Scottish Modeller

Hi Mark, I was trying to avoid loading this with lots of pictures! Yes - I still have the photo cd and will be adding/filling in the gaps as I go. Now that I have time to model - this should be fairly quickly accomplished. I intend to post real and model photos as things develop. Thanks

Shark Attack! A short story on how to get your revenge on Jaws. Having built too many standard Cambrian Sharks to retain my sanity, this started out as a simple exercise to improve the model and bring it into the 21st Century. Little did I realise the amount of work that this would entail! The recipe for success(hopefully):- 1 Cambrian Shark Kit. (Note 1) 2 Wheels to suit standard you model in. 3 Assorted plain plastic strip and sheet. 4 Assorted sizes steel handrail wire. 5 Buffers to suit your chosen prototype. 6 Decals/Transfers to your chosen prototype. 7 The usual assortment of modellers tools. A copy of Alan Monk's guide from DEMU - 'Wagonry 101’ (Note 2) Additional ingrediants may be required! (Your favourite drink to hand may be a good start) OK, the most difficult aspect of any conversion is getting started. To aid you in this you need to decide which of the current variants of Shark you are going to model. This will be influenced by the period and location or area you are modelling. Having decided on your prototype, get as many photos of it as you can. Not just in its current state, but in its various guises over the years. The reasons for this will become clearer as you progress with the modelling. As your photos will show, Sharks have been subject to a lot of modifications over the years. I'm not going to quote chunks of info from 'The Bible' for the Shark. Just tell you to go out and, if you don't buy the book, at least borrow a copy! (Note 3) So, pause for reading and refreshment over – It’s bback to work….. Have you decided on a Shark that is planked, or one that is plated, either with steel or ply? First thing is to check your photos, notice any differences between the kit and the photos? No? Look again, there are usually several differences. A word of warning though - It can be hard to tell the difference between the plywood repannelled and steel replated Sharks. Some tell tale signs do show though! Look closely at the plating, are there tell-tale weld tacks at the edges? If the answer is Yes - Its a steel replate one. Are there rows of indentations where the screws are put through the plywood to the body frame? If the answer is Yes - Its a plywood repanneled one. This can make a big difference in how you decide to tackle the job in hand. So before you start, a quick examination of the Cambrian kit parts comparing them to the real thing is essential. First of all, check the ends. Do the photos show the same ends as on the Kit? There are three different types of end that I have found. 1 Original, with planking. 2 Replated, with plywood. 3 Replated with steel. Do the photos show the same planking above the veranda openings as on the kit? There are two different planking arrangments. 1 Two planks, wide to top, narrow to bottom. 2 Single plank. Do the photos have the same bracing around the balcony as on the kit? There are at least three different types of bracing on the ends. 1 Angle Bracing as on the kit. 2 No angle bracing, no other bracing on crosspiece and central roof support. 3 No angle bracing, inverted T section bracing on crosspiece and centre roof support. 4 No angle bracing, simple metal plate bracing on crosspiece under centre roof support, this can be different lengths. Do the photos have Vacuum Brake Pipes, Air Brake Pipes or both? There are at least five variations for position and shape for Vacuum Pipes. The variations for Air Brake Pipe Shark, gives you even more possibilities. How about Sharks with Dual Brakes? That adds another few variations to keep you checking! 1 Original shape and position vacuum pipe, left hand side of coupling. 2 Original shape, reversed and right hand side of coupling 3 High level 'cranked', central position vacuum pipe. 4 Headstock level vacuum pipe. 5 Headstock level 'cranked' vacuum pipe. 6 Original shape and position vacuum pipe, air pipe to right of coupling on headstcok. 