ScottishRailFanatic

Harking back to the ‘Modern Steam’ conversation from a few pages ago, the whole idea of one-off engines as electric assistants is limited by cost of the engine is a one-off. However, this could be done on multiple lines, and most likely multiple engines would be needed for even small lines when the juice is off. Maybe going back to a tried-and-trusted design like the Standard 2? That would need no extra cost for drawing new plans, unless oil/gas firing is taken, but it would only be small. Built in bulk, manufacturers would probably charge less for mass part fabrication, especially if some of the templates already still exist.

All very good and valid points - I can see where steam would be at a major disadvantage against modern traction. It is a sad thing for some to say but electric traction is superior in many respects. Of course, there are still looming issues - power cuts for one thing - but it is the way forward.

That is a very good point Sheffield - though I doubt conventional steam fans like myself would enjoy it as much as the originals! Little-used lines would have some appeal returned to them if steam (and first-gen diesels) were to be employed outright, with modern diesels acting as ‘Thunderbird’ locomotives. A number of heritage railways have a fair amount of stock certified for mainline use, making this vision more feasible than we might think.

I understand what you mean - I was thinking more along the lines of small branch lines, probably near heritage railways to assist maintenance. Coal may still run at that point as the nearby heritage lines would have some on hand anyway. Probably tank engines, like the 14XX class of the Great Western, which could give any modern EMU a run for its money in terms of speed.

One thing I often wonder is what the current railway powers would come up with if revenue-earning steam were to return. I think they would be based on the most effective former locomotives from the days of the Big Four and British Railways, with modern alterations (much like what was done to the A1 plans to create the legendary Tornado). Any ideas?

That’s very true Bernard - I wonder what a Peckett would look like with no saddle tank? That’s gotten some gears turning in my head...

I have seen many examples of this myself - mine was merely designed as though there were a higher quality production version, instead of redundant wagon conversions.

Morning all, After witnessing the Hornby model of the Peckett ‘W4’ Class, I thought to myself “Why didn’t they make a tender for longer work periods?”. The result was this locomotive, dubbed the ‘W4T’ Class. What do you think? SRF.

Thanks for the suggestion and information - this will prove very useful! I happen to be located a stone's throw away from Alton station in Hampshire, which is a prime example of a network/heritage crossover station. This gives me something to work from along the lines of your idea. Also, thanks to everybody who's sharing their ideas to help me out. You're all talented people, and I'm truly grateful for your help. SRF.

A great suggestion These are great suggestions - a folding layout could be the way to go (so long as I can find the space to operate the full layout) as that would allow for more operational possibilities. Yes, I’m aware of the massive length of my ‘Javelin’ - at one point I resorted to running only the end units which, while looking a bit odd, shortened it to around 2’. Another thing that helps is that due to my wide variety of stock, the layout would be an ‘anything goes’ sort of thing, therefore meaning that I could run what I wish without being historically accurate. As for my big stock, when I was a little bit younger, around 10, and had no real knowledge of railways, I had a bit of a ‘big engines’ policy (which led to the horrible and gruesome demise of my first engine, Flying Scotsman!). This has led to many large locomotives and stock items being in my possession.

Thanks for your suggestions, both of you - These are both sound ideas that will certainly help. Now, electrics aside, is anybody able to help with the design of the layout? I need something that can fit my large stock - my ‘Javelin’ especially - while still being compact and having operational potential for each type of goods. Coal services could be catered for with a coal dock of sorts, and a yard crane would work for other goods. A good sized station would be nice too, catering for my large passenger coaches and units. Any ideas? Thanks. SRF.

Thanks for your suggestion John - unfortunately I don’t possess the knowledge or equipment to do such a thing. However, since my last post some testing at home has revealed that I could place my spare example on the opposite side of the layout and operate each when necessary. Of course, your suggestion could certainly work when I have greater expertise on the matter. Thanks very much! SRF.

Hi all, I’m attempting to plan a new OO scale layout to fit my limited space. I’ve got 4’x2’ to work with, but anything more will likely require many negotiations and compromises. I’ve got Peco Setrack to work with too. The two major limitations with planning the track layout are: 1. For power provisions, I only have a Hornby power track and remote. This means that I cannot have any sidings where the track is not served forward of the unit. Say, for example, I had a point and one of the tracks had a power unit on it - I would not be able to give power to the other track. 2. My fleet is largely comprised of large locomotives and stock, Including but not limited to: • Bachmann G2A 0-8-0 • Hornby Class 90 • Hornby Teak Coaches (x3) • Oxford Rail ICI Hopper (x2) • Heljan Beilhack Snowplough • Hornby Class 395 EMU Can anybody provide me with assistance in planning a layout? Your help is much obliged. SRF.

