LNER4479

Ah but the rules only allow for pre-building on Heat layouts... (all teams get a full set of rules for all stages on the competition, whether they progress through the competition or not, so I'm not giving anything away there. The arrangements for the semi-final and final were different so will be interesting to see how the winning Heat teams get on in those rounds)

Paul from Team Grantham also does this work, albeit for radio listening figures. He'll be instructed to visit a random location in the area, knock on doors to ask if folks would be happy to take part by filling in a listening diary then returns later to collect the diaries. I do vaguely remember, from the dim and distant past of my A level maths, being shown the 'chi-squared' test (chi being the Greek letter that looks a little like a capital X). To do with the statistical significance of sample size versus total population. It's surprising how small a sample you need to get a good result when the total population is very large. The maths is overwhelmingly against the result ever being significantly 'wrong'.

Should be 'smoking!' by Heat 5 then... I really liked the winning layout this week, the pre-build stations were stunning. The LU station area looked very good too, from what little we saw of it - would like to have seen more of that end of the layout being built but it just seemed to 'appear'. Was amazed therefore that the final build quality points for them was only 6, marked down from the provisional score of 8. That visible connector block must have cost them dear. I also LOVED the crocheted forest. There was something very psychedelic / Sergeant Pepper about that which fitted the theme of the layout perfectly. Yah boo sucks to Kathy's put down comment.

Ah, now here's a theme I wouldn't have minded a crack at - to be honest, would have struggled a bit with either of the first two. If the rest of the Railmen of Kent's layout looks half as good as the snippet above then this should be a good episode. Not that I haven't enjoyed watching the series so far, you understand...

It gets worse, I promise you...

Interested to hear the comments on the novices versus experts discussion. According to the Peco GMRC Special, we were a team of experienced modellers with over 250 years of modelling experience between us (not quite sure how stern Steve arrived at that figure, but there you go...) which firmly put us in the latter category. We did consider that carefully and sort of arrived at the consensus that, if we were going to take part in this thing, then we would deliberately challenge ourselves to do things outside our comfort zone and duly submitted a plan for our Heat layout that we considered to be ambitious but achievable. In our minds - although done voluntarily - that sort of compensated in any comparison with less-experienced teams. Be interesting in a few weeks time when it's the Heat 5 thread to hear your reaction to how we got on! The only thing I can say at this stage ('cos it's in the Peco Special) is that we had a great big hole to fill in our baseboard. And - no - it wasn't caused by an earthquake ...

I am pretty certain that it was built by Hubert Parrish, probably in the 1980s. I have acquired it in a rather roundabout way. It really needs a complete re-wheel as well as re-motor but I think it will be worth lavishing some time on in due course. I did however build THIS loco from a Jidenco kit, some 20 years ago. That was fun...

Back to Jidenco (if I may?). Here's another Claughton, crawled out of the woodwork. It's towards the back of a rather long queue of loco detailing jobs at the moment - one day, I hope to address some of its more glaring aspects. But it has quite a respectable paint finish and it does 'go', in a X04 sort of way. See it running (a bit noisily!) on Shap at Hartlepool and Peterborough on this LMS 'demo' train that we have inserted in the schedule to provide a suitable segue whilst we reset things back from 1967 to 1953.

Ah yes, but if you do have points and they work (remotely) that scores you points (oops - pun not intended!) for functionality and a bit of build quality. That was our experience (Heat 5), Stern Steve certainly appreciating such aspects - which provides some reassurance that railway modelling IS an important aspect.

As one of this year's competing teams (Heat 5) it was certainly more than interesting to watch the first in the series. (a couple of snippets of our efforts in the opening sequence as well - but of course I am not at liberty to say which!) It was interesting to see how the scoring system was portrayed and I think that was done quite well, adding to the tension / excitement. I thought the teams were hampered somewhat by the theme which really forced them to have to concentrate on pyrotechnics rather than good, solid railway modelling - most of the time the railway seemed to be there because it had to be, rather than being an integral part of the overall picture. The scientists certainly made a good first of it and gave the experienced modellers a run for their money. I did notice a slight adjustment from the provisional to final scores. A cynic would say that the scoring was contrived to be a close run thing but talking to Steve (Flint) during our heat, he did say that he was being very careful to judge things exactly as he saw them so it genuinely appears to have been a close run thing. Be interesting to see if they're all like that - we were given some snippets but not told our overall score. Despite the additional time, I felt that there still seemed to be precious little time for the details of the actual modelling. As a competitor, you are obviously well aware of the amount of filming going on but, based on last night, it seemed like 99.9% of it ended up on the cutting room floor. Ah well, that's show business I guess! Looking forward to the next episode.

