Kier Hardy

You're a real craftsman Grahame, the buttons on each post just don't do your work justice - cracking stuff as always.

Thank you for your kind comments. Although I've not used acrylic paste myself, it is a thick pasty white substance that can produce a controlled textured surface, used for all kinds modelling and hobby applications. Class 08s in freight trains was a fairly common sight, especially if they had some distance to travel to and from works. It would usually involve removing the rods and de-meshing the traction motors to allow them to travel within a trip freight. This link from David Heys gives a bit more information - http://www.davidheyscollection.com/page82.htm The 2 Class 08s used on Hornsey Broadway came about more by accident than design, as one loco fitted with Ultrascale replacement wheelsets suffered from slipped cranks. The plastic crank was glued back onto the axle (push fit normally) but this didn't last, so it was decided to use it in a freight train instead on its way to Stratford Works for remedial attention. It's not very often seen in model form due to the cost of locomotives versus wagons, but if you've got one that's fubared, or see a bargain with damaged rods on a well known auction site, then after stripping out the motor and selling that on, it's a cheap way of adding some variety to your fleet.

The Spring 2020 BRM which featured Hornsey Broadway has come and gone., but probably still available online no doubt. I've edited my post for clarity, as it's to do with the May update on the website.

Hello Everyone, I hope you're all well and finding plenty of time to get some modelling done during these strange times. Put the kettle on, make yourself a cuppa and settle down somewhere comfortable, as we've put together a bumper edition for the emgauge70s May update, including a very well put together video by Andy Y. I hope you enjoy the content (and the diversion, as there's nothing on telly worth watching) and stay safe. Best wishes, Kier Click here for the May update - http://www.emgauge70s.co.uk/model_omwb167.html

Tumbleweed alert!!

Here's the original uncut version of Hornsey Broadway compiled by Andy Y.... something to keep you occupied whilst you chomp on your pasties.

Andy's been a bit swift getting his camera out to take a few snaps of the train set, so here's a few for you. Waiting in platform 2 for the road ahead is a pair of Class 20 locomotives, 8145 in green livery and D8077 in blue, destined for East London with a loaded coal train made up of 16 ton mineral wagons. Peak Class 46 number 153 passes through on the Down Fast with an express service to Newcastle, the rake consisting mainly of BR mk2a coaching stock. In the background a mixed freight takes the Up Slow through platform 1. Leaving the station area behind on our journey to the motive power depot at Hornsey Road, we catch a glimpse inside the garage where a team of fitters are busy working on various motor cars. Making their way back to the Midlands from East London with an unfitted rake of empty HOP21 wagons are BR Derby type 2 locos 7576 & 5189 awaiting a clear road. An unusual visitor to the area is this 6-car Swindon built Trans-Pennine DMU heading for Finsbury Park with the 1Z24 'Footex' special full of Hull City fans who will be watching their team play away at Highbury. Moments later, an Up Pullman service slows for a signal check on the last leg of its journey with Deltic 9009 Alycidon in charge. Meanwhile a LMR Division DC lines Class 501 glides past with a Broad Street to Hornsey Broadway terminating service. Nearing the depot we pass pockets of industry, including Fordhams milk distribution depot located on Hornsey New Road. Kaff's doing a roaring trade, as you would expect around lunchtime. We'll take a break now and have a snack before we get to the depot - I've heard Kaff's burgers are to die for!!

Must apologise for the delay in getting here today, came downstairs to find the kitchen half inch deep in water..... looks like the dishwasher has had a hissy fit overnight. Anyway, without further ado, we'll (not) get the van unloaded and find a space to (not) set up the layout in a back room out of the way.

Plenty of track plans in the centre section of my programme, have you checked to see if yours is stapled together properly?

Seeing as I've had an official invite this year, it was (not) an early start this morning, (not) loading the van. I'm knackered already humping and shifting this 40ft monster out of the railway room. Good job I had a chance for an afternoon nap (not) and the traffic is nose to tail. Looking forward to (not) seeing you all there, and hopefully you'll be able to (not) help me unload the van.

