Does Anyone Know Where or When?

[Steve Cook]

I think you've mis-read Brian's comment Steve - I think he would like you to post a photo of your loco on this thread I'd like to see it too - its going to be one of those meandering threads where each post pushes it out in a different direction!

I thought I recognised the name David Curwen - he had four pages devoted to him and his locos in my 1976 edition of Model and Miniature Railways. The shear number of locos he produced astounds me - he was into his second fifty after 25 years of making them, everything from 5 to 15".





Steve

Edit - Brian got there first!

 

[oldravendale]

You read me absolutely right, Steve. I'd love to see where this thread could go.

b

 

[SteveB]

I did mis-read it. I felt like a naughty schoolboy, but I'm happy now.

 

[ColPeake]

Thanks Colin. Clearly right on the button.

In my very early teens I visited Weymouth several times when camping in Beer, Devon, with friends, probably sometime between 1958 and 1962. I remember the model railway alongside the roller coaster type thingy - called a "Wild Mouse" or something similar. As I couldn't see the roller coaster in my photo I was less than certain. In fact, in one of yours the "Wild Mouse" can be seen in the back of the shot.

Not only have you identified which railway, you've even identified the loco and the driver!

Thanks Brian, having looked at hundreds of miniature railway photos over the years it simply screamed out at me! I really wish lines like this, and the more carefree world that created and sustained them, was with us today. You may be interested to learn that the station canopy here was previously used on a line at Southend's Kursal also operated by the Curwen concern.

Interestingly the page with picture of the roller coaster had been updated since I last saw it and the roller coaster was a new one to me, looks like it provided a lot of fun

Colin

 

[ColPeake]

Here is a photograph taken at Weymouth in about 1948/49 with my brother in the cab of the engine and me (very blonde) sitting behind him with my back to the camera. As can be seen the coaches are the same as the photo above.
View attachment 63068

That is a very interesting picture as it must be shortly after the line opened, witness the turnout in the background waiting to be connected up into the loop.

Colin

 

[oldravendale]

I did mis-read it. I felt like a naughty schoolboy, but I'm happy now.

So sorry, Steve. My hope was indeed that this thread would fly off all over the place - and yours was a smashing posting from that perspective.

Just goes to show how one's intentions can be misinterpreted!

Brian

 

[SteveB]

Hi Bria

I think its my age!

The K36 shown on the bottom right in Steve Cooks post could well have been the one I had in my workshop. It had been bought by an American chap and he wanted it converted to 7 1/2" gauge. Someone else visited my workshop and decided he wanted one as well. It turned out to be my first commission build, so that's why I tracked down David Curwen. Firstly to get permission to copy it, and secondly to see if he had any drawings or patterns. He was a real gent, and was very helpful indeed, but had no patterns, and amazingly he built it from a few photographs and just made it up as he went along with just a few sketches. I think he also made a 10 1/2" gauge K36 as well, now that would have been a monster, even the 7 1/4" gauge one weighed 1 1/2 tons.

I'll have a look for my photo when I get into work tomorrow.

Regards

Steve

 

[Dog Star]

My hope was indeed that this thread would fly off all over the place

And what is Mr. Cook going to offer us next now that he can be seen to be an AFOL?

 

[SteveB]

Excuse my ignorance but whats AFOL mean. I googled it and it suggested an 'Adult Fan of Lego'?

Regards

Steve

 

[SteveB]

Sorry, just seen the Lego car in the background

 

[SteveB]

Photo of K36.


It’s not what you would call a detailed miniature, it was built along the same lines as David Curwen did, that is, it used as many commercial fittings as possible and it was built for revenue earning. The ‘eagle eyed’ amongst will notice that the valve gear is the right type but is set up for slide valves (outside admission) not piston valves (inside admission) as it should be.

You can see that my photography skills haven’t improved much over the years! There’s some better photos and a brief description of it on the Station Road Steam website if you’re interested.

www.stationroadsteam.co.uk/archive/2056/index.htm

Regards

Steve

 

[oldravendale]

That's a lovely thing. Just no space in my garden.......

Brian

 

[delticfan]

Nothing wrong with Lego! I started on the Star Wars stuff a couple of years ago, it's addictive, especially the big kits!

