GWR/LMS OO Gauge DCC RR&Co

[user=2137]Briperran[/user] wrote:

A great post there John

Rule 1 is always heavily applied whenever i buy anything if i like it i buy it . My layout is for my enjoyment and im not claiming it to be a museum quality model although i suppose my layout look is around the 60s i have no problem running a Lord of the isles alongside a HST. I can of course set things up to be exactly right for place and time but i suppose my advantage there is i am not that knowledgeable about railway history so what i don't know doesn't matter.

Brian

Thanks for the comments Brian and Peter……I guess thats the charm of our hobby both in general and in particular the flexibility of Rule 1…..to each his own…just make sure you have fun

Best wishes

John

I love you philosophy John and one that, probably as a result of your subliminal messages on Granby, I now find myself leaning toward.

They say imitation is the sincerest form of flattery and I'm sorry, but I find myself being constantly drawn to Granby and it's "goings on".

Hitherto, as long as it ran on the LNER, or, at a pinch, close to Yorkshire but LMS, it would do for me.  Now I'm searching the web to find out what ran where and when.

The huge advantage of your latest post is that you've presented us with a fine set of photographs, not only of the locomotives in question but also of their magnificent setting.  Lovely as the locos are, the background can absorb one for some considerable time looking at every little detail or piece of rolling stock (incidentally, the yard crane rope needs some attention to keep it taught ………….. :roll: :lol:)

As Michael said, I think I'd have let the Terrier through the net but I do now find myself rejecting locos - in 1 instance, simply because it had the old BR crest rather than the later version.

Great photos and a great philosophy.   :thumbs

[user=6]Petermac[/user] wrote:

I love you philosophy John and one that, probably as a result of your subliminal messages on Granby, I now find myself leaning toward.

They say imitation is the sincerest form of flattery and I'm sorry, but I find myself being constantly drawn to Granby and it's "goings on".

Hitherto, as long as it ran on the LNER, or, at a pinch, close to Yorkshire but LMS, it would do for me.  Now I'm searching the web to find out what ran where and when.

The huge advantage of your latest post is that you've presented us with a fine set of photographs, not only of the locomotives in question but also of their magnificent setting.  Lovely as the locos are, the background can absorb one for some considerable time looking at every little detail or piece of rolling stock (incidentally, the yard crane rope needs some attention to keep it taught ………….. :roll: :lol:)

As Michael said, I think I'd have let the Terrier through the net but I do now find myself rejecting locos - in 1 instance, simply because it had the old BR crest rather than the later version.

Great photos and a great philosophy.   :thumbs

Hi Peter

So glad that you, and others, liked my last post. I had often thought of posting something on those lines but I was concerned that readers might not find it particularly interesting.

I am beginning to feel that my rationale for No Terriers on Granby is looking a bit thin……nevertheless I must resist temptation as I save up for less charismatic locos like Moguls!

I think you may have been applying correct livery requirements too rigidly though. Pre nationalisation livery changes were not activated overnight……the livery was changed when the loco went into the workshops for a major overhaul  ….may not have used the correct term…..but the new logos were not applied at local sheds.

On Granby you can see 4 different GWR logos.

Great Western.  1925(?) - 1934……….on 2 or 3 tired and very dirty workhorses

Shirtbutton.         1934-1942…………. 6 or 7 locos…….probably should be more but I dont care for the logo

GWR.                 1942-1947……………the rest, the vast majority,…….bar one

British Railways. 1948………….The temporary livery using GWR sans serif lettering until the early crest was designed

I doubt if anything changed in BR days……if Maxmill is based late fifties early sixties I would expect to see one or two LNER/LMS and the rest in both early and late crest ……proportion depending on which year.

I hope that loco you fancied is still available:lol:

Finally …mea culpa…..that dratted yard crane rope. I saw it and hoped I could get away with it……its a long reach across the board. I really need to sort it once and for all:oops::oops:  

Best wishes

John

John

I believe the first of the large Prairies are going to be delivered to shops in the next week or so the postman if you have one ordered will be bringing a smile to your face.

Brian

[user=2137]Briperran[/user] wrote:

John

I believe the first of the large Prairies are going to be delivered to shops in the next week or so the postman if you have one ordered will be bringing a smile to your face.

Brian

Unfortunately not yet……the batch about to be delivered are BR. The next batch due in July are Great Western. No word yet on the new date for my GWR order…..hopefully August?

