Tallpaul69

Good Afternoon everyone, My 00 Layout "Lower Thames Yard" set in 1960/2 will include trains leaving Maidenhead via the High Wycombe branch. One of these is a local pick up goods that served Thomas and Green's Paper Mills and also Bourne End. Seeking to accurately load this train I got out my copy of the "Marlow Branch", and this suggests that the railway carried the following materials in and out of the Mill:- Inbound:- Coal (daily?) Esparto Grass (periodically), some 25 sheeted wagons from Brentford Docks Caustic Soda (tank)- again periodically Outbound:- Paper (boxed, in vans) - the main product was writing paper. Coal empties Open wagon empties Caustic Soda Tanker - empty. So now I am researching paper production and wondered if the RM Web community might have some information on what else a paper mill used on a regular basis? It seems the coal and the resulting empties were handled by the evening Hinksey- Slough goods (I expect the empties returned north on the morning Slough to Hinksey?). So looks like the regulars for the local pick up would be vans. Looking at what was handled at Bourne End Yard, and might be on this train, apart from the usual mix of farm and small town needs and products, I noticed there were occasional handlings of boats. So I am trying to track down (and model!!) the right sort of boat, as this would make an interesting load perhaps on a bogie well wagon? Any information would be a great help! Many thanks Hope everyone is safe and well? Cheers Paul

Good Afternoon one and all, I am pleased to say that I have made some progress on the modelling front today. While I didn't make much progress with completing the models in my first box of part made kits, I did this morning go through it and mark up cards for each listing what needs to be done and what parts are needed. So next time I get to that box I wont waste half a morning sorting out what needs doing on the models I can get straight on with modelling-leastways, that's the theory! After lunch I wanted to write up the second part of the list of trains on the Wycombe branch. Reading through what I had written in the first part something struck me as not quite right. I had suggested that the morning pick up goods to Thomas and Greens Paper Mill could be 5 open goods wagons. Thinking about it< I don't think that is right because what would have been loaded onto them at the mill? So I got out my copy of the "Marlow Branch", and this suggests that the railway carried the following materials in and out of the Mill:- Inbound:- Coal (daily?) Esparto Grass (periodically), some 25 sheeted wagons from Brentford Docks Caustic Soda (tank)- again periodically Outbound:- Paper (boxed, in vans) - the main product was writing paper. Coal empties Open wagon empties Caustic Soda Tanker - empty. So now I need to research paper production to see what else was used on a regular basis. It seems the coal and the resulting empties were handled by the evening Hinksey- Slough goods (I expect the empties returned north on the morning Slough to Hinksey?). So looks like the regulars for the local pick up would be vans. Looking at what was handled at Bourne End Yard, so might be on this train, I noticed there were occasional handlings of boats. So provided I can track down (and model!!) the right sort of boat, this would make an interesting load perhaps on a bogie well wagon? Think I will raise the two items above in the "Prototype Questions" thread and see what folk have to say? Hope you are all well and staying safe Best regards Paul

Hi Everyone, I am afraid my get up and go has got up and gone today! I guess it's because Easter weekend was for more years than I care to remember the time for our first trip out of the year, and marked the shaking off of the winter blues, but this year no chance! Nearest I'll get to a trip out, was today's walk to the outskirts on our side of town of the town centre to pick up from a local specialist food store called "Natures Harvest" some Gluten Free items they had ordered for my wife. Nice morning for a walk, but why is it that I get the feeling that it is always me who has to take the proper avoiding action when getting near to other people? Normally I would get some use for myself out of such a trip by coming back via a chat (even if I didn't buy anything!) with Anthony in AGR Models, but of course as a "non essential" shop he has had to close. Will try tomorrow to get a few of my "pending" wagon kits a little nearer completion, and maybe write that up on here together with a few more thoughts on trains for Lower Thames Yard. Tale care, stay safe, and keep your models progressing. Cheers Paul

I remember Blunts in Mill Hill! Like you I used to arrange my route home to Luton (but driving!) from London Area meetings to include a while there. Don't think I have any transfers from there, but I certainly have a number of small bags of bits and bobs bought there, mainly goods vehicle brake gear! I also remember Puffers in Kenton, and worked the same routine to call in there! Happy days, we didn't realise how well off we were for model shops then! Cheers Paul

How about a double header, such as something small piloting a King, or two tanks front to front? Cheers Paul

Don't throw the old laptop out-it could come in handy to control the railway? Know what you mean about Tesco's -we have a click and collect slot tomorrow-again booked early March!! Never mind, keep smiling, keep modelling (and sorting the IT!) and above all stay safe. Cheers Paul

