81A Oldoak Posted December 9, 2015 Author Share Posted December 9, 2015 The cab side numberplate looks a bit suspect, Chris. This is a side-on crop of the original plate including the 'GWR' prefix which disappeared when it was renumbered to 1141. 929 SHT copy.JPG The numberplates supplied with the model are correct. 968, 939 and 1098 all carry the GWR designation in the etch, but I have not rubbed the paint off sufficiently for it to show clearly. The BR renumbered plates 1141,1143 and 1145 do not carry the GWR lettering per the prototype. . Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
chaz Posted December 10, 2015 Share Posted December 10, 2015 The numberplates supplied with the model are correct. 968, 939 and 1098 all carry the GWR designation in the etch, but I have not rubbed the paint off sufficiently for it to show clearly. The BR renumbered plates 1141,1143 and 1145 do not carry the GWR lettering per the prototype. . Thorough or what?!? Such attention to detail should be rewarded with a sell-out... 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kev_Lewis Posted December 10, 2015 Share Posted December 10, 2015 ...Such attention to detail should be rewarded with a sell-out... Better get your order in quick then Chaz. I'm sure the GWR green version will sell out particularly quickly Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
chaz Posted December 10, 2015 Share Posted December 10, 2015 I'm sure the GWR green version will sell out particularly quickly There is no accounting for taste (ducks behind sofa holding breath) Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
81A Oldoak Posted December 11, 2015 Author Share Posted December 11, 2015 My internet is down so I'm having to log in whenever I'm in a hot spot. Normal service will hopefully be restored next Tuesday when the new kit arrives. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
81A Oldoak Posted December 12, 2015 Author Share Posted December 12, 2015 I have been filling the gap behind Cwm Bach signal box over the past fortnight. The retaining wall is made from the resin castings I described some time ago. Thereafter, the technique for building the bank is simplle with a supporting framework made from scrap cardboard and the shell made from el cheapo kitchen roll paper and pva glue from Poundland; yes I know I could have got them for 99p from the 99p Shop, but Poundland is on the way from AC Models to my bank. The static grass was applied with a Noch Grassmaster and more vegwtation detail is needed. I had thought about some discarded household waste on the bank, but I don't think it was huge problem in the 1950s and I can't see the congregation of the local chapel indulging in such wicked activity. I really must finish the backscene. 13 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
chaz Posted December 12, 2015 Share Posted December 12, 2015 Very nice, sir. That does look a pretty ferocious gradient behind the cabin, I hope the brakes get pinned down before the descent - I can just imagine that poor little Hudswell Clarke sliding right through the stop block out of control with a rake of loaded coal wagons which it is vainly trying to keep under control, wheels locked, sparks flying. Chaz 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
81A Oldoak Posted December 12, 2015 Author Share Posted December 12, 2015 Very nice, sir. That does look a pretty ferocious gradient behind the cabin, I hope the brakes get pinned down before the descent - I can just imagine that poor little Hudswell Clarke sliding right through the stop block out of control with a rake of loaded coal wagons which it is vainly trying to keep under control, wheels locked, sparks flying. Chaz Your not wrong Chaz. The gradient is about 1 in 22.5, which is pushing it. However, the short branch from Abertillery in the Western Valleys up to Cwmtillery Colliery had a ruling gradient of 1 in 24 or 1 in 28 depending on source. The line from Rhymney to Rhymney Bridge, which carried passengers, was 1 in 35 and the branch from Cymmer to Abergwynfi, the inspiration for Cwm Bach, had rulling gradient of 1 in 32. Among the attractions of modelling the South Wales Valleys are the steep gradients, sharp curves and lines on narrow ledges cut into the sides of the valleys. Add in the adbundance of industrial lines and general absence of long tender engines and it is a very attractive prospect for the space-starved 0 gauger. Chris 5 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium 2ManySpams Posted December 13, 2015 RMweb Premium Share Posted December 13, 2015 Your not wrong Chaz. The gradient is about 1 in 22.5, which is pushing it. However, the short branch from Abertillery in the Western Valleys up to Cwmtillery Colliery had a ruling gradient of 1 in 24 or 1 in 28 depending on source. The line from Rhymney to Rhymney Bridge, which carried passengers, was 1 in 35 and the branch from Cymmer to Abergwynfi, the inspiration for Cwm Bach, had rulling gradient of 1 in 32. Among the attractions of modelling the South Wales Valleys are the steep gradients, sharp curves and lines on narrow ledges cut into the sides of the valleys. Add in the adbundance of industrial lines and general absence of long tender engines and it is a very attractive prospect for the space-starved 0 gauger. Chris With that excellent sales pitch you'll have even Chaz joining the dark side... