(Latest Running Sessions)
Fellow
Finescale Modellers,
As
my current layout (Ewhurst Green) progresses there
has been a significant number of running sessions thereon as friends from the East Sussex Finescale group bring their
4mm-1ft models to run. Some of these friends are still building their layouts;
others want the opportunity to run full-length trains on somebody else’s metals
(i.e. mine). Indeed, unless stated otherwise all the locomotives and much of
the rolling stock featured are visitors; even the 8-car Metro-Cammell Pullman set was a visitor having taken ‘residence’
between 2015 and 2019.
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As
it stands the longest bogie train has been eighteen, behind a Hornby ‘Duke of
Gloucester’ visiting from the Algarve; the slowest locomotive a pre-WW1
Prussian 0-8-0 at eighteen minutes eight seconds for a complete circuit. This could
probably be improved now more-modern controllers are employed.
With layout construction ongoing, the
vantage points for photographs are currently somewhat limited (so apologies
here). But these will increase with time – currently layout wiring is a
priority. Only then can the trackwork be fully tested and adjusted before more
scenery can be added.
Typically,
these running sessions started with an excellent lunch at ‘our’ nearby friendly
beach-front café; which is just a very short distance away. Except I am in
protective isolation during these unprecedented times
Only the last six months of running
sessions are recorded. However, with a move to our dedicated domain
www.EwhurstGreen.com they may remain a little longer. A thank you must go to www.BloodandCustard.net for previously hosting these pages
at no charge to Ewhurst Green and to the support from
the East Sussex Finescale group.
Hopefully you will enjoy these images.
Colin
‘Longest-day (almost)’ Saturday 20th
June 2020
Whilst the 20th
wasn’t quite the longest day it was sobering to realise the nights would slowly
start to draw in and we still hadn’t been able to visit our favourite beach-front
café! Even more sobering was seeing all the rolling stock which appeared for
this session had a distinct western flavour!
In numerical order no.4962
‘Bagley Hall’ took the crimson-liveried Mk1 train on the Up Line; the
photograph being taken as an unfitted goods train trundled past on the Down
Line.
Some 259 of these locomotives
were built at Swindon Works. Designed by C B Collett, they were numbered
4900–4999, 5900–5999 and 6900–6958 they followed the prototype rebuilding of a
Saint Class (with smaller wheels) number 2925 ‘Saint Martin’ (later
renumbered 4900).
All but one made it
into BR ownership with withdrawals commencing in 1959; all were withdrawn by 1965.
Fortunately, eleven have now been preserved, including no.4962.
Hauling the
unfitted freight was 56XX-class 0-6-2T no.6639. Some 200 of these locomotives
were built; most at Swindon Works with others contracted-out. Designed by C B
Collett, they owe much to the well-proven reliably sturdy designs of locomotives
inherited by the GWR from the South Wales valley companies.
While originally intended for South Wales coal traffic, they rapidly saw
service across much of the GWR (including into the Midlands) before the last
were withdrawn by British Rail by end-1965. Fortunately, nine have now been
preserved.
Large-logo class 50 010 ‘Monarch’ took charge of the Up-passenger
train although this was not entirely successful for the model’s three-link
coupling kept fouling the model’s tension-lock coupling derailing the 4-wheeled
PMV in the process (removed from consist). This led to no.50 010 being carded!
Having entered service
as D410 in March 1968, the real 50 010 was scrapped at Laira
in 1992 having been withdrawn from BR service in 1988. It had received is name
on 16th March 1978.
Back in their heyday it
was often claimed these locomotives were designated class fifty was you had a
50-50 change of getting there! Today’s running session appear to support that
claim for large-logo no.50 031 ‘Hood’ ran faultlessly with the unfitted freight,
Having entered service
as D431 in July 1968, the real 50 031 still survives having been withdrawn from
BR service in 1991. It had received is name on 26th June 1978.
Accepting the interest
class fifties still generate today
nos.50 031 and 50 010 made a special photo-stop!
‘Train Spotting’ Saturday 6th June
2020
Quite a few models
appeared and a simple train-spotting session was operated!
No.6825 ‘Llanfair
Grange’
No.25 054
No.30777 ‘Sir Lamiel’
No.40 075
No.43047
No.73068
WR ‘Blue Pullman’
‘Spring Holiday Weekend Services’ Saturday
23rd May 2020
More rolling stock
appeared for this Spring Holiday Weekend’s Saturday running session including a
local manufacturer’s personal delivery of a new model!
The lunches in ‘our’
beachfront café are sorely missed as are the social gatherings; but in these
unprecedented times needs must!
The ex.LSWR K10-class locomotives only just made it into
nationalisation with the final three being withdrawn in 1951; no.30382 was not
the last to be withdrawn. Although many were allocated BR numbers it was only
no.30382 that only carried its BR number, albeit in Sunshine lettering and with
‘Southern’ still adorning the tender. The model looks superb!
None of the class
received BR-style numbers or Lion & Wheel crests. However, following
popular demand OO Works produced this fictitious BR Lion & Wheel version
along with LSWR green, SR Olive, SR Malachite and SR wartime black editions.
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Although available to
all, this model of no.30382 is unique as this was the only one produced by OO
Works as it actually appeared with its BR ‘sunshine’ number!
After oiling and a
gentle period of running-in this smooth-running no.30382 was placed on an unfitted
goods train thence a CLC liveried set of Bulleid
multi-door stock!
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Two-tone green class 29
no.6112 made an appearance. Initially with the late-crest Pullman set which has
now been substituted by its owner for a maroon Mk1 /Mk2 set more appropriate to
his locomotive!
Built by North British 20th
May 1959 and allocated to Stratford thence Eastfields
(30th September 1960). It was rebuilt September 1966 (TOPS class
21 to class 29 – fitted with a Paxman Ventura engine
rated at 1,350 h.p.) but withdrawn 31st December 1971
and scrapped at St. Rollox, Glasgow. Certainly it was carrying this livery (including full-yellow
ends) on 24th May 1968.
Southern Region
allocated BR Standard 4MT (2-6-0) no.76053 (with its BR1B tender) takes on one
of Ewhurst Green’s six-car CLC 9in this instance set
no.525). Built 30th April 1955 this visitor to the layout was
allocated to Redhill thence Salisbury, Guildford, Feltham, Eastleigh before withdrawal
just twelve years later on 31st January 1967 from Guildford shed.
No.33 063 made an
appearance on 21st March 2020 except this isn’t the same model;
March’s 33 063 was a Lima model; this visitor is a recent release by Heljan.
By way of a comparison Ewhurst Green’s Heljan ‘Slim Jim;
D6587 was given a turn of duty!
Not long after arrival visiting
BR Standard 4MT (4-6-0) no.75062 started disgracing itself on the double slip
under the second wagon; it tried to take the track leading into the headshunt.
The fault was found to be tight back-to-back dimensions on the leading bogie.
Once reset and shimmed to reduce lateral play the locomotive performed
flawlessly.
Portorbrook liveried no.47 807 on the intermodal train; both are visitors. This is
a Lima model in a livery none of the other model manufacturers have currently
chosen to replicate. Built as D1639 December 14th 1964, it became 47 055 thence 47
652 before renumbering to 47 807 in July 1989. It is now 57 304. (from
September 2002).
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A four-car emu passed by
comprising 2 HAL no.2611 and 2 BIL no.2090.
Finally one of the latest releases from Heljan – no.33 012 in faded & weathered BR blue livery
visits Ewhurst Green. The manufacturer really has
captured the locomotive’s exceedingly condition well!
‘Southern Services’ Saturday 16th
May 2020
These running sessions
rely on the availability of rolling stock being able to delivered legally.
Unfortunately, opportunities were scarce leading up to this Saturday but this didn’t
compromise the quality of stock that was running.
Visiting ‘Sunshine’
liveried N-class No.1854 hauls Bulleid 3-set no.865
on the Down Main.
On the Up Main visiting T9 no.729 with scratch Maunsell
set.
‘May Bank Holiday weekend’ Saturday 9th
May 2020
The movement of the May
Day Bank Holiday to coincide with 75 years of VE day didn’t affect the ‘closed
doors’ running session and there was still a modest change of visiting stock!
