PaulG

The above photograph is very interesting as I'm building a model of Colchester c1955, and the following notes provided by John Watling, may be of interest. The vehicles used with the Colchester breakdown train were as follows: LNER Period Tool Van 961515 ex GE 264 diagram 219 formerly EX16, built 2/1886, converted 12/1928, withdrawn 11/1942 Mess and Tool Van 961520 ex GE 718, LNER 6460, diagram 518, built 9/1896, converted 2/1940, withdrawn c. 1945 Early BR Period Packing Van 961520 ex GE 945 brake third 62332, diagram 533, converted 3/1947, no withdrawal date. Tool Van 961515 ex 51842 34’ brake third, built Ashbury 1896, converted 10/1945, withdrawn 8/11/1958 GER 6 wheel 961520 GER 6-wheel Mess and Tool Van ex GE 945 brake third 62332, diagram 533, converted 3/1947, no withdrawal date 961604 GNR crane 961568 GER ex double bolster Apparently the GNR crane was rarely used from the mid 1940's onwards and I was given the impression it was in poor condition and reluctant to steam. It went during 1955, or perhaps a little earlier and to find it at Stratford four or five years later was most surprising but it disappeared soon after. There are photos of the crane at Stratford dated 20 December 1959. Post c1955 After the steam crane had gone two carriages appeared: 320380, a former GER 10 compartment suburban 3rd, LNER 60396 320147 an ex GCR 50ft clerestory, LNER 583 built in 1904. Paul

Broad Sidlinch: At Holt Station we have on display Julian Birley, (former North Norfolk Railway (NNR) Company Chairman and current M&GN Society President) 1990s built 4mm scale/00 gauge layout, built to represent part of the Somerset and Dorset Railway. The model railway was featured in the July 1999 issue if the Railway Modeller magazine and moved to the NNR about 20 years ago. To enable the railway to run when no volunteer operators are available, sometime ago the layout was fitted with R&R Concepts stationmaster 5 automatic system. The units are very good and operate well 7hours a day, 7days a week with few problems. On activation, the units provide slow acceleration to the desired maximin speed and slow the train to stop. We now require another unit and before ordering from the USA, is there any equivalent item available from the UK? The layout is currently DC only. Any help much appreciated. Paul

Have a look at the Great Eastern Railway Society website, they have scale drawings of the loco shed and water tower and various other reference material. Paul

Thank you for the comments, the baseboard is only just wide enough for the shed and running lines about 3ft. Paul.

I was talking about Holt, not Sheringham as this already has a footbridge. The extension from Holt towards the old Holt station site, Melton Constable and Fakenham is not a NNR project but Norfolk Orbital Railway. There are significant costs with this project, not least a new road bridge immediately outside the NNR Holt Station site, squeezing next to the Holt bypass, built on the old track bed and a new road bridge where currently there is a roundabout! Paul

Holt Station The issue with the proposed footbridge is I understand they don't own all the land necessary on which to build it on. In my view the footbridge should not be built and the original platform relocated opposite the main platform, shorten the tracks and rap platform around the end of the tracks like any terminus station, thereby giving DDA access to both platforms which a footbridge doesn't. It will also improve car parking. Paul.

Further to my post above and photo of the platform at Colchester, here is progress to date on my layout. I'm not a fan of card kits especially on a layout in a shed, which is subject to a degree of heat/cold and damp. However, the platforms are 7 feet long and on a 180deg min 3 ft radius, so chose the option as least painful! In reality, the platforms should be roughly straight, which gave a dilemma when starting the paving. The platforms are made from Metcalf kits and the coper/edging is cut from paper roof tile, which roughly the correct size and colour. Now just to add the white line! Paul

One platform construction was (is) paving slabs with a brick edging/coper, which usually appears to be a blue brick with anti-slip crisscross finish as per the photograph. In 4mm scale, plasticard, paper and card paving slabs are available for the platform surface, but does anyone produce the edging? Paul

I was told a few days ago, "next month or 2" Paul

I am pleased to see my 4mm scale/OO gauge model of Colchester c1955 appears in this issue. The superb photos were taken by Chris Nevard and this is the only one that doesn't appear in the magazine.

