Bradstock Loco

[Quintus]

Apart from the obvious difference in the cabs, there are a few more detail differences between the 57xx and 8750 panniers, mainly on the tank tops. Tank fillers and whistle shields are easy enough to spot, but also the pipes to the top feed have slightly different runs due presumably to the tank bracing straps being of different profiles. Whether this is peculiar to preserved examples or not I cannot say.

 

[Quintus]

A close up shot of the "fitters store", which contains tools and a few spare parts. As there are no fitters permanently based at Bradstock, they are usually sent over from Bristol on an "as required" basis.
A pile of brake shoes and a few fire bars lying around indicating there maybe someone in attendance today.
The hand trolley has probably been "borrowed" from the P-Way dept, no doubt to move heavy components.

 

[Quintus]

Thee original extension bars to the turntable (see post #65) had to be improved upon, and after much thought and high tech design work (back of an envelope), I have come up with the Mk2 version seen below.
These have been fabricated from milled brass angle and 1/16th brass sheet and have proved 100% successful so far.
Problems with the earlier version, ie. current pick up from the rail, and tilting back due to the weight of the tender have been overcome, so I am pleased to say that 5369 will join the roster at the next exhibition at SWAG on 19th April

 

[paulc]

Thee original extension bars to the turntable (see post #65) had to be improved upon, and after much thought and high tech design work (back of an envelope), I have come up with the Mk2 version seen below.
These have been fabricated from milled brass angle and 1/16th brass sheet and have proved 100% successful so far.
Problems with the earlier version, ie. current pick up from the rail, and tilting back due to the weight of the tender have been overcome, so I am pleased to say that 5369 will join the roster at the next exhibition at SWAG on 19th AprilView attachment 256194View attachment 256193View attachment 256195

Can we have a shot of the back of the envelope so I can see how it's made , please .

 

[Quintus]

Can we have a shot of the back of the envelope so I can see how it's made , please .

Well, you asked for it, so here it is!


Not shown is a small fillet of brass soldered to the inside of the 1/4" angle at a strategic point. This prevents the whole lot sliding along when the tender is pushed onto the ramp, as it butts up against a rail chair. It also serves to locate both ramps longitudinally.
The ramps just drop into place.

 

[Quintus]

A photo may also help.

 

[Quintus]

A peek in the locoshed reveals the usual oil cans, lamps etc., but who removed that cabside plate?
Rumours have it that 5809 was seen at Bradstock travelling to Swindon for scrapping under its own steam recently.

 

[paulc]

A photo may also help.View attachment 256237

Many thanks for that Mike .

 

[Quintus]

Having a sort out of my stock crate I use for travelling to exhibitions, some of the cardboard boxes I use for the locos were looking a little down at heel.
I have been meaning to get a couple more wooden carry boxes for my locos for a while, so I thought it was about time.
A quick search on Google and I found some very nice loco boxes, unfortunately the cost of a couple of these was approaching the cost of a rtr 7mm loco.
I then came across these:

Varnished Wooden 35cm Wine or Champagne Box with Hinges & Clasp

resulting in two boxes just the right size for a tank loco for the princely sum of £8.78 each plus a very reasonable carriage charge.
Now I realise they are not of the quality of the bespoke items, mitred corners rather than the dovetail joints, and not hardwood, but plenty strong enough to hold a loco securely, with a bit of foam rubber added for under £20.
Internal dimensions of this one are 283mm L X 102mm W X 95mm H.
I may add a strap type handle, but they are easier to stack in the crate without them.

 

[simond]

Mike,

if you fit a carrying handle, I’d suggest a soft canvas style strap fixed to the lower half of the box, thus making it easier to stack and avoiding the awful possibility of picking up an unlatched box by the lid.

bedt
Simon

 

[adrian]

Mike,

if you fit a carrying handle, I’d suggest a soft canvas style strap fixed to the lower half of the box, thus making it easier to stack and avoiding the awful possibility of picking up an unlatched box by the lid.

bedt
Simon

Not so sure about that - I'd say a strap on the side could be worse. If the box is unlatched and strap is on the side, as you lift the box you'll have lifted it higher before realising it's unlatched when it rotates the lid can fall open and the deposit the contents out back for gravity to do it's job. At least with the strap on top you'll realise sooner that it unlatched and less likely to deposit any contents on the floor.

 

[simond]

It looks to me like the strap attached at the top of the lower half would likely be above the CoG and thus safe from causing instant inversion.

Maybe it's just me being a slow learner. I had a small plastic cantilever tool box for a while, it had a handle on top, and I kept the little cans of Humbrol in it. The number of times I had to chase paint tins round the floor...

 

[76043]

Or remove the hinges and replace with clips all round.
Tony

 

[Quintus]

All my professionally made loco boxes have the same problem, if the catch(es) aren't secured, the contents are in peril.
This does tend to concentrate the mind to ensure they are secure!
I have decided not to fit handles to these, as they will travel in the crate with the other stock.
I have lined the boxes with foam rubber sized for the particular loco for which it is intended

 

[RichardG]

Or remove the hinges and replace with clips all round.

I have a similar box I use for a tender loco. I bought one of those ratchet luggage straps (Aldi or Lidl) and trimmed it to length. I keep this tight around the box when in transit. I fixed a carrying handle onto the lid too but of course this prevents stacking. I just do not trust these tiny catches and the cost of catch failure is too high to think about.