Tom F

5 hours ago, cctransuk said:

 

Simply astounding!! I would not have believed that it was possible to recreate nature with such incredible fidelity!!

 

If the idea appeals, I would strongly encourage you to write what would be the seminal book on how to model landscapes with such profound realism.

 

Please, when you can, continue to inspire / over-awe us with your beautiful creations.

 

John Isherwood.

Thank you John for your kind words. A book is something I'm looking in to. The main issue, is the copyright of the characters/locations/names that now belong to toy company Mattel. I'd love to do something similar to 'Ffestiniog Odyssey', but would wish to describe the fictional history in a realistic manner, it is the reason I created the layout after all.

I really appreciate the comment and the wish for me to continue posting in this thread. However I just feel it is something I can not do. The Thomas fandom has had such a detrimental effect on my mental health, that I'm no longer comfortable posting my modelling on open forum as it has attracted unwanted attention.

My facebook group gives me a nice sense of control, and allows me to limit who can access my material. For those not on facebook, it's only a few clicks to get registered. The group allows me to go into more depth to, discussing the published and unpublished material by Wilbert Awdry which I've used in modelling.

 

Thanks for all the lovely comments, I’ve been genuinely touched. I am really pleased how the article has been presented, over a 6 page spread too!

The good news is another magazine has been in touch who would like photograph and possibly film the layout which has grown since Scaca, and will continue to grow.

‘Dry rails and good running…..’

Dear Tony

I thought you (and others) may like to see the finished results on the loco I brought down with Ben two weeks ago. The loco was bought built from a modelling friend. I stripped it down, fettled and repainted, lined and weathered.

Now finished, and posed ready for photographs which I'll be submitting for the Railway Modeller article on the layout. Next step, extending to depict the mineral extension.

MSR No. 7 'TIM', quietly simmers at the Quarry before the crew begin to start shunting the wagons, ready to head back to Marthwaite.

1 hour ago, Nick C said:

Posting photos of the real thing again Tom! ;)

If only it was Nick!

Jim working an EBV

'No. 2's driver eases the regulator as they begin the climb beyond Arlesdale...'

Thanks again everyone for the positive feedback, 

Had a nice surprise when I came home from work, the painted Modelu figures by @Dan Evason

'No. 2's driver eases the regulator as they begin the climb beyond Arlesdale...'

Finally got around to writing the article for Scaca Fell Forestry Crossing tonight, just a few edits required. 
 

Hope for it to be in Railway Modeller later in the year.

Some recent commissions I’ve just finished for my client’s GWR layout.

Very much looking forward to working on an Accurascale Manor when they are released.

What a lovely surprise! Fresh off the paint brush! 
 

Dan Evason has just shared these images of the beautifully finished Modelu figures.

Crew and Passengers for Ballamoddey!

Thanks Dan, they are perfect!

7 hours ago, mullie said:

Absolutely stunning. As others have said Tom, I am very glad you have decided to keep posting on here. The models and photography are a true inspiration.

 

Martyn

Thanks Martyn, it's become a real labour of love!

 

54 minutes ago, NHY 581 said:

 

 

Make no mistake, Tom, this thread is one of THE highlights of the forum. Your photos above are simply wonderful. 

 

Thank you. 

 

Rob. 

Thank you so much Rob for that. I love the photography side, and being able to bring Awdry's creations to life. So glad others are enjoying it too.

Speaking of which....I was going to post this tomorrow, but might as well do it now 😉

MSR No. 7 ‘TIM’ (livery unlined black)

The early years of the 20th century were very much the ‘Golden Age’ of the Mid Sodor Railway. With traffic increasing at Arlesburgh, the board felt another locomotive was needed predominantly for working around the dockland area. In 1912, MSR No. 7 ‘TIM” arrived at Arlesburgh by ship from England.

The engine was a second (or possibly third hand) Sharp Stewart Tram locomotive, which had a strong similarity to the larger 3ft Clogher Tramway engines in Ireland, but designed for 2ft-2ft 6in gauge. Due to the loading gauge issues of the mountain section, for the short term the locomotive was utilised at the Arlesburgh Harbour, shunting the vans and wagons being imported and exported from ‘Man’ and further afield. The locomotive was strong and versatile, and on occasions was borrowed for mineral traffic out of the quarries and mines at Marthwaite and Ffarquhar Road. No. 7 was later utilised on the workman trains out of Arlesburgh but always came off the train at Arlesdale, due to the aforementioned clearances.