Thank you! The kind words are greatly appreciated. At least I know that people like what I’m doing!

Evening all, Today’s post is a bit of a double-feature. First of all, I have taken a generic Hornby RailRoad 0-4-0T, along with the chassis from a Peckett B2 Class, and played about with it to create a small, heavy duty shunter. This would work at more sizeable industrial railways and maybe the odd locomotive works. As promised, I have also produced a revised version of my centre-cab Sentinel locomotive. It now has 3 axles instead of 2, making it more suitable in terms of axle-load for an industrial railway. As always, I’m open to ideas and requests, so feel free to give feedback and requests for what I should do next. SRF.

Thanks for the advice Michael, I was wondering whether two axles would be sufficient! I agree that the axle-load would be pushing it, especially for an industrial railway. In light of this, I’ll post a revised version in due course.

Now that you mention it, I remember an example of such a thing that used to run on the Longmoor Military Railway, No. 890 ‘General Lord Robinson’. Now it is preserved at the Avon Valley Railway, where it has been since 1986.

Here’s a far more subtle (and more likely) modification to an existing locomotive type, the Rolls-Royce Sentinel. This example gained an almost identical livery to that of a standard Sentinel from the Barrington Light Railway. The cab was moved to a more central location to provide greater visibility to the driver, but instead of the standard singular engine, two smaller variants were fitted. I like to think of it as a smaller and more successful version of the Class 17 ‘Claytons’. Any ideas/suggestions for what I should do next? SRF.

Hi all! I’ve been following this thread for a while now, as I take great interest in ‘what-if’ and imaginary locomotives. I decided to have a go at editing one for myself - this is my first attempt at such a thing, so apologies if some editing skills are sub-standard in comparison to some of the great things I have seen here so far. This uses some imagination to create a scenario in which around 1965, British Railways is in need of a new yard shunter class (heaven knows why, they already have about 12 classes of such a thing!). Having seen the work of Ruston and Hornsby, a prolific constructor of small diesel locomotives, BR asked the firm to create their proposal for a new class to meet the criteria. After some head-scratching and a great deal of frustration, in June 1966 R&H produced what was, by their standards, an ugly great monster of a thing. It was turned out it the house livery of the firm. One particularly hard-to-please inspector from British Railways remarked that it “looked like it had emerged from the deepest, darkest corner of the Underworld!”. After some testing, the engine was deemed a failure due to a dismal lack of haulage power - in spite of a hulking engine on the inside - and was cut up in December of that year. What do you think? Should I create more of these diabolical monsters? Or should I produce something more aesthetically pleasing? You can decide which.

I would get some modelling done if I could, but every modelling item I own is residing at my grandparents house - one of multiple disadvantages of being a 12-year-old modeller..... To add to my woes, my parents don’t happen to stockpile boxes, even though delivery amounts are through the roof for our family! Does anybody have some suggestions for how I could get some 4mm scale - or maybe bigger - modelling done without specialist modelling materials? Cheers. -SRF

I’ve had an idea. I’ve got a work-in-progress OO 6’x4’ layout started, and recently took a liking to realistic Sudrian modelling, so I intend to create a layout based on somewhere on the fictional isle - albeit in an altered timeline. This topic is for discussions for anyone who models freelance or Sudrian railways and has some tips to give to a prolific 12-year-old.

Wow. Just, wow. This looks like such an interesting project! Your locomotive repaints are amazing- I got your same 0-8-0 for Christmas. It’s a great model. I’m only 12 and need some inspiration for some future liveries, and the livery you applied to the 0-8-0 suits it perfectly. I will be watching intently!

Thanks - haven’t seen these yet. They’ll be a big help! Currently, the new bodyshell is a bit basic and crude, but refining, patience and a bit of elbow grease are key.

Good news, construction is now officially underway! I am modelling the Neilson and Co. Works No.4444. A picture is included below. The locomotive will be decorated in a fictional olive green. Expect an upload of the finished product by Christmas Eve!

Thanks for the wealth of advice. Equipment-wise, I managed to obtain Revell Contacta glue yesterday (what a coincidence!) and the other equipment has been provided by my helpful grandparents. Thanks must go to them, too.