astropsidings

In February 2022 I started building a 3D printed kit for a bent frame Simplex (available from SWC3DBackshop on Etsy). Some pictures of the build below to replace those lost in the RMWeb woes earlier in 2022. I used some ModelEarth parts (brake stand and wheel, radiator) as well as a ModelEarth Simplex driver, intended for a 20/28 with a left foot clutch; he had his legs swapped to suit the right foot clutch on this loco. I made a simple brass chassis, powered by a Slaters traction motor, and controlled by a Zimo DCC sound decoder, with sound from Digitrains, working via a Fosworks RC/DCC interface.

I’ve tidied up this thread a bit, hiding posts where the pics were lost. I have replaced, and added a few pictures to my gallery (a hidden bit of RMWeb it seems):

Or in the 80s. Ron's videos are interesting in that there's nothing very interesting happening there anymore unfortunately. This is worth watching:

Simplexs on a Wiltshire industrial tramway.. “Bent Frame” on the left, 20/28 Plate Frame on the right. Bent Frame from a 3D printed kit; 20/28 scratchbuilt. 7/8ths inch/foot scale (1:13.7)

55991, and 55022, Maidenhead enroute to Reading. 19 December 1985

31 417 on 09.20 Manchester Piccadilly - Poole, at Banbury. 18th February 1984.

That might have been a different day as the VSOE charter used platform 1 (where the Mk 1 is in the background) and didn't carry a headboard. I have another picture of the train departing for Didcot past the site of Banbury Shed. Unfortunately scanned as an experiment using an iPhone scanning app - results not too good.

47 500 at Banbury, 22-1-84. It was working a Paddington-Banbury (via Bicester)-Didcot VSOE charter for the Royal Mail in connection with a stamp issue, hence the stamps stuck on the loco.

I travelled on that unit a couple of times in 1985, and the first few rows of seats at each end were tiered, though I don't remember how the that was achieved, or how the floor was. The partitions behind the driver were partly removed (pictures on railcar.co.uk). I don't recall how many rows of seats there were or what was in the rest of the interior. The trips I travelled on were Reading to Calvert Station via Clayton LNE Jct. and return, and on 11-9-85 a Reading-Westbury, out via Swindon, return via the Berks and Hants. The unit hit what was said to be a rail lifting jack left in the four foot between Theale and Southcote Jct on that trip, left there by a P way gang working without adequate lookout, and who didn't have time to remove it as they moved clear. I've also seen it attached to a DMU in ordinary service on the WR in the mid-80s, presumably to supplement lack of working engines on the other unit. Ian

37 241, Paddington, 29th June 1983. I don't know anything about the working unfortunately. Ian

Hello John, Neither in fact; 7/8ths inch/foot, 45mm gauge track. Ian

The end of a perfect September day.

I’ve only just seen this thread….It was 24th October 1987. I posted a picture on the Class 59 thread (page 7, 19 Nov 20), https://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/index.php?/topic/81788-the-class-59s/&do=findComment&comment=41982 Ian

Thanks. Working on the weathering for the steam loco at the moment.

You’ve so many other things on the go, Paul! I thought you had a TT kit?

08 640, Reading West Junction pilot, 4th December 1986 (with Reading driver Denzil Evans).

A while since I last posted. I’ve been working on a coal fired conversion of an Accucraft Ragleth chassis, with a Mike’s Models Baldrig body kit, which I started in late 2011, but had been stored away for some years……. The chassis was steamable by the end of last year, since when I’ve concentrated on the body work. RC being fitted at the moment with batteries, receiver, servo etc mounted on the underside of the cab roof. A picture taken on a cold winter’s day in steam without bodywork, and more recently on a sunny day posed with my Tin Turtle.

1105 at Alresford in the condition in which it was delivered to the MHR.

Banbury, 31 March 1991.

47 287, Banbury 15-9-83. This is the first I remember seeing.

Not strictly on topic but a notice below regarding additional restrictions for Kings in the Birmingham area. Were there similar restrictions for other classes? The Stationmaster mentioned sidings. Ian Working of King Class Engines 1953.pdf

4 CIG 7345 at Ash Vale on an Alton train, 9th February 1985.

59 001 appeared at the GWS “Didcot Diesel Day” on 24-10-87. Picture below of the 59 alongside D1010 “Western Campaigner” masquerading as 1035 “Western Yeoman"

Another at Ardley. 1M61, 17.53 Paddington-Banbury approaching Ardley Tunnel 29-6-87

50 013 on 08.20 Liverpool Lime St. - Paddington at Banbury, 3rd December 1983. This train ran via High Wycombe due engineering work between Oxford and Didcot. and 50 005 on 08.50 Paddington-Glasgow/Edinburgh (conveyed a portion for each) at Ardley, between Bicester and Aynho Junction, 4th December 1983. Also diverted via High Wycombe.