Broadoak

Another one of my favourite locomotives the 45xx class no 5541 is seen here with a B set. It is the Bachmann model and ran superbly straight out of the box. I have added a crew and fire irons on top of the tank on the fireman’s side and painted the injector pipe work on both sides. I also added a few lumps of real coal in the bunker. Peter M

A few more close ups of some of the details that I think make any layout that bit more interesting. The ash pit is were the fire is dropped and the ash from the smoke box removed from the loco being serviced. The coal loading stage is a useful reason for running a train with just a couple of wagons of coal. This picture shows the area behind the Medusa cement unloading facility were the cement is put into bags for the smaller user. These are later either put onto pallets and loaded into vans or supplied in individual bags to local users who can collect them by by their own transport. Peter M

A few details of the engine shed and water tower. The shed is really a sub shed where minimum servicing and repairs are carried out. The area behind the stone built water tower has become a repository for junk over a period of time. There is obviously even more junk hidden inside the old van body as well. In the last picture a small prairie no 5541 can be seen lurking, I must admit having a soft spot for these attractive little locos. Peter M

A few shots of a locomotive I was given in a rather poor state, it had been dropped on the floor and some parts were cracked or completely missing. I repaired the broken plastic parts as best could and gave it a service and lubrication. It is an early Mainline version but runs remarkably well. I’ve also tarted it up a bit with some crew figures and a weather sheet on back of the cab roof. She is seen here shunting it the yard having filled up with water. Peter M

We now come a little more up to date featuring this time a blue class 08 no 08021 seen here shunting in the yard. This is the Bachmann model because at the time my local model shop couldn’t get hold of a Hornby version which I’m told is the better model. Peter M

A couple of shots of the mogul being prepared for a days work. Peter M

Very popular with the crews the Grange locomotive according to Harold Gasson in his excellent book. “Harold Gasson’s Steam Days” A railwayman’s journey from footplate to signal box 1941- 1957. Paperback Published by Crecy Publishing (A Goodall Paper back) It is a sort of combined volume and an excellent read. I find reading it always puts me in the mood for another operating session. Regards Peter M

The 43xx class mogul was a most useful locomotive being at home on both passenger and freight trains. Introduced in 1911 and quite powerful for their size they could be found all over the system. They proved to be reliable in service so a few more were built with detail modifications in 1925. Some 217 were built in total. 6384 is an early Bachmann example which I bought second hand. I have painted the cab details and added a canvas sheet to the back of the cab roof and given her a couple of crew figures. She is seen leaving Broadoak for the main line connection with an un- fitted load of stone filled wagons. Peter M

As I mentioned in an earlier post, this shot of the standard class 3 tank shows the pipe at the rear of the cab that had holes in it for spraying the coal to lay the dust. Peter M

We are going back to the early fifties to feature the Oxford Rail Dean 0-6-0. I have always found these small locomotives most attractive as I like their rather old fashioned look with their tall chimney and large dome. 54 locos remained in service in 1948 and were absorbed into the newly nationalised British Railways. These 54 locos remained in service for several years afterwards but by December 1957 all of these remaining locos had been withdrawn from service. Only one of the class has survived into preservation, that locomotive being No 2516 and is now part of the national collection. The model is rather light but despite that runs very well if a little noisily going forwards but quietly in reverse. She is seen arriving at Broadoak to perform a little shunting. Peter M

The BR Standard class 3 prairie tank was among the first British outline loco I bought when I started to dabble in modelling the British scene. The Bachmann model ran quite well straight out of the box on my test track. Unfortunately after a short while the Walschaerts valve gear decided to part company from the chassis on the fireman’s side of the loco. I am glad to say it was easily fixed with a few dabs of super glue and has not troubled me since. In reality 45 of these locomotives were built at Swindon between 1952 and 1955. The first ten and the last fifteen being allocated to the Western Region. They were of a similar power output to a small prairie, although physically much larger. The locos did however have a pipe with holes in it at the rear of the cab that sprayed hot water over the coal to lay the dust. I found evidence of this with a photograph of 82044 at Martock in Colin Maggs The Last days of Steam in Bristol and Somerset. Back to fiction we find 82020 running bunker first arriving at Broadoak with a couple of cement wagons. They are shunted into the Medusa Cement company’s silo were the cement is loaded into the huge silos. Some is used locally and some is bagged and later distributed on pallets in vans. This give an added excuse for more wagon movements thus increasing the operating potential. Peter M

3711 seen here shunting in the yard at Broadoak on different occasions. This is the Bachmann version which I have weathered to give a work stained look. I don’t have an airbrush so the weathering is done by brush using acrylics. I just like panniers, oh and prairies as well. Peter M

