Dava

I cycled this line, staying at Ravenscar and doing Scarborough then Whitby and back over two days. Lovely but the pull back to the summit from Whitby past the old mines is a long climb. It is much more woods than when the line was open.

Dava

18 hours ago, 009 micro modeller said:

Is that the ex-Spondon one that used to be at the Coventry museum site before it closed? I think that particular one was designed for an even lower voltage and always had dual overhead wire/battery capability, but if you wanted to then modern battery technology might allow you to fit them relatively unobtrusively to a previously wire-only loco.

 

Having been to the DVLR a few years ago it does seem like the relatively short length of the line and fairly short trains would make a battery electric quite a suitable loco. From memory they also use a shunt release method (with a run-round loop at the end nearer to Osbaldwick but no loop at the Murton Park end), so each operating day uses two locos, with the locos working alternate trains. So potentially if absolutely necessary there’s extra time to recharge in between (while the other loco is working the service) as well.

 

I realise it’s slightly different as they’re narrow gauge and relatively lightweight whereas the DVLR is standard gauge, but I’ve been told the Severn Lamb trains we have for Mail Rail (for the museum train ride) can manage two normal operating days at a time, although they’re generally put on charge at the end of each day. The original Post Office system had 1920s-built English Electric battery rescue/engineering work locos which were similarly impressive, being able to haul two full trains round the entire system on one charge. And then there’s Steeple Grange as well. So battery power can work well for short heritage lines, although I’m not sure about standard gauge specifically.

 

Bringing it back to the York loco, was it a standard design that was also supplied as a battery electric for other users? If not Kerr Stuart then there were definitely similar locos built by other companies. My concern personally would be if the original appearance of the wire-electric loco was altered too much.

Yes the Battlefield line one is ex Spondon. Now in black. 
The Manchester industrial museum has this one in b/e mode. Ribble railway has one. These were all English Electric built at the former Dick Kerr tram works at Preston where the design originated and had many variations including overhead, batteries or both. 
I built a 7mm scale model of one a few years ago.

If you work at Mail by Rail I really enjoyed a visit a few years ago. I’d like to do the tunnel walk as one of the best bits we’re the glimpses of stored trains in the return loops lower down.

Dava

Could it run on batteries only? The English Electric steeple cab at the Battlefield Line runs on batteries and some of those locos were b/e only. Recognise traction batteries are expensive!

Dava

A journal before it’s time, I was given a copy in 1972 with an article on the Runcorn Busway, I wasn’t too impressed. Who would have thought 20 years later the tramway renaissance would be under way!

Dava

Hi Terry,

I have one, I didn’t notice that problem when test running it, not saying it wasn’t there.

I tried to fit a 21 pin decoder into the socket but it was a very sloppy fit so inoperable.

Same decoder went into a Heljan 05 so no problem with it.

Be interested to hear how you get on & happy to compare my model (currently dismantled in box ) if that helps.

Dava

On 02/03/2023 at 14:45, 70000 Britannia said:

 

Definitely echo @Burnham-on-sea's comments, always a good friendly show.  Looking forward to bringing our US O Scale layout this time: Arcadia Pennsylvania Terminal.

 

Dave

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Enjoyed seeing this layout at Barnsley GOG event today, good to see an American 0 scale layout. Will encourage me to get started with mine!

Dava

Try Lima Ho, Lima wheels usually metal tyred & wide treads with deep flanges. Also cheap.

Also see Locosnstuff chassis for this.

Dava

Two months later, have the B4s docked yet? Possibly at the GOG event at Barnsley this weekend?

Dava

I’ll just add that Simon Dawson who sells his work via Rue d’Etropal and his Recreation 21 shop on Shapeways converted a selection of his 3D print designs for TT120. These include variations of the 16 ton mineral wagon and separate 9ft underframes/ chassis which can be bought in 4’s. Link here. 
https://www.rue-d-etropal.com/3D-printing/3d_printed_sg-trains3.htm

I haven’t ordered any as I haven’t committed to TT120 yet and a Shapeways order has to be big enough to justify the on-costs, and wheels weren’t readily available when I looked. 
 

