Woodstowe

[David C]

Woodstowe finally has a prototypical coach for use on passenger trains – assuming there can be such a thing on a freelance model. My layout is operated using the timetable for the Cardigan branch during the 1950s, the details being culled from an article in Great Western Railway Journal no 30. The author stated that during the latter years of the line’s existence, corridor coaches were employed as they had toilets, a rather important facility when journey times were about 90 minutes end to end. Thus, I was happily operating trains with some Bachmann Colletts, a Hornby bow ended brake 2^nd and a Hawksworth brake compo.

 

I then happened upon a clip of the line on YouTube from the 1958 series of Railway Roundabout, a TV programme produced by the BBC. (Sorry, being totally inept, I still haven’t figured out how to include a link). This clearly showed compartment coaches on trains some 5 years before the branch closed. Both of the coaches featured look like brake compos of dia 147 and dia 145, but I’m open to correction on this.

 

Now I had 2 pairs of Comet sides and some odds and sods to build a B set to dia 147, but had been procrastinating for at least 2 years before doing anything about tackling them. The YouTube clip prompted me to set to work on one of them and the result you can see in the photo. I have to confess its not that good – indeed, its imperfections will be obvious. It is however the first coach I’ve actually built in over 30 years, so a lot of re-learning has been done. Besides, from a few feet away, it doesn’t look too bad. The other set of sides/parts will be better, I hope.

 

David C 

[David C]

Woodstowe will be appearing at the Beaconsfield exhibition next Saturday, complete with the above dia 147 coach if anyone is interested. Details below:

 

http://www.beaconsfieldmrc.org/page21.html

 

David C

[BlackGin]

David C

My first attempt to use RMweb!   Woodstowe looks good herein, best wishes for Beconsfield.

DB

[Andy R]

I have been watching this topic for a little while and endorse the many complimentary comments made about this layout David. This is a beautiful essay of a 'typical' GWR branch terminus and I love it. The photos posted are delight.

 

 It is inspirational to those of us who are trying to nail down such a branch station concept, either on its own or as part of a larger layout- which is what I am working on. There are lots of ideas seen in regular mags and on many web sites but I think this little layout has really helped focus the mind on how my future branch station could be modelled.

 

I cannot see it 'live' but will continue to enjoy the topic and photos via RM web.

 

Andy R

[David C]

Andy R: thanks for your comments about Woodstowe. The layout is more or less finished and there is a limit to how many words and how many photos you can get out of only 16 square feet of layout! However, there are a few odd Improvements I want to make and I will post details of them when its a bit warmer (and the rain stops!) and I can get the layout out into the open air to take some photos!

 

Best wishes

 

David C

[Andy R]

David- very pleased to give the layout the wraps it deserves.

 

I will be interested to see your improvements to an already excellent layout. I noted you are also on the exhibition circuit, and I am sure the feedback from visitors would be very positive.

 

Andy R

[David C]

THE LIGHTS GO ON AT WOODSTOWE

 

When the castings that were supposed to represent GW gas lamps landed on the doormat, I was deeply disappointed. Whitemetal is not a suitable material to make such things with, so I realised. As a temporary measure, I invested in some Modelscene gas lamps, which were better (albeit of a generic design), but were made of some odd plastic material which was quite bendy and to which paint struggled to adhere. Eventually, the WR colours which I had slapped on them gave up trying and began to peel off. Time to replace them – but with what?

 

Looking at photos of Helston in the 1950s, the platform lamps were mounted on what appeared to be typical SR concrete posts. After nationalisation, had the WR replaced the original gas lamps with electric ones courtesy of the former Southern Railway’s concrete works at (I think) Exmouth? Then I realised that these concrete posts had originally been produced by (or for) the GWR to support Tilley lamps. These were paraffin lamps which, each evening, were hoisted up these concrete posts by means of a pulley until they lodged against some sort of metal framework to stop them swaying in the wind. The following morning, they were wound down and stored until night fell again. A lot of GWR stations were lit by this means, but when some were modernised with electric lighting, the concrete posts were retained with the lights and power cables being mounted on them. As Woodstowe is set in the 1950s, I chose to model this type of set up.
 

