Whatever happened to British Oak?

[Sithlord75]

Looking good Mark - very much looking forward to seeing it in action.

[2mmMark]

Progress on British Oak has been static, on maybe static is progress? 

The layout is now decidedly more furry after a few sessions via applications of static grass.

Setting up for the first application involved two seperate metal sieves, with insulated handles - very important! - connected in turn up to the flockbox, using it as a static charger generator.  Two sieves enable different shades of fibres to be spread which helps to get a variation of colour.
 

 

The electric puffer was also put to good use.

 

WWScenics Basing Glue was applied and some various sizes of ground foam mixed into the glue. This gives an uneven clumpy surface to the glue, which feeds through into a clumpy uneven grass effect.

 

Bottom left is the crocodile clip connection to the layout. I found it didn't need to be right in the glue as the static does spread across the surface.  The photo below shows the aftermath of the grass application but before hoovering up the excess.

 

A useful technique which I picked up from Giles Flavell's youtube channel (look for "grass clumps" from GilesEngineer) was to scatter some fine earth over the static grass. In my case, I used some grey dust recovered from the mess left behind after lifting a foam-backed fitted carpet.  I suppose there has to be some benefit from these awful things!

 

 

As I hoped, the foliage mats levelled off with first static grass layer.  Extra grass tufts were also put in place, some are home-made, some came from Games Workshop.

 

 

 

Detritus from the older wood staithe was added, using sawn-up lolly sticks stained with Indian Ink along with corrugated iron sheets made from aluminium foil. The lolly sticks are a nice close grained wood that stains nicely.

 

Here's a overall view of this stage of the layout.


The next step was to layer some longer dried grass on top, using the WWScenics Layering Glue. This is designed to be sprayed but given the small area involved, it was applied by brush instead. I did try using a paper mask with holes torn in it but the water-based glue dissolved the paper. These two before & after photos show the effect of layering.

 

 

The track of the disused line also had grass applied.  The trial backscene is part of an 1903 oil on canvas painting by George H. West, currently in the care of Calderdale Council, found in a useful collection of images here https://myrastrick.com/tag-cut

 

A few more photos taken earlier today.

 

 

 

 

 

I think that leaves British Oak in an acceptable state for the forthcoming 2mm Expo. Now is the time to concentrate on getting the locos & stock completed.  The workbench needs a good clean up  and hoovering before any painting starts. Static grass fibres get everywhere.  The layout is also gently shedding fibres like a faithful dog sheds fur (we have two of those!)

 

Mark

 

 

 

 

Edited May 21, 2022 by 2mmMark

[Morello Cherry]

Apologies if this is old news. A few images of British Oak appeared on flickr this week.

 

https://www.flickr.com/photos/tags/britishoakocdp

[2mmMark]

3 hours ago, Morello Cherry said:

Apologies if this is old news. A few images of British Oak appeared on flickr this week.

 

https://www.flickr.com/photos/tags/britishoakocdp

 

Thanks, some interesting views there that I'd not seen before.

 

[bcnPete]

Nice work Mark.

 

Looking forward to seeing the layout and having a catch up in a few weeks from now 👍

[2mmMark]

Made it to Derby!

[Dava]

Really enjoyed the 2mm Scale event, meeting Mark & seeing British Oak, thanks!

 

Dava

[2mmMark]

aaannd.... breathe!

So the rush to make British Oak presentable is over and judging by the reaction at Expo, worthwhile. Interesting to talk to people who've made use of the original Beginners Guide to get started. The book definitely served its purpose.

The layout performed very well but then it shouldn't be too hard to get such a small amount of track and three locos to behave properly. The Jinty and the Austerity lived up to my hopes with their replacement Tramfabriek motors, the Jinty in particular being a smooth steady slow runner.  The extra weight in all the locos obviously helped. The 08 always has been a good slow runner with its 80:1 geared chassis, unfortunately let down by the original Poole Farish body with all its faults. However, I acquired a Bachmann Farish 08 body from the Bring & Buy for a fiver.  A chassis transplant ought to be possible.

 

Sadly, the paint job on the Jinty needs redoing.  The orange is way too bright and the Vallejo paint I used was very difficult to brush on evenly.  By contrast, the Vallejo grey/black went on quite satisfactorily. In any case, the chassis needs finishing (brake gear & crankpin washers) and painting.

