Elsbridge Tramway Company: Elsbridge Town - NeilHB's layout

[NeilHB]

After much faffing I’ve finally got the second end board on to divide the scenic area of the layout from the fiddle yard:

 

 

Looks much better now, and will look even better later when I’ve started to paint it.

[NeilHB]

A few bits to report on from the last couple of days of modelling.

 

I’ve made some modifications to the tramcars and the luggage van, namely replacing their buffers, and adding lamps to the rooves:

First/Third Composite and luggage van pictured here were the first to be completed, alongside the ETCo van which has had its running gear replaced and now runs much better. All of the tramcars have now been modified, although the All Thirds only have one lamp per Tramcar, rather than one per compartment as per the First/Third composite. 
 

I dug out a very old kit that was probably one of the first buildings I purchased when I started off in 7mm scale, and have now actually got round to doing something with it. It’s one of Mr Traxson’s delightful kits from his Port Wynnstay range, and known in our group as a ‘Henmore Hut’, originally being developed for our group layout:

 

 

I’ve made a couple of modifications, the main one being to remove one end window:

 

It’ll get painted in tramway company colours and will do nicely as a small hut on the layout. 
 

A few more views from the last couple of days to end with:

Rush hour at Ffarquhar Road in 1906 - ‘Thorkell’ waits to depart with a down goods tram, whilst ‘Sigrid’ has just arrived with a very lightly loaded up passenger tram. 
 

‘Godred’ has arrived with an up goods tram. 

‘Sigrid’ has arrived with an up mixed tram. 
 

 

 

 

Edited April 18, 2022 by NeilHB

[NeilHB]

Now that it’s getting warmer (thank goodness) it means allotment time! 
 

The first few items have now gone out, with broad beans, sugar snap peas and some rainbow chard all planted out earlier this week.

 

I’ve also been busy in the back garden sowing salad seeds, and they are starting to appear now which is wonderful:

Lots of radishes and rather a lot of salad leaves all coming along nicely. 
 

Plus enjoying my lovely tulips now that they are flowering:

 

They really are stunning. 
 

Modelling work has also progressed, with a pair of Ffarquhar Quarry Company wagons in progress at the moment:

A three-plank dropside for cut stone, and a rather dainty little hopper for crushed stone. 
 

I’ve repainted my WSR 6-wheel Brake Third, to remove the last vestiges of the previous Green and White livery:

Shades of Easingwold at Ffarquhar Road tonight with WSR Hudswell Clarke ‘Ogmund’ in charge of a short through train from Tidmouth. Really must sort out and get the HC sound fitted in due course and then finish off detailing it and line out the far side too!

[NeilHB]

In the early 1920s, the NWR became aware of the limits of the ETCo fleet due to the increased volume of traffic on the the tramway. As a consequence of this they purchased an ex GER G15 and two tramcars and luggage van from the GER/WNR joint Bishops Lynn Tramway in West Norfolk: 

 

The rolling stock was swiftly repainted into NWR colours and pressed into service on the tramway, where they to be proved a valuable addition to the fleet. The G15 was considerably more powerful than the ageing coffee pot trams, and so managed the increased traffic with ease:

 

 

The 1920s was a period of considerable upheaval on the tramway, with significant work taking place to enable non-skirted locomotives to be used on a more regular basis, including NWR No.1 which started to become a frequent visitor to the line in the mid-late 20s:

 

 

During this time there was considerable variety of motive power being used on the line, and it became something of a paradise for fans of the weird and wonderful, as the last of the coffee pot trams saw out their final years alongside cast offs from the WSR and NWR:

 

Coaching stock liveries changed as well, from the Blue and White of the Elsbridge Tramway Company:

And the Crimson of the West Sudrian Railway:

 

To the more austere all over brown livery of the newly formed North Western Railway, though it served to unite all of the previously disparate Sudrian Railways with a common livery:

 

Plus I think Blue locos and Brown stock goes together pretty nicely, so basically an excuse to take a few photos and set out some of my thoughts for my version of the railways of Sodor:

 

 

[sir douglas]

a lovely collection of light and pregrouping stock

[NeilHB]

A rather enjoyable afternoon today playing trains round at the 7mm Scale Society Treasurer’s home. He’s got a lovely garden railway, so it was a good chance for my tram locos to have a decent run and stretch their wheels. 
 

‘Sigrid’ in the loop platform.

 

‘Thorkell’ on a decent sized goods train, it poddled around the circuit quite happily for a good hour of more with the longest train it’s ever hauled. 
 

Out on the main line crossing over the pond. Class 40 on a passenger heading the other way. 
 

Good fun to just sit back and watch the trains go round! 

