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THORNBURY 

AND SOUTH GLOUCESTERSHIRE 

MODEL RAILWAY CLUB 

42ND ANNUAL EXHIBITION

  SATURDAY 28 AND SUNDAY 29

NOVEMBER 2009

  
 

    
  INTRODUCTION  
 

    
  Thornbury Model Railway Club meets every Friday at The Chantry, 52 Castle St, Thornbury, Bristol, BS35 1HB - also the venue for the annual exhibition held every year on the last full weekend of November. Like its predecessors, the 42nd Exhibition used all of the available rooms at the historic Chantry buildings.
  
 

    
  Thornbury Model Railway Club meets every Friday at The Chantry, 52 Castle St, Thornbury, Bristol, BS35 1HB -  also the venue for the annual exhibition held every year on the last full weekend of November.  Like its predecessors, the 42nd Exhibition used all of the available rooms at the historic Chantry buildings.
  


  LAYOUT AND ATTRACTION REVIEW
  
 

    
ACE TRAINS by Rebecca Strong

0 Gauge 7mm Scale


Hornby trains from the 1930s ran round a double track along with the latest ACE Trains and Bassett-Lowke locomotives and rolling stock. In the centre meanwhile was a static display of the last Hornby clockwork trains of the 1950s and 60s along with the Triang Big Big Train Hymek B-B numbered D7018 seen above.


Hornby trains from the 1930s ran round a double track along with the latest ACE Trains and Bassett-Lowke locomotives and rolling stock.  In the centre meanwhile was a static display of the last Hornby clockwork trains of the 1950s and 60s along with the Triang Big Big Train Hymek B-B numbered D7018 seen above.


  DINAS NORTH WALES NARROW GAUGE RAILWAY by Peter Booth

0-16.5 Gauge 1/32 (8mm =12") Scale 		  
 

    
  The popular and well loved Dinas was displayed at Thornbury in 2009 with a 4' extension that gave the viewer a more open perspective of the approach to Dinas Junction station, which was the northern terminus of the NWNGR just south of Caernarvon. Depicting the era around 1906, virtually everything on the layout was scratchbuilt with locomotives made from brass and nickel silver and coaches and wagons made from wood or plastic with brass underframes.
  
 

    
  The popular and well loved Dinas was displayed at Thornbury in 2009 with a 4' extension that gave the viewer a more open perspective of the approach to Dinas Junction station, which was the northern terminus of the NWNGR just south of Caernarvon.  Depicting the era around 1906, virtually everything on the layout was scratchbuilt with locomotives made from brass and nickel silver and coaches and wagons made from wood or plastic with brass underframes.

In particular I liked the highly detailed water tank - complete with ball valve - about to replenish the tanks of a Forney 2-4-4T brought in from the Sandy River and Rangeley Lakes Rail Road in Maine, USA.

Inspired by the Welsh narrow gauge railways, Franklin County, Maine enjoyed the best two foot gauge railroad in America for more than 50 years. The Sandy River Railroad was started in 1879 and in 1908 merged with all of the other Franklin County Lilliputs to become the Sandy River and Rangeley Lakes Railroad, boasting over 120 miles of track and thirteen engines. It flourished until the 1920's when road traffic challenged its once prosperous business. Its untimely demise came in June 1935, just three months before the last 1' 11 1/2" gauge train ran on Devon's Lynton and Barnstaple Railway.

The Forney tank locomotive, patented by Matthias Nace Forney ( 1835 - 1908 ) between 1861 and 1864, was distinguished by a 0-4-4T wheel arrangement, a flangeless second pair of driving wheels, fuel and water being placed over the four wheeled bogie for constant adhesive weight and a three point suspension system, all of which contributed to a smooth ride over tight curves.

Large numbers of Forney locos were built for the surface and elevated commuter railroads that were built in cities such as New York, Chicago and Boston where short journeys meant the Forney's limited fuel and water capacity was not a problem. However, as these railroads began to electrify or were replaced by subwaysat the end of the 19th Century, Forneys began to disappear just as the Brighton Terriers did on similar commuter lines in Britain.

Forneys were also popular on the 2 ft  (610 mm) gauge railroads of Maine although on these lines they were more likely to run chimney first  and all driving wheels were flanged. The latter resulted in Maine 2' gauge railroads having comparatively broad radius curves. Further developments included the introduction of even more sure-footed locomotives with a leading pony truck, giving a 2-4-4T wheel arrangement as seen above.