The concrete posts at Helston were hexagonal in section (although other stations had square posts), so I used the former Albert Goodall SR posts now retailed by RT models. These are again whitemetal, but being a little thicker than the cast GWR lamps I had rejected, wouldn’t bend every time I breathed on them! A scale 16 feet high, they should be closer to 20 feet, but I decided to live with that on the grounds that they were less vulnerable to accidental damage. Before installing them on the layout, some representation of the electric gubbins was needed, so inspired by westerhamstation’s do it yourself approach, I adapted the RT Models’ posts so that they looked vaguely like those I had noted in photos of the prototypes using bits of wire, brass tube filed to a semi circle and bits of the tubing from layout wire. The results are by no means masterpieces, as the rather cruel close up of the top of one of the lamps shows, but they are better than either the cast gas lamps or the Modelscene ones.

 

I should add that the lamps aren't glued down and bedded into the platform yet.

 

David C

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[BenW]

Good stuff David, from memory something similar was removed from the platforms at Bridgnorth on the Severn Valley a few years ago. 

 

Woodstowe is a cracking layout - a real source of inspiration.  By which of course I mean ideas that I can pinch!

 

B

[David C]

Thanks for your comments - you're welcome to pinch any of my ideas (the chances are that I'd pinched 'em from someone else!)

 

For anyone interested, Woodstowe will be at Ally Pally next weekend. It will be appearing on the MRC's stand. (I joined the club well over a year ago now and have gained a great deal from doing so!)

 

David C

[Martingchapman]

David,

Thoroughly enjoyed seeing Woodstowe at Ally Pally yesterday (Sunday).

The layout is fantastic, as others have said really captures the sleepy branch line atmosphere to a tee!

Congratulations on a fantastic layout, easily the best in show for my money.

 

Also very impressed with the operation of the layout, whilst I stood and watched (from the first train of the morning to the double headed goods) it never missed a beat, no "finger poking" to get things going, well done.

 

Thinking about the operation, I note you have devised the timetable and moves from the real Cardigan branch 1950's timetable.

Would you have time to share some more info about the operation, perhaps list your timetable (as displayed on the layout) with some additional operational notes.

I am currently building a home layout that includes a GWR branch station very like Woodstowe but am struggling to devise a (believable) and interesting timetable, any hints and tips regards your experience would be most welcome.

 

Once again well done for a fantastic layout and thanks so much for sharing the (excellent) photos on this forum.

 

Martin.

[Andy Y]

Although I've dropped in and looked at the topic I was really very impressed with the layout David; everything's just right on it with superbly observed detail everywhere. For me it was the best layout in the show (no offence to other much larger MRC layouts that have taken a while to build!) as achievable excellence.

[definate maybe]

it really is beautiful in the flesh. Simply stunning. Unfortunately I didn't get to see as much operation as I hoped as the pannier was having some operational issues for one of my visits but these things happen and it meant I could take in more of the beautifully crafted landscape. Without doubt an ally pally highlight

[Andy R]

David- deserved praise for the layout, which although I will never see (highly unlikely), looks fantastic from the photos posted and I do recall it being in one model mag?

 

It is interesting to note the comment on operation in exhibition conditions. Did you find working to a timetable easy in that environment or needing extra movements to keep customers happy? The ability to operate a layout with automatic coupling (the hands free approach) also interests me- is that how you are operating Woodstowe David or do you apply some other approach? If you use auto coupling which system are you using?

 

In passing I note the recent posts on Much Murkle with some lovely video shots of it operating with auto coupling. it certainly looks the part.

 

best wishes, Andy R

[Dbr1295]

Hi David, brilliant layout. So much like what I striving to achieve with mine. I seem to remember that you wrote some articles in RM on branch line operation? If so, I found them really helpful in understanding what traffic I could potentially run.

Cheers, Les

[David C]

Thank you for your kind comments - all compliments are gratefully received! 

 

Martin: I'm glad you saw the layout when it was behaving itself! I have to admit it didn't always do so over the weekend and there were a few embarrassing moments, alas. Having exhibited quite a few layouts over the years, I long ago reconciled myself to the fact that something will always go wrong at an exhibition. Inevitably, loading and unloading them into vehicles which then bounce them around over speed bumps, potholes etc etc does cause a fair amount of wear and tear! Fortunately, Woodstowe is pretty solidly built and has survived so far.