The trams have escaped onto the main line! 
 

‘Sigrid’ on the freight this time, though reduced down to 6 wagons as didn’t want to overload her. 
 

Passing ‘Godred’ on the tramcars. 
 

Comings and going’s outside the station area.

 

Jolly good fun was had! 

[Mike Bellamy]

A most enjoyable afternoon - we had to learn how to run JMRI from our phones connected by wi-fi to Rick's digital set-up in the shed. the only issue was when my Dapol 08 got it's rods in a twist and wheels out of quarter - left with Rick for some attention - hopefully not too much damage otherwise I might need a new chassis 🙁

.

[NeilHB]

Post-1915 formation of the NWR, ex ETCo No.3, now NWR No.3a ‘Gerda’ arrives at Ffarquhar Road with an early evening mixed train. The ex ETCo First/Third Composite Tramcar has recently been repainted into the NWR’s overall brown livery.

 

 

[NeilHB]

Some good progress made today on the ex ETCo First/Third Composite Tramcar:

 

 

All steps sorted, balcony railings on, seats made and fitted, and I even found enough buffers in the stash as well, so that was a win! Then a quick coat of NWR Brown (Humbrol No.62 Leather) to start to bring it all together. 
 

I’m rather pleased with how this one is turning out now, and there isn’t that much left to sort until it’s finished.
 

I’ve got enough sides left to produce another All Third in the same livery, plus there’s a set of parts (somewhere 😬), ready cut for another luggage van to run with them. 

[NeilHB]

Oh no, the tramcars are breeding again! 
 

 

Today’s modelling has seen the NWR All Third Tramcar progress from nothing but a pair of sides to an almost complete Tramcar. Steps and seats to do tomorrow, and then I can stick a coat of paint on it whilst I wait for the wheels to arrive. 

[NeilHB]

Early NWR days at Ffarquhar Road, as ‘Gerda’ is seen with a down mixed tram: 

 

The Furness van is being sent back empty to Barrow after delivering a load of feed and seed to the farmers cooperative society. 
 

I think the GW open is perhaps a little bit far from home?! 

[NeilHB]

A very good day today at the 7mmNGA Exhibition at Burton, and came home with a very good haul! 

 

I bought a few items from 422 Modelmaking, as Andrew does produce some very nice kits.
 

First up was a set of reject side castings, to which I shall do a bit of cutting and shutting to shorten them, and make them into a 3-compartment All Third belonging to the WSR:

A 7mmNG Brake Saloon, which will gain a new set of ends to become a dinky standard gauge Brake Saloon, also belonging to the WSR:

 

A pair of grounded van bodies, which will gain running gear. Both will go into WSR dark grey, but one will carry NWR lettering:

The coal merchant can finally stop complaining, as his office has now been purchased:

 

After some deliberation, and a spot of arm twisting from Mr Young, a new water tower has been procured for the layout:

And lastly, but by no means least, some rather delightful injection moulded kits for Corris Railway stock from Iconic Rail - the van and one of the Metropolitan built bogie coaches:

These will be finished as Mid Sodor Railway  owned examples. The kits are rather nice, and are some of the nicest injection moulded kits that I’ve seen for a very long time! Iconic Rail also offers kits for the two other types of Corris bogie stock, and will be adding further Corris rolling stock kits in  due time. It’s definitely a good time to be a 7mmNG modeller. 

 

Edited June 11, 2022 by NeilHB

[NeilHB]

A very productive afternoon today at the workbench, making a start on some of the kits and bits I acquired yesterday. 
 

First up the basic shell of the coal merchants office has been constructed:

Not sure if it will remain in this position or move to the left of the coal staithes. 
 

I then tacked the basic shell of the replacement water tower together to see how it looked alongside the tram locos (it has my water tank on the top though rather than the one from the kit as a temporary measure):

Size wise it looks good I think against the tram locos, though I’ll probably pop another layer or two of cork under it before it’s stuck down properly. 
 

The first of the WSR vans is up on its wheels:

Still plenty to do, and I need to find the brake gear spares which I’ve stashed in a safe place. 
 

Then I summoned up the courage, sharpened the craft knife and chopped up the set of four-compartment carriages sides. A short while later resulted in this:

Which I think looks rather cute! Size wise it’s the same length overall as the tramcars, so doesn’t dominate the layout like the larger 6-wheel stock does. 
 

It looks rather good with the new WSR van and ‘Thorkell’:

 

All work was conducted with the assistance of the cat of works:

Though not much assistance was provided! 

Edited June 12, 2022 by NeilHB

[NeilHB]

Last night was model railway zoom night, so whilst nattering I cracked on with the West Sudrian Railway saloon centre brake. 
 

