Wright writes.....

[Tony Wright]

1 hour ago, 46243 said:

Sorry, didn't mean to shout!

It's a good idea, John.

 

I'm probably going deaf!

 

Email responded to.

 

Regards,

 

Tony. 

[Tony Wright]

Well, today's operation on Little Bytham went very well (despite my usual cock-ups!).

 

Thanks to Geoff West, Tom Foster and Ben Valentine for driving the trainset so well and for some really stimulating (if politically-incorrect) conversation.

 

The railway, as usual, performed faultlessly, apart from (yet another!) SEEP point solenoid failure. As I've mentioned, I bought over 100 of these in 2008, and Rob Davey and I fitted almost 100 of them in Bytham's fiddle yards. So far, some 15 have failed in the intervening years. In my view, that's far too high a percentage, and I regret not spending the extra money to obtain Peco solenoids; those installed on Stoke and Charwelton (over 175) operated at near 100 shows, with just one failure.

 

Anyway, some interesting items were brought along..........

 

Including........

 

 

 

These interesting narrow gauge wagons by Ben.

 

 

And this little Simplex, bought off Ebay. 

 

Tom sold two locos to Geoff...........

 

 

This modified/detailed/weathered Bachmann 57XX.

 

 

And this Nu-Cast & Partners 16XX, which I'd built/painted for Tom some years ago.

 

My task is to remove the decoders from this pair. Some jobs are most-enjoyable! 

 

Tom tells me he'll post some images on here of the day's running.

 

Thanks again, chaps. 

 

 

Edited November 25, 2023 by Tony Wright
to add something

[Tony Wright]

A repeat plea, please........

 

Will all those who send me PMs, please, please include their full name. 

 

It might well be (definitely in many cases) that we've corresponded before, but my memory is not what it was.

 

So far (after just a day!) I've sold multiple items to over 20 people (many thanks, by the way) and it even taxes Mo's outstanding book-keeping skills to make sure everything is correct.

 

Items will posted next week.

 

Thanks in anticipation.............

[Iain.d]

Through the last two weeks or so I had time to complete a Roxey Mouldings LSWR Non-Corridor 3 Carriage ‘Cross Country’ set that I’ve had on and off the go since last Christmas. There’s nothing particularly difficult in their construction and normally I can do a carriage in about four or five weeks, but with these there were times when my motivation lapsed. I’m happy to have finished them and I think they’ve come out okay though.

 

 

They are built pretty much as supplied with what came in the box(es), I made up my own couplings and glazed them with glass, although given the number of pieces needed, I was sorely tempted to use the clear plastic glazing provided in the kits.

 

 

The interiors were made as number of sub-assemblies, prior to painting, and test fit and then installed piece by piece after the painting, transfers and glazing was done. There are five or six passengers in each carriage. I used cheap Chinese copies of the Preiser seated figures, they came painted in the most hideous colours – very un 1950s like!

 

 

The commode handles provided in the kit were etched a different size (shorter top to bottom) than the holes etched in the carriage sides – this is consistent with the other half dozen or so Roxey LSWR carriages I’ve built. They need to be stretched slightly to fit, which is okay but then they lose some of the curved elegance of the original. Also the curved handles for the guards doors are too small, so I bent up some softish .45mm brass wire, not exactly the right shape but close enough for me.

 

When cut from the fret, the handles have a short tab/leg that I think is supposed to be bent through 90 degrees and then this tab/leg is secured through the hole in the carriage side, but then this puts the handle too far to the right of the door.  So I drilled out the top and bottom of each door handle with a .5mm bit and soldered in a length of .45mm brass wire to act as the pillar or leg. The photo below might explain better than my words! The door opening handles are beautifully fine etches.

 

 

They’re finished in BR crimson as Set 122, one of the last to be withdrawn in late 1957.  I have no real reason to model these carriages; my one day layout will be based on the Somerset and Dorset Joint Railway at Midsomer Norton, and I have no evidence of these non-corridor vehicles ever running on the line, certainly not during the period that interests me.  If I’m honest, the blame lies with @Tony Teague who has an exquisite Cross Country set in Southern green (see page 39 of his layout thread); once I’d seen his, I decided I wanted a set of my own!

 

Kind regards,

 

Iain

[dibateg]

Beautiful coaches Iain...

 

I did get the concrete signals installed, they are a bit droopy as I've not connected the servoes yet. I've not seen many modelled in 7mm scale, but they do add that 'LNER' heritage atmosphere.

[Tony Wright]

9 minutes ago, dibateg said:

Beautiful coaches Iain...

 

I did get the concrete signals installed, they are a bit droopy as I've not connected the servoes yet. I've not seen many modelled in 7mm scale, but they do add that 'LNER' heritage atmosphere.

What terrific atmosphere!