They do say patience is a birtue!

Cheers

John

Time for something different:






 I guess you are all thinking……….


"Goodness……….he has finally finished the Hotel he started in January!"


Well…..not quite. The hotel remains a facade…..roofless, no sides and no back. However if you looked closely at the photo you may have noticed that there is a cross close to the bus


It started life as a kit of laser cut wood components from Ancorton Models which are easily assembled.





And now converted to granite with two bronze statues of WWI soldiers "resting on their arms reversed"
 





Quite pleased with the granite effect. Base coat of mid grey then three or four coats of different shades sparingly applied using really cheap acrylics….the ones that dry shiny…..bad for clothing but perfect for this. Finally, to create highlights, white paint just tinted with grey… stippled very lightly with a dry brush.




Less happy with the figure painting although the lighting has created unwanted highlights. I wanted
The figures have been painted with Vallejo Bronze and then washed in assorted tints. I wanted to replicate a memorial where the original bronze has, over time, become coated with verdigris and grime. Being picky, and I am about stuff like this, it not quite right…….but hopefully I can get away with it from 3'



 
The figures are, of course, from the Modelu range of WWI soldiers…….I do wish they would do the same for WWII

The detail is both exquisite and accurate…..correct pattern steel helmet crisply defined on back pack…..sword type bayonet in scabbard and perhaps the best ….the detailed short magazine Lee Enfield right down to the sling






In the centre of St Asaph's Square:




Quite apart from mill girls sunbathing on a nearby roof, the passengers' clothing suggests a spring/summer scene……..so why the wreaths? I think they are normally removed about 30 days after Armistice day and in any event there would be far more for a town the size of Granby. The smaller number suggest a regimental celebration.

The Royal Welch Fusiliers depot is (well, will be eventually) in Granby Castle………..their anniversary day is naturally March 1st …St Davids day… that might work. Alternatively they were awarded a number of Battle Honours from the Gallipoli Campaign……Anzac Day is April 25. I can probably weave a legend around that.




Back to the future……..this scene isnt completed yet.

St Asaph's Square is a busy traffic interchange and although the memorial can serve as a roundabout for now, in 1948, a policeman would have been on point duty.

Its another scene from my childhood in Great Crosby that I have always wanted to incorporate into Granby. My memory is that the "Bobby"  had white elbow length gloves or covers and stood on a small raised plinth. Another essential task I can spend hours researching!





Hope you enjoyed this trip down the by ways of my memory and imagination

Best wishes from Vancouver

John

edited spelling/clarity
Edited again to correct date of Anzac Day :oops:

Another great storyboard John - not to mention the convincing scene.  I like the idea of the regimental celebration. The memorial looks great and poignant too, your choice of figures is very sensitive. Is Granby going to get a castle, or is it already there?  That would be fun to make!
On the subject of the figures, bronze tends to go a dull brown before further colouration, like verdigris and grime.  When they are conserved, they are cleaned back to that dark  brown finish and then that is coated with a preservative…. like this, in London




Left to the elements they lose most of the bronze appearance.



Perhaps a slightly different base coat would give the desired effect?  

Sticking with figures, do you know Hardys Hobbies?  3D printed and of a similar standard to Modelu, although a little cheaper.   I have just ordered some so will be able to make a comparison.

Regards

Michael

[user=1512]Headmaster[/user] wrote:

Another great storyboard John - not to mention the convincing scene.  I like the idea of the regimental celebration. The memorial looks great and poignant too, your choice of figures is very sensitive. Is Granby going to get a castle, or is it already there?  That would be fun to make!
On the subject of the figures, bronze tends to go a dull brown before further colouration, like verdigris and grime.  When they are conserved, they are cleaned back to that dark  brown finish and then that is coated with a preservative…. like this, in London




Left to the elements they lose most of the bronze appearance.



Perhaps a slightly different base coat would give the desired effect?  

Sticking with figures, do you know Hardys Hobbies?  3D printed and of a similar standard to Modelu, although a little cheaper.   I have just ordered some so will be able to make a comparison.

Regards

Michael

Hi Michael

That was a swift reply…..glad you liked the setting.

There will be a castle eventually to disguise the pillar (usually cropped) that separates the two windows…..I have to do some practising with the Scalescene folly…….but the hotel comes first.