  
 

    
  YEOFORD JUNCTION by John Nicholas

EM Gauge 4mm Scale
  
 

    
Yeoford, 11 miles west of Exeter, was the London & South Western junction station for lines to Plymouth and North Devon, the actual divergence being a mile west of Coleford Junction signal box. The wide arches and spacing between platforms were inherited from the Broad Gauge of the North Devon Railway. The LSWR extended the station as part of its double track main line to Plymouth, adding bay platforms and a small marshalling yard.


Yeoford, 11 miles west of Exeter, was the London & South Western junction station for lines to Plymouth and North Devon, the actual divergence being a mile west of Coleford Junction signal box.  The wide arches and spacing between platforms were inherited from the Broad Gauge of the North Devon Railway.  The LSWR extended the station as part of its double track main line to Plymouth, adding bay platforms and a small marshalling yard.

Modelled in Edwardian times, local passenger and goods trains from Exeter were operated along with through passenger trains or coaches from from Waterloo, Down goods trains from Nine Elms and stone trains from Meldon Quarry. Slower trains were sometimes shunted into sidings to let faster services through while luggage and parcels were transferred between platforms on trolleys via the foot crossing.  Locomotives hauling the mainly non-corridor stock were in the most part by Adams and Drummond.

All the main features of the curved station were incorporated, with sidings reduced in length to compress the original 3/4 mile section for display on a 16' x 2' 6" layout.  Extra bridges were also incorporated to get trains "off stage" at either end behind the sidings.  All bridges and buildings were hand built, based on the North devon and South Western structures at Yeoford.  track was hand built using EMGS components.  Locomotives - with Portescap motors - and rolling stock were mostly kit built with some scratch building.

Pictured above in sage green livery and hauling a rake of carriages in the London & South Western Railway chocolate and salmon livery is L11 Class 4-4-0 Number 174.  Introduced in 1903 and nicknamed "Large Hoppers", these two-inside cylinder mixed traffic locomotives were designed by Dugald Drummond and were fitted with Stephenson link valve gear.

Just like its rival the Great Western Railway, the LSWR incorporated a large proportion of standard parts in its locomotives and the L11 boiler was interchangeable with that of  the T9 "Greyhound" 4-4-0 class, being likewise equipped with water tubes fitted across the firebox combustion space with the aim of incresing heating surface while facilitating water circulation.  However, these water tubes also increased maintenance costs and were removed by Dugald Drummond's successor Robert Urie.  

Class L11 were, unlike other Drummond LSWR locomotives, never fitted with superheaters although their normal six wheeled tenders were sometimes substituted for a Drummond eight wheeled "water cart".  Eight of the 4-4-0s were also converted to oil firing as part of government trials in 1947 - 1948, 40 Class L11s passed into British Railways ownership although 13 of these had been withdrawn by the end of 1948.  No Class L11 locomotives have been preserved.

  
 

    
  THORNBURY MRC JUNIOR SECTION LAYOUT

00 Gauge 4mm Scale
  
 

    
  The 42nd annual exhibition marked the first public appearance of a 4mm scale project designed and built by younger members, featuring a double circuit and a number of sidings. The Thornbury Model Railway Club is using the project as an opportunity to help younger members develop planning, construction and a host of modelling skills as well as demonstrating the hobby to the younger enthusiast.
  
 

    
  The 42nd annual exhibition marked the first public appearance of a 4mm scale project designed and built by younger members, featuring a double circuit and a number of sidings. The Thornbury Model Railway Club is using the project as an opportunity to help younger members develop planning, construction and a host of modelling skills as well as demonstrating the hobby to the younger enthusiast.

