rowanj

This is, more or less, the view we had as young teens when spotting at Little Benton. However, it was unusual to be as busy at this. The B1 on the Down, running light, is Heaton's 61322, re-numbered from KUDU. 61275 has dropped off a freight in the sidings, and waits a path back to either Heaton or Gateshead. K2's were reasonably frequent visitors on Tyneside, usually en-route to or from Cowlairs,and I have photos on both Gateshead and Heaton Sheds. Normally, they ran light, but on odd occasions, as here, they would be used to take a freight if nothing better was available. The K2 is an old NUCast kit, on its' original whitemetal chassis, and was one of the first kits I built, and as a consequence, never really worked. Recently, I dug it out, carved out the chassis to take a modern motor gearbox combo, and, sods law, it now runs well. I cant quite fathom the distaste some folk have for whitemetal chassis, as I find they can be set up satisfactorily, have brakes etc fitted, and have a bit of weight to boot. Edit..I also have a picture of Scottish K2 Loch Laidon passing Little Benton South in 1957, so another kit,this time from LRM, is a future possibility, along with a PDK Hunt.

B1's were around on Tyneside, but not in huge numbers. Heaton and Gateshead had fewer than a dozen between them at any one time, though Blaydon's worked the Carlisle line, and Tweedmouth and Edinburgh, particularly St Margaret's worked to Newcastle. The picture is Tweedmouth based "ORIBI" heading north. Like many,I have too many Pacifics and not enough mixed traffic stock. On the B1 front, I have three, two of which need re-numbered, and a Pro-Scale kit in a box. But 61273 is authentic for Little Benton, and heads a train similar to ORIBI, probably an Newcastle-Edinburgh (or possibly Berwick ) stopper.

Richard Just to add to Tony's helpful post, the K2 kit leaves VERY little space between the coupling rods/ crankpins on the leading drivers and the connecting rod/crosshead/slidebar assembly. I built mine as a rigid chassis, and followed a tip from Tony Wright and separated the cylinder block into 2 parts - i.e LH and RH sides, and eased the cylinder block out 1mm or so on each side. I'm almost certain I soldered the block(s) in place. It isn't really visible when the loco and chassis are fitted together. Otherwise, I'm sure you will enjoy the kit - it's not the most straightforward, but produces a nice loco. John

One more for the spotters before a return to normality. 84009 was the only one of the class on the NE Region, albeit at Hull. The loco is a converted Ivatt 2MT from the GBL model on a Bachmann chassis. More realistically, J21 65033, ex-works, has a Newbiggin- Central train, probably an early morning "express", as most of these trains went via Benton and South Gosforth, terminating at Manors North. A few took the direct route down the mainline to Central. The loco is an early Dave Alexander whitemetal kit.

Very enjoyable series of posts on kit manufacturers. Can I add the Dave Alexander kits, now much missed by NE modellers, which were whitemetal with some brass and etched parts with etched chassis. Excellent as starter kits and able to be detailed by those who want to. ArthurK's excellent kits and those from 52F are well designed and I have successfully built all 3 makes, and if I can.... .High level Models are also worth a look, though I have only seen, but never built these kits. John

Any spotters at Little Benton today wont believe their eyes. The older boys will probably blame the effects of the night before, and everyone who tells their pals at school next day will be accused of being "bungers". But here is the photographic proof. D11 62666 ZEEBRUGGE runs light back to Sheffield having attended an open day at Haymarket. Even more astonishingly, St. Margaret's have put the last D10, which was also there, on a special to Tyneside before it too heads back to the Great Central. The locos were GBL Directors, - I really enjoyed carving up those models.. The D11 was just a case of getting the body and tender on an appropriate chassis, but the D10 took a bit more work ..the cab and front end are a bit different. As the layout is essentially about trainspotting, I thought I'd post my "ABC". As can be seen, most of my locos have a connection of some sort with NE England , though there a few anomalies. I will address some through re-numbering, but others are locos I just have to live with. Like most folk, I was less selective at one time, and bought or built stuff I just liked- especially if the number started with a 6. Many I have re-numbered already or sold on, and what is left are locos I want to keep for one reason or another. The D11 and D10 are cases in point. Locomotive roster.docx

