Although my usual modelling genre, as regular readers will know, is the Southern Railway between 1946 and 1949, however due to Canute Road Quay has very few visual references to either period or location (yes there are a couple, but hey…)
USA tank 30067 continues to shunt
It therefore allows me to change the location and era with different rolling stock, vehicles and details.
USA tank 30067 is joined by B4 30089
In this case we have stayed at Canute Road Quay‘s intended setting but time travelled to a time when wartime rationing had at long last come to an end by moving into the British Railways late 1950s era.
30089 joins 30067 on shed between turns
Having deliberately when building Canute Road Quay left the vehicles and other details such as crates, sack stacks and oil drums etc. loose, it enables them to be both be moved around, to give some variety in photographs, and or replaced with other items to different periods.
USA tank 30064 adds a splash of colour to proceedings
In this case we still see the excellent Model Rail Magazine USA tanks, produced by Bachmann, still handling the mainstay of the work, with a slight reference to the past due to a visiting ex LSWR Adams B4, by Dapol, all British Railways liveries.
The change in period also sees slightly more modern wagons and vehicles appearing, along a few older ones that have managed to get a repaint to the latest British Railways livery.
I hope you enjoy this post, the next ‘Making Quay Changes’ post with Canute Road Quay will also still be set in its usual location but again time travelling, but what era will it be…?
Although my usual modelling genre, as regular readers will know, is the Southern Railway between 1946 and 1949, however due to Canute Road Quay having very few visual references to either period or location (yes there are a couple, but hey…) it allows me to change the location and era with different rolling stock, vehicles and details.
No. 7128 in LNER Wartime livery with full skirts sits on the shed.
I have deliberately left the vehicles and other details such as crates, sack stacks and oil drums etc. loose, this enables them to be both be moved around, to give some variety in photographs, and or replaced with other items to different periods.
They are such delightful models featuring: a coreless motor, options of fully skirted or unskirted, open or closed window and front doors and the distinctive cow catchers; I could not resist the urge to purchase a couple!
The two J70 models I have represent a version still with full side skirts and one with the skirts partially removed.
No. 7128 simmers in front of the quayside offices
I have also varied the front door and window positions, fitted crew members and lightly weathered.
I feel the weathering really brings out the details of these models and tones down, my possible only criticism of the model, their out of box very bright orange woodwork finish.
No. 7128 shares the quayside with a Peckett W4 class (modified Hornby)
This weathering has followed my usual practice of layers colours including: brake dust, dirt, rust, soot etc. via different processes of: drybrushing, washes and airbrushing along with cleaning some areas with a cotton bud but leaving the dirt in the crevasses and corners.
No. 7126 meets an Andrew Barclay (Modified Hattons model)
The J70 class designed by James Holden was a more powerful version of the earlier Y4 0-4-0 tram engine designed by T.W. Warsdell and 12 were built at the Great Eastern Railway’s Stratford Works between 1903 and 1921.
A last view of Nos. 7126 and 7128 together
During their lifetime, the last being withdrawn in 1955, the J70 class were used at: Ipswich Docks, Yarmouth, Colchester Hythe Docks and of course on the iconic Wisbech and Upwell Tramway for which they gained their most fame.
I hope you enjoy this slightly different post, I apologise to the die hard Southern Railway / Region readers for this post being of Great Eastern / LNER content, but worry not, I will make amends in the next ‘Making Quay Changes’ post with Canute Road Quay back at its spiritual home of Southampton Docks but a different era, but what will it be…?
Whilst many when asked about Southampton Docks will generally immediately think of the ex LSWR / Southern Railway docks with ex LSWR B4 0-4-0 tanks and later SR USA tanks, however there were a myriad of rail served private docks and wharves in the area including inner and outer docks and those along the River Itchen such as Dibles Wharf, Notham, Britannia and Victoria wharf, many of which had their own locomotives.
The recent advent of ready to run industrial tanks, that it has to be said are pretty cute really, such as the Hatton’s Andrew Barclay 14″ 0-6-0t and Hornby W4 Peckett 0-4-0t has opened up a few quick win options for use on Canute Road Quay. One thing I like about many of the locomotives used in such private wharves and quaysides is their use of dumb, usually basic wooden blocks, buffers.
The modified Hattons Andrew Barclay simmers outside the quayside officers at Canute Road Quay
The process for fitting the dumb buffers is to remove the model buffers which are either one piece inserted into the buffer beam or heads and moulded shanks, as per the Hornby Peckett and cutting off the shanks. In both cases any raised detailing on the buffer beam such as rivets etc is filed smooth to enable the replacement wooden dumb buffers that comprise of shaped plastic rectangular section to be glued in place. These are then painted with a grey weathered wood colour paint.
