7mm Cardiff Canton 86C 88A The last years of steam

[Compton castle]

I thought I would start a dedicated thread for Canton, most of you will know that this is the second incarnation of the prototype I’ve modelled.
This newer version is 6’ x 3’ and is an operating diorama more than a layout, it’s designed to be viewed from 3 sides with locomotives entering via cassettes driving through the shed in to the yard in front.
Progress has been slow as other customer projects have priority. The last major component is the shed itself which has been on order for some time so hopefully will be ready soon so the project can be finished.
Built with exhibitions in mind it will be a home based layout for the foreseeable future as Saturdays are a normal working day for me but there may be some exceptions
The little stores / office temporarily in place. This will head to the spray shop when the weather warms up a little more.
Here’s a look around the yard

 

[Compton castle]

The PDF of the shed was mounted on card a few years ago, the low relief shed will consist of one north light section.
At my previous home set up in the garden, note the WR style Britannia grab hole surrounds to help move the layout around


There’s 3 LED light bars which give a lot of light which will be very handy as it now lives in my garage which at present has no lighting ( a future job )

 

[Compton castle]

Some of the superb Modelu figures painted by Claudia Everett
And the hand laid brick hard standing that still to be bedded in

 

[Compton castle]

 

[Compton castle]

This is what Canton is all about, displaying my loco collection. Canton was a diverse shed as most GW types could be found apart from the 47xx although apparently they did make an appearance during the war. I’ve got one in my kit stash anyway so Rule 1.
As we got into the 60’s ex L.M.S. engines became popular visitors from Shrewsbury shed. Saltley had a long association with its black 5’s and 4F’s along with the occasional crab, 8F’s from south wales sheds and WD’s from Woodford Halse along with the local variants.
A K3 even made it on shed and the most exotic being the Stirling single that arrived with City of Truro and Evening Star.
Ex works locos fresh from Caerphilly works where a regular feature including condensing pannier tank 9710.

 

[Compton castle]

Here’s a model Rail shot ( copyright Chris Nevard / Model Rail ) of Canton Mk1
And the aforementioned 9710 copyright Paul Sankey
I had a very nice model of this engine which I sold a few years back, a Minerva conversion could be on the cards to create it again.

 

[timbowales]

Steve, I’m not with my Pannier Papers at the moment (in Basingstoke having admired Scruffts Junction in the flesh) but was 9710 allocated to Canton? Seems a most odd allocation?

 

[Compton castle]

Steve, I’m not with my Pannier Papers at the moment (in Basingstoke having admired Scruffts Junction in the flesh) but was 9710 allocated to Canton? Seems a most odd allocation?

No it was heading back to Old Oak after shopping at Caerphilly works.
Another Chris Nevard copyright ©️ shot and a Paul Sankey copyright ©️ shot of 7325 a Pontypool Road loco at that time. I’ve got a Warren shepherd kit for this loco with a Mitchell tender

 

[Compton castle]

Paul has given me permission to share more of his images of Canton an early 50’s view before the shed roof was renewed and raised
A few ex works locos
Copyright ©️ Paul Sankey

 

[Compton castle]

A dapol pannier originally 7714 being detailed as Pontypool roads 7724, she was a top feed fitted example. This project has been underway for 2 years and two house moves. I’ve got the top feed pipes to fit ( dapol spares so no wire bending ) and then a prime and paint so hopefully a summer job this year.
A nice little loco prep load for a wheel barrow
Here’s some interesting info on visiting locos from Brian Rolley
Quote,
On Saturdays 1961/1962 the 19:55 Cardiff - Swansea parcels was booked for a Salop loco.
.
On 18th. February, 1961 it was worked by 'Patriot' 45515 which failed and was dumped on Cwrt Saert shed until March 1st.
.
Other Midland strangers at Cardiff around that time included
'Crab' 42827 off Saltley, 7th. February, 1961
'4F' 44333 off Saltley, 21st. February, 1961
'Royal Scot' 46144 'Honourable Artillery Company' worked the 08:30 Cardiff - Newcastle on 15th. March, 1962.
46125 '3rd. Carabinier' worked the same train four days later.
46152 'The King's Dragoon Guardsman' worked it on 21st. February, 1962.
92028 (Crosti) was through St. Fagans on an up freight, 30th. April, 1962
.
45577 'Bengal' of Salop shed worked a banana train ex-Barry Docks on 27th. June, 1962.
.
If you want something to really make the 'rivet counters' quake;
On 6th. April, 1961 ex LNER 'K3' 61894 of Colwick reached Llanelli, ran light to Cwrt Sart and then worked the 03:40 Margam _ Gloucester the following day.
This will become 45515 after some additional detail is added, it’s an older kit and was painted by fellow thunderer Larry Goddard way back in 94! It’s a shame to loose the paint but it needs to be BR green.
Additionally A Finney AWS kit will be added along with new lubricators and associated pipe runs.