 

Regards,

 

Tony. 

[Tony Wright]

Every now and then, in trying to find other images, by chance I come across several pictures I've forgotten about.

 

Of possible interest, here are a few...........

 

The following are all 7mm Scale, and in most cases I cannot remember where I took them, who made them and to whom they belong.

 

Firstly, the ones I haven't a clue about, though all are outstanding models.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Can anyone help, please?

 

Those I know the origins of..........

 

 

A DJH B17.

 

 

A Beeson large-boilered Ivatt Atlantic.

 

 

James Harewood's Scale 7 Midland 4-4-0.

 

 

 

And Tony Geary's pair of BR Sulzer Type 2s. 

 

 

Edited November 26, 2023 by Tony Wright
clumsy grammar

[Tony Wright]

Further to my previous post, in a random folder labelled 'miscellaneous', I came across these pictures.....

 

 

Tom Wright's Kitmaster/Crownline/Alexander 9F on Charwelton.

 

 

Also on Charwelton, but how or why? 

 

I really should be better-organised!

 

 

A scene on Manchester's Dewsbury Midland.

 

 

And on Dunwich. 

 

I'll see what else I can find.............

 

 

Edited November 26, 2023 by Tony Wright
to add something

[Richard_A]

I should imagine that the kestrel diesel, is a silver fox models body kit on lima class 47 bogies/motor. 

[Tony Wright]

5 minutes ago, rka said:

I should imagine that the kestrel diesel, is a silver fox models body kit on lima class 47 bogies/motor. 

Thanks, I remember now.

 

It belonged to elder son, Tom; who detailed it and weathered it.

 

Regards,

 

Tony. 

 

 

[Tony Wright]

Thanks again to all who've bought the kits (loads have already sold).

 

A couple more reminders, if I may? Please, please may I have your full name and, more important, your address? It's more than probable that I've sent stuff before, but I know so many folk who have the same Christian names.  

 

Mo and I are sorting out all the orders and packaging them up ready for delivery tomorrow or Tuesday, and we'd like to get the sales so far despatched (by guaranteed/insured delivery).

 

Many thanks to those who've already paid (in some cases, more than was asked).

 

Finally, I think I've managed to follow the chronology - PMs/phone calls/emails/personal requests/etc, but if anyone is interested in an item, but procrastinates, my apologies for any disappointment.

 

Thanks again. 

[Tom F]

Yesterday, Ben and I travelled down to see Tony and Mo (Ben kindly drove the 150 miles after staying at mine on Friday night). What a wonderful day we had, which I think the smiles show clear evidence of. Great to catch up with Geoff too!

 

 

 

I made the comment to Tony yesterday, that this year forms a decade of my visits to Little Bytham, and seeing this wonderful layout expand and grow over the past 10 years. Th hospitality and generosity from the Wrights is unmatched! It is fair to say you been possibly one of the biggest influences on my modelling and photography over that time. Thank you my friend.

Speaking of my modelling, when we returned home, Ben helped by adding the black lining material around my layout, before an operating session until midnight.

 

We look forward to seeing you again soon!

Edited November 26, 2023 by Tom F

[MJI]

What a right mix of paints  not sure where maroon and gwr150 are.

 

[MJI]

Found maroon, and dmu green.

 

[Tony Teague]

12 hours ago, Iain.d said:

 

They’re finished in BR crimson as Set 122, one of the last to be withdrawn in late 1957.  I have no real reason to model these carriages; my one day layout will be based on the Somerset and Dorset Joint Railway at Midsomer Norton, and I have no evidence of these non-corridor vehicles ever running on the line, certainly not during the period that interests me.  If I’m honest, the blame lies with @Tony Teague who has an exquisite Cross Country set in Southern green (see page 39 of his layout thread); once I’d seen his, I decided I wanted a set of my own!

 

 

Given how magnificent these coaches look, I have no difficulty whatever in taking the blame!

Thanks for showing us the result.

Tony

[Richard_A]

Can I ask the great and the good on here a few questions, please? 

 

After much deliberating I have settled on a layout based on the Swansea end of the central Wales line should I ever find the time to build one. 

 

I have been picking up various kits both unbuilt and built but needing work, the first loco I want to sort out is a k's lnwr coal tank. 

 

It has an old white metal chassis with what I assume are k's wheels and motor, because I am thinking about building to em gauge, my thoughts are to replace the whole chassis for a London Road models chassis with markits wheels and new motor and gearbox. 

 

Has anyone used this body and chassis combination?

 

If so what problems should I look out for? 

 

Also, looking in the markits catalogue I cannot understand what diameter the axles are, 3mm or 1/8". Do they make both, is one size best to buy because the market is set up for it? 

 

Very confusing. 

Edited November 26, 2023 by rka
Additional question.

