This months picture…
Drummond M7 0-4-4t passes my Grandfather in model form leaning on his ballast fork during a break, when he was a ganger for the Southern Railway based at Salisbury. The M7 is South Eastern Finecast white metal kit.
Posts Tagged ‘Southern Railway’
Picture of the Month – November 2020
Posted in Fisherton Sarum, Picture of the Month, tagged Chris Nevard, Drummond M7, Fisherton Sarum, ganger, Hornby Magazine, Southern, Southern Railway on November 1, 2020| 1 Comment »
New exclusive LSWR Type 3a ‘Petersfield’ Scenecraft Signal Box in 00 available now from Kernow Model Rail Centre
Posted in Kernow Models, Model News, tagged Bachmann, Bachmann Scenecraft, kernow model centre, Kernow Model Rail Centre, Kernow Models, London & South Western Railway, lswr, LSWR Type 3a Signal Box, Petersfield, Southern, Southern Railway, Southern Region on October 30, 2020| 7 Comments »
The Kernow Model Rail Centre has today announced the release of exclusive commission from Bachmann Scenecraft in 00 of the ex London South Western Railway (LSWR) Type 3a, Grade two listed, signal box at Petersfield.
Petersfield Signal Box
A rear view of the Petersfield box
Setting the scene for the Petersfield signal box
The Petersfield type 3a signal box was built c1885 and is located on the Portsmouth Direct Line between Havent and Guildford (where of course the 2nd Kernow Model Rail Centre store opened in 2019).
Petersfield station was opened by the Portsmouth Railway in 1859, it was leased by the London & South Western Railway, who bought it outright in 1861. The station was extended and enlarged in 1864 to accommodate the traffic from the new Petersfield Railway to Midhurst.
The box is unique as it combines features of both ex LSWR type 2 and type 3 designs. It protects the Station Road level-crossing and it formerly controlled the junction of the Midhurst branch that was closed 1955. Although the closure of the goods yards occurred during the 1970s, the volume of passenger traffic and the need to guard the busy level-crossing has ensured that the signal box has remained in operation. It still contains a ten-lever Stevens (Railway Signalling Co.) frame and locking rack (c1880), together with a circuit diagram, blockshelf and block instruments.
Chris Trerise, Managing Director said: “The Petersfield signal box was a logical choice for us to commission due to its unique style and its location on the Portsmouth Direct Line local to our Guildford store” Chris continued: “We are pleased that our Guildford store has been able to remain fully open to our customers since the Covid-19 lockdown.”
The exclusive to Kernow Model Rail Centre 44-074X Bachmann Scenecraft LSWR Signal Box – Petersfield costs £79.99
This latest addition to compliments the LSWR Type 4 signal box “Bude” and also the LSWR Ground frame hut already exclusively available from the Kernow Model Rail Centre.
Workbench Witterings #9 Refreshing the E2, no mention of Thomas…dam… in
Posted in Canute Road Quay, Workbench Witterings, tagged Billington, E2 Class, Hornby, LBSC, London Brighton and South Coast Railway, Southampton Docks, Southern, Southern Railway, Southern Region on October 17, 2020| 6 Comments »
The first five members of the London Brighton and South Coast Railway (LBSC) E2 class 0-6-0 tanks were introduced by L Billinton in June 1913. In service they were found to be powerful but slightly lacking in water and therefore a further batch of 5 were ordered, although delayed by the war, and built between June 1915 and October 1916 with extended side tanks, These extended tanks increased water capacity from 1,090 to 1,256 gallons.
They were used on shunting and short distance goods trips, their small capacity coal bunkers made them unsuitable for longer trips. They were also used on empty stock workings at Victoria and London Bridge.
E2 No. 2104 shunts at the Quay
Work in progress front 3/4 view
Work in Progress rear 3/4 view
The bulk of the E2 can be seen in comparison with the B4 class. The body is yet to be lowered on the chassis slightly.
The later style chassis with added guard irons and sandboxes. The front fixing lugs are yet to be filed smaller to lower the body (The rear lug is likewise reduced)
The front 3/4 view RH side
the RH Side 3/4 view, she awaits some weathering now
Further shunting at the Quay
Following the onset of electrification a number were used as shunters at Southampton Docks and despite their 16ft wheelbase restricting their use in some areas of the docks they stayed working the docks until 1962 when the Class 07 diesels arrived.
Withdrawal of took place between 1961 and 1963.