The Hornby Peckett modified with an open cab as well as dumb buffers on Canute Road Quay
With the Hornby W4 Peckett I went one stage further than just replacing the buffers but modifying to one of the open cab versions of the W8 and as per a picture I have seen of such a locomotive at Dibles Wharf in Southampton (I can not post this photograph as I do not own the copyright).
Work in Progress on the W4, Dumb buffers shaped fitted, the cab upper rear removed, and new top ledge fitted and the first brass handrail in place
The cab rear on the Hornby model is a separate moulding, so perhaps an open cab version is on the cards in due course, and I carefully cut the top half away just above the strengthening bar. You can choose to keep the original plastic handrails that extend to the underside of the cab roof but I chose for strength purposes to replace with 0.45mm brass rod. I then added using think plastic micro-strip a top ledge to the now lower cab rear panel. A crew member has also been fitted.
Dry brush weathering is underway, picture is before the use of a cotton bud to remove some of the dirt
Both models have been weathered in this case using dry brushing techniques, rather than airbrush or weathering powders, and then in many places the weathering rubbed off using a cotton bud. The colours used include: weathered wood on the dumb buffers, brake block dust on the brake blocks, dark rust, roof dirt (essentially dark grey). Area such as the tank and cab sides have the dry brushing removed more than for the example the boiler top where more of a build up of soot etc builds up.
Another view of the Peckett W4 on Canute Road Quay
The modifications I feel give an added dimension and alternative to the out of the box model, and the open cab Hornby W4 Peckett shows off very well the amount of details that Hornby have incorporated within the cab itself.
The Southern Railway purchased 14 (plus one extra for spares) of these powerful, short wheel based locomotives from the United States Army Transportation Corps in 1946 for use within Southampton Docks to replace the ageing ex LSWR B4 0-4-0t. They were built to US Army specification T1531, all bar one of the 14 were built by Vulcan Iron Works, Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania; whist one, that became SR No.61 was built by H K Porter & Co Pittsburgh.
USA Tank No. 4326 in United States Army Transportation Corps livery and condition, note: lack of side cab windows, porthole rear cab windows and coal bunker with coal rails. I use this Model Rail version as the basis of my No.71 below.
They were modified at at Eastleigh works to suit Southern Railway use including: adding steam heating, vacuum ejectors, sliding cab side windows, square instead of circular front and rear cab windows (which ironically gave them more of an American look than British but improved visibility from the cab), Ross ‘pop’ type safety valves, a whistle, additional lamp irons and new cylinder drain cocks.
Early condition No. 72 still with original cab front and rear windows and bunker but cab side windows fitted and weathered
Once the locomotives started to enter traffic, large roof-top ventilators were fitted, British regulators to replace the US-style pull-out one, extended coal bunkers increasing capacity from 26cwt to 30cwt, separate steam and vacuum brake controls and wooden tip-up seats.
No. 68 shows off the extended rear bunker, roiff ventilator and square rear cab windows
It should be noted that engines entered service before all these modifications were totally completed and some locomotives did not receive all the modifications into early British Railways days, the last being October 1948..
Later in British Railways days they were fitted additional hand rails and an additional flat fold down platform beneath the front of the smokebox that folded down over the buffers to assist staff cleaning out the smokbox.
A view of No. 68 suitably weathered on Canute Road Quay
Post 1957 thet were also fitted with wireless two way cab radios, a whip aerial on the drivers side cab sheet and a steam driven turbine generator to power them. These steam generators were in fact second hand having been previously fitted to the various T9 and L11 class locomotives that were fitted with them when fitted for oil-firing in 1947/8.
No. 30064 in later BR livery and condition showing revised handrails and fold down front platform
Six of the class were later transferred to departmental stock and could be found at locations such Guildford shed and Meldon Quarry. They were eventually replaced at Southampton by the Class 07 diesel shunters. Withdrawal of the class took place between 1964 and 1967. Foiur survive into preservation, along with one similar ex USATC locomotive from Yugoslavia that was never in SR /BR(s) service.
The USA 0-6-0 tanks had been in service within Southampton Docks since 1946, Due to the various tight curves within Southampton Docks utilising existing Diesel shunters such as the EE 350HP, later 09 class was not going to be an option. Therefore in 1962 Fourteen 0-6-0 diesel-electric shunting 275HP locomotives specifically for use in Southampton Docks were purchased by British Railways from Ruston Paxman. They had a wheelbase of only 8 ft 7½ in, compared with 11 ft 6 in for an 08. With their high well glazed cab offset between long and short bonnets they certainly had their own distinctive character. Whilst very successful within the confines of the docks and shunting duties they had a habit of suffering from hot axle boxes when used on trip working so they were not often seen on the main line.
