Wright writes.....

[31A]

3 hours ago, St Enodoc said:

Gross lamps or no lamps?

 

Discuss...

 

I use the Springside LNER headlamps for locos; honestly I don't find them too gross (as Tony has mentioned).  I drill them out and they are removable from the locos.  As my layout is a terminus, and locos sometimes work out with a different class of train to the one they brought in, I change the lamps from end to end on arrival, which means they have to be drilled out so that they can be slipped over the lamp irons.

 

I find it difficult enough to drill out the Springside ones, let alone trying to do so with even smaller ones, although I must admit the LMS and Modelu ones do look very good!  I try and make the holes in the lamps big enough to slip over the 'old type' Bachmann lamp irons (stamped out brass?), although I'm not sure I've got any locos in use now which have those.

 

I also have tail lamps on the ends of passenger trains, which I also drill out so that they can be changed on arrival from end to end of the set; I use the Springside BR tail lamps for these.

 

[landscapes]

1 hour ago, 31A said:

 

I use the Springside LNER headlamps for locos; honestly I don't find them too gross (as Tony has mentioned).  I drill them out and they are removable from the locos.  As my layout is a terminus, and locos sometimes work out with a different class of train to the one they brought in, I change the lamps from end to end on arrival, which means they have to be drilled out so that they can be slipped over the lamp irons.

 

I find it difficult enough to drill out the Springside ones, let alone trying to do so with even smaller ones, although I must admit the LMS and Modelu ones do look very good!  I try and make the holes in the lamps big enough to slip over the 'old type' Bachmann lamp irons (stamped out brass?), although I'm not sure I've got any locos in use now which have those.

 

I also have tail lamps on the ends of passenger trains, which I also drill out so that they can be changed on arrival from end to end of the set; I use the Springside BR tail lamps for these.

 

Hi

 

I always use LMS lamps, far more accurate in size than the old Springside ones.

 

I always drill a 0.8mm hole in the lamp base, that’s after drilling my fingers or spending 15 minutes looking for them on the floor.

 

with regards to Bachmann locomotives the lamp irons are just too big on the A2’s for drilling a hole so I glue them on, or replace the lamp irons  with a cut down steel staple, that does the job.

 

Regards

 

David

[St Enodoc]

I also use Springside lamps. Where possible, they're glued in place but I'm gradually working through a programme to glue micromagnets into recesses drilled in the lamps, allowing them to be moved between steel staple lamp brackets.

 

Here's one such:

 

 

 

 

 

[30368]

14 hours ago, Tony Wright said:

The W1 always eluded me.

 

Good morning Tony,

 

A really enjoyable series of images which included the W1. I saw most of the "Streaks" but not all given that I was fairly remote living in Surrey and Hampshire in the 1950s and 1960s and so had no real chance of seeing the splendid W1. If any CM&EE was going to exceed the informal "Pacific limit" it would have been Gresley and the rebuilt W1 could well have been the prototype for a series of 4-6-4 locomotives or extended to a 4-8-2. I guess we can all speculate...

 

Kind regards,

 

Richard B

[31A]

1 minute ago, landscapes said:

or replace the lamp irons  with a cut down steel staple, that does the job.

 

I often have to replace the lamp irons on tenders and often use a cut down staple; sometimes on smokeboxes as well.

 

This is the kind of 'big' Bachmann lamp iron I was thinking of; I think this J39 is the only loco I've got that still has them.  As you can see, I have managed to hollow out a Springside lamp to drop over them, but don't think I could have done it with anything smaller.  Quite agree, the lamp does look too big really when you think about it!

 

Really need to replace the smokebox door one on this loco, although I don't foresee it ever having to carry a lamp in that position.

 

[Sandhole]

15 minutes ago, 30368 said:

 

Good morning Tony,

 

A really enjoyable series of images which included the W1. I saw most of the "Streaks" but not all given that I was fairly remote living in Surrey and Hampshire in the 1950s and 1960s and so had no real chance of seeing the splendid W1. If any CM&EE was going to exceed the informal "Pacific limit" it would have been Gresley and the rebuilt W1 could well have been the prototype for a series of 4-6-4 locomotives or extended to a 4-8-2. I guess we can all speculate...