 

Andy R: the layout is operated at exhibitions exactly as Cardigan was operated (insofar as that is possible). I chose to do so because this was one of the few branches which saw different locos on almost every train, saw a lot of shuffling of coaches and some tail traffic and had the double headed goods as well. The one problem about using the Cardigan timetable is that it is quite complicated and operators need practice in getting it running smoothly. Its not always possible to arrange training sessions, alas. I have thought about simplifying the timetable at exhibitions - few people stay for the hour and a half that it takes to run through the timetable - but my friends who help me operate don't want me to do this on the grounds it keeps them interested! Info about the Cardigan branch was culled from GWRJ no 30. I'm sure you can get a copy from Wild Swan if you wanted. The timetable that is displayed at exhibitions is pasted below.

 

Woodstowe's next outing will be in June at the Chatham show.

 

Regards

 

David C

 

WOODSTOWE – TIMETABLE
 (Based on Cardigan  in the 1950s)

Loco 1 moves off shed, coals and waters, then pushes loco coal wagon to end of cattle dock siding before coupling to coach A.

7.00 AM

DEP

PASSENGER

Loco 1, coach A

8.05 AM

ARR

PASSENGER

Loco 2, coach B, van

Loco 2 runs round, shunts coach B into siding and van out of the way before moving on shed.

8.43 AM

ARR

GOODS

Loco 3

Loco 3 runs round and shunts goods as required.

Loco 2 moves off shed, collects coaches B and C and shunts to platform.

9.50 AM

DEP

PASSENGER

Loco 2 and coaches B and C

Loco 3 continues to shunt and then moves to loco shed road to take water.

1.05 PM

ARR

MIXED

Loco 4, coach A and goods

Loco 3 moves off shed and couples to rear of mixed train and draws out of station. Coach A is shunted to siding and goods wagons to the goods yard. Loco 3 and brake van couple up to goods train.

Loco 4 moves to shed to take on water, then couples to loco 3 and goods in loop.

2.05 PM

DEP

GOODS

Locos 3 and 4 double head goods

4.20 PM

ARR

GOODS

Loco 4 with brake van off 1.05 pm mixed train.

Loco 4 runs round, shunts as required, then moves to shed .

5.20 PM

ARR

PASSENGER

Loco 5 and coach C

Loco 4 collects coach A, van and any fitted goods wagons and leaves coach C in siding. Coach A, van, fitted goods wagons and loco 4 make up next departure.

5.45 PM

DEP

PASSENGER

Loco 4, coach A and van

Loco 5 makes up goods train ready to depart at 6.20 pm

6.20 PM

DEP

GOODS

Loco 5

8.05 PM

ARR

PASSENGER

Loco 1 and coach B

Loco 1 runs round, collects loco coal wagon from cattle dock siding and then moves to loco shed road. Loco coals and waters, uncouples from loco coal wagon and then goes on shed.

             

[Martingchapman]

David,

Thanks very much for taking the time to post the timetable, very helpful.

[Andy R]

David- many thanks for your detailed reply. Could I just check with you - what coupler system do you use when running at exhibitions?

regards, Andy R

[Happy Hippo]

From the photos, the couplers look like the DG available from MSE.

 

I think Woodstowe is one of the finest examples of the classic blt that you can see.

[David C]

Just to confirm that the couplings are DG, which are available from Wizard Models (aka MSE). I only put loops on one end of each loco/coach and wagon and the delay latch on the other, so all the stock is handed. This prevents "loop locking", which can sometimes occur if there are loops on both ends. I also make the loops in one piece from the smallest gauge piano wire I can find, which saves faffing around trying to solder a bit of iron wire to the copper wire supplied. The loops are also made slightly longer by adding a piece of etch waste to the jig which is used to form the loop. 

 

DGs (and the very similar BBs) are probably about the best couplings available. They are less obvious than tension locks but more so than Alex Jacksons. AJs, in my very limited experience, need a lot of maintenance and are quite difficult to set up properly. DGs don't need much attention and are relatively easy to fit, although they do need painting (or blackening).