The session started with
my MN no.35026 ‘Lamport & Holt Line’ bringing around six-coach
Mk1 set (plus cycle PMV) from the fiddleyard on the
Down Line. This location is to the south end of that station being the junction
to Cranleigh & Guildford (the switch tips are just visible). Alongside the
train is the Up Line then the Branch Reversible. Ballasting (etc) will be
completed once the track is fully tested.
On the Up Line 47 406
‘Rail Riders’ in Inter-City livery hauls a blue /grey Mk2a set. This was a Gaugemaster Exclusive from when Bachmann first produced a
class 47 model. Accompanying the locomotive was a promotional Rail Riders
ticket from when the locomotive was named in 1981.
The naming of 47 406
was undertaken at Newcastle Central station on 10th December 1981 by
nine-year-old David Atkins. On 12th November 1985 an additional
full-colour circular plate carrying the Rail Riders logo was added; these all
being removed in May 1988.
Originally into service
11th January 1963 as D1505 it was renumbered in January 1974,
withdrawn 13th August 1990 and cut-up December 1995.
Ex. SECR C class
no.31227 is a Ewhurst Green
locomotive hauling coal wagons on the Down Line. A most elegant locomotive
these were frequently found on passenger trains!
The eagle-eyed will
immediate spot the ‘red-ground’ number plate as MN no.35028 ‘Clan Line had
taken over on set 525. Clan Line was rebuilt in October 1959 and the nameplate
would suggest post-1962. However, the electrification flashes weren’t added
until c.1966 for possible railtour workings off the
Southern.
The WR Blue Pullman is a
delightful model and is proving very popular. One of the eight-car sets
undertook a reversal at Guildford (twice) on 25th April 1970; the
nearest one of these sets ever gor to Ewhurst Green!
‘Skinhead’ class 31 102 took charge of the Mk2a set
(SO+SO+SO+FO+BFO) hauling it with ease. Into traffic as D5520 on 26th
February 1959 it was renumbered 31 102 on 1st January 1973. Four
decades after being reclassified as TOPS class 31 in April 1967 (from class 30)
it was scrapped in April 2007, having been variously allocated to March and
Stratford with a brief spell at York.
Finally, ex. LMS 3F no.43474 took on the coal
train; designed by S. Johnson and built by Neilson, Reid & Co. this locomotive dated from 1896 and was withdrawn
on 18th March 1961. This locomotive lasted some seven years longer
than the C-class no.31227 (1900-1959) – ultimately both were a successful
design of locomotive.
‘May Day weekend’ Saturday 2nd May
2020
Like the 12in=1ft
railway just a few yards away there was a reduced service on Ewhurst Green this May Day weekend, but at least an
opportunity to run repaired T9 no.30119!
Class 47 569 ‘The Gloucestershire
Regiment’ on a RES parcels and mail train. Into service 17th October
1964 as D1629 in February 1974 it was numbered 47 047 under TOPS. As an ETH
fitted locative it was renumbered 47 569 in January 1981 (whilst at Immingham)
before allocation to Eastfields on 15th
May 1988
and subsequently named ‘The Gloucestershire Regiment’ by Brigadier
S.D.A. Firth OBE at Gloucester TMD open day on 1st July 1990.
As D1629 it carried two-tome
green (with yellow warning panels later full yellow ends) thence Monastral
Blue (which it also carried as 47 047 into renumbering as 47 560
when it went on to carry Monastral Blue (Grey/silver
roof), Monastral Blue (Large logo (grey roof)) BR
Parcels (red/dark grey). Post-BR as 47 727 it carried RES livery,
EWS (original), Colas Rail before being on the Caledonian Sleeper in GB Railfreight (GBRF) ownership.
With Hornby in lockdown fortunately Peter’s Spares
were able to assist for they make replacement T9 motor-mounts. These require a
little fettling but are an excellent fit; fortunately
I already had a pare motor retainer in stock for this two was rotten. Mazak-rot
has affected a number of model railway locomotives and manufacturers need to do
far more in respect of their quality control for the current situation is a
shambolic lottery.
Type JB no.73 128 in EW&S livery took on the
visiting mail /parcels train. This locomotive was withdrawn into preservation
before reappearing on the mainline with GB Railfreight
(GBRF) in 2014. AT one stage it had carried the name ‘O.V.S. Bulleid C.B.E’ (around the time of
Brighton 150) in ‘Dutch’ livery losing its name when it entered EWS ownership.
Withdrawn and sold to
the Pontypool & Blaeavon railway (with only two
traction motors operative) before GBRF bought it and had it refurbished; it is
still in operation today as 73 128.
BR Standard class 5 no.73109 takes over the three
visiting Maunsell coaches on the Down Line. Built at
Doncaster works, no.73109 was allocated new to Eastfield shed (65A) in January
1956 and was withdrawn from there in October 1964. Scrapped the following year
at Motherwell Machinery & Scrap (Wishaw) its short working life was just 8
years 9 months.
English Electric no.37 104 in Railfreight ‘General Sector’ sector livery with
Stratford’s Cockney Sparrow. It is understood that this was the only class 37 to
receive this livery.
Into
service as no.D6804 in January 1963, under TOPS it was
renumbered 37 104 in 1974. With Railfreight’s rebranding in 1987 (and its six sub-sectors)
not only was no.37 104 an early recipient of the new triple-grey livery, it was
one of only a few locomotives to carry the ‘General Sector’ logo. No.37 104 later joined the engineering fleet
before withdrawal in 2000 and subsequent scrapping.
‘Sunny South’ Saturday 25th April
2020
A deserted beachfront
and empty café on this sunny Saturday suggested most are choosing to keep safe
during these unprecedented times; East Sussex Finescale
being no exception. Accordingly, the visiting rolling stock remains much
reduced; this weekend it was a Southern bias.
U-class no.31638 was a
recent acquisition for Ewhurst Green and is seen here
on test with coaches intended for last week’s running session with the (railed)
T9. This locomotive needs a full overhaul and lining before it is added to Ewhurst Green’s traffic roster.
On the
Up Line Adfam’s Radial ‘0415’ class hauls two-coach set no.43. Unfortunately
the model room’s daylight simulation lighting isn’t particularly conjusive to
photograph and Crimson Lake can appear in some strange hues.
On the
Down Line visiting Terrier ‘A1x’ no.32636 hauls a short train formed of
Maunsell corridor stock. That the Terriers lasted so long was a credit to both
their design and usefulness on the railway.
Q1 no.33037 hauls
rebuilt LSWR set no.43. I had intended this visiting Q1 to take out the coal
train instead, but time just started to run away as a new motor-mount was being
fitted to last week’s casualty T9 no.30119 following delivery of spare parts
from Peter’s Spares.
Finally Type ‘JA’ 73 004
‘The Bluebell Railway’ made an appearance; this being a smooth-running Lima model. The real
73 004 was the only JA to be scrapped; this took place at St. Leonards just
before the value of rebuilt EDLs was realised. Two Jas are now TOPS class 73/9
operating the Caledonian Sleepers is Scotland! Just one JA is currently
moribund at Eastleigh (73 002).
‘Hornby’s Failure’ Saturday 18th
April 2020
Our favourite beachfront
café remains closed and the country is in lockdown. Whilst many brave souls
continue to place themselves at risk (particularly NHS staff but also postmen,
bin men, police, fire & rescue etc. thank you all) lockdown could be far
worse without a model railway room. Ironically as a key but vulnerable worker
I’m also in protective isolation.
So, the items left for
running are sparse, but at least Ewhurst Green can
still have visiting stock – all delivered well-within ‘lockdown’ rules.
Lima type JB no.73 101 ‘The Royal
Alex” in Pullman Livery takes charge of the five-car Pullman set on the Up
Line. This model runs well and handled the Pullman cars with ease up to the
locomotive’s ‘scale’ maximum speed of 90mph.
Into service as E6007
no.73 101 (as it eventually became) was named “Brighton Evening Argus” in 1980. Painted into
Pullman livery it was subsequently renamed “The Royal Alex” in 1992
after the Royal Alexandra Hospital in Brighton. It carried two versions of
Pullman livery (following a vandalism attack) and is no understood to be
out-of-use at Eastleigh.