Fair point, I was stretching things because I thought a short train of 10,12, and 15ft wheelbase fish wagons looked better with a short brake! But thinking about it, the BR CCT, although it has windows in one door of each of its pairs of doors, doesn't have the single guards door that the BG has. So I will probably use my Hawksworth BG on the fish train and then the other two trains can share a BR BG. Hopefully I still have enough BGs for my other 4 parcels sets. Might have to make one a carmine and cream, and one a LMS version Take care, keep modelling Cheers Paul

I remember Ray and Cida and their slightly unusual layouts (apart from the the one sided trains and the "points"! Is it me getting old, or does the exhibition circuit have less "characters" than there once were? Have to put my thinking cap on and come up with some other examples! Meanwhile, attached is a file detailing my three favourite Parcels Trains for "Lower Thames Yard", which I hope will be of interest? Take care, keep safe! Cheers Paul Parcels Trains -3 favourite for Posting.docx

Hopefully this will now make sense! Please see attachment:- Cheers Paul Parcels Trains -3 favourite for Posting.docx

Sorry about the format, I'll repost it as an attachment! Cheers Paul (Not PaulHa!!)

Hi All, For a change today I thought I would explain my three favourite parcels trains on the early 1960s WR Main line:- Firstly:- 0540 Reading to Princes Risborough Parcels (reversing at Maidenhead 0553-0620) The makeup of the train is as follows: Real train My Model a) Reading to Maidenhead Engine Engine Vans Maidenhead 2 Vans Maidenhead Vans High Wycombe Van High Wycombe Vans Aylesbury Van Aylesbury Van (Milk in Churns) Van (Milk in Churns) (Chippenham – Aylesbury) (Chippenham – Aylesbury) Brake Van Aylesbury Brake Van Aylesbury b) Maidenhead onwards Engine Engine Brake Van Aylesbury Brake Van Aylesbury Van (Milk in Churns) Van (Milk in Churns) (Chippenham – Aylesbury) (Chippenham – Aylesbury) Vans Aylesbury Van Aylesbury Vans High Wycombe Van High Wycombe GUV Paddington – High Wycombe GUV (Paddington – High Wycombe) Then there is the:- 0720 Reading to Slough Fish (calling at Maidenhead (0753-0810) Brake Van (Oxford-Slough) Brake Van (Oxford-Slough) Vans (Maidenhead ) 2 vans (Maidenhead) Vans (Taplow) Van (Taplow) Vans (Slough) 2 (Vans Slough) And Finally the:- 2010 Maidenhead to Reading Parcels (W) GUV (Crewe) (W) GUV (Crewe) (V) Van (Didcot) (V) Van (Didcot) (V) Brake Van (Reading) (V) Brake Van (Reading) (G) Van (Empty Churns) (G) Van (Empty Churns) . Chippenham Chippenham Notes:- (G) Off 1642 Aylesbury to Maidenhead (V) Off 1825 Aylesbury to Maidenhead (W) Off 1850 High Wycombe to Maidenhead For my parcels formations I am using the following:- Van = long wheelbase vans, a mixture of Fruit D, CCTs (LMR/LNER), SR PMVs etc. plus a substitute of a 10ft wheelbase XP rated vacuum goods van. Van (Churns/ empty churns)= Syphon G Brake Van = GWR/BR origin BG For my Fish train vans I have a set of 5 varied LNER/BR LWB fish vans and a BR 4 Wheel CCT as the Brake If this is not displayed in a readable format, my apologies, I will re post it tomorrow as an attachment! Hope everyone is well, and happy, and not letting the situation get them down? Keep modelling! Cheers PaulHa

Hope your electrical gremlins have gone away? It is such a pain when you get this sort of problem, and from my experience, often a dry joint , but where? Anyway, Had intended to post you a few of my Parcels consists this afternoon, but realized there will not be time. It is our eldest granddaughters 9th birthday today. Normally we would have had a family party yesterday, but obviously that is not possible. So we had to make do with a couple of 6 way Zoom sessions over lunch today. Not sure her presents are going to help with the lockdown situation as both sets of Grandparents clubbed together to buy her a Hover Board and her parents bought her a new Bike! Just hoping that by the time of our grandson's (her brother) 11th birthday on 31st August we will be able to have a bigger than usual outside Party!! In a while got to do our phone calls to other relatives, particularly the older ones, who don't have the technology to use Zoom. So, take care, down there on the other side of the world, stay safe, and keep modelling! Cheers Paul

Good Afternoon All, Had intended to post the second half of the High Wycombe Branch trains this afternoon but there will not be time. It is our eldest granddaughters 9th birthday today. Normally we would have had a family party yesterday, but obviously that is not possible. So we had to make do with a couple of 6 way Zoom sessions over lunch today. Not sure her presents are going to help with the lockdown situation as both sets of Grandparents clubbed together to buy her a Hover Board and her parents bought her a new Bike! Just hoping that by the time of our grandson's (her brother) birthday on 31st August we will be able to have a bigger than usual outside Party!! In a while got to do our phone calls to other relatives, particularly the older ones, who don't have the technology to use Zoom. So, take care, stay safe, and keep modelling! Cheers Paul

