Jump to content
 

Mikkel

RMweb Gold
 View Profile  See their activity

  • Posts

    11,541

  • Joined

  • Days Won

    3

 Content Type 

Blog Entries posted by Mikkel

  1. Mikkel

    GWR 1854 Saddle Tank (2)

    By Mikkel,

    My GWR 1854 ST is now done. To recap, this is a much modified Finecast body on a Bachmann chassis.





    My original plan was to find an acrylic spray paint that gave a suitable representation of the pre-1928 green. When that failed, I was recommended the Belton bottle green which has the RAL code used for landrover green. However, while this and some of the others looked fine outside in the sun, they all looked wrong under my layout lights.





    So in the end I reverted to good old brush painting. Not my best effort but I can live with it.





    Lining is HMRS Pressfix. I never use the preprinted shapes as they rarely fit. Instead I cut out individual bits and piece them together.





    I know some people do not like Pressfix. Personally I feel that it gives good flexibility and leaves no traces of film.





    The number plates are from Narrow Planet. You enter the number you need on their website and receive the plates pre-painted. We have it easy these days. No. 1853 is for a future model of an 1813 class.





    I was going to fit a cab sheet, but on the photos I have of 1854s none actually have a cab sheet, so unless further evidence turns up I’ll leave it off. The fire irons are the Springside set for tank locos.





    Incidentally, I saw this nice fire irons fret by DJM on Mark’s blog, and ordered some from Kernow. They turned out to be a bit too long for this particular loco, but will find use on my 3232 class.





    So here she is messing about on the new layout. In my defence, there is progress at the other end of it!
  2. Mikkel

    Simple structures for "The bay"

    By Mikkel,


    Structures
    In keeping with my happy-go-lucky approach, the buildings and structures for "The bay" were kit-bashed, scratch-built or otherwise put together using whatever materials, kits and parts I came across (you realize of course that this so-called "approach" is really just an excuse for my limited modelling skills). The parcels & cloak room seen above is loosely based on the wonderful wooden building style so typical of Didcot station. This was done by scoring the cut-to-shape plasticard sides and ends of the building to emulate the plankings, and then adding strips of further plasticard to give the panel effect. The roof is made from card strips. These simple techniques were copied from a similar old second-hand building I picked up a while back, from which some of the parts have been recycled.
     
     
     

     
    The canopy uses heavily modified parts from a number of Ratio Platform Canopy kits, purchased cheaply on E-bay. The valances are etched brass examples from Muswell Models, replacing the rather crude versions that come with the Ratio kits. By the way, the loco is my Armstrong Goods built by Chris Phillips from the old Nu-Cast kit. It has that revealing white-metal thickness, but it's a good old friend!
     
     
     

     
    The kit-bashed canopy included cutting up the Ratio roof parts to form one long continuous skylight as seen on many GWR canopys (illustrated above with original parts on top and modified below), and adding extra layers to the roof to widen the canopy and making the roof level with the skylights.
     
     
     

     
    The Ratio canopy supports are a fair representation of a widespread design that was also used at Newbury, so these were built as supplied, but with a rod-in-tube system built into the base which allows the canopy to be removed from the platform if necessary.
     
     
     

     
    The rough-and-ready water tower, less final details (laddder etc). It is based on a rough and simple design that was widespread on the GWR, including in the early years at Newbury (although that was a six-legged variant). The model was put together in an evening from bits and pieces from my scrap-box, including Ratio parts for the tank itself. I rather like these simple little projects, which contribute nicely to my objective of using as many existing or leftover parts as possible, while still drawing on prototypical features.
     
     
     

     
    The main platform was built using adapted Peco platform sides and edging, faced with brick-pattern Plastikard from Slaters. The surfacing is Wills Victorian stone paving, cut to shape and mounted between the Peco sides. I have always rather liked this kind of paving, which was used on the Newbury platforms and, of course, many other locations.
     
     
     

     
    As for the brick embankment walling, I thought I'd experiment with some new options and used the vacuum formed plastic walling available from Langley. This is preformed and comes with four bays in each section. It is very lightweight and can be mounted with quick results. However the brickwork lacks the sharp crisp edges of plastic kits, which can be dissatisfying when viewed close up. On this particular layout I think it works out OK, but it may not be the best choice for embankments that are more visible at the front of a layout.
     
  3. Mikkel

    Dry Run

    By Mikkel,


    Structures
    Following concerns over the slipping time schedule, an inspector was recently despatched from Paddington to review progress of the new goods depot at Farthing station.
     
     

     
    The inspector in conversation with the responsible engineer and builder's foreman. Despite the delays it would appear that some progress has been made on the main structure. That said, this is really just a dry run - little of what is seen here is actually fixed in place.
     
     

     
    I had originally planned for a single large aperture in the rear wall, but a helpful comment by Miss P. made me think again. The three smaller apertures now featured are inspired by the old depots at Reading and Slough, among others. Another suggestion by Miss P. will be implemented later, namely a mezzanine floor for use as a storage area.
     
     

     
    A key design feature on the Farthing layouts is to employ lots of view-blocks and 'peek-a-boo' views that can help add depth to these micro-layouts. The apertures for the cartage bays are intended to contribute to this, and the pillars are particularly effective in adding a sense of depth, I think. Many thanks to Pinkmouse for that idea. (EDIT: See comments below on the positioning of the front pillars.) And as for that giant fold in the foam board - don't ask!
     
     

     
    The pillars are modified items from the old Hornby footbridge kit. The ones at the front can be detached from the roof structure, thereby allowing easier access for the camera and my ten thumbs.
     
     

     
    Peek-a-boo! A view through the windows in one of the end walls.
     
     

     
    A perusal of prototype photos showed that, contrary to what I imagined, decks were not entirely level with van and wagon floors. The slight difference in height illustrated here seems to have been common, although some decks appear even lower.
     
     

     
    The decks are made from 10+5 mm laminated foamboard, topped by ready-scribed balsa planking as used by ship modellers. I'm hoping to weather the balsa to an effect similar to that achieved by johnteal on several of his projects. In order to avoid warping of the foamboard (as discussed in this thread) I braced the bottom of the decks with Evergreen plastic strips to counter the 'pull' of the balsa. So far all is straight, although I watch with a certain trepidation!
     
     

     
    So far the hoped-for play of light seems to be working out. Not sure about the window height above ground though. Prototype photos indicate that windows in many depots were set quite high, and I think I may have set this too low...
     
     
     

     
    The etched windows from Scalelink are excellent. But modelling a building from the inside out poses certain unexpected problems. The etches are only intended to be viewed from one side, so I'll have to purchase a second set to add to the other side.
     
     

     
    This is the alternate side of the layout, showing the goods shed from the outside. The underlay is from C+L, as described in an earlier blog entry. Slating will be added to the roof. I've decided to expand a bit on the principle that the layout should be viewable from two sides, but more of this later.
     
     
  4. Mikkel

    The treachery of images

    By Mikkel,

    Modellers try to recreate the real thing. But sometimes we don't know how the real thing looked. Then what? These photos show my experiments with what I think was a standard livery for larger GWR goods depots around 1907, following lots of browsing of photos in books, and a brief discussion in this thread (many thanks gentlemen!).
     
