Wright writes.....

[Tony Wright]

1 hour ago, grahame said:

A couple more snaps of my under-construction N/2mm layout while modelling is currently off the menu due to painful arthritis in the hands. The footbridge is roughly in place but without the platforms to sit on, and that's the next thing I plan to do - lay the through station tracks and add the platforms.

 

 

 

As always, lovely stuff!

 

Thanks for showing us.

 

Regards,

 

Tony. 

[CF MRC]

22 hours ago, Tony Wright said:

How's this for something interesting?

 

 

Hornby's latest TT Duchess.

 

I'll be reviewing it for BRM. 

At least the flanges are now rather finer. 
 

Tim

[Pacific231G]

On 27/06/2024 at 21:17, Tony Wright said:

How's this for something interesting?

 

 

Hornby's latest TT Duchess.

 

I'll be reviewing it for BRM. 

Interesting enough to take me back to my childhood!

 

The HD 3rail Duchess of Atholl was the loco I got with my very first layout (I must have been about four)  along with a couple of coaches and a few wagons all on a 5x3 ft baseboard with an oval of track, a reverse curve (a useless feature as you could only use it once to change direction) and a siding.  I no know it was HD layout no. 4

 

My mum bought it 2nd hand  from a colleague at work and the three points were operated from a small lever frame (Hornby levers?) using wire in plastic  tube that ran under the board. My grandfather was a signalman so I really liked that feature .

I  assume the layout was based on Hornby Dublo's EDP2 train set (There was a box for the loco and coaches and my memory of it does seem consistent with the box that appears on some auction sites) .  What I also remember about it was that though you couldn't do much shunting with it, (There are better ways of arranging three points)  it did work well, started every time and never stalled. This was in marked contrast to the Tri-ang TT-3 that my dad persuaded me a few years later to trade it in for. I was never able to get that to work well. He quickly lost interest and I turned to Meccano! 

 

Looking at well presented examples of the HD 3 rail Duchess of Atholl on various auction sites and comparing it with images of the TT120 version it does look to have been a pretty good model (apart from the flanges) Though I think the coaches were short, they still looked a bit daft (even to my young eyes) going round 15" radius "corners".

 

The Duchess of Atholl loco and tender had a 1939 launch price of 45/- (though it didn't actually appear until 1948) which would be equivalent to £180 today.  The whole set was 92/6 so equivalent to £370.

Edited Saturday at 00:02 by Pacific231G

[thegreenhowards]

I thought people might be interested in my latest acquisition. An O gauge, 8’ long 7 track turntable fiddle yard.

 

 

This is a fine piece of railway modelling even if it’s not quite the same as the normal fare on here. I acquired it from a guy in Coventry who was clearing a garage and very generously donated the fiddle yard to avoid taking it to the dump. I believe it was originally built for the layout, Weydon Road. This will enable the scenic boards from my garden railway, Glenfinnan, to go out on exhibition, hopefully from next year.

 

It’s been built to last and is very strong (and heavy!). But that’s probably just as well when it has 20KG of locos hanging off the end! This video shows it turning and it copes well with the weight.

 

 

I’ve now got to incorporate it into the rest of the layout.

 

Andy

[Bucoops]

I saw the first picture and thought "I can't see a turntable". Oops!

 

That's impressive!

[Tony Wright]

I have a youngish (35), relatively inexperienced modeller with me this weekend, staying over at Wright Towers; the purpose of his visit is to help him get started on building his first loco kit - a South Eastern Finecast A4!

 

 

The frames had been started by another modeller, but they're true. Pick-up pads were installed last evening and the frames were later painted.

 

Right now he's installing the wheels, drive and pick-ups (of which, more later).

 

He brought along a Hornby Gresley A1 which Geoff Haynes painted for him in full GNR livery.

 

 

 

And very pretty it looks, too.

 

It's hard to believe, isn't it?

 

 

That the loco on the left was a 'rebuild' of the loco on the right!

 

 

Hornby did 1470 in LNER livery.

 

 

But nobody does 60113 RTR (Crownline/Wright/Rathbone).  