Your second photo is exactly the look that I wanted….I dont think they were into cleaning statues in 1948. I fear I am stuck with this unless I wash everything off and start again…..some of the detail is getting obscured already.

Do let me know how you get on with Hardys figures….I have been looking at them

Best wishes

John

I love it !!!

Love the scene, love the storyline, love the memorial !!!

I had to do a double take when you posted the shot of the memorial John - I thought you'd photoshopped a real one into your square …………………

Speaking of which - why St. Asaph's Square - was there one in Great Crosby ?

Your memory of the policeman on point duty is exactly as I remember - I'm pretty sure they stood on a small, portable  wooden pill-box contraption, about the size of their feet and only around 6" high which they stored in a nearby police box when not in use. As traffice built up, you'd see a watching "Bobby" open the police box and carry his "podium" to the centre of the junction and start directing the traffic.  They wore white elbow length sleeve coverings.  As the traffic density died down again, he'd pick up his podium and return it to the police box and continue on his beat.

That was in the days when a Policeman was your friend and not simply looking for something to prosecute you for ……………….

Can't wait to see how it develops and wow - a castle !!! 

Wow, another castle at Granby John, at least you shouldn't need a decoder!

I like the monument and it looks good with the two Tommies in such a respectful pose and is also different from many others.

Also good to see that you found good use for those cheap shiny paints we all seem to have!

Best,

Bill

[user=6]Petermac[/user] wrote:

I love it !!!

Love the scene, love the storyline, love the memorial !!!

I had to do a double take when you posted the shot of the memorial John - I thought you'd photoshopped a real one into your square …………………

Speaking of which - why St. Asaph's Square - was there one in Great Crosby ?

Your memory of the policeman on point duty is exactly as I remember - I'm pretty sure they stood on a small, portable  wooden pill-box contraption, about the size of their feet and only around 6" high which they stored in a nearby police box when not in use. As traffice built up, you'd see a watching "Bobby" open the police box and carry his "podium" to the centre of the junction and start directing the traffic.  They wore white elbow length sleeve coverings.  As the traffic density died down again, he'd pick up his podium and return it to the plice box and continue on his beat.

That was in the days when a Policeman was your friend and not simply looking for something to prosecute you for ……………….

Can't wait to see how it develops and wow - a castle !!! 

Hi Peter

Glad you liked it.

I had to call the square something (its actually a triangle) and Station Square sounded rather banal. St Asaph is in Denbighshire.. so close to Wrexham/Granby. I had assumed it was an ancient city but when I did my due diligence ( I am a bit sensitive after getting Anzac day wrong:oops:) I found that it was only granted city status in 2012 despite having a city for centuries.

Thanks for the hints about the police plinth I couldnt remember the one in Crosby…..they had one in Lord Street Southport but that was too elaborate for Granby.

I do agree with you about the change in the general public’s perception of the police. I deliberately used the term “Bobby” as a reminder of the days when the police had affectionate nick names

Good luck with the pool cover

Stay safe

John

[user=1814]Longchap[/user] wrote:

Wow, another castle at Granby John, at least you shouldn't need a decoder!

I like the monument and it looks good with the two Tommies in such a respectful pose and is also different from many others.

Also good to see that you found good use for those cheap shiny paints we all seem to have!

Best,

Bill

I suppose I could get some plates engraved but that might attract too much comment elsewhere :lol:


The castle is some way off……maybe I will make a start this winter but In addition to the Hotel I still have the brewery at the other end of the room to finish.


I guess I spend too much time running trains!


Cheers


John

As others have said, love the detail and the figures to me give just the right tone to what is a somber reminder of past events. All I can ask is that maybe for just the odd project you do a bit more detailing of the process, including pictures during the build, so that those of us who are novices when it comes to scenics can maybe learn even more. Obviously so long as that doesn't detract from your enjoyment.

Can you really spend too much time running trains? I find I get so easily distracted doing other stuff than actually running trains. Note to self - must try harder.

[user=1886]DaveH_Murcia[/user] wrote:

As others have said, love the detail and the figures to me give just the right tone to what is a somber reminder of past events. All I can ask is that maybe for just the odd project you do a bit more detailing of the process, including pictures during the build, so that those of us who are novices when it comes to scenics can maybe learn even more. Obviously so long as that doesn't detract from your enjoyment.

