Mike Sheardown
Western Thunderer
Hi,
I originally joined Western Thunder about a year and a half ago, with the intention of starting a thread about a new layout I am planning to build. However, various life issues have prevented this happening, and it is only now that I’m starting to find the time to revisit this project again. To this end, I hope you’ll forgive this rather late introduction.
Despite my own lack of Railway Modelling activity, I’ve very much enjoyed following the various builds, layout progress updates and informative discussions on WT over this period, and this has helped to keep my interest in Railway Modelling alive. As others have said, I too have particularly come to value the warm and friendly atmosphere here at WT, as I feel that this is an important element in the whole experience that is ‘Railway Modelling,’ and for me, almost as important as the modelling itself.
My interests are in modelling the Pre-Grouping period (late 1890’s), and are mainly focussed around a section of the Midland’s Main Line to Manchester across the Peak District, a small section of which is also where I recently spent 5 or 6 years as a volunteer fireman on a local heritage railway. I won’t be limiting myself exclusively to modelling the Midland however, as there are just too many other stunning locomotives of other companies that I really couldn’t live without. To this end, the cunning use of ‘Specials,’ and / or derailments to other parts of the National Network, will conveniently enable me to run almost any locomotive and stock combination I wish at any time??!!! J
I’m also very interested in signalling, and operating my layout to the principles of absolute block, and much of my work to date has been about exploring how I can achieve this. To this end, I currently have a simple double line test track, and this has helped me to get a better understanding of the potential of DCC in realising this aim. This is shortly to be dismantled however, in readiness for the new layout.
Recently, I posted some photos of some figures I’d painted for Nick Dunhill’s Princess Locomotives, and John Lewsey contacted me to ask if I’d post some better photos of the locomotives I’d used to act as a backdrop. To this end, here are a selection of staged photos of some of my stock. None of them were built or painted by me, but purchased at shows or on eBay. This enables me to use them as quasi RTR items, to which I then add a new motor, gearbox and sound chip.
The 1st LNW DX Class Locomotive, No 355 - Hardman, in original green lined livery.
An MR Kirtley, outside (straight) framed 0-6-0 goods locomotive, No 567 in fully lined MR livery:-
An LNW Bloomer, No 992 – Stork, in rebuilt (Webb) condition. An older scratch built model, and whilst lacking the rivet detail to cab side sheets and tender, and, sporting quite a high gloss finish, it’s still one of my favourites:-
A Midland Double Headed Express, featuring a Bogie Single in LMS livery (I will change this at some point), being piloted by a 101 Class 2-4-0 locomotive in fully lined out Midland livery.
LNW Precursor Class No 1387 Lang Meg. A little bit late for me, as the prototype wasn’t built until 1906, but a lovely model with special significance.
Spinner at Speed – storming along at something like a scale 65mph – ish
LNW Jubilee Class No 1923 Agamemnon
Finally, another model of an LNW Jubilee Class No 1923 Agamemnon, but this one looking decidedly tired and in need of some restoration work. However, I believe it may be a Miller, Swan & Co locomotive, built back in the 1930’s by Bernard Miller (who later went on to play a key part in the Norris Railway), and who is something of a hero of mine. If this is the case, I’m loathed to have anything done to it that would destroy the existing original paintwork, but also feel saddened to see it in this poor state. Any advice welcome.
Anyway, thanks for reading the above
Cheers
Mike
I originally joined Western Thunder about a year and a half ago, with the intention of starting a thread about a new layout I am planning to build. However, various life issues have prevented this happening, and it is only now that I’m starting to find the time to revisit this project again. To this end, I hope you’ll forgive this rather late introduction.
Despite my own lack of Railway Modelling activity, I’ve very much enjoyed following the various builds, layout progress updates and informative discussions on WT over this period, and this has helped to keep my interest in Railway Modelling alive. As others have said, I too have particularly come to value the warm and friendly atmosphere here at WT, as I feel that this is an important element in the whole experience that is ‘Railway Modelling,’ and for me, almost as important as the modelling itself.
My interests are in modelling the Pre-Grouping period (late 1890’s), and are mainly focussed around a section of the Midland’s Main Line to Manchester across the Peak District, a small section of which is also where I recently spent 5 or 6 years as a volunteer fireman on a local heritage railway. I won’t be limiting myself exclusively to modelling the Midland however, as there are just too many other stunning locomotives of other companies that I really couldn’t live without. To this end, the cunning use of ‘Specials,’ and / or derailments to other parts of the National Network, will conveniently enable me to run almost any locomotive and stock combination I wish at any time??!!! J
I’m also very interested in signalling, and operating my layout to the principles of absolute block, and much of my work to date has been about exploring how I can achieve this. To this end, I currently have a simple double line test track, and this has helped me to get a better understanding of the potential of DCC in realising this aim. This is shortly to be dismantled however, in readiness for the new layout.
Recently, I posted some photos of some figures I’d painted for Nick Dunhill’s Princess Locomotives, and John Lewsey contacted me to ask if I’d post some better photos of the locomotives I’d used to act as a backdrop. To this end, here are a selection of staged photos of some of my stock. None of them were built or painted by me, but purchased at shows or on eBay. This enables me to use them as quasi RTR items, to which I then add a new motor, gearbox and sound chip.
The 1st LNW DX Class Locomotive, No 355 - Hardman, in original green lined livery.
An MR Kirtley, outside (straight) framed 0-6-0 goods locomotive, No 567 in fully lined MR livery:-
An LNW Bloomer, No 992 – Stork, in rebuilt (Webb) condition. An older scratch built model, and whilst lacking the rivet detail to cab side sheets and tender, and, sporting quite a high gloss finish, it’s still one of my favourites:-
A Midland Double Headed Express, featuring a Bogie Single in LMS livery (I will change this at some point), being piloted by a 101 Class 2-4-0 locomotive in fully lined out Midland livery.
LNW Precursor Class No 1387 Lang Meg. A little bit late for me, as the prototype wasn’t built until 1906, but a lovely model with special significance.
Spinner at Speed – storming along at something like a scale 65mph – ish
LNW Jubilee Class No 1923 Agamemnon
Finally, another model of an LNW Jubilee Class No 1923 Agamemnon, but this one looking decidedly tired and in need of some restoration work. However, I believe it may be a Miller, Swan & Co locomotive, built back in the 1930’s by Bernard Miller (who later went on to play a key part in the Norris Railway), and who is something of a hero of mine. If this is the case, I’m loathed to have anything done to it that would destroy the existing original paintwork, but also feel saddened to see it in this poor state. Any advice welcome.
Anyway, thanks for reading the above
Cheers
Mike