 

 

 

 

[30368]

 

Hi Tony,

 

I agree, the original Great Northern A1 was a very well balanced design and very pleasing to the eye. In contrast the A1/1, not so much, but I rather like the somewhat "brutalist" look of the Thompson Pacifics and was very pleased with my Crownline kit build. A very controversial subject though...... That the subject can still generate so much heat after so many years is odd.

 

My A1/1 being built a good few years ago now I should add that the smoke deflectors are undergoing fitting. You will also note, I'm sure, the Markits return cranks - which I use a fair bit. This was one of my last builds to use wacking great brass boiler bands....

 

Great that you are helping out a novice, the more loco builders the better.

 

Edit: Some images of the completed loco:

 

 

Kind regards,

 

30368

 

Edited yesterday at 10:05 by 30368
Pictures added

[Tony Wright]

On 29/06/2024 at 17:13, 30368 said:

 

Hi Tony,

 

I agree, the original Great Northern A1 was a very well balanced design and very pleasing to the eye. In contrast the A1/1, not so much, but I rather like the somewhat "brutalist" look of the Thompson Pacifics and was very pleased with my Crownline kit build. A very controversial subject though...... That the subject can still generate so much heat after so many years is odd.

 

My A1/1 being built a good few years ago now I should add that the smoke deflectors are undergoing fitting. You will also note, I'm sure, the Markits return cranks - which I use a fair bit. This was one of my last builds to use wacking great brass boiler bands....

 

Great that you are helping out a novice, the more loco builders the better.

 

Kind regards,

 

30368

 

Looking good.

 

Thanks for showing us. I wonder how many models they've been of GREAT NORTHERN as rebuilt? 

 

My 'novice' is getting on very well indeed.........

 

 

Pick-ups in place.

 

 

Rods on.

 

 

Basic body, bogie and pony done. 

 

Effectively, I've done half of this. I made one set of pick-ups Kieran did the other. Similarly so with the rods.

 

I soldered the front bit of the two halves, he did the back. And so on.............

 

 

And finally (after a splendid curry in Bourne) we've tested her. 13 bogies at 90? No trouble whatsoever, though she had to borrow one of my A4 tenders. 

 

Tomorrow? Who knows? 

 

Regards,

 

Tony. 

Edited 20 hours ago by Tony Wright
typo error

[Tony Wright]

Further progress today..........

 

 

Cartazzi frames in place, front end fixt on and buffer added. 

 

For a beginner to the 'black art', I think this is remarkably fine soldering! 

 

She obviously needed her own tender (at least part-completed)........

 

 

Which was erected this morning and attached.

 

 

And away she went, riding like a lady.

 

That's it for the A4 as far as I'm concerned with regard to assistance (apart from the valve gear). It's up to him henceforth.

 

We're now putting the frames together for a London Road N1. 

 

 

[Tony Wright]

Now on his way back to Lancashire, Kieran Higham has achieve a huge amount this weekend.

 

Not only (through a lot of his own work, where I left him to it) has he got a running A4 (which had previously been a load of bits), but (with a little help) he's now well on his way with the frames for the LRM N1......

 

 

I made the Comet gearbox - something I'd think a beginner would struggle with. A beginner without broaches and reamers, because the amount of metal needing removal to get the bearings in was substantial. Not only that, the middle gear was far too tight a fit on the layshaft (the shaft just wouldn't go through), so a one eighth reamer was required. As for the grubscrews; why are they so tiny? 

 

All that said, I've made many of these gearboxes, and they run superbly, but a beginner would be confounded in my view.

 

So, a most-successful weekend. Another 'modeller' now making his own locos (it's up to him now) and another one not RTR-reliant. A good thing? I think so, but unless the 'experienced' are prepared to help the inexperienced in all aspects of their modelling, then the actual 'constructive' side of our great hobby will decline even further. 

 

So what if Kieran burnt his fingers, choked from flux fumes, stabbed himself and lost (a little) blood? Welcome to modelling - modelling not for wimps! He's building his own locos; that has to be worth a little discomfort. 