Among the motive power exhibited on the Junior Section Layout was GWR 4-6-0 1028 "County of Worcester", designed by F.W. Hawksworth, built in 1947 and withdrawn in 1964. The Hawksworth "Counties" were unique on the Great Western in having straight rather than curved nameplates although the title applied to 1028 had previously been carried by G.J. Churchward 4-4-0 3820, introduced in 1906 and withdrawn in 1931.  Sadly examples of neither class were preserved.
                                                                                                     
 
 

    
  BISHOPSMEAD by Ted Olney

00 Gauge 4mm Scale
  
 

    
  Previously seen at Cheltenham in October 2006, Bishopsmead represented a busy station located somewhere on the Western / Central division of the LMS in the mid 1930s. In effect it was a terminus both for the main part of the branch from the main line at the fictitious Castlebury Junction and also for the trailing sub-branch to Smallcombe. Thus all trains between Castlebury and Smallcombe had to reverse at Bishopsmead - including some Great Western interlopers! Castlebury and Smallcombe were represented by fiddle yards and all buildings and rolling stock were either kit, modified kit or scratch built.
  
 

    
  Previously seen at Cheltenham in October 2006, Bishopsmead represented a busy station located somewhere on the Western / Central division of the LMS in the mid 1930s. In effect it was a terminus both for the main part of the branch from the main line at the fictitious Castlebury Junction and also for the trailing sub-branch to Smallcombe. Thus all trains between Castlebury and Smallcombe had to reverse at Bishopsmead - including some Great Western interlopers! Castlebury and Smallcombe were represented by fiddle yards and all buildings and rolling stock were either kit, modified kit or scratch built.

On the left nearest the camera is ten ton seven plank Private Owner wagon 143 of Ponthenry Colliery Company Limited, built by the Gloucester Railway Carriage and Wagon Company in February 1905 and originally outshopped in chocolate rather than grey with white letters shaded black.  Tare weight was 6-0-3 and internal dimensions 14' 5" x 6' 11" x 4'.   Cribbwrfawr Collieries Limited wagon 468 to its right is by Robbie's Rolling Stock		  
 

    
  DUNNS BANK LIGHT RAILWAY  by John Edwardes

00 Gauge 4mm Scale
  
 

    
  The fictional Dunns Bank Light Railway was so financially constrained that prayer - and freight from the main line and local passenger services - may have been one of its only options. Motive power on the impressively small layout included a Brighton Terrier in Great Western markings, as used on the Weston, Clevedon and Portishead Light Railway.
  
 

    
The fictional Dunns Bank Light Railway was so financially constrained that prayer - and freight from the main line and local passenger services - may have been one of its only options.  Motive power on the impressively small layout included a Brighton Terrier in Great Western markings, as used on the Weston, Clevedon and Portishead Light Railway.
  
 
 
  ANGELA LANE by Philip Moates

00 Gauge 4mm Scale		  



Another newcomer to the Gloucestershire exhibition circuit was Philip Moates' Angela Lane, designed for the viewer to simply watch the trains - either passenger or freight - go by, hauled by blue or green diesels such as D7648 in charge of a slow freight to Midland Region. The DCC fitted Class 25 made an impressive sight with working illumination and sound chip.



Another newcomer to the Gloucestershire exhibition circuit was Philip Moates' Angela Lane, designed for the viewer to simply watch the trains - either passenger or freight - go by, hauled by blue or green diesels such as D7648 in charge of a slow freight to Midland Region.  

The DCC fitted model Type 2 Sulzer with working illumination and sound chip made a convincing memorial to the erstwhile 25 298 which was outshopped from Beyer Peacock as Gorton Works number 8058 in April 1966 and was one of the last diesels to wear the 41A shedplate of Sheffield Darnall.  Renumbered in April 1974 and withdrawn from Crewe in March 1985, 25 298 was cut up at BREL Doncaster in February 1986.

 
 
WESSLINGEN by Gary Ball

H0m Gauge 3.5mm Scale


Not representing any particular location, Wesslingen was based loosely on an Alpine scene and had recently been extended to show working cable cars and level crossings. Both lines used H0m track to represent the metre gauge system widely used in both Switzerland and Austria. The mountain line, whose terminus is pictured above, had gradients of 1 in 18 and locomotives or motor railcars were always placed at the downhill end. Most of the rolling stock was by Bemo with some scratch built railcars.


Not representing any particular location, Wesslingen was based loosely on an Alpine scene and had recently been extended to show working cable cars and level crossings.  Both lines used H0m track to represent the metre gauge system widely used in both Switzerland and Austria.  The mountain line, whose terminus is pictured above,  had gradients of 1 in 18 and locomotives or motor railcars were always placed at the downhill end.  Most of the rolling stock was by Bemo with some scratch built railcars.