Team Grantham checking in. Look out for us in Heat 5, Friday 11th October Copious pictures taken but obviously can't post those just yet so I'll just leave these here for now. The team photo was taken by Mr Flint no less for possible inclusion in a feature in Railway Modeller. Looking forward to seeing how it all comes across on the little screen.

Now then, I need to take a note of the current number of followers of this seven year old thread - 207 (good grief!) - because this is the moment at which that number tumbles, never to recover. Grantham the layout has genuinely been in hibernation since January until just recently ... and 'tis true that the work to build the new Shap fiddle yard has taken priority ... but that doesn't fully explain the relative lack of apparent action overall. No, I can hold off no longer (well, I can a bit, but wouldn't be much point) - confession time. In the forthcoming second series of the Channel 5 programme 'The Great Model Railway Challenge', look out for ... er ... 'Team Grantham' taking part. The first series was undoubtedly divisive amongst the model railway community and that was indeed considered before deciding to throw our hat into the ring. But it was the noticeably increased footfall at all shows we attended directly following the showing of the 2018 series, especially families and children, that did it for me. Our involvement in this year's series was fundamentally on the basis of doing our bit to help promote this wonderful hobby of ours. Yes, it is fundamentally an entertainment programme and there is a degree of gimmickry ... but for us that was merely a chance to showcase the variety and flexibility that is possible with model railway equipment. The facts are that series 1 was a relative ratings success - in today's fiercely competitive environment, Channel 5 were delighted with a peak audience of 1.4million. As a result, series 2 is eight episodes (two more than series 1) and each episode has been extended by 15 minutes, with a prime Friday evening viewing time, the extra time being used to focus more on the actual modelling. What is undeniable was that - win or lose - we all had an amazing time and it was an unforgettable experience. The production company personnel were fantastic and there was not the slightest hint of them trying to either ridicule or exaggerate the model railway activities. If I have piqued your interest, then the series starts on Friday 13th September (ie two weeks time); we were in Heat 5, which is due to air on Friday 11th October at 8pm. From what I can tell, the programmes should be available to view on catch up once each episode has aired, for those without direct access to GB TV. There is a separate thread on the forum for the series where I shall be posting details of our involvement; I shall otherwise look to keep this thread focussed on all things 1930s LNER. Now - where's that tin helmet and six foot thick concrete wall?

Looks good to me...

Hi Gilbert et al, Latest report from the S&T department who have been beavering away in their glacial-like manner... Last report was ... er ... probably more than a few pages ago so I can't be sure that I haven't posted the left hand photo before; no matter, this is the point at which I've made the signal arms and some crank supports added. Right hand - now with paint, and spectacle plates fitted. Not readily apparent, but some light weathering has been applied. I'm delighted to report that this was done using the Dave Shakespeare airbrush that you kindly facilitated me acquiring. It was the first time I've used it for such work so it was I was pleased to be able to use it for such a task. And this is where we're up to currently, taken within the last hour. As you can see, all the cranks and linkages are now connected up to impart motion to the arms on the offset posts - and it all works, despite some challenging clearances. Phew! You are - understandably - careful not to focus too much on the existing signal that mine is due to replace but I hope you don't mind me posting my reference image so as folks can see why the replacement is being constructed. Hopefully not too much longer now (!) I always feel that boost of motivation once the finishing line is in sight and I think the new signal is at that stage now. In other positive news, I have now had a set of etches made for the brackets for the other two similar signals so that should speed up their construction once the first one is installed. Graham

Well, playmates. After a long period of activity - with attention focussed on all things LMR - Grantham has emerged from its latest hibernation. Grateful thanks first of all to Jonathan & pressgang and Tom who helped get the basic layout set up on Thursday evening. Behind, it's the turn of the Shap boards to be stacked and stored. By Saturday morning, the layout was functioning with visiting stock emerging. As is often the case on these weekends, we were devoid of the prestige sets so here the rival 10.00 Scottish express (Shap's new 'Royal Scot' set) deputises for the 'Flying Scotsman', albeit with the addition of Jonathan's new all steel brake van and Jesse's triplet set-to-be. A sign to gladden the hearts of all wagon enthusiasts (ie Jonathan). The rather excellent meat / fish train (depending on which way the wind is blowing) takes centre stage with a chokka full yard behind (all four 'big four' represented). Graeme (Mr. 3279) observes the passage of the Junior Scotsman, and with good cause ... ... for this is his latest exquisite creation, given a welcome run out, substituting as a restaurant triplet set. And so to today, with layout now adorned with signals, the customary running session, once round the schedule. Barry and Craig bravely braved the main control panel. Here, the loco change on the afore-mentioned Junior Scotsman proceeds. Jonathan, as per normal, shuns the spotlight in the background. If I be permitted a moment? My new Nottingham Quint set, still devoid of underframe detail and interiors, but having at least gained some lettering on one (this side), stands in platform 5, with Atlantic at the business end, awaiting departure with the 3.0pm service through to Burton - just as per the Cawston photograph that first inspired me to create the set some ten years ago now. Well, you can't rush these things. Layout is now intended to stay set up for a couple of months so there may be the odd update as we make our way through a still sizeable to do list.

