Traeth Mawr -Building Mr Price's house , (mostly)

[ChrisN]

5 hours ago, Mikkel said:

I think it also depends on the mortar on the rest of the building. Are you going to leave the main walls as they are, or will they have mortar too - and what shade? Sometimes it iworks better to maintain an overall cohesive impression than faithfully copying minor prototypical differences in shade.

 

 

Mikkel,

The main building is stone, and the mortar is pale grey and obvious, but the chimneys are brick and so the mortar is different.

[Mikkel]

Thanks Chris, a senior moment on my part 🙄

[Simond]

I tend to use ready-mix filler (something like Polyfilla, other variants are available) wiped over the brickwork with a sponge, and a couple of moments later, wiped off again with the same sponge soaked and wring out.  This technique can leave mortar lines filled, but also seems to give a dead matt finish to the bricks which I find helps enormously.

[ChrisN]

7 minutes ago, Simond said:

I tend to use ready-mix filler (something like Polyfilla, other variants are available) wiped over the brickwork with a sponge, and a couple of moments later, wiped off again with the same sponge soaked and wring out.  This technique can leave mortar lines filled, but also seems to give a dead matt finish to the bricks which I find helps enormously.

 

Simon,

That is interesting.  The stonework will need a really pale mortar, I was going to use the method of wiping diagonally with Revel Pale Grey, but I may give that a try.

 

[Simond]

Chris, 

 

do have a look on my Porth Dinllaen thread, the loco shed and the coal stage were so treated.  (And the brick-built “small office” :) )

 

They’re are both laser cut MDF, painted with rattle can red oxide primer, then wiped as described.  It can be a bit variable, but it largely washes off if it hasn’t dried, so you can play with it to some extent.  
 

Most recently I used Wickes ready mixed stuff, but there are lots of options.

 

good luck!

Simon

Edited September 29, 2023 by Simond

[ChrisN]

I have worked on my chimneys, fortunately I am not afraid of heights, but do not tell the wife as I am not allowed up ladders.  However, when I looked at the pictures of them I decided that you would see them better if they were in a darkened room in the middle of the night, so I shall take some more which hopefully will be more informative.

 

Is this a philosophical post?  I have realised that I do not do big projects, only small ones.  Fortunately, my big projects, in my mind are broken down into small ones.  There was at first, or near the beginning somewhen, the fitting of stonework to the quoins.

 

 

Then windows, doors, really looked forward to doing the doors.

 

 

Window pillars.

 

 

Recently the front columns, for the second time.  It was always something I looked forward to and felt was really important.  Well, all these are, as they define the building.  Fortunately, not many people have been to Traeth Mawr to take photos of the prototype so that no one knows where I have made mistakes, or not, as the case may be.  My problem is that having finished a small project, the big project, the station building, is not finished.  @Mikkel seems to do small projects, but what he ends up with seems to be a finished article, even though he may only have completed a small part.

 

So, as the big project grinds on, as I look for the next small project in it, which at the moment is gutters, there is always the possibility that another small project might catch my eye.  (I do not believe that you say. 🙂)  Well, I have updates about what is for sale on a certain auction web site  and suddenly these two ladies were waving at me.

 

 

It was the Sunday/Monday before we went away so I was a bit reluctant as I was not sure I would get them in time.  Still, they were a 'Buy it now, if not sooner', and they looked at me so pleadingly that I gave in and they arrived, I think by Wednesday.  Brilliant.

 

 

I had to have a strong word with them about the length of their skirts, and fortunately the clay I used for the columns is still useable, and I think will respond to the addition of water if it starts to go off too much.

 

 

They were given an undercoat and set to work.  You ay think that the skirts look a bit rough and to be honest, they are, but I was not too worried as these ladies are going to be servants, probably in houses in Station Road.  (Yes, I know, I know, I have not started building them yet.)

 

 

Paper aprons, thin card collars, cuffs and hats.

 

 

The apron had to be shaped like this, the curve on the top was most important as when it is put on it becomes straight.