The 57xx class of tank engines were found all over the Great Western system as many hundreds were made. He we see 3711 arriving at Broadoak with a small mineral train from one of the quarries further up the branch near the main line connection. Loads are brought down with a tank engine usually, a few wagons at a time due to the curvature and gradient of the track. Several loads are then made up into a bigger train which is then pulled to the main line by a small tender engine usually a 43XX class. Peter M

Some pictures of Broadok as suggested, a work in progress. Regards Peter M

Graham T Thank you for suggesting I carry on. I will post a few views of the overall appearance of the layout in its entirety. Kind Regards Peter M

I should have looked at the layouts posted on this thread before I posted photographs of my own small layout. However I didn’t, so I am seriously beginning to wonder if I am posting my efforts in the right place. All the other layouts in this thread are built to a far higher standard than mine and are much larger. I think my layout is more suited to someone starting out and on a budget with regard to cost and time. I don’t take my modelling too seriously as I regard it as a bit of harmless fun and I find it relaxing. Is there a thread where my posts would be more appropriate or am I OK continuing on here. Peter M

The scene is the early fifties as the little Collet 4869 is still wearing the GWR shirt button logo. The model itself is the old Hornby version which having removed the rubber traction tyres runs surprisingly well, being quiet and smooth. The Airfix autocoach I was given by an old friend who no longer models the British scene. The colour is slightly too dark but as it cost nothing I can’t really complain. She is seen in the bay at Broadoak then about to pass the large grain silo in the yard as she heads for the main line. Peter M

A GWR 5600 class 0-6-2 tank engine is seen on the road next to the engine shed which is a Metcalfe card kit. I used kits as I lack both the skill and patience to scratch build my own buildings. The kits looks quite good if the raw edges of the card are touched up with suitable water colour paints. She is then seen topping up her tank with water before setting off with a small parcels train. The water crane was bought for a couple of pounds in a local toy shop. It was repainted and the leather bag made from masking tape. She is then seen leaving the bay platform at Broadoak past the goods yard and heading for the main line. Peter M

The layout started life as a small L shaped American switching layout some thirty years ago. A house move allowed the layout to increase in size to 13 feet by 18 inches that tapers down to 15 inches wide. About two years ago I stopped modelling the American scene and sold all my locomotives, stock and structures. As a pensioner on a budget I was forced to use the existing base board and track layout with a few modifications. By now Covid forced further restraints so I had to use what scenic products I had in stock. I have always been attracted to the branch line scene and much preferred small engines rather than large express types. The freight side also I found more interesting so passenger traffic is very much a secondary consideration. I enjoy operating probably more than any other aspect of railway modelling. I wanted to cover the transition period as I am old enough to remember it. I also like the early blue period so this gives a chance to run a variety of different locomotives. I have since my trainspotting days have a soft spot for all things Great Western The location of the layout is in the borders near Clee hill although I have never found it on the map. I will post a few photographs of the layout to give a flavour and if there is any interest I will post some more. PeterM

http://i.imgur.com/sktYNpKl.jpg

Sorry that this is not really about the topic but is very important to gentlemen over 50. I have been diagnosed with prostate cancer. I am lucky because only the prostate gland itself is affected so far. Had I not had problems with my prostate I would never have known I have cancer. So all you guys out there over 50 are at risk, so please see you doctor and have a PAS (prostate specific antigen) test. (It’s a simple blood test) It really is important and could save a lot of problems later on. Thank you for reading this. Kind regards Peter M

Andy I have sent you a PM. Regards Peter M

The English Electric Welshman. Many thanks for your kind comments. I will continue modelling but only at home on my small OO GWR shunting layout. As you say I find operating it very therapeutic. It is the exhibiting itself I shall not be doing. Kind regards Peter M

This gives some idea of the layout for those not familiar with it. Due to ongoing health problems I have decided to sell my Two Sister’s Farm layout. The sale includes the layout with small fiddle yard. All the rolling stock and appropriate loads. An assortment of motive power, in fact all the locos seen on this Two Sister’s thread except the yellow GMC railtruck which I wish to keep. Most are powered by Athearn mechanisms with five pole motors and flywheels. The steam 0-4-0 Porter, the 0-4-0 Davenport, and the ex US army jeep are all powered by Bachmann mechs. The Canadian Ford rail truck has a Bachmann mech, as has the ex army gun tractor. The Fordson 27N tractor runs on a Tenshodo motor bogie. The wooden wonder and a gas producer Opel both run on a Con Cor chassis. I nearly forgot Tilly a small van powered by a Bachmann Chassis. Also it was featured in Model Rail magazine July 2016. There is a din plug and transformer, but you will have to provide a suitable controller. To complete the sale I will include a couple of agriculteral tractors and the ironing board the layout stands on and a box of odds and ends of scenic items should you decide to extend the layout. The price for everything is £500 or near offer, buyer to collect from my home near Kettering Northamptonshire. Regards Peter M