kitpw

"Besides his main duties for the Great Western, Dean was also instrumental in the founding of a branch of the St. John Ambulance Association in the Swindon works, becoming its president until his retirement" [http://www.greatwestern.org.uk/m_in_gwr_dean.html. The man on the left may have the top badge of the two illustrated - [Getty Images, embedding permitted] but there are also other badges for the St John Ambulance for GWR and first aid - see Bonhams auction citation here: https://www.bonhams.com/auctions/10606 /lot/787/

That's rather what I thought: the RCH may be familar to railway historians/enthusiasts/modellers, but I've always understood it to be a rather arcane institution with no "public" face. I note that its main concern here seems to be "the railway companies won't accept any claims" - certainly no confusion in that!

I thought it was interesting that the poster was published by the Railway Clearing House, not the GWR. Was the "Railway Clearing House" something that the publlic would have recognised/understood in the same way that we would recognise BR or Railtrack?

16/7/09? (chalked on wagon side)

The bird's eye view explains a lot about the general disposition of the various parts of the layout with which I've become aquainted from your earlier posts. Quite a challenge to move and set up for an exhibition, I should think, but really worthwhile. One of these days, I'll try and catch Kirtley Bridge "in person". In the meantime, I'll continue to follow your exploits from a distance, on RMweb.

"...and done!" ['quote selection' not selecting again] ....yes, and very well done. [but works for the comments...odd] There may be an answer in that some versions (e.g GWR Siphons, straight sided horseboxes) have a cast or forged triangular bracket taking the load from the side of the van when all or most of the side overhangs the sole bar. I suspect the simple L bracket on the one plank wagons and other similar types hold the kerb rail in (lateral deflection), not up: otherwise, if there was any significant load on it, it would bend.

....and then, of course, one has to paint it: now what colour would that be?

The Atkins I have is the first edition which includes both volumes 1 and 2 (1986): it doesn't have that particular page/sketch. It's not the first time I've been in the dark with Atkins references so I thought perhaps I should modernise and looked for a later edition (2013) - s/h £112. Ouch! Modernisation postponed. There is a very clear photo of an 8 ton Open (with sack load) on page 53 of my edition: a few detail differences (for instance, a screw shackle top link to the coupling) with Nick's model but comparing one with the other, it looks right to me. One thing that does show up in the Atkins photo (as wheels have been a topic in the Netherport thread) is the wear on the tyres which look well overdue for replacement.

There's much to congratulate you on in this post. The incised letters in the sole bar have turned out very well, a nice touch. The scrap brass shield as bolt cutter guide is a clever idea. It's all looking very good, It has the look of the prototype(s) (I had to get out Atkins et al) and, at the same time, shows up the difference between kit building and scratch building. With a kit you can mostly get away with not necessarily fully understanding how things are built in the real world: with scratchbuilding, as you've pointed out, you really do need to understand it to make a convincing model - which it is. Kit PW

It's an interesting idea that the wheel rim painting was some sort of indicator coating, a bit like dye penetrant weld testing. It's certainly used contemporarily - see Akzo data sheet https://international.brand.akzonobel.com/m/6531375a1a49f6a5/original/Railway_Wheel_Paint_eng_A4_20140703.pdf which is a light grey coating going to a dark grey with overheating of the wheel but when this subject came up before, I couldn't find any longer history for it. I much prefer the idea that it had a solid practical purpose than simply an aesthetic one.

... like this, I think: whether that's the original intention of the set-up, I wouldn't like to say. I guess the're close coupled without buffering at the inner ends. [GWR J9 'Mite D' Twin Articulated Single Bolster Wagons]. Wikimedia Commons embedding permitted.

I'll look forward to that: if it's to the same standard as the wagons so well illustrated on your Netherport thread, it will be a treat. (And thanks for your kind comment about Swan Hill).

I've now had a proper read of your post (+ comments) and, as I gathered from a brief look, it's definitely about wheels... but with the added bonus of a serious change in approach, from FS "fine scale" 7mm/ft to Scale 7, Great! I'm not sure that wheels would have been my first problem with FS, there are other compromises which have bothered me more, for instance, loco frames compromised by the reduced wheelset back to back would be closer to the top of my list. However, I can certainly see your point and making a change now, before starting on a layout, seems pretty sensible (not mad or an opportunity for ribaldry). I don't think I'll be following that path though, much as I might like to: I model far too slowly to think that I'd get very far starting again from scratch - not just the locos and other stock to alter or re-do but all that 31.5mm point and track work... Kit PW

...me too: it's probably relevant that larger wagon builders (I haven't audited all of them!) had their own saw mills. PS: With 2 x grandsons here for 24 hours, I've only just been stood down from family duty so haven't fully read through your most recent Netherport post, other than to signal "thought provoking". Nor your white painted wheels thread either. I will read tomorrow properly - I think I've got the gist of Netherport, though, "it's the wheels". Kit PW

