Jamie Posted October 27, 2017 Share Posted October 27, 2017 Great video Arpster, and an inspired choice of soundtrack which just enhances the atmosphere. I look forward to crossing paths with Blackgill again sometime. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Arpster Posted October 28, 2017 Author Share Posted October 28, 2017 You can't have County Durham without a brass band! Glad the video worked, and the music drowns out the din of us all shouting instructions to each other behind the scenes. Blackgill's final exhibition outing will be at Railex North East at North Shields next year, so come and catch it there for the last time! Arp Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ianblenk Posted October 29, 2017 Share Posted October 29, 2017 You can't have County Durham without a brass band! Glad the video worked, and the music drowns out the din of us all shouting instructions to each other behind the scenes. Blackgill's final exhibition outing will be at Railex North East at North Shields next year, so come and catch it there for the last time! Arp Final? Oh no! Always enjoy seeing this masterpiece. Ian B Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium DLT Posted October 29, 2017 RMweb Premium Share Posted October 29, 2017 Final? Oh no! Always enjoy seeing this masterpiece. Ian B I've never actually seen it! Mind you, being based at the opposite end of the country doesn't help... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RBAGE Posted October 29, 2017 Share Posted October 29, 2017 I've seen it several times at a number of venues and it was last weekend that I finally saw a 9F hauled ore train. Worth waiting for though. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johndon Posted October 29, 2017 Share Posted October 29, 2017 I've seen it a number of times and even helped operate a fiddle yard for a couple of hours and I've only seen it once as well John Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Arpster Posted October 30, 2017 Author Share Posted October 30, 2017 They're rare beasts, those 9F-hauled ore trains. Although more frequent now that there are two rakes in the schedule. Blackgill essentially operates on a 'one in, one out' system, where there are matching moves on either end of the layout. This is because there are so many trains to be run and space is limited in Blackgill's home in the loft meaning fiddle-yard tracks are at a premium. There are six iron ore train movements in each run through the schedule (out of 20 movements in total) but sometimes that schedule can take two hours to get through, depending on how well the layout behaves and how brave the operators are with shunting moves! I'll post a list of all the trains on here if anyone is interested?Blackgill is getting pretty old, as are its owner and operators, and getting it in and out of the loft is quite an undertaking. Add to that the fact that the journey in the back of the van (even padded with sponge!) always shakes loose a signal or two, or knocks something out of alignment (it doesn't take much in P4!) and you can see why its time on the road is coming to an end. We've been to Scaleforum, Warley, Scalefour North, Model Rail Scotland, and most of the North East shows, so hopefully many people have had a chance to see it. If not, get planning a trip up this end of the country next summer!Arp Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DougN Posted October 30, 2017 Share Posted October 30, 2017 Arp, some of us are a little further away, and dare I say it is a disadvantage of being as far away as I am. Yes I would love to see it in the flesh so to speak but websites and published articles are a way that the layout can be seen all over the world. Ok I am a little biased in that I like the NER and LNER. I have enjoyed all you have put up on line and the MRJ article it is a credit to you and your dad. Please keep things coming as the layout ages and no doubt you and your dad enjoy running the layout at home and at exhibitions! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Mallard60022 Posted October 30, 2017 RMweb Premium Share Posted October 30, 2017 Final? Oh no! Always enjoy seeing this masterpiece. Ian B The North Shields area do is a very good show to go to anyway. They're rare beasts, those 9F-hauled ore trains. Although more frequent now that there are two rakes in the schedule. Blackgill essentially operates on a 'one in, one out' system, where there are matching moves on either end of the layout. This is because there are so many trains to be run and space is limited in Blackgill's home in the loft meaning fiddle-yard tracks are at a premium. There are six iron ore train movements in each run through the schedule (out of 20 movements in total) but sometimes that schedule can take two hours to get through, depending on how well the layout behaves and how brave the operators are with shunting moves! I'll post a list of all the trains on here if anyone is interested? Blackgill is getting pretty old, as are its owner and operators, and getting it in and out of the loft is quite an undertaking. Add to that the fact that the journey in the back of the van (even padded with sponge!) always shakes loose a signal or two, or knocks something out of alignment (it doesn't take much in P4!) and you can see why its time on the road is coming to an end. We've been to Scaleforum, Warley, Scalefour North, Model Rail Scotland, and most of the North East shows, so hopefully many people have had a chance to see it. If not, get planning a trip up this end of the country next summer! Arp I'd like to think that it will get a suitable retirement home on Tyneside....................pity there isn't a MR Club in Consett. I wonder if beamish would be a good place as they are a 'living' museum and it would get operated I'm sure. Good luck with sorting something Phil Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Arpster Posted October 30, 2017 Author Share Posted October 30, 2017 Sorry for the confusion: Blackgill isn't homeless - it's just being confined to its home in the future! It lives in my dad's loft most of the time, so will be residing there more permanently after next year.Arp Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johndon Posted October 30, 2017 Share Posted October 30, 2017 It lives in my dad's loft most of the time, so will be residing there more permanently after next year. Arp I really must take up your dad's invitation to see it 'at home'... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Arpster Posted October 30, 2017 Author Popular Post Share Posted October 30, 2017 A first batch of photos from Hartlepool show for those that are interested. More to follow when I get some time to upload them! A nice rake of wagons on the coal drops at Blackgill, most of these (if not all?!) built by Axlebox. NCB D54 moves a rake of empty coal hoppers back up the colliery branch for loading whilst the shed pilot moves some ash wagons ready for collection by the pick-up goods. Another view of the two tank engines together. A view across Blackgill station in between trains. The back of the signal box. T1 69917 waits beside the goods shed for its next banking duty on coal trains up the hill towards Consett. A view of Blackgill during Hartlepool exhibition showing the viewing side (I don't often get round here!). Hopefully this gives an idea of the size of the layout. There's a J71 up on the coal stage after dropping off some wagons.A rare aerial view of Blackgill. This shows the fiddle yard arrangement at this end of the layout, and why it has to be 'on in, one out' with the trains! The multimeter is out, so there must be another electrical problem...Another slightly blurry aerial view of the scenic section. A quiet moment in the shed as the fitters take a break in between keeping T1 69917 in service.63755 is disposed on shed after a day at work. Those two spotters are still waiting at the end of the platform.The shed fills up with engines at the end of the day.More next time!Arp 24 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Portchullin Tatty Posted October 30, 2017 Share Posted October 30, 2017 I did like the video Arpster; the brass band did rather make it along with the Clayton zooming about with the brake tender and brake van as if it was searching for an errant train it had mislaid! I doubt I will be at Hartlepool; so I am sorry not to get to see it one more time! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Mallard60022 Posted October 31, 2017 RMweb Premium Share Posted October 31, 2017 The Northern bus reminds me that when we used to go to Consett (from Central Station and then the Bus Station) we would always try to get the Yellow Bus (Newcastle Transport?) as they were more comfortable. I was about ten at the time. Wonderful photo's and thank you for them. Phil Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Arpster Posted October 31, 2017 Author Share Posted October 31, 2017 I did like the video Arpster; the brass band did rather make it along with the Clayton zooming about with the brake tender and brake van as if it was searching for an errant train it had mislaid! I doubt I will be at Hartlepool; so I am sorry not to get to see it one more time! The Clayton is a hand loco for testing things out, and a pretty reliable performer. I'll have to try to capture some more of Blackgill's diesel fleet next time I have the camera out. The last exhibition is the Railex North East 50th Anniversary show on the 28th and 29th of July next year, so you still have a chance, Mark! Phil: there was a chap at Hartlepool who used to catch the Northern number 5 from Consett to Sunderland, but then someone else who was complaining that it should have been a Venture bus... http://www.thebusgallery.co.uk/venture Arp Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Porcy Mane Posted October 31, 2017 Share Posted October 31, 2017 (edited) we would always try to get the Yellow Bus (Newcastle Transport?) as they were more comfortable. More than likely, "The Venture" from Marlborough Crescent bus station (which was next door to Central Station but more importantly directly opposite Newcastle model Railway club. Venture Transport Company (Newcastle) Limited Bus 186 Atkinson Alpha Willowbrook 1967jpg by John Huddlestone, on Flickr The Comfy seat versions: https://flic.kr/p/bYsBEC Via Consett International Airport. P Edited October 31, 2017 by Porcy Mane 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
davefrk Posted October 31, 2017 Share Posted October 31, 2017 More than likely, "The Venture" from Marlborough Crescent bus station (which was next door to Central Station but more importantly directly opposite Newcastle model Railway club. Venture Transport Company (Newcastle) Limited Bus 186 Atkinson Alpha Willowbrook 1967jpg by John Huddlestone, on Flickr https://flic.kr/p/bYsBEC P Oh No, not only lamp posts but a bus spotter too. Dave Franks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jwealleans Posted October 31, 2017 Share Posted October 31, 2017 ... and your point is? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Porcy Mane Posted October 31, 2017 Share Posted October 31, 2017 (edited) Oh No, not only lamp posts but a bus spotter too. Definitely not. Just an interest in the industrial, social and cultural fabric that was the twentieth century North East. The advantage being it helps my modelling to be slightly more accurate. Edited October 31, 2017 by Porcy Mane 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Arpster Posted October 31, 2017 Author Share Posted October 31, 2017 venture_1961-Timetable-6(19).jpg So the Venture 5 went from Consett to Newcastle, and the Northern General 5 went from Consett to Sunderland? Good job we've got all these bus spotters around to keep us right... Arp 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Mallard60022 Posted October 31, 2017 RMweb Premium Share Posted October 31, 2017 Oh how lovely. The No 5 via Number One. That's where we would have alighted. Happy days. Thank you Phil Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Porcy Mane Posted October 31, 2017 Share Posted October 31, 2017 ... and just for completeness, the Northern General No 5 approaching the eastern end of it's journey down near to one of Blackgills operators gaff. (HH Robinson having morphed into Lola over the past few decades. Surprisingly the first pic is one of the few views of central Sunderland that hasn't changed a great deal. FCN728 Northern General 1728 by Len Wright, on Flickr DCN920 Northern General 1620 by Len Wright, on Flickr P 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Enterprisingwestern Posted October 31, 2017 RMweb Gold Share Posted October 31, 2017 Oh No, not only lamp posts but a bus spotter too. Dave Franks Definitely not. Just an interest in the industrial, social and cultural fabric that was the twentieth century North East. The advantage being it helps my modelling to be slightly more accurate. , or, to put it another way, jack of all trades master of none! Mike. (Safely abroad). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Porcy Mane Posted October 31, 2017 Share Posted October 31, 2017 , or, to put it another way, jack of all trades master of none! Have you got that bathroom finished yet? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Axlebox Posted November 1, 2017 Share Posted November 1, 2017 Definitely not. Just an interest in the industrial, social and cultural fabric that was the twentieth century North East. The advantage being it helps my modelling to be slightly more accurate. ...you tell em Uncle Purse...BTW do you have a drawing of a standard Durham County Council bus shelter...I was thinking of a new garden shed and looking for something a bit different... 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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