OK - herewith the second batch of photos from the weekend, this time focussing on the 1960s. Here the Keswick portion of the Lakes Express, scuttling up the bank. Still an all Stanier stock formation well into the 1960s, this is all Barry's work, originally built for another WCML modelling project, I believe. First coach is in fact not quite a Stanier coach, being a re-skinned PdII vehicle. I have to confess that I didn't realise such things existed. Not quite sure what a Midland Division Jubilee is doing on the working, mind ... Here is the car train, now extended to 11 vehicles and thus in need of a banker (now the ex-Crosti 8.5F is fighting against two resistanci in its motor circuit). Comparison with the prototype pictures reveals that Messers Oxford and Corgi are a bit over-zealous viz-a-viz the Ford cars colour palette. It seems that, in the 1960s, you could have any colour provided it was white or a shade of blue-ish grey. At the summit, it's 1967 and a typically filthy Black 5 staggers over with a southbound parcels. This is a 92220 temporary reallocation from Camden, No.44684, one of the later BR-built examples, with top feed forward. Nice weathering job. Meanwhile, droning up the bank is the now ubiquitous Brush Type 4 on a Birmingham-Glasgow train. This loco used to run on Stoke Summit. Summit? Pah! Old meets new as the express emerges from the final cutting. And ... That's all folks for the time being. The layout is already packed away and Grantham set up in its place. Mind you, there is a rather long list of loco detailing work to be getting on with so might pop an occasional update on here accordingly. Otherwise, you'll just have to come and lean on the barriers at Hartlepool, Peterborough, Glasgow, York ...

Very nice Tony - but not a patch on seeing the real thing in the flesh. Cheyenne, 2nd May

Can't fault your logic Clive. The plan with Manchester Central was to have the central section as a removable section so as you could get inside for photography, uncoupling, etc - but I never got that round tuit thingy in its case. I did get as far as cutting the central arch sections and they have come along with it so I could finish the job one day. FWIW, the roof was four feet long, with the central lift out section accounting for the middle two feet. Of course, I will have this conundrum all over again when it comes to Carlisle's overall roof, not to mention whether to go for the original full roof with impressive end screen or the later cutback version (as exists today). The roof was altered c.1956-7, right in the middle of my time period so I could legitimately have either. Hmm ... Nice to see the old place cleaned up all nice after recent efforts.

Aha - that is one day destined for a prominent role in my grand 'layout of a lifetime' that will one day fill the chapel. It will in fact adopt the mantle of 'the rest of the world' where all trains will start and finish. Rather than a bland fiddle yard, having taken several years to build the darn thing, it will all be depicted as a terminal station with adjacent goods yard, loco facilities, etc. Operators who enjoy working a terminal station should have a fine time. The platforms are only currently suitable for 7 coach train but my idea there is to site the station 3 foot away from the end wall and let the tracks run through - the end screen is detachable with such an idea in mind (how about that for forward thinking?). Of course it will be a load of nonsense for WCML trains supposed to be at Euston (although it will fit in nicely for trains over the Midland route from St Pancras ... all two of them!) but - hey - you only have one lifetime and a healthy dose of rule 1 will be applied. Myself and Barry have also threatened to do something with it in conjunction with the Leeds lads for their Chapel-en-le-filth layout. Maybe, one day ...

