engine sheds Basingstoke Shed - 70D - Comes to Buxton

[Nick C]

The SEEP motors are solenoids, so will need passing-contact or momentary switches rather than on-off type toggle switches. There tend to be two main approaches to control panels - either a mimic diagram with the switches in their appropriate places, or a numbered diagram with the switches all in a 'frame' and numbered to match.

[30368]

3 minutes ago, Nick C said:

The SEEP motors are solenoids,

 

Many thanks Nick - I did not make it clear that the toggle switches are passing contact - you would not want to pass current through a solenoid coil for any legnth of time.

 

I will probably opt for a mimic diagram approach that you suggest.

 

Kind regards,

 

Richard B

[30368]

I managed to fit four point motors today really a bit fiddly!

 

Motors are already wired up.

 

These are the switches I will use to operate the points, these do not latch just switch the point motor then disconnect supply.

 

Kind regards,

 

Richard B

[30368]

Not much to show for a good morning work with six more point motors fitted!

 

Picture of H15 30475 on a test run in place of the Hornby 700 class 0-6-0. Managed to avoid the drill!

 

This loco, one of the last Maunsell H15's in service, was often seen at Basingstoke station and shed. I saw it at Woking a number of times.

 

Kind regards,

 

Richard B

Edited January 8, 2022 by 30368

[30368]

A very brief update. I have mounted the 13 Seep Point Motors that handle the main line that runs past the shed. I have connected up the first and it works just fine. I hve found just three of the 50 on-off-on momentary switches that I ordered for point motor control about six years ago. The rest seem to have been lost in the move to Buxton! I have replacements on order.

 

My version of a mimic board for the main line routes.

 

I will need a second board for Oakley Station and its small yard. I am still considering the shed yard re point control.

 

Kind regards,

 

Richard B

[30368]

Had a go at my first ballast laying followed by a small scenic area. The site is the "Salisbury Bay" on the down side of Basingstoke platform 1 (not modelled yet) where Salisbury and beyond stopping trains started their journey. Those that originated at Basingstoke that is. In future I will use much less ballast since in places I have covered up the chairs and sleepers.

 

The board is a temporary fixture to prevent "the great train disaster of Basingstoke"... The rail built buffer stops (LMS models) were given to me by Phil (Mallard6022), thanks Phil. Tree needs some more work.

 

 

 

Kind regards,

 

Richard B

 

 

 

 

[30368]

Working on Platform 1 and the bay. Using Peco platform kits. These are brick platform sides and slap tops. Early views of this platform show that the sides were contstructed of concrete (at the time of the station rebuilding which was around 1904/5. with slab tops. The platforms were later tarmacked over because, I assume, the slabs were breaking up. I plan to fill the embossed brick sides and top with filler and then paint and weather appropriately. I can get five coaches into the bay which is fine.

 

 

Kind regards,

 

Richard B

[30368]

Continueing to work on Platform 1 and the bay. Using Peco platform kits. Pl. 1 now mounted on the board and I have started to ballast the down main. Approaching this in a different way from the bay. I have painted the board with a mioxture of earth coloured paint and then very thinly applied the ballast. I then sprayed with detergent water and then applied the watered down PVA with a brush.

 

Filler applied to platform section joints.

 

 

Kind regards,

 

Richard B

[30368]

Have added first platform "furniture" a modified ex Midland water column made to look as close as possible to the LSWR (SR?) version.

 

Ballast is still drying out and has not yet been painted.

 

 

 

KInd regards,

 

Richard B

Edited January 28, 2022 by 30368

[30368]

A quick update. Platform 1 is now installed and cable trunking added to both up and down lines. I have used the white platform edging supplied with the Peco platform kits for the trunking, it looks fairly convincing. The up lines still need ballasting. Unlike platform one, the island and up platform will use Hornby platform units suitably modified for the prototype location.

 

I have also started work on refurbishing the shed (Townstreet mouldings). The roof is scratch built from brass sections and this needed a fair bit of repair work and re-painting. I have filed slots in the top of the shed walls so that the roof is located correctly. I have ordered a York Models smoke trough kit to see how well it can be adapted to fit the prototype. I have vast quantities of corrugated plastic sheeting for the roof.

 

So much to do!!!

 

 

 

 

Kind regards,

 

Richard B

[30368]

Whilst waiting for the latest track ballasting to dry after glueing I thought I would have ago at converting my Bachmann water tower to something like the Basingstoke tower. There are problems, it is too small, not of the right design for the LSWR and the windows are painted red (so Midland Railway??). The Basingstoke tank is covered in corrugated sheeting, much like the engine shed roof so good practice for that task.

 

It has gone fairly well and will be much closer to the Basingstoke installation when complete. I did consider building from scratch but frankly it would have taken too long and probably would not fit the layout - all of which is compromised on size compared to prototype.

 

Windows and doors now faded SR green.

 

 

Approximate location. Roof section not yet glued to the ends or trimmed. More detail to add too.

 

 

Kind regards,

 

Richard B

 

 

 

Edited February 4, 2022 by 30368

[30368]

Just wanted to mention a model railway supplier that I have not used before "Detail Matters" who are located in The Republic of Ireland. I ordered a couple of their non-working SR Ground Signal/Point lever pack and they seem really good. I shall be using them again.

