Andy M

On 16/08/2020 at 21:37, D Dalton said:

Those pics of the old Baguleys were taken during the war as you can see the camouflage netting over the magazine entrance! 
the driver is my friends Dad Percy Dawkins. My friend would love a copy of the picture 

i worked in Dean Hill in the 90s and drove the Hunslets and Baguleys 

PM sent.

On 10 October 2019 at 15:03, The Fatadder said:

I don’t suppose you could share the source of that photo please?

 

i have been giving thought to making a small diorama of the Newton coal stage as a photo backdrop for completed models.

Hi Rich,

The first time I encountered that image was in an article by Ian Sixsmith entitled UNDER THE WALL : Newton Abbot Shed - From Broad Gauge to Diesels. It is dated 29th May 1958 and the photographer was K.C.H. Fairey.

I'm sure it has appeared in print elsewhere as well, but can't place where at present.

Regards,

Andy.

Pete,

It saddens me to hear the layout has fallen into slight disrepair, but I hope you can piece the puzzle back together and have at least secured its future. Maindee was a beautifully executed example of observational modelling, which I didn’t even realise was being placed on the market. I also wonder what happened to Steffan’s locomotive roster and those fantastic cranes?

Regards,

Andy.

Pete,

Did the smoke system that Steffan devised for the layout survive and be included in the Auction Lot?

It was a remarkable piece of engineering, that he only used on a few occasions due to its tendency to activate venue fire detectors!

Regards,

Andy.

That is brilliant, thank you Pete.

Regards,

Andy.

Can anyone please help in identifying the narrow gauge 0-4-0 DM Shunter featured in the images, seen shunting at the Dean Hill Royal Navy Armament Depot during WW2?

It appears to have worked there from the opening of the site in 1943 and I thought it looks like a Fowler. The Industrial Railways Society however only list a standard gauge Fowler allocated there, with most of the narrow gauge fleet being Hunslet's.

Any help greatly appreciated.

Regards,

Andy.

Such very sad news and a huge loss to the railway modelling community. You just need to read the words people have used to gauge the esteem in which Roy was held.

I very much enjoyed our conversations at shows over the years, his forthright opinion and pithy wit, always struck a chord with me.

A generous, visionary of a man, whose legacy in Retford, will hopefully go some way towards filling the void he leaves behind.

RIP Roy, and condolences to those closest to him.

Andy.

3 minutes ago, brushman47544 said:

 

But if you want to run 55001 with 55018 with white cabs together, you can’t authentically. 55001 failed on 24.3.78 and never worked again.

Indeed…………Rule 1 would have to be applied!

On 6 June 2019 at 21:50, Roy Langridge said:

I am after some Deltic help if anyone could possibly help. I am as far from an expert on Deltics as you can get!

 

I ordered 55018 Ballymoss which has a plated over headcode. Having nearly paid for it I am looking to get a second one. I was thinking about 55001 St.Paddy which has domino headcode. 

 

Having looked through my books, I find photos that suggest St.Paddy has dominos quite late, but I can’t prove if they post-dated Ballymoss getting a plated over headcode. 

 

Does anybody know the relevant dates for 55001 and 55018 getting plated over headcodes?

 

Thanks in advance,

 

Roy

Roy,

Both locomotives received plated over headcodes during Intermediate overhauls at Doncaster:

55001 - 27 Feb 1977

55018 - 10 Dec 1977

Ballymoss got white cab surrounds at Finsbury Park on 15 Aug 1979.

Regards,

Andy.

15 hours ago, LMS2968 said:

I think most and possibly all pre-Grouping railways did it, but the retaining 'wall' was usually carefully stacked coal rather than masonry.

That is most definitely large lumps of the finest Welsh steam coal used to build the wall. You can see the contrast with the stuff to be used behind, clearest in front of the Works chimney in the first photo above.

The practice appears to have continued well into British Railways days. Mike did also mention the use of compacted brickettes on the Western Region, which I think he said were produced in South Wales.

Prompted by a brief conversation with Mike 'The Stationmaster' at Fawley Hill, I have been giving some thought to the practice of stacking loco coal on the stages at larger sheds. This appears to have been particularly prevalent on the Great Western, as the images below at Newton Abbot show.

This method of forming a robust outer wall, behind which the reserve coal would be stored and contained would put many artisan dry stone wallers to shame. It must have been incredibly labour intensive for the Coaling Gang, already regarded as one of the most back-breaking jobs.

It would be interesting to hear any anecdotes or observations about this unusual process, or to uncover detailed photographs of it in action.

Regards,

Andy.

On 27 May 2019 at 21:36, gwrrob said:

Thanks Andy, yes the thread came up searching for photos of 1608 and I also model the '57 period too.

