john flann

John, I had a look at that site, however this is not a wagon but a crane and likely held in Loco Departmental stock in the plant and machinery category.. And by 1948, your period, black colour I think more appropriate. That is also probably true of the coal wagons.

John, again another delightful tale. It's amazing what one can do with all the spare bits one has about the place that might come in useful some day. As here.. This is definitely the case that although it might not be exactly right it looks right . Regarding its colour as the crane would, I think, be on the Loco Department's books most likely it would be painted black as were engine coal wagons. I do wonder a little about the bucket and think maybe a crab like grab was used. The bucket might be more prone to damage the ash pit walls. But I don't know. I'm sure, however, someone will come up with a definitive answer.

John, I've just caught up with this and you have been busy since I saw it last. I do admire your unquenchable enthusiasm-and the results.

Altogether excellent Jim, I'd never even attempt the detail stuff you are putting into your buildings, mine is one bodge after another. As long as it looks OK in the end is good enough for me. Yours looks good from the beginning!

Ray, I cannot say that 'urban grot' is my scene, but I do admire the manner in which you catch its atmosphere.

Barry, I've been looking through your postings-very neatly done-and noted your comments about ballasting points and your solution, By observation I have noted that around and below the moving parts of switches there is little, if any, ballast, so that is the practice I follow on my PRB much to my relief and exercise of patience. It isn't particularly noticeable on the few images posted to date but you will see it when some more are. This removes the difficulty in ballasting switches, and it is prototypical.

You have certainly nicely caught the atmosphere of that part of Kent as I knew it quite well when first living (and then working) in Tunbridge Wells. Unfortunately by that time (1974-1990) the branch was closed. Look forward to more developments.

Well done Kev, thoroughly enjoyed this and join in with all the above well deserved praise. Regards,

Nick, I'm pleased you have those 'invites', I'm sure MM will be well received. As to the lighting I'm no expert but that which I have you can see in my Hintock post #9. These are CFL's of the highest lumens in spotlights on a track supplemented at the front RH end by two 1000 lumen bright white florescent tubes out front. I have no problems with shadow's in ordinary use but for photography supplement them with photo floods and a set of halogen work lights.

It always gives one a lift to have their work published, well done Alan. Unfortunately it's not easy (and also expensive) to get RM out here so I won't be seeing it in print.

I have enjoyed this: it brings back happy memories of time a while back when as members my wife and I manned the bookstall at Horsted Keynes-and enjoyed the atmosphere of things SR..

Thanks Dave, yes, I like that very much-just up my street. Regards,

I've only just seen this thread and obviously I should have looked earlier. I like what I see and particularly the operational aspect of it.

Jim, I've caught up with this and like what I see. I particularly like the use of brown craft paper for the timber beams. A bright idea I must remember. It captures this feature of that rather unique structure.rather well.

Jim, you are capturing the magic of Hemyock and it's a pity the 'outside' working conditions prevent progress there. But looking forward to indoor work on the buildings.. Regards,

Jim's Junction, Billings, Montana has always served me well.

Nick, reason(s) enough. Understood.

Quite right Mr Stationmaster; all that I was suggesting is that a coal siding would facilitate working.

Watching the video Nick I noticed that in course of shunting you had to move the coal wagons and return them and this, of course, is because of the placement of the coal depot at the front end of the siding rather than the more customary back end. However, I suggest that.if you had a trailing or facing siding to serve the coal depot the unloading of the wagons could carry on unimpaired other than when the coal siding itself was being shunted. More prototypical, I think you will find. There would seem to be room to enable this to be done without detriment to MM as a whole and the cameo. Personally I think it would enhance the layout and make shunting more straightforward. It was usually done against the clock and this seems an unnecessary complication.. You will re-call we did discuss this earlier but seeing the video brought it home again. Any more thoughts on the matter?

Hi, Hemyock has always attracted me and I think the book that will assist you is GWR Branch Line Album, VolumeTwo, by Paul Karau. Oxford Publishing ISBN 0 686093 018 1 Excellent plans, photographs and working details. I commend it.

Enjoyed that Nick, thank you. John.