The Hornby model of the E2 0-6-0 first appeared in 1979 and following 4 versions, LBSC Umber (2 versions) , SR lined Black and SR olive green, production ceased in 1984. After which the tooling was altered used for the production of some other blue model… dam I wasn’t going to mention that…
Many years ago in my yoof I simply repainted into SR ‘Sunshine’ black, now with Canute Road Quay being an ideal setting for an E2 I decided to dig the E2 out again and give her a quick win makeover, so finescale modellers look away now…
The original chassis was the standard at the time Hornby generic 0-6-0 X04 motor fitted chassis. As this is a quick win project I have decided to not at this stage built a new chassis but simply swap it for the later style of Hornby 0-6-0 generic chassis with its closed frames and smaller motor and slightly greater level of detail. This later chassis is a direct replacement and also gives better running.
To this chassis I have added front sandboxes, made from plastic rectangular section and filed to shape with wire sand pipes, and added front and rear guard irons from plasticard.
The body itself generally matches the correct dimensions for the E2 which was certainly one of the larger 0-6-0 tanks. I have added new brass buffers, pipework, clack valves and lamp irons from various bits and bobs kicking around from the spares / scrap box.
In keeping with the Brighton Style, dating from when the water in the tanks was pre heated, the tank sides were clad and the fixing bolts for the cladding were a visible feature and the E2 was no different. To represent these visible fixings I drilled then glued in 0.45mm wire before cutting the wire almost flush with the tankside.
Just underneath the running plate I have added the long horizontal air tanks on each side, made from plastic rod and some of the piping from brass wire.
The E2 is a large tank when compared to other tanks such as the B4 class, however the body as new does sit slightly too high on the chassis, and this is simply remedied by filing the underside of the front two fixing lugs and also the underside of the single rear sprung lug.
After a dusting with primer from a Halfords aerosol can she received a coat of Halfords Satin Black again from a rattle can before the smokebox and cab roof were brush painted matt black and the bufferbeam of course in red. Her identity as 2104 was added using HMRS Pressfix transfers to complete the look.
I admit she would benefit from a proper finescale chassis, but as a quick win project I think it fits the bill and will extend the life of the Hornby model seeing occasional use on canute Road Quay. A nice 3D print of the E2 with the extended tanks is available and so this might form the basis of a future project…
35011 General Steam Navigation boiler lifted for the first time 61 years – a major milestone reached in the restoration project.
Posted in 35011, tagged 35011, Bulleid, Bulleid Merchant Navy Pacifics, General Steam Navigation, original Merchant Navy, Southern, Southern Railway, Southern Region on October 3, 2020| Leave a Comment »
On Friday 2nd October 2020, the boiler of Ex-SR Bulleid Merchant Navy Class, 35011 “General Steam Navigation” was successfully lifted from its frames for the first time since 1959. The boiler was built by North British in Glasgow in January 1941 and has been attached for a total of 61 years since its last overhaul in July 1959.
The boiler of 35011 is lifted from the frames for the first time since 1959
The frames are lifted to allow the trailing truck to be removed
The old smokebox is removed
The aim of the General Steam Navigation locomotive Restoration Society is to restore the Merchant Navy locomotive 21c11 / 35011 to her original as built condition complete with air smooth casing and Bulleids unique chain driven valve gear.
The trailing truck was also removed from the frames, utilising the crane on site as this will soon be moving off site to be fully restored.
The smokebox, that would have been unusable if we were restoring to as rebuilt condition, was also removed. A new smokebox to the original design will be fabricated in due course.
As a trustee and Director of the project it is an exciting time for the project and it allows us to concentrate on the restoration of the chassis which on its own is a big project and will take several years to complete.
We are in the early stages in the process of the manufacture of a new centre crank axle (she had the crank axle swapped for a plain axle just after withdrawal) and also the middle cylinder will need to be replaced to return her back to Bulleid’s original condition.
With work on 35011 now being directed to the restoration of the chassis and further fund-raising campaigns will be launched in due course. The first of which is the wheelset tyre profiling fund here
We have been made very welcome by our friends at the Swindon and Cricklade Railway and I am very pleased to be able to advise that following the forced closure of the line due to COVID-19 it is re-opening to passenger services this Sunday 4th October.
Picture of the Month – October 2020
Posted in Canute Road Quay, Exhibitions, Picture of the Month, tagged Adams B4, Beckenham and West Wickham MRC, Canute Road Quay, Chris Nevard, Fisherton Sarum, London & South Western Railway, lswr, Model Rail Magazine, Southern, Southern Railway on October 1, 2020| 2 Comments »
This months picture…
Adams B4 0-4-0t No.100 rest at Canute Road Quay, she is built from a white metal kitMaking Quay Changes #5 the Class 07 diesels take over at the Docks
Posted in Canute Road Quay, Making Quay Changes, tagged Canute Road Quay, Class 07, Heljan, Southampton Docks, Southern Railway, Southern Region, USA 0-6-0 Tanks on September 18, 2020| 4 Comments »
This is the fifth in the series of ‘Making Quay Changes’ posts with the Canute Road Quay being transported to either a different location or era or both. In this post we are firmly in the Southampton Docks but after 1962 when the Class 07 diesels were specifically introduced to modernise the operations in the docks.