Maridunian's Models By Mike Roch also does some 3D print wagons, and 10ft wb chassis, via Shapeways but not the 16 tonner

Dava

I was a teenage volunteer at Dinting and didn’t like RS8 either but the restoration from a derelict hulk at National Stone Centre is a great project, it could easily have been scrapped as a no-hoper.

The J27 had a replacement inside cylinder block made & fitted around 9 years ago, they know what they’re doing.

Heritage Shunters Trust at Rowsley is highly commended if you like smaller diesels 01-08 but their June gala has been postponed as it clashed with Peak Rail event. RS8 the yellow loco on the turntable is a Pete Briddon rebuild of formerly derelict ICI former quarry loco, derelict at Wirksworth, once a Peckett steam loco & preserved at Dinting after withdrawal.

Dava

I do want to see Arcadia Pennsylvania so will aim to go to this event replacing the Doncaster Dome show. Apparently it coincides with a RMT rail strike which the organisers couldn’t have anticipated.

Dava

The news of Neil’s passing is so very hard to take, I am sure others feel the same way.

I think we first met in 2013, at the annual Trent Valley group winter event at Mickleover. We were both building Gauge O microlayouts and showing them rather tentatively in public, in the same room, for the first time, as well as working in 7mm narrow gauge. I remember we talked a lot and Neil had fun operating my Coney Hill layout with Paul Martin’s Ixion Manning Wardle saddle tank, which we both rather coveted.

At that time Gauge O was becoming much more accessible with the first plastic RTR locos from Ixion and then Dapol and Minerva. This reduced the need for loco chassis-building and I followed Neil’s creative exploits in converting and adapting a fleet of RTR locos, especially Terriers. He had a fertile imagination for modelling locations, especially in the Furness Railway and Cumbrian context including the Burnside Tramway and his later Ffarquhar-inspired Elsbridge Tramway, and was a prolific wagon builder and converter. 

We will all miss Neil greatly, he was everyone’s best mate, always friendly and supportive. Sincere condolences to his partner, family and many friends.

Dava

Added value of Abellio running East Midlands RailwayIts called Miles and shows EMR is a bit of a joke.

Dava

In the late 80s I traveled most days from Sheffield on a NESW Poole-Newcastle fronted by a class 45. Why Poole, did it connect with a Cherbourg ferry?

Dava

Happy anniversary (on 16 May) when it’s a year since RMweb Premium was launched.

I don’t know if any celebrations are planned, but I for one am very appreciative of an ad-free experience, and generally smooth-running forum, in return for a modest contribution and hopefully providing a viable business model for the operators. Presumably there will just be an auto-renewal, unless card details have changed or folks wish to opt out (I don’t). 
 

Thanks Andy, Phil & team. If only everything in life worked like this…

Dava

 Building a layout for exhibition is part of the motivation for me, even if it doesn’t get shown very often. I have built about 6 small layouts in just over 40 years so I don’t pretend to be very productive. Three based on real locations as little pieces of history, and two display layouts for the GCR. Time for another one. 
 

Here is ‘Bunny Mine’, 014, based on a real gypsum mine near here.

Dava

1 hour ago, J-Lewis said:

The new issue of Hornby magazine lists a production schedule for TT120 that includes a few new confirmations?  There is mention of a GWR 57xx pannier 0-6-0 but no release date.  The class 50 seems delayed until end of next year.

 

 

No J94 listed then? Lack of an 0-6-0T steam loco with any firm timescale makes TT 120 less attractive for the smaller layout I’m interested in building.

Dava

Hi Jay,

im also interested in being part of this.

I have an 014 narrow gypsum mine microlayout called 'Bunny Mine' based on an actual location in South Notts, which is available.

Dava

Try Les1952 he orders from them. I’ve been in and found it a worthwhile local model shop, one of few left.

Dava

He deserves an award for service to British model railways, a gold loco?

TV series shows Hornby has some ace younger design talent as well as experienced hands.

Dava

Look forward to seeing you at Syston

Great to see this show. Finally Leicester has a regular model rail show, complementing the Soar Valley event at Loughborough.

Look forward to being there.

Dava

Cylinder cocks are used by footplate crews to disperse groups of railway photographers who get too close at the start of winter steam galas! Never fails.

GCR diesel gala this weekend, so not required. Clayton on fitted vans?

https://www.gcrailway.co.uk/special-events/spring-diesel-gala/

Dava