Phil Copleston

Good to meet you too, Don. I agree, it was a super day!

Unfortunately, I didn't take any photos (I was too busy eating or yacking) - but Maurice Hopper did! Just to illustrate the progress Maurice has made with his Dutch P87 quayside opus 'Coevoordsekade' in the last week or so - here is his photo of the layout at Taunton today. The NS 200 class shunting tractor and wagons actually ran up and down the main track from the 'fiddle yard' to the end of the long siding, although most of the crossings and check rails have yet to be fitted. Out front under the wharf projection is (what will be) a representation of the water of the canal - a sorta 'horizontal backscene' affair, which will effectively extend forward and double the scenic portion of this otherwise minimal-space layout. There will be a conventional sky backscene behind the building flats (just black foamboard silhouettes at the moment) too. Most of the buildings and the general canal-side location are based on prototypes found in Coevorden, northeastern Netherlands - a town which, as it happens, was rebuilt in the seventeenth century by a certain Maurice, Prince of Orange! Needless to say, this little unfinished layout is promising to live up to Maurice's usual high standards of finish and inovation. Of course, the whole caboodle packs into a single plastic snap-lidded carry-box which fits into a custom-made carry-bag for conveyance by public transport, as is Maurice's usual habbit. Pity my ugly mug got in the way!

Thanks the The Capt'n and his First Mate (Andy Y) and the crew for another excellent day. And an especial thanks to the galley slaves - you kept our body and soul together through another gruelling day upon the high seas off Swagonia! Super layouts, yummy grub, and delightful company, as always.

Dave, As usual, both you and Jerry are talking a lot of good sense! Not withstanding the valuable contributions to this interesting discussion by others, of course.

I agree, Jerry. But like the application of 2-mil finescale standards, we all know of examples of so-called finescale layouts equipped with 9.42mm gauge track and wheels, but which have otherwise rather missed the 'finescale' point! So don't judge all DCC layouts with the same brush (I love mixed metaphors!). Indeed, DCC done properly can change the whole way you approach operation - even on a shunting layout - as, like the old Digitrax slogan, DCC lets you "run your trains, not your track" (i.e. wiring).

Tim, Pentrollers are not redundant (as you implied) and are still probably the best DC controllers around (even today) as they were developed by Stewart Hine for use with coreless motors on Pendon Museum's 4mm layouts (hence the name). By "moving on" I assume you mean DCC - yes this offers a very different method of control (and thought processes when operating) with additional bells and whistles, but does not necessarily offer better loco control than DC. Other systems, such as on-board rechargeable battery radio/smartphone/infra-red control systems are other intriguing options now starting to challenge DCC's predominance. Personally, although I have switched to DCC (NCE Powercab) I still keep my Pentrollers for simple testing of locos at home (before installing sensitive chips) or for use when visiting others' DC-only layouts. Of course, it is perfectly possible to design a layout to be both DCC and DC compatible at the flick of a master-switch, which is probably the best of both worlds! So, NEVER throw your Pentrollers away - they are still top-notch pure DC controllers perfectly matched for the needs of the sensitive cored and coreless electric motors we use in our models! [/proselytising mode off]

I'm learning an awful lot about canals on this thread!

Jerry, S'lookin' good, my friend - albeit a bit 'washed out' - which is no doubt how you'll feel on Saturday morning after this coming Friday's "little drinky"! Hmmm... this must be 'method modelling'... Looking forward to seeing Mr W. Smith's canal-side facilities and you both at the weekend!

Now, Mon Capitaine, I'm happy being a congenial idiot... (which is probably why I don't feel offended)

Ahhh well, that's Colonel Stephens' railways for you...

Steam, steam, steam please. Toot-toot!!! Failing that, I'm voting green...

Me too!

Andy, You've made some interesting observations (I've numbered your points above, with my responses similarly numbered below): 1. Exhaust: I hadn't previously considered where the engine exhaust was emitted. Looking back through the clip, I can see what you mean. Although the 'exhaust smoke' could just be road-dust thrown up. I had assumed the exhaust pipe itself would be short and come out near the engine. But then, the railmotors must have been fitted with some sort of silencer so exhausting towards the rear would have been more practical. Then of course your point about exhaust fumes drifting into the trailing vehicle makes sense. So perhaps the rear car was just as smelly as the front car (possibly more so!). 2. Motorman or driver: "The man with the can"... You mean this chap? (snipped from the film) He's the driver by the look of his 'uniform' (he is seen later in the clip driving the Shefflex set out of Chichester). Whether this is the same chap who is wearing the longer coat while turning over the starting handle, I don't know. But bearing in mind the Colonel's economies in staffing, I suspect it is indeed the same person. 3. Water or oil can: The can itself looks similar to the one in this well-known view of a man topping up the water of the Selsey Ford set from a re-used Shell Motor Spirit can. At that time (1920s), petrol was generally only available in 1 gallon metal cans, so reusing the empty containers for carrying cooling water or lubricating oil was an obvious secondary use for them. 4. Worn engine: Now you mention it, and having re-viewed the clip, I can see that the engine does seem very worn and 'loose', with him having to turn the crank shaft over some way before finding suitable compression to get it started. This must have been a right pain, particularly during inclement or very cold weather. No starter-motors back then! Thanks for your observations, Andy. You have prompted me to more critically re-look at these old films and deduce from them far more about the Colonel's light railways' operating practices. Not sure how all this directly helps Jerry in his quest, but nevertheless good stuff!

