ChrisN

Will you be there yourself?

Your wish is my command: Didcot Railway Centre (websds.net)

Great Western Railway Journal Nos 74, Spring 2010, and 75 Summer 2010 has all you ever wanted to know about 517s. That is until you have read them, then there is lots more you want to know.

A Metro tank has been mentioned. Well, in Pre-Grouping days the Metro and 517, were in different parts of the country, well nearly. This of course means that if a Metro were produced, in early Pre-Group guise, it could well attract another batch of modellers. Just saying. Of course what is really needed is a Sharp Stewart 2-4-0, and a Sharp Stewart 0-6-0. 🙂 Shame that saddle tanks did not last longer.

Paul, All gone by Nationalisation. What sheds would they have been in for the GW&GC?

Really pleased to hear this announcement, although I think my wallet has gone and hidden somewhere As I model 1895 Cambrian, I really have no need of one, except. well, they were only up the branch from my station. Red frames seems great, but wrong buffers and wrong livery, and wrong tanks? Still cannot have everything. (Any applied Armstrong livery, as far as I can make out will be wrong, as I am not sure there is agreement on exactly what it was.)

The 10:02am that left Paddington on 21st March 1895 had three vans, one six wheeler bound for Wolverhampton, and two eight wheelers, probably 40 footers, for Birkenhead, topping and tailing the northern part of the train. This is the train that sends the through coach to Traeth Mawr, so I have a particular interest in it. I also have a number of diagrams of the vans. The only thing stopping me from making a cutting file for my Silhouette of them are the six wheel replacements for the Tri-composite. I maust make windows, I must make windows, I must make windows, (or finish the siphons).

I can only say what I know about the Cambrian Coast line in 1895. There were a couple of freights either way from Machynthlleth to Pwllheli, plus two from either end that only went half way. They each had an extended time at the stations. I have assumed, on evidence that I do not remember, that one that went the full distance was a pick up freight, and the other was unloading of vans/ wagons. (This I have assumed as they were mixed trains with passengers as well.) They did take a long time. The morning one from Machynthlleth left at 6:25am and got to Phwllheli at 2:05pm, passenger train, 8:40 am to 11:30am, and from Pwllheli, 1:20pm to 6:20pm. I assume, with no real basis, that the Cambrian would not do lodging turns, so the crews would work one way on a passenger train, and the other on a goods. I think every branch and company might be different, so as it is your company, I would read what others did and then make up something believable.

Tony, The siphon kits I had, I think are quite good, although as with all things there could be improvements. The link is on my thread or if you like I could post it here. (Usual disclaimers.)

Tony, Very interesting. Ooh, I feel a pull. 'Must not get into 40ft vans, I must not get ...........' I am still very slowly finishing off my siphons and will post when I have advanced a bit.

Thank you, they are nearly the same size as the big ones that I have. Perhaps I ought to get some just to compare the size.

Thank you both. Would the Brewery really want to move coal on their dray that carried the barrels? I remember a discussion on I think Edwardians thread about barrels, and I have a Preiser set of various sizes. The largest I thought was the one I wanted so I checked its volume and is around 77 gallons, or about the size of a butt. I had bought some Dapol ones and they were just a shade smaller. There were some in the pack that were about the right size, 36 gallons. I am not sure they deliver that size anymore but if Youngs still do their 'every pub' challenge then that is the size you win.

I assume that he would bag it up and take it like that as then there would be no argument on how much he had delivered?

I think I am right in saying that one of the uses of anthracite was in brewing. Before I go on a trawl of the internet, does anyone know how much anthracite a small brewery would use? (Yes, I know it is like asking how long is a piece of string, which does of course have an answer?) Now Thomas Edwards, of Edwards Brewery, purveyors of fine Welsh Beer, does not have its own siding, so could he be supplied by R. Parry Coal Merchants, or would that be too much? Mr Parry at the moment has exclusive use of the coal yard at Traeth Mawr.

I do like your layout, and the way you run your trains right to the edge. I have to do the same and will shortly be installing a protection barrier like yours, although mine will be a bit higher as it has to be grandchild proof.

Especially like the third picture, I think there is something special about two steam locomotives together like that.

Thank you both. Jonathan, there is a lot of useful information there. If there are no pictures then who can tell me if I wagon I use is wrong? Probably the early type axleboxes are correct for when I am modelling. I will make notes, as I am not really onto wagons yet, As for dumb buffered ones, I have some, three, from 5 &9, but if I need to make some more I shall trawl through your thread Stephen

Alan, Thank you. I may have know that at some time, but of course I had forgotten it. It also means I can put the right wagons on the right trains. I assume that 'Evans and Bevan', (lovely name), and Hedleys both Collieries in Neath would have supplied anthracite?

Thank you, that seems a really useful tool, and er, a good rabbit hole to disappear down.

Jonathan. I think I have seen that picture before. Fascinating. I wonder how far down the colliery it was; was it dug out especially so she could stand up? I have a POW sides Black Park Colliery, Ruabon, and there could be a second. I do like the look of yours, well done, Was the Coal and Coke Co. a Factor, merchant or colliery?

James, Thank you. I did know about this, and in fact this is how I know I have the size of Mr Price's house correct as the side I am not modelling, in the recent past has put in a planning application for a balcony. (I think it is more to have doors open to let in the sea air than to sit and watch cars in the car park.) This is a good reminder as there are buildings I need to know the exact sizes of, or rather it would be better than doing it from my photos and measurements. (Criccieth Chapel for instance.)

Shaun, Thank you. I think it appears big next to the Airfix Inn, but it is also larger than 'Sportsman's Cottage' which in real life is larger than the cottages next to it. This is the prototype of Sportsman's and yes, that green next to it covers a cottage. Mr Price is a local and has Welsh as his first language so I think he would have no problems with the older locals. As for the contractor, he just needs an interpreter, full stop.

Nick, Yes, I think it looks more like this one.

Yes, and of course we have the refreshment rooms, which must be a rich source of material. How about Owen? How is he getting on with the doctor's daughter, or has he found someone else? Who knows? (I think the ladies in the refreshment rooms are too old for him.)

Yes that is the book. I think sometimes, although it may be someone different he is referred to as Mike Morton-Lloyd. I am working from a memory that is not as good as it was. Yes, there is still hope. Eventually I might build my own, but in the meantime.............