7 High level 'cranked', central position vacuum pipe, air pipe to right of coupling on headstock 8 Headstock level vacuum pipe, air pipe to right of coupling on headstock. 9 Headstock level 'cranked' vacuum pipe, air pipe to right of coupling on headstock. 10 Air pipes only. Do the photos have the same buffers as on the kit? There are two different types of buffer on the Shark. 1 Original. 2 Oleo Hydraulic 18" Buffers. Do the photos show the same lamp iron arrangement as on the kit? Probably not! There are at least four variations in lamp iron number and position. 1 Original. 2 Single, left or right in original position. 3 Double, wider apart than original position. 4 Double, narrower than original position. Do the photos show the same couplings as on the kit? There are two varieties of coupling used on the Sharks. 1 Screw Couplings 2 Instanter Couplings. On to the roof! Do the photos show the roof, is it the same as the kit? There are several varieties on the Sharks. 1 Rainstrips and chinmey as on the kit roof. 2 Rainstrips as on kit the kit roof, square patch covering old chimney position. 3 Long straight rainstrips from veranda ending just past doorway, chimney as on the kit roof. 4 Long straight rainstrips from veranda ending just past doorway, square patch covering old chimney position. 5 Short straight rainstrips, only over the doorways, chimney as on the kit roof. 6 Short straight rainstrips, only over the doorways, square patch covering old chimney position. 7 Reroofed/refelted, any of above rainstrip variations, no chimney, no patch. Now for the sides! Do the photos show the same sides as on the Kit? There are several different versions of the sides. 1 Original, with planking. 2 Replated, with plywood. 3 Replated with steel. 4 Partial replating with plywood. 5 Partial replating with Steel. See - Not all wagons are the same! Some further info to get you started! On CENet - Yahoo! group we have been collaborating to try and produce a list of known repanelled/replated Sharks. So far the list is as below:- DB993668 - Both veranda ends, LHS veranda side 1/2 panelled - vertical. DB993706 - Both veranda ends. DB993714 - Both veranda ends. DB993727 - RHS veranda side @ stove end. DB993742 - Veranda end @ stove end 1/2 panelled - vertical.*** DB993748 - All over except doors. DB993753 - Veranda ends and sides, both ends. DB993768 - Veranda end and RHS veranda side @ Stove end. DB993771 - Both veranda ends 1/2 panelled - horizontal. DB993784 - Both veranda ends. DB993791 - Veranda end and RHS veranda side @ Non stove end. DB993807 - Veranda ends and sides, both ends. DB993819 - Both veranda ends. DB993826 - All over except doors. DB993826 - Sides, TBC. DB993829 - Cabin Sides DB993836 - Veranda ends and sides, both ends.* DB993839 - Half panelled veranda side @ stove end. DB993842 - All over except doors. DB993843 - Both veranda ends. DB993859 - Veranda ends and sides, both ends. DB993882 - All over except doors. DB993895 - Both veranda ends and veranda side @ stove end.** DB993902 - Both veranda ends. DB993902 - Both veranda ends, lower cab body both sides - horizontal. DB993928 - Both veranda ends, sides @ non stove end. DB993933 - Veranda end @ stove end. DB993796 - Both veranda ends and sides. * May have been done since preservation ** May now have both veranda ends and all veranda sides done. *** Very crudely done! If you know any more - Tell us about them...... Photo sources and references Paul Bartlett - http://paulbartlett.zenfolio.com/ Martyn Read – http://ukrailwaypics.smugmug.com/ Gareth Bayer – Wagons on the Web - http://www.garethbayer.co.uk/wotw/ Note 1 – It is possible to use the Hornby Shark as a basis. The same work is required but is a lot harder to carry out. Note 2 – Available to DEMU Members via the DEMU Forum. Note 3 - British Railways Brake Vans and Ballast Ploughs - Eric Gent - HMRS Publications - ISBN 0-902835-16-5 Hope you enjoyed the story and it inspires you to have a go at a 'Shark of your own'. Do tell us about it if you do.....