 

Finally, thanks my young friend for your generous contribution to CRUK for your weekend's 'entertainment'. 

 

[Tony Wright]

On 29/06/2024 at 17:13, 30368 said:

 

Hi Tony,

 

I agree, the original Great Northern A1 was a very well balanced design and very pleasing to the eye. In contrast the A1/1, not so much, but I rather like the somewhat "brutalist" look of the Thompson Pacifics and was very pleased with my Crownline kit build. A very controversial subject though...... That the subject can still generate so much heat after so many years is odd.

 

My A1/1 being built a good few years ago now I should add that the smoke deflectors are undergoing fitting. You will also note, I'm sure, the Markits return cranks - which I use a fair bit. This was one of my last builds to use wacking great brass boiler bands....

 

Great that you are helping out a novice, the more loco builders the better.

 

Edit: Some images of the completed loco:

 

 

Kind regards,

 

30368

 

Thanks for showing us these pictures.

 

I don't remember seeing GREAT NORTHERN quite so dirty, but your weathering is very good.

 

I'm sure the following pictures will have been seen before, but some hundreds of pages back, or even a thousand or two!

 

 

My current 60113 dates from nearly 30 years ago, built from a Crownline kit and painted by Ian Rathbone (a review of my build appeared in MORILL at the time). She ran first on Stoke Summit, as seen here.

 

 

 

And she's still going strong on LB (I hope 'I' took a decent going-away shot). 

 

 

I think the kit made-up well, though it's Ian's painting which 'lifts' it. 

 

 

More recently (based on a prototype picture) she's hauled the 'Anglo-Scottish Car Carrier'. 

 

 

John Houlden built one for service on his Gamston Bank.

 

I sold it for him, though I can't remember to whom. 

 

 

Simon Martin brought along this Graeme King conversion.

 

I think the finest A1/1 I've photographed........

 

 

 

 

Was scratch-built in S7 by Steve Barnfield, who also painted it. 

 

Was it one of the most-controversial locos of all time? Certainly, from reading most accounts it was, but it was definitely better than in A10 mode (original A1). How could it not have been? Gresley A4 boiler and Kylchap double pot! I suppose the irony is that, but for her rebuilding, GREAT NORTHERN would have become a Kylchap A3, and thus a far more reliable loco than as the A1/1. Who knows, then preserved? Can anyone image anyone contemplating preserving 60113 at the end of 1962?

 

Anyone else got one? 

 

Regards,

 

Tony. 

 

 

 

 

Edited 18 hours ago by Tony Wright
to add something

[davidw]

Hi Tony, I think you've a picture of mine (A1/1) somewhere. 

[KieranH]

2 hours ago, Tony Wright said:

Now on his way back to Lancashire, Kieran Higham has achieve a huge amount this weekend.

 

Not only (through a lot of his own work, where I left him to it) has he got a running A4 (which had previously been a load of bits), but (with a little help) he's now well on his way with the frames for the LRM N1......

 

 

I made the Comet gearbox - something I'd think a beginner would struggle with. A beginner without broaches and reamers, because the amount of metal needing removal to get the bearings in was substantial. Not only that, the middle gear was far too tight a fit on the layshaft (the shaft just wouldn't go through), so a one eighth reamer was required. As for the grubscrews; why are they so tiny? 

 

All that said, I've made many of these gearboxes, and they run superbly, but a beginner would be confounded in my view.

 

So, a most-successful weekend. Another 'modeller' now making his own locos (it's up to him now) and another one not RTR-reliant. A good thing? I think so, but unless the 'experienced' are prepared to help the inexperienced in all aspects of their modelling, then the actual 'constructive' side of our great hobby will decline even further. 

 

So what if Kieran burnt his fingers, choked from flux fumes, stabbed himself and lost (a little) blood? Welcome to modelling - modelling not for wimps! He's building his own locos; that has to be worth a little discomfort. 

 

Finally, thanks my young friend for your generous contribution to CRUK for your weekend's 'entertainment'. 