     
     

     
    The trouble is of course that photos from the period don't have, er, colour - and are full of light and shadow. So it's hard to tell grey from light stone, or light stone from dark stone, or dark stone from chocolate. Above is the same photo again, without the colour. I think it highlights how hard it can be to interpret colours in b/w photos. Also, the photos themselves are just reproductions. Alas, the treachery of images !
     
     
     

     
    You'll be forgiven for thinking that this livery doesn't look very GWR. Neither did I at first. In fact I hated it, and thought it was completely counter-intuitive. I felt that shades of dark grey would be more appropriate. Or at least dark stone which was the preferred livery for ironwork on the GWR's public station buildings. But certainly not this BR look!
     
     
     

     
    Still, the photos that I could find suggested that light stone ironwork with a darkisk chocolate base (to hide wear) was in fact common. And that it was often more clean than I would have thought. So I left it for a couple of days, and I began to get used to it. I also realized that it made a lot of sense: In a place like this you'll want things to be as light as possible.
     
     
     

     
    Looking at the results so far, I think it may need a little more weathering after all. Maybe I should also align the height of the chocolate base so that it's the same all around (at 4ft heigh?). Plus, the weathering highlights in the chocolate has made it look too grey.
     
     
     

     
    Perhaps this livery didn't just apply to goods depots. Looking at photos of other large non-public buildings on the GWR at this time seems to show the same livery (see eg the photos of the Swindon Works Road Wagon workshop in Kelley's GW Road Vehicles p27)...
     
    But then again, I fully realize that this livery may turn out to be all wrong. So, any further comments and info would be much appreciated.
  5. Mikkel

    First bite: The bay

    By Mikkel,


    Layout design
    "The bay" was the first of the Farthing layouts. The layout portrays the bay platform for the GWR Overbourne line at Farthing. It is inspired by the bay platforms at Newbury and Didcot, and combines selected features from these.
     
     
     

     
    The trackplan is very simple, but allows reasonable scope for operation. The bay platform and its canopy is positioned at the very front of the layout, in order to provide a viewblock which forces the onlooker to look beneath the canopy, thereby also avoiding the "birds eye view".
     
     
     

     
    The photos seen here are rather out of date by now. "The bay" is nearing completion, with just a few details remaining. I'll begin taking photos of the finished layout shortly, once we get a clear day. Meanwhile, there's a more detailed account of how "The bay" was built here, although this has not been updated for quite some time.
     
     
  6. Mikkel
    Yard lamps have appeared at Farthing, using a mix of scratchbuilt bits, modified parts from old whitemetal lamps, and modified Andrew Stadden figures.





    This is an early GWR platform type, based on old photos I have found. There was also a later, more sturdy variant. Thomas Grig, GWR Yard Porter and lamplighter, is looking a trifle worried. He never did like heights.





    Above is a standard 13ft column lamp. Most GWR yard lamps had hexagonal lamp housing, but the style and decoration of the chimney varied greatly. This one is based on a photo in Vaughan’s "GWR Architecture".





    On some of the taller lamp types, a ladder was fixed permanently at the center. I assume this was safer than using the cross bars.





    The Old Yard at Farthing was formerly a station on the erstwhile N&SJR line. A few of the original lamps survived the GWR takeover, as seen here front left. These are modified from the old Mike' Models range.





    GWR porter Herbert Pocket prepares to clean a lamp. Thanks to Richard whose suggestion inspired this little scene.





    Herbert discovers that the chimney glass is broken. It's a proper mystery how that happened.





    The lamps were cobbled together from various parts in my spares box. Here the post from an old Dart Castings lamp is being modified with cross bars and curly bits from brass wire.





    The glazing on all the lamps was drawn up in Inkscape, then cut and scored on my Silhouette cutter. I used 0,25mm (i.e. 10 thou) PVC glazing from the German “Aeronaut Modellbau” range (ref #7858/32).





    The glazing is simply folded into shape.





    Here is a hexagonal example being folded for the GWR lamps.





    To represent glazing bars, I filled the folding lines with paint and removed the excess. After taking these photos I discovered that it pays to use a darker shade than for the rest of the lamp for this purpose.





    Frosting was initially a problem, as I used Superglue to fix the glazing in place. However, leaving one "window" open helped the fumes escape. The last bit was then fixed with glazing glue. On future lamps, I will see if a more appropriate glue can be used.





    The tops on the GWR lamps were built up using prototype photos, bits from the spares box and some plastic rod. In retrospect it would be better to fashion the lamp top cover from styrene as well, using the cut and fold technique.





    I tried different ways of making the glass chimneys, all with mixed success. I think the most promising way was to use bits cut from "fine glue applicators".





    The glass chimney in evidence. Looks like I didn't fit it straight. Never mind, time to get on with life :-)





    Speaking of life: The lamp attendants were made from Andrew Stadden figures. Their limbs bend fairly easily, another advantage of these great figures. Thomas Grig had his arms and legs bent for a suitable pose.





    Looks like Thomas has made use of a fireman's jacket for the grubby work of tending the lamps.





    Herbert Pocket was made from one of Andrew Stadden's loco crews, which come with separate arms and heads. The photos show how:













    I have enjoyed making these lamps. With further experiments they could probably be refined further, but for now I'm happy with them.





    A final look at Thomas Grig as he surveys the scene. He is in dire need of some equipment for tending that lamp - currently on the workbench.
  7. Mikkel

    Chinchilla sand and terrain paste

    By Mikkel,


    Scenery
    Been doing some scenic work on The Stables. I wish I could settle on a fixed set of approaches for the surface textures, but I seem to be trying out different methods on every new layout!
     
     

     
    The yards at Farthing tend to feature a cinders/ash/dirt mix for ballast, as seen in period photos. In the past I’ve used Polyfilla (handbuilt track) or DAS (RTR track). But I wanted a more textured look, so tried Chinchilla sand this time.
     
     

     
    I say Chinchilla “sand” because that’s what was available here in Denmark. Not sure it’s the same as “dust”? Anyway, the fine grain meant that extra careful cleaning of the sleepers was needed, and even then I missed some. 
     
     

     
    Hmm. Once wetted and stuck down with a PVA mix it set nicely - but close-ups revealed an unsightly shine from the quartz.
     
     
     
     
    So I applied a couple of fairly thick coloured washes, dispensed as drops from a brush. The sleepers did need touching up afterwards. 
     
     

     
    Well, I got my texture and can live with the result, but I'm not completely happy. Next time I may try mixing in some grout or real ash.
     
     

     
    For the yard's ground texture I have previously used Polyfilla, but wanted more control so tried a base of DAS, rolled and cut to size. Bacon sandwich, anyone?
     
     

     
    DAS on a PVA base, smoothed with a wet finger. 
     
     

     
    Antarctic railway. The grey DAS I use dries up white. OK as a base, but a bit too smooth for what I wanted.
     
     


    So I experimented with terrain paste as used by the diorama and wargaming communities. Got some for my birthday.  I ended up using mostly the AK Terrains Light Earth. Although coarser than Vallejo Sand Paste, I found it takes paint better and dries up dead matt.
     
     

     
    I think it's supposed to go on neat, but I found it could be thinned with water to control how coarse I wanted it. My best sable brush, not!
     
     


    Experiments showed it can be sanded down for more smoothness. Adds a bit of variation.
     
     


    In other areas I tried thinning the paste a lot, then stippling it on to add a slight gravel effect. The pastes would be an expensive solution if applied neat over large areas, but with thinning I think their potential increases.
     
