LNER4479

Yes Chris, Grantham is indeed transportable and thus exhibitable, very definitely designed that way. There are four 'king' boards, with a double set of legs that fold out; the rest just have one set of legs and 'piggy back' off the adjacent board. 18 boards in total make the complete circuit, with 3 additional boards at the front for the loco depot. Most boards partner up with their adjacent board for transport and the whole lot fits in a LWB transit van with room to spare. Actually Scott, I quite enjoy the carpentry - but there's no denying that the real 'fun' comes afterwards. That would be the tracklaying!!

Thanks once again John, Your diligence and tenacity in ever seeking further for more information about Grantham past never ceases to amaze me; that's a proper piece of research you've done there. Delighted to hear that a full sequence exists and hope to be able to see it one day. It occurs to me that the Coronation's passing time through Grantham station (@5.30pm) would be all important in terms of it being captured on film, that being an ideal time to see it 'on the way home from work'. As the service started in September 1937, there would have been a relatively few number of weeks to record it before the darker night's set in so I think we can be fairly sure that it was in its very early days of operation - certainly the loco (4491) looks immaculate in the clip, free from the inevitable grease and oil stains that soon started to build up around the joins in the streamlined casing. At the risk of appearing slightly vain, this notion of people making a special trip to see the new streamliner trains was the inspiration behind the opening section of my Grantham article in the BRM 2013 Annual. According to the Summer 1938 timetable (which would have been little different from Sept 1937), in the two hours between 5.0 and 7.0pm, our photographer friend would have witnessed the following: Leeds-King's Cross (dep Grantham 5.1) 'Up' Queen of Scots Pullman 'Down' Coronation (as per film) King's Cross-Newcastle (dep Gantham 6.5) 'Down' Yorkshire Pullman 'Down' Silver Jubilee as well as numerous local services starting and terminating. Definitely worth being late home for tea for!

Time to get back to some layout building (the Chapel Model Railway room having been effectively ‘out of bounds’ whilst the builders were at large). Remember this? Board 4a (as it is designated) got completed only so far during the Xmas challenge, so best get round to finishing it off! Some further carpentry pictures follow, seeing as they went down such a storm last time (well, one or two were interested!) Here is the closure piece. I’ve made a bit of an effort to make it look quite nice as it will be on view! What you’re looking at is a piece of 6mm ply as the facia, screwed and glued to a piece of 9mm ply to brace it. The 6mm has a series of vertical saw cuts part way through to encourage it to bend a bit more than it really wants to. The 9mm piece also is also required to bend halfway along (again, you can see the ends of the saw cuts) as not only does it brace but also forms the support for the road surface, which is level on the left but falls away slightly on the right. Here is it in being fixed into place. You can see how the 9mm ply bracing piece is also supporting the roadway. Meanwhile, here is a picture of a piece of wood on a table! However, this is about to become a leg. All Grantham boards have integral legs, hinged to fold away beneath. First of all a cut is made at the required hinge point (in this case 4 inches from the top) I plane a slight chamfer on the end as the butt hinge doesn’t sit quite flat. See? Having positioned the hinge so its axis aligns with the saw cut and marked the holes, here I’m drilling the pilot holes for the screws. This is a 65mm hinge for a 70mm wide leg With the hinge attached, the leg is positioned in its intended foldaway position prior to it being attached to the board. And folded out, ready for the board to be re-attached to the layout. That’s better! Fixing the roadway in place is the next job, but that’s all for now. Back soon… 'Robert'