Talking of painting, the static grass needs a blow over with some matt varnish to kill the shine.  This will need some careful thought to ensure the right stuff is used so as not to clog up the fibres.  Aerosol matt varnishes are available but I think it needs a more delicate approach using an airbrush. The prime contender for the varnish is Micro-Sol Flat, which can be let down with water for easy spraying.

The magnetic unloading of the NCB hoppers as described in an earlier post actually gave the layout some purpose making the operation more interesting.

I still await the release of the Farish Class 14 in British Oak livery which is now said to be available sometime this year. Mind you, the price has crept up to £130ish discounted.  Having seen the N Gauge Society Hunslet in the flesh, one of those is very tempting as it's £50 cheaper.  I believe a simple 2mm finescale conversion is being planned for these locos.

Here's the only shot I took of the layout over the whole weekend

 

Chris Higgs took a couple of photos which I've taken the liberty of cross posting here:

 

 

 

 

 

I'm always fascinated by how others see my layouts, with camera angles I haven't tried.  Thanks Chris!

 

 

 

 

[Chris Higgs]

50 minutes ago, 2mmMark said:

aaannd.... breathe!

So the rush to make British Oak presentable is over and judging by the reaction at Expo, worthwhile. Interesting to talk to people who've made use of the original Beginners Guide to get started. The book definitely served its purpose.

The layout performed very well but then it shouldn't be too hard to get such a small amount of track and three locos to behave properly. The Jinty and the Austerity lived up to my hopes with their replacement Tramfabriek motors, the Jinty in particular being a smooth steady slow runner.  The extra weight in all the locos obviously helped. The 08 always has been a good slow runner with its 80:1 geared chassis, unfortunately let down by the original Poole Farish body with all its faults. However, I acquired a Bachmann Farish 08 body from the Bring & Buy for a fiver.  A chassis transplant ought to be possible.

 

Sadly, the paint job on the Jinty needs redoing.  The orange is way too bright and the Vallejo paint I used was very difficult to brush on evenly.  By contrast, the Vallejo grey/black went on quite satisfactorily. In any case, the chassis needs finishing (brake gear & crankpin washers) and painting.

Talking of painting, the static grass needs a blow over with some matt varnish to kill the shine.  This will need some careful thought to ensure the right stuff is used so as not to clog up the fibres.  Aerosol matt varnishes are available but I think it needs a more delicate approach using an airbrush. The prime contender for the varnish is Micro-Sol Flat, which can be let down with water for easy spraying.

The magnetic unloading of the NCB hoppers as described in an earlier post actually gave the layout some purpose making the operation more interesting.

I still await the release of the Farish Class 14 in British Oak livery which is now said to be available sometime this year. Mind you, the price has crept up to £130ish discounted.  Having seen the N Gauge Society Hunslet in the flesh, one of those is very tempting as it's £50 cheaper.  I believe a simple 2mm finescale conversion is being planned for these locos.

Here's the only shot I took of the layout over the whole weekend

 

Chris Higgs took a couple of photos which I've taken the liberty of cross posting here:

 

 

 

 

 

I'm always fascinated by how others see my layouts, with camera angles I haven't tried.  Thanks Chris!

 

 

 

 

 

Thanks Mark. I would have thought end-on is an ideal shot of British Oak, as it was of Llangarish. Too few layouts provide the opportunity to view straight down the tracks.

 

If there is one thing I would say it is that you should invest some time in building some 21T hoppers from Bob Jones or Stephan Harris kits. Or just half-inch some off Fencehouses. They would look great on the layout.

 

Chris

 

Edited June 23, 2022 by Chris Higgs

[2mmMark]

14 minutes ago, Chris Higgs said:

 

Thanks Mark. I would have thought end-on is an ideal shot of British Oak, as it was of Llangarish. Too few layouts provide the opportunity to view straight down the tracks.

 

If there is one thing I would say it is that you should invest some time in building some 21T hoppers from Bob Jones or Stephan Harris kits. Or just half-inch some off Fencehouses. They would look great on the layout.

 

Chris

 

That's a very good suggestion.  The photos and video I have show a variety of hoppers in use.  I only need four, so they can be a "maximum effort, no detail spared" production.

 

 

 

[Sam Kennion]

On 23/06/2022 at 19:15, 2mmMark said:

[SNIP]

I still await the release of the Farish Class 14 in British Oak livery which is now said to be available sometime this year. Mind you, the price has crept up to £130ish discounted.  Having seen the N Gauge Society Hunslet in the flesh, one of those is very tempting as it's £50 cheaper.  I believe a simple 2mm finescale conversion is being planned for these locos.

