philip-griffiths

The Ulster MRC show is taking place at Methodist College sports halls, Lisburn Rd, on the 19-20 August. 32 stands, including the magnificent Donaghadee and Northern Counties Group Fenaghy Junction. 
 

Had a good chat with Fran at the North Down show about this subject. Nothing revealed, but their thought processes about this are positive for the hobby.  We just have to wait and see what their marketing people think will return a profit for them while  trying to please us……

1 hour ago, Hibelroad said:

I've recently come across this water tower at Holyhead which clearly shows the LNWR tank design. The whole structure looks like it should be a coal hole but there is no indication or brickwork to show that it ever was. As far as I know this must be one of the last LNWR tanks on existence but I cannot find anything out about it, as it is some way from the station it seems to have been missed by photographers in the past and not mentioned in any books I have which cover the station and engine shed.

 

https://goo.gl/maps/XfszMgDgoDX3Ghhk8

Interesting. The 1924 25 inch map has it marked on it and concur on the LNWR Characteristics.  The loco shed at Holyhead was where the transport for Wales now is, opposite the roundabout on the expressway. There was a coal hole at that location. 

2 hours ago, Jol Wilkinson said:

Hi Philip,

 

that's the best version of a LNWR Coal Hole I have seen. What make/kit is it or did you scratchbuild it? It has one more "bay" then the Townstreet version on their website.

 

Intentio already produce laser cut 7mm Northlight wall panels which are based on the LNWR shed, so hopefully a 4mm version and full kit will follow.

 

Jol

Jol. Townstreet. 
 

I think it was kit 55.  This is the picture on the box. 

18 hours ago, Jol Wilkinson said:

 

Philip,

 

this is a MMR kit, a mix of ply and laser cut card.

 

I wasn't previously aware of the Townstreet Coal Hole which only appears in the new models section. It isn't referred to as a LNWR model and while the tank is more accurate than the MMR kit, the rest isn't, nor does it include the coal "chute" in the outside wall by the coaling stage.

 

The MMR kit is, I think, more adaptable than the Townstreet version. I am following the dimensions set out Jack Nelson's LNWR Portrayed.

 

I have also been studying LMS Engine Sheds, Vol. 1 - The LNWR. None of the kits available for Northlight engine sheds are near enough to F W Webb's design but I understand that anothe company is starting work on one.

 

Jol

Hi Jol. 
 

Understand, this is the model have. Agree that it is not totally like the LNWR  version. 
 

also the denbeigh coal hole I have was from Bachmann. 
 

prototype is the only LNWR north light shed I know of. But it is not that robust. It would be something I’d like to explore in terms of laser cut because of the standard parts. 
 

regards. 

Jol. Who is doing these kits please?

are you aware of the Townstreet plaster cast LNWR coal hole kit?  It has five brick ‘bays’ so may be too big. Had you thought about using something the size of Denbeigh shed coal hole?

regards. 

I have a picture of myself in a Wickham trolley at Parkend at an open day.  I also remember seeing the remains of the sidings as a kid when we explored putting the caravan on Whitemead caravan park. 
 

amazing what was cleared away in the 80s. 

Makes interesting reading. Would require a new alignment especially as they suggest this is for faster trains but when you look at the economics and the environmental aspects these towns don’t have the capacity to service such a railway. We looked at reopening the line to Armagh from Portadown. It was more logical to put in park and ride on the M1 and encourage the use of electric cars and electric buses. 

12 hours ago, Nearholmer said:

Can anyone, perhaps, up the ante by suggesting a layout consisting of four fiddle yards connected by a mesh of turnouts?

Pontllanfraith, Sirhowy valley,  LNWR/LMS - GWR junction. Lots of activity and interchange. 
 

1 hour ago, WIMorrison said:

You are best to stick with v1.5.5 of the firmware, not use the updates provided by DK. I would also buy a Yamorc YD9401 as this will fix some of the biggest hardware problems with the DR5000 and provide you with supported firmware.

 

These products are from the original designer of the DR5000

I would concur with this.  

I have upgraded my Digikeijs DR5000 using the Yamorc YD9401.  It is straightforward. I have also purchased both the Yamorc Switch and Solenoid devices and am pleased with both.  Recommended.  

regards

On 05/02/2023 at 16:56, Nigelcliffe said:

 

Find a friend in Northern Ireland, and see what the rules are from there ?  

 

Good one Nigel. 
 

all Parcel Force / Royal Mail items leaving here go via GB so same rules apply. When I sent something to the south last year it had to have a customs form, as it goes via Liverpool. 

