Rivermead Central

[40057]

In post #620, I promised pictures of C.R. 828 on the layout ‘in due course’. Something else that has taken longer than intended. Anyway, here is 828 ‘at home’:





A really lovely loco that I think looks completely in keeping with the vintage character of the layout.

And just to emphasise what a fine model it is, the front in close up:



And the scale, working, cab controls:



For anyone who hasn’t seen this before, the build is described in Tom Mallard’s workbench thread.

Martin

 

[John R Smith]

Martin

828 is absolutely stunning, and you must be very proud. A gorgeous prototype, and brilliantly realised in O Gauge by Tom. The fact that it is spring drive just piles on the credit. Just one very slight doubt - how can your other engines possibly live up to this?

The tea billy in the cab is an inspired touch.

John

 

[40057]

Just one very slight doubt - how can your other engines possibly live up to this?

The tea billy in the cab is an inspired touch.

John

Hi John

The level of detail on 828 was subject to much discussion with Tom during the build. The starting point was ‘hand-built Bassett-Lowke’ (i.e. Duchess, B17 etc.) with extras. Certainly, 828 is completely comparable in amount of detail with much Windsor Models production (though Tom’s workmanship is much better). We were also aware of this 1950s Beeson model of a very similar 652 class loco: James Beeson – 0 Gauge 0-6-0 Loco & Tender CR (Caledonian Railway) Class 652 No. 326, 3-rail electric | Vintage Hornby Trains

To accommodate the motor, the boiler of the Beeson model extends too far back into the cab. We reckoned if Beeson could do that, so could we. Which led to the decision to have a simplified but scale representation of the boiler back-head in 828. The tea and oil cans on the shelf in the cab are there to draw the eye away from the motor visible below. Your comment suggests that plan has worked!

The only other conspicuous addition to 828 compared with any other loco I have are the brakes. 828 has brake shoes and rigging. If you look at the photos above, I don’t think it would be instantly noticeable if the brake shoes were not there — especially since no other loco on Rivermead Central has them. However, given the detail above the platform, something more was needed lower down. The brake shoes are quite prominent in photos of the real loco and also help disguise the over-scale wheel flanges.

In respect of the cab detail and loco brakes, yes, 828 is a step up on anything else I have. Will it look out of place? I don’t think so. In fact, I’m sure not.

Martin

 

[40057]

I have taken some more photos of 828 today, in better light:





It is noteworthy that the clockwork motor, a bulky thing in relation to the really very small loco, is completely invisible.

In most of my photos, the background to the numberplate appears black or at least a darker colour than the side of the cab. The nameplate is in reality exactly the same colour. It does make me wonder about the interpretation of period photos of C.R. locos where the apparent different colour of the nameplate is often taken as indicating it is painted red.

Martin

 

[John R Smith]

That's a lovely paint job, Martin. The interpretation of period photos of locomotives is complicated by the likelihood that orthocromatic film may have been used, rather than panchromatic film, certainly before 1914. In which case reds will be rendered a darker shade of grey than they should be, orthochromatic film not being red sensitive. This actually simplified processing back then, as development could be done under red light, as B/W printing still is.

We were also aware of this 1950s Beeson model of a very similar 652 class loco: James Beeson – 0 Gauge 0-6-0 Loco & Tender CR (Caledonian Railway) Class 652 No. 326, 3-rail electric | Vintage Hornby Trains

I don't know why Mike Delaney insists on referring to Mr Beeson as James, when just about everybody on the planet called him Stanley (including his wife!). The Beeson Class 652 is also a lovely model, and it is a tribute to Tom Mallard that his rendering gives nothing away to its predecessor.

John

 

[40057]

As per the discussion in posts #1,038 and #1,039, my Marklin Precursor:





A truly ancient locomotive, getting on for 120 years old. Full credit to Marklin for such a good representation at such an early date. This was an entirely Marklin product, not commissioned by Bassett-Lowke, but was deemed good enough by B-L to include in the B-L catalogue. Built of heavy-gauge tinplate with brass fittings. Soldered construction and hand painted (including the nameplate). Large flanges to cope with small radius curves and tinplate track. Driving wheels much too small to give enough headroom for a good sized motor and large spring.

I will undertake the necessary conservation work in due course. Fit the replacement mechanism. And, in line with LNWR practice, 513 will emerge from works fitted with a different tender.

I still have some research to do regarding the tender. I am not sure what rear coupling Marklin would have used. Also, I don’t know if Bassett-Lowke would have fitted a different rear tender coupling to the models they retailed (see post #71).

Martin