Ewhurst Green’s no.35026 “Lamport & Holt
Line” brings the six-coach CLC set around from the fiddleyard.
Ths locomotive carries black-ground nameplates; these
were subsequently changed to red-ground in the sixties.
Just as Schools class
no.30932 “Blundells” was being photographed the CLC set passed
by on the Down Line; this was not a staged photograph – chance simply
intervened.
The British Railways
Board considered 4-4-0 locomotives to be antiquated so would only permit them
to carry mixed traffic livery, no.30932 “Blundells” received lined black
livery in February 195 (having been painted Malachite Green in July 1948). It
was withdrawn in February 1961 being one of the class not to receive BR Green.
The locomotive on the
Down Line hauling the CLC stock was none other than Bulleid
‘Leader’ class no.36001. The model is well-built, quite heavy and powerful. It
is seen here running chimney first which was disliked by its drivers due to the
heat from the smokebox. The locomotive was regularly turned to avoid this.
Now running bunker first the open door into the fireman’s compartment can be
easily seen. Although coal-powered the intention was to be oil-fired except the
project was cancelled in 1951. More of the class were in production – no. 36002 was almost
complete, no.36003 awaited its outer casing and nos.36004–5 were
essentially sets of frames and major components.
Finally there was great
disappointment when ex.LSWR
T9 no.30119 failed with a broken motor-mount. Purchased new and only tested in
the shop this model had never been run since then.
As can be seen in the
photograph the Mazak motor bound has disintegrated with a replacement having been
ordered from Peters Spares. The plastic retainer backplate (part no.x9945 has also
disintegrated) and Hornby are not shewing availability on their website. This
is it seem a common manufacturing fault so Hornby’s response will be
interesting……
‘Easter Weekend’ Saturday 11th
April 2020
At any other time, I
might have ventured to London and back by train as engineering works were
leading to an unusual routing of trains. However, whilst colleagues in the
railway industry carry on their duties, I must remain in protective isolation
albeit very much continuing to work full-time. Although I no longer drive, my
car’s trunk is performing a useful function as a safe-drop for all manner of
items including postal /parcel deliveries and any models intended for running
on Ewhurst Green by members who can legitimately walk
here as part of their daily exercise.
Just when I thought this
Easter Weekend would give me an opportunity to run my own stock, four
locomotives became available for today’s session!
Had the country
not have been in such unprecedent times, it could have been possible that Ewhurst Green’s completed station building might have been
in place (having being repainted and detailed by ESF member Ian Sneyd). However, this will have to wait so please be patient
with the ‘factory backdrop’!
Once again Ewhurst Green’s Merchant Navy no.35026 “Lamport & Holt Line” brought the CLC-liveried six-coach set
no.525 plus CCT round from the fiddleyard.
Sound-equipped class
no.37 409 in Direct Rail Services (DRS) ‘Compass’ livery heads an Up-direction
intermodal train; the sound on this model operating on Ewhurst
Green’s DC control system. DRS currently has five 37/0, nine 37/4,
three 37/5 and five 37/6 locomotives. The model is
Bachmann Cat. No.32-381QDS and was a limited edition for Model Rail.
Once again Ewhurst Green’s Merchant Navy no.35026 “Lamport & Holt Line” brought the CLC-liveried six-coach set
no.525 plus CCT round from the fiddleyard.
Except now it isn’t
no.35026, but no.35027 “Port Line”! - This locomotive appearing in its current
preserved condition with electrification flashes (these were never carried by
no.35021 in BR days).
Class no.66 407 in
Direct Rail Services ‘Compass’ livery takes its turn on the Up-direction
intermodal train. DRS’s fleet comprises classes 20, 37, 57, 66 68 and (as of
2017) class 88 locomotives. These are used for freight services across the UK’s national rail network including support to both
Network Rail Infrastructure Limited and the Train Operating Companies; services
which include intermodal traffic. The model is Bachmann Cat. No.32-731 from
2006-on.
Visiting Merchant Navy
no.35027 “Port Line” was given a turn on Ewhurst Green’ Bullied
set no.865. This three-coach set has been detailed with cast roof vents,
painted interior (including passengers), dynamo belts, corridor connections,
flush-glazing and Romford wheels. On the Branch Reversible Ewhurst
Green’s C-class no.31227 awaits it next turn of duty.
Class no.47 853 “Rail
Express” in Direct Rail Services ‘Compass’ livery takes its turn on the Up-direction
intermodal train. It is understood that this model was a Rail Express limited
edition produced by ViTrains.
Into service as D1733
on 12th June 1964 this locomotive was renumbered 47 141 in
January 1974 thence 47 614 (July 1984) and finally 47 853 in February
1990. It carried an interesting rage of liveries as follows:
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D1733 |
XP64 thence Monastral Blue (Standard) |
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47 141 |
Monastral Blue (Standard) |
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47 614 |
Monastral Blue (Standard)
thence Monastral Blue (large logo /grey roof) |
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47 853 |
Monastral Blue (Standard),
InterCity (Mainline with yellow lower front & white nos),
InterCity (Mainline with yellow front & white nos),
Intercity (Swallow), Virgin, Virgin (XP64) and DRS (Compass) |
I am given to further
understand ViTrains obtained the class 37 & 47 moulds
when Lima ceased production; much improving the models in the process. Although
no longer producing UK-outline, it is believed they still manufacture
continental models.
Whilst the locomotive
deriver keeps a hand on the regulator his fireman stops to mop his brow!
The
Merchant Navy in the background wasn’t intentional – it just happened to be
passing during the photograph – so yes, these running sessions are real!
A little while ago it
transpired that ESF member Rod’s young lady (with whom he has been walking out
with for a little while) is quite a dab-hand in modelling. Accordingly, she was
recently persuaded to turn her hand at painting a Masterpiece crew for one of Ewhurst Green’s C-class. Via a rather circuitous route,
these arrived today and were absolutely superb!
As a consequence (and
from my protective isolation) I have arranged for a large box of chocolates to
be dispatched as a big thank-you to this talented young lady. Intended
specifically for the C-class, these were fitted to no.31227; making a huge
difference in the process.
Finally, by popular
request the session ended with a WR Blue Pullman train; its two power cars
purring away. This particular set having become a resident visitor until its
owner is able to collect – in the nicest possible way this hopefully may be
some time!
‘Behind Closed Doors’ Saturday 4th
April 2020
Whilst some might mumble
about the current ‘social-distancing’ restrictions I’ve already passed my first
month in protective medical-isolation but have continued to work more-or-less
as normal. Indeed, all East Sussex Finescale group
members have accepted and adapted to these unprecedented times of our favourite
beachfront café being closed; the beach may only be ¼ mile away but I’ve not
ventured out particularly as there are some who believe ‘social-distancing’ rules
do not apply, even though their arrogant (sometimes aggressive) ‘me-me-me’
attitude is potentially putting our lives at risk.
Fortunately, some
members were able to drop-off models (into 72hr quarantine ready to be added to
Saturday’s roster) whether that be via their daily walk or when delivering
essential shopping (as a highly-vulnerable person I am grateful for
their support). Some are not in a position to do this, so apologies that their
models cannot feature and that the roster is limited.
In this respect the
running session could be enacted at any time (when I’m not working). However,
it was simpler to retain the Saturday afternoon timings so members can at least
enjoy the photographs from Sunday afternoon onwards.
First out of the fiddleyard was Ewhurst Green’s
Merchant Navy no.35026 “Lamport & Holt
Line” with the six-coach set no.525 plus CCT; this being one of two such
CLC-liveried six-car Mk1 sets on the layout having been updated with additional
detailing, Buckeye couplers within the set, corridor connections, dynamo belts
and Romford wheels.
On the Up Line Schools class no.30913 “Christ’s Hospital” brings the visiting
late-crest Pullman set around from the fiddleyard.
The locomotive is a detailed Hornby ‘ringfield’ model
(predating the ‘Railroad’ branding) and once warmed up runs very well.
Ballasting on this section of the layout has yet to be completed; currently the
fitment of cable trunking and location cabinets are awaited.
