Antony Farrell

That is very helpful. I wonder if I could turn a Dean Goods into a 3521 4-4-0? I really do not need 3 Dean Goods. (Turns out I also have a Comet underframe to go with one of them as well. It is amazing what you find when you go through things you purchased years ago 'for when you have time.'

I don't have it in front of me so I cannot check so does anyone know what type of boiler was represented in the K's model of the ubiquitous Dean Goods. I have 2 K's Dean Goods and a Mallard models one in my metal pile. So was thinking of using one of the K's as the basis for something else.

Just saw the D33, definitely one I will get probably two as soon as I have enough money available.

So by 1912 all the C15's would be C16's? I too would prefer to have proper panelled sides and I have a number of Worsley sides which I could use but none for this or the D25 which needs the guards section modified in any case. So effectively the Hornby long clerestories are really only suitable for pre 1910.

I have both the 1908 Olympics set which has an all third C15 in pre 1908 livery (were they converted to all 3rds prior to the end of 2nd class?) and the WW1 troop train which also has an all third C15 and also in chocolate and white. I do have a number of C15 coaches which are 2nd/3rd composites but apart from the paint jobs the basic bodies look the same. Without opening the coaches it looks like regardless of which period they are painted in they all contain 8 compartments none of which look like lavatories. I do not have any in lake though I suppose some cleretories could have been repainted into this livery.

When 2nd class was abolished on the GWR on 1st October 1910 what was done to the 2nd class carriages. For all 2nds was it just a matter of changing the decals from 2nd to 3rd class? For composites, especially those where compartment sizes, lavatories etc were altered would any have been running in their original forms, except for the labelling in 1912/13. I am looking at running unmodified 2nd/3rd composites with just the class labels changed. I believe the C15 as modelled by Hornby was originally a composite which was modified to an all 3rd. Can I run the original layout in my time period representing it before modified except for the labels? I hope this is clear? I confused even myself here.

I wonder if the problem is that the site was generated using Microsoft Frontpage. Its coding says version 12.0 which must be really old. As far as I know microsfot no longer supports this or the program which was supposed to replace it. With newer http standards maybe it is becoming quirkier as it gets older?

I think I will be able to separate the visual elements using a combination of scenery, bridges, tunnels etc. The main station which is based on those on found on the GWR/GCR joint is primarily a passenger stations. Freight tends to be reversed into the sidings area so maybe not good practice but that appears to be how the real line was run. The station sidings can be extended somewhat to increase capacity. I though I would make the two lifting sections out of a lighter material with scenery that does not stick out to far. So nothing that can snag. Perhaps farmland? Looking at the plan I can extend it slightly downward to improve the spacing between the fiddle yard and the branch line. It will also increase the run length a bit which would be a good thing.

That's what I figured. You are right about the fiddle yard and I will likely move the points further out. I have also noticed a slightly tight curve leading onto the branch line lifting section which I have corrected. I have estimated about 14 boards for this though I don't need to get them all at once. Though I will have to decide where to start the basic construction. For legs I was looking at adjustable steel trestle legs with the base boards attached to timbers bolted to these. I am thinking of raising the track beds onto supports so that I can have bridges and tunnels. So coming along.

Here is the plan with the branch line looped further round. I think this looks better like this.

This is a draft of the layout plan. I now have a single branch line coming off the double track main line. A central operating well. I'll have to check if I can reach the fiddle yard. If not I can probably move the branch line.

Can the Ratio sides be cut and shut to make longer non-clerestory types as well? I know their was an old Railway Modeller article that mentioned this which I have somewhere but was wondering what diagrams would be possible for bogey stock.

Perhaps I should be looking at other GWR/MR joint stations for inspiration. I can always add the GCR later.

If I flip the rough plan for Haddenham so that its good yard is on the operating well side then such shunting as will occur will be easily accessible. That is an impressive looking fiddle yard too. Can anyone confirm whether the 2 slips on the plan are single?

