88C

That’s the plan but it is not as straight forward as I had hoped, I will post some pictures when I get chance. Brian

An unexpected problem arose when testing the Barry chassis, the one with the Branchlines gearbox. The motor worked but nothing moved, closer inspection revealed that the gear which is an interference fit wasn't turning, see photo. There isn't enough space to get some Loctite in so another solution had to be found and after thinking about it overnight I wondered if it would be possible to pin the two adjacent gears together. I managed to do a partial dismantling of the gearbox and set to work. Using a new 0.5mm drill bit I put a couple of holes through the offending gear and by putting the two gears onto an old axle I could accurately drill into the other gear. I used 0.5mm nickel silver wire for the pins, secured with superglue. Once the pins had been cut back the gearbox was reassembled and without talking too soon, I think I have solved the problem. These Branchlines gearboxes are very nice when working but it is tricky to get the one gear that is an interference fit right. Although the box worked when first assembled it is possible that the lubrication got into the joint, if I use one of these again I may well pin straight away. Brian

I now have a boiler for the Barry loco. The etch is supplied flat so the boiler has to be rolled, long ago I decided that this job needs some rolling bars so my GW set has once again proved it's worth. There are a couple of overlays and a front to build up the smokebox. The top overlay needs a bit more forming and can only be rolled so far. The brass is 15th and quite stiff so annealing the ends made the job easier but still tricky to hold everything in place whilst soldering. The completed boiler was then test fitted to the body so that I could work out where to fix the etches for the frames. The backs of the splashers needed to be attacked with a file to get the frames in the right place. Since taking these pictures I have now cut away the underside of the boiler to clear the motor although as yet I have not fastened the two units together. Now that it is looking like an engine there is all the detailing to tackle but first I want to bring the GW version to a similar state. Brian

I have decided to start a new thread to complement my Llanforen layout thread. Since I spend far more time building models this is probably a more appropriate place for my efforts. Before I start, I do not claim to be an expert modeller even though I have been doing it for a long time but I, usually, enjoy it and as has been said before, there is satisfaction in building something for yourself. Having an interest in the Barry Railway there is no alternative to kits or scratch building. Another point often made by kit builders is that you should work from a photo of your chosen loco at the appropriate period for your model, try doing that with the Barry. The main source of Barry kits is Redcraft Models in Cardiff and over the years Derek Harris has been helpful in supplying parts for scratch build projects. The etches are designed for 7mm and date back to the late 80's/early 90's so they are not the easiest of builds but you do end up with something unusual, if not completely accurate they look the part. I tend to build in both Barry and GW form. I am starting off with a project which is part way through so none of the early details. The Redcraft Barry B1 kit includes sides and rear for the GW style bunker as well as the original design so I am using the spare sides as a scratch aid and doing a parallel build. The two chassis are complete, for the GW version I decided to build my own rather than buy one. Both use Scalelink wheels, although for future builds I will probably bite the bullet and go for Markits. The Barry loco has a Mashima 1424 motor with a Branchlines multibox 53:1 gearbox whereas for various reasons the GW one has 1420 couple to a High Level Roadrunner+ 50ish:1. The B1s were the workhorses on the Barry and were build over several years by three different builders and as can be expected, details changed and I am trying to reflect this in my fleet, however this time the Barry loco will be as the kit with little variation. The GW one needs more work because a lot of parts need making mostly by using the etches to copy, the boiler I will deal with later. As you can see from the photo a lot of progress has been made on the bodies, Barry at the front and GW to the rear. The etch for the boiler is being worked on before I decide how to tackle the other one. That's it for now, I will keep you up to date with progress but I do work slowly. Brian

How can you not like a pannier?