Can you really spend too much time running trains? I find I get so easily distracted doing other stuff than actually running trains. Note to self - must try harder.

Thanks Dave

I did intend to write about the build and actually took some shots and then inadvertently nuked them. Normally I start off with the best intentions and then omit photographing a crucial stage…….I will try and be more organised next time

When I get involved with a big Scalescenes project, despite my best intentions, operating does get neglected. Then, to my irritation, I find I have dirty track and cant remember some of the sequences!:twisted:

Cheers

[user=6]Petermac[/user] wrote:

I love it !!!

Love the scene, love the storyline, love the memorial !!!

I had to do a double take when you posted the shot of the memorial John - I thought you'd photoshopped a real one into your square …………………

Speaking of which - why St. Asaph's Square - was there one in Great Crosby ?

Your memory of the policeman on point duty is exactly as I remember - I'm pretty sure they stood on a small, portable  wooden pill-box contraption, about the size of their feet and only around 6" high which they stored in a nearby police box when not in use. As traffice built up, you'd see a watching "Bobby" open the police box and carry his "podium" to the centre of the junction and start directing the traffic.  They wore white elbow length sleeve coverings.  As the traffic density died down again, he'd pick up his podium and return it to the police box and continue on his beat.

That was in the days when a Policeman was your friend and not simply looking for something to prosecute you for ……………….

Can't wait to see how it develops and wow - a castle !!! 

I apologise for the length of the following…


I remember to this day my first point duty in Bitterne, Southhampton, fresh out of training school. I was taken to the 'Fiveways' junction close to the nick by a six foot three ex R.M. [Noddy Holder] immediately prior to the morning rush hour, he carrying a white plastic coat, and white gauntlets with 9" high cuffs.

We stood watching the traffic for a while, and he said 'What ever happens, do not stop an HGV as it crests the hill from the docks at the crossing.The road's damp, if it stops he'll likely slide backwards or sideways as he pulls away or might not even manage to pull away, you'll have to clear 30 ft behind him and set him off from opposite the Chinese restaurant….'  and  '…remember to get a 'right turner' right up to yourself to protect you from dozy B——-s…

Finally, as traffic started to slow down and snarl up, vehicles stuck in the yellow hatchings etc., he went to the box at the side of the road and with a key on a lanyard turned off the traffic lights. He ominously gave me the key.
Stepping out into the road, whilst donning the white coat,[which reached nearly to his ankles], put on the gauntlets and went to the centre of the road junction and with an air of majesty started to get the traffic moving.
He'd bring a couple of cars right up to his toes, [at 6ft-3" he had no trouble showing above them] and with an imperious wave and gesture, seemed totally in control as he choreographed the 'Dance of the Motors'.

A big Seddon 3-axle rigid laden with crates ground up the hill, spewing black smoke, moving at about 10mph. Majesterially he brought a couple of cars up in front of him, stopped everything else and the Seddon [I remember to this day, it was sign-written 'Golightly Tansport'] crested the hill, grabbed another half gear and chugged on.
To my horror, he waved the two 'right turners' away and grandly pointed to all five roads, emphasisng a 'STOP' gesture to all. Then he turned, marched towards me, took off the coat, offered it around my shoulders, helped me don the gloves and pushed me none too gently into the road.."But, but…I thought I was only observing today…"

A Royal Marine epithet assured me that this was not to be as he made off, presumably for the canteen.

After a short while of trying to herd cats, things were going pretty well when I saw a huge HGV coming up the hill!

I partly cleared the side roads,halted them all,  encouraged the vehicles preceding the wagon and prepared to bring it on. Suddenly, a green Morris Traveller with a woman driver and a male passenger in a flat cap pulled from one of the side roads, and with no indication, stopped in the middle of the lane that the lorry was travelling in.

I pointed [I hoped 'imperiously'] and beckoned her on. I mouthed 'Come on, come on… No response, save that of a road map being unfolded against the windscreen. The map was lowered,the woman looked at me… I again mouthed 'Come on! Oh for f—s sake come on…'. No response. Up went the map. down went the map… 'Oh for f—s sake come on you dozy f—–g old cow, come on…!

By now I could hear the lorry, I could smell the exhaust as it blew up hill to the crossing. Now, out loud I shouted 'Come on you dozy old cow or we'll all be f—-d…'

The Traveller shot forward, stopped an inch from my toes and the drivers door opened. Out got the biggest, most frightening woman I had ever seen, in a tweed suit and matching hat. She came right up to me and shouted right in my face in a strange distorted voice….

