Neal Ball

4 minutes ago, Andy Keane said:

As part of the ballasting process I am also threading the runs of signal wire. In the up direction I have nine runs to place and I am using code #1 brown fishing line which comes up as 0.5" at full scale - a compromise between the actual wires used and what my eyes will tolerate.

This is the nine runs leaving the signal box and ending at the edge of that board:

And this next photo is the next board along with the first three runs inserted. The bottom run goes around a pulley and under the tracks via a second pulley to ground signal number 3. The next pair are for the up main starting and platform to engine shed semaphore arms. These go past the post to the FPL, on around a double pulley and back to the signal (the blobs of blutack are holding the lines taught while the cyano dries):

Even in close up photo they are hardly visible so you might well ask why I bother - answer: signalling has rather gotten under my skin as a subject of real interest.

 

For those interested, these are MSE cast white metal signal wire posts. For the nine-way ones at the board edges they are reinforced by soldering to a length of 1mm by 1mm brass angle (and yes several were sacrificed to molten blobs in this process).

Never mind sending you the details from Pendon @Andy Keane - going to these sort of lengths, you should be modelling for Pendon. Excellent work, well done.

3 minutes ago, BWsTrains said:

The Water Tower

 

With the Ratio Kit in hand, it remained to decide on the final details before any assembly. Would it be shorter Cylinder (as at Wallingford - early), full Cylinder or the Conical top type? At Wallingford this latter type was installed to replace the short original tank somewhere between 1919 and 1937 . Greater capacity and higher head being obvious benefits.

 

In the end I decided my Upper Hembury setting would have warranted a large early cylinder tank since both GWR and SR Operations were planned from shortly after the outset of Operations.

 

Later on, increased demand was met by fitting a large (9 inch pipe) pumped feed to maintain the head during periods of heavy usage. Hence there was no need for a costly replacement exercise. The large feeder pipe design which I'll use can be seen at both Wallingford and Watlington, plus many others no doubt, but I've not found photos.

 

This option is not supplied with my kit and I note that just a very modest ~3" feed pipe comes in the Dapol Motorised Kit. Mine will get the works, which I'm planning to fabricate from some filled PVC, of which more later.

 

Next to the Kit build. Nothing particular to note other than I took a lot of care during assembly, having been out of practice with assembly of PS kits for some time. It is coming together much as expected, now only requiring the final detailing items and touch up painting. The GWR light and Dark stone shades were blended up by my standard method using various Vallejo Acrylics and hand brushed.

 

I used parts from the Ratio conical tower kit for my model of the Henley-on-Thames water tower. I had to shorten the arm, but the rest was used. I still haven't put the ladder and inspection bits on yet - one day I might finish it!

59 minutes ago, Andy Keane said:

Neal

Thanks for the link - I will order up a pile of bits when the two kits arrive. I am not quite sure what I will need to complete the E40s as yet. I guess things like hinges and grab handles plus maybe also some stuff to detail the underframes. No doubt when I get started on this Rapido will announce they are making some.

I was nearly going to ask you about the underframe detail. 

Given its a 50ft carriage, I wonder if you could adapt a Comet models 57ft underframe.

I dont normally do hinges, but for the Wosley works kit, they are pre-drilled, so I ordered hinges from them at the same time. Good grabs etc. I get from Comet. You will need Dean Vacuum brake cylinders (Dart), possibly gas tanks (Dart or Comet).

I will PM you a photo of what to expect in a Worsley kit, which I have not started yet.

Regards, Neal.

5 minutes ago, Andy Keane said:

Following on from this I have a pair of E40 coaches on order from Worsley works. Can anyone advise on the best source of suitable bogies for these coaches? Might the spares from the Kernow railmotors serve?

I don't think so Andy. On GWR coaches, it says they were 8ft 6 Dean bogies: https://gwrcoaches.org.uk/LowRoofs.shtml#E40

Dart castings do some: https://www.dartcastings.co.uk/mjt/2428.php

Good luck - Can we see progress?

Thanks, Neal.