Since I have this photo for another purpose, I may as well post it here too. The J72 has had its' Scalelink wheels replaced with Romford's, which are more tolerant of my tracklaying. The K3 running light has just become Heaton's 61844 and will take the fitted freight out of the sidings to Darlington and York. The B16/3 has a SO York- Edinburgh, and either Gateshead or Heaton have left the 50A loco on rather than replace it with a V2 or B1. The 3 locos together illustrate how I put my stock together - a re-numbered RTR, a cut and shut plastic body, and a kit- either etched or whitemetal. In this way I get a reasonably authentic loco roster for Little Benton, with the odd surprise thrown in to keep the spotters happy. The last lot are really just stuff I built or converted over the years to which I have some sort of sentimental attachment. So look out for W1, J15, D1o and D11, and Crosti 9F at some point. Oh- and a BB too. Can I also thank those folk good enough to visit the thread- it's always a pleasure to see and hear from you. Happy spotting. John

That's a really nice loco, and a splendid rescue act on the box of bits. I regret some of the things I got rid of when I couldn't get them to work, As you have shown, it is perfectly possible to breathe life into them, even years later. Well done, Brian

The 9F is astonishing. It would be superb in any scale, but in 2mm, it is truly magnificent. My complements to the builder. I did dabble in N Gauge a few years ago, but my eyes weren't up to it. I hesitate to post the attached, other than it seemed to sum up a "thread which has run through this thread", re kits and RTR, and prototype location. The locos are a re-numbered RTR K3), a "cut and shut" body on an etched chassis (J72), and an etched chassis kit (B16/3). All fit in my model/prototype location, the layout being entirely built by me (hence the dodgy trackwork, etc). All would be seen at Little Benton. I am convinced that this hobby offers scope for participation by those of any skill levels to take part. I personally get great pleasure at my time of life being able to produce and run stuff which I either saw, or just missed in my spotting days, but to do so means running everything just out the box isn't an option for me. I wish I had stared developing these skill 30 years ago.

Though there is a fair bit of activity, the spotters won't have been too impressed by the J27 and J71, though the Teesside-based WD may have been a cop. However, it being a July Saturday, there is always the chance of a bit of excitement, and they probably won't believe their eyes when the Thompson rebuilt K1/1 returns a SO Whitley Bay-Glasgow. I have no evidence of a K1/1 or K4 visiting Tyneside until the preserved "Great Marquess" started turning upon Society excursions. The nearest I have is a photo of K2 61789 LOCH LAIDON. on a routine freight heading passed Little Benton South Box in April 1957. However, it looks as though it may actually have happened, as Doncaster took over the repairs of the K1/1 in 1958, and it seems to have made 3 visits. I cant quite remember how I built the K1/1, but suspect it was based on a Replica B1 on Bachmann K3 chassis. I think the main work involved shortening the cab sides, then the boiler and footplate.

The latest loco leaves the sidings with the LOCO coal. This is the first-build Worsdell J72 with the short bunker. 68682 was at Heaton until 1954, then went on to Tweedmouth. It will take the LOCO coal to Heaton Yard, then a Blaydon loco, probably a K1, will take it up the Tyne Valley Line to feed the small sheds on that route. Does that seem feasible?

The models here must date originally from the 80's or earlier. The J72 started life as a Palitoy model, and the Loco Coal wagon peeking in an Ian Kirk basic kit. I suspect Colin Ashby must have done a recent run as they turned up as a pair for the princely sum of £14. Even the chassis, from Mainly Trains, originated in 2005. The loco has been converted to the early-build short-bunker version, and a few details added. I suppose I could have waited for the Bachmann re-issue, but where is the fun in that? I imagine some very comprehensive upgrades have been done to these models over the years, but for a bit of quick fun, they made a change.

),One of the nice things about modelling an actual location, especially one with a host of happy childhood memories, is the research and generally pleasurable reading that goes into it. as a bunch of 10-14 year olds we didn't know ( and if we had, probably wouldn't have cared. was that 5 miles up the line at Killingworth was a set of platforms called Killingworth Race Track Sidings. These were fairly extensive, and, as the name suggests, served race meetings at nearby Gosforth Park. They remained open after the main station closed in 1958, and I have a picture showing 3 trains with a couple of V3's and a J39 at the head. I assume most came from Central, but so far haven't tracked down any information. Therefore, in my world, it seems perfectly feasible for trains to travel up from Darlington/Co Durham and Teesside for the big meetings, such as the Plate. Darlington repaired the GC A5/1's and Saltburn actually had the loco in the picture for a short spell, though, strictly speaking, I should be running A5/2's in the NE. However, in this case it is the A5/1 which takes the race-goers from Middlesbrough on a July Saturday to see the "Pitman's Derby". The latest addition to the stock is the short-bunker J72. I need to fit a smokebox dart and coal. The wagon behind is one of the pair of Ian Kirk Loco Coal wagons. I was a bit unsure if they were still around when the Parkside Steel version was being used, but found a picture of the coal drop at Alston Shed, clearly showing the two types coupled together. So they are off to the paint shop.

