Andrew Young

Thanks Dirk, Hopefully it won't be long before the 3D print is available from CWRailway for people to buy. Before painting mine, I'll be writing down what work I've done, what bits I've used and the photos I took of the locos when they visited Tywyn to be available for others to use if they wish. CheerS, Andrew

Over a month since an update, but slow progress has been made with the carriages. Have come to the conclusion that a) building four carriages at once wasn't the best idea- there's a heck of a lot of work involved! And b) I prefer building locos and wagons to coaches! Having said that, all the coaches have had all the fiddly detail bits added, plus couplings buffers etc and all have been chemically blackened before fitting. Have also sorted out a few figures to populate the carriages. Next stage is weathering, however this week, I've taken some time to catch up on my other project that's on the go in tandem, my Fletcher Jennings loco. My OCD certainly took over with the detail! More details can be found on its own thread: http://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/index.php?/topic/115647-7mm-scale-townsend-hook/?p=2545968 However, as photos of carriages with some detail added is hardly thrilling, here's a photo of the loco with a comparison shot of William Finlay. Cheers, Andrew

Been a while since the last update. Spent some time recently getting on with this and now have the loco ready for the paintshop in time to tidy up the desk in time for the festive season. Ended up building a second chassis for this one, hence some of the time taken, a lot of the other time taken up when my OCD took over with the cab detail, in particular the injector pipe work. As it's the most enjoyable part of the build for me, this is no hardship. Over the years I've amassed a good bits box for loco building from Gibson, Wrightlines, Branchlines, Ron Chaplin and Lawrie Griffin, most of which came out for this model. Seeing as my loco is a typical Fletcher Jennings loco rather than an exact copy of one of the Betchworth pair, quite a few of the parts came as spare parts sold by Wrightlines when Kay Butler had the business and are from the Dolgoch kit, modellers licence has extended to putting the cylinder lubricators above the running plate as per Dolgoch. If I build another one, think I'd use more of the Branchlines parts and ring the changes with the lubricators, safety valves and injectors, reflecting some of the differences that exist between Townsend Hook and William Finlay. I'd not realised about the hole in the back of the cab until I saw the locos in the flesh in July, I can live with the omission though, the TR FJ locos don't have this, and suspect it may well be a Betchworth modification as Captain Baxter has the same iirc. Cheers, Andrew

Suspect that a liquid fuel would be more suitable for s 48DS and a Simplex... Great plans Neil, going to be a cracker of a layout! Cheers, Andrew

Gordon, unless you're seeing something that I'm not, both plans have a run round loop... Cheers, Andrew

Steady on Mike, if you plan a layout whilst Neil drove the minibus, we might think you were about to build one... Neil, think its a case of get the baseboard, or a piece of ply / table / desk at work, Mark it up for the size of board you'll have, get out the point templates and some wagons and see which looks best. Andrew :-)

I liked the previous plan and I like this one too. Depends on whether you want to build a single slip or not... :-) Cheers, Andrew

Only just found this (thank you Neil!). Lovely modelling and looking forward to seeing this develop. First discovered the CVR about twenty years ago when I was lent the first edition of Dr Patterson's book and found it enchanting, the range of kits available for the CVR in 7mm scale is most impressive. Regarding the Ragstone kit, how much of the valve gear is included in the kit, is it just the parts you can see above the skirts or is it a full set of valve gear? Thanks, Andrew

Very nice!

I accept this could be jumping the gun but, do when will you be able to announce your expected price? I rather fancy a 48DS and will have to consider whether I buy an rtr one or the kit version due out next month. Thanks, Andrew

The choice of wagons does make a good mix. Think Slaters do a private owner China Clay wagon which may be suitable? Shame about the quarry as does give some operating interest, see what you get space for? As for the modules, if you have the space, making them 2ft deep would give a little more space. Cheers, Andrew

Neil, Really like the modular idea with each module being one board in size. Very reminiscent of the layouts I've seen Jim Read and Mike (sorry, forgotten his surname, but Mr Reelly Grate layout). Or possibly a vertically stacked set of modules like Iain Rice's 'Virtual in Industria'... The Lionheart tank wagons are delightful, and having an oil fired mill is a great idea to run one. Along with 16T minerals for the coal, sheeted opens bringing in chemicals, some China clay hooded wagons and the vans taking away the finished product would give a good variety of operation. Plus, wasn't there a quarry up one of the branches? You could always expand the locomotive fleet from the prototypical locos as you have a Tin Turtle iirc, plus, should you want to get one, the Ixion Fowler would be ideal plus your Manning Wardle 0-4-0. Would be good if you could print out the maps and photos for our next Brunswick meeting and go through where it all fits together. Cheers, Andrew