‘Bacon Slicer’ BR
Standard 4MT no.80032 took charge of set no.525, hauling it admirably on the
Down Line. Built at Brighton Works the Southern was allocated a number of these
locomotives, no.80032 being allocated to Brighton Shed (75A) from new despite
being intended for the NER. In 1964 it was allocated to Redhill (75B) thence
Bournemouth (70F) in 1965 from where it was withdrawn on 21st
January 1967 and scrapped at Cashmore’s yard (Newport) during the following
May.
Visiting BR class no.40
066 was placed on the late-crest Pullman train. This was a Lima model with the
motors & underframe having replaced from a Hornby model.
Into service 21st
Match 1960 as D266, it obtained its TOPS number 40 066 in October 1973.
Allocated for all of its working life at Edinburgh’s Haymarket depot it was
withdrawn 5th March 1981 (thirty-nine years ago) and scrapped at
Swindon Works during October of that year.
This was one of six
class 40 locomotives that were modified by the Scottish Region very early on
(1965); the end-doors being replaced with a four-digit centre-headcode panel (which differed from later locomotives).
This difference in headcode panel design is correctly
captured by the model and is the reason for its retention /conversion by its
owner.
On the Down Line BR
standard 3MT no.82029 was placed in charge of set no.525 which it too hauled
without issue. One of a class of forty-five built at Swindon Works no.82029 was
originally allocated new to Darlington (Dec-54) thence West Hartlepool
(Jan-58), Malton (Sep-58), Scarborough (Jun-60), Malton (Sep-61), York
(April-63), Guildford (Sep-63), Bournemouth (Jan-64) and finally Nine Elms
(Sept-64). It was withdrawn on 9th July 1967 and scrapped at Birds
(Rica) between November 1967 and January 1968.
A second visiting Lima
locomotive appeared on Ewhurst Green’s Up Line in the
form of type JB locomotive number 73 108. Although now dated, this mid-eighties model is still very credible, especially
when updated with Ultrascale wheels.
Into service in 1966 as
E6014 it was renumbered 73 108 in January 1974 while based at Stewart’s Lane
depot. It was withdrawn thence scrapped by Both’s at
Rotherham in September 2004. Built to the ‘Hastings Line’ restriction ‘0’
loading gauge, the slab sides of these locomotives aren’t vertically-parallel
with each other; for they taper together towards cantrail level.
As a prelude of things
to come, the Brighton Belle was let loose on the
Down Line. The Brighton Belle is a ‘resident-visitor’ to Ewhurst
Green. However, whilst between both the two visiting 5 BEL units and Ewhurst Green’s two 5 BEL units, set no.3051 doesn’t yet
feature; indeed, Hornby has only produced that particular unit in its earlier
guise as no.2051!
For a very short period
in time between December 1968 and May 1969 it wasn’t unusual to see mixed
liveried ten-car Brighton Belle trains operating on the Brighton line as units
went into Eastleigh for their final overhaul and re-livery. Unfortunately,
Hornby chose not to equip these units with end-couplings, so these have to be
added. Currently ‘in works’ are Ewhurst Green’s Umber
/Cream set nos. 3052 /3053 having their end-couplers fitted.
A visiting WR ‘Blue
Pullman’ train made an appearance on the Up Line; hence a Brighton Belle on the
Down Line in the livery of around the same period. Despite the ‘shutter lag’
associated with digital cameras it was possible to capture the Brighton Belle
speeding past (eventually)!
Both power-cars in each
Pullman set are motored with sound-speakers (which do work on DC). Having never
encountered these units during my railway career I cannot testify to the
accuracy of the sound apart from saying it appears to be very much in accord
with that on the excellent BTP film ‘Blue Pullman’.
In 1966 (and following
electrification of the West Coast Main Line) the Midland Pullman were no longer
economic so the two six-car sets were moved to the Western Region for non-stop
Paddington – Oxford services. Along with the Western Region’s three eight-car
sets, these units were withdrawn in May 1973.
Following their move
down from the Midland, the two six-car units were equipped with high-level
jumper cables to enable multiple-unit operation. In terms of overall design
these units bore basic similarities with the 1957 six-car Hasting units (i.e.
unit-end motor-coaches with above-floor diesel engines powering traction
motors) and the 1976-on High-Speed Trains.
‘Unprecedented Times’ Saturday 28st
March 2020
"On hearing ill rumour that Londoners may soon
be urged into their lodgings by Her Majesty’s men, I looked upon the street to
see a gaggle of striplings making fair merry, and no doubt spreading the plague
well about. Not a care had these rogues for the health of their elders!"
A modern quote (March 2020) written in the style of
Samuel Pepys.
Whilst we are in
unprecedented times the title of today’s theme comes not from the troubles of
the country (nor the loneliness of today’s running session) but the choice of
trains and the intended theme of the session – Chocolate & Cream.
With the self-isolation
and the disappointment of a closed beachfront café, the Ewhurst
Green group-running sessions have been curtailed for the foreseeable future;
this closed running session being dedicated to group members at home (with some
still ‘out-there’ working to keep the South-East’s 12”-1ft trains running).
However, like the
12”-1ft railway just a few yards distant, there is
still a reduced service running at Ewhurst Green with
three visiting locomotives having already been dropped off in anticipation that
group-running sessions would have to be suspended. The only question being
which of the three cats would be willing to join me in the trackroom!
As a Southern modeller (and railwayman)
shock-horror for upon opening the box all visiting coaches were Great Western
(as were the locomotives) hence the suggested theme of ‘Chocolate & Cream’.
This presented a small dilemma as my working knowledge on matters Great Western
isn’t huge, so if I’ve incorrectly placed locomotives with coaches then I must
apologise!
I’d concluded a Small Prairie tank no.4527 would
sit well with the first a pair of corridor coaches – these being Graham Farish ‘generic’ coaches from five decades ago – personally
I still like them as they were very different at the time and still look good
today.
Designed as small mixed
traffic locomotives, the 45xx class were mainly used on branch
lines. Capable of 60 mph a total of 75 were built; fifty-five between 1906
and 1915 and a further twenty in 1924, No.4527 was included within builds
originally numbered 2161 to 2190; renumbered 4500 to 4529 during 1912. Three
survive, but not no.4527.
Next was an outside-cylindered Pannier tank no.1368
– a delightful model that whilst probably saw little service with a ‘B-set’ did
haul passenger trains down Weymouth Quay.
Built in February 1934, the 1366 class was just
one of two GWR-built pannier-tank classes with outside cylinders. Developed
from the 1361 Saddle-tank class they were intended to replace the 1392 class.
The pairing of a 0-4-2T no.1466 with an Autotrailer was an easy guess; despite their age these Airfix models still looked the part. There was an issue
with the Autotrailer’s back-to-back wheel-dimensions;
particularly as rather than ‘give’ on the axle to be adjusted the nylon wheels
stayed firm with the tip of the pin-point being compromised.
Built by Swindon Works
seventy-five engines of this type entered service between 1932 and 1936 as the
4800 class; later reclassified as the 1400 class carrying running numbers 1400
to 1474. No.1466 is preserved at Didcot.
A Great Western saddle-tank no.1362 was placed in
charge of a short coal train which it hauled admirably. Except now somebody has
spotted there have been four Great Western locomotives; not the three left behind
a week ago. Well, that is true except this one had arrived from Kernow having
been sent to my address on behalf of an East Sussex Finescale
member who is still out working during the day (a lone worker undertaking
essential duties) and delivery here meant less interaction with others at a
postal collections’ office. With permission to ‘test’, this DJ Models
locomotive is rather fine and runs very well – I was impressed!
Just five of these 1361 class locomotives were built by Swindon works in
1910. Working alongside ex-Cornwall Minerals Railway locomotives they were
principally based at Plymouth Millbay (thence Laira) working in both Millbay
Docks and the Sutton Harbour branch. Up to 1928 some of the class could also be
found at St Blazey engine shed and Moorswater on the Looe branch.
Later allocations included Newton Abbot (12920-1952), Taunton for
Bridgewater (1953–1961), Swindon (1956–1961) and St Philips Marsh, Bristol
(1962). It is understood that one locomotive was briefly trialled on the
Weymouth Harbour Tramway in 1949; possible the closest one ever came to the
Southern (thus ruling out an example for Ewhurst
Green).
However, I was about to have the
last-laugh!