This was all to change in 1914.

Not even the pleasant way of life on remote Sodor could escape the upheaval of war across Europe. The SODOR REGIMENT at Peel Godred was thrust into action and troop trains were provided by the MSR. It soon became clear that the army would be required to transport munitions and such on the railway, and decision was finally made to open out the fourth tunnel near Ulfstead Road. The army were good enough to oblige and help the MSR engineers. The infrastructure work finished in early 1915. No. 7 made his first venture on a test train not long after.

No. 7 and No. 6 ‘JIM’ were utilised heavily for the war effort (being the strongest locomotives in the MSR fleet). In the late 1920’s until the closure of the Cas-ny-Hawin-Peel Godred section, No. 7 would be used extensively on the morning workmen’s train from Peel Godred, being stabled at the old station site ‘Arlesburgh Road’. With the 1936 closure, and the engine being in poor mechanical condition due to years of hard work, No. 7 TIM was sold. Whether this was to another railway, or scrap is sadly unknown.

We have had some new arrivals in the last month.

I'd like to reveal firstly, MSR No. 6 'JIM'. Awdry's models were the old varikit from GEM that were not based on any particular prototype. Over the last few months I've been researching various prototypes that I feel were suited to a 25 mile railway with a steep mountain section. Enjoy!

 

MSR No. 6 ‘JIM’ Livery - Green

By the early 1900s, it had become clear that the MSR had severely underestimated the demand for goods traffic on the line. Numerous engines had come and gone over the years, but nothing that was present at this time, was particularly suitable. For goods traffic covering the 25 miles between Arlesburgh and Peel Godred double heading was becoming far more frequent, more than the MSR board were happy with.

By 1906, the situation was becoming desperate. The board had been keeping its eyes on narrow gauge events further afield. 1906 saw the construction and delivery of a large 2-6-2 tank engine by Hunslet of Leeds, for the North Wales Narrow Gauge Railway. The MSR board were particular impressed and a locomotive of a similar type was ordered. On arrival in 1907, the engine was named ‘JIM’ and given the No. 6. There was a however, a problem before the locomotive had even turned a wheel. There were severe clearance issues, in particularly regarding height, in the fourth tunnel of the ‘Mountain Road’. This information was common knowledge, but did not appear to have been passed on to Hunslet. 

There was a brief quarrel! The Board, blamed the Manager, the Manager blamed the foreman, the foreman blamed the chief fitter and the chief fitter blamed....well he had no one else to blame, so had to come up with a solution quickly! It was decided to cut down the locos fittings to within the loading gauge, reducing the height of the chimney, dome and cab. 

The tunnel situation was alleviated years later during ‘The Great War’ when the MSR carried military material from the Peel Godred garrison and the tunnels were opened out to a more generous clearance. Jim’s lower fittings were never altered throughout his working life on the MSR, which lasted until November 1936 when the locomotive was sold.

Thanks for all the kind comments. Genuinely touched by the feedback.

I’ll update the first post of the thread with images and then do a link to where the images start again.

I’ll do a proper post with updates tonight. 🙂

Old No. 2 'RHENEAS' prepares the last slate load of the day, as the autumn sun begins to hang low in the sky...

Thanks for the kind feedback.

I will continue to post on RMweb, but just need to think about the best way forward. I really don't want to go back through the thread re adding photos to posts, as I'm not sure I have all of them still.

In the meantime, a photo 🙂

31 minutes ago, Silas said:

That looks a fab walk, Tom - where's the 'envious' button......?

It really was lovely, and we just missed the rain too.

Here are a few more photos from yesterday.

3 hours ago, geoff west said:

Great news Tom, glad you've got the layout working.

Bet that's lifted your spirits no end.

2 hours ago, NeilHB said:

Fantastic Tom - glad to see that Ballamoddey is now an operational layout. 

Thanks both of you. Yes it's great it all works now, but I couldn't have done it without @BritishGypsum4, cheers mate!

Not had chance to have a play again, as I've been out hiking today in the real Mid Sodor (Eskdale, Cumbria).