 

[Steve Cook]

That K36 is a fantastic looking engine Steve, what was it like to fire / drive?

In terms of supporting random thread directions, the Beetle seen above has just been borrowed from a friend as I wanted the build experience (18" ruler for idea of size) - it was good fun to put together, now I get to take it apart and give it back



I think I've posted a photo of my 4' long Super Star Destroyer before



It is currently dismantled and back in its box so I have room for a Slave One and Tie Fighter



Their time is limited though, a Millennium Falcon is (very) slowly taking place (same 18" ruler for an idea of size )



As always, too many projects and not enough time
Steve

 

[SteveB]

Hi Steve

To be honest, I can’t really remember, it was a long time ago. Generally though, the bigger they are the easier they are to fire. I can just about remember that it surpassed all expectations in terms of its power, to the owners delight and my relief. It was quite a sad story really as far as its new owner was concerned. I can remember him putting me under relentless pressure to get it built on schedule. At the time I didn’t know why, I thought it was just his impatience. I found out later that he had incurable cancer and literally only had a few months left. Not once did he let on though. I can’t remember if it was delivered on time. I suspect not.

Love the Lego builds. I bought some Lego for my young Grandson last year. I think I got more enjoyment out of than he did!

Regards

Steve

 

[2-Bil]

As Weymouth was mentioned earlier i thought id dive in (so to speak).I wonder if anyone out there has an image of 57xx 3737 fixed up with a Bell for quayside work?This would have been after August 1960 when it worked an RCTS to Easton and before it moved to Treherbert in July 63.Maybe Memory is playing fickle AGAIN but I'm sure (almost sure) I've seen a couple of photos SOMEWHERE but I'm damned if i can now find them!!! HI

STEVEB; have you gone to LEGOLAND ?Its impressive. We took our girls there years back and had a fine time.But its best avoided in Summer(unless your Patience is infinite) cos the queues are Impressive to. PS .Dear" OLD R" i didn't know wot a "robot"was either so I'm glad you asked.I thought the answer was a bit disturbing Regards to all Brian W aka 2-Bil

 

[oldravendale]

I'll be interested in that photo of 3737 at Weymouth too - I've never seen a photo of a 57XX pannier tank on Weymouth Quay. There's nothing in my collection of pictures from magazines or my personal photo collection either.

Brian

 

[oldravendale]

Hi again Brian - and that was quick! Have a look at "Weymouth Boat Train Pictures" on line. There are quite a lot of 57XX panniers, although I don't know whether 3737 is among them. There are the inevitable photos of Class 33s and one or two of diesel shunters. One class which I previously didn't know used the branch was the LMS 2-6-2Ts, 41XXX class. I also didn't know that the line was technically still open, although I understand there have been no trains this century. I've yet to find anything to confirm that it's now formally closed, but there's lots of pressure locally to do so, with a few enthusiasts fighting to keep it open. Of course, all that may now be in the past tense.

Quite a bit written about this scenario which I've yet to catch up on, but I think you've pointed me towards a rabbit hole......

Brian

 

[2-Bil]

Stone me Brian that WAS quick!!! Thanks for the heads up on the"Weymouth Boat Trains" site.I also recalled (thought id recalled) an image of 3737 with a bell forward of its front splasher but as id never seen photo of any "quayside" engine with one fixed so far forward (bearing in mind the length of the lanyard needed to activate it) i thought the Memory Box was likely skewed(again!) HOWEVER!!!!!!A minute of scrolling about got me two photos!As I'm c**p round a keypad (and my wife is out)i can't give Instant access only the sites-which are GRICERMAN(flickr) andROBMCRORIE (flickr).The first has a very good b&w shot of 3737 slumber in a siding the other(in colour)shows her awake pulling a Boat Train quayside. So thanks Brian!Once again someone on this site has coupled an answer to a question! PS Have you come across CHARLIE VERRALL (flickr)?Lots of b&w photos, all regions,.Mid 50s into the 60s and lots of Industrials and close ups too Wishing you well ( watch out for them rabbit holes ,before you know it they've eaten up your day! ) Brian W aka 2-Bil

 

[2-Bil]

I posted the above with paragraphs but it went up as a chunk don't know why.Maybe its my unresolved relationship with a Keypad ?? (see above)