steveNCB7754

Great progress Jan. Assuming it is not already too late (and you may be doing this anyway of course), but Lance Mindheim (the doyen of US layout design and building) has a useful tip in the January newsletter I have just received. He says that when you run your main power bus (he usually does that first), you solder your droppers to the rails (as you have done) as you install the points, but DON'T yet solder those droppers to the bus wires. Then, connect-up the bus to your DCC booster/power supply, connecting each feeder set to the bus and immediately checking that a loco runs OK each time. Continue connecting each pair of feeders and testing each time, repeating until they are all done. That way, you will know which one is causing a problem (such as a short), whereas if you solder them all to the bus and then start testing, you will have no idea which one(s) is causing the problem. Probably well known, but I know I would probably get on and do all the soldering first (LOL). HTH

Mountain Ash had two B2's? Was only aware of 'The Earl' (W/No.1203 of 1910) and the only photo I have come across, is in the book 'Industrial Railways In Colour - South Wales' by Adrian Booth (P.31). This shows the old girl awaiting her scrapping fate outside the remains of the main shed on 19 May 1972 and possibly in a very, very faded light blue (but colour in such photos is very tricky). Anyone seen any photos of this (or the other B2) actually working at Mountain Ash, as I will definitely be getting one of these!

Great photograph, especially being in colour. There are some useful black and white shots of Baddesley Colliery's 'William Francis' from 1966, in the December 2018 edition of 'Railway Bylines'. Includes detail views of the 'Sterling' steam reversing gear and surrounding machinery, as well as of the valve gear on one of the units, the handbrake operating shaft and the ash pan area, plus a view into the cab from each side, showing glimpses of the backhead area. Steve

That's not OCD - wait until you start on the container to put the box that keeps the flags flat in, in.

You can see the relief on the face of that Preiser figure, that you decided to file down the sofa, rather than, well, you know (the 'other' solution)

Hi Larry, My query was obviously with my tongue firmly in my cheek. Mind you, as someone who has singularly failed (over a long period of time) to complete an actual model railway layout, to see one built to such a level, then modified beyond that and now returned to its former self, is both humbling and embarrassing in equal measure (LOL). Keep up the good work and (as always), do what gives you the most pleasure. Steve N

Err, dare one ask what became of that 'other' goods shed? You know, the big corrugated iron one that someone lavished a great deal of care and attention on during its design and construction (pauses to wipe a tear from his eye) Steve N

Hi Larry - what a superb video, very atmospheric. All it needed was the distant 'ting, ting' from the signal box before it set off 'on the main' (LOL). For some reason (and I am obviously a neutral observer here, NOT!), I would really like to see it shunting into the Goods shed. Shipston would have had a 'Deans', but the only photos I have seen are those on specials ('2474' and '2538') and (at the end) the ubiquitous BR Std 78XX 2-6-0's (such as 78004, 78008 and 78009, the latter pulling the last train on the branch, in May 1960). We all had great expectations for this class in OO from Bachmann when they produced the LMS version - well we are still waiting all these years later and now I do not need one! Steve N EDIT! Just posted this and realised that your 'Deans' is '2538'! Have a copy of the article from 'Railway Bylines' (December 2002) - in May 1953, the Oxford University Railway Society visited Shipston-on-Stour behind '2538', pulling a pair of brake vans coupled to the thrice weekly(!) branch goods train. Also says that '2538' was the last of its class to remain in active service, being withdrawn in May 1957 (when I was born - ARRRGH!) - it was just short of its 60th birthday and I have just had my 61st (doesn't time fly when you are enjoying yourself).

Actually, it's a little known fact that there are seams of very poor quality 'Jam Butty' in the hills near Carrog, and some of these seams were drift-mined during the 19th century. Sadly, this was only transported via pack horse back then, but if you pretended that the quality was more akin to that nearer to Knotty Ash, then a small narrow gauge line into Carrog could be justified. [Geology Notes: The Carrog 'Butty' seams were relatively late deposits, laid down in the late Cretinous Period (c50 – 100 Million Years B.K. [ Before Ken]). Friable and coarse-grained, they are unsuitable for use directly as Jam Butty, however, if compressed into briquettes, these have numerous uses such as in the construction field, or for the manufacture of mourning jewelry. The material keeps well for long periods of time and in extremis, can be eaten if soaked in a mug of piping hot tea (usually for around 3 hours). Whilst this characteristic may be an asset, it is no substitute for Kendal Mint Cake, since it has neither the taste, texture or (indeed) the nutritional value of that product.] Apologies, I obviously have too much spare time on my hands this morning (LOL). Steve N