Rob,

If it helps with your prototype selection, in addition to 1608 at 83A, 1650 was allocated to Plymouth Laira from new in Dec 54 until Mar 60. It's main duty was on the Sutton Harbour Branch, but the only image I have of it is from April 1957, sat on the Laira coal road.

Additionally, throughout the 1950's the following 16xx's received attention in the Newton Factory: 1623, 1624, 1626, 1627, 1630, 1631, 1632, 1642, 1650, 1664. 

Regards,

Andy.

57 minutes ago, gwrrob said:

 

With the Model Rail/Rapido model order book opening shortly I'd be interested in those tasty images too.

Blimey Rob,

You’ve dug this thread out from the long grass!

I’ll have a search for 1608 images for you.  It went brand new to Newton in Dec 1949 and stayed till Feb 1960, when it moved up the line to Exeter for a short time.

Are you stretching your period a bit?

Regards,

Andy.

Back from my first visit to Fawley Hill, and thoroughly enjoyed it. The place has a very unique atmosphere and the railwayana collection is incredible. It was also an unexpected surprise to see John Dornom’s exquisite Swindon A Shop and Laira  MPD dioramas again.

Huge thank you to Drew for the invite, top man!

Andy.

I can recommend the ex DMR turned brass 57xx chimney, now supplied by Phoenix Precision. They had them on their stand at EM Spring this weekend.

I didn’t notice the price, but £8 rings a bell.

‘Maybe’ is the key word in that statement Neil. The Brassmasters Cowan Sheldon conversion/detail kit has been a very protracted gestation. Still, they say patience is a virtue, and I’m sure it will be worth the wait!

Neil,

A few more snippets that may be of assistance. The 6-wheel Tool Van No.114 is identical to No.112 that Dave photographed at the Severn Valley above. Newton Abbot's Tool Van No.141 survives, also at the Severn Valley. There is an identical vehicle, No.146 at the South Devon Railway, which I know is closer to you.

Regarding using the Haye Developments etches to represent these vehicles, the Tool Van is perfect for building No.141, but the Mess Van requires a bit more work. As it was a later build, No.103 features a sheet metal body rather than the vertical planking of the earlier vehicles (as represented by the kit). On my model of No. 103, I took the laborious decision to fill the planking groves! This literally took me days, and in hindsight I should have just fabricated new bodysides.

Still, together with my 36-ton Ransome & Rapier Crane, they make a lovely little cameo. I am just waiting for Brassmasters to finally put out their etched detailing kit for the Cowan Sheldon 15-ton Crane (D&S Models kit) and I can add No.8, and complete the Newton Abbot breakdown train roster for 1958.

Regards,

Andy.

17 hours ago, B15nac said:

Yes does anyone have a Photo or could help me with my investigation into the  Newton abbot 15 ton crane tool van I believe this was a small 4 wheeled Coach like the one ratio produce? 

 

Kind regards Neil 

Hi Neil,

Like with most things relating to Newton Abbot Shed, images of the breakdown vehicles are scant.

During the BR(W) period the Mess Van was No.103, a 4-wheeler built in 1938 to Lot.1302. The Tool Van was originally No.114, a six-wheeler built in 1904 to Lot.446. This was replaced in 1953 by No.141, a four-wheeler built in 1908 to Lot.579. Included are a few images I have of these vehicles at Newton, the colour image of No.103 shows off well the plain black livery and yellow lettering they carried in BR days. The image of No.114, although from GW days, shows it with 36-ton Ransomes & Rapier Crane No.3.

Hope this helps,

Andy.

Thanks for the update Mike. I did wonder what had become of the etches following Roger’s passing.

I’m not in the market myself for another set, but if the 6-wheel version was to materialise, that would be another matter.

Regards,

Andy.

Hi Neil,

I know in your OP you were asking about vehicles for conversion, but I’m just checking you are aware of the CSP (former Haye) kit for the Mess & Tool Vans. Not sure of their current availability in 4mm, as the website only seems to refer to the Sans Pareil 7mm version. They make up into very nice models and were around £50 last time I saw them advertised.

Regards,

Andy.

I can’t comment on the book you mention. But in answer to the second part of your question, ‘I Tried To Run A Railway ‘ by Gerry Fiennes is a brilliant read.

Regards,

Andy.

Yes, the Footballer plate is still hanging in the place you describe. I never understood its relevance to Pendon though.

Drew,

This sounds like one of your extravaganzas not to be missed! One ticket for me please.

Kind regards,

Andy.

Hi Ian,

I think I expressed my interest when you first muted the O.33. But if not, a complete kit for this call-sign please.

Regards,

Andy.

Didcot’s 5783 appears in Vol.3 of the Pannier Papers, as well as the previously mentioned 5775. There was surely others.