RateTheFreight

On 08/06/2022 at 08:40, Covkid said:

Good call Keefer.

These were very active in the West Mids anf there is a corking photo of one leaving Wolverhampton Low Level possibly heading to Dudley via Priestfield. For a short period (maybe 2-3 years) BR had to estsblish parcel depots and a network of services to replace the DMU services withdrawn in 1964.  Dudley was one of these and the diesel parcel cars were used quite intensively. 

 

Returning to the image, from memory it was a class 128 DPU a 12T van, a Palethorpes 6 wheel sausage van, a BG and possibly a CCT. Discussed this with Mike Hollick a few years ago and we believe BR had an arrangement to hire or at least use one of the vans which were based very near Dudley at that time.

 

In addition to parcels there are a couple of published photos of DPUs hauling BGs on pigeon specials in the Black Country, bearing in mind that pigeons were a very important passtime for the working man.

 
Im intrigued by the Wolverhampton Low Level photo especially if it involves a Palethorpes wagon! Where might I find the image online or book wise? 
 

Thanks in advance! 
 

G 

Thanks for confirming; pre-order duly placed. Now I just need to track down a rake of the Hornby Colman coal wagons and we’re in business for a smart industrial micro! The Caledonian blue will likely be joined by a stable mate too. 
 

G 

If I wanted to purchase one to base (loosely given there isn’t an exact model yet) on the Colman Mustard works ‘Gamma’ would I be best plumping for the ‘Caledonia Blue’ version or ‘yellow’ (appreciating this represents a Shell livery) or one of the others? 
 

They all look delightful. 
 

G 

It hadn’t clicked that ‘Gamma’ as a name might have been used to denote the 3rd loco. Presumably there was an ‘Alpha’ & ‘Beta’ too….

Having searched the ‘net there doesn’t seem to be very much at all about locos used on the site. It will be interesting to see if ‘Gamma’ in its Colmans guise does indeed form part of Rapido’s fireless production. 
 

G 

Evening all,

Does anyone have a flavour of what locomotives were used at the Colmans mustard works in Norwich? I’ve seen mention of the use of a fireless loco (Gamma) and something about a Peckett in a separate thread but would be interested to know more and across the history of the site. 
 

I’d also be interested to know whether the internal locos had any kind of special livery? 
 

TIA 

G 

Incredibly saddened by this announcement. Since the very first Warley it’s been a show I’ve attended without fail annually (barring Pandemic) with my Dad and was always a highlight in our diary. It wasn’t just about the modelling show but quality time with him sharing a hobby we both love. 
 

I’d hoped to take my small boy this year for his first one with us both but sadly that won’t now happen. 
 

Whilst this and the Hattons news are saddening for different reasons we shouldn’t lose sight of the fact that amongst this there is much to be positive around the hobby too. 
 

Greg 

Fascinating info chaps.

I’ve had a look through some of my books including Tuffrey’s and have found a number of clear b&w pics showing a silver A4 with what are clearly Gresley teaks which satisfies me enough. I actually think the silver and teak combination looks good too. 
 

Part of the reason for the original question, aside from general curiosity, was that I’ve recently purchased an ACE coarse scale Silver Link. If I was going to get some coaches for it to haul then, given the cost, a set of Gresley teaks would have more universal use with other stock rather than the specific silver jubilee set hence asking. As for freight, we’ll stick that in Rule 1 territory although I think I’m right that in later life the A4’s would have been seen on freights esp to and around Scotland.

G 
 

Evening all,

Apologies if this has been covered before.

How common would it have been to have seen one of the silver liveried A4’s hauling non silver jubilee stock? I’m pretty sure I’ve seen a black & white pic of Silver Link hauling what looks like standard Gresley teaks on what was captioned the silver jubilee service. 
 

Whilst appreciating their designated use as top link express passenger locos would you have ever likely have seen a silver liveried one hauling a freight or postal? 
 

Thanks in advance.

G

On a slight deviation of topic, does anyone know what’s happened to the Maldon track website? It seems to have disappeared which is most unfortunate timing! 
 

G 

1 hour ago, Karl said:

I was expecting the Penrhyn ladies as 2-4-0s but with those already done I think that makes the NG16s more likely or perhaps a single Fairlie 'Taliesin' but I don't know if there latter would generate enough sales as they're aren't many liveries. The Hunslet 4-6-0 would be a nice model alongside the Baldwin but again unlike the Baldwins only ran in black I think. It does feel long overdue for a 00 steam now so perhaps one of those. A L&Y A class would be a good shout with lots of liveries or could they go after something like an 8F.

 

I agree a 45596 would be very nice!

I’d be ecstatic with an NGG16 as there’s the continental (SAR) modelling potential too. They have a size and presence that would stand out for a 009 model. Someone once told me one had been measured but who knows how accurate that gen is. 
 

G 

To clarify the email says 4 x new tooling over two scales. From memory winter seems to focus in part on 009 new tooling.

email doesn’t say what new tooling is ie locos or stock. 
 

G 

Can confirm the team at Revolution are the loveliest & friendliest people in person. Was a real privilege to play against them & chat afterwards all whilst raising lots of money for charity. 
 

@Revolution chaps, drop me a DM and I’ll share my work contact details. Look forward to catching up at Warley. 
 