HI all, Good to see a 'state of the art' model of a Turbot. Sad that another Cambrian kit has been hit on by the RTR bandwagon. Overall not sure whether to be glad or sad..... Anyway, If Dapol do this model carefully (and correctly) they can back date it to make the Bolster E and also modernise it to make the rebodied Turbot - the Heron. Interesting! I wonder if they will do it in N as well as OO? Thanks

HI There, Another one for you to try... You do have to register but you get latest prices updates whenever a property within the postcode area sells. Also can back date to find previous sale prices. Hope this helps...

Mike, The ex LNER Coach is well covered elsewhere - including on Scottish Modellers Yahoo Group. What can I tell you... Dining Car No.2, VICTORY - Oldest coach in the train. 1945 - Built by LNER as a Corridor First. ???? - Converted to an inspection saloon. 1980's - Renumbered Sc1999, Named 'Lochaber' used for Fort William to Mallaig trains. No kit to make this one although it is possible that may be available in Worsley Works catalogue but I've been unable to identify which kit. Hope this helps! Thanks

Ah! Scotland Street Yard..... I wondered how long before this gem was trotted out as an ideal example to go with Leith Baltic Street! Ian - Is this a photo of your own? If so can I get a large version! So - What's it like now? Thanks

This should be it... http://www.davidmorrismp.co.uk/office-of-the-rail-regulator-announcement-carnforth/news_12.html Also noticed this... http://www.davidmorrismp.co.uk/david-morris-and-pete-waterman-have-a-brief-encounter-talking-about-carnforth-station/news_20.html Should give some ideas... Thanks

Hi John, An idea... How about more stuff done in stone instead of brick. Like - Retaining Wall in Stone? I was thinking Ashlar style - either red or grey. Others may prefer a different stone style though? Thanks

Hi Mark, Carl isn't quite through the door... Now I'm not Membership Secretary - I can't do instant membership! Not that I'm expecting any problems See you all at the show.......

Hi Ant, See pm... http://paulbartlett....afbf6b#h4f205b9 Ex OCA - Thames Board - Green - first seen August 1985. This one is a later repaint though. http://www.flickr.co...157626645865977 Ex OCA - Thames Board - Blue - first seen March 1986 This photo looks like it was taken just after the wagons were rebuilt. Hope this helps! Thanks

Mark - If you stay where I think you do... It will be only a short journey when it happens! Thanks

Hi Arran, Sometimes I could kick you.... You know when I was going on about 'Odd Liveried OTA's' on DEMU Forum? Now you have provided the confirmation! Thanks ps - only 3 years late!

Hi Paul, Good to hear! I must be going blind... or just blanked them! Thanks ps - link now replaced in my links to - Paul Bartlett folder!

Hi Mark, Watch this space - AND the exhibitions bit! Should be appearing somewhere in Scotland NEXT year! More once confirmed...... Thanks

Hi Daddyman, Sorry - the impression you have is not correct. Hornby have done a correct version of the OTA. There was a good number of refurbed 'Angled End' OTA's that had the newer type stanchions. At this point I would have pointed you to Paul Bartletts' Fotopic for reference, but... I can't see them on his new site yet. Then again - reloading the number of galleries and photos he had is a monster task! No doubt they will appear soon enough. Some numbers from observation... 110324 110420 110149 110211 110292 110324 110420 110610 If Mark Westmacott is watching this thead - he has photos if I remember correctly. Thanks ps - If you have photos at Crianlarich between 2001 and 2003 you should have some photos? I have some shots from 2002 that show as modelled.

Hi All, Craig knows how lucky he is... He beat me to the sale by a matter of minutes! Never mind - at least it has gone to someone who apprciates it and it's place in Scottish modelling history. Thanks

You can't do that! Bridge not passed for that weight! Track inspector will have kittens! Thanks

Hi Bryn, Next thing I want to know is how to get one! (or more) Looks very good....

Hi Tony, Yes on both counts.... DEMU Scotland Area Group take one out as part of the Roadshow stand... We usually have a lot of itnterest! If you have/are going to have a SPROG I suggest the first step is to join the Yahoo Group. http://uk.groups.yahoo.com/group/sprog-dcc There is a vast amount of knowledge in the group and problem solving is second nature! Thanks

Hi all, Thanks for the brilliant bit of detective work on the allocations! Saves me a whole load of time.... Now... Where did I stash the box with the CL24's and Brassmaster bits? Looks like I've found something to do at Rutherglen on the DEMU stand. Thanks