     


    The whole thing was lightly coloured with thin washes of Vallejo acrylics.
     
     


    The layout has a slight embankment that separates the yards. This was treated to static grass.
     
     


    I haven't tried static grass before, what a superb mess you can make! I don't have much hair left, so I wonder…
     
     

     
    Although it’s summer I wanted a subdued colour, so used Mini Natur 2mm and 4mm "Late Fall", and a bit of Woodland Scenics 4mm straw. The phone camera exaggerates the yellow, it’s a bit greener in reality.
     
     
     

     
    Edwardian photos suggests that grass was fairly carefully controlled in yards back then, so I resisted the urge to apply it in patches everywhere.
     
     


    Lastly I tried working over the whole area with pigments. It helped blend things together. Note to self: This is MIG Light European Earth (P415), now rebranded as Abteilung 502 Light European Earth (2260). Also a bit of Vallejo Pigments Light Yellow Ochre (73.102).
     
     

     
    I suppose there’s an un-intended seaside look to it. Shades of Neil’s Shell Island layout. I wish!
     
     


    Where it’s at. Now onward with the trees.
     
     
  8. Mikkel
    So far there are five layouts in the Farthing series, each depicting a section of the same overall station. The trackplans are simple affairs, but when linked to fiddle yards all contain a certain operational scope. The layouts so far are:
     


    1. The Branch Bay. This was the first of the layouts and is complete. It shows the bay platform at Farthing ca. 1904-1908, and draws on features from the bays at Newbury station.
     
     
     

     
    2. The Goods Depot. This layout is also complete. It shows part of a large goods depot, seen from the inside and looking out.  It mixes features from the old goods depots at Windsor, Reading and Hockley.
     
     
     

     
    3. The Old Yard is complete. It focuses on the remains of the old N&SJR station at Farthing, long since swallowed up by the GWR and converted to a secondary good yard. The layout was inspired by the history and goods operations of Stratford on Avon, Witney Goods and Gloucester Old Yard.
     
     
     

     
    4. The Stables is complete. It provides a roadside view of the stable block and surrounding sidings at Farthing during the early 1900s. It  is inspired by the stable blocks at Park Royal and Slough, and the tree-lined perimeters of Vastern Road Yard in Reading.
     
     

    5. The Station is underway. This is a scenic module that will later be joined by three other modules and fiddle yards to make up the main station building, platforms and running lines at Farthing. The main structure is a model of the station building at Newbury.
     
     
  9. Mikkel
    Here’s a summary of my recent 'experiments' (a.k.a. mucking about) with Modelu and other 4mm figures, and how to store them.
     
    I have previously modified figures from the Andrew Stadden, Dart Castings and Preiser ranges. So obviously, the Modelu range had to suffer too!  The resin used in these figures cannot be bent (it will break), but clean cuts with a scalpel worked OK. Joins were sanded, fixed with superglue and smoothed out with putty. Not everyone will think it’s worthwhile, but I find it relaxing and you get quick results. 
     
    This driver was shortened and had his feet repositioned to fit in the cab of my Dean Goods.
     

     
     
    Another driver had a head fitted from an Andrew Stadden figure, in order to enhance the Edwardian look.
     

     
     
    That left a headless Andrew Stadden body, so a head was transposed from a Modelu station master who I felt looked a bit too modern for my Edwardian period.
     

     
     
    I have also been experimenting with painting, especially those difficult eyes. The pro painters do some amazing work in this respect, but as a mere mortal I’m just looking for a simple way to achieve a rough indication of eyes without spending too much time on it.  The approach illustrated below has helped.  First, two black stripes across the eyes. The stripes can then be narrowed and shortened by painting skin colour carefully around them. I find this much easier than trying to paint the eyes directly. The same technique can be used for the eyebrows and mouth.
     

     
     
    Eyebrows can be tricky when hats etc get in the way, but do add character. I suppose the next step on the learning curve is to fill in those blank, black eyes. Not sure I'm up for that! 
     

     

    Reading up on brushes led to the purchase of these Windsor & Newton Series 7 brushes (not the “miniature” range). The sizes are 00 for faces (right), and 1 for larger details (left). These are bigger sizes than I have normally used. This is based on online advice from pro painters. The theory is that larger brushes give better control and the paint doesn’t dry as quickly on the way to the face. If you look closely at the lady above, you can see that her face isn’t quite smooth, because I let the paint become too dry on the brush.
     

     
     
    A larger magnifying glass has also helped, although I’m still struggling a bit with the weird hand-eye coordination that this requires. The field for extra magnification is useful and tells me that it may be worth investing in an even stronger glass at some point. 
     

     
     
    Because we now live in a flat I have to pack away the layouts in-between operating sessions. This has led me to consider how to store the figures and other fragile items. If stored too casually the paint easily chips, noses are flattened or accessories break. So, inspired by Chris' storage box for figures,  I had a look around the web and came upon “pick and pluck” foam trays. These are available on ebay, or from military modelling manufacturers like Feldherr.
     

     
     
    After plucking out the foam as desired, a base layer is added, and the tray is ready to use.
     

     
     
     
    The foam trays come in different thicknesses, this is 15 mm (0.6 inch) plus a base layer:
     

     
     
    For my horse drawn wagons I used 30 mm (1.2 inches). In retrospect it would have been better to go for something even deeper so the wagons could be placed upright. 
     


     
    The trays can be stacked…
     

     
     
    …and fitted in an appropriate box. This is just a shoebox. I added an extra protective layer of foam on the top.
     

     
     
    In order to handle the figures, I fitted a bit of felt to a pair of old tweezers.
     

     
     
    Having made the trays you end up with a lot of foam cubes that are supposed to be discarded. This seemed wasteful so I decided to use the cubes for making additional storage boxes for my “second-tier” stuff. They have a sticky underside so it’s very straightforward. The box is a takeaway food container. Ever since Northroader pointed out the usefulness of takeaway boxes we have been eating a lot of Thai food!
     


       
    Some of my figures are fitted with wire in order to fix them on the layout, which takes up a lot of space in the “pick and pluck” boxes. So these are stuck into a bit of good quality dense foamboard...
     


      
    ...and fitted in yet another takeaway box (Phat Kee Mao, if I remember correctly!). 
     

     
     
    There is room for a lot of figures this way...
     

     
     
     
    ... and the boxes stack up nicely.
     

     
     
    That's it for now, I'm off to run some trains!
     
  10. Mikkel
    I’m building a traverser of sorts for the fiddle yard of my little goods depot layout. From an engineering perspective it’s a bit dodgy - yet somehow it works, so I’ve dubbed it the bumblebee.
     
    My original plan was to have a fiddle yard with points, but as space is becoming an issue I decided to go for a traverser instead. Trouble is, my engineering skills are equal to those of the common earthworm.
     
    So I’ve been putting it off, until I came across some bits and pieces in the local DIY and acted on impulse. What has developed is best seen as an experiment!
     
     
     
     

     
    Two aluminimum angles from the local DIY.
     
     

     
    Cobbled together, they make up a sturdy cassette.
     
     

     
    Aluminium tube, cut into sections and fitted underneath the cassette.
     
     

     
    Thinner aluminimum tube. Also available in brass - possibly better, but costly and heavy.
     