The locomotives were numbered D2985 to D2998, then were allocated numbers 07001 to 07014 under TOPS renumbering but not all locomotives remained in service long enough to be renumbered. Initially, the locomotives were finished in dark green livery and carried British Railways badges of the type use on coaching stock. All were later painted blue.
The RH side view of the Heljan 07 Class D2985
The Heljan model is initially released in two versions, representing them as built non air braked and as later modified with air brakes, additional extra cabinet, air receiver compartment and high level air pipes:
Version 1 non-air braked:
– 2900 D2985 BR Green
– 2901 D2990 BR Green
– 2902 D2992 BR Blue
– 2903 07010 BR Blue
The LH side of the Heljan 07 Class note the lubricator linkage driven off the front axle
Version 2 air-braked:
– 2910 2993 BR Blue
– 2911 07005 BR Blue
– 2912 (07001) Peakstone yellow
– 2913 (07003) British Industrial Sand white
I will let the pictures demonstrate how well Heljan have captured the look of the prototype. It features a multi part injection moulded body with fine etched front and rear nose grills on a heavy diecast chassis. Separately fitted items include: metal handrails, sprung buffers, windscreen wipers, pipework, roof mounted air horns and factory fitted screw link couplings. The cab interior, clearly visible through the large flash glazed windows, is also nicely moulded and includes driver desks and a separate hand brake wheel and the dials in the instrument desk have been picked out accordingly, it certainly needs the inclusion of a driver to complete the look.
A 3/4 view of the Heljan 07 Class
Underneath the body the chassis features the correct air cylinders, sand boxes, sand pipes, other pipework and brake gear. Also fitted is a working lubricator linkage on the left hand side (when viewed long bonnet forward.
The 07 class had both lamps and lamp irons for all the standard SR 6 positions and these are faithfully represented on the model the two lamps above the buffer beam illuminate one red and one white in the direction of travel which is the correct lamp indication when shunting.
The 07 class had both lamps and lamp irons for all the standard SR 6 positions and these are faithfully represented on the model the two lamps above the buffer beam illuminate one red and one white in the direction of travel which is the correct lamp indication when shunting.
a 3/4 view of the short bonnet end of the Heljan 07 Class
Included with the model are disc, including those with duty numbers, as used within Southampton Docks, pre-printed on to one side. Shanked Tension Lock couplings are included for fitting in the NEM socket on the chassis, I found these to be too low and extend too far out from the buffer beam so have changed mine for shorter non cranked versions. For those not using the tension lock couplings the factor fitted screw link couplings are nicely modelled and suitable for use, a nice touch is that Heljan have also supplied a blanking plug moulding that clips into the NEM pocket to fill the gap in the buffer beam.
One of the original releases D2985 is seen at rest on Canute Road Quay
Performance of my model straight out of the box was excellent and smooth at slow speeds, there is space within the ling bonnet for a six pin DCC decoder (this is accessed via the two underframe screws located at the front to be removed before sliding the cab upwards from followed by the long bonnet.
Overall this is an excellent model in looks, detail and performance and Heljan should be congratulated for taking on such a prototype and producing such a fine model. It is right on the button for those modelling dockside scene in and around Southampton such as my own Canute Road Quay and other rolling stock is currently being acquired and worked on to run the layout in the transition period between the USA tanks and the 07 Class so what this space.
As I reported in my last update post here about Canute Road Quay it made is first semi public outing and a days running in anger so to speak at the RMweb annual South West Area Group members day in Taunton at the end of April. This is not really an exhibition as such but a gathering of like minded friends and modellers for a day of informal chat with some trains running at the same time.
Caunte Road Quay makes its debut at the RMWeb SWAG meet in April. Picture copyright and courtesy Ava Hay
The day proved to be a success from my perspective with Canute Road Quay operating as intended (I am as ‘happy as Larry’ shunting wagons around) during the day and the layout being well received with plenty of positive comments from those that stopped by for a look.
From a transportation and setting up perspective, being of course much smaller, it is much quicker and easier all round than taking Fisherton Sarum to shows. I also thank my friend and fellow modeller Simon Paley for helping me play trains during the day.