That almost looks like social distancing before it was even invented!

Here's a couple of lineside structures taken after the abandonment of the Woodhead route..... any use?

This may be of help, photo courtesy of Paul James. Snapped from the old cross station footbridge at Liverpool Street station, a Cl31 and 47 stand on the buffers stops in Platforms 11 and 12.

February update on emgauge70s http://www.emgauge70s.co.uk/model_omwb164.html

I don't think there's any issue with the aperture size on the Dapol Western.... there definitely is on other models such as the Class 22 and Heljan's Baby Deltic. I've used the correct 4mm size digits by Precision Labels without any issues (sorry Phil) Here's 1033 Western Trooper hauling MDVs at Shenston Road.

I don't know a great deal about steamy sheds, but have studied diesel depots in great detail, observing flows, replenishment, servicing and stabling. Your plan looks fun, although I feel it's not going to satisfy you in the long run - there's too many compromises and the thing that screams out to me is the scale of what you're trying to achieve in the given space. Sorry if that sounds cruel, but you're only going to be happy with something on a smaller scale that looks right. Percentage wise, I'm sure there would be a good representation of stabling sidings compared to quick turnaround and servicing track, so understand how your plan has come together.

There would need to be a cake stall, otherwise I'm not coming in

Absolutely lovely work Alex. I've also been admiring your other threads and your attention to detail is outstanding... you've really inspired me to spend some time at my work bench this afternoon and finish off some of my part started projects. The Baguley-Drewry (ex-Chilmark) BE loco has struck a particular chord with me, as I was partially involved with the purchase and subsequent preservation of NG25.

Chainsaw? Wouldn't an angle grinder be more useful?

For anyone interested in some 'behind the scenes' images of the team at the weekend (and youtube time-lapse videos), please click on the link. http://www.emgauge70s.co.uk/layout_operators01.html

I would like to echo the sentiments about Model Rail Scotland 2020 - My team and myself thought it was a well put together event with some good quality layouts and trade support. The visiting public made us feel welcome, mostly adorned with smiles on their faces. A lot of visiting families and not one whiff of BO during the entire weekend. Thank you all for the nice comments about the layout. This last week for me has been one of recovery, rest and recuperation, as bringing such a large layout many hundreds of miles does take its toll, and although the hotel was excellent in many ways, I'm never a good sleeper away from home. The weeks of preparation, travelling in not the best of weather conditions, being on our feet for 3 days, humping and shifting has all been very worthwhile. I'd like to thank the organising team for putting on such a good show and making us feel welcome, namely Max Fowler for helping out on the layout during the course of the weekend to the detriment of his other duties, Ian P, Davy, and last but not least the stewards (in particular Richard in the car park) who did an excellent job of getting things moving smoothly. Our heartfelt thanks to you all that made it a cracking weekend.

I'd like to thank Andy York personally for the photographs he took of Hornsey Broadway and the video footage he put together for this edition of BRM.... it's a real credit to him. I'm still working my way through the magazine, with the rest of the content being informative and very entertaining.

Well, it's already later in the week, and despite the railway room being in a state of disarray, the banner repeater signal was easily accessible. Here's a very close (and cruel) close up image showing the back of the signal.

Thanks for all the nice comments, they're always appreciated....even a high profile 'model maker' from within these pages gave it a thumbs up at Glasgow at the weekend, so not bad for a pretend location with some history behind it! The banner repeater signal on the Up Kings Cross main line started life as an MSE product, a spindle was fixed to the arm and rotates within the white metal housing. once fitted, the brass wire spindle is bent at 90 degrees and linked to another rod which is activated by the servo motor mounted behind the wall. In some ways it has been one of the easiest signals to produce, but would be a bit more difficult if gantry mounted. The colour light signal at the tunnel mouth is controlled by a rotary switch, so for the yellow and green aspects, another wafer of the switch is used to control the input to a Megapoints servo controller. Ill try and get a close up image of the signal later this week and post it here.

You could gain at least half a millimetre each side by re-profiling those chunky flanges, giving more axle for the wheels to sit on.