 

 

I have realised that this was such a quick project I have not given them buns but I am not sure that matters, as their were lots of different hairstyles.  What is more noticeable is that I really should have taken an oval file to their waists, as they do not seem to have done their corsets up very tightly.

 

You are going to ask me their names.  Well, they have been very tight lipped about that, and I have not found them out yet.

 

If you have been, thanks for looking.

[MikeOxon]

I would have suggest Mavis and Doris but then realised they are Welsh ladies, so I have no idea.  I sometime buy odd figures, intending to use them later, but they seem to escape somewhere and I never find them when I want them!  I know Brunel is lurking somewhere ...

[ChrisN]

1 hour ago, MikeOxon said:

I would have suggest Mavis and Doris but then realised they are Welsh ladies, so I have no idea.  I sometime buy odd figures, intending to use them later, but they seem to escape somewhere and I never find them when I want them!  I know Brunel is lurking somewhere ...

 

Mike,

There was no one called Mavis or Doris in the 1901 census of Barmouth, despite the fact that there were quite a number of English ladies working as servants.

 

I too have Brunel lurking somewhere, but I also have lots of half painted figures, that really need to be done and put inside coaches.  Ah yes, coaches.  Umm, need to build some more.

[Sasquatch]

Gwenyth & Gráinne, isn't it  (edit)  boyoh! 🤣I know Gráinne's Irish but that's the sort of jobs they did while their men were working on the railroad. 

Edited October 5, 2023 by Sasquatch

[Mikkel]

Quite a transformation, from a dull mass-produced set to a couple of ladies with character and period feel. The head caps and cuffs are very effective and also add more relief to the figures.

 

10 hours ago, ChrisN said:

You may think that the skirts look a bit rough and to be honest, they are, but I was not too worried as these ladies are going to be servants

 

Sylvia Pankhurst - the socialist suffragette - wants a word 😄

 

10 hours ago, ChrisN said:

@Mikkel seems to do small projects

 

Those were the the days. My station building and rake of clerestories is taking ages. Has really brought home to me how rewarding small projects are, as you have just shown.

 

 

 

[Compound2632]

10 hours ago, ChrisN said:

What is more noticeable is that I really should have taken an oval file to their waists, as they do not seem to have done their corsets up very tightly.

 

There are and have been stout women at all time periods.

 

Going back to the pillars, I'm wondering if the ones at Aberdovey are replacements - the stone looks fresher that the plinths, which look well-weathered. 

 

Going even further back (sorry) to the question of the usage of third class saloons, the Midland had quite a number of these - 54 of the 6-wheeled variety built in the 1880s, supplemented by retired Pullman parlour cars in 1894 and in 1889/1901, 20 48 ft bogie clerestory vehicles. There is good evidence of these being used in multiple for excursion trains, for instance, there was an accident at Templecombe in August 1894, involving a return excursion from Bournemouth to Worcester, a 15 vehicle train including an ex-Pullman parlour card and seven third class saloons.

 

They also made excellent clubhouses, hence three of them survive and have been restored: two thirds, one at Butterley and one on the NNR, and most recently, a first, at the  Foxfield Railway. The only difference between the firsts and thirds was the upholstery; the Foxfield vehicle is yet to have its interior fully restored.

 

Here's a photo of one of the firsts in use on 1 May 1894 at the opening of the Higham Ferrers branch, according to the MRSC catalogue description: "Photograph taken in the saloon coach carrying the dignitaries of Higham Ferrers who were the guests of the railway.  The nearest figure is Dr John Crew.  The Mayor, Ald. W. Spong and other members of the Corporation are also in the picture."

 

 

[Embedded link to catalogue thumbnail MRSC 60788.]

 

It seems the longitudinal tables with which these saloons were equipped could be taken out if not required. 

[ChrisN]

10 hours ago, Sasquatch said:

Gwenyth & Gráinne, isn't it  (edit)  boyoh! 🤣I know Gráinne's Irish but that's the sort of jobs they did while their men were working on the railroad. 