A pair of Heljan Class 07 models meet at Canute Road Quay
Class 07 D2985 arrives at the quay
D2988 is from the second Heljan production batch
Passing Class 07s at Canute Road quay
A busy moment in time at Canute Road Quay
D2985 arrives on the quay and passes D2988 awaiting to depart
D2985 arrives at the quay
Although my usual modelling genre, as regular readers will know, is the
Southern Railway between 1946 and 1949, however due to Canute Road Quay has very few visual references to either period or location (yes there are a couple, but hey…) items such as the vehicles and other details such as crates, sack stacks and oil drums etc. are loose, so it enables them to be both be moved around, to give some variety in photographs, and or replaced with other items to different periods.
The USA 0-6-0 tanks had been in service within Southampton Docks since 1946, Due to the various tight curves within Southampton Docks utilising existing Diesel shunters such as the EE 350HP, later 09 class was not going to be an option. Therefore in 1962 Fourteen 0-6-0 diesel-electric shunting 275HP locomotives specifically for use in Southampton Docks were purchased by British Railways from Ruston Paxman. They had a wheelbase of only 8 ft 7½ in, compared with 11 ft 6 in for an 08. With their high well glazed cab offset between long and short bonnets they certainly had their own distinctive character.
The Heljan models, as per my review here, have captured the look of the prototype well. The feature a multi part injection moulded body with fine etched front and rear nose grills on a heavy diecast chassis. Separately fitted items include: metal handrails, sprung buffers, windscreen wipers, pipework, roof mounted air horns and factory fitted screw link couplings. Underneath the body the chassis features the correct air cylinders, sand boxes, sand pipes, other pipework and brake gear. Also fitted is a working lubricator linkage on the left hand side (when viewed long bonnet forward. Included with the model are discs, including those with duty numbers, as used within Southampton Docks.
When paired with the suitable later era rolling stock, that I have now collected and weathered, the Heljan Class 07s certainly look the part and with their smooth running make shunting at Canute Road Quay easy and a refreshing change from my usual period.
I hope you enjoy this post, the next ‘Making Quay Changes’ post with Canute Road Quay may or may not be set in its usual location, so once again, where and what era will it be…?
Picture of the Month – September 2020
Posted in Canute Road Quay, Picture of the Month, tagged Canute Road Quay, Hornby Magazine, Mike Wild, Southern, Southern Railway, USA 0-6-0 Tanks on September 1, 2020| 1 Comment »
Kernow Model Rail Centre receive first Engineering Sample of the ex LSWR / SR Diagram 1541 10t Road Van
Posted in Kernow Models, Model News, tagged diagram 1541, ex LSWR Road van Diagram 1541, kernow model centre, Kernow Model Rail Centre, Kernow Models, London & South Western Railway, lswr, Southern, Southern Railway, Southern Region on August 28, 2020| 8 Comments »
The Kernow Model Rail Centre have received the first Engineering Prototype (EP) from the tooling for the much-anticipated ex LSWR / SR Diagram 1541 10T Road Van. First introduced by the London & South Western Railway (LSWR) in 1884 they were later classed as Southern Railway Diagram 1541. Almost 500 of these were built between then and 1905 making them the most numerous LSWR Goods Brake Van. Brake Vans with side doors through which parcels or other goods could be loaded were known as road vans.
The CADs, based on a laser scan of the preserved example at the Isle of Wight steam railway, were approved for tooling earlier this year.
KMRC advised: “The first Engineering Prototype samples have been carefully evaluated and we are very pleased with how the EP has turned out. We are currently discussing directly with the factory a very small number of slight modifications before the next stage of livery samples can be produced. The production of the livery artwork is in progress.”
The pictures show the high level of detail and multitude of separately fitted parts including: flush glazing, hand rails, brake gear with pull rodding, step boards and lamp irons to accurately portray a number of different versions of the prototype.
These options include alternative buffer shanks with a ribbed option as fitted to preserved No. 56046 on the Isle of Wight steam railway and either straight or cranked step board supports, the latter as fitted to the majority of those transferred in 1925 to the Isle of Wight.
In light of further research, a small number of the available versions have been changed with corrected running numbers and liveries as BR Bauxite would not be appropriate for the available options of this road van.
Details of the ten versions can be found on the Kernow Model Rail Centre website here
Anyone wishing to amend their pre-order due to these changes can contact the Kernow Model Rail Centre either through the website or via telephone.
Note: the images show a version with a mix of the potential options and does not necessarily show an actual available version.
I hope that you will agree it is looking great.
