Downendian details

[Phil Bullock]

52 minutes ago, Downendian said:

9 x NPCS recently worked on - a huge weathering with powders session coming up - some preliminary work done hence the dusty finger prints! Just fitted screw couplings to one end of each van. These will form the 4M05 and 4V20 parcels service which was between Manchester/Bristol TM (4V20) and Penzance/Manchester 4M05. Some four wheel vans maybe seconded to the 3S15 rake (Bristol/Glasgow), although from memory this was largely bogie vehicles. All models are Parkside. I’ve used a bit of artistic license in just using 4 wheel vans, Temple meads and just outside (Pylle Hill) was always heaving with these vehicles so they must have worked in from somewhere.

two Southern PMVs

three Southern BYs

three LMS CCTs

another solitary LMS design CCT complete with windows, only two of this type were still in service in 1974

 

Most of the rake will be weathered to a grimy brown, but some will be lightly weathered. All transfers are from the excellent railtec range, most using bespoke running numbers of vehicles recorded at Temple meads around 1976.

 

The kit building over the last 12 months is not random - I’m aiming to build specific rakes which will be semi-fixed - they have to be as Instanter and screw couplings have been used throughout.

 

21T mineral building at the moment for the 8E38 Margam-Temple Mills. Four awaiting transfers and a fifth undergoing rusting using the hairspray chipping technique which takes a few days. All are Parkside models which are dia 1/110 of riveted construction - I’ve just ordered 3 Chivers 1/119/120 (welded) which I may play with to vary the doors to give the rake some variety.

 

Neil 

Coming along nicely Neil. Think you are right about 3S15 , don’t think 4 wheel vans were allowed in a Class 3 train…

[Downendian]

Five 21T coal wagons approaching completion. Decals and weathering following the hairspray chipping technique. I’m rather happy with them, whilst marked “To work within South Wales and Monmouthshire” my dim distant memory (dodgy approach I know) was that they did appear in the Acton/Temple Mills services. They are just waiting for coal loads and Instanter fitting, but will get a coat or two of matt varnish when all has hardened up.

Out of interest I referred to my “bible” a 1978/9 home brew WTT produced for Bristol Parkway spotters by the late Geoff Woodley and Ian Jones. These wagons will appear in the following weekday trains, loaded Eastbound. The headcodes maybe different in the mid 1970s but I’ll be happy to use those shown below.

 

0905 STJ-Acton (Parkway 0939) 7A25

1240 STJ-Temple Mills (Parkway 1330) 7E42

2035 STJ-Acton (Filton 2109) 7A48

 

The empty return working was

0320 Acton-East Usk (Parkway 0630) 7C18

 

i can’t see a return working from Temple Mills or two from Acton, and surprised to see two services per day to Acton from STJ, a puzzle yet to be resolved, but a clue to the later train maybe it was routed differently and didn’t go through Parkway. Time to refer to my WTT collection.

There was still a lot of services to Bristol from STJ in the 1970s including to Ashton gate, Filton CCD, Severn Beach, Hallen Marsh and East depot. Plenty more coal wagons needed for these, plus coke hoppers for the service to the ISC zinc smelter.

Neil

 

[Downendian]

A busy week in the Downend wagon shops.

All unfitted 24.5 and 21T minerals received coal loads, a tenth wagon was also done. Now are awaiting Instanter fitting - a fiddle but worth it.

 

Next on to the fitted head for 7A25 STJ-Acton. Three 21T minfits from Chivers finelines which will be supplemented with Accurascale RTR, suitably weathered. These need attention to under frames with powders, instanters and varnish. Another 24.5T is in the foreground, this time not fitted with roller bearings.

 

Finally for this week 4 Chivers excellent ballast spoil wagons. Stoke Gifford had a spoil tip between the triangle of lines between Parkway-Patchway-Filton Junction. These will have suitably weathered ballast loads, and will be shunted around by a resident 08. 
Two in the foreground are Ex SR Lamprey (left) and Tunn(e)y (right). The two at the back are ex SR Ling. I have some ex GWR Tunneys (P24) to build, and will be mixed with the ubiquitous Parkside Grampus to give a bit of variety.