Thanks Barry, Here are some of mine, starting in the 1950s era (my favourite!) Here is the 1950s banked goods. This is based on an Eric Bruton 1952 picture which actually has a Patriot at the business end. The Stanier moguls weren't that common but there are a couple of pictures of them on Shap in the Derek Cross book. Out of the box for now, it is a part of a lengthy queue for detailing, etc. The same train seen from the shoving end. Another out-of-the-box loco for now - I intend to do the Stanier 'limousine' cab conversion as this was the norm for the Shap bankers, on account of weather considerations. Both this and its sister Fowler tank turned out to be far too lively for reliable banking, either creating a pile of wagons or spinning their wheels madly. Not to be outdone, I've wired a couple of resistors in series with the motor and - hey presto, well behaved bankers! This is what has happened to the large parcels train. I was originally going to make it a homage to my Dad's cine film of 46256 taking a large parcels train up the bank unaided in 1964. However, in the end it has turned out like this, based on another Derek Cross photo, this time from 1958 - note the blood n custard BG towards the end (needs weathering!), as per the picture. The 'Up' Midday Scot head down the bank. This is my Princess Royal that has featured previously being worked on. I now have the plates and numbers in stock for her to become 46206 'Princess Marie Louise'. Perhaps I should change the emblem to be the earlier one to better match the all blood n custard rake? Not the normal viewpoint but I thought it might make a change to see things from the operators' viewpoint. You can see some of the 'fiddles' from this side of course (not to mention the council rubbish bins!) Quintessential 1950s LMR steam over Shap. This is what the Black 5s were built for in squadron numbers - fast, fitted time-sensitive goods traffic. We haven't seen much at the summit itself so here is the train passing the legendary '916ft above sea level' sign and the attendant 'box. The banker is just out of sight round the corner. The banker drops off (revealing the pusher bar on the rear of the brake van to prevent buffer locking on the curve out of the fiddle yard) as the train accelerates away. Berthed in the siding, awaiting a path back down to Tebay. Next time: your favourite era (1960s)

Good question, Mike - perfectly valid, constructive criticism always good. It is indeed a question I repeatedly asked Andrew, ie where's the 'doors to manual' switch?(!) Firstly, he intends to attend as many shows as possible as he does enjoy operating and naturally wants to 'play' with the system he has installed. Secondly - hopefully because of my asking the above question - it all in fact does work manually as I've tried it! So we should never be presented with a situation of total shut down. Even though I make out that I don't understand it, I do after a fashion. We also talked it through in some detail earlier in the year and he has kept pace with the construction of the fiddle yard whilst I have - in turn - put insulators etc in places where we agreed they would go etc. So we have sort of designed it together and I have 'reined him in' in one or two cases where I felt it was getting TOO clever with attendant risk of defeating us in an exhibition environment. We've been friends over 30 years so understand each other quite well in that regard. Of course, this will all be 'famous last words' when you're leaning on a barrier at a show and no trains are running!

With the fiddle yard as good as finished constructionally, there's now been a serious outbreak of 'lectrickery. Electrical whizz Andrew visited last week for a concentrated wiring up session and, having already talked through what was required, he came armed with every conceivable electrical gizmo and gadget a travelling electrician could possibly need. This is going to be a rather different beast to the almost totally manual Grantham fiddle yard. Here he is, soldering iron all a-blur, happy to make up electronics logic boards as required. Keep your eye on the one bottom centre, with the digital number indicators... I spent Monday morning constructing the master fiddle yard panel, big enough (hopefully) to cater for all Andrew's demands(!) The effort has now moved down to this end with wires starting to appear in serious numbers. My modest contribution was to wires leads to the track. An enticing array of crack LMR motive power is straining at the leash for me to finish. Top to Bottom: Princess (Barry) on the Birmingham-Glasgow; Jubilee (Barry) on the 'Lakes Express'; Patriot (mine) on a fully fitted; Black 5 (Paul) on the cement train; 9F (Barry) on the Ammonia train. Here is the panel as currently exists. Lots of push buttons. Top left are 'shuffle up' buttons (to take train from back to front of loop); next are the 'draw forward' buttons (to take a train from its fiddle yard road to its departure point (two roads); then on the right are the 'offer to Shap' buttons, which gives an indication to Shap 'box what his next train is. Here is what it looks like from behind! LOTS of wires, together with a bank of relays and a couple more logic boards. The board is designed to fold away flat for transportation - it is mounted on what is part of a hinged pair so it will be snugly sandwiched in between the two when folded away. That's the theory. Here's the REALLY clever bit (well, I think so, as a non-electrician). To the right of the lever frame are now two LED indicators. It doesn't say '73'; it says '7' and '3'. The one on the right is green coloured and indicates the 'train on line' making its way up the bank, from fiddle yard road 3. The one on the left is yellow and is the next train offered from Scout Green (aka the fiddle yard). The really, REALLY clever bit is that the system has recorded which road a train has come out of and has passed that information over. When the Shap signalman pulls lever 3 (his starter signal), this causes the fiddle yard entrance points to fire to set up the route for the correct road. If the green LED shows '3' then the road will be set for road 3. This should avoid the rather too many instances we had first two times out of trains heading into the wrong fiddle yard road, which then caused any amount of angst to untangle. The bottom pushbuttons below are for the banker return, which sets the road at the entrance to the fiddle yard for the returning bankers (providing the Shap signalman remembers to press them, that is...) Under the boards are further logic boards doing ... er ... lots of clever things I don't pretend to understand. Happiness is a fiddle yard full of trains - all 33 of them. Half way along, we even have an indication of which road is which. Shamelessly copied from 'Sir's Little Bytham, here is what has immediately been dubbed 'the bridge'. Somewhere reasonably safe / handy to keep spare / changeover locos. Talking of trains, let's finish off with the pride of the line. This is (of course) the 1950s 'Royal Scot' in its full (for the layout) formation - the two Lima conversions standing out, pending their final completion. Tom has treated himself to a latest 46232, as a homage to his original Hornby Dublo 3-rail version from severereal years ago. More trains to follow shortly.