I suppose my earliest memories must come from staying with my Grandparents in Barry for our annual two week stay. The house overlooked the railway and I can remember how the china cabinet rattled when a coal train went along the Vale of Glamorgan line. My Grandfather worked at the offices in Barry docks so no doubt that was an influence. I have posted this photo on my Llanforen thread but it is worth putting it here as well and that will explain a lot. Like Butler Henderson, I can also remember crossing the footbridge over Nottingham Victoria station. Another Nottingham memory is being at Broad Marsh bus station and waving at the engine drivers passing on the GC viaduct above, they often waved back. Details of types of engine etc. are missing but I do think I called pannier tanks matchbox engines. I must admit that my knowledge of railways is rather superficial even now even though I have had plenty of years to learn. (I was born in the year of nationalisation). Brian

Well that’s Christmas about over apart from a drive over to Wolverhampton on Sunday to see friends. No new acquisitions from Santa but there are several wants in the pipeline even though some fall into the British Railways period, not wishing to say BR and it being confused with Barry Railway. What I did receive was a copy of David Maidment’s book Pannier Tank Classes. It is an excellent reference work and I have now got to get my head round all of the earlier classes, I still haven’t mastered the prairies. After the interruptions of Christmas I ready to get back to some modelling, I’ve got a couple of locos under construction at the moment but the layout could do with some work in the next year. The signals I built a couple of years ago still need to be made to operate and there is one corner that needs developing but I still don’t really know with what. Brian

Another batch of my loco collection, into GWR territory now with some rather cruel photographs, although in my defence these were my earliest effort at kit building and detailing. First up a Tri-ang Dean single. I bought this from a shop on Arkwright street in Nottingham which often had some interesting second hand stuff. For this loco it was renamed Majestic had the framing repainted and better bogie wheels fitted but as many of you will remember it has two speeds, flat out and stop. Looking at the picture again I must have replaced the handrails and put better lining on it, all when I was still at school. Next up, one for the Johnster, a Wills 94xx. I think this must have been my first kit. It is on a Tri-ang chassis which has since had Romford wheels fitted but just look at the joints in the castings, no way would I be happy with those now but that's down to experience and hopefully we do improve our standards Another Wills kit next, this one is showing it's age with broken steps and other bits of damage. I did not do a particularly good job on the tender, it rocks on the centre axle. Finally for this batch, a Gem 56xx, not on the Tri-ang chassis it was designed for but a Bristol Models milled chassis. This will have been the first effort at chassis building and it still works, rather noisy but it works. No layout based in South Wales can be without at least one of these work horses. That's all for now except to wish all Webbers seasons greetings and happy modelling. Brian

Thanks for posting these wonderful photos. 141 would certainly draw some comments if you tried that combination at an exhibition. Brian

Not much has happened on the layout recently, some modelling has resulted in a backlog of items waiting for the paint shop. Modelling time is always a bit tight this time of year but progress is being made on a couple more locos, more details later, however progress is slow. On another tack, I have decided to make a formal photographic record of my loco stock, I have far more than I actually need but I like building kits and I am fortunate to be able to afford new releases if I want them. I will start posting the photos but I have only used a low resolution. First up is where it all began, a Tri-ang jinty which I had from Santa when I was 6. This is not the original that was replaced by Tri-ang when it was sent for reply. Over the years I have worked on it and it does still work. Next is a Tri-ang Britannia, renamed Apollo and the number painted by hand. The reason I chose Apollo is that one day when train spotting on Ruddington station it pulled in on a stopper to Nottingham. Still on it's original driving and tender wheels it has nowhere to run apart from a test track. A 9F next, again memories of train spotting at Ruddington, yes I know it is not the same style as the Annesley locos but since it is a (Tri-ang)-Hornby model with the awful tender drive it was all that was available, again it does not get any use, just on display. The next batch will be the start of the Great Western models.