We are very fortunate in Sheringham as within a short distance we have very good model railway shops: Buoys Toys & Models in Cromer, Model Scenic Supplies in Northrepps and Bure Valley Models in Aylsham. Paul

The Broadband Model Railway Club and 32A Model Railway Club both have club rooms in the village of Catfield near Potter Higham and understand either end of the same building. Paul

Just to add to my post above, there are no model railway clubs in the Cromer area, the nearest are in the Norwich area. However there is a good model railway shop in Cromer, Model Scenic Supplies at Northrepps and for RTR Bure Valley Models at Aylsham which seam to match Hattons for price. I retired to Norfolk from Essex, and through a friend who also retired to Cromer from Essex, we both have ended up working on the model railway at Holt and building layouts at home, rather than join a club. My layout at home is due to appear in Model Rail September issue. Paul

You are always welcome to come and help rebuild and operate the 4mm OO model railway at Holt Station on the North Norfolk Railway. Paul.

Having seen the various comments above I was a little concerned about placing an order with the company. However I must give Modelmaster 5 stars as having placed an order late on Tuesday afternoon, they arrived in this mornings post. I did telephone the company on Tuesday prior to placing my order and the person I spoke to (owner?) was very helpful and knowledgeable. He was clearly of my "vintage years", as he spoke of his days living in Glasgow over looking the steam train operations in the station. Paul

I've replaced one of my ECM controllers with a Gaugemaster Model 100 Panel Controller and the loco works fine. I would guess the Model D is not a feedback controller; I had a quick look on Gaugemasters website and there's no reference to "feedback". Paul

Only when trying to run the loco on an ECM feedback controller, the issue was known prior to purchasing the loco and discussed a long way up this thread! Paul

Last member of the class worked Hythe Quay, Colchester. Paul

The layout is still at Holt Station and although the track layout has remained the same, the scenery is in the process of being completely rebuilt, from baseboard upwards. We have tried to keep to Somerset/Dorset style countryside with the rebuild, but the layout is operated by various individuals running their own stock, hence unfortunately, only occasionally will you see appropriate rolling stock. Paul

From the photos I have and in particular 68226, in 1948 from photo evidence, it only had one plate on the left hand side. Photos show other members of the class with a works plate on the right hand side! Perhaps the right hand plate on 68226 was lost over time and never replaced? Paul

Colin The plate which I was making reference is perhaps best illustrated by the three photos below.

Using the photo of 68226 as the guide, most of the separate etches etc which come with the model end up staying in the bag! No side chains, shed plate, or seat bracket. There is a photo of this loco at Stratford works in poor NE external condition dated 1948, fortunately of the other side and shows the makers plate position, which seamed to vary from loco to loco. On the model there is a small plate above the cylinders, which looks like a factory fitted addition, which if you look carefully on the prototype has been removed; I've tried to leaver off the plate on the model without success! I have now removed the windows and will refit as per the photo tomorrow. Paul

J70 68226 was allocated to Colchester from 23/06/1946 until withdrawn on 2/08/1955, the last member of the class. It was renumbered 22/05/1948 and general overhaul 26/05/1948, so given the condition in the Lens of Sutton photo below, the photo was taken shortly after returning to Colchester. Like other's have said, the Model Rail model is very good; I've just got to some very slight weathering and sort the side windows! (I don't think I can alter the chimney to as shown in the photo! Paul

We are fortunate in this part of Norfolk with a good model shop in Cromer for bits and kits, for scenic materials Model Scenic Supplies in Northrepps and for Hornby, Bachmann, Dapol, Oxford Rail etc Bure Valley Models in Aylsham. Paul.

Oxford Rail have advised: "The BR version is due end of May but no final date as of yet." Paul