Where? Never heard of it... Ooh, very sharp (re the horsebox) The shop is on the end of the following row of terraces: This was a 'free gift' with - I think - an issue of Model Rail many moons ago. I stuck it in my 'scenery' box and had clean forgotten about it. It was only when rooting around for something else that I rediscovered it! 'Perfect', I thought, as I knew by then that I needed a row of terrace houses on the 'town' side of Harlaxton Road. They must have been demolished in the 1960's/70's so it relies on research to recreate them accurately. You can see the odd glimpse of a bit of them now and then in the corner of a photograph but I don't think I'll ever get to see a clear 'front on' view taken from down at road level so this depiction will do for me. The basic kit had no roof (or chimney stacks) and was only thinnish card, so I've reinforced it with 1mm card sheet and added internal walls to keep the shape. As pantiles are pretty common in Lincolnshire, I bought some packs of Wills sheets and clad it with them. I've since painted roof and chimneys but still need to add gutterings, etc and the whole row needs to be 'set' into the board. Not quite in Jason (Sandside)'s league but I quite like them

Thanks John - that's another cracker you've pointed me to! Not only a lovely piece of film in its own right but I've done a 'PrtScr' as you suggest for my records. I've taken this from the start of the sequence as it reveals some wonderful details of the 'Up' bay platform (now long gone). The configuration was completely different pre-war so this shows some vital details, including some rather dodgy-looking trackwork(!) at the platform end, where the trailing connection to the Up main crossed Platform 1. I simply haven't seen it from this viewpoint before (the train that is usually the object of the photographer's attention always obscures the immediate background). Also revealed for the first time (well for me at least) is the profile of the canopy extension at this end. I understand that this collapsed under the weight of snow during an immediate post-war winter (1947 probably) so agains rarely appears on photographs - fantastic stuff. Have you noticed the train in platform 5? It appears to have a milk tank immediately behind the loco. I understand that milk tanker wagons were only just being introduced at this time (prior to this date it was churns in a dedicated milk van) but one of their first uses apparently was to serve the creameries on the ex-GN Uttoxeter-Stafford route. It's possible therefore that this is a Nottingham train (there was a 5.48pm departure in this direction, which would coincide with the down Coronation passing time), working an empty back? Anybody confirm (or otherwise). Putting aside the 'love or loathe' (I'm not even going to think about going there!) it is an historical fact that Grantham is the home town of the lady who wasn't for turning and there is a plaque on the wall of the old corner shop denoting the fact. The property is across the other side of town from the station and thus well away from the footprint of my model. However, it seems far too distinctive a detail to let a little bit of geography get in the way! Accordingly, I have appropriately adorned the corner shop that is on the end of the row of terraces I'm building (apologies for rather crappy photo). In 1937 (my target year), Margaret Hilda Roberts would have been a 12 year old so we might stretch to a little cameo of father plus 12-year old daughter standing on platform 2, waiting to catch a train to London... Been a bit quiet on postings since Nottingham - been quite busy on 'other stuff', but progressing on a few Grantham fronts notwithstanding. I'll do a few update postings shortly.

Another 'thumbs up' for the willing helper The cutting as the mainlines round the curve definitely has a Peak District look about it already.

Thanks once again for these postings Dave (from a few days ago now - I'm having a bit of a catch up after a busy Easter weekend!). These two Grantham pics are further valuable research for my project. Interesting that both have caught the fogmans hut, stored in 'face down' position. And the first of the two pictures shows how, on sidings (ie where the D3 is stood) there is no discernable ballast at all, just fine cinders/ash level with sleeper tops everywhere. Great details for modelling.

Supply pipe to the exhaust steam injector? I've seen pictures of 2Ps sporting this appendage (so perhaps a 'Midland thing'?) - 40419 has one on #78 - but they seemed to have varied enormously. Most other locos had them between the frames out of sight.

Hi Jonathan, I've written to Danny who sent me a nice reply and his catalogue for the artic sets. What he actually supplies is any combination of his 6-wheel bodies to make 2, 3 or 4 sets - but not the longer brake vehicles (ex-8 wheelers?) shown above. I do have the Isinglass drawing (two sheet set) for the ones I'm after (which gives the info re the sets). Danny's coaches would be fine for the middle two or three but it's the end vehicles I'm struggling with at the moment. Sorry Dave - we've rather hijacked your thread for a moment. It's just such a gem of a picture!

