92220

You’ve made a really lovely job of that by the looks of it, and from not the easiest of beginnings I guess. LNER4479 and I were wondering the other day about backdating Camden Shed for a running weekend sometime (well into the future when it’s closer to being finished!). Seeing 6243 looking like that makes it a more attractive idea still. Iain

Thanks John. A good idea, which I had thought of, but was lazily trying to short cut by finding a can off the shelf. I will go to find a local supplier. Out of interest, does anyone have a colour code or Pantone number for BR maroon or BR (LMR) loco red? When I ordered the Land Rover deep bronze green for BR green it was from a colour or Pantone code. Which I have forgotten but could no doubt find somewhere. thanks, Iain

I have used a Matt grey spray paint from Halfords which was, I think, described as Plastic Bumper Paint. I am sure it was recommended somewhere on RMWeb since that’s where I seem to learn most things. Anyway, it did a decent job especially as any coach roof gets a good bit of weathering after painting. More urgently for me, Halfords have discontinued Rover Damask Red and will no longer mix paint to match and to order, or at least the person in my local branch says so. Any advice for a currently available close match to Rover Damask Red, anyone? For BR maroon coaches in particular. thanks in advance for any advice. Iain

Apologies - a really poor quality photo of the gradually developing Camden Goods Depot. New sign made and printed, derricks and railings painted and attached. I think it will look ok as a backdrop though. Quick trip to Camden itself, and I found these between some of the buildings in Camden Market, close enough to the site of the goods yard: indicating that Mike Edge was unsurprisingly correct to suggest dark grey. I’ll add a few other tones to try to imitate the image above. I expect the way to do this will be subtly. Iain

thanks Adrian. I had it in mind to add the second pulleys on each one when I’d worked a little more out about the mechanism, and given the lack of any clues outside, I wondered about a winch inside. That would make things entirely comprehensible! Iain

A while back I pontificated for a while about the shed wall derricks. On the shed wall: and last year on the side of the Camden Roundhouse - perhaps these are representative at least of type, if not in every detail. Finger belatedly extricated and I fashioned some up. This is 4 strips of fret waste soldered together for a bit of coordinated drilling: then one pair soldered together using a card jig mounted on strips of plasticard which will be cut away, I could keep the angles and orientation in 2D correct One in detail. There is a somewhat expedient mixed media approach here, but I hope they will pass muster at a distance in the background to the shed and main line activity. And no, I never did figure out the way the mechanism worked, but leaving it like this I could add something later if I find out. Iain

Thanks for the past 10 years, Scott, and here’s to many more! best wishes, Iain

A shorter video of two of HotN’s deservedly popular trains, firstly a Crosti 8F on a train of car flats built on the underframes of ex LMS carriages, with banking help from one of the Fairburn 2-6-4 tanks, and then the down early 50s Royal Scot with 46223 in charge. A couple more photos, please excuse the quality or lack thereof. Iain

This is a bit laughable to be honest. But anyway. I started this in 2013. 44741 LRP Caprotti, straight steam pipes, single chimney, plain bearings, fluted rods, LWB - with a specific tender as below. I have 2 photos of it at Camden on shed, and another at Euston, so it’s a worthy subject. The build stalled when I dropped the tender on the floor. I thought it was reparable but it probably wasn’t and I never quite got around to finishing it. It needed a complete Comet part welded tender with plain bearings and short spring hangers. I decided I should get on with it before the new Hornby one comes out. So I built the tender, painted and lined it, added the splasher lining on the loco, and it is now close to being done. I was quite pleased with the original conversion - like the HRP 44687 it was a major operation to do so - and I am keen to keep both whatever the Hornby one looks like. I hope you all like it! On another note, you might have seen this footage on the main Camden Shed thread, or on the Hills of the North thread, but it maybe bears repetition here in case not. Various Camden locos had a run up or down Shap on Saturday, thanks to Graham and the team: 46245 46239 45735 92220 44687 45027 73139 92056 70044 45584 44684 Iain

Not at all Graham - you had more than enough to occupy the mind! Hope today goes well. Iain

It was a great pleasure and a privilege to go to Taunton today and help Graham (LNER4479) and the team operate Hills of the North. Even better, I got to take a few Camden locos to add to the roster A big thank you for having me! A few photos and a video to enjoy I missed filming 70044, 45584, 44684. 42110 did plenty of banking and 46146 has stripped its gears and has come back for heavy general. But this compilation includes: 46239 on a northbound express 46245 on the Caledonian 45735 on another northbound express 44687 on cement 73139 on parcels 45027 on the Lakes express 92220 on the rail tour usually hauled by Clun Castle 92056 on fitted freight Thanks again to Graham and the team for a great day. Best wishes, Iain

