Lecorbusier

Thought I would upload these images as they may be of interest. Thought this was interesting because it clearly shows what I assume are D299s half loaded with limestone at Rowsley ... suggests that counting the planks for the weight limit for various materials is probably a valid suggestion when using MR stock? Again at Rowsley ... Is this the tale end of a 3 plank ballast wagon with fully hinged side?

Teeny problem with steering and way finding though

For those who are not familiar with Protocab .... just a bit of fun

Not an option on larger layouts without getting ridiculously sophisticated (and I suspect unreliable), but I am currently experimenting with making my actuation mechanical, using levers and an omega loop to give controlled positive pressure ..... no idea how it will work yet! As I have next to no stock and am only starting out on all of this, I have dipped my toe in the Proto Cab wifi control system using an on board lithium battery - so no power at all to the track. Because of this I am having a go to see if I can make the point actuation and signal operation mechanical too and avoid any electrics at all (bar perhaps magnets to allow a bit of shunting and perhaps some LED lights - don't know about this yet).

somebody has been having fun .... as my grandfather would have said ..... smashing!

Yep ... I know - but the K's kit always titled it thus on their boxes (though curiously not in the instructions)! Must have been something to do with wanting to save on printing dedicated labels? Though I was under the apprehension that the 2361 class was a Dean design?

As I understand things, South Eastern Finecast have now taken over the Nucast range which I believe includes the K's kits. It might be worth your while dropping them a line. I was looking for a Dean Goods (outside frames) set of instruction and Dave Ellis was able to provide them.

I can't recall who it was who said it with reference to kits - but it went something like this .... your end goal should never be to simply build a kit, rather you should look to build a specific locomotive using a kit as the starting point. I suggest that this is a pretty good adage for all ... whether it concerns improving RTR or kit building. Scratch building starts from this base line anyway. I suggest that even the best RTR offering can be radically improved by weathering.

see here

Thanks Atso, Yes, it was all done with a bow pen and bow compasses. I had a copy of Tony and Ian Rathbone's right track DVD and I followed what Ian recommended pretty much to the letter. I got myself an old Dublo body and practiced. I also had some input from Coachman (though he may not remember) particularly on techniques for the wheels. As I said above, the breakthrough came in realising that it was possible to push the paint around with a fine brush and a little thinners such that you can tidy up the lines and refine them .... particularly useful on the carriage. I am not quick, and at the half way stage it can look pretty dire, but in the end it scrubs up ok I think.

Unfortunately I think this is just what remains of the original stock .... most are unavailable even though listed. It was one of the sites I looked at trying to find a copy of Modelling Landscapes 2.

Tony, That means a lot to me ... thank you. I came back to Railway modelling 4 years ago after discovering the Right Track DVDs. I had an old Dean Goods Loco professionally built from a Ks kit that was bought for me as a reward for passing some exams when I was 13 (pretty amazing present looking back at it). It was in a sorry state and I wanted to see if I could restore it a little (I hadn't modelled since going to University and then only scenery) - this was the catalyst. I remember at the end of your Right Track tutorials you said that if someone came up to you at a show and said that as a result of the videos they had had a go and built a model, then you would deem them a success .... well I am one of those people and shall always be grateful. I really do wish the DVDs were still available ... there is nothing quite like watching someone do something who is skilled at the process .... especially if due to family and work commitments it is difficult to attend shows or join a club like it is for me. I tend to model late at night and early in the morning and I find forums very helpful to have a dialogue with other modellers. As an example of why I rate the DVDs so highly (to spare your blushes I will select from Painting and lining) one of the things which was invaluable from watching Ian Rathbone's demonstration was watching him push around and lift off the enamel paint whilst lining ... that was gold dust for me as it showed how even mediocre lines could be adjusted and refined. It is seeing things like this which make the DVDs so different from books. Edit - Oh to be able to watch Gordon Gravatt model landscape ...... etc etc etc.