A fairly easy, old-fashioned modelling conversion is to backdate the ancient Palitoy/Mainline/Bachmann J72 to the original short-bunker version, which is what I'm doing here. I'm using the Mainly trains chassis, though a better and much more detailed version is available from High Level. I believe Comet/Wizard also do a chassis kit. Or one could wait for the Bachman re-issue which will include the 2 LNER as well as the later BR builds. For a detailed modern kit, ArthurK produced both versions of the J72, as well as a J71. The bunker needs cutting back by 1.5mm. I had a batch of 4 damaged bodies , so used 2, plus a load of Miliput, to re-shape the bunker and coal rails. Added details are lampirons, sandbox filler rods and a Ramsbottom -style trumpet over the Ross Pop valves. This loco will be 68682, which was at Heaton before moving to Tweedmouth in 1954. I don't have a photo, but will fit NER buffers , rather than the later LNER pattern until evidence shows differently. This loco wont be vacuum fitted, in order to make it different to my Bachmann version. The chassis kit contains some basis etched to fill the cab, and I've added a brake standard, reversing lever and locker. I'll also try to fit a firebox, but the motor rear is very close to entering the cab. this is very much a "layout" loco for viewing from normal distance. I have posed it with a Bachmann I upgraded earlier, on its original chassis, and a J71 modified much the same as this on a Mainly Trains chassis. As this seems to have turned out OK, and as I still have 2 bodies left, a future possibility is the fully lined short bunker loco which operated as pilot for years at Central Station. I'll think about it.

Hornets Beauty heads home on an all-stations Newcastle- Edinburgh. I have to say I am impressed with the 1227 motor which is fast enough and smooth. It wouldn't go into anything much smaller than a B1,(though I'll try one in a K3), and it's a pity the screw holes mean it sits askew, but is great value, in my opinion. I also completed the first of a pair of Kirk LNER wooden -planked Loco Coal wagons - not that they take much completing, as they are very basic. No doubt the underframe and buffer detail could be added. However, on test it ran nicely through the pointwork, pushed and pulled, and looks OK in the rake, The kits are sold as a pair, and at £7 each are also good value. The train is in the hands of ArthurK's N10,

Hi Mark. I managed to get a set from Thane of Fife, but thanks for the offer. Here is Hornets Beauty heading back to Edinburgh on an all-stations stopper.

Hornets Beauty running light to Tyneside. I then tested it on a 5-coach Edinburgh- Newcastle stopper and it ran well. It's still a bit "silk purse from sow's ear" but it will be an authentic addition to the stud. I can't remember now why I picked Hornets Beauty- unless I happened to get the nameplate with the kit. One odd thing I found with this particular loco, was , when I came to fit the draincocks, I noticed that at some point they had been shortened , as with the A2/3's and A3's. It seems to be the only one in the class where this occurred. Peter Coster remarks that this name was among the odder ones. I don't think it's too bad, bud wouldn't have thought so when one stung me twice at Norden Park and Ride on the Swanage Railway..... This kit was "rescued" from the box I chucked it in years ago when I couldn't get the chassis to run. How I cobbled it together from various bits in the spares/scrap box is shown on my build thread, which is now going into retirement. Most kits build in much the same way, so it was beginning to repeat as often as "Midsomer Murders". I'll still build kits, and stick a few photos on the layout thread from time to time. I'm about to cut up a Bachmann J72 to produce the early short-bunker version on a mainly trains chassis, and have a Dave Alexander "Tyne Dock" kit to fit to an O1. Does anyone have the instructions for an SEF K3 chassis kit which they could copy for me? I "won" the kit, but the instructions are missing. I would be very appreciative. John

Hornets Beauty running light to Tyneside. I then tested it on a 5-coach Edinburgh- Newcastle stopper and it ran well. It's still a bit "silk purse from sow's ear" but it will be an authentic addition to the stud. I can't remember now why I picked Hornets Beauty- unless I happened to get the nameplate with the kit. One odd thing I found with this particular loco, was , when I came to fit the draincocks, I noticed that at some point they had been shortened , as with the A2/3's and A3's. It seems to be the only one in the class where this occurred. Peter Coster remarks that this name was among the odder ones. I don't think it's too bad, bud wouldn't have thought so when one stung me twice at Norden Park and Ride on the Swanage Railway..... I'll still build kits, and stick a few photos on the layout thread from time to time. I'm about to cut up a Bachmann J72 to produce the early short-bunker version on a mainly trains chassis, and have a Dave Alexander "Tyne Dock" kit to fit to an O1. Does anyone have the instructions for an SEF K3 chassis kit which they could copy for me? I "won" the kit, but the instructions are missing. I would be very appreciative. Best wishes John

