brumtb

Agreed, I was just pondering that LTSR might be another alternative use for the Hornby teak coaches.

IIRC the LTSR had teak coaches and when the Midland took over in 1912 they added "Midland" on a black eaves panel but left the coaches teak.

I really like that "faded grandeur" look.

Thank you, I think whoever started it gave up and lost some of the parts so I had to "make do and mend". Not perfect but it runs well and looks the part which is good enough for me! Tony

LNWR Coal Tank number 136, shedded at Birmingham Monument Lane hurries a van load of Fleetwood haddock to the markets at Birmingham Bull Ring. The Coal Tank is a renumbered Bachmann model and the Lancashire and Yorkshire Diagram 72 Fish Van is from a partly built but incomplete Jidenco kit found on Ebay.

Thanks for showing the film, I must subscribe to the site. Also reminds me to do some more work on my French narrow gauge layout!

Well done that looks really good. Railway Modeller, November 1977, which I still have and refer to! Nostalgic but still pertinent today with the advent of the new generic pre-grouping coaches. Tony

Well done, those 4 wheelers may be looked down on by some but to me the 6 wheeler and brake coach look great. I'm tempted to have a go myself.

And I understand, but would like to know more, that NSR trains ran into Birmingham!

The HMRS book isn't specific on the 1980 reference so it is quite possible by that time that anything surviving was viewed as a GWR Iron Mink unless someone knows more!

I'm not sure of actual numbers but here are some quotes from the HMRS book All about Iron Minks: "large scale condemnation of the 16' 6 (early, 1887 built) began in 1932 and all but seven had gone by September 1939. However, these seven survived world War 2 and three achieved nationalisation" "the majority (of the standard 1888-1901 built) were condemned in the period 1933 to 1939 but an appreciable number survived World War 2 and passed into British Railways ownership" "in 1980 it is known that there are still a very few iron minks and their derivatives in departmental us in British Rail" So they had a pretty good innings! Tony

Many thanks Mikkel, yes I quite like it too! Tony

Thanks Mikkel yes there is much potential, I fear my ambitions may outstrip my ability! Subsequent progress has been recorded in my Birmingham Bull Ring thread, above, but future projects include a GWR County Tank and a LT&SR 4-4-2t in post 1912 Midland Railway guise. Yes the Iron Minks do seem small compared with later vehicles but as has been mentioned by Compound2632 they were average for their age but very long lived! Tony

As with all pre grouping periods, WW1 is full of interest and lots of scope for research, my own period of the moment is 1918 to 1923, a bit more modern but still very much like your description. As always I'll follow with interest. Tony

I really like this, Forest mines are so much more modellable and still retain a "rural" atmosphere. Tony

Martin Its been an interesting and entertaining experience watching the layout's evolution (if this is the final version??) can't wait to see it become reality. Following your decision making has made me think again about the unfinished part of my layout. Unfinished because I wasn't happy with it but didn't realise! Best wishes Tony

Very impressive, well done James.

I agree, just received mine as well, not sure I can face any alterations at the moment though, still enjoying its beauty! Tony (another one)

The third pre-grouping company to put in an appearance around Birmingham Bull Ring is the London and North Western. Here is ex North London Railway 0-6-0 Goods Tank, now LNWR number 2650 returning to Windsor Street Goods Depot with a trip working. In 1909 the LNWR took over management of the NLR and transferred nine of the goods tanks to it's own stock. In the subsequent pre grouping years some members of the class were recorded as working in Warwickshire and that is sufficient justification for me to have one! The loco is a Thanet Locomotive Works resin printed body on an Electrotren 0-6-0 chassis, number plates by Narrow Planet. The L&Y van is an old MAJ kit modified to represent a Diagram 62 10ton Covered Goods Wagon and the brake van is an even older GEM kit with a home built 6 wheel chassis representing a Diagram 17 van. The LNWR was meant to be a bit player around Bull Ring but with this, a Coal Tank waiting in the wings and the Rails/Locomotion Improved Precedent on pre order some more creative thinking is going to be required! Tony

Welcome back Martin, glad to see you amongst us again and with renewed enthusiasm. I hope this new idea works out well. I know from my own experience that too much complication and inaccessible areas can lead to a sort of mental and physical inertia! Keep it manageable but always keep in mind Kevin's suggestion for when the streamlined layout is working and you want an extra project. All the very best Tony

I really like this photo as well, it is certainly full of atmosphere. Tony

Many thanks. Tony

Thanks for your comments and advice. I agree the ground cover/ballast is not the best and I would certainly appreciate all advice on how to improve it. Tony

Thanks Keith, yes Moor Street is and always was, a great place. Very much a part of my growing up. I shall be interested to see more. Tony