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

[corneliuslundie]

In retrospect I agree that in all probability the coal would have come via the coal merchant and been delivered by him.

I don't know enough about the coal trade to know whether the coal merchant would have sourced the anthracite.

So wagons for the house coal colliery and the anthracite colliery needed if the coal merchant does not own one.

If you want one for Mr Parry you could do what I am experimenting with and print the wagon side on a decal sheet. I'll be posting something on the Nentcwmdu thread when I have taken some photos. (Not my idea, suggested to me by another Welsh modeller.)

Jonathan

[ChrisN]

Firstly, I have to say that I have ordered a 517, just the one.  The red framed version, 832 I think the number is.  I have wanted a 517, so this is an easy way to get one.  Unfortunately, 832 is a London engine at the end of the 19th century, and the make things worse, the only 517 in North Wales at the time was based at Bala.  However, it will appear late in the day instead of the 645, or even, If I m as quick doing locos as everything else, it may be in charge of at least some of the Dolgelley trains that do not run through to Ruabon.

 

 

[ChrisN]

I have been doing a little modelling.  I am supposed to be making windows for Mr Price's house, but I have not been too well recently and when I had some time to do some modelling I wanted something where I did not have to think too much.  Added to that, Tony, @brumtb, has just got a book on Siphons, and although I am progressing the two I have, very slowly, I thought I would try and finish them.

 

 

This is the last image I have shown with the roof on, and painted with shellac.  I have not been very diligent about taking pictures, but I do not think I have missed too much out.

 

 

These are the springs that came with the kit, and in the top left is a Dart Castings' spring.  Notice the size difference.  I had laminated them all, but as you see there are only five.  This is because they were too flimsy to put in after I had put the W irons in place.  If I made one again I might just try and put them in at the same time as the W irons.

 

 

The view from Underneath.  You can see that the whitemetal springs do not really fit, so the paper ones would have been flat, but would have to go in at the same time as there is no room between the W irons and the edge of the MDF base.  I had to cut the whitemetal springs to fit over the edge and around the W irons.  I have also trimmed, at @Mikkel's suggestion the brakes, and have only broken one of them.  This was carefully put aside in a container with useful bits to be firmly fixed at the next modelling session.  Before the modelling session I was asked to tidy my modelling desk as we had visitors and yes, it has been put somewhere safe.  When I find it, I will fix it in place.  I have also put in a vacuum brake cylinder.  I drilled a hole and pushed the Dart Castings cylinder into it, fixing it, like the springs, with superglue.

 

 

All the springs in place.  I have used my patent six wheel system which is a variant of the MJT six wheel wagon system.  It might have been better, to remove the W irons for the central wheel from its holder as it raises the central wheel up a fraction.  When I got this far I tried it on the layout and found that on the point leaving the fiddle yard when the point was set at the smallest radius. it derailed.  I checked and the siphon rocked with the central wheel as pivot.  The W iron support, I noticed was higher in the centre, and was raising the wire that keeps the central axis in place.  I filed down the central part and now it seems to be fine.  If it is not, then I shall have to take more drastic action, but probably behind closed doors.  Next time, the central axis will just have W irons.

 

 

Finally, I have fitted the top stepboards, I think that is what they are called.  10 x 125 thou Evergreen strips, firstly stuck in place with PVA, then superglued when the PVA was dry.  The lower stepboards next, for, perhaps, the next time.

 

If you have been, thanks for looking.

[Mikkel]

Hi Chris. I'm sorry to hear that you have been unwell, I hope things improve soon.

 

Good to see progress on the Siphon! I can't help but notice that Mr Price - who seems to be a bit of purist - is glaring at the axleboxes (looks like they're on the wrong way round).

 

Anyway, it's an interesting range of Siphon kits that this manufacturer has produced. Especially since they added underframe fittings. I came across a photo of a nice long train of Siphons the other day, these kits would be a good way to produce something like that without costing a fortune.

 

Edited May 8 by Mikkel

[brumtb]

14 hours ago, ChrisN said:

I have been doing a little modelling.  I am supposed to be making windows for Mr Price's house, but I have not been too well recently and when I had some time to do some modelling I wanted something where I did not have to think too much.  Added to that, Tony, @brumtb, has just got a book on Siphons, and although I am progressing the two I have, very slowly, I thought I would try and finish them.

 

 

This is the last image I have shown with the roof on, and painted with shellac.  I have not been very diligent about taking pictures, but I do not think I have missed too much out.

 

 

These are the springs that came with the kit, and in the top left is a Dart Castings' spring.  Notice the size difference.  I had laminated them all, but as you see there are only five.  This is because they were too flimsy to put in after I had put the W irons in place.  If I made one again I might just try and put them in at the same time as the W irons.

