SOS Junction. If anything happens would someone wake me up please..

[Mallard60022]

Mny years ago when I was working in the publishing industry I was in charge of a Magazine called Motorcycle Weekly - as sponsors of the BMF rally at the Peterborough show ground we coughed up for  a 'decent band' -

 

Status Quo,

10,000 bikers in a very large tent.

Much Beer

 

What a night!

John Coglan (the original drummer) still does local gigs that don't cost a fortune. Have a look on the web. Well worth a peep.

Phil

[Captain Kernow]

There was a rather nice greetings card with a pencil drawing of a duck running towards the artist in a local Waterstones this afternoon, which I was admiring as CTMK and I were sitting adjacent to the card rack, sipping coffee. I was going to take a photo of it for Herr Docktor von Quackenhausen, but by the time I had finished my coffee, an Earth Mother type person had picked up the card, which was the only example there, and taken it off to the till.

Edited November 28, 2017 by Captain Kernow

[GRUNFOS]

I saw this outside Weatherspoons and decided to keep a long way away.

 

 

Bill.

[bigwordsmith]

I didn't know Phil liked to drink at Weathersppons - well I never!

 

Just pre-ordered one of these from our friends in Sheffield - no idea what it will cost, but every loco shed layout should have one!

 

https://railsofsheffield.com/ransomes-rapier-45-ton-breakdown-crane-br-black-e-emblem-JJJA27651

[Mallard60022]

I saw this outside Weatherspoons and decided to keep a long way away.

 

Duck head?

 

I didn't know Phil liked to drink at Weathersppons - well I never!

 

Just pre-ordered one of these from our friends in Sheffield - no idea what it will cost, but every loco shed layout should have one!

 

https://railsofsheffield.com/ransomes-rapier-45-ton-breakdown-crane-br-black-e-emblem-JJJA27651

Agreed. Something must have fallen off the rails somwhere near The Junction.

Phlop

 

Edited November 28, 2017 by Mallard60022

[Oldddudders]

I saw this outside Weatherspoons and decided to keep a long way away.

 

a.jpg

 

Bill.

 

Had you just emerged from Wetherspoons? If so, may I suggest you take more water with it? 

[Mallard60022]

Had you just emerged from Wetherspoons? If so, may I suggest you take more water with it? 

Ref the Spoons thing. I have been in a couple. There are far better pub style Restaurants/Cafes IMO.

Ross on Wye years ago with late Geoff B and extant Phil B. It was OK but a bit clinical. 

Bristol Docks, for breakfast (they do a sort of Gluten Free one but it wasn't special) following a wedding the previous day. March this year. 

Don't rate these places I'm afraid, no sawdust on the floor or anything like that.

C.Orkage

[Clive Mortimore]

I didn't know Phil liked to drink at Weathersppons - well I never!

 

Just pre-ordered one of these from our friends in Sheffield - no idea what it will cost, but every loco shed layout should have one!

 

https://railsofsheffield.com/ransomes-rapier-45-ton-breakdown-crane-br-black-e-emblem-JJJA27651

Hi Smiffy

 

45 tonner is far too big unless you are building a big shed like Toton, Bath Road, etc.

 

A smaller crane like a 25 to 30 tonner would still be big for many model depots.

 

It does look a smashing model and I am sure it will grace many a layout.

 

As a side note I have just had my first mince pie, and it is still November.

[Tim Dubya]

As a side note I have just had my first mince pie, and it is still November.

 

Oh Clive, I don't know 

 

 

 

 

 

 

resistance is futile

[Mallard60022]

Hi Smiffy

 

45 tonner is far too big unless you are building a big shed like Toton, Bath Road, etc.

 

A smaller crane like a 25 to 30 tonner would still be big for many model depots.

 

It does look a smashing model and I am sure it will grace many a layout.

 

As a side note I have just had my first mince pie, and it is still November.

Well I am ashamed to say that two weeks ago I ate about ten GF mince pies made by SWMBO. Not all on the same day and not even all in a couple of days. It did take about a week and the last ones were even better as they had matured nicely. However, I have discovered some splendid GF Mince Tarts at the Reford Station Costa and have been having several of those  a week for quite a few weeks; absolutely yummy. That place also often has GF Wraps and they are also very yummy indeed.

The Crane; excellent model and there was an example kept at Exmuff Junction Shed. I'm told that is extant at Ropley.

I think one might have to be purchased.

