[trw1089]

Well that's three of us 'outed' then....when's the next L&CA meeting and should it not be at the NRM?

Nurse,..........Brandy.......now.......yes I know it's only 07.05..........

P 

 

 

As long as it is not at Shildon, I hear they have a very tempting franchise that is offering those fancy Atlantics...

[69843]

It's great out here. I can be a locoholic and an ALCOholic*!

 

 

(*NSW Railways had several hundred locomotives with ALCO equipment)

[coachmann]

At the other end of the platform I spied this lovely Fairburn, This is one of my favourite pics of the layout:

To be a true locoholic you have to know your LMS locos.....   This is a Stanier. Neat photos you uploaded though and Peter Leylands roofs are a delight to the eye.....Oh no, I'm a roofaholic

Edited November 25, 2014 by coachmann

[trw1089]

Now you have got me Larry, I thought it was a Stanier, but I was led astray, and being a North Eastern aficionado, didn't know any better...

[Mallard60022]

Good grief, now a roofaholic.....bless! However, when one observes the roof structures here I can understand. That Delph place has a rather tasty bit of station work though  

[great northern]

I think Hornby's choice of an all-door third was the correct one. According to 'LNER Carriages', the D23 and D115 were the most numerous Gresley corridor carriage and spanned the longest period from 1924 to withdrawal in the early 1960s. Despite the end-door version of the 1930's, the all-door version continued to be built. This may have been due to more rapid loading and unloading of passengers from all-door stock.

Your logic is impeccable Larry, and I can't and won't argue with it. Its just that I would have preferred the other one..... I agree too that the all door stock was favoured for getting people on and off quicker.

[coachmann]

I put brass sides on many of Hornby's coaches a few years ago and most were of the end door variety, partly because Hornby hadn't done them and partly because I'm bone idle when it comes to door handles. But time has modified my thoughts and I now prefer those all-door Gresleys because they look older and nostalgic. It must have cost Hornby a few shekels to have a new tool made for the corrected lower beading, so i just wish they had corrected the tumblehome while they were at it. But it may have meant altering the glazing mould as well. After placing my latest teak purchase in a rake of my brass sided efforts, I can easily settle for the wider underframe now. I nearly cut me damn fingers off narrowing underframes a few years ago and, for the effort, I might as well have etched a replacement.

Edited November 25, 2014 by coachmann

[Clive Mortimore]

Gilbert,

If you want a bit of Weird and Wonderful, then I suggest the weekly stock transfer train!

When my father worked on the footplate he remember the joys of this train. It ran as an empty stock and could have anything in the rake that was able to be braked. The down service was used to take stock to the works. He recalls that if there was a diesel shunter in the formation, then it was a long day at 20mph.

Paul 4475

Hi Paul and Gilbert

 

That nice Mr David F has just posted a picture of the said train by the looks of things http://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/index.php?/topic/85326-dave-fs-photos-ongoing-more-added-25th-november/?p=1678328

[great northern]

It seems like a long time since I promised to post some photos of the latest B1 hauling a fish train. I've been sidetracked by the purchase of a new(well to me anyway), car, a sudden remarkable return to being able to play proper golf - eleven holes in level par the other day , and I've also been stymied by the almost total lack of anything resembling daylight. Today though, the sun was shining, so at last, here we go.

Being able to see the stock in the fiddle yard actually helps on this one I think.

This isn't very good, but the contortions I had to endure in taking it meant that it had to be used.

and the same applies to this.

and this was experimental, look what the light coming in did to the signals.

just some vans, for those who like that sort of thing.

an attempt at something "arty".

and a familiar view.

this is a new angle, and quite a good one, I think.

The early evening train from Cambridge was due, so I made sure that it passed the fish at an opportune moment.

Pity I couldn't get the smokebox of the B2 sharp, as I quite like this one otherwise.

As you can see, I then got involved in seeing what the best way of capturing this scene might be.

I do wish I could work out how to use the zoom function properly - this would be a really nice shot if it was sharp. Perhaps that nice Mr York may be able to do a proper job when he visits me next week.

same comments apply to this.

Why did Mr Thompson do this to a B17? It didn't improve the performance of the engine at all. All that was necessary was to fit a Dia 100a boiler, which most certainly did.

 

Somewhere, there is one more shot, on which I spent time photoshopping. If I can find it, I'll add it on.