[/Snip)

 

You might be better off repainting a body from BR Lines and pestering Steve to finally provide his etched chassis and upgrades. 🤔😎

[Jim T]

This end on shot’s from Sunday pm at Derby…

[2mmMark]

On 07/07/2022 at 22:39, Sam Kennion said:

You might be better off repainting a body from BR Lines and pestering Steve to finally provide his etched chassis and upgrades. 🤔😎

I shall most likely be doing that as I have a part dismantled Class 14 in NCB blue livery.  Even discounted, the price for a Farish Class 14 is getting a bit silly.  The NGS Hunslet is a better model all round.

A revamped 08 is on the cards, having acquired a BR Blue body of the recent Farish one from the Bring 'n' Buy stand for £5.
 

On 08/07/2022 at 19:43, Jim T said:

This end on shot’s from Sunday pm at Derby…

Thanks for the photo. I'm wondering if a black fabric curtain cut into strips might be a neat viewblocker of the sector plate.  If the material was thin and lightweight, the stock might be able to push it aside. Probably needs to be a non-glossy material.

Mark

[MrSimon]

Something like a matt-effect/sprayed matt black bin bag?  
 

Cheers

Simon

[Jim T]

18 hours ago, 2mmMark said:

Thanks for the photo. I'm wondering if a black fabric curtain cut into strips might be a neat viewblocker of the sector plate.  If the material was thin and lightweight, the stock might be able to push it aside. Probably needs to be a non-glossy material.

 

Yep, maybe I'd try a very light bluey green, so that it appears there's something under the bridge. I think black might be a bit jarring? Like the idea of some kind of plastic rather than fabric, less for delicate parts to catch on. Or perhaps you could have a lifting backdrop in there, a bit like a theatre curtain, only coming up to allow trains / locos to access and exit the viewing portion of the layout.

[Richard Hall]

These just popped up on FB.  Just in case you haven't seen them already:

 

https://www.facebook.com/groups/rtRealTrainspotting/permalink/6039228699424858

 

Richard

[sir douglas]

never seen any photos of a peckett at British Oak before

[03060]

3 hours ago, sir douglas said:

never seen any photos of a peckett at British Oak before

 

I've got Peckett 0-4-0ST No.2020 (1967-69)) written down in my list of locos seen at BODP with a note saying Risley Yard No.110 Med next to it, my source being IRS IRR 187 + 194.  I'll dig them out later to see if they shed any further light on it.

 

There are 14 diesels and 10 steam locos on my list but 2 of the diesels are large mainline locos.

 

Regards,

Ian.

Edited August 7, 2022 by 03060

[Chris Higgs]

 

Not at British Oak (I think) but in that same delightful livery.

 

Chris 

[03060]

2 hours ago, 03060 said:

 

I've got Peckett 0-4-0ST No.2020 (1967-69)) written down in my list of locos seen at BODP with a note saying Risley Yard No.110 Med next to it, my source being IRS IRR 187 + 194.  I'll dig them out later to see if they shed any further light on it.

 

There are 14 diesels and 10 steam locos on my list but 2 of the diesels are large mainline locos.

 

Regards,

Ian.

 

Industrial Railway Review 187 has a good B&W photo of Peckett 2020 at British Oak in it (12/3/67.)

 

"Support for PEPPER was provided by various other locomotives. A four-coupled Hudswell Clarke (1727 of 1941) performed this role between 1964 and March 1967, when it was replaced by another 0-4-0 saddle tank, Peckett 2020 of 1942, from Bowers Row Disposal Point. Following the Peckett's arrival the, the Hudswell Clarke was promptly scrapped."

 

Edited August 7, 2022 by 03060

[2mmMark]

It's always good to see more photos.  I was aware that Peppers had a Peckett as I've got copies of the relevant IRR issues.   The Peckett's tenure coincides with the previous wooden staithe, which used end-door wagons.

In one of the Facebook photos, you can see the debris from the demolition of the old staithe, something I've attempted to reproduce.

As far as I'm aware, the Austerity didn't work at British Oak.