 

I must say I’m very impressed with the Chivers kits, they have pips and guide slots in all the right places and are a dream to put together. The three black wagons were all done yesterday, and the SR Tunney earlier this morning. There was another Lamprey but unfortunately the kit had the wrong size floor (will request a replacement) and unfortunately I’ve lost the buffer shrouds/buffers/vac cylinder so will ask for them. A railtec order for suitable numbers is looming, plus I’ve got some work to do on weathering the Ling and Tunney to represent plank replacement etc. The Tunney is awaiting glue to cure before into the paint shops. These ballast opens I’d thoroughly recommend to starters of kit building-they are superb kits, although the brake levers and door springs were a tad fiddly.

Not photographed this morning were three Cambrian dogfish - one in gulf red, two in black. I’ve got another two to build and will give variety to rakes with include the Heljan RTR version, all of mine are in olive Green livery. I know I’ve got too many ballast wagons, but I love them!

Neil

 

Edited May 3, 2023 by Downendian

[MJI]

Those are nice, I have too many PW wagons as well.

[Enterprisingwestern]

2 hours ago, Downendian said:

A busy week in the Downend wagon shops.

All unfitted 24.5 and 21T minerals received coal loads, a tenth wagon was also done. Now are awaiting Instanter fitting - a fiddle but worth it.

 

Next on to the fitted head for 7A25 STJ-Acton. Three 21T minfits from Chivers finelines which will be supplemented with Accurascale RTR, suitably weathered. These need attention to under frames with powders, instanters and varnish. Another 24.5T is in the foreground, this time not fitted with roller bearings.

 

Finally for this week 4 Chivers excellent ballast spoil wagons. Stoke Gifford had a spoil tip between the triangle of lines between Parkway-Patchway-Filton Junction. These will have suitably weathered ballast loads, and will be shunted around by a resident 08. 
Two in the foreground are Ex SR Lamprey (left) and Tunn(e)y (right). The two at the back are ex SR Ling. I have some ex GWR Tunneys (P24) to build, and will be mixed with the ubiquitous Parkside Grampus to give a bit of variety.

 

I must say I’m very impressed with the Chivers kits, they have pips and guide slots in all the right places and are a dream to put together. The three black wagons were all done yesterday, and the SR Tunney earlier this morning. There was another Lamprey but unfortunately the kit had the wrong size floor (will request a replacement) and unfortunately I’ve lost the buffer shrouds/buffers/vac cylinder so will ask for them. A railtec order for suitable numbers is looming, plus I’ve got some work to do on weathering the Ling and Tunney to represent plank replacement etc. The Tunney is awaiting glue to cure before into the paint shops. These ballast opens I’d thoroughly recommend to starters of kit building-they are superb kits, although the brake levers and door springs were a tad fiddly.

Not photographed this morning were three Cambrian dogfish - one in gulf red, two in black. I’ve got another two to build and will give variety to rakes with include the Heljan RTR version, all of mine are in olive Green livery. I know I’ve got too many ballast wagons, but I love them!

Neil

 

 

1 hour ago, MJI said:

Those are nice, I have too many PW wagons as well.

 

Me too!

Although at what seems to be the going eBay rate, I'll not be adding any Hornby trout's or Heljan dogfish any time soon.

 

Mike.

[MJI]

2 hours ago, Enterprisingwestern said:

 

 

Me too!

Although at what seems to be the going eBay rate, I'll not be adding any Hornby trout's or Heljan dogfish any time soon.

 

Mike.

 

Rough count, off top of head

 

5 Dogfish

3 Mermaids

5 to 8 Grampus

3 Sealions

1 Shark

2 bogie rail carriers

1 PWM650

[Rivercider]

4 hours ago, Downendian said:

A busy week in the Downend wagon shops.