 

[timbowales]

Lovely info about interlopers in S Wales, especially the K3!

 

[Compton castle]

A few more from Paul Sankey
Copyright ©️ remain his and shared with permission.

 

[Compton castle]

A Chris Nevard / model rail shot of Canton Mk1
Getting that Canton shine

 

[Compton castle]

A second hand purchase that’s in need of some TLC a David Andrews 52xx, it needs additional pick ups and that awful paint finish removed and a coat of BR black. A few castings from the Warren shepherd range and new plates from SevernMill. It’ll become 5262 a Severn tunnel junction loco. As a staple of South Wales mineral traffic not many Welsh sheds are complete without at least one example.

 

[Dave Holt]

Wow. 7020 and 7817, in particular, had mountainous coal loads and look way out of gauge. I wonder if they were subsequently levelled before leaving the shed, or just at the first over bridge?
The prototype photos show how well you've captured the essence of Canton.
Dave.

 

[timbowales]

Lovely photos, more please
Regarding 7817's coal load it's not as out-of-gauge as it appears. Look at the cab roof line and also consider it's a low 3500 gallon tender

 

[Compton castle]

In the John Hodge book the south wales main line Cardiff edition there’s a few shots showing how high the tender was filled with coal, particularly as most London turns was an out and back servicing at Ranelagh bridge and then even going on as far as Swansea on one tender full of coal.
Some of the inscriptions read every area was filled with coal and would have to be trimmed to fit within the loading gauge before going off shed. These pictures that Paul has kindly allowed me to share provide a lot of inspiration
5081 Lockheed Hudson, a loco my dad remembers well working on the evening Cardiff Crewe mail

5097 Sarum Castle has had a turn on train F55 Paddington To Cardiff
Capitals united express

Cantons long time pet 5099 Compton Castle

 

[oldravendale]

I'm loving these photos, Steve. Regarding the loading of tenders with coal Tim Mills told the story of being lineside, I think on the WCML, taking photos as usual and a lump of coal flew off the tender of a passing Princess Coronation and whizzed past his ear. I suspect that if he'd been a few inches to the left it would have been one of those "Donald - Duck!" moments and his photographic library would have been much smaller...

Brian

 

[Osgood]

....one of those "Donald - Duck!" moments .....

Brian

Here's another one - Just for a laugh

Look at the state of 5330 above - gorgeous!

 

[Compton castle]

This has to be one of my all time favourite shots of Canton and will help a lot when it comes to building the shed

https://flic.kr/p/2mUw5nz

https://flic.kr/p/FaSJuF

1P 123 4-2-2 CR Neilson & Drummond

Power Classification1PIntroduced1886DesignerNeilson and DrummondCompanyCRWeight – Loco41t 7cwtDriving Wheels7ft 0insBoiler Pressure160psiCylindersInside – 18in x 26inTractive Effort13,638lbfV…

preservedbritishsteamlocomotives.com

3862

3862 was built at Swindon in 1942 and was at first based at Oxford where it was utilised to move essential wartime materials. In October 1947 it was transferred to Pontypool Road where it was based…

preservedbritishsteamlocomotives.com

Prints of A gleaming ex-GWR Castle class loco gets its final attention from Cardiff Canton staff

A gleaming ex-GWR Castle class loco gets its final attention from Cardiff Canton staff with a polish to the Capitals United Express headboard for the newly introduced titled Cardiff - London express, in February 1956. Our beautiful Wall Art and Photo Gifts include Framed Prints, Photo Prints...

shop.memorylane.co.uk