 

Shaun,

Gráinne just happens to be the name of my wife's boss.  

 

In the 1901 census, there are a few people from Ireland, mostly young men working as labourers, but none has a typical Irish name.  The most interesting is Frances Jones, who is registered as married but does not have a husband living with her.  Her four children were all born in Ireland.  Husband probably working away because if he had died she would be down as a widow.  There must be an interesting story in there.

 

Believe it or not, and I am surprised, there are no Gwenyths.  28 Gwens, 4 Gwendolines, 3 Gwenfrons, but no Gwyneths.  This is why that census is so useful, as it means I will have a raft of names that reflect the area at the time.  (Ok, ok, it is a bit odd that I have more history, and stories and even half a map, than I do the actual model.)

 

 

[ChrisN]

3 hours ago, Mikkel said:

Quite a transformation, from a dull mass-produced set to a couple of ladies with character and period feel. The head caps and cuffs are very effective and also add more relief to the figures.

 

 

Sylvia Pankhurst - the socialist suffragette - wants a word 😄

 

 

Those were the the days. My station building and rake of clerestories is taking ages. Has really brought home to me how rewarding small projects are, as you have just shown.

 

 

 

 

Mikkel,

Thank you.  There will be a number of servants as the street grows.  I have some Langley ones, but the others will have to be modified Prieser ones, I think.

 

Fortunately, it is 1895 and the suffragettes are not very active in Traeth Mawr.

 

It does seem that when you post, that you have come to the place of completion in a project, like you have done the front of the Refreshment Room.  I know it can be disorientating.  I spent some time doing the windows, and then when I finished, I went to do the station again, and thought, 'Ah, yes windows.  No, I have finished the windows, what is next?  Umm.'  

 

Getting there slowly, but often it is, 'Oh yes, gutters, and front steps, and.........'

[ChrisN]

2 hours ago, Compound2632 said:

 

There are and have been stout women at all time periods.

 

Going back to the pillars, I'm wondering if the ones at Aberdovey are replacements - the stone looks fresher that the plinths, which look well-weathered. 

 

Going even further back (sorry) to the question of the usage of third class saloons, the Midland had quite a number of these - 54 of the 6-wheeled variety built in the 1880s, supplemented by retired Pullman parlour cars in 1894 and in 1889/1901, 20 48 ft bogie clerestory vehicles. There is good evidence of these being used in multiple for excursion trains, for instance, there was an accident at Templecombe in August 1894, involving a return excursion from Bournemouth to Worcester, a 15 vehicle train including an ex-Pullman parlour card and seven third class saloons.

 

They also made excellent clubhouses, hence three of them survive and have been restored: two thirds, one at Butterley and one on the NNR, and most recently, a first, at the  Foxfield Railway. The only difference between the firsts and thirds was the upholstery; the Foxfield vehicle is yet to have its interior fully restored.

 

Here's a photo of one of the firsts in use on 1 May 1894 at the opening of the Higham Ferrers branch, according to the MRSC catalogue description: "Photograph taken in the saloon coach carrying the dignitaries of Higham Ferrers who were the guests of the railway.  The nearest figure is Dr John Crew.  The Mayor, Ald. W. Spong and other members of the Corporation are also in the picture."

 

 

[Embedded link to catalogue thumbnail MRSC 60788.]

 

It seems the longitudinal tables with which these saloons were equipped could be taken out if not required. 

 

Steven, thank you.

 

Yes, always stout women, tends to happen with age.

 

It is an interesting point about the Aberdovey pillars.  I wonder if it is a different type of stone?  However, the Aberdovey station building had originally been at Pwllheli, and was transferred brick by brick in something like 1908, so perhaps the pillars were broken.  

 

No problem about Third Class Saloons, your information is very interesting and useful.  I have not forgotten about them, and am still looking, although not very actively, for pictures of them.  I have seen a picture of a Cambrian Third Class with a group of men in it which I think are either a football team, or a group of supporters.  The Cambrian did not have enough of them to form a whole train but they did use them in ordinary timetabled trains when not hired.