There were some nice blueberry muffins on Saturday. Enjoyable show all round. Brian

The recent topic about the hall has prompted me to sort out my effort at improving the model which I did when I was about 17, so long ago! I was inspired by the magazine article mentioned earlier. I bought the model by part exchanging my Tri-ang trans-continental stuff. There are a lot of things wrong with what I did, I can plead ignorance at the time, and over the years it has gained new wheels but not much else. a few years ago the front footplate fell off due to the failure of the glue so that needed repairing and running is poor now, I think the motor needs remagnetising. I have taken this model to the club to show younger members what I did when I was a youth and that you do get better with experience. Brian

It's been a while since I posted an update and quite a bit has happened since then, although not on the layout itself, I think I have mentioned before that I spend far more time modelling than running. The trip to Barry went very well and we really enjoyed the Cardiff show and chatting to a few fellow RMWebbers. Happily, the sale of my mother's house was completed at the end of October, although we are still waiting for the funds from the solicitors, and since then I have found it much easier to concentrate on some modelling. Another loco is waiting for the paint shop and I have also made a lot of progress with a Collett full brake from a Comet kit. I must admit that I do find building coaches to be a bit of a chore, but at least this one doesn't have much interior to deal with. Not quite ready for painting but not far off, anyway it is not suitable weather to get into the garage to get the airbrush out. Looking forward to a trip to the GBMRS tomorrow and especially seeing Hungerford again. Brian

Good luck with your project, I will look forward to seeing it develop. Do you know how much space you have available? Old OS maps can be a good source of information especially the larger scale ones but no help with signal boxes. Brian

Along with my wife we were at the show on Saturday and it was well worth the trip down from Mansfield and having a short break. It was a very good show and excellent value not forgetting a ride on the vintage coach. The layouts ranged from good to exceptional and it was a pleasure to talk to many of the operators especially those that post on RMWEB. As for trade, it is not easy to get the specialists that many of us like to see, they rightly, for their own business, will want to go to shows where there are a lot of potential customers. I didn’t go looking to buy anything but I did find a Dean Goods loco body at a reasonable price which will eventually be used for a project I have in mind. Well done and thanks to all involved. Brian

Looking forward to visiting on Saturday. I saw Sherton Abbas at Railex earlier this year so I decided it would be nice to have another look. As well as that it will also be nice to see Danemouth for real, it's one of the layouts I look out for on here, and looking at the list some other quality layouts. I will be accompanied by my wife and we have booked a few nights at the Barry Island Premier Inn, that sounds so much nicer than Barry Docks! It will be interesting to see how much has changed since I was a lad. Also hoping to meet up with some RMWebbers, especially those who have commented on my Llanforen thread. Here's to Saturday. Brian

Nothing new to report, as I mentioned earlier I have been busy working on a club layout ready for our show which I'm glad to say went well and visitor numbers were up. I can now start getting back to my projects but first we are having a few days staying in Barry, partly to visit the Cardiff show on Saturday. We are staying at the Barry Island Premier Inn, sounds so much better than Barry Docks where it actually is. Hope to see some of you there. Brian

Really looking forward to seeing Sherton Abbas again on Saturday. These photos are a reminder of just how good the layout is. Brian

This time next week it will be all over bar the clearing up. A bit of 0 gauge this time. Brian

Don’t know about Johnster but I do and I’m sure there was a mine as well. Brian

A photo of our tribute to Radford Mill's builder, the late Pete Wright who was also at one time an ERS member. Pete had intended to extend the layout and we are now using his boards and ideas to complete the job. It won't be completely finished by the exhibition, but not far off. Brian

From what I remember, most of the buses coming to Barry Island from the valleys were double deckers and they really struggled going back up St Nicholas' Road. Brian

It is nice to see some recent pictures, I’m looking forward to seeing the layout at Cardiff. Brian

I have just edited the list of layouts to add Preuninger Alm Hoe by Axel Klozenbuecher. Brian

In these days when many people are quick to complain I think it is only fair that excellent customer service is also mentioned. I have recently started building a CSP kit bought several years ago which has reached the top of the to do pile but I discovered that the casting for the chimney was missing. Anyway an e-mail to CSP has resulted in the missing part turning up in the post within days. Well done to Iain and Philip. Brian