 

 

The view from Underneath.  You can see that the whitemetal springs do not really fit, so the paper ones would have been flat, but would have to go in at the same time as there is no room between the W irons and the edge of the MDF base.  I had to cut the whitemetal springs to fit over the edge and around the W irons.  I have also trimmed, at @Mikkel's suggestion the brakes, and have only broken one of them.  This was carefully put aside in a container with useful bits to be firmly fixed at the next modelling session.  Before the modelling session I was asked to tidy my modelling desk as we had visitors and yes, it has been put somewhere safe.  When I find it, I will fix it in place.  I have also put in a vacuum brake cylinder.  I drilled a hole and pushed the Dart Castings cylinder into it, fixing it, like the springs, with superglue.

 

 

All the springs in place.  I have used my patent six wheel system which is a variant of the MJT six wheel wagon system.  It might have been better, to remove the W irons for the central wheel from its holder as it raises the central wheel up a fraction.  When I got this far I tried it on the layout and found that on the point leaving the fiddle yard when the point was set at the smallest radius. it derailed.  I checked and the siphon rocked with the central wheel as pivot.  The W iron support, I noticed was higher in the centre, and was raising the wire that keeps the central axis in place.  I filed down the central part and now it seems to be fine.  If it is not, then I shall have to take more drastic action, but probably behind closed doors.  Next time, the central axis will just have W irons.

 

 

Finally, I have fitted the top stepboards, I think that is what they are called.  10 x 125 thou Evergreen strips, firstly stuck in place with PVA, then superglued when the PVA was dry.  The lower stepboards next, for, perhaps, the next time.

 

If you have been, thanks for looking.

Hi Chris, I too am sorry to hear you've not been well.  I'm slightly amused that my book purchase triggered your return to siphon modelling but pleased to see your progress, it's looking good. I've been thinking of getting one of those kits myself, so very interesting and helpful.  Although I'm also tempted by the 4 Wheeled siphon (the original O1), I know they were all withdrawn before WW1 but they are cute!

Hoping you'll be feeling better soon.

Tony

[ChrisN]

7 hours ago, Mikkel said:

Hi Chris. I'm sorry to hear that you have been unwell, I hope things improve soon.

 

Good to see progress on the Siphon! I can't help but notice that Mr Price - who seems to be a bit of purist - is glaring at the axleboxes (looks like they're on the wrong way round).

 

Anyway, it's an interesting range of Siphon kits that this manufacturer has produced. Especially since they added underframe fittings. I came across a photo of a nice long train of Siphons the other day, these kits would be a good way to produce something like that without costing a fortune.

 

 

Mikkel,

Thank you.  Yes, I am feeling better now.

 

Having spent ages looking at the axleboxes, all I can say is that when it is on its roof they are the right way up!  🙂  Thank you, I shall sort them.

[ChrisN]

4 hours ago, brumtb said:

Hi Chris, I too am sorry to hear you've not been well.  I'm slightly amused that my book purchase triggered your return to siphon modelling but pleased to see your progress, it's looking good. I've been thinking of getting one of those kits myself, so very interesting and helpful.  Although I'm also tempted by the 4 Wheeled siphon (the original O1), I know they were all withdrawn before WW1 but they are cute!

Hoping you'll be feeling better soon.

Tony

 

Tony.

Thank you.  I am feeling better now.

 

I have been working on the siphons slowly, but I thought that it might be helpful if I finished them off quickly.  The four wheel one is not far behind.

 

What I have not said, although I may have said it earlier, is that I calculated how many milk churns it would take to have a line of them next to the edge on either side.  I then ordered in bulk from Dart Castings and have used copious amounts of PVA to stick them in place.  They are just visible, but it does give them a bit of weight.

[ChrisN]

15 hours ago, Mikkel said:

Hi Chris. I'm sorry to hear that you have been unwell, I hope things improve soon.

 

Good to see progress on the Siphon! I can't help but notice that Mr Price - who seems to be a bit of purist - is glaring at the axleboxes (looks like they're on the wrong way round).

 

Anyway, it's an interesting range of Siphon kits that this manufacturer has produced. Especially since they added underframe fittings. I came across a photo of a nice long train of Siphons the other day, these kits would be a good way to produce something like that without costing a fortune.

 

 

Mikkel,

Having turned the axleboxes around, the holes in them are not central, and the springs are now pushed up.  (That is probably why I did it wrong in the first place.  It would therefore seem that if when building these you can get the paper springs to work, probably by fitting them first, or at the same time as the W irons, that would be better.  Pictures to follow.

[Nick Gough]

On 07/05/2024 at 14:38, ChrisN said:

Firstly, I have to say that I have ordered a 517, just the one.  The red framed version, 832 I think the number is.  I have wanted a 517, so this is an easy way to get one.  Unfortunately, 832 is a London engine at the end of the 19th century, and the make things worse, the only 517 in North Wales at the time was based at Bala.  However, it will appear late in the day instead of the 645, or even, If I m as quick doing locos as everything else, it may be in charge of at least some of the Dolgelley trains that do not run through to Ruabon.

 

 

 

Nice! Next thing we know you will be buying a Dapol/Accurascale Manor as well.😉

 

Sorry to hear that you've been feeling unwell - hope it wasn't anything serious.

I feel a bit of a fraud since I haven't actually felt unwell during my recent issues.

 

Good to see your progress with the siphon.