It was a great pleasure and a privilege to come today Graham. Thank you for having me as part of the select team, and for running part of my collection of locos which mainly had significant relevance to Shap. Really enjoyed my debut not only on Shap but as a show operator at all. It was nice to get a few comments about the locos from those attending too. 46245 - in fact not DJH but a Hornby body with Comet frames, complete Comet tender, plenty of lead and a lot of detailing. I ought to have straightened the front coupling, and got it lamped, crewed, coaled and weathered, But you’d say that about most of mine to be honest. It ran well up the bank on the Caledonian, which didn’t tax it too much. 45375 Comet - as you said! 44687 got plenty of interest too. But the star of the show was the entire layout, both in vision and execution. I missed filming 70044, 45584, 44684. 42110 did plenty of banking and 46146 has stripped its gears and has come back for heavy general. But this compilation includes: 46239 on a northbound express 46245 on the Caledonian 45735 on another northbound express 44687 on cement 73139 on parcels 45027 on the Lakes express 92220 on the rail tour usually hauled by Clun Castle 92056 on fitted freight Thanks again for a great day. I’ll tidy up a couple more photos and videos too. Best wishes, Iain

I bought one - preordered 18 months ago. Of course I did. Probably no surprise to anyone, nor what version I bought. But anyway. It arrived. Packaging did a far better job than previous versions at protecting the valuable contents from damage. In common with one earlier poster, one brake block had fallen off, but on first examination that is the only issue and it is easily rectified. First impressions are that it is absolutely excellent overall. It runs very smoothly, but as I’ve not run it in yet, I haven’t tested it for haulage capacity. Is it, on balance, better than the Bachmann version that I spent several hours and a lot of care in improving? I think so, yes. Some of even the very much more obscure details I added are already on, or are just much better, on the Hornby version - step on the reverser, WR lamp irons and the ATC for example. There has been some very careful research done on this - always assuming the other versions are different! In my view, the Bachmann one wins on: Driving wheel shape/profile - if killybegs uses the Bachmann wheel as the very best basis, better than Gibson, Ultrascale or anything, for the ultimate P4 9F then this is worth something. Front step under the smokebox - the Hornby one is full width of the frames and is only correct for post 63 I think Etched smoke deflectors (and etched nameplates provided) Front pony (specifically the ease of removing the NEM pocket, which would disappear for either) Pony wheel profile (not that either would be preferred to Gibson) Colour etc of wheels, frames etc, although again if weathered you make your own choice cylinder drain cocks - more accurate shape although not as crisp a moulding to be fair. Hornby one wins on Cab/footplate interface - whatever you do the Bachmann one has a tiny gap between the two components Shade of green tender brake gear and frames tender doors (not cab doors) overall detailing - ATC, specific WR lamp irons, cinder guards, cab and tender details, injector pipework, smokebox pipework, sliding cab ventilator, reverser step, Hidden gear tower tender pickups (I presume? I didn’t check yet) much finer handrail pillars subtle details like the cladding panels and smokebox, firebox/boiler interface, safety valves but then the Hornby one is close to 20 years newer. I would say it is pretty much a dead heat in many areas because both are very good renditions of 92220. Really characteristic details like the cab profile, front spectacles, cylinder shape, lubricator drive etc are dead giveaways when wrong - witness the straight sided DJH 9F cab - and look spot on for both versions. Disclaimer: This is just a 5 minute look and first impression! And the bottom line is both are rtr 4mm models. Both are an excellent basis either for accepting them for what they are - very good out of the box with a few small shortcomings of varying degrees, and more importantly, both are an even more excellent basis for doing some modelling. I plan to add to the Hornby one when I get round to it: Etched deflectors Etched nameplates water pipes from tender to injectors front vacuum pipe support (different to the Hornby one) Exactoscale front coupling (9Fs had an extra link) Front pony detailing Front pony wheels (Gibson) plus obvious things like front steps, draincocks, crew, lamps coal and weathering So, no criticism from me at all. Delighted with it. Iain

Welcome back Scott. Glad to hear you’re ok. best wishes Iain

Evening, It’s been a while, sorry. I’ve not been completely idle. It’s been somewhat busy in this neck of the woods and relatively little time to do much, I’ve at least managed to complete the construction of something. Someone wanted a green one. I can’t remember who it was now, but it was always in the plan! so I did one. (I mean I built a green one, for the avoidance of any doubt) This was the subject of the previous post on Jan 9: So as is probably pretty predictable, a Hornby City of Chester of China vintage, I guess probably 12 years old or so, so not the latest version, but it scrubs up well enough with a load of work. I think the entire loco cost me £65 and I sold the chassis for £35. Then I added a few things: Comet frames, motion, bogie and trailing truck Mashima 1628 and a High Level box (I can’t remember which at this moment, but a joy compared to recent battles with Comet boxes. Never had an issue before, so it is probably me) Comet detailing items (inside cylinder cover, deflectors, vacuum release valves, whistle, safety valves and cover, cab doors and floor, fall plate, smokebox door dart, AWS bang plate, battery box and cylinders, balance weights and axle nut covers) Brassmasters buffer step plates Markits driving wheels, machined crossheads and droplinks Gibson bogie wheels, handrail pillars throughout. Hornby front screw coupling Hornby tender ledge removed, sides thinned 247 etched plates Fox cylinder lining A pile of lead which is is most conceivable crannies of frames and body. I think it’s a bit lighter than 46245 in the final reckoning. Never fails to amaze how 3 coats of Klear turns a relatively lifeless green into something more realistic. Overall I am pleased with this. To be honest I am a bit rusty, so some things took me a while. But it runs smoothly and powerfully (15 including 6 heavy kits is no issue). It doesn’t have a great turn of speed - deliberately, given Camden’s location - but while it wouldn’t outpace much on Little Bytham, I hope it will bear scrutiny in terms of quality. It will, however, need crew, lamps, coal and weathering, like about 20 others. Best wishes to all, Iain