Now, a complete change of subject. I have seen that 'the' SOSJ CCE has secretly been building bits of the Carlisle area, including Shap. It was at Warley, it works, it has scenery and it was done in quite a short time. Umm I thought when I saw it. Now I know why the politest of hints was dropped on the CCE's last visit to The Junction. Progress is required. Yup, I am ashamed. Can't even use a mouse as an excuse this time, but I do have to motivate myself to go to Somerset very early on this Saturday morning, then try to get into Bristol on Saturday afternoon for a wedding and get out again at about 6 p.m. followed by the reception down in Yatton when I shall be knackered. Miserable git I maybe but then it is Hereford on Sunday afternoon and Malvern on Monday morning, followed by the joy that is the M5/M42/M1 on Monday afternoon. It will actually take me about a month to recover, that's why I'm not looking forward to it.  Hey ho.

Phil

[Tim Dubya]

I do have to motivate myself to go to Somerset very early on this Saturday morning, then try to get into Bristol on Saturday afternoon for a wedding and get out again at about 6 p.m. followed by the reception down in Yatton when I shall be knackered. Miserable git I maybe but then it is Hereford on Sunday afternoon and Malvern on Monday morning, followed by the joy that is the M5/M42/M1 on Monday afternoon. It will actually take me about a month to recover, that's why I'm not looking forward to it.  Hey ho.

 

Drink cider... lots (Cheddar Valley is highly recommended), it's how I cope (when not driving), if things get desperate chuck in gin with yer pint for a yummy kick, may sound weird but actually works well together as a Somerset cocktail.

 

Reminds me, my AA membership runs out on 31/12/17

[Captain Kernow]

Oh Clive, I don't know 

 

 

 

 

 

 

resistance is futile

Careful here, if you don't want a carbon footprint, don't tread in any mince pie mixture.

[St Enodoc]

I didn't know Phil liked to drink at Weathersppons - well I never!

 

Just pre-ordered one of these from our friends in Sheffield - no idea what it will cost, but every loco shed layout should have one!

 

https://railsofsheffield.com/ransomes-rapier-45-ton-breakdown-crane-br-black-e-emblem-JJJA27651

The photo of the engineering prototype on the Hatton's site does look rather good.

[St Enodoc]

Hi Smiffy

 

45 tonner is far too big unless you are building a big shed like Toton, Bath Road, etc.

 

A smaller crane like a 25 to 30 tonner would still be big for many model depots.

 

It does look a smashing model and I am sure it will grace many a layout.

 

As a side note I have just had my first mince pie, and it is still November.

Not necessarily Clive. In my time, for example, Toton had a 75 tonner. My Bachmann crane - red version - will be a model of the Brighton Lovers' Walk crane as it was in the 1980s when I was Depot Manager there. If we needed a 75 tonner it had to come from Wimbledon.

[Northroader]

In BR days, most regions had about 4 or so 75 tonners, and about the same number of 45 tonners, spread around the depots in pecking order, also geographical considerations. The problem really was they were built to do two jobs, one bread and butter weekend possessions for the CCE involving bridge girders and the like, then the emergency breakdown jobs following derailments. For the civils work, you needed a long jib to reach overhead bridges, breakdowns were much easier if you had a short jib. A lot of the older prewar cranes at depots had short jibs and lowish ratings, but were very handy at shifting derailments. Also lifting a steam loco could be done near the buffers, so you get up closer. With mainline diesels, the lift had to be done with special gear at the bogie centres, not the ends. If the loco was well off,and a crane was needed both ends, even with two 75tonners, both were overloaded before you could start the job, such were their limitations with a bloody great heavy girder jib waving around above your head. Following a few overturnings, two crane jobs had to be directed by a regional specialist.

[Mallard60022]

Off The Rails I think it is, is a great read about the Eastleigh Breakdown Crane and the experiences of the gaffer I think it was?

I wonder now if it was a 75 Tonner at the Junction. I shall have to check in my Library.

Phil 

[Mallard60022]

Drink cider... lots (Cheddar Valley is highly recommended), it's how I cope (when not driving), if things get desperate chuck in gin with yer pint for a yummy kick, may sound weird but actually works well together as a Somerset cocktail.

 

Reminds me, my AA membership runs out on 31/12/17

Ah, I'd forgotten the pleasures of the juice of the apple. Worth a 'restless' night or two to have a few of those.

I. Bladder

[Clive Mortimore]

Not necessarily Clive. In my time, for example, Toton had a 75 tonner. My Bachmann crane - red version - will be a model of the Brighton Lovers' Walk crane as it was in the 1980s when I was Depot Manager there. If we needed a 75 tonner it had to come from Wimbledon.