...and the gorgeous Howlden 45ft composite coach that goes with it! Have you 'clocked' that the rake depicted above is articulated, Coach? The 6-wheeled gear has been dispensed with and the 4 bodies are sharing five 8 foot Fox bogies. The end brake vehicles may formerly have been 8-wheel rigid stock (according to what I have been able to research thus far), but further details gratefully received for those more 'in the know'. There was a bewildering variety of 2, 3, 4 and 5 vehicle GNR articulated sets formed up in this way. Others, I believe, were built as articulated rakes from the outset (and we're not talking about the more famous Quad or Quint-Arts which were quite separate things). All very confusing but fascinating!

You're not kidding! This is one of (the?) ex-GN articulated Louth set(s). Almost certainly the following (or one just like it): There was a good deal of parsimonious 're-cycling' of old GNR 6-wheel and 8-wheel stock to form articulated rakes in the pre-war era and I'm hoping to put together such a rake for my project. Thanks ever so much once again for taking the time to post. (Love the glimpse of the D2 at Nottm Vic as well!)

Definitely OT, but what the heck! These two views taken from approx the same viewpoint! This is to be our bedroom. No-one can quite believe the mirror-like finish of the plastering that was subsequently applied Would love to put more work their way; they are 51A based so not sure how far they might travel. If anyone is interested in more details PM me. Equally sorry to have missed you at Nottingham 60022 (your webbed feet would have come in very handy in that playing field on Saturday afternoon ). Look forward to a further occasion.

And I had all my trackwork research files specially looked out for you... Get well soon; I'm sure there'll be another opportunity before too long In case you were wondering (you probably weren't but I'll tell you anyway!) we've had the builders in big time over the last two months doing the first floor conversion work. The chapel model railway room has been used as a materials store, etc(!) making any layout running or building quite impossible. They finished last Friday so it all needs a thorough clean and sort out - and then I think there'll a celebratory 'return to service' run! So look out for pictures of that. BTW - we haven't actually got a bad word to say about our builders; they were brilliant. Nice to know that there are some decent workmen out there (contrary to popular opinion!).

A few phots from Nottingham at the weekend: Great to put some faces to RMWeb names! A shame you couldn't find us Derek(!); hopefully there will be a next time

Grantham triangle was commissioned sometime in 1951, after the turntable centre pivot foundations collapsed in 1950. The 'table was temporarily back in use but apparently they couldn't make the ground stable so the triangle was installed instead (information from 'GNR Engine Sheds' [Griffiths & Hooper]). Therefore, there must have been a prolonged period 1950-1951 when turning was only spasmodically available at Grantham, hence my 'theory'! (Home locos were sent to be turned on the Barkston triangle during that time apparently) Yes, I have the Cawston book and am familiar with the picture you quote. Unlike your Dad's picture, the rake of wagons in the Cawston book are extremely uniform. With Jonathan Weallean's help, we have identified the legend on the side as being 'STANTON'. But there is @20 years difference between the two pictures and things changed dramatically in the steel industry over that time. It seems as if more 'chaotic' collections of wagons were used in the run up to, during and after the war as every available wagon was pressed into service to try and keep up with the demand for steel! Will keep a look out for your thread for more of the Grantham photos then, as and when Thanks once again for taking the time and trouble to scan and post.

Nice going Al - looks great It'll make all the difference when you have your expresses running through at speed. So long as the curve introduced is only slight (which yours is) there should be no problems with running.

Gold dust for me David that picture, thanks very much for posting. Although slightly after my timeframe, the mix of hopper wagons interests me greatly as there are so few pictures of these trains in my era (which pre-dates the much more well-known iron-ore tippler wagons (that looked liked 16T mineral wagons) which dominated the BR era). Interesting to see the loco tender first as well, I wonder if the picture taken during the time when the Grantham turntable was out of action (where the locos on the iron ore workings were turned, there being no turntable at High Dyke), prior to the triangle being installed?

