7mm The Derby Line: Basford North
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dibateg
Western Thunderer
Thanks Jim - much of it is down to the work of Geoff Taylor and Alisdair Macdonald - as well as the late DLOS.
The latest running session ( the 7th ) , where we ran the late afternoon and evening trains. The lads look generally happy with operations! Tea and cake always helps!
The latest running session ( the 7th ) , where we ran the late afternoon and evening trains. The lads look generally happy with operations! Tea and cake always helps!
dibateg
Western Thunderer
One problem that became apparent during the last running session was that derailments were occuring on the long crossover (longer than it should be because it is stretched by the curve in the layout ). Investigation found areas tight to gauge as well a kinks in the alignment well below the minimum radius of 6 feet. There were 5 areas of concern - all down to my poor tracklaying on this section. Although in mitigation, I think some hot weather had something to do with it. So I used a sharp chisel to remove chairs, re-aligned rails and then made up new chairs to fit. Hopefully that is all now resolved.
dibateg
Western Thunderer
Anumber of tall Suggs type lamps are required for the yard, it was going to prove difficult to get the castings, so I decided to scratch some up. I've been cutting the ends off clear LEDs to create the glass bowl. I'm still pondering how to make the 'cannon' shaped base of the post...
Dan Randall
Western Thunderer
I used to have a GWR lamp post in my garden with a Sugg top, when I lived in Slough, shown here just after installation....
Originally gas-lit, my friend Pete Fitzwater, turned me some insulated bushes (to fit where the gas mantles would have been), which were then fitted with a pair of Small Edison Screw holders and some 25 watt Pygmy bulbs. He also turned up the ladder bar for me, which was essential for changing bulbs or cleaning the glass bowl.
It illuminated the end of the garden with a cosy, welcoming glow and was one of the earliest and most pleasing DIY projects, I ever undertook.
When we moved house about 14 years later, I just had to take it with me, but in the intervening 22 years (and at least 3 more house moves), it's never gone back in the ground again, as my 2nd wife doesn't share my affections for it....
Apologies for the hijack Tony, but I must say, your model lamp tops really capture the essence of the prototype - well done!
Regards
Dan
Originally gas-lit, my friend Pete Fitzwater, turned me some insulated bushes (to fit where the gas mantles would have been), which were then fitted with a pair of Small Edison Screw holders and some 25 watt Pygmy bulbs. He also turned up the ladder bar for me, which was essential for changing bulbs or cleaning the glass bowl.
It illuminated the end of the garden with a cosy, welcoming glow and was one of the earliest and most pleasing DIY projects, I ever undertook.
When we moved house about 14 years later, I just had to take it with me, but in the intervening 22 years (and at least 3 more house moves), it's never gone back in the ground again, as my 2nd wife doesn't share my affections for it....
Apologies for the hijack Tony, but I must say, your model lamp tops really capture the essence of the prototype - well done!
Regards
Dan
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Dave Holt
Western Thunderer
That really is a long curved cross-over. Under gauge is always a problem, so it's good to see you've managed to sort out the issue.
Looking back to your group photo, some of the faces look slightly familiar, perhaps fro a visit I made some years ago for an operating session on Geoff's Bala Junction layout?
Dave.
Looking back to your group photo, some of the faces look slightly familiar, perhaps fro a visit I made some years ago for an operating session on Geoff's Bala Junction layout?
Dave.
dibateg
Western Thunderer
No Hijack at all Dan - thank you so much! I should have curved the bottom arms a little more, but the lamps need to match some existing ones. What a shame your lamp is still not in use.
Thanks Dave -
yes, most likely!
Phile Greaves ( Ellesmere layout ), Graham, Rob Kinsey ( WMRC ), Geoff Taylor and Alisdair Macdonald.
Regards
Tony
Thanks Dave -
yes, most likely!
Phile Greaves ( Ellesmere layout ), Graham, Rob Kinsey ( WMRC ), Geoff Taylor and Alisdair Macdonald.
Regards
Tony
Pencarrow
Western Thunderer
Say hi to Rob K for me next time you see him. I used to work at Staffs CC Highways with him many moons ago. Chris T
dibateg
Western Thunderer
5:30 in the morning at Basford North. 68927 has arrived as station pilot, 64397 has delived coal wagons to the goods yard. 90437 has arrived from Colwick to collect the engineers train. We are running to the 1952 working timetable ( with some adaptions ) - it's busy... and our drivers seemed to enjoy using the whistles to keep the locals awake!
The chaps - awaiting cake during a most enjoyable running session yesterday - Howard Bolton, Pete Rigby, Kevin Tong, Simon Edmunds, Geoff Taylor. We ran the timetable from 11pm to 5:30am.
The chaps - awaiting cake during a most enjoyable running session yesterday - Howard Bolton, Pete Rigby, Kevin Tong, Simon Edmunds, Geoff Taylor. We ran the timetable from 11pm to 5:30am.
Many thanks for your kind hospitality Tony. I was delighted to see that the work of yourself, Geoff and your team is every bit as good in reality as it appears in the photos - the closer you get, the better it is. It is a real pleasure to operate a layout where everything is to such a high standard.
Looking forward to next time and wishing you well for your continuing efforts.
Howard.
Looking forward to next time and wishing you well for your continuing efforts.
Howard.
dibateg
Western Thunderer
Thank you Howard!
Dan Randall kindly printed me some bases for the yard lamps.
There were a number of gthem around the station area - the square tops were changed for Suggs type ones in the late '50s.
Dan has printed me plenty - far more than I wll need - if anyone would like some - let me know!
Dan Randall kindly printed me some bases for the yard lamps.
There were a number of gthem around the station area - the square tops were changed for Suggs type ones in the late '50s.
Dan has printed me plenty - far more than I wll need - if anyone would like some - let me know!
That’s a great photo of the J6.
Really impressive layout, btw. Looks completely convincing.
The yard lamp in the above photo reminds me strongly of the 1930s Bassett-Lowke lamps I was repairing a couple of weeks ago:
These were sold as ‘street lamps’, but having seen your picture I may use them differently. Thank you!
Really impressive layout, btw. Looks completely convincing.
The yard lamp in the above photo reminds me strongly of the 1930s Bassett-Lowke lamps I was repairing a couple of weeks ago:
These were sold as ‘street lamps’, but having seen your picture I may use them differently. Thank you!
dibateg
Western Thunderer
I've not had much time to work on the railway recently, but a working session with Geoff and Alisdair this week has seen scenic work in the area around the Park Lane bridge progress. Yard lamps ( with the Dan Randall bases! ) have been added but need weathering...
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timbowales
Western Thunderer
The GWR were dab hands at removing middle axles from 6-wheeled coaches, especially when downgrading them for use in the South Wales valleys.
Tim T