[Nick Gough]

8 hours ago, Compound2632 said:

Here's a photo of one of the firsts in use on 1 May 1894 at the opening of the Higham Ferrers branch, according to the MRSC catalogue description: "Photograph taken in the saloon coach carrying the dignitaries of Higham Ferrers who were the guests of the railway.  The nearest figure is Dr John Crew.  The Mayor, Ald. W. Spong and other members of the Corporation are also in the picture."

 

Back in the 1980s Higham Ferrers was part of my working area. 

 

The branch had long been closed and dismantled by then. The terminus station area was just derelict with little trace of a railway. Apparently, in its MR heyday there was a walnut tree next to the station. It was one of the stationmaster's tasks to collect the walnuts and put them on a train for the Midland Hotel at St Pancras. 

 

In the adjacent town of Rushden the station building survived, but was shut up and empty until the local historical transport society https://www.rhts.co.uk/  took it over, converting it to a museum and real ale bar. In due course they have re-instated about half a mile of track, from Rushden station towards Higham Ferrers, and run occasional trains.

 

For many years the nearby goods shed and yard were in use as a council highways depot. More recently a modern relief road has bisected the site with the depot moving elsewhere and the goods shed handed over to the transport society as well. This is a massive building for a small town since this used to be an important facility for the extensive local boot and show industry. It's ideal for housing some of their larger exhibits and for events like their recent model weekend.

[Sasquatch]

6 hours ago, ChrisN said:

 

Shaun,

Gráinne just happens to be the name of my wife's boss.  

 

In the 1901 census, there are a few people from Ireland, mostly young men working as labourers, but none has a typical Irish name.  The most interesting is Frances Jones, who is registered as married but does not have a husband living with her.  Her four children were all born in Ireland.  Husband probably working away because if he had died she would be down as a widow.  There must be an interesting story in there.

 

Believe it or not, and I am surprised, there are no Gwenyths.  28 Gwens, 4 Gwendolines, 3 Gwenfrons, but no Gwyneths.  This is why that census is so useful, as it means I will have a raft of names that reflect the area at the time.  (Ok, ok, it is a bit odd that I have more history, and stories and even half a map, than I do the actual model.)

 

 

Knowledge is everything! It's very impressive just how much of it you have on your subject and it's why this thread has to be my favorite.

Every last figure tells a story and it's a far cry from all the "Hornby didn't quite get the wing nuts correct on the access hatches" sort of thing.

When you build a coach it's made very interesting because all the passengers have purpose which gives a real feel of the railway. The atmosphere on Traeth Mawr is going to be second to none. 

 

Regards Shaun.  

[ChrisN]

32 minutes ago, Sasquatch said:

Knowledge is everything! It's very impressive just how much of it you have on your subject and it's why this thread has to be my favorite.

Every last figure tells a story and it's a far cry from all the "Hornby didn't quite get the wing nuts correct on the access hatches" sort of thing.

When you build a coach it's made very interesting because all the passengers have purpose which gives a real feel of the railway. The atmosphere on Traeth Mawr is going to be second to none. 

 

Regards Shaun.  

 

Shaun,

Thank you, that is very kind.  I just have to get it finished now.

[ChrisN]

I have progressed on the chimneys of the station building, and more of that in a minute.

 

Once the building is finished which is almost within site, I shall progress onto Mr Price's house.  Now you may wonder about the platform, but there is progress on that but it is very slow, and will get done as and when as it is sticking down paving stones, just very slow, but it will get done.  The canopy will have to wait, which is a shame as they were only used on the Cambrian, but the charge is to get the train set looking like a railway, and when I have done Mr Price's house, and marked out its site then that defines one side of Station Road.  It will need an outside toilet and ?wash house, but the house backs onto the bay platform, so I am not sure where it should actually go, but more of that when it comes to it.  