Fran, pleased to see this. Is there only one pre-Tops MDV pack? 
 

Btw love the lettering - perfect my modelling?

regards. 

You need to capture that, ‘it’s raining look’.  I can never remember driving up the Deri valley when it was not raining or going to rain.  Desolate and desperate is the look you need, a forgotten landscape.  Will be looking forward to it.  I have a similar project on the go, further along the Heads of the Valleys.  

Yes, good trains only. The late Gerald Davies showed me a slide of a coal tank which came to grief in a landslide. The Rhymney used a flat bottom rail with spikes - like in the USA - and this is thought why the LNWR 0-8-4T tanks were notorious for widening the gauge on the RR.  Super Ds also ran down the RR via Pontllanfraith, Hengoed and Ystrad M..  

not to sure about pick ups. From the evidence they were straight through. The WTTs will help on that issue.

regards. 

On 19/05/2021 at 15:29, queensquare said:

Well if you cant beat them.... workshop companions.

 

 

showed this posting to my wife as the two labs look like our two. Then I showed her Jerry’s article in May BRM. joanna’s comment, “there are no pictures of the dogs!”

Hello Jol,

do you know whether John R. has had time to look at the alternative frames for the 28’ 4-wheel carriages.  When I spoke to him last he said that it had come up the agenda because it had emerged that the chassis used on the SW Stock was also retrofit to the Birmingham/London carriages.

regards

7 hours ago, micklner said:

Never heard of them, we are sandy soil . I will research them, thanks.

have a watch of this. 

Watching with interest. Of course as a colliery exchange it could the somerset coal field  - modellers license etc,  or South Wales. Of course you could also base it in the Forest of Dean and make do with a 22 and 37. 
 

btw Andy are you planning to add this thread to your signature? 
 

regards. 

Well done Rod, glad to see you are able to get on with this.  One question, how deep is the insulation which you are using for the baseboard?  Is this following ideas put forward by Iain Rice in his Cameo layouts book?  How do you in tend to drive the points through such a thickness?

regards

Philip

On 19/03/2020 at 08:13, Miss Prism said:

I recently received the following enquiry from a gwr.org correspondent:

 

 

Other than noting the ubiquitous 64xx and autocoach(es), I'm a bit out of my comfort zone in responding to the enquiry. Over to you. (I initially assumed the date period did not intrude into DMU days, but I suppose it does really.)

 

Hi Miss

until the MTA. Traffic was taken over by Merthyr the Abergavenny trains were formed of ex L&Y Fireproof open stock. Bill does the relevant etched sides. 
 

hope you are well. 
 

regards. Philip. 

Hello Andrew

good to hear from you. Yes the trusses are straight. The issues on the Kendon section section is that it is curved, so

1. the outer trusses in each span are longer than the inner trusses,

2. The trusses are perpendicular to the stone parapets, but the pillars are angled

this means that nearly every Truss is unique...  there are four trusses per span.

i was not considering modelling the walkway.... I get the impression it came later but cannot confirm that. 

regards. 

Hello Jonathan. 
 

I am very slowly putting together a model of the Kendon section. Though I wish I had decided to do it flat as working out the geometry of the chords in the curve and the interaction with the abutments has been part of the delay. The other has been how to build it. The first attempt using plastikard failed, so looking at brass section. The pillars are also complicated see https://coflein.gov.uk/en/archive/6295610/details/504. I’m now trying to learn a cad package to produce 3D printed parts for the fixings. 
 

in terms of the parapet.  We’ve discussed those on this forum before.  They are similar to the parapets of Crom Estate bridge in Northern Ireland. The NT has no record Of where they originated. A better view of crumlin’s parapet is here. https://coflein.gov.uk/en/archive/6257418/details/504  To me they look like they are cast. 
 

ive thought about having them etched though I’m told that they could be 3D printed. 
 

regards. 

Did I spot Lazy Joe holding up a Morris Traveller in the photos of Bala in RM?

Many thanks for putting together this virtual exhibition. I enjoyed the interviews and the various videos. It was much appreciated. 

2 minutes ago, philip-griffiths said:

Andy,  how are you providing ventilation into the space now that you’ve sealed up the garage door?  Concerned that if the door is closed you have no ventilation for adequate indoor air quality. 
regards. 

Sorry. Just seen the picture of the door and noted the trickle vent. They are ok but not wonderful. Leave it open and it should be ok. 
 

regards.