...when I read @Western Star's comment above, I recalled reading @Compound2632's post earlier today (in the thread on white painted wheels) which included a reference to the requirement for knotting of wagon bodies which is apparently inconsistent with the specification for timber (as above post from Stephen) which calls for no knots. In construction, a similar timber spec would more likely refer to "no large or dead knots" since large knots, even when knotted with shellac, can cause the paint film to break down whilst dead knots can fall out, leaving a hole. I expect that that spec (no large knots etc) was understood as the requirement, regardless of whether stated or not, a case of what was (and is) "common in the trade". Conclusion - smaller, live knots permitted and knotting required. What is more surprising to my mind is that wagon interiors weren't painted. The easiest way to enure that a piece of timber warps is to fully paint one side only and then sit back and watch it bend. Obviously the ironwork would assist in reducing that but, even so, I would expect it to move within days and show cupping and shrink across the grain within a few months. On the other hand, wagon building has a long history, tradesmen knew what they were about and the wagons sides/ends don't seem to show evidence of more than a bit of shrinkage, leaving some gapping between boards. So, surprised or not, that's how it is.

He'll have gone full Midland. Of the two options presented so far, one would be Damascene, the other Deanascene - not sure which is which tho'.

S7?

That's interesting...I suppose the gloss reduces over time but, on a model, gloss never quite looks right to my eye. I guess the same spec emerged from all companies and manufacturers?

Taking that in literal terms, the photoshopped view of Swan Hill which I posted a few weeks ago (and repeat here as small as possible) was going in that direction but I haven't quite worked out what the 3D and model equivalent of Monet's 'Gare St Lazare' might be. I think I've been musing on that and on myth since I started on the 'Swan Hill' layout - a little piece of 'theatre', I suppose, with some sort of story to tell although I suspect it's a bit Marshall McLuhan of me to be wondering about medium and message. I was interrupted a moment ago by the doorbell and delivery of some low temp solder which is probably just as well: things to get on with.

I obviously need to get up earlier, there's already a whole book to read here, not only getting down to the nuts and bolts of it but Netherport extends 'cross the water, perhaps in Dartmouth like fashion? Another fine model to add to Netherport's reach on the GW network, I like the idea that you're "just putting kits together" (pull the other one!) - there must be a better expression than "kit-bashing", it sounds way too destructive...something like "re-imagining" might be closer. Well done all round, brilliant.

You've definitely captured the look of well maintained vans with 20 years service - a bit care worn and dusty but by no means approaching retirement. Good to see them running in trains too and scale length trains at that.

The agree tick was for the above. ...how things change.

From The Times, November15th 1915 "RUSSIA'S DAY" Thursday, November the 18th. Russia's Day is being organized throughout the country. THE OBJECTS ARE:.- The Anglo-Russian Hospital at Petrograd, The Russian Prisoners in Germany, and for Providing Motor Ambulances for the Wounded.... Flags will be sold in all the streets and principal Hotels in London and the Provinces. GRAND ALHAMBRA MATINEE in which many world-renowned artists have kindly promised to appear, An Address to Russia by Mr. HORATIO BOTTOMLEY. Tickets for the Matinee at the AllIambra 7heatre. Special Booking Offlce. Piccadilly Hotel.THE RITZ HOTEL. Grand Russian Tea Bazaar and Dansant Musicale Will be opened at 2.30 by LADY MAINWARING. Artistic Russian Goods will be sold from Russian Stalls. Russian Drinks will be served Many celebrated Russian Artists have kindly consented to appear. CARLTON HOTEL. A Special Russian Dinner will be served. Tables should be booked at once. 6 FLAG SELLERS AND HELPERS WANTED. MOTOR-CARS WANTED FOR THURSDAY. WHAT WILL YOU DO FOR RUSSIA'S DAY? Address: 5, Argyle Place, W.11 (Corrected obvious optical character read errors: my bold type for emphasis) Times1915.pdf

In London caffs, years ago, the usual order was "tea and two" (tea and two slices of bread and butter/marg). I remember it in a slightly tongue twisting rhyme: "Tea and two" it is for me when two for tea sweet tea but twice "two slices please for me and tea" to be precise, "the same for you?" "two tea and two" it is.

White over blue over Red was the flag of the Russian merchant fleet 1705 to 1917. In 1883, it became the Russian state flag, but only until 1917. There aren't many horizontal tricolours at that date (I checked) and unless it was the flag of Lyons & Co (it wasn't) I'd reckon on Russia for a 1915 date. PS: isn't that a samovar on the trolley?