Whilst fellow ESF members were well-aware that my
own 5 BEL units no.3053 is ‘in works’ (having its yellow warning panel removed
and replaced by the earlier Pullman crest) and no.3052 packed away, in trying
to create a Great Western ‘Chocolate and Cream’ theme they had overlooked this
visiting 5 BEL unit!
Uniquely Southern, this unit no.3053 had been ‘in
works’ here at Ewhurst Green having its interior,
underframes and bogies exchanged with my unit no.3052.
Hornby’s first three 5 BEL releases
(nos.2051, 3053 in blue /grey and 3052 with 60’s-style Pullman crest) used a
complicated electrical coupling intended for DCC operation (the lights being
supplied from the powered motor-coach through the chip. The next release
(no.3053 in umber & cream with yellow warning panel) came with NEM-style
pockets and tension lock couplings.
I’d purchased the no.3053 ‘umber
& cream’ version to run with no.3052 but did not need the DCC-coupling of
no.3052 – my
intention being to close-couple within each unit. Conversely ESF member Rod
Stewart was seeking to run a no.3053 ‘umber & cream’ version with a renumbered
blue-grey no.3053 on his DCC layout. So, the solution was simple – just swap
the bodies over with no.3052 – hence unit no.3053 being ‘in-works’!
‘Spring Equinox’ Saturday 21st
March 2020
This running session was
much quieter than usual; even the promenade and ‘our’ beachfront café weren’t
exactly bustling – basically it had closed (like every other café across the
United Kingdom). Although it wasn’t necessary to actually cancel our regular
booked table, the staff were appreciative of the telephone call shewing our
support and that we actually cared.
It had already been
mutually decided to reduce the running session to those of us who would still
need to be meeting regularly for essential non-model railway reasons during
these unprecedented times. We are effectively within our precautionary
self-isolating circle and this was going to be our last visit to the café for
the foreseeable future. However, it was not to be (with the situation
accepted).
The session commenced
with a Q1 class no.33017 on the Down Line hauling a coal train formed of mixed
wagons.
On the Up Line a Railfreight triple grey-liveried class 33 passed by with
the intermodal train.
On the Up Line a Railfreight triple grey-liveried class 33 passed by with
the intermodal train.
On the Up Line a Railfreight triple grey-liveried class 33 passed by with
the intermodal train.
On the Up Line a Railfreight triple grey-liveried class 33 passed by with
the intermodal train.
On the Up Line a Railfreight triple grey-liveried class 33 passed by with
the intermodal train.
Hang, isn’t
this is getting repetitive?
Well, actually there
were five of them visiting today!
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33 033 |
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33 050 |
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33 051 |
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33 063 |
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33 205 |
All bar no.33 063 (Lima) were Heljan
models with nos.33 050 “Isle
of Grain” and no.33 051 “Shakespeare Cliff” being new releases. In addition, former class 33
(now a DVT) no.83 301 had been brought back for examination with respect to
having its bogies changed for more prototypical ‘TGV style’. Furthermore, there were another six
unseen Cromptons sitting in the fiddleyard
(albeit all in green livery) – perhaps a ‘class 33 day’ is required?
A special edition by Kernow, the locomotive sits on
a standard class 33 underframe unit; not surprisingly it wasn’t commercially
viable for Kernow to commission new bogies for the model. No.83 301 should sit
on French TGV bogies but these aren’t available in 4mm. However, class 373
‘Eurostar’ bogies are similar (slightly shorter with detail differences) and
more to the point, readily available (a pair having been obtained since the
last running session).
Accordingly, ESF member Rod Stewart’s no.83 301 is
going to be re-bogied. Examination shews there are
two courses of action. The first is to remove bogies, cast motor mount, motor
(etc) from the Heljan underframe and re-equip with
the class 373 bogies. The second option (seen crudely trialled here perched
precariously on a class 373 bogie) is to place the Heljan
body onto a Lima underframe (a surprisingly good fit) and to modify this with
the replacement bogies (thus retaining the Heljan
power unit intact). However, with locomotive-detailing text on the Heljan solebar the first option may prove best.
Back to the running and Q1 class no.33017 caught
the afternoon sunshine!
As did type-JB no.73 105 “Stewarts Lane 1860-1985” on the intermodal train.
Nos.33 050 & 33 051 were then placed on the
late-crest Pullman train.
The two Lima models no.73 105 and no.33 063 took to
the on the Down Line.
Finally, new arrival to Ewhurst
Green was D5579 in Bronze Gold livery on its return to the Eastern Region with
the Pullman excursion train. This locomotive is a limited edition by Kernow and
depicts the locomotive as delivered to Stratford in this prototype livery; this
bore much resemblance to the Western Region’s ‘Western Class’ locomotive in
Golden Ochre livery.
‘Panic buying’ Saturday 14th March
2020
This running session was
slightly quieter than usual; even the promenade and ‘our’ beachfront café
weren’t exactly bustling – perhaps many were out panic-buying in the shops? -
this did make for a more relaxing lunch. However, it will soon become apparent
that the title of today’s session is actually related to Kernow’s latest model
release – class 33 DVT no.83 301.
First out of the box was Metro-Cammell
class 101 DMU comprising DMBS W50304 (built 1958 to lot no.30275), TC W59122
(built 1957 to lot no.
30277) & DMC W50329 (built
1958 to lot no.30276). All were constructed by Metro-Cammell at Washwood Heath (Birmingham).
This is a Hornby (modified) release of the Lima
model so the engine detail is limited and the Hornby wheelsets would benefit
from replacing with Ulrascale’s finescale
sets.
Former class 33 locomotive no.83 301 is a recent and most welcomed release from Kernow Model Rail Centre and is a superb model save one obvious error which Kernow fully
acknowledge; DVT no.83 301 was equipped with unpowered TGV motor bogies
(similar to the class 373-type ‘Eurostar’ bogies). However, there is absolutely
no criticism here as the manufacturing costs involved in producing the model
with TGV bogies (and sealing up the bodyside vents) would have simply been
prohibitive. In any event some modellers may seek a powered version of no.83
301.
In this instance East Sussex Finescale member Rod (who purchased this model) is seeking
to modify with (almost) correct bogies and per-chance a pair of 4mm class 373
bogies (being about 2mm shorter than TGV bogies) were available on that
well-known online auction site. To be fair it wasn’t quite ‘panic buying’; just a rapid telephone call to confirm authority
to ‘buy these now’.
With its engine seized
and declared out-of-service 17th June 1989, no.33 115 was
reclassified as a DVT (Driving Van Trailer), loaded with additional ballast and
renumbered no.83 301 to be used as worked as part of a bogie test-train
(formed in 1990) prior to the introduction of Eurostar units. Nicknamed ‘Zebedee’,
no.83 301 was eventually scrapped at St. Leonards West Marina (East Sussex) in
October 1994.
Type JB no.73 105
hauling the Eurostar test train comprising DVT no.83 301 and 4TC set no.8007. The train was usually
hauled by no.73 205 ‘London Chamber of Commerce’ to which no.83 301 was
semi-permanently coupled.
In March 1991 the 4TC
was lengthened to six-cars with TCK 70871 (ex. unit no.8028) and
70866 (ex. unit no.1903); these two vehicles being renumbered but remained in
blue /grey livery. Following completion of the tests during 1993, unit no.8007
was stored at Eastleigh with five cars scrapped during October 1996 and the
sixth scrapped in October 2005.
Rattling past on the
Down Line was Virgin Voyager unit no.220 018 ‘Dorset Voyager’. This is a
smooth-running model and looks impressive even though it is just four-coaches
long.
When travelling down
from Manchester to East Croydon in one of these I found the onward connection
in the form of Southern’s equivalent four-car units
(class 171) much preferable to the Voyager railbuses. In terms of the (former)
Central Division, regular Voyager operations ceased in November 2008 when the
Brighton – Manchester service was withdrawn; a shadow of its former
locomotive-hauled Mk2 formation upon which I regularly travelled.
As a Manchester –
Gatwick Airport service the train (usually a class 47 and up to ten coaches)
would turn in the Up sidings running ecs to New Cross
Gate (where we would have a P&T break) before returning ecs
to Gatwick ready for the run up to Manchester.