 

Kind regards,

 

Richard B

Richard, I agree with you about a class of W1 4-6-4s.
Gresley had, of course tried 2-8-2s with the P2s. I'd be interested to see what would have hppened, had they not been 'rebuilt' by Edward.
The other 'Hudsons' would have been Stanier's. Now those would have been a brutal piece of kit and I think would have required mechanical stoking to achieve their full potential.
I'm sorry, Tony, I'll stop spamming this thread with 'might have beens!'
Chris.

[30368]

45 minutes ago, Sandhole said:

I'm sorry, Tony, I'll stop spamming this thread with 'might have beens!'

 

In which case I apologise too!

 

Kind regards,

 

Richard B

 

[ecgtheow]

17 hours ago, Tony Wright said:

Memories indeed Clem!

 

60116 was the first A1 I 'copped' as well, but about three years before you - at Riccall. 

 

The W1 always eluded me. I either arrived at Retford after it had gone south or left before it came back. 

 

A time machine? Oh yes, I'd be joining you. However, in the absence of such a marvellous device, we can try and 'recreate' that wonderful time in model form...........

 

 

I built 60116 from a DJH kit, originally to run on Stoke Summit. On a variety of trains.........

 

 

Probably unlikely on 'The Queen of Scots', but I liked the idea. Ian Rathbone painted her.

 

One thing which spoils this shot (other than the tight curve) is the size of those gross Springside lamps. 

 

By the time she was running on LB, fortunately those lamps had gone.....

 

 

To be replaced by Lanarkshire Model Supplies' examples. 

 

 

 

Obviously popular on 'The Northumbrian'.......

 

 

But on other expresses as well.

 

 

A cruel close-up!

 

Despite having never seen it, the W1 was a 'must' in model form as well.........

 

 

 

 

Which also saw service on Stoke Summit. I built it from a South Eastern Finecast kit, and Ian also painted it. 

 

She now sees service on Little Bytham................

 

 

 

 

Built a quarter of a century ago, it might well be superseded today by the latest Hornby RTR offering............

 

 

Very nice, but those rear pony wheels aren't carrying much weight

 

A second SEF W1 has also appeared on LB; built/painted/weathered by John Houlden. 

 

Regards,

 

Tony. 

 

 

 

Many thanks to all who have kindly suggested ways to remove loco numbers on RTR models. I will start with a new curved scalpel blade & see how that goes before continuing with a fibreglass brush &/or T-Cut if necessary. As the loco I am going to start on is black it won't be too much of a problem if I mess it up.

 

William

 

[mattingleycustom]

19 hours ago, Tony Wright said:

What thing I might advise is the replacement of all the numbers on a cabside.

 

Absolutely Tony, when I renumber anything I remove all the existing numbers using very fine wet 'n' dry paper (or white spirit if the printing really won't shift).

 

This is one of Hornby's R3115 'Exeter' models renamed as 34018 Axminster from my own collection:

Transfers are Fox (water slide) 9" cream BR Gill Sans; I think they are slightly under scale size but the 10" version looks too big to my eyes. I use individual numerals not the full numbers that are available as I would rather trust my own spacing between numerals.

Nameplates, plaques and class scrolls are etched brass also from Fox.

Wheel rims, axle ends and buffer heads are blackened to improve the appearance of this model of the smaller variety of Spam Can ... I note I haven't added the brake rods yet, something I must get around to!

 

Glenn

[Keith Turbutt]

On 13/05/2022 at 21:05, Tony Wright said:

A few more evaded me Clem,

 

Though I last saw 60129 (sadly nameless) at its then home shed of 50A, out of use and probably withdrawn. ST MUNGO was still in steam, but BOSWELL, PEREGRINE, SILURIAN and others were waiting to be towed off for scrap. 