Thanks Andy That's at least one person that likes it then! Look forward to seeing you Saturday.

Thanks Mike, This observation simply comes from endless hours looking at photos from the steam era. As you absorb the detail, certain 'patterns' seem to emerge and this is one of them. By no means universal, more 'typical' I would say. Where I have old mags I've finished reading, I have a quick scan through for any photos worth keeping. As a result I have a whole collection of photos showing steam age trackbed condition (which I think looks distinctly different to the present day - modern rolling stock 'weathers' the ballast differently, for one thing!). I shall be bringing them with me to Nottingham for folks to have a look through. Nowt better than a picture (especially a colour one) to inform a discussion Go on - you know you want to

Thanks GC - looking forward to it!

Preparations for Nottingham continue... Time to add some weathering of that pristine looking ballast! First of all a very light brushing with a grey-brown colour (nothing more sophisticated than water-based readymix paints). I really haven't got an air brush! Next, something that I've observed from studying countless steam ear photos over the years. There is often a very definite darker band along the sleeper ends each side. My theory is that this is directly beneath where all the oil on the motion drips down (or is spun off from a loco moving at speed). Add in a good dosing from cylinder drain cocks and injector overflows and it's easy to see how this bit of the trackbed gets 'weathered' more than others. Hopefully you can see where I've been? The contrast with the so far untouched Nottingham lines to the left can clearly be seen. Oh, and I've found a better flock mix for the '10 foot' (ie the darker strip in the middle). The 'look' beginning to take shape. Probably need to build up the colour a bit more but best I think to add to it gradually rather than splodge on something irretrievable that you're not happy with? And that's more or less it, ready for Nottingham. Do come and say 'hi' if you're at the show. I shall be bringing my various reference folders concerning trackwork and what it looked like in steam days so happy to talk through any aspects that may be of interest. Oh, and don't forget to buy the BRM Annual, out on Thursday for what will hopefully be a first taste of Grantham in print, complete (I believe) with one of Mr Ian Wilson's beautiful trackplans. Hope you like it. 'Robert'

It'll be fine Al, trust me(!) It's only a very slight curve you've got there (much shallower than on mine), and if you look carefully, what I do on the single slip is a bit of a 'cheat' actually, as it's only the outer ends of the point that get altered; the central portion (with the point blades) remains untouched so you shouldn't worry about that. I reckon that you'd get away with just one set of cuts each end (between the ends of the point blades and the frogs) . However, quite understand your nervousness - best try it out on an old point first (if you have one to hand) to see if you're brave enough! Just quickly flicked through one of my Peak line books that I have to hand at the moment and I was reminded that, from 1962-1966 the route was used for the prinicipal London-Manchester expresses, diverted off the WCML due to eletrification work at the southern end (including rebuilding of Euston). 'Peak' diesels plus 13 bogies were the norm for those few years which gives you further options for your time frame. Incredibly sad to think that, just a few short years later it had all gone!

Hi Alistair, Been following your thread and good to see track about to go down. If it's not too late(!) have you considered modifying the points to introduce a slight curve to maintain the continuous sweep of the curved alignment? #175 on my current layout thread shows how I went about it (I've even been invited by the Nottingham boys to demonstrate it at their show next weekend!). From my previous layout, I have much information to hand on train workings if you ever get stuck. A particularly useful book in this regard is BRITISH RAILWAYS OPERATING HISTORY Volume One - The Peak District , XPRESS PUBLISHING, 1997. I think that's the one that shows the line occupancy diagrams - fascinating stuff. Black 5's from the Manchester end would have come from Trafford Park, btw (which also had the allocation of Jubilees). Other Jub turns were manned from the other end of the line (ie Kentish Town shed). As part of the 1957 acceleration programme, 6 Brits were allocated to Trafford Park for the principal expresses - one of them subsequently disgracing itself by parting company with its tender at speed on the route!