The other view we could do with more of in layout pics in general, but which is not always practica,l is the "up the embankment" view! Hope you are all staying sane, Stay at home as much as you can Cheers Paul

Hi All, For a change, I thought in this post, I would run through some of the trains on the High Wycombe Branch. So image we have managed to crawl out of bed bright and early on a summers morning in 1960/2. We manage by 06.00 to get to our line side position by the branch as it leaves the yard and we have a good view of the stretch of line up to the first overbridge. Even if we can't hear them , we will have a good idea when the trains are coming by the fall of the down starter just in front of the overbridge or the up Home junction just opposite our position. At 6.12 the first movement is a 61xx light engine proceeding along the branch to haul the 07.30 suburban train from Bourne End to Paddington. We then don't have long to wait as at 06.20 the 5 vans of the Reading to Princes Risborough Parcels pass by hauled by another 61xx. We will have nearly an hour and a half to wait for the first train off the branch which is the above mentioned 07.30 from Bourne End. Meanwhile, at 0638 we see our first passenger train of the day, the 06.20 Slough to High Wycombe local of 3 suburban coaches hauled by yet another Slough 61xx! Peace then descends until 07.42 when the 07.30 from Bourne End passes. It is also a 3 coach train but whereas the earlier train was of BR non corridor stock, this is a mixture of BR and Collett coaches. We have not long to wait for the next train and soon hear the growl of a DMU. What rattles by at 07.48, forming the 07.25 Slough to High Wycombe, is a class 121 single car DMU hauling a single ended Driving Trailer. We will see more of the 121, with and without its trailer through the day. Next to appear, just before 08.20 is the 07.50 High Wycombe to Slough service. This is the return journey of the above 06.20 Slough to High Wycombe train. Further 3 car, 61xx hauled trains pass at 0837 to Princes Risborough and at 0853 from Aylesbury. After another half an hours we then get some variety as the DMU and Trailer return at 0920, followed at 0943 by the light engine 61xx off Reading to Princes Risborough Parcels heading for Slough Shed and then at 0947 we have the first freight of the day as the run from Slough to the Hinckley Yard at Oxford appears. This is a mixed train of some 15 wagons and a Toad pulled by a 56xx 0-6-2, which is finding the slope up to the overbridge a bit of a test! Just before 1025 the Marlow Donkey, 14xx and trailer, appears on one of its runs through to Maidenhead. It returns at 1040, which has to be on time as two minutes later the pick up freight from Taplow to Thomas' siding is due through. As this is usually only some 5 empty wagons these days, it is light work if the 57xx hauling it is on song and with a keen driver it might charge after the Donkey which stops at Cookham whereas the freight did not! Nothing much happens for the rest of the morning, just a couple more runs each way for the Donkey. So we will pause our observations for today and pick up again starting with a couple of runs of the 121 (without trailer!) in the early afternoon, on another occasion. I hope every one is well? The weather here is first class-sun all day so far although the wind catches you out occasionally by still being cool. Stay safe, and enjoy your modelling. Best regards Paul

Yes, I will be doing some remarshalling. However, I want to minimize the "hand in the air" remarshalling, and do most of it with a shunting engine! Currently, the main areas for remarshalling will be at the front of the Lower Fiddle Yard and the front of the Branch Fiddle Yard which will sit in front of the main fiddle yard. Each of those areas will have kickback sidings to hold stock for exchange. I am only aiming to remarshal parcels trains and goods trains, as I think , initially at any rate, I can get away without remarshalling the more uniform express and suburban passenger trains. Parcels trains will be in two parts, one equivalent to two bogie brakes long, the other equivalent to three bogie brakes long. Longer distance Goods trains will be in four sections each equivalent to 4 standard wagons long. Pick up goods which will be shorter will be individual wagons. An advantage of the sections approach apart from being able to remarshal trains is that I only need Kaydee couplings at each end of the sections, apart from for the pickup goods,in between I can retain the tension lock couplings. This reduces the cost and time involved in the Kaydee conversion! I hope this explains my approach to remarshalling? Keep safe, enjoy your modelling Best regards Paul

Hi All, The New Hornby Hall TTS chip seems to me a great opportunity to economically chip a number of locos:- I fancy trying:- Grange 61xx tank 43xx 2-6-0 (might have to wait for new Dapol offering?) 42xx 2-8-0T 28xx Tender Collet 0-6-0 tender Anyone any thoughts? Cheers Paul

No Listing for the Hall chip on here, not even as a pre-order. However, both Hattons and Kernow list it, so maybe the Hornby list is suffering from Coronavirus work from home poor communications?? Know which I would trust most, Cheers Paul

Hi, It was a Gloucester RC&W Motor Parcels van, (W55991-6) later known as class 128.