 

Good evening all. 
 

Thank you Tony for a fantastic and fun weekend of model making, valuable instruction and tales from many a cricket pitch. Hopefully now I’m able to get the N1 and A4 (and also the other A4) completed myself prior to another future trip with the skills learned (although the A4 may turn up inside cylindered!). Thank you as well for the pictures as we went along, proof of progress, and some lovely images of Great Northern with Geoff’s wonderful paint work. I wonder when the real loco was last seen in that livery? 

 

Thanks also to you and Mo for the wonderful hospitality over the weekend, some fine food and plenty of coffee to keep up the concentration. 

 

I do wonder, though, how many other modellers keep things in surplus 50cal ammunition boxes…?!

 

Thank you (both) again.

 

Regards

 

Kieran

Edited 17 hours ago by KieranH
Poor spelling

[Ian Rathbone]

When originally rebuilt Great Northern was given a dark blue livery, as shown here. Model built by Mike Edge.

 

 

Ian R

[Tony Wright]

12 hours ago, davidw said:

Hi Tony, I think you've a picture of mine (A1/1) somewhere. 

Thanks David,

 

I'll have a look...........

 

Regards,

 

Tony. 

[Tony Wright]

10 hours ago, Ian Rathbone said:

When originally rebuilt Great Northern was given a dark blue livery, as shown here. Model built by Mike Edge.

 

 

Ian R

Good morning Ian,

 

A lovely model produced by two craftsmen at the top of their game.

 

I wonder if anyone has ever built a model of GREAT NORTHERN as first rebuilt; that is with the original (daft) cab and no smoke deflectors. Regarding the original cab, it must have been on Thompson's insistence because no other LNER big engine was 'inflicted' with the same poor design. I suppose it's 'B1-esque' (Thompson was Raven's son-in-law, of course, so the B1 had NER features), but quite hopeless on a much larger loco. It's recorded that those who erected it said it couldn't be properly-supported, and would sway when the loco was in motion; which it did, and was soon replaced. 

 

One thing I've never been able to establish is why 4470/113/60113 was unique among the LNER non-streamlined big engines in not having a lower handrail on the firebox, nor any large handrail on the smoke deflectors.

 

Regards,

 

Tony. 

[Barclay]

11 hours ago, Ian Rathbone said:

When originally rebuilt Great Northern was given a dark blue livery, as shown here. Model built by Mike Edge.

 

 

Ian R

I have to admit that while I abhor what he did to that beautiful loco., it does look amazing in that livery !

[Tony Wright]

12 hours ago, davidw said:

Hi Tony, I think you've a picture of mine (A1/1) somewhere. 

Good morning again David,

 

Found it!

 

 

Do you know it's nearly ten years since you first visited LB? Bringing with you GREAT NORTHERN..............

 

 

An A1.

 

 

An A3.

 

 

An A4.

 

 

And a V2. 

 

At the same time, Morgan also brought along.........

 

 

 

His A4. 

 

The huge difference between the standard Hornby model and this one is the chassis, with much-improved motion (in this aspect, Hornby's A4 is rather weak).

 

You must be happy with it as is, because............

 

 

At a slightly later date, you brought along another A4 (I think this is hauling your train as well).

 

Subsequent visits have seen you run..............

 

 

An A2 (DJH).

 

 

A 9F.

 

 

Another A1 (your train again?).

 

 

An A2/1.

 

 

An A2/3.

 

 

And a K1.

 

 

As well as some Thompson cars.

 

And............

 

 

Did you ever finish this A2/2?

 

Thanks for bringing these models along over the last decade (there are others).

 

It's been (and continues to be) a privilege to have so many dear friends visit down the years, bringing with them their models to run.

 

I wonder just how many visiting locos/trains Little Bytham has been host to? Even those fitted with DCC are welcome!

 

Regards,

 

Tony. 

 

 

 

 

Edited 5 hours ago by Tony Wright
clumsy grammar

[geoff west]

I have Great Northern that John Houlden built  

It could really do with going to Geoff for a repaint.