 

Regards,

 

Tony. 

Hi Tony,

 

As you know St Mungo was the last A1. Already withdrawn, I saw it on 50A on 6th August 1966 when returning from a family holiday in Scotland. It was stabled in the shed around one of the turntables minus its chimney.

 

I attach my photo taken at the time. You will have to take my word for it that it's 60145 as smokebox number and nameplate have been removed and the cabside number is behind a pillar. I remember the difficulty I had getting all the loco in the shot.

 

There were still some other LNER steam locos on shed including a couple of V2s, some B1s and K1s as well as LMS types including a Jubilee but I had run out of film being the end of the holiday!

 

During the holiday I did get a run behind Blue Peter between Aberdeen and Coupar Angus on the Glasgow service. I also attach a photo of that trip taken at Forfar.

 

I hope you find this of interest.

 

Keith

 

 

Edited May 15, 2022 by Keith Turbutt
Added further photo

[Tony Wright]

7 hours ago, 30368 said:

 

In which case I apologise too!

 

Kind regards,

 

Richard B

 

Good evening Richard,

 

Neither you, nor Chris, need apologise for any of your contributions to Wright writes.

 

Best regards,

 

Tony. 

[Tony Wright]

1 hour ago, Keith Turbutt said:

Hi Tony,

 

As you know St Mungo was the last A1. Already withdrawn, I saw it on 50A on 6th August 1966 when returning from a family holiday in Scotland. It was stabled in the shed around one of the turntables minus its chimney.

 

I attach my photo taken at the time. You will have to take my word for it that it's 60145 as smokebox number and nameplate have been removed and the cabside number is behind a pillar. I remember the difficulty I had getting all the loco in the shot.

 

There were still some other LNER steam locos on shed including a couple of V2s, some B1s and K1s as well as LMS types including a Jubilee but I had run out of film being the end of the holiday!

 

During the holiday I did get a run behind Blue Peter between Aberdeen and Coupar Angus on the Glasgow service. I also attach a photo of that trip taken at Forfar.

 

I hope you find this of interest.

 

Keith

 

 

Of great interest Keith,

 

My last viewing of SAINT MUNGO was in October 1965, at York. She was inside the shed 'in light steam', but my picture of her was hopeless.

 

I did get some shots outside, of dead or withdrawn locos.

 

Including......

 

 

This V2 shot (seen before) at the head of a line of locos including a B1, a 9F (I think) and A1s. 

 

 

And a grim (how appropriate?) shot of another V2, minus chimney. The light was fading by now, but I think the A1 to the right could be GUY MANNERING (can anyone confirm this, please?). 

 

My brother and I had spent a few days with relations near Sheffield, and earlier we'd visited Retford........

 

 

Where I got this shot of a Deltic (D9014) heading non-stop northwards.

 

Interestingly, the leading car is a Thompson TK, still in express service, though possibly only as a strengthener.

 

Great days, but hard to believe it was getting on for 57 years ago!

 

Regards,

 

Tony. 

 

 

[Tony Wright]

I've not long returned from a most-enjoyable weekend at the Market Deeping Club's show in Stamford, where I did my usual loco-doctoring and demonstrating. May I please thank those with whom I spoke?

 

Mo and I made about £30.00 for CRUK, but an ancient Tri-ang OO Rocket defeated me. Can spares be still obtained for the likes of this? 

 

We also sold some more of Paul Bromige's locos.

 

It was a very-successful event, 'Phoenix-like' after the club's previous show, three years ago, was destroyed by the most evil act of vandalism. It was also a two-day event, which made it even more worthwhile, so thanks should be given to all the organisers.

 

May I also thank those who particularly expressed the view of how much they'd enjoyed my article on Little Bytham in the current Hornby mag? Mike Wild (Hornby's editor) was also at the show, and he told me that all the feedback had been very positive.  