Gregory 

See you on the pitch tomorrow! 

G (NR team) 

Is there any further info on the French railcar mentioned above? Very intrigued.

Re the USA tank, it’s an interesting & useful prototype to model. For those of us who model in coarse scale O gauge, a lovely version has been available for sometime produced by WJ Vintage & manufactured by ETS.

G 

Today’s tinplate purchase. I’ve always had a soft spot for the Murgatroyd wagon as it was somewhat of a favourite of my Dad’s (albeit in OO scale). Darstaed tinplate seems to get a mixed reception (more so the locos) however the wagons have always seemed acceptable. I’d been on the lookout for one for a while & this one was a decent price. 
 

Does anyone know whether this wagon was based on an actual prototype? 
 

G

Brilliant to see this (& photos) as a long time follower.

It’s given me the kick up the proverbial to get on with the resurrection of my ‘Old Albion’ coarse scale inglenook shunting puzzle but utilising Maldon track & point work for the aesthetics (the Merkur track & points I have are ok but a little harsh even for coarse scale). If I can fit it in there will be a passenger shuttle service running back & forth utilising an auto coach (& potential EMU/GWR railcar pending future purchases). There’s a chance I might be able to make it an ‘L’ shaped affair to increase operational potential. 
 

Given the lack of current space for a ‘roundy roundy’ to enjoy watching the trains, this will be remedied by loose lay sessions indoors and outdoors which affords the benefits of rapid construction/take down with the aspiration to one day have an indoor set up similar to the authors. 
 

greg 

Evening all,

Given obtaining a 205 (particularly green ones - yes, there’s currently 2 x on eBay for a hefty price) is a challenge, is it likely we’ll ever see these appear in Bachmann or EFE’s main range post any exclusivity period or do Kernow own the rights to the model thus rendering any production re-run unlikely? 
 

G 

Evening all,

Is anyone able to provide a comprehensive list of typical Scottish single coach services in the BR steam/diesel transition era? I’m aware of the Killin branch and Georgemas services but would welcome any others. 
 

Likewise, any suggestions as to typical single coach stock would be welcome too. 

As a side, where single coach services existed in the BR era, had they also existed in the Big 4 and pre grouping eras too or were they a symptom of declining patronage & cost efficiencies?

Thanks in advance.

G 

Just discovered this cracking layout and exactly the sort of layout I’m looking to build. It looks like a fun layout to operate with a decent mixed traffic timetable. There’s something fascinating about single coach services too! 

Two quick questions if I may, do you have an image of the any rail track plan you could share with the peco parts numbers please? (It might have been the 1st pic on the thread but it’s disappeared). Secondly, how long is the fiddle yard? 
 

Thanks in advance.

G 

Out of interest, does anyone know the length of the forthcoming model? 
 

Very tempted to build an Edwardian micro covering a branch off the North Warwickshire Line (perhaps a fictional station at Lowsonford on the Rowington branch) where they once operated.

G 

34 minutes ago, Annie said:

That's the first time I've ever heard a large Prairie being described as a small shunting engine.

Alas it’s too large for my future plans however ‘Old Albion’ once existed on a standard UK door at which there was just about enough length to accommodate it. It in turn was acquired via a swap for a poor running ACE schools Which to this day I think I got a poor bargain for.

The large prairie will likely have to be sold to make funds available for smaller locos should anyone be interested. 
 

G 

Given my stock currently comprises mostly small shunting locos including;

- ACE large prairie 

- ACE pannier 

- WJV/ETS sentinel 

- WJV/ETE terrier 

- Skytrex tram with ETS mech 

- Bassett lowke Peckett (which doesn’t like Merkur points due to finer wheel profile)

- possible WJV pug 

do you think in general they’d all manage the points without having to adjust for each individual one? The alternative would be a 3 rail traverser or sector plate rendering the layout ‘pointless’. 

On 02/01/2023 at 19:26, Nearholmer said:

Some photos of the new layout, in the spirit of Railway Modeller c1959.

 

This is all going rather well, nearly finished adding section switches now, and I’ve only found one change to the track that I need to make. I can transform the room from toy train space to spare bedroom, or vice versa, in c30 minutes. I was actually standing on the bed to take the overview picture!

 

I need to press on to build “scenery” without too much delay now.

 

 

 

 

Lovely to see the new layout make progress & the b&w photos are perfect. I’ve long thought (based on your layouts) how much better the Maldon 3 rail track & points look compared to my Merkur/Lionel offerings (especially the Merkur points). Are there any locos/stock that don’t like the Maldon points? I’m on the verge of placing an order to re-do my coarse scale inglenook called ‘Old Albion’ with Maldon. 
 

My slumbering love of tinplate was recently rekindled by a bargain auction purchase of an ACE pannier at roughly half its usual price. It really is stunning and has the recognisable coarse scale heft & sense of presence too. 
 

Greg 

Hi all,

Whilst appreciating that 08’s could likely be found at major Scottish depots & freight terminals, how far north did the class reach during the BR green/blue era? Is the record of the furthest north an 08 has worked? 
 

thanks in advance. 
 

g 

Hi all,

How long did TOPs era 08’s carry BR blue with yellow buffer beams and yellow con rods? Am I right in thinking this is an early 70’s livery as a starting point?

thanks in advance 

G