Hi

 

The 75 tonners were late additions to the arsenal, most were delivered as part of the modernisation program in readiness for the diesels to fall over. This allowed the 45 tonners to be distributed to smaller sheds. Using the sectional appendix for the region/district  and time period of modelling normally gives what breakdown equipment is stationed where and its normal range of activities, I found the the 1970 southern section of the ER one very helpful when researching a crane for Hanging Hill. I nearly jumped straight in and just painted a Hornby 75 tonner red. For most of the BR steam era war time 45tonners and LMS 35 uprated to 50 ton cranes were the biggest.

 

With some work the Hornby crane does brush up quite well and can be altered to make a 45 ton Cowan Sheldon as well as a 75 tonner. Iain Hunter made a lovely 75 tonner which had been converted to diesel power form the Hornby model.

 

The Bachmann model does look good, now does my crane need some help with some civil engineering work nearby?

Edited November 29, 2017 by Clive Mortimore

[Tim Dubya]

Ah, I'd forgotten the pleasures of the juice of the apple. Worth a 'restless' night or two to have a few of those.

I. Bladder

 

None of that Thatchers Gold bollox either, Ched or some similar rough cider will sort you right Ducks, you won't be 'restless' in any way shape or form!

[Tim Dubya]

Off The Rails I think it is, is a great read about the Eastleigh Breakdown Crane and the experiences of the gaffer I think it was?

I wonder now if it was a 75 Tonner at the Junction. I shall have to check in my Library.

Phil 

 

This fella?

 

 

I just found and bought a copy from Abe books (based, as I always do, on the cover photograph) for £3:50 delivered.

 

Couple on the eBay too.

 

Cheers Quacks!

[St Enodoc]

Hi

 

The 75 tonners were late additions to the arsenal, most were delivered as part of the modernisation program in readiness for the diesels to full over. This allowed the 45 tonners to be distributed to smaller sheds. Using the sectional appendix for the region/district  and time period of modelling normally gives what breakdown equipment is stationed where and its normal range of activities, I found the the 1970 southern section of the ER one very helpful when researching a crane for Hanging Hill. I nearly jumped straight in and just painted a Hornby 75 tonner red. For most of the BR steam era war time 45tonners and LMS 35 uprated to 50 ton cranes were the biggest.

 

With some work the Hornby crane does brush up quite well and can be altered to make a 45 ton Cowan Sheldon as well as a 75 tonner. Iain Hunter made a lovely 75 tonner which had been converted to diesel power form the Hornby model.

 

The Bachmann model does look good, now does my crane need some help with some civil engineering work nearby?

Fair comments Clive, I was indeed thinking about later BR days.

 

The ex-LMS Cowans & Sheldon 50 tonner at Haymarket was the best crane I ever worked with, as it had six spreader beams not just four. That meant that it could be set up and used in situations where other, nominally higher capacity, cranes could not.

[bigwordsmith]

Hi Smiffy

 

45 tonner is far too big unless you are building a big shed like Toton, Bath Road, etc.

 

A smaller crane like a 25 to 30 tonner would still be big for many model depots.

 

It does look a smashing model and I am sure it will grace many a layout.

 

As a side note I have just had my first mince pie, and it is still November.

 

You have to blow this pic up a bit to see it, but right in the middle is the tail end of the Hornby ( could even be Triang) one that I picked up for £30 at a toy fair locally. I did plan to butcher it around, like so may other projects, but with the potential of getting good RTR one, I don't see the point - maybe a bit of additional grief grot ( I hate auto correct) might be added and a few bits and bobs, but why make work when you don't have to!

 

 

Ref the size of the Shed justifying the size of the crane, depending on where we end up I've been having thoughts about extending Waverley Shed somewhat. This would mean having a layout a bit like PN where all the action happens on one side of the room and the fiddle/ storage on the other. Given that we've not yet had a single viewing though, I'm thinking that moving might be a slow process!

 

It's already capable of holding 40+ locos with quite a few interesting movements, and the additional three roads that served as carriage sidings for Waverley East before it got dismantled could be incorporated as storage roads to the new layout.

 

It will however mean I have to bite the bullet and go DCC to get the right closeness between locos - it would not be possible on analog unless each loco had a perfectly matched section for isolation!

 

HEY ho - here's to the future.  

 

At least the medics are getting their act together, I've been summoned to the hospital for three sessions of injected steroids this weekend followed by two months on elevated oral doses - will have to be rigid on the diet or I could see all the good work of the last three months undone - should be fun over Christmas!