1 hour ago, Andy Keane said:

Yes indeed - but the 1930 timetable is rather dull and I am only slowly building up earlier stock (I have a 517 half built and and 850 kit on order)  - so its not very prototypical in that sense, but it at least gives us a timetable to follow with a nice mixture of movements. By 1930 pretty much all that happened were 45xx locos trundled to and fro with E140 B sets.

I have the same issue with Henley-on-Thames. My WTT is based on a mix of Regatta Saturday and daytime services, with specials thrown in for good measure.

On the real railway during Regatta week, there were no freight trains at Henley and the yard was cleared of everything.

It would make a very sterile railway!

On 05/05/2024 at 14:45, Andy Keane said:

Phil, I have now built a small coaling stage as a trial and popped that next to the wall structure we think might have been an ash bin. This is quite small by the standards of coaling stages but I wonder if it is still a bit large - any coal shovelled carelessly in might end up going over the back and down the embankment - what do you think:

 

That’s probably about right Andy - but with half the amount of coal - presumably you would be talking about filling a bucket and throwing it into the coal space on the SRM etc. but where will Ted* stand?

*Other fireman’s names are available!

Good luck with the WTT.

In the meantime I had a spare hour, so have started on replacement bogies for the Toplight brake 3rd.

These will be American Bogies, instead of 9ft Collett, which was convenient when I wanted to finish the carriage.

The parts have all come from Dart Castings.

21 minutes ago, checkrail said:

Interesting. I wonder if anyone has ever successfully mounted a Bachmann Hall body on a Hornby chassis?  I like everything above the footplate on my two Bachmann ones but feel that if I replaced with new Bachmann chassis there'd be no guarantee they'd perform any better. 

 

TBH, Winslow Hall (ex-Kinlet Hall) isn't bad, but Broome Hall (ex-Rood Ashton) is a limping dog.

Have they always been like that John? It begs the question about why the same product can be so hit and miss.

10 minutes ago, Coach bogie said:

 My Hornby Halls have all been excellent runners which is more than I can say for my Bachmann which was sold on. You can add lead flashing to the Hornby which doubles the haulage capacity. They are such good value and with a couple of evenings work, can be greatly improved.  When you read of the cost of current Hornby locos The Hall was really inexpensive. On my last visit to the UK, I picked up another one. I did not need it but for £50 for a new and unopened one, I could not resist. I cannot buy the wheels and motor for my unbuilt Hall kit for that.

 

My best runners are my Wills and Nucast ones which, being very heavy, are used on long freights and leaving the Hornby's for passenger turns.

 

Mike Wiltshire

 

 

Thanks Mike, I clearly need to get some lead flashing!

The Hornby loco is very good - I could do with changing the steam pipesI have an old Crownline kit to upgrade the older version of the Hornby Hall.

Thanks again, Neal. 

That is excellent work @Andy Keane everything about the houses is terrific. You must be very pleased and proud of the standard you have achieved.

58 minutes ago, Andy Keane said:

Thanks Neal, very kind - and just for amusement it has lights and interior furniture with a couple of old biddies and a schoolboy inside, not that anyone is likely ever to see them!

We need to see the details then Andy 😎 - Is the roof removable so you can look inside?

50 minutes ago, Andy Keane said:

I have just about finished the villa in Godolphin Road. Its proven to be a lot of work for a building that is almost off scene in one corner of the model:

Wow! Thats terrific Andy.

Fascinating to see the 3D scanning and printing in operation. Then to watch Dan painting them:

18 hours ago, Star-rider said:

Your toplights look nice, better than the one and only attempt I had with a Slaters kit. I could never get the roof to sit properly on one corner. Personally, I won’t go there again and will hang on for the Dapol corridor versions to displace some older stock.

 

If it’s 7’ bogies that you are looking for old Airfix/Mainline/Hornby “B Set” coaches are a quick reasonable source, the coaches go for next to nothing on Ebay. I’ve a couple that I may put to market soon, but I know that as soon as I do I’ll wish I kept them to scavenge the bogies for a kit build.

 

Do you ever attempt the brown lining that was applied below the cantrail? It’s something I struggle with – I recently enquired of Railtech if they would consider producing a transfer for it, hopefully I will get a reply soon and will share the outcome if it is of interest.

