Tim V

23 minutes ago, Captain Kernow said:

I have now started scratchbuilding a model of the brick weighbridge hut from Leckhampton, the drawings for which are in the first volume of the old EricPlans booklets from the 1970s (mine has a price of 36p on the cover!).

I planned to build several structures from the two GW EricPlans booklets back in the day (in the 1970s), but the only one I actually completed was a model of Dunster station building, prior to the reopening of the WSR and long before Hornby had thoughts of bringing out their own version of it (Tim V will probably recall the agonising over the internal arrangements of the gentleman's lavatorial facilities!).

As such, it feels good to be having another go at one of these buildings, even if it's only a small one, all these years later.

 

I remember that day - October 1975, a mere 46 years ago! I thought we couldn't get into the lavatories at Dunster but you did get in the ones at Washford. You found some graffiti - which I still remember (but can't print here!).

That does sound very small. My GW plate measures 78x40mm, but the pack is long gone - could be Smiths. It's quite a good representation of the Pooley bridge (No. 324), but does not include any representation of the surrounding framework.

Turning to the one you have, what do you expect to be weighed on it? You could weigh a lorry (in two stages), or individual bags. Pretty unlikely. You might be better off with the Pooley one - and hope no-one picks you up on it being the wrong one ...

I am not an expert on Midland weigh bridges ...

47 minutes ago, The Stationmaster said:

The late overhauls of some WDs (and various other locos) were for the strategic reserve project.  The loco selection and overhaul part of it was underway before the project was cancelled when somebody finally tumbled that it would never work and had it cancelled.

 

It was actually a fairly common position for the headlamp on a some WR lines, especially it would appear on the backs of bunkers. but unless it had been authorised by letter it seems to have had no official status in many places although there were published exceptions to the standard headlamp code (Table V of the 1960 Sectional Appendix and listed under 'Headlamps' in the GWR Appendixes).

Well that's interesting, quite common for the headlamp in that position in the Bristol area (1950s), but no Table V in the Bristol 1960 Sectional Appendix. Also no mention in the 1936 GA ( though I don't have any amendments) nor in the 1948 appendix to the STT.  

20 minutes ago, Reorte said:

Lucky around my way (for now), between the Buxton and Hope Valley lines. Go slightly further afield and there's Stockport too.

Take pictures while you can!

Here is Bruton in 1977 - taken on my old Rolleiflex.

NR ones, but there are a couple of preserved ones. Cranmore seen here, then West Somerset.

One thing this thread has shown me is the diverse range of current boxes elsewhere in the country -  they have practically been eliminated here. Nearest is Yeovil Pen Mill at 43 miles!

Door colour - interesting question. It is not good practice to follow what other modellers have done. I searched through my pictures, here are a couple taken in 1976 of a non restored example. Note that it looks like felt has been applied over the door.

My wife and I carefully considered where we wanted to retire to. We'd both seen elderly parents get gradually cut off from the outside world. For her parents, we could do internet shopping remotely for them which worked. But my father would not have that, so when he gave up driving he was stuck. He had to be accompanied shopping. With non existent bus service, he grew increasingly isolated.

So we looked at what we wanted. Wife wanted to be by the seaside, so we could have downsized to there. But where we live is fine - plenty of buses, major A&E hospital 30 minutes walk away, shops within walking/mobility scooter distance. We don't need to rely on being able to drive. Over the first lockdown, the car didn't move for three months!

But we both enjoy volunteering on the Talyllyn. So we bought a static caravan, and now we can enjoy staying by the seaside and working!

11 hours ago, Steamport Southport said:

 

Does look narrow gauge to me. Look at the old standard gauge sleepers it's placed on. Sleepers are about 8 foot 6 wide.

 

Also compare the widths to the similar ones in the advert above.

 

 

 

Jason

Looks like pairs of standard sleepers placed end to end. Pretty standard for a trolley run-off.

An article on the 'Economic system of maintenance' which this is part of is in 'Great western Aspects' by Kevin Robertson, Crecy Publishing, 2015.

California Crossing on the Toddington narrow gauge line. http://www.toddington-narrow-gauge.co.uk/

Pictures from 1992.

Dumped nearby was this box top.

The problem with golf is, that after a career (!) of 50 years playing the game, all you have to show for it is a set of rusty clubs, maybe some trophies.

Whereas with model railways (other hobbies are available) at least there is something tangible ...

The best thing I did was to go partially retired. I worked for three days only per week for three years. I enjoyed the income, and when it came time to fully retire, it wasn't such a big deal.

Think about a new extra hobby. I treated myself to a classic car, reawakening skills from long ago.

As for time - there is NO extra time when you retire. There are still 52 weekends in a year, and I am busy on 53 of them.

A couple from the narrow gauge line at Toddington. Just a ground frame?

Inside was this.

On 28/10/2021 at 19:48, Not Jeremy said:

Wow!

 

It took me a while to see where that was - helluva mill!

 

Do you mean it's gone?

Oh yes, it isn't here in my picture of 1978!

Some pictures of Norton Junction in 1980.

Just about see that worked distant.

Disappointing. The same shouty narrator as seen on other programmes - I found intrusive. And how many times did she say 'Steam Packet'? Her script was terrible.

Other than those niggles, it did jump around and was entertaining. Will I watch it next week? If I remember ...

I think the West Somerset in the early days (1970s) used to run the token instruments via a GPO line, you had to bell slowly as the response times were long.

9 hours ago, Tim V said:

Currently I cannot get 'Content I posted in' to load, keeps coming back with a time out.

Can't believe it, four days of problems, and now it's OK

Currently I cannot get 'Content I posted in' to load, keeps coming back with a time out.

It's all @col.stephens fault, I have swapped the boards over, and have now restarted work on the layout!

The cottages are being tried out, with some trees and bushes they 'might' be acceptable.

someone pointed out using a hot-glue gun for scenery work - Ill fetch that from the workshop ...

It was to have appeared at Railwells 21, but that got cancelled. I expect it will appear at Railwells 22.

As for progress? None, but thanks for asking and your comment! It might inspire me to get my Mojo working again.

Bewdley South 2006.

Harlech - from the castle 1987.

And in 1975, ask Captain Kernow about that Anglia van!

I thought it was following frost damage. The platforms got shortened as it was cheaper than repairing the whole length.

19 hours ago, Captain Kernow said:

Tim, out of interest, do you happen to have any other photos showing the Police House (as was) and the adjacent cottages and that general area on that side of the tracks, please?

 

Thanks.

 

Sorry Captain, I think I have posted all my pictures of that site. You went there with me at least once - should have asked me then!