All unfitted 24.5 and 21T minerals received coal loads, a tenth wagon was also done. Now are awaiting Instanter fitting - a fiddle but worth it.

 

Next on to the fitted head for 7A25 STJ-Acton. Three 21T minfits from Chivers finelines which will be supplemented with Accurascale RTR, suitably weathered. These need attention to under frames with powders, instanters and varnish. Another 24.5T is in the foreground, this time not fitted with roller bearings.

 

Finally for this week 4 Chivers excellent ballast spoil wagons. Stoke Gifford had a spoil tip between the triangle of lines between Parkway-Patchway-Filton Junction. These will have suitably weathered ballast loads, and will be shunted around by a resident 08. 
Two in the foreground are Ex SR Lamprey (left) and Tunn(e)y (right). The two at the back are ex SR Ling. I have some ex GWR Tunneys (P24) to build, and will be mixed with the ubiquitous Parkside Grampus to give a bit of variety.

 

I must say I’m very impressed with the Chivers kits, they have pips and guide slots in all the right places and are a dream to put together. The three black wagons were all done yesterday, and the SR Tunney earlier this morning. There was another Lamprey but unfortunately the kit had the wrong size floor (will request a replacement) and unfortunately I’ve lost the buffer shrouds/buffers/vac cylinder so will ask for them. A railtec order for suitable numbers is looming, plus I’ve got some work to do on weathering the Ling and Tunney to represent plank replacement etc. The Tunney is awaiting glue to cure before into the paint shops. These ballast opens I’d thoroughly recommend to starters of kit building-they are superb kits, although the brake levers and door springs were a tad fiddly.

Not photographed this morning were three Cambrian dogfish - one in gulf red, two in black. I’ve got another two to build and will give variety to rakes with include the Heljan RTR version, all of mine are in olive Green livery. I know I’ve got too many ballast wagons, but I love them!

Neil

 

It was my impression, that as the amount of wagon load freight traffic shrank then the civil engineers fleet

seemed to expand to take over some of the vacated sidings, and even complete yards (like Bristol East Depot),

 

cheers 

[Enterprisingwestern]

28 minutes ago, MJI said:

 

Rough count, off top of head

 

5 Dogfish

3 Mermaids

5 to 8 Grampus

3 Sealions

1 Shark

2 bogie rail carriers

1 PWM650

 

You're not even trying!

 

Mike.

[Phil Bullock]

42 minutes ago, MJI said:

 

Rough count, off top of head

 

5 Dogfish

3 Mermaids

5 to 8 Grampus

3 Sealions

1 Shark

2 bogie rail carriers

1 PWM650

 

13 minutes ago, Enterprisingwestern said:

 

You're not even trying!

 

Mike.

indeed! Not a herring in sight……😄

[MJI]

Just now, Phil Bullock said:

 

indeed! Not a herring in sight……😄

 

Not bought any PWay in ages, but just what Parkside and Cambrian did at the time, also a slightly newer era, everything was green.

[Downendian]

Three kits done from scratch yesterday - along with the ex SR Tunney mentioned yesterday, two P24 ex GWR Tunneys were put together from ancient Ian Kirk and Colin Ashby kits that had been in the kit pile for at least 20 years! Some tweaks to them needed including adding brake hand levers from 21T/24.5T Parkside sprues and spare door springs from the Chivers kits. All are in black awaiting decals and weathering with the instanters fitted this morning. I have two other P24s built many moons ago but alas never finished. My mantra now is to complete a kit once started- never ever pause as invariably the parts get separated and are heavens homework to relocate the relevant sprues.

The front row of this photo shows two SR lings flanking the ex SR Tunney- they are very similar wagons, the SR Tunney wagon having one extra plank. Decals located from CCT and Modelmaster so will make a start on them later. 

the middle row are Lamprey, p24x2 and the back row the 1/120 minfits from Chivers and another Parkside 24.5T now with coal loads added. Once suitable prototypes have been identified courtesy of Paul Bartlett’s collection then some bespoke numbers will be ordered from railtec for the spoil wagons. Some candidates identified whilst outside in my bar last night in the company of a Glenlivet or two.