Here's more film footage shot in the early 1930s of the Colonel Stephens' railmotors on the Selsey Tramway, which you devotees of the more idiosyncratic aspects of British railway history will find interesting, I'm sure! This short 1:12 minute-long film briefly shows the Ford railmotor set, first passing Pagham Harbour on the railway embankment, then arriving at Selsey station (note the single passenger!). This is followed by a longer sequence (from 0.25) of the rather fuller Shefflex set arriving then departing Chichester. Such is the crush, one behatted gentleman has elected to travel to Selsey standing aboard the centre luggage trailer! The scene of the Motorman standing on the starting handle of the leading Shefflex railcar to get it going is priceless! Enjoy...

Ho ho ho... this almost sounds like a challenge for Mr. Hopper! But then his Devon top-crimped pasty-module probably wouldn't connect with my Cornish side-crimped affair. Yep, this may lead to skirmishes at the border...

Ahem! I thought this thread was rather drifting off-topic with all this talk of loud shirts etc. So, to bring it back to the true purpose of our meeting at Staplegrove next month, here's a gentle reminder... aka The Pasty Muncher! Also, here are the true Cornish quality-assurance 'Rules' for "proper-job" pasties: http://www.cornishpastyassociation.co.uk/what-is-a-genuine-cornish-pasty

Super footage Sparks! Thanks for digging it out. This thread is fast becoming a Colonel Stephens Ford railcar-fest, but great fun. I hope Jerry doesn't mind? I also found this footage of the Ford set on the Selsey Tramway. After passing the steam-hauled train going the other way, the Ford railmotor departs the loop - but driverless! What looks like the Driver is seen boarding his moving vehicles as they free-wheel out of Sidlesham Station - yikes! And note the centre luggage trailer with its goodly load (one for Jerry). The final scenes show Sidlesham Station building (rebuilt after the 1910 flood at right-angles to the railway alongside the road) and Ferry Halt. The film title claims these scenes are from "1937", but that's too late as the railway closed in 1935. Also, the styles of dress suggest it was shot in the late '20s or early '30s. The over-writing "BTA" is a bit intrusive. BTW, I've re-edited my post #22 to add a photo illustrating my observation that Stephens' railcar passengers often prefered the quieter fume-free trailing railcar. Take a look!

Indeed, sedate. And smelly and noisy too! Apparently, the Colonel's railcars had a reputation for the stench of their exhaust fumes and the roar of the Ford TT engine. As only the leading vehicle was powered, regular passengers 'in the know' usually took to travelling in the rear vehicle, leaving the Driver to it. Perusal of photos of railcar-pairs in normal service (not posed) often shows a lone figure at the controls, with a gaggle of passengers as far away from the fumes and racket as possible, huddled in the trailing (unpowered) car. NEW EDIT: To demonstrate my point, you can see the Driver sitting alone upfront in one of the the Selsey Tramway's Shefflex cars suffering the roar of the engine on the left, while passengers elect to sit in the quieter unpowered Ford car being towed at the rear (note the missing bonnet cover) - the whole ensemble having just paused at Selsey Bridge Halt. Oh yes, the Colonel's lines were full of unexpected character!

The Shropshire & Montgomeryshire Railway's unique three-car Ford set, as seen from the other end. Here it is posed at Shrewsbury Abbey station platform during the mid 1920s. No luggage trailer this time, but a delightful light railway composition nevertheless. And here's the same Ford railcars running on the S&M (as a two-car set) in 1928 (from 0:50):

Just for inspiration: This is the Colonel's unique Shropshire & Montgomeryshire Railway four-vehicle Ford lash-up! Composed of the S&M's three-car set with unpowered centre car (rarely seen), plus one of the railcar luggage trailers sandwiched between. The set is seen here parked outside the S&M's Shrewsbury Abbey station in the late 1920s. A complete light railway mixed train in one package.

Oh, you're a brave man, Gunga Din! But an inspiring topic, Jerry. I've always delighted in the Ford railcars of various ilks - my favourite is the Derwent Valley Light Railway set. For your Ford railcar set - to maintain that light 'n airy character so typical of these vehicles - I suggest you avoid that 'box van' scenario, but instead look first at the practicalities of motorising one of those small 4-wheel luggage wagons the Colonel used between his pairs of railcars. With a Nigel Lawton motor and one of his natty friction drives, you might just get away with it under a load of boxes covered with a tarpaulin. After all, it doesn't have to push/pull much except a pair of very light and airy railbuses either side! To max adhesion, you could even consider casting most up the upper works in lead or whitemetal using a scratchbuilt body/load as a pattern. Just a thought. As for the Ilfracombe Goods - super choice! Maurice H is in the advanced stages of scratchbuilding one in S scale (see his blog on here) - and like you, he is building the original small-boilered, rear-domed version (but with 4-wheel tender). I'm sure he has lots of prototype and modelling tips he'd be happy to share with you if you need it! Just ask him.

And a longtime between lunch and afternoon cakes... Cripes, that's at least an hour without sustenance! So ordering both pie and pasty is now starting to seem a wise choice

Ummm... then if not CK, how will you know which one to serve to each punter? I demand "my" individual bespoke pre-ordered pasty! I'm pretty sure Philps Bakery in Hayle keeps tabs by a 'pasty passport' system...

Don, Thanks. But waddya mean "minority scales"! 1:64th scale is mainstream, ain't it? Anyway, I don't care: I'm famous in my own lunchtime...

Poll? What poll? I'm from Cornwall where pasties are freely available (on production of wallet and MK voting card). Pre-booking God's free air or pasties is an anathema. But I accept that folks do things differently "oop north" in Debbon. Links to the poll please, CK!