Edited May 15, 2022 by Tony Wright
to add something

[Clem]

Memory evoking pictures of York and Retford from Keith and Tony. And here's my contribution. In keeping with the theme it's V2 60831 just after withdrawal at York on January 8th 1967. This V2 was very common on the GC and had been at Leicester GC earlier in it's service. It was very much an old favourite.

 

 

 

Elsewhere, I've made a bit more progress finishing off the signal box. As you can see, I've finally settled on a name for the layout. Although the topography is a little different to where the line passed the real Nuthall (which didn't have a station), I've used a bit of modeller's licence as if the line had been cut deeper into the sandstone to alleviate the gradients. There's still a couple of details to put on the box: the safety rails and the vertical drain pipes.

 

I had trouble with this model from the word go with the plasticard determined to warp and bend in all directions. As an attempt to remedy this, there are several internal bracing beams to force it to be more square. They do a good job and the model looks reasonable from a distance, but with a photo as unforgiving as this you can see the extent of the problems. At least for the moment, I'll live with it.

 

Clem

 

[MJI]

31 minutes ago, Clem said:

Memory evoking pictures of York and Retford from Keith and Tony. And here's my contribution. In keeping with the theme it's V2 60831 just after withdrawal at York on January 8th 1967. This V2 was very common on the GC and had been at Leicester GC earlier in it's service. It was very much an old favourite.

 

 

 

Elsewhere, I've made a bit more progress finishing off the signal box. As you can see, I've finally settled on a name for the layout. Although the topography is a little different to where the line passed the real Nuthall (which didn't have a station), I've used a bit of modeller's licence as if the line had been cut deeper into the sandstone to alleviate the gradients. There's still a couple of details to put on the box: the safety rails and the vertical drain pipes.

 

I had trouble with this model from the word go with the plasticard determined to warp and bend in all directions. As an attempt to remedy this, there are several internal bracing beams to force it to be more square. They do a good job and the model looks reasonable from a distance, but with a photo as unforgiving as this you can see the extent of the problems. At least for the moment, I'll live with it.

 

Clem

 

 

I really feel your pain on that as it was such a nice model. I do find Limonene is a lot less aggressive and warps a lot less than other polystyrene solvents.

[Barry Ten]

2 hours ago, Clem said:

Memory evoking pictures of York and Retford from Keith and Tony. And here's my contribution. In keeping with the theme it's V2 60831 just after withdrawal at York on January 8th 1967. This V2 was very common on the GC and had been at Leicester GC earlier in it's service. It was very much an old favourite.

 

 

 

Elsewhere, I've made a bit more progress finishing off the signal box. As you can see, I've finally settled on a name for the layout. Although the topography is a little different to where the line passed the real Nuthall (which didn't have a station), I've used a bit of modeller's licence as if the line had been cut deeper into the sandstone to alleviate the gradients. There's still a couple of details to put on the box: the safety rails and the vertical drain pipes.

 

I had trouble with this model from the word go with the plasticard determined to warp and bend in all directions. As an attempt to remedy this, there are several internal bracing beams to force it to be more square. They do a good job and the model looks reasonable from a distance, but with a photo as unforgiving as this you can see the extent of the problems. At least for the moment, I'll live with it.

 

Clem

 

 

It's got character, Clem, which to me is far more important than a few minor warps. 

 

Al

[Iain.d]

I recently started this Comet Coaches LMS D1966 TO+TO Articulated Set, over the weekend I did a couple of hours on fitting the side furniture (door bumps, hinges and window frames), prepared the ends and the bogies; I had a bit of a moment trying to work out why there was only three.... I also painted the faces and backs of the wheels, I’m not a fan of shiny wheels if it can be helped.

 

 

And then today I managed to construct the bogies and assemble and solder the bodies as boxes. It would usually make sense to build the chassis first and then the body but as Comet chassis’ sit slightly inside the body, I’ve found it’s easier to fettle the chassis to fit the body rather than the other way around. The chassis will be built next.