     

     
    Thin tubes slide into thicker tubes…
     
     

     
    …resulting in this beast: A traverser-style sliding cassette.
     
     

     
    Frame built from 10mm foamboard. Ahem!
     
     

     
    Plastic angle and screws, used to secure tubes to frame. Rawplugs inside the tubes.
     
     

     
    Everything fitted together. Looks OK but does it work? At first I wasn’t happy. There was a bit too much friction when sliding the cassette. The foamboard was still nice and square though, so I must have not got the tubes perfectly aligned. With four tubes there is very little room for inaccuracy.
     
     

     
    So I removed the two outermost “guide tubes” from the cassette, and fitted foam pads in their place (track underlay). The foam slides on top of the outermost tubes, meaning there is still support at the ends.
     
     

     
    With this arrangement, the cassette slides smoothly. I have added a cork underlay and am now waiting for fresh supplies of Sprat & Winkle uncoupling magnets, which will be installed in the cork-base on the right hand side so I can use delayed action S&W couplers. The wooden “lip” connects the traverser to the layout through a piggy-back arrangement.
     
    Testing suggests that so far this contraption works surprisingly well. The bumblebee flies. The big question is for how long! There’s clearly a risk that the foamboard will warp or get twisted from heavy use. If that happens, I’ll try a Mk2 version with a wood frame.
  11. Mikkel

    GWR Outside Framed 8 Ton Van

    By Mikkel,


    Wagons
    Been working on this little van - an Outside Framed 8 Ton Van from the David Geen whitemetal range. Still need to add rainstrips, I completely forgot about them! According to the instructions, these lovely O/F wagons were introduced in 1879 - although the Atkins et al bible seems to have different dates?
     
     

    I tried out Vallejo acrylic primer this time, brush-painted on. Doesn't look so neat at first sight, but once the van was fully painted I couldn't tell the difference between that and those of my wagons done with spray-painted primer.
     
     

    A nice feature of the kit is the inclusion of both grease and oil axleboxes (top lef and right respectively). The vans were built with grease axleboxes, but many later received oil boxes. The kit also provides for both non-reversible and reversible brake shoes.
     
     

    I went for the grease boxes, but used the reduced 8 Ton classification to suggest the 1900s. I haven't been able to find any record of when the reversible shoes were introduced?
     
     

    Posed in front of "The depot". The wagon will form part of the shunting puzzle together with other wagons currently being built. My stock weathering techniques are still rather crude, so any suggestions for improvement are much appreciated!
  12. Mikkel
    Last week I was browsing a secondhand bookshop here in Copenhagen. Imagine my surprise when I suddenly came across a dog-eared copy of "A Traveller's Guide to the Great Western Railway" from 1926. What really got my attention, however, was that this was one of the rare illustrated versions, with photos by J. Peerybingle, a well-known photographer of the day.
     
    Feigning complete indifference I managed to obtain the book for a very reasonable price. I particularly like the chapter entitled "Journey to Didcot", and have decided to reproduce it here. I hope I am not infringing on any copyright laws by doing so!
     
     

     
    Our journey begins at Paddington Station, that most famous of railway stations from where tracks reach out for thousands of miles across the Kingdom.
     
     

     
    Under these mighty arches the traveller may choose to commence his journey with a pleasant meal in one of the numerous dining establishments.
     
     

     
    Perhaps a Cornish pasty would suit the traveller? Surely a suitable choice for the Great Western traveller. Side-crimped, of course!
     
     

     
    Waiting rooms are to be found in several locations around the station concourse. Naturally, separate rooms are provided for Ladies.
     
     

     
    In preparation for the journey the traveller will want to synchronize his time-piece with that of the grand clock in the station hall. One can only wonder at the scenes this clock has witnessed!
     
     

     
    Should assistance be needed in finding one's train, the courteous station staff will be of assistance, as will the numerous timetables posted throughout the station.
     
     

     
    Porters are available for those who carry heavy luggage, and the station staff are always on hand to assist the less sure-footed.
     
     

     
    The Great Western Company provides a variety of services in the direction of Didcot, depending on the needs of the traveller.
     
     

     
    The fastest and most direct service is provided by the sleek expresses that stop only at the major stations.
     
     

     
    Even the most experienced traveller must marvel at the elegant liveries and the lovingly polished engines for which the company’s crack expresses are known around the world.
     
     

     
    Alternatively, the traveller may choose to go by stopping train. These provide a more sedate mode of travel, and an opportunity to fully experience the beauty of the countryside along the way.
     
     

     
    The interior of the stopping trains are a study in lavish design and tasteful colour selection...
     
     

     
    ...and the comfort is second to none.
     
     

     
    As we embark on our journey, we soon pass Old Oak Common, the renowned locomotive depot of the Great Western Company...
     
     

     
    ...where the observant traveller may be fortunate to see some of the graceful locomotive classes of the Great Western. Here it is one of the legendary Castle Class, namely Pendennis Castle sporting the well-known coat of arms.
     
     

     
    As we proceed along the line we observe many examples of the lineside industries that keep the wheels of our industrious nation turning...
     
     

     
    ...and which are served by endless rows of heavy goods trains that cross the country from one end to the other.
     
     

     
    Indeed, whereever we look there is evidence of the country’s great reliance on our railways.
     
     

     
    As we stop at stations along the way, it is difficult not to be charmed by the railway architecture for which the Great Western Company is so well known.
     
     

     
    Elegance is the key word...
     
     

     
    ...station gardens are lovingly groomed...
     
     

     
    ...and local artists have enthusiastically helped decorate the station buildings.
     
     

     
    Everywhere we witness the company’s loyal dedication to personal and attentive service.
     
     

     
    At the stations the railway enthusiast has the opportunity to study the railway officials going about their duties.
     
     

     
    Several of the stations along the way provide opportunities for the traveller to connect with branchline services if he so desires.
     
     

     
    Gangers may be encountered along the way...
     
     

     
    ...whose job it it is to ensure that the track is well maintained so that passengers may have a smooth and speedy ride.
     
     

     
    Indeed, the railway infrastructure itself is worthy of study as our train speeds westwards.
     
     

     
    As we gain sight of the company’s new coaling stage at Didcot we know our journey has come to an end. For the traveller who wishes to further explore this intriguing railway town, we refer to the next installment in our series.
  13. Mikkel

    Four o'clock blues, ca. 1902

    By Mikkel,

    Goods checker J. Peerybingle was tired. It had been a long day in the goods depot, and his feet hurt.
     


     
    Life is so dull, he thought. I should have gone to sea. I should have married Emily.
     


     
    He looked up at the skylights. There was a bird up there. Was it a crow?
     


     
    He thought: How lucky birds are, how free.
     


     
    Up on the roof, the crow looked down at Peerybingle.
     


     
    It thought: How fortunate that man is, working with the trains. He must be very happy.
     


     
    I wish it was me, thought the crow. How lucky humans are, how free.
  14. Mikkel
    "Francis, what on earth is that?"
    "I don't know, dear"
    "It says 'Monster' on the side. How terribly silly. Why on earth would they call a railway carriage something like that?"
    "I don't know, dear."
    "Perhaps it's for third class passengers? I don't suppose the working classes need much light."
    "I don't know, dear."
    "Francis, I do wish you were more knowledgeable."
    "I know, dear."
     
