Bradstock Loco

Quintus

Quintus

Western Thunderer
Thankyou for your kind comments. Taunton was a very enjoyable show and it was good to meet a few Westerrn Thunderers for a chat.
I unloaded today, and whilst the layout was dismantled I took the opportunity to check out the flickering led in the bottom of the ash pit, which didn't seem to be very effective of late. I found the base of the ash pit had been dislocated at some time (probably caused by speed bumps). A simple fix with a dab of pva and now it is a little more obvious that the loco is having the fire dropped or the ashpan raked out.
I am also making provision to fit a drape across the front of the layout, up till now I have made the excuse that folks interested in the turntable drive mechanism could easily have a look under, and quite a few have done so and even taken photographs of said mechanism, but I'm sure the drape will look very posh when I get it fixed up.
I have a few shows lined up for 2026 and will post details when I have confirmation.
 
daifly

daifly

Western Thunderer
Mike kindly brought Bradstock to our ScaleSeven Show at Mark, Somerset earlier in October. These photos were taken for my purposes as I like to see some of the things that Mike's clever close-up photography hides!
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The very neat fiddle yard. Note also the 'Bulldog' clips that Mike bought with extended jaws and which were modified to act as stock restraints on the cassettes. BTW, that's apple juice (unfermented!).

Some other crude views:
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The 'cutaway' sky above the siding exit works well in most views (photos 1 & 4). See how in photo 5 the gap becomes invisible.

Dave
 
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Quintus

Quintus

Western Thunderer
Great photos Dave, thanks for posting them. It was good to meet you at Mark and have a chat.
Going back to the ash pit, I have attempted to take a photo of the effect of the loco having the ashpan raked out now the bottom of the pit has been re aligned. The arrangement is a little more effective in reality.
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Quintus

Quintus

Western Thunderer
Low cab pannier 5717 has now joined the roster, purchased S/H from ECT.
I prefer the later type cabs on the 57xx's, but this one is beginning to grow on me, maybe due to the rather old fashioned appearance it gives these locos.
She is destined to become 5779, a Taunton based loco, I have removed the earlier emblem, and whilst the body and chassis were separated to fit the Youchoos sound decoder, I took the opportunity to start a little weathering, (obviously not on the side tanks until the transfers arrive)
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Quintus

Quintus

Western Thunderer
Transfers from Railtec now added. I also have a 3D printed smokebox and 82B (Taunton) shedplate for 5779, but I think the Railtec 3D cabside plates would not fit within the moulded surround on the Dapol locos, so awaiting them from Light Railway Stores. They should arrive early in the New Year, so for now she is still running as 5717DSC_6322 (1280x718)~2.jpg
 
Quintus

Quintus

Western Thunderer
A view of the other side of the loco. I am always looking for ways to "customise" rtr locos, and as there is no ATC battery box on the Dapol models. I thought I would address this omission.
I also noted the steam heating pipe ducks behind the cab footsteps on this version, with a rather pronounced bend where it goes behind the rear buffer beam, whereas the loco I intend to represent, 5779, had this pipe running along the langth of the running plate angle in a more conventional manner.
Work is presently in hand to modify the loco accordingly.DSC_6321 (1280x719)~2.jpgDSC_6318.JPG
 
Quintus

Quintus

Western Thunderer
daifly said:
Mike

I presume that you've seen 5779 in this photo (5th one down)
and here
www.facebook.com

British Railways Steam 1948 -1968 | Collett 3F 5700 Class 0-6-0PT 5779 | Facebook

Collett 3F 5700 Class 0-6-0PT 5779. Date and location unknown. My photograph
www.facebook.com www.facebook.com
and 3rd photo down here:

Dave
Click to expand...
Hi Dave ,
I have the photo of 5779 on key model world, which confirms the early brake hangers and the route of the steam heat pipe, I have also seen somewhere a photo of the other side, confirming where the spare lamp brackets were fitted.
Not seen the Facebook photo before, and it's difficult to determine if there is an ATC battery box behind the cab steps, and I am still looking for any photos to confirm this. Most of the vac fitted locos were eventually equipped with ATC.
The late B.R. emblem is just discernable on the fb photo.
Cheers
Mike
 
Quintus

Quintus

Western Thunderer
Another mod I have completed recently on my Dapol locos is correcting the position of the smokebox door handles.
Not sure if they are all shipped with these incorrectly fitted, but on my 14xx/58xx and 57xx's they all were wrong.
If you are lucky and the glue hasn't got too much hold, by gripping with smooth jawed pliers they can be moved to the correct position. If not, they will break off, but spares are available, and a 1mm drill will provide a home for them.
Below, as supplied, with the inner handle at 4 o clock the door could not be secured.

Incorrect (1280x851).jpg
And below, as corrected, the inner handle should be at 6 or occasionally 12 o clock, the outer handle can be in any position.
Another minor mod, but now I know it's right!
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Quintus

Quintus

Western Thunderer
Whilst awaiting the numberplates for the low cab pannier, I have been trying to sort out some crew figures.
Many movements around a depot would be carried out with just one crew in the cab, often the fireman would carry out movements which did not entail going "off shed", whilst the driver was engaged in a game of cribbage in the mess room.
I have painted a couple of candidates, one cast pewter and one 3D printed.
Whilst the 3D figure perhaps looks best, he seems to be a bit of a giant, scaling out at well over 6ft.
I have some 3D figures scaled to 1/48, and they seem better suited for loco crew, as the average height of men in the 50's was around 5ft 10ins.
The pewter figure has the advantage of a certain amount of modification to suit the intended position
I have positioned his right arm to rest on the cabside, and he has had a total head transplant (not yet available on the NHS).
The unpainted figure has yet to have the attention of my rather dodgy brushwork.
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Osgood

Osgood

Western Thunderer
Now hang on - that could well be the 3-d printed figure, suggesting a scanned real life character, so careful what you say.
But on the other hand I’m sure I recognise the chap with his sleeves rolled up from a show at Telford…..
 
Quintus

Quintus

Western Thunderer
The previous owner of 5717 has thoughtfully glued the cab roof on with some very effective adhesive, thus making things a little more difficult when positioning the crew.
I will not be fixing in position until I have completed the weathering on the loco, but here is a rather cruel enlargement of the whitemetal figure placed more or less in his intended pose.
At least he will not be banging his head on the cab roof!
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Quintus

Quintus

Western Thunderer
5717 has now been visited by my airbrush, plus a little more dry brushing, and I think is looking more like a pannier should.
Hopefully numberplates should be coming soon, and she will become 5779.
I have substituted the intended whitemetal driver for a 3D printed 1-48th scale figure, as he slots in the cab nicely without the need for glue.

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