That collection of A4 pictures with tenders is very useful. I seem to recall Graeme King posted photos of his tender mods on the LNER website, and it too is worth tracking down. I should have said, though my original post on birds names was intended to be light-hearted, that the reason for my order is that I am "moving" a few of my Kings Cross A4's north to Gateshead and Haymarket, where they were more likely to be seen at my prototype location. I hadn't remembered all the potential issues with tenders however, so Tony's post was well-timed. John

This is an issue I too am facing with my layout, located north of Newcastle, and I would be interested in views from others. While it's true A4's were seen on the length of the route, in general, Haymarket loco worked south and Kings Cross north and were changed at Newcastle for return trips. Gateshead loco s worked both ways. The only real exception would be the non stop Elzabethan.. Strangly enough,the majority of BR era photos of A4 trains to and from Edinburgh are Haymarket locos, and to the south, Kings Cross ones. Gateshead seems to have had an ambivalent relationship with its A4's. So for York, I think Kings Cross and Gateshead loco s would predominate ,in that order, with Haymarket based loco s a great for the spotters. In my books around York, there are a surprising number of photos of 60008. Other views welcome

I don't know if this will count to real twitchers, but I've just ordered nameplates for Guillemot, Sparrow Hawk and Kingfisher. All these birds were once common around Gateshead, though the last flew down from Edinburgh." Kingfisher" will adorn a Wills A4 on Comet chassis when I get round to building it- using solder, of course. John

Something a bit different. I have more stock from previous layouts than Little Benton can accommodate, including this 6-coach rake of Southern Pride MK1 TPO's. I need to design and get built some cassettes on the lines that Gilbert Barnett uses on Peterborough North. In the meantime, they have been taken from the storage boxes to see how they go. The second one, incidentally, and easily the best constructed , was a gift from a good RM Web friend. Class 46 D163 heads the train, en-route to shops where it will be re-numbered as a Gateshead loco, lose its' name, and be weathered as demonstrated by Tom Wright on a Right Lines DVD, using powders.

The penultimate post. The A2 chassis is virtually complete, Pickups need fitted , as do draincocks- I'll use Hornby A4's. Neither of these should be an issue, but the question of brakes remains. I needed to build up the cylinder covers, as the A3 ones looked a bit puny. As for the body, I need to find a pair of Wakefield lubricators for the LH footplate. I'll fit a dummy coupling, which I'll need to purchase, and a heating pipe to loco and tender. I'll also produce something to reduce the gap over the leading bogie wheel. The tender body is the GBL clone supplied in Apple Green with "BRITISH RAILWAYS" and fully lined . I rubbed this down, did some real old-fashioned modelling on the moulded handrails and primed and painted. The BR green is Railmatch from a can, and the primer Halfords red. I prefer this, particularly for chassis and black locos, as it can show through at interesting places to represent rust. Modelmaster lining will complete the loco. The next and last post should be the completed loco in service. Edit. I think this looks a bit better. I fitted the very prominent "mudguard" which was actually on the frames above all 4 bogie wheels, and a front step. So at least that horrible gap has gone. I'll trim the guard once the epoxy holding it has cured, and see how it looks with a coat of black paint. John

That J94 has been hanging around and getting in the photographer's way for too long, so it's time it took the short rake of ventilated meat from a local mart, probably Morpeth, to Heaton Yard or New Bridge Goods where it will be added to stock from the Tyne Valley and taken South , probably B1 hauled. Why did Heaton have a single J94? All its' yard work was handled by J72's. with the short trip stuff in the hands of N10's. J71/2/7's. Still. it allows me to legitimately have one. I certainly never "spotted" it in real life, despite hundreds of trips between Wallsend and Central on the North Tyneside electrics.

The North Eastern Kits N10, 69092, heads for Tyneside with the Loco Coal. This is the kit to which I added the vacuum brake. These are really magnificent kits, A skilled builder can produce a truly outstanding model, and even an average modeller like me ends up with a perfectly fine "layout" loco. The kits contain lots of small details, and challenge the fingertips when soldering, but I tried to add as much as possible. How much is visible from normal viewing distance is a moot point. Arthur was always willing to help with any small issues I had, and I cant recommend his kits too highly. As an aside, the Loco Coal is out because I have just obtained a couple of Ian Kirk LNER planked Loco Coal Wagons to augment the rake. These are basic kits but are suitable for my purposes. I assume Colin Ashby who took over this part of the Kirk range, has managed to produce a run of some of the kits.