By comparison another cross-country train (this
time from the sixties) was also operated on Ewhurst
Green; this being hauled by visiting 9F locomotive no.92220 ‘Evening Star’.
‘The Rarest of Dates?’ Saturday 29th
February 2020
Ewhurst Green’s regular running sessions are held on a Saturday and 29th
February
2020 fell on this day. Indeed, the 29th February only falls on a
Saturday once every 28 years so the next Saturday 29th February will
be 2048 thence 2076. For Ewhust Green this made our
Saturday 29th February 2020 running session one of the rarest of
dates.
During
lunch at ‘our’ wind-lashed seafront café a toast was made in respect of an
absent friend and East Sussex Finescale member whose
birthday falls on the 29th February. Unable to join us, we toasted
his health with mugs of tea – he was no doubt celebrating (glass-in-hand) with
his family in his mountain retreat.
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Hornby’s 6124 sits in
front of Dapol’s D6129. Four decades separate
these two models. |
Dapol’s D6129 sits in front of Hornby’s 6124. The class with
withdrawn nearly five decades ago. |
One of the East Sussex Finescale members brought along his old and new class 29
locomotives for group members to compare. As just over forty years separate
these two models it would be unfair to make a critical comparison, save to say
after a recent overhaul the Hornby locomotive no.6124 (dating from 1978) put up
a very credible performance on Ewhurst Green and is
likely to remain a visitor in years to come.
On the Down Line ex.
LBSCR class E4 0-6-2 tank no.32503 hauling set no.525 (as a three set
BSK-CK-BSK). Dating from 2006, the E4 is a 00 Works model and it’ll haul far
more than this simple load with ease.
On the Up Line Hornby TOPS class 29 no.6124 streams past with a five-car
late-crest Pullman train (which to its credit it handled with comparative
ease). Produced
from 1963 onwards using the North British Type 2 (Class 21 under TOPS) by
replacing their original unreliable licence-built MAN engines with Paxman
Ventura V12 engines.
The first
locomotive to be re-engined was D6123 at Paxman's
Colchester works. A further nineteen machines were subsequently re-engined in 1965–1967 at Glasgow Works and Inverurie Works.
This further nineteen were additionally equipped with four-character headcode panels on each end; the locomotive’s end doors not
being needed. After rebuilding, the class were allocated to Glasgow’s Eastfield
depot.
Ex. GWR autocoach no. W190W in CLC livery hauled by 0-4-2
tank-locomotive no.1409 starts the first of a number of Pull-Push sets during
the day. This 1933 Swindon-built coach (to Diag. no. A33) is currently at
Didcot being one of fifteen preserved out of two-hundred and fifty-six autocoaches built.
Dapol’s TOPS class 29 locomotive no. D6129. The rebuilt locomotive offered both
much-improved reliability and increased power over the original TOPS class 21
locomotives. However, the still had a short life due to their small class size
and the use of a non-standard high-speed diesel engine. First to go was D6108
withdrawn May 1969 (scrapped by McWilliams of Shettleston 1971), with the
remaining nineteen being withdrawn between April and December 1971 for
scrapping at BR's Glasgow Works 1971-72. None survive.
Wainwright H-tank no.31518
steams south hauling Pull-Push corridor set no.735; this being a Northstar kit. Set no.735 was converted from 1907 /1908
coaching stock (re-framed in 1934) in April 1943 and was used up to February
1961; the Driving Brake Third being to diag. no.101; the Composite (a converted
Third) being Diag. No.288. Seating 12 first and 64 third-class passengers, the
set was allocated to the South Western (Exeter relief) alongside set no.734.
Ewhurst Green’s Hornby Schools class no.30913 ‘Christ’s Hospital’ took a turn
on the Pullman train (which it handled with ease). This is the only such
tender-drive locomotive on the layout and has received much additional
detailing. Along with a repaint.
The locomotive is named
after the coeducational
independent day and boarding school with Royal Charter located to the south of
Horsham; the station bearing it name being a junction for the now closed
railway to Guildford. Founded in 1552, Christ's Hospital school received its
first Royal Charter in 1553 and remains open today.
Dating from 1553, the
school's Tudor uniform consists of belted, long blue ‘Housey’
coats, knee-breeches and yellow socks; the nickname "Blue-coat
School" comes from these blue coats.
Hawksworth-designed
BR(W) autocoach no. W228 in maroon livery hauled by
0-6-0 Pannier tank-locomotive no.6412, being the third Pull-Push set to be
hauled on Ewhurst Green this day. This 1951
Swindon-built autocoach (to Diag. no. A38) is
currently on the South Devon Railway.
Painted up for its Royal
Train duties OPS class 25 no.25 233 hauls the Pullman train as a Pull-Push set
passes on the Down Line. Like the Hornby class 29 (no.6124), this locomotive
has been overhauled with its wheelsets shimmed to reduced lateral play and its
back-to-back dimensions set to 14.6mm. Despite its age it runs rather well.
BR(S) Maunsell-conversion Pull-Push set no.601 being hauled by
H-tank no.31518. This set was used from November 1959 to December 1963 and
operated on the London Central District being used on both the Horsham to Guildford
Branch and Horsham - Shoreham - Brighton cross-country services (local to Ewhurst Green). The set was formed of coaches no.1338 (ex. Maunsell Diag. no.2005) and no.6693 (ex. Maunsell Diag: no.2403).
Finally, on the Down
Line 1934-rebuild of the LBSCR Baltic tanks (into N15X class) no.31332 ‘Beattie’ hauls set no.525 in
its six-coach form (BTK-TK-CK-FK-TK-BTK) plus van ‘C’. This is a Nu-Cast kit
equipped with Romford wheels.
No.31332 was the last
N15x in service being withdrawn in July 1957, having hauled a special train
out of London Bridge for the Riverside Special Runnymede Rally on 23rd June
1957.
‘Counting Up’ 8th February 2020
The
glorious warn sunny day betrayed little about the storms that came just 24hrs
later. During lunch at ‘our’ beachfront café there was a short discussion about
Bachmann’s 202o model announcements; indeed, there was so little to discuss.
The main part of the conversation was around the 2 HAP units and whether
Bachmann will release the two visibly different body styles.
Units nos.6061 are 6062 being 1957
type Phase 1 units (roof-mounted water fillers but no lighting conduits)
whereas nos.4308 and 4322 are 1961
build of Phase 2 units with external window frames, one-piece lavatory windows
(no sliding ventilators) and Commonwealth bogies at the inner ends of each
coach. These units did not have external roof conduits or filler pipes.
Back
to the running session and in addition to the day’s theme of ‘Counting Up’
(to follow last week’s ‘Counting Down’ of type 2 diesels) an
outside-framed locomotive had been brought along to provide steam interest.
However,
back at the trackroom the session commenced with one
of Ewhurst Green’s C-class locomotives as no.31227
undertook a positioning move with the coal train. These are super models and
there are several on the layout, no.31227 being currently the number currently
in use. Built at Ashford works and outshopped on 31st December 1900
(as SECR no.227) locomotive no.31227 was last allocated to Nine Elms (70A) from
where it was withdrawn on 31st October 1959.
On the Up Line GWR ‘Dukedog’
3200 class no.9003 hauls some delightful Collett coaches (mostly) in
‘shirt-button’ livery. It appears that these coaches aren’t particularly common
these days having been out of production for some time.
In 1929 the
cab, cylinders, and motion along with boiler and smokebox from withdrawn ‘Duke’
class no.3265 ‘Tre Pol and Pen’ were fitted to the straight-topped
frames of ‘Bulldog’ class no. 3365 ‘Charles Grey Mott.’ This resulted in
an engine with stronger frames but which could still be used on yellow
weight-restricted routes. The conversion was a success and from 1936 some
twenty-nine locomotives were rebuild from withdrawn Duke and Bulldogs classes,
acquiring the nickname ‘Dukedogs’ in the process.
During these running
sessions side-shots of locomotives are taken to record numbers, names and
liveries. Just as this photograph on no.9003 was being taken the visiting
blue-grey Mk.1 set rattled past at speed on the Down Main although I was
unclear what was hauling it.
In any event this started the Counting Up of Type 2 locomotive classes.