TRIANG CENTRAL by John York

TT Gauge 3mm Scale


Triang Central was only eighteen months old, having been born when a friend gave John his old train set. The tracks were then mounted directly on to board in the 1960s and more 1/100 scale bits and pieces were acquired from friends, swapmeets, ebay and toy fairs. The result was "the train set you always wanted as a child" and there is little wonder that Triang Central has proved so popular on its few outings so far when it can offer gems like this Gloucester Railway Carriage and Wagon Company Limited built Class 100 diesel multiple unit. I can feel a model history of Gloucester RCW built DMUs and railcars coming on in 2010!


Triang Central was only eighteen months old, having been born when a friend gave John his old train set.  The tracks were then mounted directly on to board in 1960s style and more 1/101 scale bits and pieces were acquired from friends, swapmeets, ebay and toy fairs.  The result was "the train set you always wanted as a child" and there is little wonder that Triang Central has proved so popular on its few outings so far when it can offer gems like this Gloucester Railway Carriage and Wagon Company Limited built Class 100 diesel multiple unit.  I can feel a model history of Gloucester RCW built DMUs and railcars coming on in 2010!

TT ( or Table Top) railways first appeared in America in the 1940s and were introduced to Britain by Triang in 1957.  At a scale of 3mm to the foot ( just over 1/101 )  TT trains were three quarters of the size of the more established 00 and so more railway could be fitted into a given space.  This philosophy was also taken up by N gauge from the 1960s and proved so popular that Triang ceased TT production in 1968.  However, TT Gauge remains popular in Europe and is represented by the 3mm Society in Britain.


  AUST WHARF by The N Gauge Society

N Gauge 2mm Scale		  
 
 
   Although not a sight for purists, one of the joys of modelling is making the very unlikely - if not impossible - happen and allowing visitors to compare and contrast engineering practices from around the World. Although painted in a close match for the carmine and cream of British Railways from 1948 to 1956, the Japanese DMU has a shape influenced by American rolling stock builders such as Budd while the tilting diesel electric multiple unit was built by Bombardier at Bruges in Belgium.
  
 

  
  Having an interest in N gauge diesel multiple units from the perspective of Terminal 1 I was pleased to see not only in Super Voyager 221 130 "Michael Palin" on this 1980s-to-present layout but also the Japanese EMU beside it, able to negotiate a British height platform too.  

Although not a sight for purists, one of the joys of modelling is making the very unlikely - if not impossible - happen and allowing visitors to compare and contrast engineering practices from around the World.  Although painted in a close match for the carmine and cream of British Railways from 1948 to 1956, the Japanese DMU has a shape influenced by American rolling stock builders such as Budd while the tilting diesel electric multiple unit was built by Bombardier at Bruges in Belgium.  

Originally introduced by Virgin, 221 130 has now been de-named and is running under Arriva Cross Country operation while owned by Halifax Bank of Scotland and based at Central Rivers depot near Burton on Trent.

 

 		    
AXEBRIDGE by Brian Latham

N Gauge 2mm Scale


Set in the 1930s, this model of Axbridge lay on the slopes of the Mendip hills on the "Strawberry Line" between Yatton and Witham. The Axbridge bypass now replaces the track but the stationmaster's house, goods shed and station building still stand today. The rolling stock, including the GWR 2251 Class 0-6-0 seen above, was a mixture of proprietary and kit built and the scenery - including the palm tree in the platformside flower border seen next to the TOAD brake van at the top of this feature - was particularly well executed.


Set in the 1930s, this model of Axbridge lay on the slopes of the Mendip hills on the "Strawberry Line" between Yatton and Witham.  The Axbridge bypass now replaces the track but the stationmaster's house, goods shed and station building still stand today.  The rolling stock, including the GWR 2251 Class 0-6-0 seen above, was a mixture of proprietary and kit built and the scenery - including the palm tree in the platformside flower border seen next to the TOAD brake van at the top of this feature - was particularly well executed.


BRIMSCOOMBE by Shirehampton MRC

N Gauge 2mm Scale


This layout of the one-time through station on the Glouester to Swindon line through the Golden Valley south of Stroud was still under construction, but much had been achieved in three months from inception to allow trains to run and visitors were also given an insight into the modelling techniques used. The station will become a scale replica of Brimscombe - complete with combined engine shed and water tower for the engine banking trains up Sapperton Incline - and the still extant St Mary's Crossing will also be depicted.