Shunting in action on Canute Road Quay. The vinyl cut lettering on the proscenium arch can be clearly seen. Picture copyright and courtesy Ava Hay
I certainly believe that when exhibiting layouts at shows, presentation, just as with lighting that I discussed here, is just as important and should be carefully considered. Canute Road Quay’s overall presentaion is aided by the design of the Tim Horn baseframes with the proscenium arch giving a letter box style view. The whole board is supported on folding adjustable trestles which does allow a range of viewing heights to be chosen, although I will generally opt for the higher viewing position. As the trestles are wider than the 12″ of Canute Road Quay I have also cut a length of plywood to act as a shelf at the rear of the baseframe for the all important cup of tea and also spare stock etc.
Around the bottom edge of the baseframe I have glued a Velcro Strip to attach one of the curtains that I use on Fisherton Sarum to hide the trestles etc. To match the curtains the outside faces of the baseframes have been roller painted matt black with Vinyl cut white lettering in Gills Sans, from vinylletteringonline for the Canute Road Quay name across the top of the proscenium arch.
A view of the simple compact fiddle yard of Canute Road Quay. Picture copyright and courtesy Ava Hay
I operate Canute Road Quay from the front of the layout, at obviously the left hand end as that is where the fiddle yard and control are located, as with Fisherton Sarum operating from the front allows for easy interaction and conversations with the public at shows and is very much part of the exhibition experience that I enjoy.
The observant amongst you might also have noticed the subtle change the exhibition side bar to the right of the page which has had a title change and includes the fact that off the back of its Taunton appearance Canute Road Quay has been invited to attend the excellent Exeter MRS exhibition at the The Matford Centre, Matford Park Road, Marsh Barton, Exeter, Devon EX2 8FD over the weekend of the 1st and 2nd July.
P.S. Are you fed up withe the ‘quay’ puns yet, I am kind of hoping so as I might be running out of them….
A number of factors have led to me considering the possibility of producing a simple and small shunting puzzle layout to keep me entertained, be able to operate at home and possibly exhibit without the need for such a large operating crew and logistics.
Firstly, I do not have the space to have Fisherton Sarum completely set up at home, one of the disadvantages of owning a small 600 year old brick and flint cottage in the Chiltern Hills, or indeed the space to build any of the other two layouts, Hawkhurst in Kent and Lydford Junction in Devon, that I have been pondering over, researching and planing for many years (indeed in the case of Hawkhurst I have already built much of the rolling stock and some of the buildings, more on this in future posts on this blog perhaps).
Secondly, the arrival of the excellent Model Rail Magazine commissioned USA Tanks, and already having a kit built Adams B4, got me thinking about knocking up a quick dock / quayside type scene, but obviously not based directly on a specific Southampton Dock location, I did mention earlier my issue with space… Hence the name of Canute Road Quay to maintain a Southampton’ish identity.
I have often enjoyed operating (‘playing with’) shunting puzzle layouts that have been created by fellow High Wycombe and District MRS member Ron North usually based on the classic ‘Inglenook’ design these type of layouts can be fun to operate as well as not taking up much space. For Canute Road Quay I have decided that I have approximately 4ft x 1ft of space in which I can fit an adaptation of the slightly larger than the ‘Inglenook’ puzzle the ‘Timesaver’. This includes the addition of a small run around loop.
I am also allowing for the top left line to exit through to a hidden single cassette (utilising the same foot long locomotive cassettes that I use on Fisherton Sarum) to allow for more operation and stock changing. The very front edge of the layout will be modelled as a dockside wall and the siding at the top right will be a small loco shed albeit single road and in semi low relief, being a sub shed of, and a similar look to the one actually at Southampton Docks.
Work in progress on USA Tanks, s64 in early 1948 livery, 68 and also 72 in pre full SR modified condition, although I need to add cab side windows. All await weathering
The other two shorter sidings / headshunts will be just about able to hold 3 off box vans and a small shunting loco such the USA Tank or Adams B4. I will on the whole be remaining in my usual 1946 to 1949 Southern Railway time period; but will allow for the occasional change in era/area (perhaps the odd industrial loco)!
I will use a Tim Horn laser cut baseframe to result in a professional looking letter box type presentation with a built in front lighting pelmet.
Buildings, for simplicity and quickness will be a mixture of modified Ready-to-Plonk resin low relief type warehouses as the backdrop at the left hand rear, some laser cut versions for the buildings acting as scenic breaks towards the front a at least one scratchbuilt such as the engine shed. Trackwork will be a mixture of open sleepered and inset track as seen around such docks / quays to give some variety to the surfaces.
