TheWeatheringMan Posted April 30, 2014 Share Posted April 30, 2014 Hi All, After a bit of a break due to other things I thought I'd upload a few photos of another of mu RTR conversions. This is one of the difficult ones and was done about 6 years ago. It is a model of one of the 'cut-down' BR 0-6-0 diesel shunter's that were modified at Landore depot in Swansea for use on the old Burry Port and Gwendraeth Valley line due to the presence of a low bridge on the route. During the first part of the diesel era the line was worked by several members of the 03 class that had been slightly modified to reduce their overall height. The time had come to look at replacements for the 03's and by then BR had nothing else left that could have been adapted. Modification to the problem bridge was out of the question as totally uneconomic - indeed the line shut completely a few years later. Taking these factors into account Landore depot looked to its Class 08 fleet and a scheme was drawn up to modify three of the locos to reduce the height so as to enable them to operate over the GP & GV line. These alterations entailed several internal modifications to lower the height of some internal equipment so that it became possible to cut down the engine room part of the bodywork - the height reduction was achieved by removing several inches from the bodywork immediately above the footplate - the bottom edge of the body work. This did of course cause a need to re-position the footplate equipment boxes in relation to the bodyside grilles. The cab was dealt with by cutting down the front and back faces slightly and fitting a much flatter profile roof - this alteration gave the cabs a somewhat squat appearance especially from the rear. Two of the locos (08992 & 08993) were subsequently scrapped and replaced by a further two conversions done in the same manner - these became 08994 & 08995 and took the names of their two forebears. After closure of the BP & GV line the cut down shunters were simply treated as part of the normal fleet and were used in several other locations around the country. I believe that at least one still survives at the time of writing. My model was made by using a Bachmann class 08 with the correct arrangement of footplate boxes and engine room door hinges for the prototype I modelled. The cutting down was done as per the real thing and the alterations to the cab were a bit of simple scratchbuilding. Although slightly difficult to undertake, the project has resulted in an unusual model that's just that bit different to most. by the way the Bachmann model is the easier to modify in this way as it has a chassis that is easier to cut down a little - it is necessary to remove a small amount of metal from the top of the chassis in order for the cut down body to fit. I hope you might find the photos of interest. Sorry I should have added that this is a model of 08992 'Gwendraeth' - it still needs its combined name/number plates - I will be etching these during the next month. Regards. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fat Controller Posted April 30, 2014 Share Posted April 30, 2014 Amazing the difference a few inches make... The original BP&GV route, which started at the back of my great-aunt's pub (The Cambrian), was partially built on the route of Kymer's Canal, and reverted to being a canal as soon as it rained. This was one of the reasons for using diesel-mechanical shunters to replace the 16xx panniers. When the link from Kidwelly to Coedbach was reopened, main-line locos could be used to the washery at Coedbach, and diesel-electrics could use the whole line; however, just north of Coedbach is a low bridge carrying the Trimsaran- Kidwelly road, as well as a large cast-iron water pipe. One day, someone decided to send one of Landore's unmodified 08s towards Cwm Mawr. The result was predictable; broken water main and trapezoid-shaped Class 08.. It wasn't only the locos that were constrained by the loading gauge; there was a dedicated pool of brake vans, both BR standard, and Stanier 20t, which had cut-down chimneys and narrow foot-boards. Should anyone wish to model one Cambridge Custom Transfers do the branding. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheWeatheringMan Posted April 30, 2014 Author Share Posted April 30, 2014 Hi Fat Controller, Very many thanks indeed for that extra information. I will contact Johjn at CCT and get a set of the brake van decals as I'd like to do one to partner the shunter. In view of your close connection to the line I hope you've enjoyed seeing the model. All the best. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium ColinK Posted April 30, 2014 RMweb Premium Share Posted April 30, 2014 Nice bit of modelling. Until I read your post I thought it was just the cab that was cut down, not the whole body, so thanks for explaining it. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
DerekEm8 Posted April 30, 2014 Share Posted April 30, 2014 Hi weatheringman "Two of the locos (08992 & 08993) were subsequently scrapped and replaced by a further two conversions done in the same manner - these became 08994 & 08995 and took the names of their two forebears." 08991 & 08992 were the scrapped ones. 08993, 994 & 995 lived on. Landore open day 08 September 1985 08993 Landore 08 September 1985 Peak Forest 08 September 1994 In 2007 Manchester Metrolink did major upgrades to the line from Bury. The work base was on the ELR and new sidings were put in to accommodate the additional work load. 2 - 08 shunters were hired in from EWS 08993 and 08995 The freshly overhauled pair were delivered to the ELR on the 2 May 2007 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium corneliuslundie Posted September 20, 2015 RMweb Premium Share Posted September 20, 2015 I have just picked this up. Do you know where the 08s were modified? The WRRC is looking for some drawings of these and the cut-down 08s, so it would be useful to know if such might exist or if it was done locally by trial and error. Jonathan Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Dagworth Posted September 20, 2015 RMweb Gold Share Posted September 20, 2015 I have just picked this up. Do you know where the 08s were modified? The WRRC is looking for some drawings of these and the cut-down 08s, so it would be useful to know if such might exist or if it was done locally by trial and error. Jonathan It is a model of one of the 'cut-down' BR 0-6-0 diesel shunter's that were modified at Landore depot in Swansea Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium corneliuslundie Posted September 21, 2015 RMweb Premium Share Posted September 21, 2015 Thanks. That almost certainly means no proper drawings salted away in an archive somewhere. J Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rods_of_Revolution Posted September 24, 2015 Share Posted September 24, 2015 A short while ago I did an N Scale 3D Model designed to replace the standard Farish body, which I made available for all in my Shapeways shop. I'm currently working on one of the bodies for my South Wales Steel layout: Here's a comparison with the standard Farish body: It still needs a proper clean up, but it should hopefully make a nice model. The grill and rear light are separate parts to allow the stripes to be applied more easily. All the best, Jack Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
KeithHC Posted September 25, 2015 Share Posted September 25, 2015 Don't forget there was also several 03s cut down as well..... Keith HC Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rods_of_Revolution Posted September 25, 2015 Share Posted September 25, 2015 Don't forget there was also several 03s cut down as well..... Keith HC The cut down 03s aren't as noticeably different as the 08s as I think they removed a 4 1/2" section from the middle portion of the cab below the windows, meaning the roof profile remained the same. They also left the doors the same dimensions and created a recces in the cab floor to accommodate them. The cut down 08s don't have a curved roof like a standard 08, they actually have a roof made up of 5 flat plats. The profile of this roof extends on to the hood above the main fuel tank, as the standard round profile of the forward hood section wasn't sufficient to house the existing fuel header tank which sits above the main tank. All the best, Jack Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
class"66" Posted September 29, 2015 Share Posted September 29, 2015 Great work here!! another follower now.. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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