 

There is only one uncoupling magnet on Woodstowe and that is an electromagnet (again available from Wizard) sited at the point where locos uncouple before running round. I have placed permanent magnets around the layout, but ended up removing them. On the real thing, coupling and uncoupling takes place wherever it is convenient for the staff to do so. It was done by some poor shunter running up and down with a long pole, unhooking and hooking up the three links as he ran. Stock was not dragged to a particular point where the shunter stood with his pole. How often do you see on a model wagons being hauled to a magnet for no apparent reason? This strikes me as being wholly unrealistic.

 

David C

 

 

In my view, the perfect coupling hasn't yet been invented. 

[nickwood]

David

 

I also use DG's on Much Murkle handed in the same way and absolutely agree with everything you've said. Making the loops and droppers out of a single piece of wire eliminates having to solder the droppers to the loop which is fiddly. Whilst I have a number of electromagnets installed there are always occasions when for one reason or another stock doesn't uncouple or you want to uncouple where there is no magnet. I have some uncouplers made from coffee stirrers with a small magnet glued on the end to lift the loop. Works a treat.

 

One question if I may, why do you find it necessary to extend the loop?

 

[Andy R]

Nick and David;

 

Thank you for replying to my query with good information. It is appreciated.

 

The reason I am asking these basic questions is that before I plunge into a decision on what auto couplers to use on my own Hawkinsfield Junction, I thought it best to seek guidance from the forum members experienced in operating their layouts with an auto system. Both of you have obviously considered options, settled on a way forward and installed and operated same under exhibition conditions. That seems pretty good expereicne to draw on from where I am sitting, and therefore any comments on your experience and what/how you have approached auto coupling is worthwhile to me.

 

It partly economics as well; when the NZ dollar only buys 50 pence, any decision to buy and import such specialist model parts has to be made with some care. With my stock the cost would be considerable to convert.

 

May I also ask whether you considered Spratt and Winkle or kadees for example and why they aren't as good as DG's? (I jus note here that kadees are easily available in NZ and less costly than any UK importing).

 

I would value any further comment from either of you as fine, experienced modellers.

 

regards, Andy R

[David C]

Nick: my problem is lack of skill! Occasionally I get the fixing point/angle of the upright hook(?) wrong (or bashed whilst in use) and making the loop slightly larger usually avoids it failing to engage properly. How thick is a bit of etch? 15 thou or so? Its not much, so what extra slack in the couplings there is is hardly noticeable.

 

Andy: I rejected Kaydees because they are far more expensive in the UK than any of the alternatives. I had experimented with them many years ago when building an 0:16.5 layout and didn't like 'em! The thrust required to engage the couplings was so great that light, free wheeling wagons would simply shoot off. Fixing them was not simple (although with the advent of stock with NEM housings, this may be easier) and they were designed for the American market. In the US, locos are brought to a halt a yard or so in front of the stock they are being coupled to. The locos then charge at the wagons to engage the coupling knuckles. This simply doesn't happen in the UK (except with stock fitted with knuckle type couplings) where 3 links and screw types are (were!) the norm. 

 

S & W couplings: I rejected these on the grounds that they required rather more surgery when fitting than DGs or BBs.

 

Hope this is helpful.

 

David C

[Andy R]

David- that is really helpful comments thanks. More food for thought and don't rush in is my take on that advice. I will take a look at the DG coupler web site and get some further information. But, I note that both you and Nick use the same.

 

Regards, Andy R

[nickwood]

Andy

 

I don't want to hijack David's thread any further but I think he has answered your question in much the same way that I would have except to say that I rejected Spratt & Winkles on the basis that they were just as ugly as the tension locks they would have been replacing.

[Matador]

Due to my less than talented track designing skills, and being totally out of touch with British modelling (lived in the US for 34 years), I am basically copying WOODSTOWE to a T. The only difference I have is a further 4' to play with, and will add a Dairy or something on the left side of the bridge. Question is; how is coal delivered to the locals? I don't see any Coal Staithes  anywhere?

Edited August 5, 2016 by Matador