No.23
Baby Deltic D5903 was given one of Ewhurst
Green’s six-coach CLC-liveried Mk1 sets to haul. The Baby Deltics
were a short-lived class. However, they did appear on Southern metals at least
until 1966 when freight traffic ceased on the East London Line.
D5903 is seen here
in its post March 1967 guise with full-yellow ends. Built at English Electric’s
Vulcan Foundry D5903 entered service on 17th April 1959 Hornsey (34B). It was withdrawn from Finsbury Park on 30th December 1968 and
recorded as being scrapped at Cohens, Kettering on 1st June 1969.
No.24
Lust a decade could
have separated these two locomotive and coach liveries. On the Down Line D5000
sporting green livery hauling Green Bulleid coaches
(BR’s MK1 stock took much of its design from these coaches) whereas on the Up
Main, no.24 081 appears in the (then) new corporate blue with TOPS numbering
hauling a six-coach Mk1 set.
In the second
photograph D5000 is on the Down Main with plate wagons in the Down Siding.
No.24 081 is on the Up Main with the Branch Reversible alongside. Ballasting of
the sleeper ends and ten-foot will occur in due course. The two curving sidings
awaiting ballasting are the Electric Siding and Carriage Siding respectively.
No.25
With the visiting
Mk.1 coach set now on the Down Main, no.25 279 (as allocated to Liverpool
Division thence Cricklewood East) took over. Into service from Beyer Peacock
Gorton Ltd as D7629 on 7th September 1965 (to Tinsley depot) the
locomotive received dual-brakes in the summer of 1969, it was renumbered 25 279
on 29th January 1974 and withdrawal into preservation came on 18th
March 1987. It is understood to reside on the Great Central Railway as D7629.
No.26
Lima BRCW no.26 038
hauling the coal train on the Down Main. Although these models have a
reputation for being noisy, once lubricated this model spent an hour or so’s
smooth running whilst only emitting a modest level of sound. Heljan also produced a ‘Scottie Dog’ class 26. However, the
Lima version of the logo is much crisper in terms of its presentation. Although
dated, the model would simply benefit from Ultrascale
wheels and care.
Built as D5338 by the Birmingham
Railway Carriage & Wagon Company and into service at Haymarket on 28th
June 1959; it moved north to Inverness on 12th March 1960 (where is
stayed) and was renumbered 26 038 on 1st January 1973. After just
over 33 years in service it was withdrawn on 19th October 1992 and
is now in preservation carrying the name “Tom Clift 1954-2012” (after
the well-known career railwayman and latterly Managing Director of the Grand
Central Railway open-access train operator).
No.27
Built as D5376 by the Birmingham
Railway Carriage & Wagon Company and into service at Thornaby on 21st
February 1962, it moved north to Eastfield on 28th February 1970 and
was renumbered 27 029 on 1st January 1973. After nearly 24 years in
service it was withdrawn on 9th January 1986 and scrapped on 30th
April 1987 at Vic Berry’s Thornton Yard.
No.28
Ewhurst Green’s Metro-Vickers Co-Bo D5714 made its second
appearance this month; this being only one of a couple owned by East Sussex Finescale group members. It was at this point that one of
the attending group exclaimed they should have brought their TOPS class 29
along before declaring they had a class 22 as well – so it was decided to have
a complete running session of Type 2 classes when somebody buys one of the
recently released TOPS class 21.
To sound an end to the session a Bell was Rung, sorry, I meant a Belle was Run.
‘Counting Down’ 1st February 2020
Upon
arrival ‘our’ beachfront café was relatively quiet but rapidly filled up
(fortunately we always have a table booked). Sadly, they had changed suppliers
with some of the menu no longer up to its previous standard.
There were a few
speculative words in respect of Bachmann’s anticipated announcement next week
although expectation is rather limited. The general perception is towards there
being a position of consolidation with nothing significant upon the horizon.
With one interesting
exception, the theme of the session was Counting Down – perhaps a
satirical reference to some recent political event – I’m not quite sure.
However, this made for some interesting appearances and could have continued on
if I could have recalled where my Baby Deltic (TOPS
class 23) was stored and TOPS classes 21 /22 been available. Before any reader
ponders on the prospect of a Baby Deltic at Ewhurst Green this had been purchased for my previous London-based
layout (they used to work onto the Southern via the East London Line from which
freight ceased in 1966) but may remain as my only example of a ‘bonneted’
mainline diesel.
No. 28.
TOPS Class 28 number D5714 running light engine
on the Down Main; the day’s only non-visitor. This location will see a level
crossing between the footbridge and facing turnout. The brick retaining wall
just being placed there for effect as a bay-window house will stand behind the
locomotive facing onto the public highway.
Number D5714 was the only known
Metropolitan-Vickers Co-Bo to come onto the Southern Region, working through to Norwood Yard thence down to Three Bridges in
April 1960; hence its inclusion on Ewhurst Green.
No. 27.
TOPS Class 27 (no.27 104) hauling a Mk2
formation on the Up Main. This visiting locomotive had only just been released
by Heljan with its owner keen to put it to the test.
Into service in May 1962 as D5387, it was
equipped with air-brakes in July 1971 before renumbering to no.27 104 on 1st
January 1973 (whilst at Eastfield depot) thence no.27 048 on 1st
September 1983. Withdrawn on 1st May 1986, it was cut-up on 1st
September 1987 at Vic Berry’s Leicester Yard.
No. 26.
TOPS Class 26 (no.26 044) then took charge of
the Mk2 formation on the Up Main. Into service as D5034 in October 1959, it was
renumbered 26 044 on 1st January 1973 whilst at Inverness shed.
Withdrawn on 17th January 1984 it was cut up 28th
February 1987 at Vic Berry’s Thornton Yard.
No. 25.
TOPS Class 25 (no. 25 034 ‘Castell
Aberystwyth / Aberystwyth Castle’ on a Down coal train. Following a
year-1277 order from King Edward I, construction of several formidable castles
was started including Flint, Rhuddlan, Builth and Aberystwyth; two of these setting a standard for
future castle construction. Designed as concentric fortresses, Rhuddlan and Aberystwyth Castles were of innovative design
comprising defensive rings (walls-within-walls) enabling the stronghold’s
guards to defend from several heights without firing upon their own men.
No.24.
TOPS Class 24 number D5085 in two-tone green
livery looks entirely at ease with the coal train. Into service in August 1960
at Willesden shed it was withdrawn just two months prior to sixteen-years’
service and cut-up at Swindon works having been renumbered 24 085 in May 1974.
The count-down led to BR Standard Class 6
(Clan-class) no.72008 Clan MacLeod hauling a visiting late-crest visiting
Pullman set on the Up Main. Ten Clan-class were constructed between 1951 and
1952, with a further fifteen planned (before cancellation). The first five of
these fifteen locomotives were intended for use the Southern Region; having
been allocated the names Hengist, Horsa, Canute, Wildfire and Firebrand.
The remaining ten would have been given names from Scottish clans.
‘Southern Steam’ 18th January 2020
Yet
again the beachfront café was quite busy but now they serve Croque madame – a
pleasant change from their excellent sausage, bacon and eggs.
There were only a few
words on Hornby’s disappointing 2020 range; indeed, most of the discussion surrounded
Hornby’s ongoing error with its BR(S) green Mk1 coaching stock.
With few exceptions,
Southern Region coaching stock did not carry carriage roundels; their
application being were almost exclusively the preserve of multiple-unit motor
coaches and special carriage sets such as the Ocean Liner sets. Even though
Hornby are well aware of this error it is still perpetuates this error and will
do so again (it seems) the new Mk1 restaurant car.
Whilst many of Hornby’s excellent models appear
on Ewhurst Green their errant Mk1 BR(S) coaching
stock has not; it seems nobody within the ESF group has bought them because of
this silly error.
Friday, the 17th January had been an
East Sussex Finescale modelling meeting looking at
the Brighton Belle 5 BEL units and LBSCR station architecture; the latter
carrying on today (18th). So today’s
running session was slightly more muted with only four visiting Southern locomotives
(all early BR crest) and two trainsets in use.
First on the layout was an ESF member’s
newly acquired N15 no.30792 ‘Sir
Hervis de Revel’ which was placed in charge of six-coach CLC Mk1 set no.525 on the
Down Main. Built by the North
British Locomotive Company in September 1925 it was known as one of the ‘Scotch
Arthurs’.
