A Tour Around Catcott Burtle

100331_MRTV, originally uploaded by nevardmedia.

A few weeks ago, I was invited down to the studios of Model Railway TV in Arundel, Sussex to chat about Catcott Burtle and other aspects of this all consuming hobby. I wasn't expecting this to be online for a few weeks, so was quite surprised this morning to see the interview there. I think I'll be keeping the day job by the way - being more proficient behind the camera!

Link: Modelrailway TV

Voie Libre No.59 March/April 2010

Lots of UK interest in this issue of Voie Libre one from the friendly narrow gauge LR Presse publishers in France. The editor, François Fontana is a regular at ExpoNG and hence the large amount of material to interest us.

All too often niche hobby publications are drab and look more like the parish news rather than a fun tool to promote a hobby. They frequently take themselves far too seriously and create a stuffy elitist image which is guaranteed to put new people off the hobby. By total contrast, Voie Libre is a happy bright magazine, with a strong welcoming graphic quality - the text, photographs, diagrams and tasteful use of coloured backgrounds gel together to produce a magazine that is hard to put down.

Illustrations; rather than being the common and often sterile computer generated variety are good old fashioned pen and ink performed with a wonderful artistic 'organic' style that just make you want to model them in 3D!

François, is without doubt a fabulous model maker, brilliant artist and cracking photographer - can there be a better combination? If that's not good enough, you can download an English translation from their website too!

Content (translated with http://babelfish.yahoo.com/- hence rather quaint)
 

• Sutton Wharf: miniature theatre (1/25) (p.4)  
• Dunbracken: trains and a boat (009) (p.30)  
• Canteens of the Huts (Ovn) (p.46)  
• Report Nuremberg 2010 (p.10)  
• Under the magnifying glass 130 + 031 Bachmann (0n30) (p.14)  
• Rolling stock Build an urban tram (HOe) (p.17)  
• WD Models: Class coaches has or C (009) (p.34)  
• Power trolley Simplex Nigel Lawton (Oe) (p.41)  
• Discovered CFD of Lozere (p.23)  
• History The Péchot system (p.36)  
• Central book Engine 020 + 020T Péchot-Bumblebee (1/43,5) (p.0)  
• Platform Péchot (1/43,5) (p.0)  
• Péchot trucks to 2 and 3 axles (1/43,5) (p.0)

Metropolitan Railway Menu from 1892

It's interesting what people used to eat in 1892 when pushing out the boat, or in this case opening a new railway line. Click to enlarge so it's readable!

Model Rail 142 - April 2010

April 2010 Model Rail has hit the newsagents, and although I'm rather biased I do have to say that it is really rather good!

The content goes on forever with a plethora of really useful, inspiring, well written and illustrated features. The repro is top-notch too - something as a photographer I'm very very fussy about, and I can safely say that this aspect without doubt is a market leader in this area.

OK, enough waffle from me, here's the official release what's inside....

• BACHMANN 2010/11 PREVIEW: All the big stories from Bachmann's 2010 launch.


• POINTS SPECIAL! Buying, fitting and using points, fitting point motors outdoors, manual point control and more!


• SUPERTEST: Buying and fitting the right point motors for your layout. Don't buy anything until you've read George Dent's unique comparative test.


• TETLEYS MILLS FAREWELL: A special 12-page tribute to Britain's favourite 'layout that never leaves home', which will be dismantled in 2010. Dave Shakespeare reviews the changes made since our last visit and looks forward to his next project.


• REVIEWS: MTH 'O' gauge 'Duchess', Heljan Class 20, limited edition Bachmann Class 47s, Graham Farish MOA wagon and much more.


• LANDSCAPE DESIGN PART 2: More great tips from Peter Marriott on how to give your layout a 'real world' look.


• CEPs and BEPs in 'N' gauge: Grahame Hedges builds Southern Region EMUs.


• TOP 10 TOOLS: The ten most important items for any scenic modellers' toolkit.


• Cliffordsbridge: A 'OO' gauge layout that never leaves home using ready-to-run diesels and rolling stock.