This layout of the one-time through station on the Glouester to Swindon line through the Golden Valley south of Stroud was still under construction, but much had been achieved in three months from inception to allow trains to run and visitors were also given an insight into the modelling techniques used.  The station will become a scale replica of Brimscombe - complete with combined engine shed and water tower for the engine banking trains up Sapperton Incline - and the still extant St Mary's Crossing will also be depicted.
                                                                                                                                   


PINEWOODS LUMBER COMPANY by Guy Peck

N Gauge 2mm Scale


Having represented the USA at the Cheltenham GWR Modeller's Exhibition in April 2009, this layout captured a typical Canadian logging scene with lumber brought to the sawmills by road and rail and held in ponds, lakes and rivers prior to debarking and cutting. Waste wood chippings would then go to the cardboard and paper industries while sawdust was piped to a burner as the sawn timber was either kiln or air dried. The Shay, Climax and Heisler steam locomotives that would have provided traction in the past were later replaced by diesels hauling skeleton log cars and gondolas.


Having represented the USA at the Cheltenham GWR Modeller's Exhibition in April 2009, this layout captured a typical Canadian logging scene with lumber brought to the sawmills by road and rail and held in ponds, lakes and rivers prior to debarking and cutting. Waste wood chippings would then go to the cardboard and paper industries while sawdust was piped to a burner as the sawn timber was either kiln or air dried. The Shay, Climax and Heisler steam locomotives that would have provided traction in the past were later replaced by diesels hauling skeleton log cars and gondolas.
                                                                                                                                                              


INTERNATIONAL PLASTIC MODELLERS SOCIETY, BRISTOL BRANCH
 

    
  Among the larger scale IPMS offerings on this occasion was this desert patrol jeep on a realistic diorama base.
  
 

    
  Among the larger scale IPMS offerings on this occasion was this desert patrol jeep on a realistic diorama base.
  
 

    
M*A*S*H VEHICLE DISPLAY by Norman Juliff


Norman has been a long term contributor to the Thornbury show with his collections of heavy haulage and other vehicles and on this occasion has recreated the eponymous 4077th Mobile Army Surgical Hospital from the film and later TV series M*A*S*H.


Norman has been a long term contributor to the Thornbury show with his collections of heavy haulage and other vehicles and on this occasion has recreated the eponymous 4077th Mobile Army Surgical Hospital from the film and later TV series M*A*S*H.  

Although he was not the first choice to direct it, the hit black comedy MASH established Robert Altman as one of the leading figures of Hollywood's 1970s generation of innovative and irreverent young filmmakers. Scripted by Hollywood veteran Ring Lardner, Jr., this war comedy detailed the exploits of military doctors and nurses in the Korean War. Between exceptionally gory hospital shifts and countless rounds of martinis, wisecracking surgeons Hawkeye Pierce (Donald Sutherland) and Trapper John McIntyre (Elliott Gould) make it their business to undercut the smug, moralistic pretensions of Bible-thumper Maj. Frank Burns (Robert Duvall) and Army true-believer Maj. "Hot Lips" Houlihan (Sally Kellerman).

Abetted by such other hedonists as Duke Forrest (Tom Skerritt) and Painless Pole (John Schuck), as well as such (relative) innocents as Radar O'Reilly (Gary Burghoff), Hawkeye and Trapper John drove Burns and Houlihan crazy while engaging in such additional blasphemies as taking a medical trip to Japan to play golf,  and using any means necessary to win an inter-MASH football game.

MASH created a casual, chaotic atmosphere emphasizing the constant noise and activity - much of generated by Bell Model 47 helicopters -  of a surgical unit near battle lines and marked the beginning of Altman's sustained formal experiments with widescreen photography, zoom lenses, and overlapping sound and dialogue, further enhancing the atmosphere with the improvisational ensemble acting for which Altman's films quickly became known.

Although the on-screen war was not Vietnam, MASH's satiric target  in 1970 obviously was - and war-weary and counter-culturally hip audiences responded to Altman's nose-thumbing attitude towards all kinds of authority and embraced the film's frankly tasteless yet evocative humour and its anti-war, anti-Establishment, anti-religion stance.