 

Prompted by Shaun, that everyone on my railway had a reason to be there, and knew where they were going, I began again to think about the townsfolk.  I am not sure why but I began to look at the question of were older women in service widowed or single?  The answer is yes. Very few were married, unless they were a cook married to a gardener, or the husband was working away.  (Yes, it was prompted by Ann Morris, who is doing the washing up in the Refreshment Room, but more of her next time.)  This lead me to looking at Lodging House Keepers, and then to lodgers and visitors.  I then began to wonder if the people in Station Road had lodgers or visitors, and then were their houses big enough?  

 

I only have a vague notion of what these houses will be, but all these things together set me off looking at places in Barmouth and Tywyn, and now I have some Estate Agents plans, which means I will not be guessing at sizes.  All threes storey town house types,  I am not sure I should go as high as four stories, and maybe the Manse will only have two.  I will have to resist putting too much detail in as I go.

 

So pictures of chimney.  I sort of have use @SteamingWales technique of painting the brick colour, then the mortar and using thinners to remove the excess mortar colour from the brickwork, except, that I have used enamel for the brick red, and Humbrol 246 Grau violet Acrylic for the mortar, you remember I said the mortar was dark, so it was acrylic thinners and no brick red was removed.

 

However, I did want to end up with the chimneys looking sooty, so see what you think.  Do they need to be cleaner, or are they just right?  Pictures of the facias first.

 

 

The white bit is cardboard flashing, that will get painted.  What is the best grey for lead?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Yes, I know I have to blacken the inside further down.

 

Thoughts on a postcard please.

 

If you have been, thanks for looking.

[corneliuslundie]

They look pretty good to me. It is difficult because in real life we normally only see chimneys by looking up and they are rather insignificant parts of the view whereas on a model we look down on them so they are far more prominent. And I don't know about lead flashing either. A bit lighter than the slates on my buildings.

To change the subject, but strictly within the scope of the title of the thread, I accidentally came across a photo of this yesterday:

 

This is actually a screen grab from a U-Tube video with a TfW class 158 passing but it looks to me like a typical Cambrian crossing keeper's cottage. You don't need to model the barriers of course! 

Looking at Cooke, it was about 11 chains east of the Croesor line crossing.

Jonathan

Edited October 12, 2023 by corneliuslundie
TYpo

[tanatvalley]

I was not aware that TfL ran 158s Jonathan😃

Alan

[kitpw]

Lead flashing: grey paper & pencil (and grubby finger) to give the surface a bit of shine.

 

Kit PW

[ChrisN]

1 hour ago, corneliuslundie said:

They look pretty good to me. It is difficult because in real life we normally only see chimneys by looking up and they are rather insignificant parts of the view whereas on a model we look down on them so they are far more prominent. And I don't know about lead flashing either. A bit lighter than the slates on my buildings.

To change the subject, but strictly within the scope of the title of the thread, I accidentally came across a photo of this yesterday:

 

This is actually a screen grab from a U-Tube video with a TfL class 158 passing but it looks to me like a typical Cambrian crossing keeper's cottage. You don't need to model the barriers of course! 

Looking at Cooke, it was about 11 chains east of the Croesor line crossing.

Jonathan

 

Jonathan,

Thank you.  There will be a level crossing but right next to the station so I am not sure that I would need a cottage.  It is probably not big enough for the Signalman.

[ChrisN]

1 hour ago, kitpw said:

Lead flashing: grey paper & pencil (and grubby finger) to give the surface a bit of shine.

 

Kit PW

 

Kit,

I do not have any grey paper, but I shall try pencil on my card and see how that looks.  If the worst comes to the worst I will try and match the pencil colour with paint.  (I have lots of greys.)

[Dana Ashdown]

I think the chimneys look fine, just as they are.

[ChrisN]

6 minutes ago, Dana Ashdown said:

I think the chimneys look fine, just as they are.

 

Dana,

Thank you.  As no one has said otherwise, I will glue them in position and add some flashing.