wenlock

Lovely modelling and it certainly dwarfs that poor little GWR two planker!

10 hours ago, Mikkel said:

 

This is the problem with the LB&SCR, it's always there in the wings, waiting for the next opportunity to lure innoncent men away from their chosen company.

Yes I could very easily be led astray!

10 hours ago, Mikkel said:

A family saloon is a nice excuse though. Must give that some thought, thank you.

Happy to help!😀

I rather fancy the idea of a posh family arriving at Sherton with their entourage in the family saloon, accompanied by a horse box and carriage truck.  I’m sure the family would want to visit Farthing while they are in the area🙂

25 minutes ago, Compound2632 said:

Absolutely worth the wait - superbly-finished vehicles.

Thanks Stephen🙂

27 minutes ago, Compound2632 said:

 

I believe it was the case that a four wheeler gave a better ride than a six-wheeler. I think the earlier use of three axles and later conversion to two had chiefly to do with journal, bearing, and lubrication technology. In the 1870s and 80s, the weight of these carriages was too much for four of the bearings of the time, but by the 90s, larger journals were being used with better designs of oil axlebox. Compare Churchward's 70-footers with four-wheel bogies, built at a time when other companies were putting carriages a few feet shorter (but possibly heavier) on six-wheel bogies. 

 

Back in the late 1870s, when Clayton was first building bogie carriages on the Midland, a decision was made that in future, all new carriages would be either bogie or four-wheeled but that didn't last long. A large number of 28 ft and 29 ft carriages built in the first few years after Clayton's appointment as four-wheelers were converted to six-wheelers in the early 1880s. 

 

Apologies for introducing the Midland but it's not so far OT - it seems to me that Clayton must have initiated the style of panelling used on these Great Western carriages shortly before he left Swindon for Derby, where he introduced essentially the same style. So one suspects other details of construction were related, too.

No apologies needed for mentioning the Midland, it’s all useful, interesting and relevant information!

BW

Dave

5 hours ago, drduncan said:

Dave,

 

very nice indeed! Now you have this new passenger train, you’ll need a loco….time for  that River class?

 

Duncan

Thanks Duncan🙂  You’re quite right the River class was always the plan to pull this rake of coaches, it’s next on this list unless I get distracted by a rather lovely LB&SCR family saloon that’s in the kit stash!
 

BW

Dave

13 hours ago, MikeOxon said:

These look wonderful and well worth the time spent on them 🙂

Thanks Mike🙂

13 hours ago, MikeOxon said:

The GWR seem to have adopted 6 wheels from the earliest broad gauge days, even for some types of wagon.  After the initial problems they had with poor riding on Brunel's first design of track, I suspect they were anxious to obtain the smoothest ride possible.  The centre wheels were removed from several carriages later in the 19th century.

Yes they did seem very keen on six wheelers around the 1880s, but by the late 1890s four wheelers seem to more prevalent. Your thoughts regarding them wanting to avoid the rough riding on Brunel’s track make complete sense, the “modern” narrow gauge track would have minimised the problem, negating the need for three axles on the carriages.

13 hours ago, MikeOxon said:

Do you use any special techniques to enable these 6-wheelers to negotiate curves and points?

The kits provide Cleminson suspension where the leading and trailing axles can pivot slightly and the centre axle can move laterally which allows the coaches to get round tighter than prototypical curves.  This all works beautifully until you add the tie bars between the axle boxes, which would lock the whole thing solid! To get round this I soldered some fine brass tubing behind the centre axle box and cut the tie bar in half. The tie bar is then fixed to the axle at either end of the coach, but allowed to slide in the tubing behind the middle axle allowing the desired movement of the Cleminson suspension to occur.

11 hours ago, Donw said:

superb as usual Dave. I have some kits on order but they never seem to arrive.

 

Don

Thanks Don🙂  That’s annoying about your kit order, I’d give the owner Julian a ring, he’s a helpful chap and I’m sure would want to sort this out!