Well here are a couple of shots on a slightly better day - 'Steel Steam & Stars IV' on 6 March 2015 ... Steve N

Hi Brassey, My understanding, is that these would be the horses of passengers arriving to take the train (in the early days) to places further afield and so would be led up the ramp and into waiting horse box wagon(s) (perhaps to Dia, N1?) when the time came. This same ramp would also be used to load the passenger's associated horse-drawn vehicle (trap, gig, etc.) if they had one, onto a suitable 'brown vehicle' carriage truck - probably a single-plank open wagon and from the side, as I think the closed versions were end-loaded (but I could be wrong on that point). BTW, the end-loading dock at Shipston (near the entrance to the station yard, at the end of the engine run-round loop) was only added during the First World War for the loading of materials and equipment. Presumably, even after passenger services stopped on the Shipston branch (8 July 1929), those who could afford to do so could still send horses by the remaining goods service, even if they themselves traveled by other means (whilst their grooms traveled with the horse(s) in the vestibule provided in the horse box wagon). HTH Steve N

Yes. His posting of many excellent photographs has been an inspiration along the way. Due to personal circumstances, my own modelling has been put on hold for the moment, but it is great to watch you guys making such great progress with your layouts.

Hi Larry, Thanks for your compliments - now I am blushing. As you have no doubt seen, there is also a scale weigh machine inside the weighbridge building and a hole in the base of the building to allow an LED or similar bulb to be inserted from below to illuminate the inside. Incidentally, the weighbridge office is now the only original building still extant on site, as it was used as the yard office of the local coalman (Mr Compton), who eventually had a bungalow built in that corner of the Goods Yard and it remained within the curtilage of that property to the present day. Steve N

Surely (at least I think that's her name), surely there should be a canvas sheet from the cab roof to the tender? Obviously to keep the inevitable rain off, but also to protect the regular crews, who understandably would have no acquired resilience against the sun, should it ever come out. Steve N

Fully deserved Ray. Just one thing - does this mean that the rodents apparently infesting your yard will need further weathering, in order to turn them into 'doity rats' for the US audience? Steve N

Hi Fred, Thanks for the information - much appreciated. Assuming I do go, I'll probably do my weekend shopping there anyway. Steve N

Really looking forward to finally seeing this in the flesh. Will be there on the Friday. Steve N

Hi, Apologies, but earlier today I posted a question here about the parking situation and then realised just now, that since nobody was actually 'following' the topic, none of the existing 'posters' would be aware. So if you get a chance to look at it, I would be interested in your thoughts. Thanks in advance. Steve N

Oh, I know this! To make sure the bacon and sausages don't burn'

Hi, For those that have been before, what is the parking situation at this event? The leaflet says 'Ample Parking' and on the reverse of the one I have, the route map points to the Institute itself and then further on to Morrisons supermarket car park. Since a Google Earth/Maps satellite view shows relatively few parking spaces actually at the Institute, I guess most people will have to park at Morrisons - presumably this is allowed (as a non-customer)? Just want to be sure, as if I do go (for the first time), I will be coming from Dorset and I do not see any other obvious 'official' parking nearby, unless you cross the river into Newport itself. The sign into Morrisons car park (in 'Street View') just gives opening times, so I do not see any restrictions, but supermarkets vary - some are OK with it and some are 'Customer Only'. Just checking. Steve N

Hi Dan, Had the privilege of seeing your layout and speaking to you at Alexandra Palace in 2015. Very inspirational and best wishes for future projects. Regards Steve N

Will also need the front tank steps and a whistle guard by the look of it. Steve N

Ahh, my favourite - roast cat!! (LOL) :-)

NNNNOOOOOOOOOOOOOoooooooooo!!!! ;-)

Well thank you Phil (I assume its Phil?) Blimey, I've just realised it is nearly a year since I originally posed the question - doesn't time fly when you're failing to get any modelling done! Useful information though and one less topic to track information down on. Regards Steve [Edit 1 = corrected spelling!]