I am relatively new to this railway modelling lark .... but derive hours of fun from it - and even though the end products may not be up to the RTR standard ... I derive a considerable degree of pride and satisfaction from the process. I suppose the fact that I am trying to model pre grouping Midland is lucky, as there are few direct comparators. To date I have built a DJH Barney 3 times (the same kit!) which demonstrates the learning curve I have been on ... firstly direct from the box, then again with more chassis detail and additional body work detailing, and finally to P4 with compensation and the hand rails re-done to the Midland Johnson profile as practice for later builds ( I initially bought the kit just to have a go having consumed Tony's videos and I hadn't decided upon a location or an era). I then proceeded to paint the Barney in full Midland Crimson Lake livery - again as a practice for later builds ... so I now have a very odd hybrid, but it runs ok and I am rather fond of it. Following this I have built a clayton 6 wheel arc carriage and a midland 6 plank coal wagon (both etched brass kits - 5L and Mousa). I am currently building a Johnson 1f 0-6-0T based upon photos of an actual engine stationed at Rowsley in 1902 - which I am really enjoying (the craftsman kit). Maybe it is because I am starting out and all of this is relatively new .... but as I say ..... I just like making things Here is the hybrid Barney for those who are curious... And with the clayton attached... Both have subsequently been weathered with coal added to the tender .... from a distance away from the glare of the camera they look ok. A little success ... however humble serves as a great incentive - I now just want to build more and try my hand at every aspect. As mentioned earlier I am underway with track building, and frankly am looking forward to having a go at buildings & landscape as well. I don't judge or criticise anyone for using RTR, it all depends on why you are doing something and what aspects you derive enjoyment from. I also freely accept that my efforts will fall short of all sorts of bench marks ... but .... I just like making things.

I just like making things

Apologies ... no intent to hijack the thread.

I have edited my previous post to make it clear it was the posting of an enlargement from a previously posted image ... sorry if I caused confusion.

I hoped that the lettering on the PO wagons to the rear of the train might throw up some suggestions ... the second one from the end before the guard is a little clearer than before? I think it also shows that the van is more than likely the 6 wheel 20T variety .... which is good as I have a LRM one in the pending pile.

I am reposting this image but enlarged to see if it can render up anymore information to those that know what they are looking at ... perhaps still too blurred but you never know!

Here for completeness is a zoomed in detail of the rodding attachment

At the risk of becoming a stuck record! here are some further images to substantiate the theory that the Midland pre WWI used separate rodding actuation to the turn out independent of the stretcher bars. Both of these instances clearly use rodding, and both are in mainline situations.

I think based upon what i have turned up to date that I am minded to think that at least in sidings and yards Midland point actuation pre WWI would generally have been separate to the stretcher bar and located on the near side to the rodding, connected to the stretcher from beneath the stock rail by turning the bar up through 180 degrees. I am assuming that the switch to which the rodding is attached would rely on the rodding to hold it in correct alignment to the stock rail and also to mitigate against lift? Here is a drawing of a Midland Stretcher bar - It is interesting to note that one end of the bar has an extension which houses into the stock rail (again to maintain correct alignment) ... I assume that this would be on the opposite side to the rodding fixing? Edit - correction, looking again at the drawing it would appear that there is no extension through the stock rail - I assume therefore that the switchblade relies on the undercut of the planing to ensure against lift?

Tony, Yes I had noticed that. The second photo is an enlargement from the Midland Official circa 1910. The weather is quite overcast. The first is an independent photo (according to Dave Harris at the Midland Railway Study Centre) because it shows an express coming through which is not the official 'style'. It is a also a sunny day with very different weather and light conditions. The thinking is that they were taken on different days, but obviously quite close together as the loads in the wagons haven't changed. There was some debate as to whether the cart in the first might be the conveyance for the photographer - it appears to be of a higher quality than the second with returns to the ends hinting at perhaps seating - the second is clearly a tip cart with external framing and higher sides. The station master appears to be different in the two shots ... the first wearing a different hat to the one in the second. Also in the first there appears to be a figure next to the cart to the rear of the horse.

Any consensus on what the B C would stand for .... Butterley Coal, Bretnal & Cleland, any other suggestions from knowledge of Collieries that might turn up on this line.

I claim no expertise here, I am very much at the beginning of this journey ... I am simply quoting Bill Hudson ... in through Limestone Hills he captions the photo saying 'On the hillside to the right is the Monsal Dale Spar mine, produce from which is being loaded into the three Butterley wagons for use in thier company's iron works at Codnor Park.' I am pretty certain they are not spar wagons the density would be too great to allow fully loaded 6 plank wagons. Also I have established that the spar produced by the mine was not Fluor Spar, but Calcite which is used in paint making and Stucco work and so would not have been used in the ironworks. I assumed that with his specialisation in PO wagons however, his assertion that they were Butterley's wagons could be taken at face value? I have to admit the only Butterly wagon i have come across has the full name blazoned across it. However, it does still look like a B to me, it doesn't appear to have the pronounced serif which the top of the G has on images I have seen of the GC wagons. All thoughts gratefully accepted

Yep ... you are right. I think the next wagon along may be the same .... but I think has Butterley on it? Can't make out anything on the front two but bot I assume are PO wagons as they have the raised portions over the buffers? Didn't you model one like this earlier in the thread?