Yes, that's what I am aiming to do! I might have to amend the consist slightly because all trains on my layout will, to enable me to run all the trains I want to have to have multiple guises. So this one might double up as one of the morning up Parcels, and also as a couple of down ones! Obviously to run it at all, the day portrayed has to be a Friday, which means I have to take account of the other trains that were FO and those that were FX. So I might have two sequences, one M-Th, and one FO! It is good though to get two sequences out of one set of stock. Take care, be safe. Best regards Paul

Hi All, Having spent two quite long posts on the Local and Long Distance Parcels around Lower Thams Yard, I thought I would finish this topic off by discussing the Diesel Parcels Vans:- Before 1960 when there were only two Diesel Parcels Vans on the (G)WR, the only time they ventured on a regular basis through Maidenhead was on a Saturday return trip to Reading. With the advent of the new generation of Diesel Parcels Vans they took several trips along the Thames Valley. According to my 10th September 1962 Passenger Train Workings Paddington Station the details are as follows:- The Unit left Southall Depot at 0235 to run an early morning trip to Hayes at 0255, returning from there at 0355, due into Paddington at 0415, ready for a 0430 departure. This 0430 trip was to Maidenhead towing two vans. The first, a GUV was destined for High Wycombe and replaced the one previously attached to the 0430 Paddington to Westbury Parcels which by autumn 1962 was retimed to 0418. The second attached van was a BG for Windsor, detached at Slough, that formerly was attached to the 0530 Parcels departure. The Diesel Parcels Van returned from Maidenhead at 0525 arriving at Paddington at 0605. This unit took another trip along the Thames Valley, this time to Reading departing at 0715. This returned as the 0948 from Reading due back at Paddington at 1150. The units next trip was to Colnbrook so did not trouble Maidenhead. It left Colnbrook at 1352, and arrived back at Paddington at 1439, to take out a 1500 trip to High Wycombe. The 1500 trip to High Wycombe appears not to have a direct return to Paddington but instead returned to Southall. It left Southall at 1955 reaching Paddington at 2012 to form a trip to Windsor leaving at 2120 and then ran empty back to Southall. So this unit was used quite intensively round a 24 period. If I choose to model its trips to Maidenhead and Reading, I will need to modify my 0430 Westbury Parcels. However, a notice TT82 dated 8th October 1962 suggests that the 1500 trip to High Wycombe was short lived as it is cancelled in the notice. I will update further on this as more information is found. Best regards Paul

I have to shorten all my formations, so nothing new there! The equivalent of 5 full length Bogie coaches + Loco is all I can manage. So I would probably go for 3, 4,7,11, and 12, with maybe a small van for 5. Cheers Paul

Hi Folks, Can anyone explain the definitions of the following terms used in (G)WR working documents such as Local Parcels Train Formations and Passenger Train Working books for stations:- 1) Small Van 2) Van 3) Large Van 4) Van (8 wheel) 5) Gas Heated Brake (e.g.: Van No. 57 or 305) 6) Brake Van (I assume this is a BG (GWR or BR)? 7) Parcel Van Non of these are Syphon G or GUV, because these terms (which I understand) are also used in the same documents. Stay safe, enjoy your modelling, Best regards Paul

Just a few clarifications from yesterdays post:- 1) The times shown in brackets after the destination in the headings of the up trains is the arrival time. I added the word "due" in front of the time against the first up train and then forgot to do the same for the others! 2) I forgot to amend in the description of the last up train (0842 Shrewsbury to Paddington), the reference to the time of the preceding train this set was used for from ????. Should read " earlier 2025". Today I have started a set of Train time table graphs to help sort out the use of the Lower and Main Fiddle Yard sidings. Don't hold your breath waiting for an update, this job will take me several days on and off as I find I can only do so much at a time before mistakes creep in! So will post on something else tomorrow, what remains to be seen, might be the earlier in the week promised pic of the modelling tray...…. Just heard the Corona Virus losses are about the same today as yesterday, so maybe something is trending in the right direction? We can but hope! Cheers Paul

They say copying is the sincerest form of flattery, so I hope you won't mind if I nick your formation of the 1540 (Friday) Penzance to Paddington? Mind you, my version will be RTR stock, I haven't got any suitable kit built (or unbuilt!) bogie parcels vans! When I've decided what I'll use I'll post a pic. Keep smiling Cheers Paul