As procurement of track, baseframe and some of the buildings has already commenced watch this space for more updates…
Danish manufacturer Heljan have made a new year announcement that they are to produce a Class 07 Diesel electric shunter in 00 gauge with a release anticipated in 2017.
Introduced in 1962 this class of 14 locomotives was designed specifically for use in the Southampton Docks complex, replacing the SR USA class of 0-6-0T steam locomotives (which are being produced as Model Rail magazine commission by Bachmann). The locomotives were a modified version of a standard Ruston and Hornsby design. They had a wheelbase of only 8′ 7½” and were powered by a Paxman 6RPHL Mk III six-cylinder diesel engine, rated at 275 hp at 1,360 rpm., compared with 11′ 6″ in for the larger 350hp English Electric powered 08 class, which made them ideally suited for use within the docks and its associated tightly curved trackwork.
Class 07 number 07012 in its later BR blue guise. Picture courtesy of Heljan
They were originally numbered D2985 – D2998 and became 07001 to 07014 under the TOPS numbering scheme. Initially, the locomotives were finished in dark green livery and carried British Railways badges of the type use on coaching stock. All were later painted in the standard BR blue.
With the decline of traffic within the docks the class was re-assigned to duties in the Eastleigh area before withdrawal, that commenced in 1973 with many finding work with a number of industrial companies, including 07009 that ended up in Italy. Six examples are preserved.
Two versions will be produced reflecting ‘as-built’ condition and later modified locos with waist height air brake connections.
Rumours of Heljan producing this model have been around for a while now so it is nice to have it finally confirmed. Heljan have made a bit of a niche for themselves producing some of the smaller and slightly obscure classes of locomotives and this is a welcome addition to the range. Further details of liveries and numbers etc. will be announced as the project develops.
[Edit 30/11/16] The versions being initially produced are as follows:
Version 1 non-air braked
2900 D2985 BR Green
2901 D2990 BR Green
2902 D2992 BR Blue
2903 07010 BR Blue
Version 2 air-braked (extra cabinet, air receiver compartment and air pipes (high level)
2910 2993 BR Blue
2911 07005 BR Blue
2912 (07001) Peakstone yellow
2913 (07003) British Industrial Sand white
Following on from the success of their first commissioned model steam locomotive in the shape of the Sentinal 4wVBT in 2011 Model Rail Magazine have announced that their next commission via Dapol [Edit: 31/08/13, this model will now be produced by Bachmann] will be the Southern Railway USA 0-6-0 tank.
The Southern Railway purchased 14 (plus one extra for spares) of these powerful, short wheel based locomotives from the United States Army Transportation Corps in 1946 for use within Southampton Docks. They were modified at at Eastleigh works to suit SR use including: adding steam heating, vacuum ejectors, sliding cab windows, additional lamp irons and new cylinder drain cocks. Once the locomotives started to enter traffic, large roof-top ventilators were fitted, British regulators to replace the US-style pull-out one, extended coal bunkers, separate steam and vacuum brake controls and wooden tip-up seats.
Six of the class were later transferred to departmental stock and could be found at locations such Guildford shed and Meldon Quarry. They were eventually replaced at Southampton by the Class 07 diesel shunters. Withdrawal of the class took place between 1964 and 1967.
Designed to the same standard as the Sentinals the models will feature: Accurate laser scanned body and chassis, Five pole super-creep motor, Heavy tungsten chassis for reliable performance and outstanding haulage power, DCC Ready, Spring Buffers, wire handrails, NEM Couplings, Extra detailing parts such as fire irons and duty boards, Etched metal front steps and Cab / bunker and smokebox variations. Initially, due September 2013, these will be available in four liveries:
MR-101 Dapol USA 0-6-0T Steam Locomotive number 4326 in United States Army Transportation Corps livery.
MR-102 Dapol USA 0-6-0T Steam Locomotive number 68 in Southern Black livery with Sunshine lettering.
MR-103 Dapol USA 0-6-0T Steam Locomotive number 30069 in BR Black livery with early emblem.
MR-104 Dapol USA 0-6-0T Steam Locomotive number 30064 in BR Lined Malachite Green livery with late crest.
All images in this blog are copyright myself and or The Kernow Model Rail Centre / Chris Nevard / Mike Wild / Paul Bason / Andy York / Hornby Magazine / Model Rail / BRM Magazine (see links above) posted here with their kind express permission, unless otherwise credited.
This Web Site and any of its contents may not be copied, translated or distributed in any manner (electronic, web or printed) without the prior written consent of Graham R Muspratt.
