LNER4479

DMU image is here:

https://www.rail-online.co.uk/p324083191/h46601703#h46601703

(can't post image on here directly - copyrighted)

The 4-coach local set we run is actually three Gresley teaks and a Thompson. It's based on several images of this working which made use of a NER region set that was otherwise idle during the middle of the day at Carlisle, having worked a morning service in from Newcastle and subsequently an evening return. The LMR used it for a Carlisle-Oxenholme and return working. Several pictures of it - always with one of Carlisle's Stanier tanks - by Erics Bruton and Treacy(!) As it runs in 'early BR' era, I make use of a couple of old PC teak coaches, supposedly awaiting repaint into the new corporate image. So it was not a 'one off' but a regular, booked working.

1 hour ago, Tony Wright said:

Just a taster of what's to come...............

 

Both these locos were built/painted/weathered by Peter Lawson. Although he only built models for himself, every one I've tested so far runs beautifully - far better than probably 90% of the 'professionally-built' locos I've had through my hands in recent times (including those by one or two 'well-known' names!). 

 

Thanks Tony, for taking on the initial batch of locos to be found new homes, on the usual 10% to CRUK basis.

For info to any who might be interested, Peter is a friend of my Dad's and has asked me to help find new homes for his collection. Sadly, he has become too frail to model any more and enjoy his models. It's a very credible decision and I feel honoured to be doing what I can to help out. The kit sales last year were from the same source. He is greatly heartened by the interest shown so far.

I estimate about 150 locos in total, a mixture of RTR and kit-built. Largely ex-GWR and ex-LMS types, with some BR standard types making up the numbers. All in 1950s/60s BR condition. It's going to take most of the year (I suspect) to recover, catalogue and package (not all have their original boxes) before passing on to Tony. A steady stream is probably better than all in one go in any case, to avoid overwhelming Tony & Mo. I've agreed with Tony that I'll look after the RTR items but I plan to provide a list on Tony's thread.

Oh - and there's coaches and wagons as well. Lots of coaches and wagons. 

1 hour ago, gwrrob said:

 

Feel free to advertise them on my thread @Tony Wright

Rob - that's very kind of you. Neither Tony nor I claim much expertise where it comes to GWR types!

Graham

12 hours ago, Al. said:

See you at Bristol, then 😉

1 hour ago, Enterprisingwestern said:

 

I hate to even think of criticising such a magnificent layout, but, aren't you a tad deficient in the tail lamp area?, I notice the things at the pointed end are suitably adorned.

 

Mike.

Criticism happily accepted.

On the list ... along with corridor connections, better / closer coupling arrangement, weathering underframes scraping off over-size roof ribs, passengers in the interiors ... 🤔

At least most locos now have lamps, crews and coal in the tender 🤗

On 10/02/2024 at 10:08, AY Mod said:

 

However, we do have a whole department very used to holding and administrating large indoor and outdoor events.

Just a bit:

https://www.outandaboutlive.co.uk/shows

No doubt including 'The BBQ Challenge' and demonstrators showing how to tie a sheet bend knot properly ...

14 minutes ago, davepallant said:

We had a great time there with Euxton Junction.

 

A nice touch (or perhaps happy coincidence?) to have the two WCML layouts back-to-back. I did come over to have a quick look, as I'm not sure I've seen Euxton Junction before at a show - familiar enough with it from the magazibe articles. I see you were also running No.6201? Although very different eras - on Shap, she's in charge of the 1937 'Midday Scot'!

For those unable to attend, a decent slug of the layout at the start of this video by the ever-excellent 'DCC125'.

11 hours ago, Fishplate said:

It was nice to put faces and names to the Hills of the North team today. Nice to chat as well. Great layout.

Likewise. Thanks for making yourself known and glad you enjoyed your visit to the Westmorland fells 🙂

4 hours ago, St Enodoc said:

Our former colleague?

Quite possibly ... I don't know the details of his railway career history.

All set up and ready for the off ...

See you there 😎

On 07/02/2024 at 22:52, 31A said:

 

So, top marks to the GCR for a cracking day out!

 

'Tis indeed a cracking railway. Nice photos.

I've been a member since the first days of the 'Windcutter' project. I got to know the line well (and some of the folks then there) in 2008 during the commissioning of Tornado, including footplating the full route and even having a wee drive of the loco. Also witnessed 60mph test running track force tests, as part of mainline acceptance. Heady stuff.

'Tis a few years since I've been though; so probably due another visit myself.

2 hours ago, t-b-g said:

 

I will be seeing John on Saturday at the Doncaster show. I will tell him what you are up to and it might kick him into gear.

 

John did collect a huge amount of information, so if you are stuck for anything, let me know and I will see if he can help. I will follow your build with great interest.

In which case, do feel free to come and find us on 'Shap' on Saturday. In fact, I think I might have already had a chat with John at the York show. I am somewhat remiss at not following up that conversation at the time but no matter - we've still to get stuck into the nitty-gritty of the station detail. At some point, I'll need to draw up a condensed version of the buildings you are making; the source information may well be useful when we get to that stage.

Thanks, Tony.

The DUCHESSES featured there will all be in action ... apart from the first one(!) Nowt wrong with 46252, apart from the rather insipid shade of green (not your fault); she has been re-allocated to the home layout, having been usurped by none other than 46234, the 1939 record holder and a true 'Duchess' (of Abercorn) to boot. Another Hornby 'Hornby Dublo' example and a much better version of the green livery. Acquired as 46232 and re-identitied.

