Life can be somewhat trying - I am still waiting to hear when I can get my eye fixed, which means the wiring on my 7mm project continues to be delayed but fortunately my 4mm project, Whatborough Yard, was already wired up and test running has happened. I still have the sector plate to manufacture and install but I can have a 'play' and do some shunting if the mood takes me. So the progress so far - I managed to source a back sheet which resembles the type of scene that reminds me of my old home county to a reasonable degree - not perfect, but as near as I am going to get 'off the shelf' - my thanks to Messrs Gaugemaster as a very satisfied customer. The scenic sheet is one of their newly improved items and IMHO excellent in both quality and value. I have persisted with some minor scenic work and established what will be the military sidings and am reasonably pleased with how it is going. This was done as an alternative to ballasting - much of which remains undone, but second only to wiring it is my least favourite job........! (Yes - I know all about procrastination
..) Anyway - here are a couple of pictures showing the military sidings in their present stage - the Webb 'Coal Tank' is returning the workman's train stock to Market Harborough, joining the LNW&GN joint line at Marefield junction (aka the sector board- or will be when it is installed
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Same subject - slightly different angle:-
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Just a passing thought I have had - whilst the use of 'Coal Tanks ' on local passenger trains is quite proper - they were very efficient on this type of working as every vehicle was braked, whilst on loose-coupled freight the little tanks struggled to stop the train at times - I would love a Webb 2-4-2T. These were not dissimilar to the L&Y 2-4-2T which already exists in 4mm, also from Bachmann. It has crossed my mind that some loco-bashing might be a prospect if one is not too pedantic about exact scale. I haven't really looked in to this and the whole idea may be well out of whack, but it is a thought........
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Trusting the above is not too boring and of some interest - I really must make constructing the sector plate my next job.........
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Cheers everyone,
Roger.
Glad to read that you are enjoying some modelling/operation again despite your procedure still being held in abeyance, Roger. I especially like your clever dodge regarding ballasting which looks quite effective. I’ve still to try my hand at ballasting, and despite being guided by my fellow Westerners in respect of method and suitable materials, I don’t relish the thought of the application
I share your interest in those fine Webb locos, Roger, one which started many years ago pre-Internet days in fact with my urge to build a model of the old Red Wharf Bay and Benllech branch line which has now been closed longer than it was open! I remember reading during my research that the first LNWR auto coach working took place on the branch, in the form of a 2-4-2T and former Lavatory coach (I think that’s the correct term), which had a drivers cab at the rear of the coach for when it ran back to its bay at Holland Arms. I’ve a black and white photo of it somewhere at Pentraeth station which was the terminus for a couple of years until it was extended to its final resting place in a field that was neither at Red Wharf nor Benllech!
Apologies for the delay in responding to your post btw. I saw it earlier, which then prompted me to hunt around for my own 2-4-2 Webb tank. It is a GEM white metal kit that I had built and painted in LNWR colours for me by a guy from a local model railway club circa 1985, having purchased it many years before for the project I’ve just mentioned. I couldn’t build kits at the time - still can’t - so in its box it remained with motor, gearbox and wheels waiting until I’d plucked up the courage to build it, which of course, like tomorrow, never arrived. The problem was, that having had the completed model delivered to me by the builder, it sat for a couple more years unused due to work commitments, me getting it out occasionally and admiring it. When I eventually came to run it, sadly it didn’t; or, more precisely, it did momentarily before the works seemed to jam up. From memory, I think it was a problem with the gearbox, and sadly disappointment meant that I never attempted to run it again
So, following a house move over 20 years ago now, it was placed with some other train paraphernalia in the loft where it remained; or so I thought, until I saw your post earlier and decided to climb into the loft to look for it with my wife steadying a dodgey set of old step ladders!
And what a rotten dirty task it was, having had a new roof fitted only a few weeks ago. I expected as much, but the muck was a sight to behold. Think I’ll have to have it industrially cleaned and some new loft insulation fitted which has been disturbed in parts.
Anyway, back to the Webb tank: it wasn’t where I thought it was, Roger, so after a clean up, I went outside to my modelling room and turned every box, container, ottoman and trunk upside down, but again my search was fruitless. Which means that I will have to brave a visit to my pit of a loft once more, and move umpteen plastic crates containing a litany of maths and science text books out of the way, as I’m certain that behind them there has to be another box or other containing my little Webb.
If I find it, Roger, you’re most welcome to have it. Perhaps with your replenished eyesight, you might be able to get it going (it’s OO gauge) or at least try and drop it onto that L&Y Bachmann chassis you were proposing. Anyway, if I find it, I’ll PM you and see how you feel about it, and don’t worry if you would rather decline. It would be warming, though, to think it could be of some use in whatever form at Whatborough.
Best wishes, Roger, and apologies for the rather long-winded post!
Jon