9 hours ago, Brassey said:

This all looked great at the Manchester show.  Might be worth a trip to York now just to see the new coaches.

Thanks🙂 Hope to see you at York!

7 hours ago, Mikkel said:

What a sight, Dave, they are beautiful. With layouts like yours we can see what it was like. Of course it wasn't always summer, etc, but there must have been moments like this nonetheless.

Thanks Mikkel, One of the joys of railway modelling is we can model the weather we like, consequently it’s never rained in Sherton Abbas although it has snowed a couple of times😀

7 hours ago, Mikkel said:

The U14 is one of those six-wheelers that could have been a four-wheeler (perhaps it even became one, can't remember). Which makes me wonder why six wheels were chosen in the first place. Better riding?

 

Good question! I’ve no idea why such a short coach needed a six wheel chassis, my Diag U4 1/2nd composite is more or less the same length and manages perfectly well with 4 wheels. You’re probably right about aiming for better riding, but the improvement didn’t justify the expense so later coaches only had two axles.

6 hours ago, NHY 581 said:

Morning Dave, 

 

Just stunning and a lovely addition to a lovely layout. 

 

Rob. 

Thanks Rob🙂

2 hours ago, Mikkel said:

Thank you Dave, and welcome back. I was thinking of your "Horse drawn weekly" phrase while building this one, there's material for several issues across RMweb by now 🙂

 

Thanks Mikkel🙂

Excellent modelling as usual Mikkel and good to see “Horse drawn weekly” is still going strong🙂

Best wishes

Dave

Very nice atmospheric layout, the tall low relief buildings really help set the scene.  Great to see a grey British sky on a layout!🙂

Good to see your skills in finding the uncouplers work equally well in 2 mm scale 😀

This is looking great Al, it’s got a proper “valleys” feel about it already.  
 

BW

Dave

Good to see a bit of Al Fresco modeling going on!  Also pleased to hear that it fits in the car😀 

10 hours ago, Mikkel said:

Seeing Sherton in BRM was a nice surprise, Dave. I especially enjoyed the video.  Lovely slow running, and I do like that discrete rotation of the ground signal.

 

And great work by Jamie filming it, neat panning and careful slow zooming, in keeping with the style of the layout and period.

 

I think Thomas Hardy would have been delighted!

Thanks Mikkel, glad it was a nice surprise😀  Yes Jamie did a great job with the video,  I’m very impressed with how the shots changed in time with the beat of the music!  
 

The discrete rotation of the ground signal is obviously very discrete, you are the only person who’s ever mentioned it!😁

BW

Dave

10 hours ago, JamFjord said:

Thank you. I'm never 100% sure what year it is these days  😵🤦‍♂️

You and me both!😁

3 hours ago, JamFjord said:

Latest issue arrived through the post box a couple of days ago and I've been enjoying the lot of it, but the Sherton Abbas in particular caught my eye - I love a bit of Edwardian railway action.

 

 

Yet another reason to make sure I make it to York this year. It's going to be, as I believe the kids say, a "banger".

Glad you enjoyed the issue😀

I thought I’d better clarify that although I’m sure the York show this year is going to brilliant, I’m not taking Sherton until the year after in 2024.

BW

Dave

21 hours ago, DLT said:

I have still not managed to see Sherton Abbas for real, had to miss the Taunton SWAG do when it was there.

 

Hi DLT, the next show I’m taking Sherton along to is the Thornbury club show which is in November.

https://www.tsgmrc.co.uk/exhibition-information/

I’m also booked to take it along to the York show during  Easter 2024.

I hope you can come along to one of the events.

BW

Dave

10 minutes ago, SouthernRegionSteam said:

I genuinely had an amazing time travelling up to Cardiff; spending I think 6 pleasant hours marvelling at the layout and snapping away merrily. Those reading this blog who haven't yet seen Sherton Abbas, you simply must see it for yourself if you get the opportunity; it's such a stunning layout!