    As the Longbottoms fell silent, the Monster rolled past them in all its might. This was no. 484 of the P18 diagram, built to carry scenery and props for travelling theater companies. These carriages were recent introductions, and there were only six on the entire system at this time. No. 484 was the first of its kind to visit Farthing.
     
     
     

     
    Station Master A. Woodcourt was watching the approaching carriage with concern. It had arrived a day late, and the main yard was busy. So he had ordered it unloaded in the down bay. But he was worried about the loading gauge. In principle there shouldn't be any problems, but these new carriages were big, and they didn't normally use the bay for carriages of this size...
     
     
     

     
    In the cab of No. 835, the crew were also keeping a sharp eye on clearances. They had both worked this bay since it was built by the independent N&S many years ago, and they knew that the standards laid down by that company had sometimes been a bit, well, "optimistic". It would be close!
     
     
     

     
    Shunter George Mullins, ever the pessimist, was watching the scene with a sceptical eye.
    "Well the drawing boys at Swindon have done it again."
    "What's that then?"
    "Drawn something too big and impractical! It may look fine on their fancy desks, but out here in real life it only leads to problems."
    "It seems to be going well enough, though."
    "Well they've been lucky this time. But with everything getting bigger and bigger, there'll be no work left for us shunters in the end.You wait and see, in a few years a whole train will just be one long carriage!"
     
     
     

     
    Much to everyone's relief, the Monster slid neatly into the loading dock, with just a few centimeters to spare.
     
     
     

     
    As unloading of the carriage began, Woodcourt was confronted by the director of the travelling theater company, Mr Crummles (Junior). Clearly of a choleric disposition, he launched directly into an assault: "Do hurry up! This delay is totally unacceptable! Are you at all aware that we have our opening night this evening? We shall be needing our scenery and props in just a few hours. This is not some petty local act, you know, this is Shakespeare!"
     
     
     

     
    Ganger P. Quince had seen it all, and was not impressed by the fury of the theater director. With the sarcasm for which he was well known, he muttered under his breath: "Shakespeare, eh? Well, I reckon Shakespeare will have to wait for the Great Western just like everyone else."
     
     
     

     
    It was at this point that a shout of alarm was heard across the loading dock. As everyone looked up, carter Tom Gradgind stared blankly ahead of him and exclaimed: "A murder, I think there's been a murder!"
     
     
     

     
    A murder? As he took a minute to gather his thoughts, Woodcourt couldn't help but consider who might possibly commit such a foul act. The Longbottoms? Or one of his staff? Or carter Gradgrind himself? Surely not! And yet....
     
    Go to part 4
  15. Mikkel
    Farthing, 1887. The Great Western is a sleeping giant. The system is plagued by gauge inconsistencies and circuitous routes, and the Churchward revolution is yet to come. In the bay platform at Farthing, a Buffalo tank sleepily knocks a few wagons about.
     
     
     

    For the past ten years the world has suffered from a global economic depression, but Workman P. Quince has never read a newspaper and is more concerned with the stinging pain when he urinates. Perhaps he should find a better way to spend his meagre wages.
     
     

    The Buffalo tank shunts the empty Open and brake van into the storage siding.The locos and rolling stock carry the features of a vanishing age. The livery follows Atkins, Beard and Tourret when they state: Before about 1898, a light red colour had been adopted for the wagon stock with white lettering, but the goods brakes were grey.
     
     
     

    A bird's eye view of the scene. The timber sheds are a bit crude and don't feature in the normal 1907 set-up of the layout, but I thought they suited the slightly Wild West atmosphere of the early days. They were loosely inspired by similar sheds at the old Newbury station.
     
     
     

    As if rebelling against the slumbering nature of his railway, Driver P. Appledore demonstrates his uncanny ability to make even the slowest shunt look like a mainline express. "It's not what we do" he would tell new firemen, "It's how we carry ourselves. Look sharp!".
     
     
     

    The shunt brings the wagons up against the buffers. This is a 3-plank Open of 1881 vintage, and a pre-diagram brake van of 1882. The former was built from the David Geen kit, and the latter was restored from an old van originally scratchbuilt by Chris Edge.
     
     

    The brake van is left in the storage siding while the Open is propelled to the loading dock. Certain aspects of the loco are not, I fear, entirely correct for the period. Eg I am unsure whether the curve of the cabside is right for 1887. The otherwise appealing number 1234 is also problematic, as I am not sure that this particular loco had yet been converted to narrow gauge by this time.
     
     
     

    The loco has left and brought the brake van with it. The bay has gone quiet, and Porter C. Walker appears to be lost in thought. Or is he secretely savouring the whisky fumes from the load he carries?
  16. Mikkel

    Sketches of "The depot"

    By Mikkel,


    Layout design
    Here's a first attempt to visualize "The depot", drawn with the Sketchup programme. As mentioned earlier, it will be constructed within an Ikea "Snackbox". The scenic part will be raised to allow ample room for electrics etc in the space underneath. I've used the same principle as on "The bay", where the viewing side is opposite of what you'd normally do. The idea is to increase the sense of being "inside" the scene, rather than viewing it from a distance.
     
     

     
    So we're standing inside the shed and looking at the last couple of platforms ("decks"), with an opening to the cartage platform and yard in the background. Hopefully the wagons moving back and forth on the reception siding in the yard will help add to the sense of depth.
     
     

     
    Sadly there won't be any horseboxes on the real thing - these are just to give an impression as I couldn't find any vans and wagons. Thanks to ngauge kid and wild goose for posting some GWR stock on the Sketchup site.
     
     

     
    It will be important to ensure that plenty of light enters the depot, or it may appear a bit dark and dull. These skylights are just an example, I'll want to look closer at prototype examples.
     
     

     
    If things work out I'm hoping for some interesting play of light, with light coming in from above but also from the opening to the yard. The windows in the side are wishful thinking at this point, but I might cut a hole in the side of the Snackbox to allow light to enter this way also.
     
     

     
    A view of the small section of the yard at the back, with reception siding and horse drawn carriages etc. This could become cramped if I don't take care - but a light ground cover and the "less is more" approach can hopefully help avoid that.
     
     

     
    A view from the yard side with the backscene removed. The backscene can easily be dismantled, so I'm considering making the layout viewable from this side also on occasion. That would require an alternative backscene which shows the rest of the depot behind the viewable platforms. Perhaps a photo of a depot scene, or even the old mirror trick (although how to do away with the duplication when shunting stock?).
     
  17. Mikkel

    Ready-to-plonk freight

    By Mikkel,

    A parcel arrived today with a small selection of ready-to-plonk freight items.
     
     

    There's still something magical about opening parcels. With a cheerful Hornby logo peering out at me, I even longed briefly for the Christmases of my childhood. Then I remembered the two months of hysteria we have ahead of us, and good old cynicism returned .
     
     
     

    The depot is going to need a lot of goods. I already have some of the white-metal offerings from various sources, but thought I’d see what the ready-painted items from Harburn Hamlet are like.
     
     
     

    Wooden crates from Harburn. These come as a single casting, but as evident here there is plenty of relief detail.
     
     
     

    The castings have been designed to fit as loads in wagons. Here is an example in a seven-plank wagon - it seems to me a five-planker would be too low. In any event, I assume the real deal would be carefully stacked and roped (and sheeted?), so this particular casting is perhaps better used outside of a wagon.
     