Mark

[sir douglas]

this is the list ive got, mostly made up of online photos

 

-BR 08016 class08  (SG) 0-6-0
-BR 03037 class03 (SG) 0-6-0
-BR D9513 class14 (SG) 0-6-0 -Embsay & bolton rly
-BR D9531 class14 (SG) 0-6-0 -East Lancashire rly
-BR 47445 LMS jinty HE 1529-1927 (SG) 0-6-0 -midland rly butterley
-"Pepper" ex SR 92, LSWR -1891 (SG) 0-4-0. sold 1949 ministry of fuel and power - scrapped 1961

[03060]

7 hours ago, sir douglas said:

this is the list ive got, mostly made up of online photos

 

-BR 08016 class08  (SG) 0-6-0
-BR 03037 class03 (SG) 0-6-0
-BR D9513 class14 (SG) 0-6-0 -Embsay & bolton rly
-BR D9531 class14 (SG) 0-6-0 -East Lancashire rly
-BR 47445 LMS jinty HE 1529-1927 (SG) 0-6-0 -midland rly butterley
-"Pepper" ex SR 92, LSWR -1891 (SG) 0-4-0. sold 1949 ministry of fuel and power - scrapped 1961

 

My Diesel list also has :

 

BR 03 D2049 (1974-78 + 1985)

BR 08 08870 'Millhouses'   (1992)

Class 11 12099   (1981-83)

Class 11 12122   (1981-85)

 

Hunslet 0-6-0 DH 1/13 (W/No.7410)    (1992-93)

Fowler  0-4-0 DM 'George Barber' (JF 4200038)   (1972-74)

Andrew Barclay 0-4-0 DM W/No.387   (1974-78 + 1981)

Hunslet 4w DM (W/No.5307)   (1970)

 

Mainline diesels visiting Flockton sidings include 56090 and 58040 (both 1993.)

 

My sources for these being :

Flickr - British Oak folder.

IRS IRR 187 and 194.

IRS 8A Ind Loco of Yorks.

Industrial Locos and Railways of Yorks (G. Edgar)

 

I'll try and post my steam list later if it is of interest and Mark doesn't mind.

 

Regards,

Ian.

[2mmMark]

3 hours ago, 03060 said:

 

My Diesel list also has :

 

BR 03 D2049 (1974-78 + 1985)

BR 08 08870 'Millhouses'   (1992)

Class 11 12099   (1981-83)

Class 11 12122   (1981-85)

 

Hunslet 0-6-0 DH 1/13 (W/No.7410)    (1992-93)

Fowler  0-4-0 DM 'George Barber' (JF 4200038)   (1972-74)

Andrew Barclay 0-4-0 DM W/No.387   (1974-78 + 1981)

Hunslet 4w DM (W/No.5307)   (1970)

 

Mainline diesels visiting Flockton sidings include 56090 and 58040 (both 1993.)

 

My sources for these being :

Flickr - British Oak folder.

IRS IRR 187 and 194.

IRS 8A Ind Loco of Yorks.

Industrial Locos and Railways of Yorks (G. Edgar)

 

I'll try and post my steam list later if it is of interest and Mark doesn't mind.

 

Regards,

Ian.

 
Please do.  I'm always interested to see more information. Many have an interest in this particular location. 

Mark

[03060]

Besides exLMS 3f 0-6-0T 47445   (1965-1970)  my list of steam locos that have worked at British Oak also includes :

 

Hunslet 0-6-0ST 'PRINCESS' (W/No.572)   (1947-49)

exLSWR B4 0-4-0T No.92   (1949-50)

RSH Austerity 0-6-0ST  71507 (W/No.7161)   (1949-50)

Hunslet Austerity 0-6-0ST  71442  (HW/No.3206)   (1949) (1950-51)

Yorkshire Engine Co. 0-4-0ST 'QUEEN'  1027   (1956-58)

Yorkshire Engine Co. 0-4-0ST 'HOYLAND' 1026   (1958)

Hudswell Clarke 0-4-0ST  1727  No.1 'ROF 16'   (1964-67)

Bagnall Austerity 0-6-0ST  W/No.2761 'PEPPER' (?)   (1953-66)  (HE 58733 / WD 75173)

Peckett 0-4-0ST 2020   (1967-69)   Risley Yard No.110 MED

 

 

These are also from the same sources as the diesel references.

Hope this helps for all those interested, one or two would maybe prove a challenge to recreate in 2mm scale but from what I've seen in this and similar 2mm threads ....probably not impossible !

 

Regards,

Ian.