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Giles Posted December 13, 2015 Share Posted December 13, 2015 (edited) I'm interested in the Abertillery /Cwmtillery branch - my father was Vicar of Cwmtillery - we moved there in 1976, but the branch had gone by then. Cwmtillery colliery was still working, but the coal was being brought up at Rose Heyworth Pit, with spoil being brought up at Cwmtillery (finishing in '76). After the drought that year, the heavy rain brought the tip opposite our house, which peaked higher than the mountain, down into the valley, where it filled the lake. They then spent the next year or so dredging the lake back out, putting drainage in the tip, and planting to try and stabilise it. Cwmtillery Colliery in 1977, taken from the Vicarage, with a telephoto! Edited December 13, 2015 by Giles 10 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
CME and Bottlewasher Posted December 13, 2015 Share Posted December 13, 2015 My internet is down so I'm having to log in whenever I'm in a hot spot. Normal service will hopefully be restored next Tuesday when the new kit arrives. Nice work Chris. BTW I sent you a PM, not sure if it was lost in the ether though. ATVB CME Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
81A Oldoak Posted December 13, 2015 Author Share Posted December 13, 2015 I'm interested in the Abertillery /Cwmtillery branch - my father was Vicar of Cwmtillery - we moved there in 1976, but the branch had gone by then. Cwmtillery colliery was still working, but the coal was being brought up at Rose Heyworth Pit, with spoil being brought up at Cwmtillery (finishing in '76). After the drought that year, the heavy rain brought the tip opposite our house, which peaked higher than the mountain, down into the valley, where it filled the lake. They then spent the next year or so dredging the lake back out, putting drainage in the tip, and planting to try and stabilise it. Cwmtillery Colliery in 1977, taken from the Vicarage, with a telephoto! Giles, Your father was a vicar. You lived in the South Wales Valleys overlooking a colliery. Your very keen on railways. Now that's what I call a true believer. Chris 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
chaz Posted December 13, 2015 Share Posted December 13, 2015 With that excellent sales pitch you'll have even Chaz joining the dark side... Not a chance. Although, if I did it would have to be pre-grouping so I could avoid the Go When Ready. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Simond Posted December 13, 2015 Share Posted December 13, 2015 Keep working on him, he's weakening... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Giles Posted December 14, 2015 Share Posted December 14, 2015 We also laid a 10 1/4" railway in the Vicarage garden, rail and sleepers courtesy of the pit...... (We borrowed their Jim-crow as well...) 12 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Simond Posted December 14, 2015 Share Posted December 14, 2015 Wow... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
HeatherKay Posted December 14, 2015 Share Posted December 14, 2015 It lives! 6 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
81A Oldoak Posted December 14, 2015 Author Share Posted December 14, 2015 It lives! image.jpeg t's beginning to look a lot like Christmas. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
81A Oldoak Posted December 14, 2015 Author Share Posted December 14, 2015 We also laid a 10 1/4" railway in the Vicarage garden, rail and sleepers courtesy of the pit...... (We borrowed their Jim-crow as well...) Giles, Fantastically realistic track, scenic work and weathering. Chris Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold The Stationmaster Posted December 14, 2015 RMweb Gold Share Posted December 14, 2015 Very nice, sir. That does look a pretty ferocious gradient behind the cabin, I hope the brakes get pinned down before the descent - I can just imagine that poor little Hudswell Clarke sliding right through the stop block out of control with a rake of loaded coal wagons which it is vainly trying to keep under control, wheels locked, sparks flying. Chaz All very prototypical - the big bet of course is whether pinned down wagon brakes are likely to stop it or not but as it's only a short grade with short trains all should be well on a dry day Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