     
     

    A cruel close-up of the whisky barrels from Harburn. As I understand it the material is a mix of synthetic resin and stone. I'll see how it responds to a little cleaning up and some further weathering/painting.
     
     
     

    Also in the parcel was this Mechanical Horse from the new Hornby/Oxford Diecast "SkaleAuto" range. Hornby's own website images seem to show a CAD representation and has white sides instead of cream, so here are some detail shots of the actual model.
     
     
     

    Delightful as it is, I am not entirely confident that the GWR actually employed this particular type, with the 3-wheel rigid wheelbase. Perhaps anyone can help? Incidentally, all the photos I can find have the roundel positioned nearer the front, eg as seen here. The Mechanical Horse Club has a nice little website here.
     
     
     

    You may be wondering why I need a vehicle like this on an Edwardian layout. I plan to do a little video about Farthing through the ages, so am collecting a few 'period identifiers'. 
     
  18. Mikkel

    A roof for "The depot"

    By Mikkel,

    I’ve been working on the alternative side of the goods depot recently. The sides and roof are now more or less done and I'm preparing to lay the ground and track in front of it. The roof has caused much muttering and swearing. Some time ago I dropped the whole thing on the floor, and had to rebuild much of it. Because of the accident, the roof is now slightly out of true in some places. That's not really visible, but it meant I had to give up on flush-glazing it. Certainly a compromise, but I was getting close to abandoning the whole thing, so decided that I had better just accept it and move on.
     
     
     
     
     

     
     
     
     
     

     
    I like looking down through the glazing to the scene below. Not really what the layout was designed for, but a nice extra bonus.
     
     

     
    The roof structure gives a nice play of light and shadow inside the depot, which varies greatly with the lighting and time of day.
     
     

     
    I prefer it when the shadows appear naturally...
     
     

     
    ...but they can of course be further enhanced by "staged" articifical lighting as above.
     
     

     
    My struggles with the roof have been a mental barrier, so it's nice to be past that point. I can now get down to things I enjoy more, such as weathering these walls further, and getting the details in place.
  19. Mikkel
    My 1854 class open cab Pannier Tank in ca. 1919 condition is now done. To recap, it’s a heavily modified Hornby 2721 body on a Bachmann 8750 chassis, using modified Finecast parts, Finney/Brassmasters fittings and various scratchbuilt items.  Here is a summary of the last part of the build (see this post for earlier steps).
     
     


    The bunker uses modified Finecast sides. Plated coal rails from wire and styrene. DIY fire iron hooks, and lamp irons from a Brassmasters etch.
     
     

     
    Cab windows were given a profile using circles of styrene cut on my Silhouette. 
     
     
     
     
    The cab roof on the Hornby 2721 body was retained but sanded down, including the strips along the sides which make the roof look thick and the cab too high. New slimmer raintrips were added, following the pattern seen on the prototype.

     

     
    The cab was pragmatically detailed with various bits from the spares box and springs nests from Brassmasters as used in the Finney 1854PT kit.
     
     

     
    Splasher bands cut from styrene were added to the front splashers, which are the only ones retained from the original Hornby 2721 body. 
     
     

     
    Steam injector from Alan Gibson, IIRC. Center and rear splashers are from an old Finecast kit.
     
     
     
    The chimney from Brassmasters was then fitted, as used in the ex-Finney 1854 PT kit. Safety valve cover and bunker only loose fitted at this point, hence the lean.
     
     

     
    The dome lubricator is also from Brassmasters.
     
     

     
    Alan Gibson buffers, with white styrene for the square bit on top. Sand boxes are off a Mainline Dean Goods, I think.
     
     

     
    The lamp irons are from this neat little Finney/Brassmasters etch.
     
     

     
    This shot illustrates the ungodly mix of RTR components, whitemetal parts, finescale fittings, and scratchbuilt bits and pieces.
     
     

     
    All grey primer from a rattle can. 
     
     

     
    Then various filling and sanding, followed by Archer’s rivets which I find bond better when fitted on primer. Micro-Sol was later used to “melt” away the decal paper.
     
     

     
    Next a base coat of matt black, to add depth to the top coats.
     
     

     
    Top coat and two coats of varnish. Cab windows glazed with 4.4 mm circles of 0.25 mm clear styrene. Flat base safety valve bonnet is from the old Mainly Trains range, happily still available from 51L. 
     
     

     
    Medium handrail knobs and wire from Eileen’s Emporium, which sadly had to close shop recently. We owe suppliers like them a lot.
     
     


    Coaling with diluted PVA and a drop of detergent. The rush is sensational!
     
     

     
    Kernow MRC do a nice etch of fire irons. They are the long variety, so I shortened them and stuck the shafts behind the business end.
     
     

     
    Photos tend to show fire irons fitted with the rings around the left hand hook, presumably for easy reach by the fireman. Couldn’t find a decent bucket in my spares box, does anyone know a source for buckets that are actually hollow? 
     
     

     
    Loco lamps are from Modelu. These are actually tail lamps, but they’re what I had for now. This is the 1918-36 headlamp code for a class K ordinary goods. Must include some lenses with the next order.
     
     

     
    The number plates were purpose-made from Narrow Planet/Light Railway Stores. They are very good.
     
     

     
    Footplate crew also from Modelu. Both were too tall to go in the cab, so the driver’s legs were shortened while the fireman has a new set of legs off an Andrew Stadden figure. You can’t see their legs behind the cab sides anyway.
     
     

     
    That’s about it. Screw couplings are on order from Wizard Models.
     
     

     
    I like my locos clean, but I suppose I ought to give this one a light weathering?
     
     


    No. 1899 is part of a scheme to expand my Edwardian timeframe to allow occasional 1919 workings on my Farthing layouts. Allows me to build more goods stock from other companies, since it’s post-pooling.
     
     

     
    The main work done. No doubt someone will release a brand new RTR version shortly (@RapidoCorbs& Co. maybe?). But I enjoyed the process.
     
     


    And so at last I have an open cab pannier, 42 years after the Hornby 1980 catalogue triggered the itch with their 2721 class. 
     
    Speaking of years, there's a new one looming. So I've dug out this old photo. Happy New Year!
     

     
     
  20. Mikkel

    Second bite: "The depot"

    By Mikkel,


    Layout design
    Hmmm, now what can we build here?
     
    I've decided to move ahead with the next installment in the series of micro-layouts based on the fictional Farthing station. Again, it's Edwardian GWR during the period 1904-1908. Here's a rundown of my thoughts so far.
     
    Concept
    The basic idea is to model the inside of a large Edwardian goods depot. Or rather: just a section of it, showing maybe 3-4 busy loading docks. I envision an overall roof structure extending over the entire layout, under which we'd be seeing vans and wagons entering and leaving the loading- and transshipment docks. The visual interest would include the kind of detail I like, such as a fleet of horse drawn vehicles in the trans-shipment dock, goods of all shapes and sizes, and Edwardian workers going about their business. To get an idea of what I'm thinking about, have a look at this photo: Paddington Goods Depot [scroll to first image].
     
    Snackboxing
    The scenic section of the layout will be housed in the Ikea "Snackbox" shown below, which has had one side removed. The outside measurements are 56 x 37 cms, which I believe is approx. 22 " x 14 5/8 ". The Snackboxes have previously been discussed on RMweb, and in one or two cases also applied. There is even a Yahoo group for Snackbox modelling, although it has gone rather quiet (edit: the "Snackbox" has now been discontinued from Ikea and the group no longer exists). Indeed it seems that most people who have embarked on Snackbox layouts have subsequently abandoned them, possibly because the space really is quite limited. I'd like to give it a try though, as I think it might just work for this kind of scheme
     
     

     
    Benchwork done!
     
