GWR/LMS OO Gauge DCC RR&Co

Now that’s a lovely little gem of an item John, a treasure in fact, resplendent in fresh corporate colours and sure to be well looked after, under the vigilant supervision of Mr Longshank, an oily rag never far away when needed.

The boiler reminded me of my PM days in works environments where whole sites would be encircled with underground steam ducts, now just a useful memory for older modellers.

I particularly like how you’ve sited it. It feels right and easy to service and keeps some of the inevitable workshop mess outside and it can be seen of course! The touch of ash just beginning to establish itself in front of the smokebox door is subtly done.  

Thank you very much for posting this happy reminder of the warm association this hobby generates no matter where we may all be in the world.

I too, have numerous little treasures lurking for when they might make an appropriate appearance, which just goes to prolong the idea that railways are never finished, but evolving.

Best,

Bill

Certainly not getting 'fed up' with the pictures John, keep 'em coming  :thumbs



Ed

Wow…..I wasnt expecting that sort of response.

The boiler is very close to the baseboard edging. Perfect for visitors to look at because its outside the duck under but not at all easy to photo.

In fact I was bit disappointed with the photos hence my delight at your replies…….thank you so much.

I thought the boiler might appeal to you Bill…….I should have placed a guy with an oily rag……..I have a few of them polishing a County.

Thanks again guys

John.

We never tire of your modelling John.  I have to agree that BW photo looks absolutely stunning, and once again, beautiful details.  You go way beyond "cameo scenes", you create a real working world.  Keep them coming!

Regards
Michael

Hi John,
I was browsing through some books last night and when I put Kevin Robertson’s 2015 Great Western Aspects, Imagery and Information (ISBN 978-1-909328-30-3) face down on the table, saw the following unexpected image:



The description reads, ‘Old locomotive boilers in use as a stationary steam supply – possibly at Wolverhampton . . . Normally only one boiler would be provided so to have two this would be the hallmark of a major depot’. Hmm, maybe Granby needs some more! The copy further advises that they would likely been installed when the shed was built to provide a steam supply for cleaning boiler tubes, etc. Usually the most junior fireman available would be tasked with firing, which when steam was required in volume could almost be as demanding as anything he would likely face on a later main-line career. Note the design differences, the older type replete with riveted ring and bezel to the door.

Good to see a confirmed GWR version of this little modelled corner of shed life and that Bill Longshank still has the ability to give young fireman more valuable experience! Now, which old loco do I chop the front off and glue a biro tube to the top of its chimney? 

Best,

Bill

What a great photo………thank you so much for posting it.

A guy on RMweb directed me to a site specialising in static boilers……they were far more common on sheds than I had appreciated……..but your shot is undoubtedly the best. Its good to know that my best guess as to how they were used turned out to be almost spot on!

I look forward to seeing at least one on your new layout Bill

Best wishes

John

The LMS shed is now back in place

The GWR half roundhouse was technically much more challenging to  build and certainly dominates the shed area but for whatever reason I  get an equal if not greater amount of pleasure from this modified  Metcalfe kit .

It maybe because it was such a great exercise in collaboration over the net. In particular,I remember I got a huge amount of help from Derek (Shunter 1)…… who I now realise I havent heard from for ages…….anyone else any news?. Super chap, absolute mine of information on the LNWR……..he sent me neat hand drawn sketches of how I was to build the ventilators and lots of advice on paint colours etc     .


.

The full build is described on page 46……December 2013……how time flies.

The site has changed a bit. With the new turntable, LMS locos gained a third siding but one of the three carriage sidings had to be curtailed ……..not a bad result because the space in front of the offices/stores was previously rather cramped




The tunnel exit enables the low level auto coach to access Canal St halt……….and in the real world explains the level problems I had with the sheds……..genuine mining subsidence…..how realistic can one get? :lol:














No fancy Mess Hall for the LMS crew…..just .a converted coach shoehorned into a narrow space by the turntable 










Just a few bits and pieces to do then a final wrap up and its time to start thinking about a video

Regards from a cold crisp Vancouver

Well done again John ,wonderfull  job.As good a modelling as you will find anywhere. :thumbs

Thats very kind of you Reg although I rather think that you flatter me!
Best wishes

John

Super photos again John, but you don't fool us!  You must stop posting photos of real scenes!