 

 

Everyone in the house is COVID +ve at the moment – except me – so I’ve been on carer’s leave today (hence some modelling time on a Monday). I’m 3 days RAT negative but suspect that run will end soon!

 

Kind regards,

 

Iain

[MikeTrice]

I spotted the following models ridiculously cheap in an antique shop in Lyme Regis recently and bought them. I had initially spotted they were fitted with Romford wheels but was surprised on picking them up how light they were. They were scratchbuilt in styrene with bought in components extremely limited:

 

 

 

 

 

 

They are unmotorized and appear to have no method of being stripped down. The chassis are styrene as are the coupling rods and valve gear  and there are no bearings so presumably not intended for heavy use. Even the handrails are plastic.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The craftmanship that has gone into them is astounding however time has not been good to them and they really could do with some repairs.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The only clue to the builder might be the writing on the bottom of one of the tenders:

 

Does anyone know who PMR might be?

 

I am loath to break them up to reclaim the Romford wheels but suspect repairs might not be practical so might have to sacrifice them to remove the wheels.

 

 

[Bernard Lamb]

Some time ago there were various posts in WW about LMS vans. In general the lack of them on many layouts.

I decided to rectify the situation as far  as my own stock was concerned. Reading up on the subject was interesting, if any thing confusing, as so many varieties exist even within one diagram number and many examples seem to have been highly modified in later life. I acquired a selection of kits and had in stock all manner of parts. My aim was to model the condition they would be in as around 1958.

 

A Cambrian kit for a Gloucester built D1828 is the earliest. The brake gear on these Cambrian kits is rather chunky and with hindsight I probable should have improved or replaced it.

The Dapol or Airfix model of actually a BR built 1/204. The only thing to say about the chassis is that it is better than the wheels. Replaced with an old Parkside PA16 kit that I had available.

 

 

 

Two Ratio vans one as a D1891 and the other as a D1897 with a Parkside clasp brake chassis kit. 

 

 

 

 

Two more Cambrian kits C102 as D1663 and C101 as D1832A.

 

I used various parts from the stock box including AVB cylinders from Ken Line, buffers and vac pipes from Four Most and goodness knows what other sources. I probably should have replaced all the buffers but some of the plastic versions don't seem to be too bad. Now for a clean up and moving them to the paint shop. An enjoyable exercise that has provided me with a great deal of interest over the last couple of months. 

Bernard

[MJI]

11 minutes ago, Bernard Lamb said:

Some time ago there were various posts in WW about LMS vans. In general the lack of them on many layouts.

I decided to rectify the situation as far  as my own stock was concerned. Reading up on the subject was interesting, if any thing confusing, as so many varieties exist even within one diagram number and many examples seem to have been highly modified in later life. I acquired a selection of kits and had in stock all manner of parts. My aim was to model the condition they would be in as around 1958.

 

A Cambrian kit for a Gloucester built D1828 is the earliest. The brake gear on these Cambrian kits is rather chunky and with hindsight I probable should have improved or replaced it.

The Dapol or Airfix model of actually a BR built 1/204. The only thing to say about the chassis is that it is better than the wheels. Replaced with an old Parkside PA16 kit that I had available.

 

 

 

Two Ratio vans one as a D1891 and the other as a D1897 with a Parkside clasp brake chassis kit. 

 

 

 

 

Two more Cambrian kits C102 as D1663 and C101 as D1832A.

 

I used various parts from the stock box including AVB cylinders from Ken Line, buffers and vac pipes from Four Most and goodness knows what other sources. I probably should have replaced all the buffers but some of the plastic versions don't seem to be too bad. Now for a clean up and moving them to the paint shop. An enjoyable exercise that has provided me with a great deal of interest over the last couple of months. 

Bernard

 

Nice job, I did similer with a Ratio to VB and diagonal truss and a better underframed Dapol, but pictures went in the crash.

[Hollar]

A couple of pics to show that the LT&SR Corringham 0-6-2T I bought from Tony is hard at work on my (scale) 150ft diorama set on the Dengie peninsula. 