    Operation
    One of the challenges will be how to create a reasonable degree of operational interest, since we are basically just talking about a set of parallel tracks with some loading docks in between. Here I'm thinking of bringing the fiddle yard into the picture; ie by adding a couple of points to the fiddle yard it could help generate some interesting moves in itself. We'll see. My knowledge of the workings of these larger depots is very limited at present, but as a start I hope to find some useful info in "GWR Goods Services Part 2A", for which an order will be placed shortly.
     
     

     
    Aha, a chance to build some "foreign" goods stock!
     
    Stock
    One of the things I like about this idea is that it will most definitely not be loco-centric! In fact, I am not even sure locos were allowed to venture inside such a depot at all, due to the fire risk. Again, though, the fiddle yard would come into play, as the domain of 1-2 shunting locos. Wagons and vans would form the bulk of the stock (in fact, all of it). This will require some additional stock building apart from what I already have, but I enjoy this and since we're talking OO here it won't be all that time consuming. I'll also get a chance to experiment with the little known red livery that was used on GWR wagons at one stage.
     
    Questions to investigate
    Lot's of things to delve into, here's a few off my initial list - if anyone can help it would be very much appreciated!
     
    1. Good prototypes of large-ish GWR goods depots that can provide inspiration?
    2. Were locos at any time allowed into these large goods depots?
    3. Was foreign goods stock admitted and handled similar to GWR stock in such depots?
     
     
  21. Mikkel

    Moving Pictures

    By Mikkel,


    Misc.
    It's been a while since we have heard from the Farthing Station Weekly Discussion Club. Fortunately, the Club continues to meet on a weekly basis to discuss worldly matters.
     
    Recent debates have included the Zulu rebellion, the eruption of Vesuvius, Einstein's theory of relativity, the California earthquakes, the invention of flight, Gandhi's philosophy, the discovery of the South Pole, and the scandalous defeat to South Africa by one wicket.
     
    As always, proceedings are headed by Station Master A. Woodcourt - a resourceful if somewhat cautious man, who not only bears a striking resemblance to the present King, but also plans to surprise everyone by boarding a boat to Brazil after his retirement. But that, as they say, is another story.
     
    And so, to business:
     
     

     

     
     
     
     

     
     
     
     

     
    Click for video: http://www.britishpathe.com/video/train-moving-through-station-aka-railway-train/query/railway
     
     
     

     
    Click for video: http://www.britishpathe.com/video/railway-accident/query/railway
     
     
     

     
    Click for video: http://www.britishpathe.com/video/speed-and-safety/query/railway
     
     
     

     
    Click for video: http://www.britishpathe.com/video/shunting-horse
     
     
     

     
    Pendon video (1958): http://www.britishpathe.com/video/hair-thatching/
    Other model railway videos (1930s-1950s): http://www.britishpathe.com/search/query/model+railway
     
     
     

     
     
     
    PS: Those rude comments about other companies do not reflect my personal opinion - I'm a great fan of the LSWR and LBSC, but I can't help it if the GWR staff at Farthing are a bit patriotic!
     
     
  22. Mikkel

    Horse-drawn parcels van and coal trolley

    By Mikkel,


    Horse-drawn
    Here are a couple of horse-drawn vehicles for "The bay".
     
     


    This GWR parcels van is based on No. 131, representing a type introduced in the 1890s. It was made using a Langley kit.
     
     
     

     
    The lettering is based on photos from the period (including the use of different fonts), and drawn up in Word with a brown background to match the van colour. It was then printed on thin paper and stuck to the van side. This shot is ruthless but from a normal viewing distance it looks OK. The poster is an original GWR example from 1907, reduced to scale size and printed.
     
     
     

     
    A Coal-merchant's trolley from Shirescenes. The kit also includes parts to make it up price boards and scales if so desired, a nice touch.
     
     
     

     
    Later I simplified the model, turning it into a straightforward flat trolley as seen here.
     
     
  23. Mikkel
    Here’s an attempt to reenact the 1911 railway strike in OO. The strike was an important but sometimes overlooked event in the social history of Britain's railways, and involved some very unusual scenes. The cameos are based on contemporary photos, but transposed to my own Farthing layouts.
     
     
    1. The strike begins
     

     
    “The Great Unrest” was a period of labour unrest during the years 1911-1914. 
     
     

     
    The period saw more industrial disputes than any before it.

     

     
    During the years 1911-14 there were 4229 officially recorded strikes in Britain.
     
     

     
    This included Britain's first official national railway strike which took place over three dramatic days from August 17-19, 1911. 
     
     

     
    The strike arose from dissatisfaction among railway workers with the lack of progress in the so-called Conciliation Boards that were supposed to negotiate worker’s conditions. 
     
     

     
    In June 1911 railway workers in Liverpool joined dock workers and merchant sailors in the Liverpool Transport Strike, demanding shorter hours and better pay.
     
     

     Source: Ronramstew on Flickr.
     
    The strikes in Liverpool gradually gained broader support and spread to other towns. With some delay the railway unions decided to back the strikes and expand them. A formal national railway strike was declared on August 17.
     
     

     
    The unions sent telegrams to 2,000 railway centers across the country, urging all railway workers to abandon work and go on strike.
     
     

     
    According to sources this increased the number of workers on strike to approximately 150-200,000 of the 600,000 railway workers recorded at the time.
     
     

     
    Action was most intense on the railways that connected with the North, including the MR, LNWR, NER, GCR and GWR. On the southern railways, few workers got involved in the strike.
     
     
    2. Bearskins on the line
     

     
    The railway companies refused to accept the strike and met with the PM Asquith, who guaranteed that they would be able to continue railway operations.
     
     

     
    After a failed attempt to negotiate an arrangement with the unions, Home Secretary Churchill approved deployment of 58,000 troops around the country.
     
     

     
    The army’s brief was to secure running of the railways and avoid interference or sabotage by the strikers.
     
     

     
    Numerous photos from around the country show troops guarding stations, signal boxes, junctions and loco sheds.
     
     

     
    This scene was inspired by a photo in the 1911 edition of "The Sphere", showing troops guarding GWR facilities.
     
     

     
     Many of the deployed troops wore an unusual combination of field uniform and full-dress headgear.
     
     


    Perhaps an early spin doctor had been at work?
     
     

     
    Similar scenes were captured at e.g. Leicester, York and Clapham Junction.
     
     
     
    3. Crossing the picket lines
     

    Source: Sarah on Flickr
     
    The army was also employed to assist the police escort horse-drawn deliveries.
     
     

     
    Photos show horse-drawn wagons lined up in small convoys.
     
     

     
    The stable-men were all on strike, so no reins 😊. No, reins are just not practical on my layouts which are constantly set up and dismantled.
     
     

     
    With the protection from troops, some goods got through to their destination.
     
     

     
    Other cartage vehicles were stopped by striking workers. 
     
     

     
    Pictures show confrontations in the streets… 
     
     

     
    … as workers sought to halt deliveries and confront strike breakers.
     