Others you feature are Tom (Dewdney)'s Hornby 46232, my Model Loco 46251 (usually allocated to Aberdeen but having a turn on the Shap roster again at this show), my 46224, a first Chinese-era example, with a fair bit of detailing added to head up the 1953 Royal Scot (all MkI 'Festival of Britain' rake) and my 46248, also a re-worked first Chinese era example. To those, add 6221 (for the 1937 Coronation Scot) and 46256 (no show without Punch).

Plenty of other stuff on the roster, but I do rather like my ... ahem ... Princess Coronations! 😎

2 hours ago, Tony Wright said:

Good morning John,

 

I'm delighted. 

 

How did you prevent the bearings from revolving in the Wills cast metal frames? My memory tells me they were just crimped in.

 

How did you fix brakes to them?

 

How did you get a more-modern motor/gearbox into the triangular 'emptiness' caused by the design's acceptance of an XO4 motor or its derivatives? 

 

Regards,

 

Tony. 

Funnily enough ...

Just been servicing this venerable member of the Shap stud ready for service at the weekend (works the '1950s pick-up goods'; real loco was allocated to Tebay in the early 1950s). I acquired the loco 25 years ago. It was built by Hubert Parrish who built and sold models professionally in the Manchester area. I was a friend of the family and I was involved in the sombre task of clearing his stock etc when he died. I came across this loco, it ran OK so I thought I'd have it. I did a bit of detailing and re-liveried it but it's basically the loco as built, possibly 40 year old plus.

Anyway ... it was sounding a bit 'grate-y' just now so I thought I'd put a few drops of oil on the motor and bearings. I can't remember the last time I took it apart so imagine my surprise when ...

The original K's motor! I'd assumed it was at least an X04. A few drops of oil, a quick wipe of the commutator and it's running even better now!

Clearly, if I was starting afresh to create a Fowler 2-6-2T, I wouldn't start from here. Otherwise, I'm with John. This one - miraculously(?) - is working just fine. It ain't broke so I'm not going to fix it!

Anyway Tony, in the meantime, I've made a start on checking and cataloguing the Peter Lawson kit built locos. All run fine; not come across a 'dud' yet. I think there might even be one of these (K's Fowler 2-6-2T but with a better mechanism). Be the spring time before I've retrieved and catalogued everything.

See you at the weekend.

Thanks Tony - impressive work.

I take it those are the buildings on Platform 1-3? And to scale? We unfortunately are having to compromise in both length and width - both up and down island platforms will be shorter and (particularly) narrower than they should be.

Feel free to share any further images of your work on 'Doncaster 1970'.

40 minutes ago, Michael Edge said:

, they were always Mickeys snd Semis, although our “coffee pots” were LNW 0-8-0s. I am (and was) aware that the enginemen had their own nicknames and rarely understood ours.

I have to say (although I'm too tender in years to have been a true steam loco spotter) that I detest the nickname 'Semi' for Stanier's most magnificent creation with a passion. However, you're right about enginemen nicknames. To the Crewe and Carlisle men (at least), they were affectionately known as 'Big Lizzies'. A most glorious epithet as it both acknowledges the legendary exploits of 6201 whilst recognising that the 'Princess Coronations' were altogether bigger and better machines.

No, to me - and me equally enthusiastic father (who WAS a steam trainspotter, at the southern end of the WCML) - they will always be simply 'Duchesses'. And being as that wasn't actually the official class designation, that's a good enough nickname. Anyone coming to Doncaster at the weekend can enjoy the sight of at least seven DUCHESSES in action on the big northern hill 

Semis? Never! Yeuch😡

Interesting. Yes, I seem to have acquired a few chassis only & body only kits along the way; seemed to be a feature of the range. That 4F is body only; I'd probably use a Comet chassis if I were to make it, adding suitable detail to the body until I was (reasonably) happy with it.

But not just yet awhile!

Latest update, actually a combination of two recent visits.

We're now at the (exciting) stage whereby the boards for Doncaster station itself need constructing. This eight foot board should support the south end junctions and southern half of the station.

One suitably braced (honest), top board is fastened down.

The view the other way shows how the shape and layout of the fiddle yard tracks are designed to match the orientation of the station boards so as to maintain the access space to be a reasonably credible 2ft 6" min. See track plan in post #1.

Attention then switched to further tracklaying in the fiddle yard area.

And here we are at 'draw stumps'. The fiddle yard beginning to take shape and pretty much 'as planned'. For now at least.

'That photo is taken from Nelson bridge which is the continuation of Victoria viaduct at the north end of Citadel, the bridge also goes across the river here. We have a low relief version of that goods shed alongside a line which just disappears into the wall - we just have the through goods lines, no room for Dentonholme yard (the building  wasn't big enough....).'

Thanks Mike.

In the fullness of time, a bridge on the layout at that point might be quite appropriate and will make some use of the triangle area.

No buses allowed, though (Clive please note)

Thanks Mike. I am aware - propped up against the shoebox is a picture of that end of the shed (quite a popular viewpoint - is there a bridge at that point?) and I fully intend to have the nearest road running through as you describe and try and make something of that scene. Last night was just a rough plonk down of some lengths of tracks, principally focused on the configuration of pointwork I require.

Ooh - nearly forgot. It's not escaped my notice that the subject of this thread has been nominated in the 2023 awards, so thanks to those who nominated it for the shortlist.

It's only a bit of fun but feel free to click on the BRMA 2023 awards banner if you feel so moved 🤩