From the Guardian, an interesting project – the Tashkent metro ….
After the ban on photographing the Tashkent metro in Uzbekistan was lifted this summer, Amos Chapple, RFE/RL’s photographer went underground to reveal the art, architecture and nuclear-blast protection in Central Asia’s oldest subway system.
Some wonderful stations here…
And a less challenging project from Simon. A remaining semaphore signal on Britain’s railways. Can’t be that many left?
Semaphore signal pic taken on a dull evening at Grange over Sands on Monday with added train.
It’s been a while since I looked at urban termini. Looking at London Victoria in the 1950’s there seems to be an interesting ‘bitsa station’ design that is possible.
The distance between the road bridges is about 4′ in ‘N’, so this is very buildable. To the left one could add a traverser. To the right one could have a second scenic board with those interesting sidings (probably used for parcels stock from the Golden Arrow and fourgons off the Night Ferry.) Or perhaps just another hidden board to terminate trains. The named trains left from platform 1. The others had a range of EMUs and steam hauled trains for the eastern section of the Southern Railway (formerly the SECR).
The next question is which side to view the layout from. To give the full impression of a large London terminus, a view from the bottom of the plan, looking over to the LBSCR section of the station, would be best. This might look something like the next two photographs. (The first one is easily modelled with a Farish ‘N’ class and Dapol Maunsell coaches.)
However, the view from the top of the plan could be the better one. Here we have a terrace of tall houses, the Bishop & Sons depository, and the most attractive Victoria East signal box. Although less easily identified as a large terminus, this would probably be the best way to build this layout.
All in all, another location with potential in a model.
This is an amazing sequence. It’s almost model-like in the way it’s laid out, and the frequency of the trains. Perhaps the only down side is having almost all of the trains the same – but Clapham in the rush-hour looked like that in some eras and at some times. (Note the car reversing over the level crossing to reach a parking space at 8:07. And then immediately crossing the road again for another space.)
The speeded up film also looks a bit like ESNG club night….
Also from YouTube, try this link for the classic Railway Roundabout series. Included are film of Hayling Island, Lyme Regis, the Brighton Belle, and the Isle of Wight. More wonderful viewing to keep you from watching those soaps….
And for the Isle of Wight, try these. All inspiring for modelling (so I’d better get on and do some!)
The postman delivered two parcels today – my Revolution Class B tankers. I hadn’t realised that I’d ordered 14…. But I must have, as they arrived today and they all look wonderful.
I’d started with the black liveries, so didn’t end up buying any red Mobil Charrington ones. But I’m especially pleased that I added the 4 UM examples to my order. They are rather colourful and will make a Rule 1 appearance whenever possible.
Note the etched ‘Regent’ shield to fix over the transfers. ‘Esso’ wagons also have them. And the ‘United Molasses’ wagon is rather classy!
Good to see 12 persons at last night’s meeting – and the treasurer was delighted that some of them even paid up their annual subs!
We got Raysden out of Derek’s garage for the evening. We wanted to take it to the Gaugemaster show, but also wanted to check that it has survived the hot summer. All was well, just a couple of signals warped a little, and the white metal water tower bent slightly under its own rather top heavy weight. Otherwise, the modelling looks as good as ever.
We did have a slight problem with one of Paul’s bullets, as the platform clearances were too tight for it. I recall that this is totally prototypical – most recently in Italy where the new multiple units wouldn’t fit between the platforms.
Derek was running a GWR goods train….
Simon’s short American goods train passes through Raysden….
Followed by a Shay and some tourist coaches. Not sure about the H&S implications of the coaches….
I thought about going to Railwells 2018 last Saturday, but having just been to Shepton Mallet (just down the road) the week before, I couldn’t face another holiday Saturday on the road. Seeing this video, I rather wish that I had gone. Well worth watching the full 25 minutes.
What really impresses me about this show, is that it is often difficult to tell the difference between 2mmFS, ‘N’, 4mm and 7mm layouts. It’s often the coupler types that give it away.
Layouts on display, and I think most of them were in the video, were….
The minute Bridge Sidings (about T scale) was driven by a strimmer mechanism. There is a very narrow slot next to one rail to drive the loco along…
I have enough problem seeing ‘N’ gauge, thank you!
From the sublime to the ridiculous. I’m sure Thomas the Tank Engine wasn’t this exciting when I watched it with the kids. I suppose that Beyoncé WAS a kid then….
We will be exhibiting at the Gaugemaster show over the first week in September, at their shop in Ford, near Arundel. We’re taking the usual modular layout, but with some different modules. We were there two years ago, and it was a good show with plenty to see. And you can shop (or if nothing else window-shop) in Gaugemaster.
We’ve had to cancel the ESNG Open Day in October. Having taken a quick poll of who was available on the day, we didn’t get enough definite people to set up and run both an N-mod and N-club layout, and look after the door and catering. I have probably been too ambitious with plans for this and making it into a ‘mini-show’. We’ll think again and perhaps open up the November PlayDay and publicise it.
The Stuttgart N Club International meet is November 22-25. It can be done in one (long) day by EasyJet from Gatwick. Recommended – and ESNG will be there as usual.
And N Gauge Southeast is coming April 2019 – planning is well in hand.
ESNG still have some of their 21st birthday special commission wagon available. It’s a Dapol Gunpowder Van, suitably lettered, and labelled ‘Return to Redhill’. Just 100 were made for us, so I guess it’s a collector’s item – of sorts.
The cost is £11.00 per wagon, plus £3.95 postage (recorded delivery) in the UK. I can find out overseas costs if anyone abroad is rash enough to want one. Payment by cheque or bank credit transfer (as I’d rather not set up on Ebay – yet.)
If any blog readers are interested, please comment below, or best of all email me at barthyd AT pobox.com (for AT read @ to avoid spambots.)
Back from our annual week camping at the Shepton Mallet showground for the New Wine church conference. 23rd time – and the last as it’s moving to Peterborough. So this is the last time to get a ride on the miniature railway that is on site and opens up for business on the Tuesday day off.
Near our camping pitch was this fine vehicle. Not sure what it is on, but it seems to have gone straight to its springs….
We came home the scenic route via Ringwood to visit old Redhill friends. Colin insisted on showing us his original WW2 vehicles that he is restoring. A 1943 Dodge truck, and a little M28 tracked cargo carrier (that developed into the M29 ‘Weasel’). These were originally designed for an invasion of Norway, but when this didn’t happen, they proved useful in the mud from Normandy to Berlin. In the background is an original M28 wheeled trailer (still in arctic white paint), that had mudguards that folded down to make skis.
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