 

 

 

 

Kind regards,

 

Richard B

[Reinder]

Really nice work on that engineshed. Really looks good. 

 

Keep up the good work 

[30368]

First part of mainline now ballasted. All three platforms in place although the island and "western" platform not complete.

 

The modified water tower is almost complete bar weathering. I am pleased with the result, it captures the character of this very prominent feature of the steam railway version of Basingstoke, despite all the limitations referred to above.

 

 

 Large piece of lead performs many duties, today it is aligning the chimney (?) whilst the glue goes off.

 

Kind regards,

 

Richard B

[30368]

Water tower now has that well used look!

 

Little more to do on platforms and then I will move on to completing the shed.

 

 

Kind regards,

 

Richard B

[30368]

Thought I would post a few pictures to show progress. The next stage is to complete the offices, unloading bay etc on the station side of the engine shed. The track layout on the GW side of the station is wrong to prototype, yet another compromise due to space limitations.

 

Off to Doncaster tomorrow, which I am looking forward to, after the absence of such events for the last couple of years.

 

 

 

Kind regards,

 

Richard B

[30368]

Started on the station side of the shed this morning.

Enjoyed Doncaster Show, so good to be able to look at so many layouts in operation. I particularly enjoyed the ECML in all it glory at Grantham and marvelled at the minature wonder that was Ladmanlow Sidings - the location modelled is not far from my home although its changed a bit since steam days! Show is recommended.

 

 

 

 

Kind regards,

 

Richard B

[30368]

Now that the NU-Cast V2 is complete back to working on the station side of the shed. There are two buildings to the left of the unloading bay. The L/H one is the fitters bay, I know fairly certain of this since I sat in there back in 1964/5 (?) for a cuppa after isolating a traction motor on one of our (Eastleigh Diesel Depot) Cromptons which failed at Basingstoke with a traction motor fault. The call out fitter (I think it may have been Les Elsey, a really good steam loco photographer of the 1950' and 60s) spent most of the time in the bay whilst I was down in the inspection pit doing the business. Still, that's what apprentices are for....

Les was often "on call" which gave him an opportunity to fix loco's and DEMU's and take pictures of steam loco's. As the only (a couple more joined me on the depot later on) apprentice I often accompanied Les. Southampton Docks was a regular call, those Paxman engined shunters were often in trouble. On one occasion the Queen Mary was in dry dock, what a sight she was. I also recall Jim Clark's Lotus 49 Tasman car (2.5 litre V8 Cosworth) being loaded up on route to the South.

 

Anyway, this is how things look now. Still more to do to these buildings but nearly complete. The structures untilise "Townstreet" mouldings so are not totally accurate and the roof should be hipped on the R/H side. Still the stacks for the all important coal fired stoves are in place.

 

I think the R/H building was the stores but I am not certain.

 

 

Kind regards,

 

Richard B

[30368]

Further progress with the station side offices. The stores unloading platform was coated in Vallejo Ground Texture Acrylic paint and then coated with various washes.

 

 

 

 

Kind regards,

 

Richard B

[bodmin16]

I am enjoying watching your progress, I am Basingstoke born and bred and my late father worked at Basingstoke shed, amongst other roles.  I spent a good few hours standing on the platform at Basingstoke station and at Battledown in my teenage years.  Back in the late 90s I organised the Basingstoke show and we had Farnham club bring thier n gauge layout of Basingstoke.  On the Saturday morning the mayor of Basingstoke "planted a tree" on the layout.  Will be keep watching your thread for progress, thank you.

Edited February 20, 2022 by bodmin16
Spelling correction - fat fingers small keys!

[30368]

Further work on the station side of the shed. I have scratch built the "lean to" stores building which has a hip roof at one end. Not quite complete, guttering and weathering still to do.

 

 

 

 

Kind regards,

 

Richard B

[30368]

The stores building is now complete, fairly pleased with the result. I was always averse to brick paper to that used on this building looks ok.

 

 

 

 

 

Kind regards,

 

Richard B

[30368]

Not much more progress, a bit of track re-alignment prior to ballasting and, hopefully, a nice picture of S11 30398 passing it's home shed on a Salisbury local. I could never afford colour film back then.....

 

 

Kind regards,

 

Richard B

[30368]

Another first for me but routine for most of the subscribers to the RM web. Using a profiled polystyrene underlay I have slapped on some Terra Forma and ModRoc sheets to create the top surface which will be painted. A large part of this area will be taken up with the many small sheds and outbuildings that must of housed the depot management and accomodated footplate staff etc.

 

Further back, all the surviving images suggest that this was very overgrown with grass, bushes and trees. Lots to do then!

 

The front part of this area housed the many small admin and accomodation buildings for the shed and one of the "grassy banks" where young train spotters spent time. To the right the ground drops down to the road that passed under the station platforms.

 

This side will require an extension to the bank which curves around where the original (50 ft?) turntable was located.

 

Kind regards,

 

Richard B

 

[Nick C]

All long gone now of course - that whole area is now a block of flats...