John Oxlade

Where exactly? I am in Whatawhata. 10 mins out of Hamilton on the road to Raglan.

Has anyone seen or heard of Colin?

I know this is a very simple question (not sure if it is a simple answer), but at a quick glance, how can you tell MN from a WC/BB? Ignoring the original/rebuilt question obviously. I have noticed that there's a huge number of minor variations (smoke deflectors, etc.), but IN GENERAL what are the spotting differences between the heavy and light pacifics?

Thanks

I'm a Southern man through-n-through.

Hi Colin,

Not visited this page for a while so wondered how you were getting on? Also, I am now in the UK and have totally forgotten the details of the show you WERE going to until your health news made you pull out.

Hoping all is well,

John

It was a brave man who took a 47 down there, it could've easily spread the rails and ended up in the dirt.

Thanks for the suggestions re. possible layout locations. I'm still thinking it over. It looks as though something small and manageable will be needed in terms of base boards and the location will have to be compatible with the EMU stock that is available (in no particular order): 4 CIG, 4 COR, 4 SUB, 2 HAP, 2 BIL, Tin HAL, 2 HAL. Seaford still would be best if it could be crammed into 14' of scenic area, which is a 50% reduction in length. Grr. - if only I could get Templot to work for me!(With thanks to those who have tried in vain to help already!)

 

Meanwhile, some further progress has been made on the 2 HAPs' new sides. All the windows are now cut in the 10 thou. surface layers. I will have to to carefully divide the sides and give them a good sanding down to remove any rough edges.

 

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Next up will be to cut the 76 droplight/top light layers that will give the doors that characteristic 'Bulleid' look, so lacking from my previous attempts at making sides for this prototype!

 

Colin

Oh boy, when you see it like that, that is a HUGE number of windows to cut out and get straight/even/equal. I take my hat off to you Colin!

I always thought that Redhill would make a nice prototype to model, the only problem would be its size and modelling both Tonbridge and Reading lines would make it a rather "odd" shape.

OK, I must admit I missed the Tin HAL post :-( and to be honest the DD was more of a cheeky comment than anything :-) The trouble is, you are such an accomplished modeller, *I* feel you need to take on a challenge, and a DD would most certainly be that.

Do you think you'll make it to the expo this summer? We'll certainly be over in July / August - you'd previously said you cancelled your attendance.

Best wishes.

John

I was just going to post a "How are you getting on Colin?" (not meaning modelling), but the post above shows you seem to be doing pretty well!

When you are finished (whenever/whatever that means), why not a Tin HAL or a DD for something a little different?

Best wishes for your ongoing speedy recovery.

John in NZ

Beautiful work Colin - as I have come to expect :-)

Hi John,

 

Yes, you would be by far the longest! Please don't make any arrangements until I have confirmed the show date and timings.

 

All the best,

 

Colin

I'll not base my trip on the show, it is mine and my wife's 50th this year so will be coming back around then anyway. BUT, it'd be foolish to pass up an opportunity to see the layout and your stock. When you live in NZ distance is relative. We have a visitor here and I took him out for the day today. I drove 400km and didn't bat an eyelid. Oh, and visited the Driving Creek Railway ( http://www.drivingcreekrailway.co.nz/ ) while I was at it. :-)

10th August? I might actually be in the UK! Whats another few hundred miles after 11,000? Would I qualify as the longest distance visitor? :-)

Hi John,

 

Do not worry, the door handles are to be fitted last of all.  They will be etched brass ones from Roxey. I tend to leave the easy stuff as a reward for doing the difficult bits in between.  Having mentioned the total number of parts in this build, it might not be high enough: There are 70 commode handles composed of three pieces (210), plus sixteen drivers door grab handles like wise (48), door handles (78) and 12 other sundry handles on the cab and van ends.  That makes 348 parts for just the door furniture- most of which still to be made up and fitted. 

 

There is a strong argument for RTR models here!

 

All the best,

 

Colin

Yes, but think of the satisfaction it has given you, not to mention having something unique that not every other SR electric layout has.

Hats off to you for your outstanding work.

Kind regards

John

I see no door handles?!

Partly to answer my own question, Middleton Press' "Guildford to Redhill" has a good square-on frontal shot of the art-deco building. Their "Redhill to Ashford" also has a view from more round the side. If no actual plans pop up, it should be possible to work out a "near enough" plan of the building from these photos and working from the height of the door. Between those two, and Middleton's "East Croydon to Three Bridges", there are quite a few good shots of Redhill; but still surprisingly few of the 1930s designed building.

This has popped up on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=10202058279753053

The video is not that great quality, but some good info in there nonetheless.

"I'm dreaming of a white green Christmas.........."

 

 

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Merry Christmas to all of you who have followed, posted and contributed to this and the other projects over the  year! 

 

Colin

Salivating..... Dribble, dribble.

Outstanding work Colin, and Merry Christmas to everyone too.

John in a balmy NZ.

I htink that its just track renewal ie straight swap of old turnouts for new. Theres loads of turnout sections sitting in the old sidings at Stoats nest when I cam past yesterday.

 

At Redhill, the old parcels dock canopy is no more and they are now in the process of removing the timber parcels platform and supporting steel below it. It was in very poor condition so I am surprised that it lasted this long.

The track is still in use for storing a 455 overnight at weekends - saw it last Sunday but it tends to sit at the North end of this track away from the old parcels platform. The signal box is long gone as it went back in the 1980's

 

There is supposedly a new footbridge going in at Redhill but not quite sure where although it may well be in the vicinity of the parcels dock and old parcels lifts and bridge which are still there at the moment Redhill station is in for a major rebuild starting next year with new flats car park shops in the car park and station entrance.

 

Another change that you will not recognise is that the old parcels lifts and bridge at East Croydon have been removed and now theres a huge footbridge with lifts structure in its place.

The signal box went in the 1980s? Really?! Blimey, did I have my eyes shut?

I know "the fish bowl" won some architect's award, but I always thought that it was dreadful, so I won't be sorry to see it go.

When you say they're replacing Stoats Nest, is that take old track out put new (but the same) back in, or are they redesigning the junction? It always was a bit of bottle-neck.

What with Gatwick, Redhill and Stoats Nest being rebuilt, I wonder how much I'll recognise when I return to the UK on holiday next?

What are they doing with the old mail dock? Are they going to demolish the old signalbox too? I presume (?) since Three Bridges took over its just a permanent way store or similar.

Hoping my failing memory isn't too far off...

There were some cyclist specials back in the 80s (?) between London and Brighton and as far as I recall they used SUBs to bring the cyclists back. I remember thinking there must have been bikes everywhere inside! Does anyone recall the details?

And if you change to co-ordinates slightly to 528750,151750, you can see the track layout on the other side of the quarry line. Thanks for that, it is really useful.

I think you were very close, but I think (still not sure) that the 4th loop was only a siding with points at the Quarry Line end only.

I am aware of the various Holmethorpe posts - indeed I started one of them.

I was looking through my photos and "lifeboatman's" post, and the track plan he provided doesn't seem to tie in with my photos, but I am a bit short of photos from the incline end.

Oh, and a bit of a "PS"... What BR locos would have ventured into the exchange sidings over the years? I saw 08s, others have seen 33s down there, but what about before that? I know Norwood was host to some 04s in the 60s, but would they have ventured to Redhill? And what about steam days?