7mm Bleddfa Road

[Geoff]

Evening all,

As 5807 headed off to be weathered 4600 returned to service, another time consuming shuffle in my modelling room allowed me to take these photos as she headed for Kington in charge of a goods train, the other side of the room is a no go zone.











Geoff

 

[Dog Star]

The weathering on the first van behind the engine is just so, just what older members of WT would have seen at that time. As for the doors... observation and interpretation of the highest order.

regards, Graham

 

[Geoff]

Thank you Graham, I am a firm believer in trying to model what I see rather than making things up. The trouble is when I start to check my photo albums and websites for information and ideas, I tend to get distracted which eats into my modelling time.

Geoff

 

[LarryG]

One might assume that all the information we ask for will be on the 'net. But it's not. When weathering models, I have to rely on memories, a slim knowledge of the way weathering affects rolling stock, and images showing wagons and coaches in the background. Pictures of wagons on their last legs taken in the 1970's are useless for the steam age.

I once thought the colour photo albums from Jane's and other publishers would provide the answers, but three-quarter front 'wedge' shots give very little in the way of useful information.

 

[Geoff]

There are some good colour photos in 'Backtrack and 'Steam Days' Larry. I must admit that I never paid much attention to goods wagons or coaching stock, as the loco's were always the centre of attention.

Judging from the skilful weathering of your models, your memory and knowledge of the subject has served you well.

Geoff

 

[chigley]

b&w pictures make it much more atmospheric

Ken.

 

[Geoff]

b&w pictures make it much more atmospheric

Ken.

Yes I agree with you on that score Ken, the fifties and sixties could be pretty drab at times. Colour photos of the steam railway were a bit of a novelty and the film available in those days left a lot to be desired.

Geoff

 

[Geoff]

Evening Chaps,

I'm slowly getting more of my modelling room back as the grandchildren's presents are sent off to Santa. So I have been able to crack on with the weathering of 5807......



Colour photos of the 5800 class are few and far between which is hardly surprising seeing as they had all been withdrawn by September 1957. So I've been working from a photo of 1407 without a top feed.



I've removed the moulded load of coal and will add some of the real stuff tomorrow, leaving just the wheels to clean. Whilst not to the same standards as the professional weathering specialist I'm happy with the results. Not sure if I have the confidence to weather my AEC Railcar though as I think an airbrush will be needed to take the sheen off the RTR finish.



On a sadder note D2139 has returned from its spell on loan on my friends propose Ditton Priors inspired layout as he has decided to throw in the towel and return to modelling in '00' gauge.



What next, well I have a few goods wagons to weather and some trees to make which should keep me busy until the New Year.

Geoff

 

[LarryG]

From what I've seen, there is nothing wrong with your weathering. Interesting to discover the 58XX'as had gone by the end of 1957. I hadn't thought of that. I may have to add some auto train fittings to mine and renumber it as a 14XX. It's no great shakes seeing as it needs a repaint from GW green anyway.

Re the GWR railcar, see if the glazing can be easily removed without breakage. If it can, then dulling the rtr finish is easy with a Halford Satin or Matt lacquer spraycan. I've mentioned both seeing my can of Satin seems to be matter than the matt one....! Go figure.

 

[Geoff]

Thanks for your kind comment about my weathering Larry that has really made my day. I checked another source of info as regards the 5800 withdrawal dates and came across this Great Western Railway, 5800 class details. Not sure which to believe to be honest, for instance 5815 is listed as being withdrawn in 1960 on one site and 1961 on the other

Thanks also for the tip about the Halfords spray cans, have you ever tried dulling glazing down with them?

Geoff

 

[LarryG]

Thanks also for the tip about the Halfords spray cans, have you ever tried dulling glazing down with them?

No. Could be a good idea. Must give it a try seeing as i am currently building a toilet block.

 

[Alan]

Geoff, I agree with Larry absolutely nothing wrong with your weathering. I wish mine was as good.

 

[SimonT]

According to the Swindon Loco Allocations Book, 5815 was condemned 27/4/61 whilst allocated to Swindon.

Weathering? Top draw and beautifully understated.

Simon

 

[LarryG]

My model is a 'normal train' branch with no push-pull services and so I must research 5806 and 5816 to see if they survived to the late 1950's.

 

[MoatLane]

Larry-- 5806 and 5816 were Llanfyllin branch locos in early 1950s but both were withdrawn in 1957.
chris

 

[Geoff]

I'll kick this post off by thanking Larry, Alan and Simon T for their kind comments about my weathering and everyone else for their likes. At times I thought I had made a right mess of things, my wife certainly thought so when she compared before and after photos!

Larry-- 5806 and 5816 were Llanfyllin branch locos in early 1950s but both were withdrawn in 1957.
chris

Great Western Railway, 5800 class details.

Shed allocations are a bit of a minefield Chris, according to the above website 5816 was transferred to Worcester on 31st December 1947, she was still there in August 1950 being withdrawn from Oxford in July 1957. She was replaced by 5812, formerly of Taunton which arrived at Oswestry during August 1957 from where she was withdrawn in June 1957. Sister engine 5806 was at Llanfyllin on the 31st December 1947 and when the shed closed she was transferred to Oswestry from where she was also withdrawn in June 1957. Another regular loco to appear on the Llanfyllin branch was Pannier 7410 which spent her entire life at Oswestry before being withdrawn on 12th January 1961. No harm in exercising a bit of modellers licence Larry. Rail UK Steam Locomotive Search

As a matter of interest in 1935 the branch B set comprised W6776W - W6777W , whether they were still be used in the late fifties I wouldn't know?

Geoff

 

[Geoff]

No doubt the crew have joined the guard and platelayers for a natter and a brew in the hut. Not an ideal place to park a train but there isn't much road traffic around these parts.



Spot the difference.............



1455 was actually used on a few SLS Railtours during the late fifties and early sixties, which no doubt accounts for her cleaner appearance. On the other hand 5807 looks a little worse for wear, in my opinion I think these small tank engines look better without the top feed.



I plan on dividing my running sessions into three different eras, 1952-1957 when the motive power is provided by 5807, 7416 and 7719. From 1957- 1964 a change takes place with 1455, 4600 and 7719 taking over. The AEC Railcar begins to be seen on certain passenger services and D2139 begins to handle the pick up goods. From then on the layout will just become a sort of shunting plank but might take on a slightly different appearance. It crossed my mind that seeing as the station building simply plugs into the platform surface, it could be replaced with a plug in model of the station building overgrown floor

Geoff

 

[Dog Star]

It crossed my mind that seeing as the station building simply plugs into the platform surface, it could be replaced with a plug in model of the station building overgrown floor

What a good idea! Might be the first instance on any layout.

 

[Quintus]

Geoff, this is a wonderfully atmospheric layout, superbly modelled. Your 14xx and 58xx look typically down at heel and the red background on 5807 sets it nicely in the early 50's.
Just one question, did 5807 have ATC fitted? If not, you could remove the conduit running up the RH cabside, thus giving another variation.
A quick search did not produce any pics of that loco. I think one or two 58xx's had ATC fitted, but most of the class ran without this feature.
Regards
Mike

 

[Geoff]

Thank you for your comments and questions Mike, much appreciated.

I have only been able to find one photo of 5807 and that shows the LH side of the loco, I'm pretty certain that she didn't have ATC but can't be sure.

Geoff