     

     
    In some cases, horse-drawn wagons were overturned to stop their progress.
     
     

     
    The disturbances fuelled some sensationalist reporting in the media, but the strike also led to more fundamental debates about the salaries and rights of railway workers.
     
     
    4. Impact on passenger operations 
     

     
    Passenger operations were differently affected across the country. 
     
     

     
    In areas with little strike activity, services were maintained to some extent.
     
     

     
    Nevertheless, knock-on effects led to delays and cancellations in many parts of the system.
     
     


    In some areas most of the staff were on strike and trains came to a complete standstill. This scene was inspired by a photo from Manchester which shows passengers walking along the tracks, having left a deserted train and making their way into the station.
     
     


    The largely unstaffed stations must have been a strange experience.
     
     


    Without staff, what is a railway?
     
     
    5. A Siphon Special
     


    With so many men on strike, it became a challenge to secure sufficient stock for passenger services.
     
     


    Special measures were therefore required. This is an old K’s Siphon that I got off ebay. The doors were cut away…
     
     

     
    …and new ones made from laminated styrene.
     
     


    New doors in place…
     
     

     
    … and a few details added.
     
     

    This short video clip shows the roof fitted with magnets, thanks to Dave John for that idea.
     
     


    A Siphon Special.
     
     

     
    Perhaps you think I'm pulling your leg.
     
     


    Surely the glorious GWR wouldn't transport passengers...
     
     

     
    ... like this?
     
     

     
    But once again...
     
     
     

    Source: Embedded from Getty Images.
     
    ...reality beats fiction.
     
     
    6. Tragedy at Llanelli
     
    Despite the lighter moments this was serious business, and at Llanelli it went all wrong.
     

     
    In a confrontation between the army and strikers on August 19, two civilians were shot and another four lost their lives in the explosion of a gunpowder van. There's an account of the sad events here.
     
     

    Source: Embedded from Getty Images.
     
    I didn’t feel like modelling the tragedy itself, so decided to portray a scene from the following day when locals came out to inspect the damaged stock, as seen above.
     
     


    Several GWR clerestory coaches were damaged in the clashes between army and strikers. Photos show them in 1908-1912 all-brown, so I painted my Slater’s C10 in a simplified version of that livery.
     
     

     
    Some distressed glazing was then added.
     
     

     
    Pictures show police, staff and curious locals inspecting the coaches.
     
     

     
    I wonder what they were thinking?
     
     

     
    There’s certainly a sombre mood in some of the photos…
     
     


    …the shattered glazing a reminder…
     
     


    …that beneath the elegance of the Edwardian era…
     
     

     
    …lay great tensions...
     
     

     
    ... and deep divisions.

    ***
     
    By then the strike was over. On August 19 the government mediated a deal between the railway companies and the unions.   The agreement addessed few of the workers' immediate concerns, and some workers felt betrayed by it. The deal did however strengthen the role of the railway unions as legitimate players in negotiating worker's conditions. The unions considered it a win and called off the strike. The years that followed saw more railway strikes, some of them more succesful. But the 1911 strike was the first, and it showed that something was changing.
     
    ***
     
    PS: Please note that this is just a rough account of the strike, and I am not a historian. For further online reading see e.g. David Turner's write-up about the strike, the Brighton ASLEF page, and the Llannelli Rail Strike website. 
     
     
  24. Mikkel
    On Twitter today:
     


     
     
     


     
     
     


     
     
    Anyway, enough fooling around. The wagon sheets (aka tarpaulins) seen in these photos are the preliminary results of experiments with aluminum foil. My original plan was to go the whole hog with cords and ropes etc, but as I started fitting sheets to my wagons I got cold feet. My wagons are nothing special but I like to look at them, and here I was covering them up!
     
     
     

     
    So as a compromise I have decided - at least for the time being - to go for removable “shells” made from 0.05 mm aluminum foil and a paper skin, as seen above. The foil is self-supporting and maintains the shape, so the sheets do not need an actual load beneath them. This means I can add and remove them as I please. They can also be exchanged across different wagons of similar dimensions.
     
     
     

     
    I initially used pre-primed foil for military modellers from Dio-Dump, but then found that I could buy the "raw" foil here in Denmark and prime it myself. Incidentally I also tried ordinary kitchen foil, which is thinner and therefore easier to fold, but it is also more fragile and less self-supporting than the 0,05 mm stuff.
     
     
     

     
    I first tried using transfers directly on the foil as seen here (details in my workbench thread), but making the transfers was a bit time-consuming and they proved difficult to weather.
     
     
     

     
    So instead I printed the designs onto ordinary printer paper, gave them a coat of varnish and glued them to the foil with a thin layer of PVA. The designs are appropriate for the 1900s and were originally drawn up by Ian – thanks again Ian!
     
     
     

     
    The sheets were then folded and “massaged” into shape, and given an oily but not too shiny look. This was done by applying 3-4 layers of matt varnish, brushed over with weathering powders when each coat was almost dry (hence the mess!). Perhaps this technique could also be used to give the popular ready-made sheets from Smiths a less “paper”-like look.
     
     
     

     
    Photos show that in general the sheets were more “loose” than one might think. They also show that at the ends, the top was usually (but not always) folded down first, with the side flaps folded down outside that. The foil-plus-paper combo does add thickness to the sheets, so folding them naturally is not always easy and requires patience.
     
     
     

     
    Above are the sheets fitted to two 5-plank Opens to diagram O4, the first GWR designs to feature sheet rails. The sheets look older than the wagons, I always overdo the weathering! The biggest compromise is of course that the sheets have no cords or ropes. For the time being I’m prepared to accept this in return for the ability to add and remove the sheets as I please. My excuse is that the sheets were normally tied down with short thin cords, which can be hard to see in prototype photos. Actual roping was only used on particularly tall or bulky loads.
     
    Even so, the method is obviously a compromise and I may return to these experiments later to see what can be improved. For now I’m a bit tired of wagon sheets though. And politics. Plus, we still don't know the secrets of GWR wagon red. The livery instructions can't be found. I bet the Chinese have them. James, got a minute?
     

  25. Mikkel

    Bunker first (1927)

    By Mikkel,


    Stories
    Farthing is normally set in 1907, but a while ago I decided to give my "out of period" stock a bit more attention by doing dedicated operating sessions for alternative time periods. Yesterday was a "1927" day, and here are a few shots. Above, Small Metro No. 1492 runs bunker first during shunting operations in the bay area. The loco features the enclosed cab and Collett style bunker with which many of the older tank locos were fitted in the 1920s.
     
     

     
    Driver Henry Pulling trying to get a good view as he backs into the siding with a four-wheel Siphon C. The loco is from a SE Finecast kit, but the builder is unknown as this is a restoration job like many of my locos. Not exactly a glass case model, and yet it's the kind of loco I like: Plenty of character and a good runner.
     
     

     
    A rather cruel close-up, but H. Pulling comes across well enough. Actually he is HO, being a modified Preiser figure. I find these useful for fitting in cramped cabs because of their smaller height.
     
     

     
    By this time, our driver is clearly struggling with neck pains and it's time to say goodbye. As will be rather obvious from this last image, I am experimenting with low-cost photo-editing software at the moment, as my current solution is getting a bit outdated. But the results are rather mixed so far, so it looks like I'm best off saving up for Photoshop or similar.
     
     
×
×
  • Create New...