Nice to see this project resurrected Neil! The forthcoming 48DS kit from Judith Edge has to also take some credit... Think this is a really cracking prototype, whether modelled accurately or as the inspiration for some freelance modelling. Have to admit that your previous layout plan is quite eye catching too, any plans to have a crack at that one too? Cheers, Andrew

Neil, Just a thought. the Board of Trade wouldn't have sanctioned passenger working over a wagon turntable. However, if you put the wagon turntable in the rear siding (by the dairy office) you could have a flat crossing across the main running line. Cheers, Andrew

Thanks Neil. They're Fox South Eastern & Chatham ones. Cheers, Andrew

Yes Don, lots of fun! But has hampered modelling time though... The photo is taken just above the lake, between the car park and the Cader Idris visitor centre / cafe adjacent to the road junction and Minffordd Hotel at the base of the path up Cader. Cheers, Andrew

Distractions. I did mention that October was full of distractions, namely three successive weekends in Tywyn for some last driving of the season, a Council meeting and our annual fireworks party. Does mean I get to spend plenty of time in Mid Wales in Autumn, my favourite season. Hopefully, when the MVR eventually gets to the stage of being developed scenically, I'll have a stab at modelling the place in Autumn. Had a couple of days driving No 6. Red Meadow by Andrew Young, on Flickr Including a spot of Cowboy driving.... Cowboy Crew by Andrew Young, on Flickr My last turn of the season was a charter for some filming work, resulting in driving this fine array of vintage wreckage! A suitable end to a very enjoyable season. Meals on Wheels by Andrew Young, on Flickr The trip for the Council was a very long day trip, so varied the route a little and drove via the Tanat Valley. Stopped to look at the very rusty rails at Porthywain. Trains No More by Andrew Young, on Flickr Plus time to enjoy the autumnal colours at Talyllyn. Talyllyn Autumn by Andrew Young, on Flickr There's also been plenty of work to distract me, including twelve days of action packed diversions via Kidderminster and the land that time forgot. Stopped by Signals by Andrew Young, on Flickr November has a much quieter diary, the only distraction so far being fireworks at Klondyke Mill, only ten minutes drive down the road. Klondyke By Night by Andrew Young, on Flickr Now back to the modelling desk... Cheers, Andrew

Some iPhone photos showing the carriages with transfers applied. The transfer backing shows up more on the photos than they do on the models. Shall have to see whether I can improve that with weathering. Shall take some photos with the proper camera once the carriages are finished. It is thought that the luggage van was a later addition to the fleet, it's not air brakes for a start and is understood to have been purchased to act as a parcels and goods van to run on the goods services. So there's a deliberate gap in numbers in case of future additions to the carriage fleet. Cheers, Andrew

Thanks Neil. Transfers were applied yesterday evening and a waft of Dulcote was put over them this morning. Left them in the airing cupboard whilst I went to work so will see how they've come out in the morning. Cheers, Andrew

Painting the four carriages in one go seemed a great idea, until getting the brushes out and it has seemed like a never ending task..... Not helped by several distractions in October, including three consecutive weekends in Wales. However, pleased to say that all the main bodywork painting is complete. Next job is transfers..... Still a way to go yet, there are some fittings still to paint up / chemically blacken before a quick spray of dulcoat and on to the weathering. Then I suspect the carriages will be finished off one at a time with glazing and a scattering of passengers. Plus two of them need a roof and seats making. Thankfully, November's diary is looking a lot clearer.... Cheers, Andrew

Enjoying your current build, a very nice job. Styrene is an under rated scratch builder's medium in my book. Cheers, Andrew

Very nice job on the 'yellow peril' Ruston. They're distinctive looking locos and fits the scene perfectly. Remember being captivated by the NRM's ex BR version on one of my youthful visits to York. Thanks for posting the overall view of the shed, shows what can be achieved in a modest space. Using DCC, do you find that the sound travels through the tunnel connecting the two halves? If so, must heighten the experience of standing at a location hearing a train approach long before you can see it. The rural industrial look you've achieved does remind me of Foxfield, though no doubt there were plenty more examples of the ilk in days gone by. Cheers, Andrew

The honest answer is I don't know as I haven't seen the Hornby Peckett yet. Though I may well be tempted by one when they appear, even if it did mean another modelling distraction that I don't need.... Do you know the wheelbase, wheel diameter and how the motor is fitted? Cheers, Andrew

The drawing is in: Townsend Hook and the Railways of the Dorking Greystone Lime Co. Ltd By J.L. Townsend. Its A5 sized with a pink cover, ISBN 0 9504720 4 2 published by the Brockham Museum in 1980. First knew about it when I saw the copy that I now have on Andrew Neale's book stall at the 7mmNGA Convention a few years back. Cheers, Andrew

Thanks Phil. After posting that comment I'd been wondering where I'd got the idea to paint drop lights tan from, think it must've been you! Agreed about tan being a good match for varnished wood, it's the colour I paint the insides of carriages too. Cheers, Andrew