"I am profundly deaf, but I can lip-read, I want your number….where is your police station?"

The wagon passed, she moved off, unluckily past Bitterne Police Station, shaking her fist. Two hours later I recieved the first of several 'Operational Advice' interviews I was to suffer in my 18 years service. The Acting Super could barely keep a straight face, but I suppose it's still on my papers somewhere.

I had several other 'training' duties with Noddy, featuring hand grenades, nearly poking out a 'lady's eye and knocking out the Station Superintendant.

Happy days….

D

Hahahaha…. a great story and well worth being immortalised in miniature!
Michael

Thank you so much for posting that story Doug……..it was absolutely hilarious and certainly brightened up morning coffee at Chateau Dew.
Your descriptive writing skills are so good I was able to immediately visualise every detail of the dragon lady’s appearance.

Thank you for reminding me of “gauntlet”. I was struggling to remember the correct term. Now you mention it I think the guy on point duty in Southport used to wear a white coat……I think I will have to stick with gauntlets…..it took me a long time to get a model of a policeman directing traffic with a full button up tunic ( no collar and tie)

I hope it will not be too long before we hear more of the trials and tribulations of P.C. Dickson

Best wishes

John

Thats bizarre ….another reply vanished. I distinctly remember replying to Michael's post. I think it only happens when I use the Ipad……..I will have to check carefully every time I post.

Anyway my apologies Michael. Thank you for the nice comments. The photograph you posted was exactly the look I was trying to create.   .  I guess I could try and wash everything off and start again but for now we will just have to imagine that the memorial was polished up prior to the Gallipoli Day parade by a squad of defaulters from the barracks. They made a particularly good job of it because they were supervised and motivated by Provost Sergeant "Bomber" Jones  …..Western Command Light Heavyweight Boxing Champion 1946.   

As you may have guessed I try and post about Granby each week. Sadly, despite being in the Train Room most days last week, I dont have a lot to show you..

I spent most of the week perfecting (…. well trying to perfect!) the LMS 4 car routine with two tanks and my new acquisition the Ivatt 2-6-0 Class 2 MT  that I wrote about recently. When it works its brilliant but with three locos and two turntables all in action at the same time there are lots of opportunities for foul ups. Having got most of the Kadee problems sorted,one of the elderly split chassis tanks started playing up (plastic axles?). Locos have to be totally predictable for these routines to work so I will have to strip the loco right down or alternatively substitute another loco………..eventually there will be a video I promise.

With the news that the much delayed Hornby large prairies were finally due to arrive in June I ordered engraved plates for the two I have on on pre-order. Kiss of death of course ……still no news of the GWR livery. The plates, on the other hand, arrived in record time. Great service from Fox.
 
In addition to the Prairie plates I ordered a replacement set for one of my Halls. Over the last few years when renumbering/renaming locos I always go for a loco that was shedded in the North West in 1947…….ideally Croes Newyd or Chester. Bachmann's 4936 Kinlet Hall was shedded in Penzance in 1947 so I renamed it 6941 Fillongley Hall which was at Chester shed in '47.

Not a great choice…..I later found out that the later numbered Halls had a number of improvements including a tunnel for fire irons  which the Kinlet does not have. Its not really a big deal and certainly not that obvious but it just niggled away and irritated me. So when one of the new 6941 plates fell off and disappeared into infinity, I seized my opportunity and KInlet has now become 4976 Warfield Hall also at Chester in '47 . Please dont ask why I didnt choose this the first time……and yes I would only have had to change one digit on the buffer beam. 
.
In other news I understand that some might argue there is another Hall I should have renamed:






Nobody has got too excited in Vancouver so I think I will leave it for now. :lol:



Best wishes

John

Your attention to detail is amazing John - I can hardly see the numbers on my locos although this post did make me do a little interesting research.

If one is prepared to dig a little, there's far more to interest the railway modeller than simply laying track ……………..

Am I right in thinking your comment about renumbering Colston Hall is because she wasn't at Chester in 1947 - or am I barking up the wrong tree totally ……………..?

Where are those shots taken on Granby - i.e. what is the rather nice looking stone walling in the background ?

I think I need to settle on a shed for Maxmill having read this ………………………..