Workbench Witterings #8 Taking a ‘brake’ from wagons rolling of the workbench
Posted in Canute Road Quay, Fisherton Sarum, Workbench, Workbench Witterings, tagged Cambrian Models kits, Canute Road Quay, Diagram 1316, Diagram 1410, Diagram 1426, H&A Models, Hornby, London & South Western Railway, lswr, SECR, South Eastern and Chatham Railway, Southern, Southern Railway, Southern Region on August 11, 2020| 8 Comments »
As I advised in my recent Covid, exhibitions, mental health and life changes post, in an attempt to restore my modelling mojo whilst on furlough I started to build a number of the wagon kits that I had added to the to do later pile over the last few years.
The Diagram 1410 Covered Goods Wagons awaiting painting
The crispness of the Cambrian Models mouldings can be clearly seen in with this Diagram 1316 open
The finished painted and lettered wagons in pre and post 1936 liveries.
The Diagram 1426 shows of its height against a low roofed Diagram 1410
The kits were all from the excellent Cambrian Models range and comprised of:
- 4 off ex LSWR 10t Covered Goods Wagon to SR Diagram 1410
- 2 off ex SECR 10t Covered Goods Wagon to SR Diagram 1426
- 1 off ex LSWR 8 plank 12t Open Goods Wagon to SR Diagram 1316
These kits are of an excellent standard, with crisp mouldings and assemble quite easily once you have got your head around some of the various options, mainly around the type and number of brakes fitted. As usual I refer to the bibles for Southern wagon builders the “Illustrated History of Southern Wagons” the four volumes are now sadly out of print but are worth tracking down if you don’t already have access to copies.
Although I follow the well written and detailed instructions; I tend to replace the plastic buffer heads with metal replacements from the Alan Gibson range or similar to give additional durability. I also add some cut lead sheet to the underside of the chassis to bring the weight up to approximately 30 grams (around one ounce for older readers) as this improves running. I always fit brass top hat pin point bearings into the axle boxes and use Alan Gibson wheels.
I tend to purchase these kits, wheels etc. either at shows, when we could, or online from H&A Models whom always provide a friendly and efficient service and in these times it’s always good to help and continue to support such excellent traders.
The Hornby Diagram 1543 ‘New’ van showing the incorrect brown and oversize Tare lettering height
The paint dries in the oven
B4 No. 82 runs around the two repainted Hornby Diagram 1543 brake vans.
A very busy scene at Canute Road Quay as all the wagon builds have come to visit
In addition to the above wagons, whilst on a roll, I have finally got round to repainting the two Hornby ex LSWR 20t Warner ‘New’ diagram 1543 brake vans that arrived at the start of year. Whist excellent models the SR versions in this first batch were not finished in the correct shade of SR Brown, also the Tare lettering was incorrectly the same size as the wagon number when it should be smaller. A nice touch by Hornby is that they provide a separate beautifully printed plate for the “Not to work between Tonbridge and West St. Leonards via Battle” in addition to it being pre printed on the wagon side, so I have affixed these to the repaints.
For all my wagons I tend to follow the same painting process:
- Firstly for the kit builds I give a dusting of Halford plastic primer from an aerosol ‘rattle’ can
- I then brush paint the base colour, I prefer to paint two thin coats rather than one heavy coat.
- I always help dry the paintwork in a warmed oven (set to less than 50 deg and the door kept open, luckily, I don’t need to ask anyone permission first!).
- In most cases I use lettering from the HMRS Pressfix transfer range and I use a mix of pre (large SR) and post 1936 (small SR) styles to give some variety.
- Finally, I apply Railmatch Satin Varnish from a rattle can to fix the lettering and even the finish.
Well I said finally, but actually the wagons now await degrees of weathering that I tend to do as a batch and still have to do so for those shown here.
Hornby Magazine September issue 159 – Modelling Guide – Southern Region
Posted in General, tagged Hornby Magazine, Southern, Southern Railway, Southern Region on August 6, 2020| 7 Comments »
Published today is the September issue of Hornby Magazine no.159. included with the main magazine is a 32 page supplement “Modelling Guide – Southern Region.”
The initial 6 page article settinging the scene and historical background to the Southern Region has been penned by yours truly!
It was quite a challenge to keep such a wide subject within the word count and give an overview of the Southern, but hopefully I have managed to provide a suitable introduction…
The guide also includes useful articles such as:
- typical Southern Region train formations that can be modelled using ready to run stock,
- an explanation of the Southern Region Engine Head Signals and some examples of their use,
- 20 Southern top tips highlighting the signatures of the Southern and how to model them, including EMUs, concrete, pull push, third rail,named trains, art deco / odeon architecture and more
- a comprehensive motive power survey detailing all the ready to run locomotives currently available or due for release soon.
Hopefully the Magazine that also looks again at editor MIke Wild’s own extensive Southern Region layout Twelve Trees Junction, that I had the pleasure to operate at exhibitions, and the modellers guide will be of interest and use for modellers of the Southern as well as the Southern Region.
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