Lovely modelling which really does inspire.

Michael

Thank you Michael …..thats a quite charming compliment.
I am afraid most of my photos still contain hints of the real world whether it be a sailboat half model or, depending on the angle, a rusting wheelbarrow. I am still struggling with the techniques involved in eliminating/replacing unwanted backgrounds.I kind of understand the theory…just struggle to put it into practice.

So comments like yours are always much appreciated

Best wishes

John

One last little cameo before I wrap up this long running saga

In addition to a bunch of fitters, the Gem Shed pack also came with a number of cleaners in various "action" poses




Previously they were scattered around the shed "cleaning" a number of different locos. Fine in theory but not so good in practice………when a loco moved off the shed it left a cleaner still clutching his polishing rag leaning precariously into thin air ……the guy perched on the boiler had a bit of a scary ride on the turntable when I inevitably forgot to remove him. :roll:

At one stage I wasnt going to bother but finally decided to sacrifice one of the new roads for this static display……the road is wired up and could be used in the future, but right now County of Chester aint going anywhere………decoder long since removed and redeployed



Not sure how much labour would have been available for this sort of cleaning in 1948………I thought it might look moderately credible with Hawksworth's brand new County Class……..as a last resort I could add 4 head lamps and create an impending Royal Visit to North Wales




So thats it…….all done




Now I just have to repair and replace the station roof……….the whole area got pretty devastated during the turntable installation…..most of the station passengers got flattened and need repositioning.

Regards from a very wet Vancouver………well its wet here at 600' on the North Shore Mountains but snowing heavily at 950'

Well John, at least you didn't waste the effort on sprucing up the 'other' locos co-inhabiting Granby and the cameo looks quite the part in all the GW bustle. 

I eventually hope to emulate just some of the liveliness and colour created in your shed environment and you continue to give much inspiration. 

Many thanks and keep enjoying what you do so well.

Best,

Bill

Once again John, a beautifully crafted scene.  I don't think you have sacrificed a line there at all - it looks a fantastic scene and actually adds to bringing everything to life

I just love your scenes - keep them coming!

Michael

Very nicely done John all these cameos are certainly bringing the layout to life.


Brian

Hi John

If we had a 'like' button I'd hit it, but we haven't so  :thumbs


Ed

Very nice John  ;-)

Hi Guys

Thank you all for those nice comments. It is so encouraging to know that the time spent in taking and editing the photos is appreciated… :thumbs


Longchap wrote:

Well  John, at least you didn't waste the effort on sprucing up the 'other'  locos co-inhabiting Granby and the cameo looks quite the part in all the  GW bustle. 

Thanks Bill……in fact "sprucing up locos" is quite the opposite of what I normally do. I am slowly but steadily weathering the entire loco fleet. Virtually all the GWR workhorses now look as they would have done in 1948……I still have a number of LMS locos to do and I am dithering a bit with the bigger 4-6-0s (Castles, Star and a working County). I am still not really comfortable with applying the appropriate light weathering. "Courage mon brave"  I hear you say……..and you would be right…….I really need to get the job done in the new year…….leaving just County of Chester in a pristine state.

Regards to all

John

I know what you mean John, with those big tender locos! My Hornby Castle arrived last week and I cannot imagine bringing myself to cover up too much of its glory, but as it's in 1920s mainline passenger livery, I guess the company kept them rather better turned out than the heavy freights.

However, I'm enrolled at one of Pendon's weathering with an airbrush courses early next year, so that sharp intake of breath should be much easier to take with an expensive 4-6-0 in the spray booth!

A question for you: how can you tell if a (Hornby?) County 4-4-0 is a tender or loco drive version? All seem to have the same huge coal load.

Cool runnings,

Bill