‘The kit stash is getting noticeably smaller, and soon will just fill one box. Looking at photos of the 7A25 in the 1970s, its consist was roughly a 50:50 mix of minerals and hoppers. So my huge stash of rebodied Parkside hoppers may well be next in the queue although I fancy building an ammonium tanker for the Avonmouth anhydrous ammonia rake. However the Dogfish require completing first.

Neil

Edited May 9, 2023 by Downendian
Lings and P24 Tunneys muddled up

[Enterprisingwestern]

9 hours ago, Downendian said:

Three kits done from scratch yesterday - along with the ex SR Tunney mentioned yesterday, two P24 ex GWR Tunneys were put together from ancient Ian Kirk and Colin Ashby kits that had been in the kit pile for at least 20 years! Some tweaks to them needed including adding brake hand levers from 21T/24.5T Parkside sprues and spare door springs from the Chivers kits. All are in black awaiting decals and weathering with the instanters fitted this morning. I have two other P24s built many moons ago but alas never finished. My mantra now is to complete a kit once started- never ever pause as invariably the parts get separated and are heavens homework to relocate the relevant sprues.

The front row of this photo shows two P24s flanking the ex SR Tunney- they are very similar wagons, the SR wagon having one extra plank. Decals located from CCT and Modelmaster so will make a start on them later. 

the middle row are Lamprey, Ling, Ling and the back row the 1/120 minfits from Chivers and another Parkside 24.5T now with coal loads added. Once suitable prototypes have been identified courtesy of Paul Bartlett’s collection then some bespoke numbers will be ordered from railtec for the spoil wagons. Some candidates identified whilst outside in my bar last night in the company of a Glenlivet or two.

‘The kit stash is getting noticeably smaller, and soon will just fill one box. Looking at photos of the 7A25 in the 1970s, its consist was roughly a 50:50 mix of minerals and hoppers. So my huge stash of rebodied Parkside hoppers may well be next in the queue although I fancy building an ammonium tanker for the Avonmouth anhydrous ammonia rake. However the Dogfish require completing first.

Neil

 

Mr Tailby will take you to task over the length of your white stripes as he did me!, (if you look at prototype pictures you'll see his point), but I've added a few overlength ones into the mix to replicate the ones I saw in my spotting days, always noticeable in a rake.

 

Mike.

[Downendian]

At least they’re the right end Mike!

[Enterprisingwestern]

8 hours ago, Downendian said:

At least they’re the right end Mike!

 

Not that BR got it 100% right, I'll be having a wrong un!

 

Mike.

[Downendian]

Weekly (wow how retirement has changed things) report from the Downend wagon workshops. 
 

Five dogfish nearly done, more weathering and handrails need painting. Three in gulf  red two in black - a fiddly Cambrian kit especially the chassis assembly. The golf red ones will be obscured mainly by rust, how they looked in the 1970s. Strange white streaks appeared in the latest batch of wagons, which I’ve put down to an old batch of decalfix- new jar purchased and will need to reapply some decals.

 

Next the P24/P23s with spoil loads from Ian Kirk and Colin Ashby kits- despite the relative crudeness of the sprues they came out rather well. Still more weathering required plus white streak removal as above. The spoil in particular needs better weathering - ballast was applied using pva containing a shot of espresso (I kid you not). I need to represent aged, removed ballast which of course is weathered by a fluid not different in colour to espresso but a totally different smell.

 

Finally and not for the faint hearted, a Cambrian whale, one of two to do. Was quite intimidating when opening the packet years go, but really went together well. Bits and pieces still to add, then the spray booth. As mentioned previously, this kit was opened and not finished (never ever do that). Some bits have been mislaid including the nut/bolts for one bogie, one buffer (suitable brass replacements added) plus I need yet further 12mm wheelsets, and a fresh batch of instanters need ordering for the above dogfish and P24s. This wagon will be getting screw couplings though and will be engineers olive and a railtec order for decals made. A lovely wagon which will need other air braked sea lions to run with. It is a beast!