Hi Alan, I'm retaining as much of the body shell as possible so it will keep its shape. An unsupported thin brass side can easily become distorted, especially over such a length. I do like soldering up coaches from brass kits but that's a completely different starting point so far as I'm concerned. Graham

Replacement Bachmann BR1 bogies, John - so will ride like a pig(!) I had to lower the mounting to achieve correct ride height, which involves gouging out some material from the coach floor above the wheels. I'm only after the shape of the Lima's body ... I always thought that, despite their many shortcomings, the Lima offering did capture the shape of the MkI body shell well.

Continuing with stock developments... It was as long ago as February (cripes) when I last posted regarding the work required to create the two missing coaches for the 1950s 'Royal Scot' train (a PROPER train!), Here they are. As a reminder, we have Restaurant Third (Dia. 56) and Kitchen (Dia. 700). Comet sides, affixed to Lima bodyshells. The Kitchen car requires the most work, including additional undergubbins - provided for in the Comet pack. Picked up some Precision carmine and cream spray cans at the York show so here we go with the livery application (not done blood n custard before!) Not displeased with the result. I splashed out on some Tamiya masking tape and took me time. A few tiny tears of the cream as I (gingerly) unmasked it but relatively easily touched up (just sprayed some cream into a small container and brushed it on). No respite with the Dia. 700 - the roof also requires a fair amount of work requiring two packets of roof vents fitting. Here I have soldered two lengths of 0.5mm n/s wire into each of the water fillers at 90 degrees prior to bending to shape. Not yet complete (obviously!) but beginning to take shape. Footboards still to add then lining and lettering. And handles. Lot of work in a coach... Hopefully this should give some idea?(!) Still short of the RTO and the loco requires a bit of work but otherwise aiming to have it all finished by the time of Peterborough show. Meanwhile, a rather different train being worked on. This is intended to be as faithful as possible a recreation of a Derek Cross photograph at Tebay in September 1964, right at the end of the Duchess story. Towards the end, their use on trains such as this was sad but typical. This was the 'Maiden Lane' fully-fitted perishables train, so at least some element of prestige in such a service, a sort of LMR broad equivalent to the ECML 'Scotch Goods'. This is largely the work of Paul Bolton, with a few wagons from Tom D, with Jonathan in the background as wagon consultant. Back in the 1950s, this is the Liverpool-Glasgow/Edinburgh express complete. Was all ex-LMS stock throughout the 1950s so a lovely counterpoint to the Royal Scot. Usually nothing more powerful than a Jubilee was provided for such trains and, although many a game crew 'went for it' up the 1-in-75, we're going to have this as the one banked express train. The cameraman has zoomed in on the front of the train. 92220's Bachmann Jubilee is at the business end - I have permission to renumber the loco if necessary - but the real 'star' item here is the first vehicle in the train. An old LMS 'period II' (pre-Stanier) open coach, added as a strengthener at the front of the train, typical of the era, this is Barry's work which adds a lovely touch of individuality to such a train. The man himself can be seen here, together with Tom and Paul doing a spot of scenery blinging at the bottom end of the scenic section. Finally, another distinctive train in the making. This is intended to depict a 1950s Tebay-Penrith pick-up goods. In case you might be querying the motive power, Fowler 2-6-2T No.40067 was indeed a Tebay shed resident until 1957 so a likely candidate for such a train. No direct photo to work from for this one so we made this one up from what might be typical local traffic, including the inevitable household coal loads. The van was just an out-of-the-box item plonked in the train for now; it will be replaced with something a little more in keeping. All-in-all, a very pleasant afternoon. Thanks, guys.