 

They are also looking at potentially starting a new drug trial with me as the first participant - not sure about it as it could mean some restoration of lung function, but monthly injections for the rest of one's natural!

 

Isn't getting old fun? (Not!)

Edited November 29, 2017 by bigwordsmith

[bigwordsmith]

On the subject of cranes, the Bluebell has one which has somewhat fallen by the wayside - they are looking for donations to get it back to a decent condition if not full function...

 

http://www.bluebell-railway.co.uk/bluebell/crane/oh_crane.html

[Clive Mortimore]

You have to blow this pic up a bit to see it, but right in the middle is the tail end of the Hornby ( could even be Triang) one that I picked up for £30 at a toy fair locally. I did plan to butcher it around, like so may other projects, but with the potential of getting good RTR one, I don't see the point - maybe a bit of additional grief grot ( I hate auto correct) might be added and a few bits and bobs, but why make work when you don't have to!

 

IMG_2797.jpg

 

Ref the size of the Shed justifying the size of the crane, depending on where we end up I've been having thoughts about extending Waverley Shed somewhat. This would mean having a layout a bit like PN where all the action happens on one side of the room and the fiddle/ storage on the other. Given that we've not yet had a single viewing though, I'm thinking that moving might be a slow process!

 

It's already capable of holding 40+ locos with quite a few interesting movements, and the additional three roads that served as carriage sidings for Waverley East before it got dismantled could be incorporated as storage roads to the new layout.

 

It will however mean I have to bite the bullet and go DCC to get the right closeness between locos - it would not be possible on analog unless each loco had a perfectly matched section for isolation!

 

HEY ho - here's to the future.  

 

At least the medics are getting their act together, I've been summoned to the hospital for three sessions of injected steroids this weekend followed by two months on elevated oral doses - will have to be rigid on the diet or I could see all the good work of the last three months undone - should be fun over Christmas!

 

They are also looking at potentially starting a new drug trial with me as the first participant - not sure about it as it could mean some restoration of lung function, but monthly injections for the rest of one's natural!

 

Isn't getting old fun? (Not!)

Hi Pete

 

Oh dear a case of opening mouth before checking the facts. I seem to be good at that. The 45 tonner would not look out of place on there. Very impressive.

 

As for buffer to buffer locos in the sidings, on all my depot layouts I have managed this in analog. Sections end up being small, 4 inches long. I took the BR standard 350hp shunter as my basic section length, a Baby Deltic or Class 25 are two sections and a Peak or grown up Deltic 3 sections. Brush type 2s and Class 37s proved to be a slight problem in that they are 10 inches long, but with careful marshaling and good guess work they sometimes only needed two sections switched out or three. I started to use this system well before DCC became a viable issue, even so the cost of 100 plus slide switches is still less than 100 plus chips.  DCC will give more flexibility.

[bigwordsmith]

Hi Pete

 

Oh dear a case of opening mouth before checking the facts. I seem to be good at that. The 45 tonner would not look out of place on there. Very impressive.

 

As for buffer to buffer locos in the sidings, on all my depot layouts I have managed this in analog. Sections end up being small, 4 inches long. I took the BR standard 350hp shunter as my basic section length, a Baby Deltic or Class 25 are two sections and a Peak or grown up Deltic 3 sections. Brush type 2s and Class 37s proved to be a slight problem in that they are 10 inches long, but with careful marshaling and good guess work they sometimes only needed two sections switched out or three. I started to use this system well before DCC became a viable issue, even so the cost of 100 plus slide switches is still less than 100 plus chips.  DCC will give more flexibility.

 

 

 

Thanks Clive, I do hete it when cleverer people than me point out the things I should have considered - but when you put it like that it seems so blooming obvious that if you're planning to do a shed layout multiple short sections are a far better proposal than the way I have it, which allows around 12-18" per section. If only I'd thought of this before wiring it all up!

 

Now the decision is more complex - which is the greater ball-ache - re-sectioning the layout with lots of soldering and building a new panel, or chipping 100-odd locos and learning how to programme in DCC.

 

I know which would be cheaper, but given my dislike of elecktrickery,  would it be worth the hassle, especially as all the lines are ballasted in?

 

On the other hand I suppose I could be selective and just resection the storage lines - that would look much more impressive, especially as I'll probably end up removing the couplings from a lot of the fleet to get better pictures, so the odd buffering up wouldn't be a problem

 

Ah well, keep dreaming .