 

 

I’ve just received two further Chivers lampreys which are next on the list, plus Chivers fine lines provided the correct floor to complete another. I’ll have four Lampreys in total to add to the spoil rake.

Edited May 19, 2023 by Downendian

[37403]

Absolutely fantastic modelling, right up my street this era.

You're really flying on the kit builds.

Look forward to seeing what's next!

[Downendian]

Thanks 37403

yesterday and this morning was dominated by Whales. They are both approaching the paint stage, railtec do a whale decal set so that’s been ordered. The handrails and four stages were a right faff, quite delicate handling required. They were a pig to get square but I’ve mostly managed it I think, just one needs adjusting.  I’ve some stanchions still to fit but almost there. One has bogies test fitted whilst I’m awaiting some M3 bolts of correct length for the other. It’s a complex build but a lovely wagon will make sure I don’t mess up the paint job. I’ve pinched some wheels from Parkside 21T mineral 1977 rebuilds, but whilst I broke open their packages made a start on those too. They’re a few years out for my 1974 target year, but for sure I’d seen many of these in the late 1970s.

The whales will break up a sea lion rake which will be worked as a Meldon Quarry to WR working. Air braked locos only of course.

Neil

[Enterprisingwestern]

 

I've ended up going down a rabbit hole with the whale, there's a lot of brass on it now!

When/if I finish it I'll post some pics.

 

Mike.

[Downendian]

Progress on the pair of whales, decals just applied and drying. Will need to touch up some areas with white/black/olive paint but really just awaiting their ballast loads and a light weathering. Some handrails need a bit of straightening too! By the mid-1970s these were barely a decade or so old so wouldn’t be in a state I presume. A very enjoyable build but would fit the fine details in a different order if I was to attempt another. Getting the release wheels in the right positions was quite a faff and fitting the decals to the end boards was a fiddle but got there in the end.

 

Seven 1977 rebodied MDOs are approaching completion needing decals. These will be run as empties and lead weights added to their undersides. They are slightly out of my time frame, but I had quite a stash of these kits to build. However I was rather surprised to find that BR was still rebuilding unfitted wagons as late as 1977, many of these were on South Wales coal traffic, so these will be in my return Acton/Temple Mills to STJ empties. So my brake tenders will have some use- I’d always assumed that unfitted freight or ones with fitted heads were getting rare by the mid/late 1970s. 
Finally I’ve made a start on the 21T hopper builds - two in progress. By far the largest number of outstanding kits - mostly of the rebodied type. I’m pretty sure Accurascale will have their version of these numerous wagons shortly!

Neil 

[Downendian]

Weekly update.

1. 10 rebodied MDOs completed awaiting weathering and decals - another order from railtec imminent. These were 1977 rebodies using redundant 21 and 24.5T under frames. They are late in my working period but will form the return empty Temple Mills/Acton Severn tunnel junction. Empty 21T hoppers Chivers MDOs and other sundry rolling stock will join this consist. These all have oil axle boxes, really I should have done some with roller bearings to give some variety.

 

2. Four Chivers Lampreys initial weathering and ballast loads just applied this morning. They ballast loads look lumpy but that’s because they are yet to fully dry. For the spoil tip workings.

3. I found 4 more GWR Tunnys in my stock box that I’d forgotten about! They have had decals applied and await weathering and spoil loads. The spoil rake is now complete when these are done.

4. First of many 21T rebodied hoppers- quite fiddly to get the hoppers right but coming together well hope to complete these soon. I have another 15 or so to build. Plus a few hours fitting together instanters which there are many to fit.

Finally had a great afternoon/evening with Phil and Teri Bullock yesterday - plenty of sun, beer wine and fine food cooked by master chef Bullock. Much talk of Abbotswood 2 and its imminent arrival on the exhibition circuit. I hope some of these wagons will make its debut. 
 