[ChrisN]

3 hours ago, Nick Gough said:

 

Nice! Next thing we know you will be buying a Dapol/Accurascale Manor as well.😉

 

Sorry to hear that you've been feeling unwell - hope it wasn't anything serious.

I feel a bit of a fraud since I haven't actually felt unwell during my recent issues.

 

Good to see your progress with the siphon.

 

Nick,

Actually, I, er, have one of the old Manors.  There might be a few pictures taken of the Manor at the head of a rake of Collett coaches, bringing some young ladies to the barracks in Traeth Mawr.  The barracks was repurposed as a training base for the ATS.  The GWR painted the station in Cambrian colours just to confuse everyone, 'There is a war on you know!'  It will not be permanent.  I know nothing about the GWR, but having something of a right time frame that I can run is nice.

 

Glad, you have not felt unwell, I would have expected your treatment to make you feel tired, but it was a while ago now.

 

 

[Mikkel]

7 hours ago, ChrisN said:

The GWR painted the station in Cambrian colours just to confuse everyone, 'There is a war on you know!' 

 

"Oberleutnant, we have secretely arrived in Devon but it is raining much more than we thought!"

 

[Nick Gough]

10 hours ago, ChrisN said:

 

Nick,

Actually, I, er, have one of the old Manors.  There might be a few pictures taken of the Manor at the head of a rake of Collett coaches, bringing some young ladies to the barracks in Traeth Mawr.  The barracks was repurposed as a training base for the ATS.  The GWR painted the station in Cambrian colours just to confuse everyone, 'There is a war on you know!'  It will not be permanent.  I know nothing about the GWR, but having something of a right time frame that I can run is nice.

 

I knew that you wouldn't be able to resist it!

Of course, it's a pity that there are no RTR Cambrian locos.

 

10 hours ago, ChrisN said:

Glad, you have not felt unwell, I would have expected your treatment to make you feel tired, but it was a while ago now.

I was tired and lacking energy at the end of my treatment and for a short while after. Having a stinking cold at the time  didn't help. However, I only had to take a break from my usual gym routine for a couple of weeks so it wasn't too bad.

NB. I'm not any kind of super athlete. I just usually have a couple of hour and half sessions each week to keep me reasonably fit and reduce the effects of aging!

[Compound2632]

Chris, I have to apologise that when we spoke at ExpoEM yesterday I didn't immediately cotton on to who you were - my slight deafness and the ambient noise level - so I apologise for my vagueness and apparent lack of awareness of what you are modelling!

[ChrisN]

6 hours ago, Compound2632 said:

Chris, I have to apologise that when we spoke at ExpoEM yesterday I didn't immediately cotton on to who you were - my slight deafness and the ambient noise level - so I apologise for my vagueness and apparent lack of awareness of what you are modelling!

 

No problem.  It was good to meet you, talk to you and see some of your models in the 'flesh'.

[MikeOxon]

6 hours ago, Compound2632 said:

I didn't immediately cotton on to who you were

This is often a problem when we only know 'web names'.  All those warnings about the dangers of identity theft, or whatever, on the web do mean that many of us hide behind pseudonyms.

[Compound2632]

20 minutes ago, MikeOxon said:

This is often a problem when we only know 'web names'.  All those warnings about the dangers of identity theft, or whatever, on the web do mean that many of us hide behind pseudonyms.

 

In this case Chris had announced his intention to seek me out on the Sunday, so I was doubly culpable.

[ChrisN]

40 minutes ago, Compound2632 said:

 

In this case Chris had announced his intention to seek me out on the Sunday, so I was doubly culpable.

 

In this case though, I was wearing a mask, so I may not have been that audible.  Also, I had left my grey suit and bowler hat behind.  I knew Stephen instantly of course, he had a name badge that said, 'Stephen Lea'.

[ChrisN]

 

517.  Thanks to @Edwardian on the Dapol 517 14xx thread I now have an idea of which of the real locos could possibly appear at Traeth Mawr on 21st March 1895.  Here is my list, with @Edwardian's thoughts and the information from RCTS volume 6, (wot a bought at a snip for abaht 8 quid), and Great Western Railway Journal, no. 74, Spring 2010.

 

 

The locos listed all had a 15' 6" wheelbase and R4 boiler by 02 1895.  The 'Seen' column is the fact they had been photographed, and the year.

 

The only 517s I know where in the aera are 570 which was allocated to Bala in 1901, and 539, of which there is a photograph of allegedly at Bala, probably in the late 19th century.  539, is as far as I can work out a Birmingham loco, so in the same Division as Bala.  Both of these locos, never had their frames extended to 15' 6".

 

None of these jumps out as a definite possibility, although 1165 might be, "Where shall we send it next time.  LLanelly?  Well it was in in Wales last time, same place really."

 

If not 1165, then 534, 549, or 558 as there is no photographic evidence, yet, as to where they were.  The chances of a Bala loco, getting to Traeth Mawr are quite small in reality, but then, who said we were dealing with reality?

 

If you have been, thanks for looking.  (Modelling to follow.)