I'm not sure but I vaguely remember reading that instanter couplings were not in use in 1912/13 but came in sometime after? If true then 3-link or screw. I am not completely against the idea of proprietary couplings if absolutely necessary but since I like to watch entire trains moving shunting would be the secondary activity and most stock would be semi-permanently coupled. I am also looking at a highly scenic layout so hiding curves should not be too difficult. Regarding train lengths I like the ides of up to 4-5 coaches of 70' length able to stop at platforms and something a bit longer for through expresses. Since most coaches will be shorter than this the actual number of coaches could be larger.

Not at all. I was hoping for suggestions. This discussion has given me heaps of ideas to ponder upon. Once I have the plan settled it will be time to get the timberwork done.

Wow, doors are in about the right positions. I do like 3-link and screw couplings so need to keep that n mind. Also a lot of my loco stock will be kit built (I have a mountain of these to build) but I don't know what the minimum radius would be for these. Most of the track I have is the Peco 75, which is why I mentioned it. As mentioned the longest stock would be some 70' bogie coaches but most are much shorter. Perhaps a compromise on curves of around 30" (76.2 cm) radius.

As mentioned previously the doors do open outwards but I need some access to the next room which is my art studio so I need to be able to move canvases etc. though the doors without too much jiggling.

It will be pre-grouping so apart from some long bogey coaches most stock would be fairly short. I want 3-link couplings. But I was tempted to reduce the radius somewhat, say to 2ft 6ins in old money. I don't know if this would cause buffer locking on the coaches but a thin piece of wire across there ends should take care of that (I think)

I don't think the Midland dabbled in broad gauge but the line they wanted to run alongside was broad gauge up till 1871ish, the Wycombe Railway was strongly linked with the GWR. Probably why the GWR put up such a fight to stop this line and in real life succeeded. There is a double door to the bottom and a single to the right both of which open outwards so the triangle not covered with anything gives access to both doors. Possibly a lifting section to give centre access. Rough plan of station area at Haddenham. Track spacing would need to be widened as the original was built as a standard gauge The small goods yard would be on the interior side so can be easily reached by hand. Goods trains reverse into these. So a narrow scenic section on this side.

Looking at putting the station along the diagonal. Boards are not marked for this location but it can be expanded inward for the station buildings, some scenic area etc. Fiddle yards would then go against the back wall. The side areas would be mostly scenic. Though I could put a small halt along there as well. I am thinking a station based upon Haddenham would work. Now back to the plans to see how much I can fit in.

I finally have a place for my railway. So have just started track planning. This was just to see if I could get 3ft radius curves (the inner one). Now I have to plan the platform and where to sight it. The odd shape is to allow for the doors. What I am looking for is a double track station. I am working on the basis that the Midland's plan for London Buckinghamshire and East Gloucestershire Railway came to pass around 1864. The route would be running from Amersham to Princes Risborough. At this time the only lines in the area would have been the broad gauge lines of the Wycombe Railway. The L B & E.G from Princes Risborough would have run out to Thame, so following the Wycombe Railway. My setting is 1912/13 so the broad gauge has gone but what route from Amersham to Princes Risborough would the line follow. I am thinking of it joining the Wycombe Railway just north of West Wycombe, possibly where Saunderton is. So at this time some mixed gauge track. The layout is to be in OO usinh Peco 75 streamline track. What do people think? Any suggestions? Also how far apart would this make the track centre lines when the broad gauge was converted?

Well I suppose I could dig out a CAD program and try going that root. I do have a number of V4 and 5's from Coopercraft though some will need new ends to fit my period. Perhaps time to look into 3D printing.

For my layout I want nothing later than 1913. It is supposedly on the GW/GCR Joint line so what would I likely see there goods wise? Plus are any of the wagons from this period still available. The lists have a lot of NLAs showing.

How much work would be needed to turn a Parkside V12 into a V4 (low)? The gwr org site in the lists indicate that it is possible to convert a Coopercraft V4 (low) into a V12 so was wondering if the reverse is not too difficult?