[MJI]

Sprayed some hoppers

Will be a blue weekend next week.

 

And an early bauxite

[MJI]

I use this.

 

[Tony Wright]

7 hours ago, Tom F said:

Yesterday, Ben and I travelled down to see Tony and Mo (Ben kindly drove the 150 miles after staying at mine on Friday night). What a wonderful day we had, which I think the smiles show clear evidence of. Great to catch up with Geoff too!

 

 

 

I made the comment to Tony yesterday, that this year forms a decade of my visits to Little Bytham, and seeing this wonderful layout expand and grow over the past 10 years. Th hospitality and generosity from the Wrights is unmatched! It is fair to say you been possibly one of the biggest influences on my modelling and photography over that time. Thank you my friend.

Speaking of my modelling, when we returned home, Ben helped by adding the black lining material around my layout, before an operating session until midnight.

 

We look forward to seeing you again soon!

Thanks Tom,

 

Great pictures of a great day! The facial expressions say it all - even mine! 

 

Without so many good friends visiting, Little Bytham would not be what it is today.

 

Your own layout is looking really good.

 

Regards,

 

Tony. 

Edited November 26, 2023 by Tony Wright
blooper

[2750Papyrus]

Oops!

 

"You're own layout"? 

[Jol Wilkinson]

2 hours ago, rka said:

Can I ask the great and the good on here a few questions, please? 

 

After much deliberating I have settled on a layout based on the Swansea end of the central Wales line should I ever find the time to build one. 

 

I have been picking up various kits both unbuilt and built but needing work, the first loco I want to sort out is a k's lnwr coal tank. 

 

It has an old white metal chassis with what I assume are k's wheels and motor, because I am thinking about building to em gauge, my thoughts are to replace the whole chassis for a London Road models chassis with markits wheels and new motor and gearbox. 

 

Has anyone used this body and chassis combination?

 

If so what problems should I look out for? 

The LRM chassis was designed for a kit with an etched running plate, so while providing a more modern etched chassis, one issue you may have is that the loco body will sit a bit too high, owing to a thicker white metal running plate. The same probably applies to any white metal kit used with a chassis from etched an etched kit. You may also have to remove a bit of metal from the running plate and front splasher to get clearance for EM wheels

 

This shows a LRM Coal Tank chassis, in this case built with Sharman P4 wheels and a Mashima 1224 motor mounted between the frames with a LRM 38:1 motor mount and gears. A Mashima 1024 would be better, which you might be able to get from Branchlines.

 

[Chuffer Davies]

1 hour ago, Jol Wilkinson said:

The LRM chassis was designed for a kit with an etched running plate, so while providing a more modern etched chassis, one issue you may have is that the loco body will sit a bit too high, owing to a thicker white metal running plate. The same probably applies to any white metal kit used with a chassis from etched an etched kit. You may also have to remove a bit of metal from the running plate and front splasher to get clearance for EM wheels

 

This shows a LRM Coal Tank chassis, in this case built with Sharman P4 wheels and a Mashima 1224 motor mounted between the frames with a LRM 38:1 motor mount and gears. A Mashima 1024 would be better, which you might be able to get from Branchlines.

 

Hi Jol,

do you know what controls the height of the frame spacers?  Taking material off the top of the frames wouldn’t be particularly difficult unless that then destroys any positioning  slots for the spacers.

Frank

[Richard_A]

1 hour ago, Jol Wilkinson said:

The LRM chassis was designed for a kit with an etched running plate, so while providing a more modern etched chassis, one issue you may have is that the loco body will sit a bit too high, owing to a thicker white metal running plate. The same probably applies to any white metal kit used with a chassis from etched an etched kit. You may also have to remove a bit of metal from the running plate and front splasher to get clearance for EM wheels

 

This shows a LRM Coal Tank chassis, in this case built with Sharman P4 wheels and a Mashima 1224 motor mounted between the frames with a LRM 38:1 motor mount and gears. A Mashima 1024 would be better, which you might be able to get from Branchlines.

 

Thank you, I suppose I could file an amount from the underside of the running plate. 

[Barry Ten]

4 hours ago, rka said:

Can I ask the great and the good on here a few questions, please? 

 

After much deliberating I have settled on a layout based on the Swansea end of the central Wales line should I ever find the time to build one. 

 

You may already be aware of it, but there's a rather nice layout plan for Swansea Victoria in one of Iain Rice's books.

 

[Richard_A]

Just now, Barry Ten said:

 

You may already be aware of it, but there's a rather nice layout plan for Swansea Victoria in one of Iain Rice's books.

 

 

1 minute ago, Barry Ten said:

 

You may already be aware of it, but there's a rather nice layout plan for Swansea Victoria in one of Iain Rice's books.

 

Thank you, I have ordered one this weekend as it happens.