MASH became the third most popular film of 1970 after Love Story and Airport, and it was nominated for five Academy Awards, including Best Picture and Best Director. As further evidence of the changes in Hollywood's politics, blacklist survivor Lardner won the Oscar for his screenplay. MASH began Altman's systematic 1970s effort to revise classic Hollywood genres in light of contemporary American values, and it gave him the financial clout to make even more experimental and critical films like McCabe and Mrs. Miller (1971), California Split (1974), and Nashville (1975). It also inspired the long-running TV series starring Alan Alda as Hawkeye and Burghoff as Radar. With its formal and attitudinal impudence, and its great popularity, MASH was one more confirmation in 1970 that a Hollywood "New Wave" had arrived.




YATE AND SODBURY MODEL BOAT CLUB


                                                                                                                                             
 
    
 
 
 
 The Liverpool Class lifeboat "Friendly Forester" - pictured above -  was built by Groves and Gutteridge of Cowes and launched in June 1953.  

Allocated operating number 915,  Friendly Forester was the first RNLI lifeboat to be fitted with twin engines and these were Ferry Engine Company three cylinder FKR petrol prime movers each developing 20 bhp at 1600 rpm.  These were nominally cooled by fresh water but sea water heat exchangers could also be employed.

 later replaced by two Perkins 4107 diesels which were more fuel efficient and increased the top speed to 8 knots.

Friendly Forester was also to be the first lifeboat without reserve sails and - at 10' 6" - was wider than earlier Liverpool Class members.  Although not a naturally self-righting design, Friendly Forester could be rolled 109 degrees before capsizing.  

The 35' 6" long hull - divided into six watertight compartments with 162 air cases - was made of two skins of Honduras mahogany - the outer skin being  3/8" thick and the inner 1/4"- laid diagonally and separated by a layer of calico.  

Displacing 8.56 tons in service condition with an iron keel of 1.02 tons, RNLI 915 could also also take on half a ton of water ballast.  Although normally wheel steered, an emergency tiller was provided and the rudder - mounted on a stern post - was raised during launch and recovery.  other onboard equipment included a depth-finding echo sounder, Schermuly rock line, breeches buoy for transferring casualties, Redifon UHF and Coastal Curlew MF radio telephones, Aldis signalling lamp, electric searchlight, and parachute and hand flares.

Specially constructed for the lifeboat station at Flamborough Head, Friendly Forester was collected by Coxswain Richard Cowlng and four crew members and on the way to East Yorkshire took part in the Coronation Review at Spithead along with lifeboats from Campeltown, Margate and Ramsgate.

The new lifeboat was named at Flamborough Head on 8 September 1953 when it was presented to the Vice President of the Royal National Lifeboat Institution, Captain Guy D. Fanshaw RN by Mr W.N. J. Higgins, High Chief Ranger of the Ancient Order of Foresters, whose members had paid for the £ 15 738 vessel in celebration of Queen Elizabeth II's Coronation. The Ancient Order of Foresters also chose the vessel's name and the bow artwork showing the bow of benevolence launching the speeding arrow of assistance.

Before retirement in January 1983 Friendly Forester was called out 161 times and saved 14 vessels and 117 lives. Of the Friendly Forester's many notable rescues the crew won a bronze medal in 1971 for rescuing two men and a dog who had been trapped under cliffs by an incoming tide.

She was then sold to the Visitor Centre at St Catherine's Quay at Blackgang where she remains to this day having been restored by the original builders

The 1/12 scale model had a fibreglass hull, wooden decks and was powered by two 12 volt dc motors.  It also had working lights, a lifting rudder and a mast that could be lowered by radio control.
  
 
 
 
  THE MODEL BUS FEDERATION  
 

  
 
    
 
 
 
  As well as the famous Mellor Brothers, other members of the West Area of the Model Bus Federation displayed a range of 4mm fleets, some of them on dioramas where battery powered motoremodel buses followed magnetic guidance tracks buried under roadways, as seen above.

Also present was Mark Hughes of Tibberton based Mark Hughes Models whose resin kits of English Electric built Aberdeen and Greater Manchester Metrolink trams are seen under construction below.  For details of his bus and tram kits, fittings and accessories in white metal, pewter, etched brass and resin, why not email Mark at hm.hughes@ukonline.co.uk