 

I'm very grateful for Dave's hospitality and humour throughout the shoot, which resulted in (what I feel) is a very interesting, entertaining, and natural-feeling video. The layout doesn't half scrub up well, too 😆

 

I couldn't ask for more from a photoshoot. It was a real treat to get to do it!

 

Thank you, Dave!

 

Props go to @AY Mod for the additional photo editing, and the designer(s) at BRM for bringing everything together cohesively!

Thanks Jamie, I’m glad you enjoyed the day as much as I did!
 

BW

Dave

Hi Jamie, the beach huts and deck chairs are an excellent addition and as you say add a splash of colour and add to the Summery feel of the layout. Well done, though thoroughly well deserved for getting the Chairman’s trophy!

BW

Dave

Really excellent Nick!   The extra solebar detail, along with door retaining chains really add to the wagon.

I’m thoroughly enjoying reading this series of wagon posts, very inspirational stuff. 
 

BW

Dave

That’s a splendid bit of modelling Dave!  The wagon has a real sense of mass, you can almost hear the rails creaking under the weight of it.

BW

other Dave!

9 hours ago, Mikkel said:

 

Thanks for the info Dave. I'll wait until I need a larger order from Slaters, as I have to pay 20£ import handling fee on everything from the UK these days (no minimum threshold).

 Crikey 20£ is a bit steep! Still an excuse to stock up on loads of “essential” bits and pieces🙂

9 hours ago, Mikkel said:

 

With the V8 you will IIRC have the option of forming a nice mixed train with bogie clerestories, and some 6- and 4-wheelers. I do like these mixed stock trains and am working on something similar for Farthing.

Yes that’s the plan, there’s something rather lovely about mixed trains with differing eaves panel heights and rooflines.  I’m very much looking forward to seeing an example at Farthing!

9 hours ago, Mikkel said:

 

But the big question is, will the growing number of coaches all fit on Sherton Abbas or will you have to build the junction station for Sherton so you can run longer trains? I for one would like to see that, and it would only take 10-15 years 🙂

 

An even bigger question to my mind is when I’m finally going to get round to building the River class that’s supposed to pull the coaches!
 

Your not alone in wanting me to build a junction station.  I would also love to, but I’m afraid lack of space precludes it🙄 Still it’s a lovely thought and nice to dream!

BW

Dave

5 hours ago, Barry Ten said:

Excellent work there, Dave. Given how in-period everything else is on the layout, it would have been a shame to spoil things even if 15 years doesn't seem that much at this remove.

Thanks Al, yes I’m glad now it’s done and doesn’t nag away at the back of my mind!
 

5 hours ago, Barry Ten said:

 

Ready and painted by Thornbury, what are the chances?

That’s definitely the aim, here’s hoping life doesn’t get in the way!
 

BW

Dave

18 hours ago, Mikkel said:

That's an excellent job, Dave, looks like a seamless joint.

Thanks Mikkel, a bit of Milliput filler works wonders!🙂

18 hours ago, Mikkel said:

I didn't know Slaters provide parts separately, that's a nice touch on their part, can't be a big money maker for them.

Yes I’ve found Slaters to be very helpful.  It’s not advertised on their website, but the staff on the phone helpline are really good and generally happy to help.  Not sure what a phone call from Denmark would cost you, but if you told them it was for Farthing then they would probably fully reimburse you!😀

BW

Dave

39 minutes ago, magmouse said:

Looking good, Dave - and, yes, you might as well fix it now, or you will regret it later. I sometimes find it hard to go back to things I think I have already done, it's often easier psychologically to get on with something new.

 

Nick.

Thanks Nick, completely agree about the difficulty of going back to rectify something you’ve got wrong!
 

26 minutes ago, Miss Prism said:

That's quite a conversion, and the moving of the moulding for the eaves panel depth has worked out a treat.

 

Thanks Russ, glad you think it’s worked out ok🙂  The worst part was making that first cut, no going back once that’s done!

Excellent work Mikkel, definitely worth all the effort! Happy New Year to you and yours🙂