 

The van is an Isinglass van with  a bit of extra work on the underframe (the printed steps were a little chunky).  It's colour is much cerise in real life.

 

Tony

 

[Dunsignalling]

1 hour ago, MikeTrice said:

I spotted the following models ridiculously cheap in an antique shop in Lyme Regis recently and bought them. I had initially spotted they were fitted with Romford wheels but was surprised on picking them up how light they were. They were scratchbuilt in styrene with bought in components extremely limited:

 

 

 

 

 

 

They are unmotorized and appear to have no method of being stripped down. The chassis are styrene as are the coupling rods and valve gear  and there are no bearings so presumably not intended for heavy use. Even the handrails are plastic.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The craftmanship that has gone into them is astounding however time has not been good to them and they really could do with some repairs.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The only clue to the builder might be the writing on the bottom of one of the tenders:

cr

 

Does anyone know who PMR might be?

 

I am loath to break them up to reclaim the Romford wheels but suspect repairs might not be practical so might have to sacrifice them to remove the wheels.

 

 

Glorious craftsmanship, it would be great pity to lose them. Just buy a (nother) display cabinet!!! 

 

Romfords unscrew anyway so you shouldn't need to destroy the locos to release them.

 

John

Edited May 16, 2022 by Dunsignalling

[t-b-g]

1 hour ago, Dunsignalling said:

Glorious craftsmanship, it would be great pity to lose them. Just buy a (nother) display cabinet!!! 

 

Romfords unscrew anyway so you shouldn't need to destroy the locos to release them.

 

John

 

I am not sure those rusted axles would be much good for using again anyway.

[Tony Wright]

9 hours ago, Clem said:

Memory evoking pictures of York and Retford from Keith and Tony. And here's my contribution. In keeping with the theme it's V2 60831 just after withdrawal at York on January 8th 1967. This V2 was very common on the GC and had been at Leicester GC earlier in it's service. It was very much an old favourite.

 

 

 

Elsewhere, I've made a bit more progress finishing off the signal box. As you can see, I've finally settled on a name for the layout. Although the topography is a little different to where the line passed the real Nuthall (which didn't have a station), I've used a bit of modeller's licence as if the line had been cut deeper into the sandstone to alleviate the gradients. There's still a couple of details to put on the box: the safety rails and the vertical drain pipes.

 

I had trouble with this model from the word go with the plasticard determined to warp and bend in all directions. As an attempt to remedy this, there are several internal bracing beams to force it to be more square. They do a good job and the model looks reasonable from a distance, but with a photo as unforgiving as this you can see the extent of the problems. At least for the moment, I'll live with it.

 

Clem

 

A lovely job Clem,

 

Warping?

 

 

Tuxford signal box on the GN main line shortly before being flattened in 1975. 

 

Brickwork sagging a bit, the door warping, the 'balcony' with a bit of a twist and the top out of plumb at the left-hand end.

 

I must find my picture of Shippey Hill 'box, taken in the last century. 

 

Regards,

 

Tony.

 

 

[Tony Wright]

5 hours ago, MikeTrice said:

I spotted the following models ridiculously cheap in an antique shop in Lyme Regis recently and bought them. I had initially spotted they were fitted with Romford wheels but was surprised on picking them up how light they were. They were scratchbuilt in styrene with bought in components extremely limited:

 

 

 

 

 

 

They are unmotorized and appear to have no method of being stripped down. The chassis are styrene as are the coupling rods and valve gear  and there are no bearings so presumably not intended for heavy use. Even the handrails are plastic.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The craftmanship that has gone into them is astounding however time has not been good to them and they really could do with some repairs.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The only clue to the builder might be the writing on the bottom of one of the tenders:

 

Does anyone know who PMR might be?

 

I am loath to break them up to reclaim the Romford wheels but suspect repairs might not be practical so might have to sacrifice them to remove the wheels.

 

 

Quite astonishing!

 

Regards,

 

Tony.