 

Pete.

Thanks for the comments Pete. When the Toplights were being built I too remember they were a complete wotsit to build. Obviously the bogies were just awful.

I had also hand painted them which was ok at the time, but with my current practice of spraying and building better bogies they needed attending to. Hence seeing them again for the first time in ages.

Normally I do spray a small contrail line, but I’ve run out of masking tape…. The line will go on…. One day!

17 hours ago, Star-rider said:

My Bachmann “Kinlet Hall” has never been a perfect runner, I put it down to being just a 3-pole motor.

 

Despite its “Desigin Clever” origins I much prefer to run my Hornby “Adderley Hall”, which is a lot smoother. At the time of its release it was a very good value loco, enough so for me to overlook some of the shortcomings in the moulding. If they ever re-release it, I may put myself in the queue.

 

Pete.

All of my Hall class locos are usually well behaved, Rood Ashton was a little juddery, but not enough to worry about.

Thanks again for the comments.

37 minutes ago, gwrrob said:

Very nice @Neal Ball and surely it can’t be too much longer to wait for our Dapol toplights.

Thanks Robin, it was nice to get the Toplights out on the railway after so many years of languishing. I need to change the bogies on the 3rd brake, they are using a 9ft Collet at the moment.

To wrap up the Hall set of 'photos, how about this - waiting for the right of way from Platform 1 at Henley-on-Thames.

4 hours ago, checkrail said:

Lovely pics Neal.  My Broome Hall started out as one of those Rood Ashton Halls split from a Shakespeare Express set.  Unfortunately mine runs like a dog at anything below medium speed.  How's yours?  

 

I think it's the only time Bachmann did a Hall with a small tender.  Nicely applied livery.

Evening John thanks for the comments.

I couldn't remember which set it was split from, but now you say the Shakespeare, it rings a bell - a bargain at Hattons I seem to recall at the time....

Today mine was running ok - hunting a bit and not much control at the lower speed steps, but overall not too bad.

Yes I am pretty sure it was the only time they produced a Hall with the small Collett tender.... I really don't understand why they have left so many of their locos behind - the Hall is overdue for an upgrade - indeed the GWR as a whole seems to have been forgotten about by Bachmann.

Ho hum!

Thanks again, Neal.

SIX Panniers ….. you are spoiling us today Kevin - Thank you 😎

35 minutes ago, Andy Keane said:

Do we know if this is the up or down platform? I am thinking about which way around the SRMs faced when running around Cornwall.

It’s the up platform, assuming the caption on this photo is correct: http://www.cornwallrailwaysociety.org.uk/scorrier-to-truro-exclusive.html

3 minutes ago, Gopher said:

Thanks Neal - totally agree about the benefits of RMWeb.

 

I have to say the sound from the upgraded speaker exceeded my expectations, (even with the smokebox speaker disconnected). I can see me running Torquay Manor more often

 

Clive

Certainly agree to that Clive. If only A/s had provided us with a bigger speaker straight off. Anyway, we’ve got the solution now.

Regards, Neal.

21 minutes ago, Gopher said:

Collett Goods heads towards Harewood Halt.  

 

In other news and thanks to Neal  @Neal Ball I've upgraded the speaker in my Accurascale Torquay Manor.  This is the second time I've replaced the speaker.  The original sound was underwhelming.

 

The first upgrade was a larger flatter speaker which only marginally improved the sound.  This time round I copied Neal's technique as outlined on his thread,  (basically  cut away part of the coal space in the tender and fitted a bigger speaker).  Huge improvement in sound.  Now a match (sound wise) for my Dapol Manors.  So thanks again Neal.😀           

 

 

 

 

Always happy to help 😎 After all that is the benefit of belonging to RMWeb to share our experiences.

I was amazed at how much the sound changed after the upgrade to the new speaker. It is certainly well worth doing.

Nice couple of photos as well.

I wonder if it became an issue when cars were being loaded and needed the consistent height. 
 

Horse drawn vehicles, might have been easier to bounce up a slight difference in height.

Im guessing, but is it a case of “different times”?