In Le Mort d’Arthur, Hervis is first
mentioned (as one of the heroes in the battle at Terrabil
between Arthur's forces and those of Rience and King
Lot (of Orkney). Hervis becomes a knight of the Round
Table after Arthur's war with the five kings.
On the Up Main was Schools class
no.30915 ‘Brighton’ in its June 1953 Royal Train guise
for when the
locomotive was used on Saturday 6th June 1953 to haul the Royal Train from
Victoria to Tattenham Corner and the Derby races. On
this occasion the Driver was John Nash and Fireman Syd Turner. For the day
itself the leading buffers would have been changed for a buffed & polished
set.
At this point in history the British Rail Board had
decreed that 4-4-0 locomotives were to archaic to receive passenger green; a
decision that was eventually reversed. The Schools hauled the resident-visiting
five-car Pullman set.
Back to the Down Main rebuilt Merchant Navy class
no.35023 ‘Holland-Afrika
Line’ took over passenger
duties. This was the first time this model had run since purchase back in year
2000 and initially it did not run smoothly. However, some light lubrication and
gentle running-in meant it could take on the six-coach train.
Rebuilt in February 1957 no.35023 was withdrawn ten
years later in July 1967. In terms of shipping Verenigde Nederlandse
Scheepvaartmaatschappij (VNS) was a company formed
and jointly owned by SMN, KRL, Holland Amerika Lijn,
Van Ommeren and KNSM. However, VNS operated under different names which
included Holland Africa Line (which was founded in 1934). After successive
takeovers VNS is now owned by Maersk with all previous names including Holland
Africa Line now being extinct.
Last locomotive of the day was air-smoothed Bulleid Battle of Britain class no.34067 ‘Manston’ on the Pullman train. The locomotive was named
after the East Kent airfield which came into being during WW1 as a base for the
Royal Flying Corps. During WW2 Hawker Typhoon and Gloster Meteor
squadrons were based at Manston and on 27th July 1944, RAF 616
Squadron became the first allied jet equipped squadron in the world to become
operational, using Meteors to intercept German V-1 flying bombs being used to
attack London.
In the sixties Manston
saw joint military /civilian use becoming Kent International Airport in 1989.
However, after several changes of hands closure too place with the last flights
comprising one cargo service and one passenger service (KLM to Amsterdam)
ceased in April 2014 thence formal closure taking place on 15th May
2014. However, in July 2019, it was announced the airport may restart
operations by 2022 for short-haul and cargo flights.
Being the UK’s 11th
longest runway it is understood Manston had been one of the many
emergency-landing runways for the USA’s Space Shuttle program
It was not without irony that the last time I flew
by aeroplane was in a Douglas C-47 (Dakota) into Manston.
‘Into the new decade’ 4th January
2020
On World Braille Day the beachfront café was quite
busy on this cold but sunny Saturday; presumably many making the last of their
Christmas break before the ‘sobriety’ of January sets in. The first East Sussex
Finescale meeting of the year was also seeing in the
new decade.
It had been intended to run two Brighton Belle
sets, but unfortunately time got the better of all those attending.
First to start the session was S15 no.30830 placed
in charge of the unfitted coal train.
With a train speeding past on the Down Main, on the
Up ‘Whistler’ no.40 106 hauls the visiting five-car ‘late crest’ Pullman train.
This visiting locomotive is a Lima model with a replacement underframe, motor
and bogies from a later Hornby offering. Built by Robert Stephenson and Hawthorns
at Darlington in October 1960 (thus enabling Vulcan
Foundry to build the Deltics), no.40 106 was last example of the class to remain
in British Railway’s green livery.
As carried by the model, in August 1984 no.40 106
was named ‘Atlantic Conveyor’ (the name was dedicated by John Brocklehurst,
Chief Officer of the ship) after the Cunard-owned
ship that was hit by two missiles in the Falklands war on 25th May
1982 with a loss of twelve lives; the ship sunk on 28th May 1982. The ‘Atlantic
Conveyor’ was the first British
merchant vessel lost at sea to enemy fire since World War II. Although in
tradition with the original class names, this naming was very sadly not
well-received by some enthusiasts.
Finally, on 29th
October 1987 no.40 106 gained considerable attention as D326 in the ‘Great’
Train Robbery film ‘Buster’; undertaken at the Great Central Railway. No.40 106 remains in preservation.
Green liveried BR Standard Class 3MT no.82005
hauling the six-coach Mk1 CLC-liveried set no.525 plus van on the Down Main.
Allocated new to Tuseley in May 1952 no.82005
received green livery June 1958 just before it went to Chester shed and was
certainly lined by September 1962; by this time, it was at moving back and
forth between Shrewsbury and Machynlleth sheds. In April 1965 it moved to Nine
Elms from where it was withdrawn in September 1965.
A ‘first’ on the layout was this Engineer’s yellow
D.C. Wickham’s Type 27 trolley; a Christmas present received by an East Sussex Finescale member. The trolley runs exceedingly well and is
an impressive model – this being the smallest visiting model brought along to a
running session.
As the Wickham trolley was being photographed the
unfitted coal train rattled past on the Down Main.
Bachmann's
158 746 carries the Alphaline livery of the time
albeit possibly incorrect for this particular unit. The Alphaline
livery dates from ‘Wales & West’ (the predecessor of Wessex Trains). Units,
158745 and 158746 were both re-liveried by Wales & West (silver with yellow
along each sides). The Wales & West franchise was divided into Wessex
Trains and Wales and Borders Trains with the Alphaline
service (the brand dated back to Regional Railways) being shared by both
companies (each company had remained part of National Express).
Based
at Cardiff Canton, both units nos.158 745 & 158 746 entered the Wessex
Trains fleet; the livery being altered; the branding changed (wording plus blue
to purple including door colours) but with yellow along the sides retained. However,
refurbished units carried a simplified version of the livery, dropping the
yellow along each side but retaining both the Alphaline
‘A’ and links across the doors. Bachmann’s model of 158 746 is presented in
this ‘refurbished’ livery which does not appear to be correct for this unit.
Finally, a comparison in size between the Wickham
trolley and class 40.
‘New Year’s Day’ 1st January 2020
Although the eighth day of Christmas the
festivities seemed to be quite distant as a new decade commenced. However,
based on the ‘Twelve Days of Christmas’ song ‘eight maids-a-milking’ the
opportunity to run a milk train was resisted.
Like Christmas day, it
was a good opportunity to enjoy some ‘me time’ on Ewhurst
Green. This would include testing a new purchase (a U-class locomotive) on the
Up Main (taken under an engineering ‘possession’ to enable this). With much to
do this day it wasn’t until relatively late in the afternoon that I finally
made it into the trackroom.
‘00’ Works E4 no.52503 hauls six-coach
CLC-liveried MK1 set no.525 on the Down Main.
The van ‘C’
is an excellent weathered model from The Model Centre.
This was followed by
Southern Region-allocated Sulzer Type 2 no.D5000
hauling Green-liveried Bulleid three-set no.865.
E4 no.32503 takes a turn
on an unfitted coal train.
U-class 31627 hauling a
three-coach Crimson Lake non-corridor set around to the fiddle yard (to be
boxed and stored).
No.31627 was then placed
in charge of the six-coach Mk1 set which it hauled with ease.
Only just
acquired, this DJH kit is a nice model although needs a few minor adjustments
including rewiring the connections to its Portescap
motor to provide conventional running direction. On the 3’ curves the one wheel
of the leading truck occasionally catches the cylinder block so minor
adjustment will be required here. Easily rectified, this is not an uncommon
problem and both of Ewhurst Green’s kit built H15
locomotives needed a similar tweak to cure the same problem.
E4 no.32503 was given a run on the six-coach Mk1
set (plus van) which it too capably hauled.
Click for 2019 running sessions
I
hope these will have been of interest.
Kind
regards,
Colin
All photographs are my copyright.
In
memory of Moser
A companion dearly missed
1999-2016
This webpage is kindly provided by www.BloodandCustard.net
ALL PHOTOGRAPHS ARE COPYRIGHT