This started life as a set of 422 Modelmaking parts for a narrow gauge saloon centre brake, but with a new set of ends and underframe it does very nicely as a compact standard gauge four-wheeler.
 

After a couple of hours modelling it was up and running in its basic format:

Plenty to do still, but having the basic bodywork sorted and the chassis done is a good starting point. 
 

With the 3-compartment carriage seen a few days ago and the Milk Van it makes a nice short West Sudrian Railway train to run on Ffarquhar Road. 

[Annie]

Nice work with those coaches Neil.  Those coach parts are perfect for bashing for light railway use.

[NeilHB]

Thanks Annie. Andrew at 422 does a few interesting sets of coach parts/kits which are ideal for light railway stock. 

[Johnson044]

On 24/06/2022 at 19:27, NeilHB said:

Last night was model railway zoom night, so whilst nattering I cracked on with the West Sudrian Railway saloon centre brake. 
 

This started life as a set of 422 Modelmaking parts for a narrow gauge saloon centre brake, but with a new set of ends and underframe it does very nicely as a compact standard gauge four-wheeler.
 

After a couple of hours modelling it was up and running in its basic format:

Plenty to do still, but having the basic bodywork sorted and the chassis done is a good starting point. 
 

With the 3-compartment carriage seen a few days ago and the Milk Van it makes a nice short West Sudrian Railway train to run on Ffarquhar Road. 

That last image really hits the spot - your railway coming together beautifully- lovely models and a fine composition. These 422 parts are incredibly good value. For the price the mouldings are very good and the material is easy to work with and takes paint well. Your saloon centre brake I think has a "Pickering" look about it and it has given me an idea for using some ancient American bogie side frames that have been kicking around for many years.

[NeilHB]

7 hours ago, Johnson044 said:

That last image really hits the spot - your railway coming together beautifully- lovely models and a fine composition. These 422 parts are incredibly good value. For the price the mouldings are very good and the material is easy to work with and takes paint well. Your saloon centre brake I think has a "Pickering" look about it and it has given me an idea for using some ancient American bogie side frames that have been kicking around for many years.

Thank you very much. Still a long way to go and plenty to do but I am happy with how it’s coming together. 
 

The 422 parts are great, and Andrew is quite happy to mix and match bits from different kits as well which is great. Yes I would agree about the “Pickering” look of the saloon centre brake. With a bit of cutting and shutting you could probably combine a couple of them together and it would make a nice short bogie coach.

 

I’ve not managed to do much modelling over the last couple of weeks, other than pondering over a further WSR coach. This one is from a set of resin O-16.5 coach sides. I’d originally bodged it into a short bogie coach, but this was too big for Ffarquhar Road, so it’s been cut down into a short 4-wheel 1st/Third Saloon Composite. Just could do with the train room being a bit cooler so I can get on with actually sticking the sides together and building the rest of it: 

 

I’ve not been entirely idle though, and have been doodling a multitude of ideas for the next phase of the layout. After much discussions I’ve got permission now to convert the far end of the garage into a home for Ffarquhar Road, and incorporate it into a larger layout, which is exciting! I’ve got 12’6”x10’6” to play with, which will give me plenty of room I think for what I want to do. Ffarquhar Road will reside on the right hand wall, with an additional scenic board to complete the station loop and rear goods siding. 
 

On the left hand side will be my version of Elsbridge. The plan is still being finalised, but here’s the current iteration of the plan, and some thoughts about why it’s laid out as it is:

 

 

Elsbridge was the original top terminus of the Elsbridge Tramway Company (ETCo) until the opening of the extension to Ffarquhar in 1895. Due to the location of the station in the town, direct onward extension to Ffarquhar was not possible, so the extension utilised the short branch to the wharves on the River Els as a starting point (other industries were also situated along here), which ran out of the station to the SW before swinging round almost 180* and crossed the River Els via the Town Bridge of 1779/80, running down the middle of the road on its route to reach Ffarquhar and ultimately the stone quarries on Anopha Fell. 

 

The wharves on the river remained in use, and were served by a pair of sidings off the extension. Elsbridge was therefore a fairly busy station, with plenty of movements during the day. 

 

Trams from Knapford arrived and ran into the loop, whereby the loco ran round and then propelled the train into the platform road to enable passengers to disembark etc. It then drew forward into the loop, and waited for the incoming tram from Ffarquhar Road to arrive, which ran into the other side of the loop (nearest the goods sidings). Once the tram from Knapford had departed to Ffarquhar, the tram from Ffarquhar would run round, and propel into the platform road ready to continue on its way to Knapford Junc. 

