N / OO9 Two scales one gauge

Still working with the N-gauge theme for now.  A few wagons which appeared on the original Boghouses layout have been retrieved from the loft and placed on the Mk2 version. 

A couple of HAA coal hoppers remind us of the recent but now lost prosperity of the region when coal was moved from mine to power station daily. And an even older flat wagon has been abandoned with the cut lengths of rail. 

If ever there was a handy use for off-cuts of rail this is it. 

The first new arrivals of 2025 have been two canal vessels ℅ N-Gauge Models. 




I had attempted to build the Scalescenes kit of a 70’ x 7’ narrowboat but found the parts too small. I suspect it is a reduced-size OO kit. The basic structure is ok but the detail is not. It has been abandoned in favour of ready-made items. 

Speaking of being abandoned the launch has partially sunk. The crane-boat hopes it might clear the cut and re-open it for navigation. 

The items are coloured as supplied but with additional powder weathering (greens, rust, black and brown) added by myself. 

Has the state of that canal been reported to the British Waterways Board - it's a disgrace !!  Do i sense a cameo of volunteers clearing it up in the hope of reconnecting it to the National network of navigable canals - it would make a nice little scene ……………………………

Petermac said

Has the state of that canal been reported to the British Waterways Board - it's a disgrace !!  Do i sense a cameo of volunteers clearing it up in the hope of reconnecting it to the National network of navigable canals - it would make a nice little scene ……………………………

From “Post #290,841”, 4th January 2025, 4:03 pm

If it came under today’s Canals and Rivers Trust then a working party might well be formed to get the cut open. The BWB passed their responsibilities to the CRT in 2012.   They might have taken forever to do anything. 

The passenger unit is in East Midlands Trains livery dating the scene to between 2007 - 2019.  Flip your coin as to the body responsible for the canal. 

People will appear. I have to remember that each and every scale-specific item has to be swap-able when I change themes. So fixing N-scale folk to the canal path isn’t an option. But placing them on something which can itself be swapped out such as a piece of decking - certainly is. 

That partly sunken boat and the crane look really good. That's not to say the rest of it doesn't.  

Gota agree, boat looks great  



Ed

That's UK for you - you turn your back for a moment (24 years in my case) and they hand responsibilities over to a different organisation……………………………..

Petermac said

That's UK for you - you turn your back for a moment (24 years in my case) and they hand responsibilities over to a different organisation……………………………..

From “Post #290,849”, 5th January 2025, 12:24 pm

To a charity which has made significant progress in maintaining and restoring Britain’s waterway network. Many of the long-term closures which related to lock, tunnel or general cut condition from BWB days have been lifted. 

In other news it is the turn of the BR blue “gronk” to receive weathering.

I have had the red EW&S livery one since Boghouses Mk1 but despite searching every box in the loft and many other places I couldn’t find it. They are rather small but I needed one for the scene. As Mr Farish has recently released a blue one I invested. Non-repainted ones from those days can still be found at work. Very faded and begrimed. 

Of course no sooner had the blue one arrived than the red one turned up. In the box of paints!  How it got into there only some tricksy pixie knows!!!  

Certainly look dirty 



Ed

Still with obvious gaps in the scene but the station end is beginning to look like something out of the East Midlands of around 20-25 years ago. 

More motive power variety will be offered once Mr Farish has obliged. A class 56 “grid” for the freight and an “nodding donkey” class 142 for passengers. 

"nodding donkey" ? 

I too haven't heard of a 'nodding donkey' other than in oil well terms ……

The Gronk certainly looks dirty Rick but that's my concern - it looks 'ditty' not 'oily'……  Spent too much time shunting the china clay dries I think.  I'd have thought rather than white staining (and the rust), it would have been black oil stained and the oil would have prohibited the formation of rust, on the bodywork at least ………

Ed said

"nodding donkey" ? 

From “Post #290,902”, 7th January 2025, 11:32 am

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pacer_(British_Rail)

If you don't fancy reading a large amount of other material scroll straight down to the "Analysis" section …..

Meanwhile I too am not quite happy with the white on the "gronk" which I had hoped would fade the glossy blue appearance somewhat.  I can get that off easily as it's powder and perhaps try a wash of something instead.  Or just filthy it up with black and oil stains.  

I'm getting "Wikipedia does not have an article with this exact name." Rick, can't see Analysis

It's not just you Ed - same problem here …………………………

Ed said

I'm getting "Wikipedia does not have an article with this exact name." Rick, can't see Analysis

From “Post #290,923”, 7th January 2025, 5:58 pm

Try this
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pacer_(British_Rail)

Claus Ellef said

Ed said

I'm getting "Wikipedia does not have an article with this exact name." Rick, can't see Analysis

From “Post #290,923”, 7th January 2025, 5:58 pm

Try this
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pacer_(British_Rail)

From “Post #290,926”, 7th January 2025, 10:48 pm

That is the same link which I posted.  The article is there burt the link does not lead you to it.  It is a subdomain of British Rail Class 142 - Wikipedia where, if you click on "Pacer" in the first paragraph, you will get to the page I was looking at.  Here's a copy of the relevant text.  

Analysis

Unlike traditional DMUs, Pacers lack bogies, instead featuring a single axle fitted directly to the chassis at the end of each coach.
The Pacers have often been criticised as being of poor quality. Instead of the usual bogies, Pacers use a basic four-wheel two-axle configuration which often results in a ride which is noisier and less comfortable than other trains. The lack of articulation can result in a rough ride, especially over points, and a loud squealing noise around tight curves. The lack of bogies also results in a more basic suspension, which can result in a bumpier ride; this has given rise to the nickname "nodding donkeys" owing to the trains' up-and-down motion on uneven track. The basic bench seating can also be uncomfortable. The early units, especially the Class 141s, were also especially unreliable.

You are right. The same link taken from the subdomain. Weird!

Ah, so basically they were bumpy

(never been on one)

Ed

What do you expect from a stinky diesel - comfort ?