81A Oldoak Posted December 14, 2015 Author Share Posted December 14, 2015 Peckett 1143 with her smaller Swansea shedmate Hawthorn Leslie 1144 visiting Cwm Bach. The former is the Minerva model, the latter an Agenoria kit. 16 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
HeatherKay Posted December 16, 2015 Share Posted December 16, 2015 Another quick sit rep on 4250. Having almost finished the frames, but reached the milestone of getting the beast running through collecting current from all wheels, I felt I needed something more interesting to do. Making and fitting the roof seemed like an idea. There's nothing clever here, just careful use of my RSU. The cab side sheets were also taken off. It'll be easier to paint the loco and fit the correct larger sheets at a later stage. I also tidied some of the beading, helping it nestle down in place better, as well as rivet strips that go at each end of the buffer planks where they join the hanging bar. The roof will be detachable in the end, because no-one wants to be fishing about inside the cab if a crew member decides to have an impromptu lie down! At around this point one of my desk lamps blew a bulb, and as lumens dropped markedly, I called a halt for the day. 4 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
81A Oldoak Posted December 16, 2015 Author Share Posted December 16, 2015 Another quick sit rep on 4250. Having almost finished the frames, but reached the milestone of getting the beast running through collecting current from all wheels, I felt I needed something more interesting to do. image.jpeg Making and fitting the roof seemed like an idea. There's nothing clever here, just careful use of my RSU. The cab side sheets were also taken off. It'll be easier to paint the loco and fit the correct larger sheets at a later stage. I also tidied some of the beading, helping it nestle down in place better, as well as rivet strips that go at each end of the buffer planks where they join the hanging bar. The roof will be detachable in the end, because no-one wants to be fishing about inside the cab if a crew member decides to have an impromptu lie down! At around this point one of my desk lamps blew a bulb, and as lumens dropped markedly, I called a halt for the day. The upper half of the rear of the bunker is fabricated from brass castings and it took a lot of heat and imprecations to persuade them to stay in their intended positions. Meanwhile, this is more exciting than watching the trailer for the new Star Wars film, which by the way, I was supposed to be watching at midnight tonight until I gave up my ticket so that my youngest daughter home from university can attend with her brother and the memsahib. Ah well, I suppose it will let me get on with writing Christmas cards for Ixion's retailers. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
81A Oldoak Posted December 18, 2015 Author Share Posted December 18, 2015 I have been looking over Cwm Bach and progress is quite advanced. The major tasks to be completed are the fabrication and installation of a backscene along the length of the layout and filling the area that will be a river at the front of the layout. The former task has been delayed by my seeming inability to manipulate the software needed to backdate some photos of terraced houses that I shot near Crumlin last year. Thereafter, there are lots of detail tasks the most important of which is probably the installation of point rodding. Ground signals also need to be installed and the goods yard needs to be detailed. Cwm Bach also needs to be populated with of course, some sheeps and a few peeps. Meanwhile, I rediscovered this atmospheric photograph by John Wiltshire and may use it as inspiration for dumping some of the detritus of the mining industry along the newly installed bank behind the signal box. I must also get around to installing some sound and detailing a Minerva Peckett. And there is also the Rhymney R 0-6-2T to finish and design work for the next Minerva project. https://www.flickr.com/photos/taffytank/5205264804/in/set-72157624820751216/ 3 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Simond Posted December 18, 2015 Share Posted December 18, 2015 Chris Thanks for the link to some exquisite & evocative photos! Cheers Simon Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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