 

The main loco and carriage sheds were located on the outskirts of Elsbridge alongside the main line to Knapford, so the Elsbridge duty shunter did not have far to travel at the start of the day. This loco had responsibility for shunting the goods yard in the station, and also shunting the river wharves and St Pedroc’s Dairy, along with the flour mill which sent and received traffic by rail. The duty shunter could also be utilised to give trams departing to Ffarquhar a helping push up the grade over the Town Bridge, with its notorious hump in the middle which sometimes proved problematic to loaded trams in either direction. The gradient, combined with the sharp curves on this section of line, limited the length of trains that could be run. 

 

Four-coupled tram locos were limited to a maximum of four wagons, or two tramcars and luggage van, whilst the six-coupled trams could manage five to six wagons, depending on the load, or three tramcars and luggage van. 

 

The first and last trains of the day were usually passenger only, the rest throughout the day ran as mixed services. The only exception to this was on Market Day, when a number of passenger trams were run in order to cater for demand. 
 

The Elsbridge plan will allow me to model a longer time period as well, covering from the opening of the tramway in the 1870s, right through to the late 1920s/early 30s (my chosen cut off point), with only a few changes to stock etc.

 

What do you think please folks? 

[Johnson044]

The station looks like it has an overall roof - very appropriate - I really like these often tiny termini that somehow feel very airy and commodious and I'm exploring the idea of something very similar for Severnbury (Riverside). There are lots of examples - Wantage, obviously, plus (through station) Corris, Edenham, Banff, Whittingham asylum, and - my favourite - the Zetland Hotel, Saltburn.

 

The rationale behind your scheme convinces, the layout looks really promising and I'm really looking forward to seeing it develop.

[NeilHB]

Yes, one of my long term aims when planning the ETCo has been to include an overall roof, although I'm still not sure if Ffarquhar Road will have one as I think it may overpower given the relatively small size of the layout. I'll have to mock one up and see how it looks, though perhaps something akin to a shortened version of Callington may be suitable as it would still allow the trams to be seen: 

 

 

A lot of my thinking has been influenced by Wantage, Corris, Fintona and Dave Holman's 7mm scale 'Loose End' and Giles Barnabe's 7mm scale 'Stratford Waterside' etc. I'd not seen a photo of the one at the Zetland Hotel, that's rather cute and compact. I particularly like the ironwork on the gable end.  

 

Have you got any plans for your Severnbury (Riverside) please? Quite interested to see how other freelancers approach station design etc. 

[Johnson044]

Only in my head I'm afraid, Neil - well - and a solitary scrap of A3 paper - I want to do an A3 size cardboard mock-up soon. Lots of ideas but struggling to get them to gel without seeming hackneyed or contrived. Area is about 2'6" x 5/6" plus fiddle yard. It's high time I drew something up properly and I will do soon. Far too hot to go out to the shed and make anything (it's full of bits of wood and sawdust at the mo anyway). 

 

This is another really delightful one - on the other side of the world, unfortunately.

[NeilHB]

No worries. A mock up sounds like a good place to start, and is something I'll probably do with Elsbridge when I get to it. Your layout will be nice and compact then, look forward to hear more about it in due course. 

 

Yes far too hot to do anything really, modelling is definitely on the back burner as the train room is sweltering at the moment. 

 

Ooh now that's a rather impressive train shed, and all to serve a cemetery as well! Some good info about it here for those of you not familiar with the Rookwood Mortuary Railway

[Johnson044]

What a wonderful link! Thanks Neil - the interior views are really interesting. The other item I really like is the very typical American 4-4-0 which has conventional buffers. I've often considered getting a Rivarossi Genoa 4-4-0 and anglicising it - we had some American 2-6-0's after all and a 4-4-0 doesn't stretch history too far. Too many projects!

[NeilHB]

The interior is quite spectacular, more church than train shed really! Oh yes, the American 4-4-0 with conventional buffing gear is rather delightful. If I remember correctly there was an article in one of the now long gone modelling magazines in the 1980s' about converting one of the Rivarossi 4-6-0's (I think) into one of the 2-6-0's as supplied to the Midland, Great Northern and Great Central Railways. No reason to suppose that a brace of 4-4-0's weren't supplied alongside the 2-6-0's in your own version of reality. 

 

After some deliberation this morning I think Ffarquhar Road will be getting an overall roof/train shed, although a very short one. I had a quick play about with the roof from the station building which is about as long as it needs to be: 

 

 

Need to work out the right height etc, but a corrugated iron and timber structure (open sided) will work quite nicely here. 

[sir douglas]

the old 3ft station at Ravenglass