Neil

[Enterprisingwestern]

 

 

Apologies for the intrusion Neil.

Just thought I'd chuck this in here whilst it's slightly relevant, it will probably be hundreds of pages back when I actually finish it!

My take on the whale platform, ie, junk the lot and start again!

 

Mike.

[Downendian]

Certainly looks a lot better than the Cambrian castings Mike. Looks lovely.

[Phil Bullock]

7 hours ago, Downendian said:

Certainly looks a lot better than the Cambrian castings Mike. Looks lovely.

Was great to see your wagon kit builds / bashes on Saturday Neil…. Can’t wait to see a complete train! 

[Downendian]

21T rebodied hopper production line in full swing this morning. A more complex kit than the 21 and 24.5T minerals with the hopper body being a multi piece assembly and much care needed to avoid daylight appearing between joints. The handrails are fiddly too but I opted on the first few builds to attach the six handrail stanchions before spraying. I will attach these after spraying on the new builds, as it’s a right pain bending the handrail whilst on the wagon. Still quite a bit to do in the first 6, wagons 7-10 started this morning. 

Confession time - I managed to fit the hopper chutes upside down on the first two and before I realised my mistake the poly had cured and they were impossible to remove. Both wagons will be covered with coal loads to hide my embarrassment. Lesson learned - always dry assemble before starting a batch build of new kits. Getting the bottom of the hopper square is indeed a fiddle but improved by wagons 4-6.

A few will be unfitted and in grey livery to give variety. Unfortunately three different kits had one upper hopper end piece missing - I had thought it was my carelessness in opening a kit years ago but obviously not. They are easily detached from the sprue and obviously lost during packaging. Check your kit pile if you have any of these! A phone call and email to the very helpful Peco technical advice bureau hopefully has resolved this and the missing bits are on their way.

These wagons will be integrated into the STJ- Acton/Temple Mills and return empty workings. I’ve also seen photos of fitted stone branded 21T hoppers on Tytherington stone trains in the early 1970s before the MSVs and PGAs arrived. So I maybe building a few more coupled with respraying some of my stock pile of the excellent Hornby 21T hoppers which are of the early body type. 
Neil

[MJI]

3 hours ago, Downendian said:

21T rebodied hopper production line in full swing this morning. A more complex kit than the 21 and 24.5T minerals with the hopper body being a multi piece assembly and much care needed to avoid daylight appearing between joints. The handrails are fiddly too but I opted on the first few builds to attach the six handrail stanchions before spraying. I will attach these after spraying on the new builds, as it’s a right pain bending the handrail whilst on the wagon. Still quite a bit to do in the first 6, wagons 7-10 started this morning. 

Confession time - I managed to fit the hopper chutes upside down on the first two and before I realised my mistake the poly had cured and they were impossible to remove. Both wagons will be covered with coal loads to hide my embarrassment. Lesson learned - always dry assemble before starting a batch build of new kits. Getting the bottom of the hopper square is indeed a fiddle but improved by wagons 4-6.

A few will be unfitted and in grey livery to give variety. Unfortunately three different kits had one upper hopper end piece missing - I had thought it was my carelessness in opening a kit years ago but obviously not. They are easily detached from the sprue and obviously lost during packaging. Check your kit pile if you have any of these! A phone call and email to the very helpful Peco technical advice bureau hopefully has resolved this and the missing bits are on their way.

These wagons will be integrated into the STJ- Acton/Temple Mills and return empty workings. I’ve also seen photos of fitted stone branded 21T hoppers on Tytherington stone trains in the early 1970s before the MSVs and PGAs arrived. So I maybe building a few more coupled with respraying some of my stock pile of the excellent Hornby 21T hoppers which are of the early body type. 
Neil

 

They are a nice kit and one of my pesters.

 

I don't remember seeing a no brake rebody, but loads of these as VB with a small number of original body VBs

 

I only have 4 though!!!!