Hi Brian, nice work. It’s complicated even though the alterations appear small. I would still like to redo mine. did you replace the Hornby Rebuilt Scot/Pat chimney? The Brassmasters one is a big improvement I think. Also the Comet/Wizard one seems a better shape to me. best wishes Iain

Thanks Brian. I removed some plastic from the body under the cab and I got it to roughly the right height in the end. As I recall the correct measurement is roughly 59mm from the rail head. But I’d have to check. The difficulty was that, having used a Mashima motor and a Comet GB3 on the middle axle, I had a job getting enough weight in the rear of the loco. The front has the Hornby weight but there isn’t much room behind the motor. I have a couple more Scots and 2-3 rebuilt Patriots to do: I’ll need to find a better arrangement to get enough weight in the rear end of the loco. Getting enough weight in a Black 5 is also a challenge but it’s a bit more balanced front to rear. Weighting a plastic Coronation body is a bit easier because it’s cavernous Iain

Hi Brian, Good to see a few more 6’9” 4-6-0s may I ask what you have done to weight and fine tune the ride height on your Scot? I found the Hornby body on unmodified Comet frames (a) light and (b) cab and fall plate too high up Best wishes, Iain

Hi Simon and anyone supporting HLJ last weekend, 200 mile round trip to see this on Saturday and I would break into a Proclaimers rendition given the chance. Quite simply jaw-dropping - the ambition and execution; the scale, the detail, everything. It’s not my modelling scale, region or era (obvious steam special apart) but it brought back vivid memories nonetheless. Huge congratulations, appreciation and thanks for making this happen. However, I spotted a discarded Walkers crisp packet that was 7 months and 5 days too early for the period depicted. Really. Disgraceful and you should do better. 🧐🤣 I have just filled up my car and I can’t begin to calculate how much it must have cost to transport it, let alone the hours, energy, expertise and funds required to get it to this stage. You have my total admiration. I thought I was trying to do something mad with 40’ of North London in my loft, but I think I just need to get my finger out. Iain

I can’t remember what my last update showed exactly so a quick recap. I have definitely done a little since then, but also started to travel for work again which decreases opportunity somewhat. Camden Goods Shed Painting continued a bit but more to do plus details (pipes, trunking, lamps, signs, derricks etc) still to add once painting is finished. Includes a remodelled structure just next to the Camden No.1 box, that I’m not even sure what it is but I have found better photos since building the first version and this is closer. It looks from photos as if it could contain a ballast box of some sort, maybe made from old sleepers. Primrose Hill station continues too: Station building extended and semi rebuilt. New staircase and platform, plus the odd-looking building between the NL lines and the goods yard approaches. I couldn’t bring myself to do all the windows on the side that could never be seen! Iain

I can only begin to imagine the frustration and endless hours that you and others have had to get through this process, Andy. A big thank you from me to add to all the others here. Iain

Good morning Tony, Regarding the WCML, Vincent Worthington has been creating the most epic EM depiction of Camden Bank for some time now. MRJ 172 contains a lengthy feature on it. I do have a photo of my own of it from 2013, but I’ve not asked Vincent’s permission to post it here. My own layout is a less ambitious (and clearly less accurate being OO SF) version of the mainline passing Camden Shed. Although it will still take me some years to build. You are, and will always be, most welcome to visit at any time. Shown below in various states over the past few months. I know there was an epic P4 WCML layout built by the late Bill Richmond in New Zealand, but many observers asked some questions about how well it worked given the spider population seemed to be thriving on it. Aside from those you’ve mentioned, I’m not sure of any others. best wishes, Iain

Setts completed and Camden Goods Shed painting begun. There is a fair bit of detailing to add to the building, not to mention more painting and weathering. I will sand the setts to tone down the gaps between them and flatten the top surfaces, before priming and painting. I’m not sure exactly what colour to paint them yet. Any suggestions welcome. Also, I spotted a fairly significant error - it’s clear in the photo above. Can’t believe I did this but it’s very easy to rectify, thankfully. I’ll be honest, I’m not queuing up to cut any more setts for a while! Next stage - to rebuild the Primrose Hill station. I wanted to use the basis of the existing building and extend it, partly because the first effort at building a very irregular and complex shape was pretty decent, and partly because the staircase down to the platform readily covers the join anyway. There is method in all this madness in doing some of the scenic work before laying all the rest of the trackwork, I promise. Iain

Bit by bit, this is starting to look something like 1/9th of Camden Goods: Iain

I don’t know for sure but Sir William A. Stanier F.R.S. or City of Stoke-on-Trent probably has a longer nameplate than Queen Mary or Coronation? Iain