Steve Cook

Flying Squad
Thats a great bit of modelling there Alex :) Its impossible to guess the scale of the loco in that top photo and if you hadn't posted that it was 2mm I would have guessed it to be much larger - most impressive!
Steve
 

queensquare

Western Thunderer
Great to have you on here Alex. Looking forward to seeing some more of your stuff, it really is from the top draw. I'll be interested to see what all these Western Region modellers think of your latest red engine:)

Jerry
 

Jordan

Mid-Western Thunderer
Its impossible to guess the scale of the loco in that top photo and if you hadn't posted that it was 2mm I would have guessed it to be much larger - most impressive!
Steve
Wot He Said....:thumbs:


I'll be interested to see what all these Western Region modellers think of your latest red engine:)
Nowt wrong with a Red Engine....:rolleyes: Best if it's White with a Red nose and Mid-Western, of course, but we can settle for less....:p
 

Jordan

Mid-Western Thunderer
Alex (running for cover)
Why..?? :confused:

I can distinctly see the words "Ex-GWR" in your post, and an engine that looks remarkably like a typical product of Swindon. It even has a copper-cap chimney!!

I think you're safe, matey!!!:D ;)

Not to detract in any way from your modelling, because I appreciate there's far more to it than this, but - one thing that instantly sticks out to me is that removing that 'orrid great "Arnold" coupler from off any 2mm/N scale model is a 100% immediate improvement in looks!!!:thumbs:
 

Alex Duckworth

Active Member
Not to detract in any way from your modelling, because I appreciate there's far more to it than this, but - one thing that instantly sticks out to me is that removing that 'orrid great "Arnold" coupler from off any 2mm/N scale model is a 100% immediate improvement in looks!!!:thumbs:

Jordan, so true about the Arnold coupler, here's a photo showing 2mm wagons coupled with Mathieson 3 links, so much better.

DSCN2582.JPG

Alex.
 

Alex Duckworth

Active Member
Hello Graham, many thanks. The box was situated at Oxspring Junction on the Wath branch of the Woodhead, just after Barnsley Junction and before Oxspring Viaduct. I'm aiming to model that part of the line. I could only find only one photo of the box and no drawings, then Alan Whitehouse found me another photo, unfortunately from almost the same vantage point, but larger, of better quality and featuring railway personnel. I used these photos to estimate sizes and built two 0.5mm perspex boxes for the top and botton halves of the box, then fixed modified Modlex etched brass window frames and planked around them with microstrip, also used for the balcony and supports. Open windows were cut out with a piercing saw. Finials turned on a small lathe, steps are trimmed down Plastruct, internal details from Ratio, roof slates from Noch, and the nameplates were etched for me by the excellent 'Guilplates', who also supplied the plates for 1501.
 

mickoo

Western Thunderer
Hello Graham, many thanks. The box was situated at Oxspring Junction on the Wath branch of the Woodhead, just after Barnsley Junction and before Oxspring Viaduct. I'm aiming to model that part of the line. I could only find only one photo of the box and no drawings, then Alan Whitehouse found me another photo, unfortunately from almost the same vantage point, but larger, of better quality and featuring railway personnel. I used these photos to estimate sizes and built two 0.5mm perspex boxes for the top and botton halves of the box, then fixed modified Modlex etched brass window frames and planked around them with microstrip, also used for the balcony and supports. Open windows were cut out with a piercing saw. Finials turned on a small lathe, steps are trimmed down Plastruct, internal details from Ratio, roof slates from Noch, and the nameplates were etched for me by the excellent 'Guilplates', who also supplied the plates for 1501.

Very nice, I'm considering something much the same but in 7mm, no not the Worsborough incline LOL! And having come to the conclusion that I also like seeing long trains was/is (stupid idea really) considering 2mm FS Woodhead layout just to see trains go. The 7mm will probably be a depot scene, slightly fictional to fit space and exits stage left and right.

Most of the MSW signal box diagrams are on line in large format so you should at least be able to model that aspect quite accurately if you go for a 1:1 location. I'm sure I have some photos of that box, of little use now mind, but if theirs anything else specific you think you need, just shout and I'll see if I have an image or info for you.

Most/ all of the Worsborough incline is now a trail and I'm planing a trip later this year to cycle up and then down from top to bottom, very little railway infrastructure remains and most is heavily wooded but I just want to go to get a feel for the area. My biggest regret was not seeing EM1s working or go to Tinsley or Wath, my mates did but both times I went to Crewe instead.
 

Alex Duckworth

Active Member
Jordan, thank you. I think that the reason for the stilts was to see as far down the track as possible. Looking toward the viaduct and Oxspring tunnels with the box on the RH side the track gradually curves away to the left and enters a shallow cutting with the tunnels at its end, with the box's extra height I would think that the signalman would be able to see almost to the tunnel mouths.

Mick, if you have any other photos of the box I'd love to see them, even if only to see how wrong I was. I'm also interested in the box's base and surrounds, it was on a bank and would need steps and a path for access.

Alex.
 

Dog Star

Western Thunderer
Alex,
I can understand why the box might have been built on stilts... why build the locking room smaller than the operating floor? Imagine the fun if ever there had been a need to extend the frame? And why does the vertical sheeting not reach to the ground? (although the builders get a bonus score for the frilly edge!).

Maybe the box was raised at some time??
 

Alex Duckworth

Active Member
Alex,
I can understand why the box might have been built on stilts... why build the locking room smaller than the operating floor? Imagine the fun if ever there had been a need to extend the frame? And why does the vertical sheeting not reach to the ground? (although the builders get a bonus score for the frilly edge!).

Maybe the box was raised at some time??


All excellent questions - unfortunately everything that I know about the box was gleaned from two photographs. The frilly edge is great though, I'd love to know if the back is the same.

Alex.
 

Brian Wainwright

Active Member
It was quite common for MS&L boxes to be built on stilts, particularly in South Yorkshire. I presume (don't know) it was for sighting purposes.

That is a beautiful model of Oxspring Junction box. Mere 'like' is insufficient praise.
 
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