• Q&A, Show & Tell, Masterplan and all your favourite regular features.

Links:

• Model Rail Live


• This issue


• Follow Model Rail on Twitter


• George Dent's Blog

A bit of messing about on Blurb

Blurb is a great way to mess about trying ideas out for a possible book.

I have been asked buy a publisher to come up with a model railway book idea, but to be honest I'm not quite sure where to start. Maybe something about scenics and some of the techniques used on my layouts?

In the mean time I'm messing about with some mock-ups I'm hoping will polarise the various thoughts I have. The joy of Blurb is that you can end up with a high quality printed book of whatever ideas one might have - and the great thing is that it does not have to be the slightest bit commercial! The idea here is for a 10x8 inch landscape format book as a 'toe in the water' which could be sold via the website or at the occasional show I do.

Clicking on the images here will take you to a bigger picture.

Let's see......

Western Promise

nevard_100309_combwich_IMG_6448_web, originally uploaded by nevardmedia.

With the change of regional boundaries and the operation of the former S&DJR route becoming under the control of the Western Region from 1958, ex GWR locomotives started to appear in place of Midland engines. Here we have Templecombe's ex GWR pannier tank No. 4691 as it prepares to leave Combwich with the 11.15am service to Templecombe on the 12th September 1961.

Back of an Envelope Fun

Right (click on) - another idea scribbled on the back of an envelope last night during a tea break which was then cleaned up in Photoshop over breakfast this morning. I could use Catcott's fiddle yards I guess. Having acquired several Bachmann Scenecraft seconds and some Skaledale stuff which could be bashed about a little mixed in with a dash of scratchbuilding, something could be hacked out quite quickly I guess.

The curved nature would be a break from the norm, with the tandem pointwork being a good focal point. Trackwork will all be done properly this time, either useing C&L as with Catcott or maybe even handbuilt using spiked code 55 flatbottomed as Brian Harrap has on his super Quai: 87 layout. Of course a mix of the two could aslo look good.

A diorama approach will work well with what could be quite a deep layout height wise, starting low at the front with the brook rising up by 18 inches on the left hand side with an old 'batch' (slag heap) balanced by colliery buildings on the right.

The two parallel lines crossing from the middle to the left hand side are a possible aerial cable way to remove waste - if that could be made to work that would be great fun. Additional fun and games could be had with actually loading wagons too via a hidden shoot from the rear of the layout down to the screen which is middle right.

The look I'm after is a cold winter's day (even though this sketch looks 'summer') inspired by the last days of steam at Writhlington on the old S&DJR. Wagon stock would be 99% open wagons and locos anything from a Sentinels, 'Bagnalls' (Jinty), Pugs and maybe even a Hymek - no hard rules!

Starkey Knight and Ford

nevard_100307_combwich_IMG_6441_web, originally uploaded by nevardmedia.

The Star public house on the quayside at Combwich. Ivan Locksmith's old Austin has certainly been getting around recently. Note the modern metal casks (carrying a keg beer called 'Tantivy') that make the elderly Austin look rather out of place - though of course in those pre MOT days it was quite common to see pre-war cars on the roads even in the 1960's.

Starkey Knight and Ford was a well known Tiverton and Bridgwater brewery which sadly became swallowed up by brewing giant Whitbread in the 1960's. Their beers started to be replaced with Whitbread ales from around 1966 in the pubs.

For any readers of this blog living in the real Combwich, please note that this is just a load of old bull, The Star is just a ficticious model - by contrast the brewery information is fact.

Back Yard

nevard_100307_combwich_IMG_6444_web, originally uploaded by nevardmedia.

With Combwich still being in a temporary dismantled state, it's given me another chance to have a go at capturing some new angles never before photographed. Here's the rarely seen view of the rear of The Star.


Right: the view of the front of the shabby little building which was made mainly from scraps of paper and cardboard. It is in fact based on a cobblers that used to be in Weybridge, Surrey that vanished around 100 year ago. The slates were applied individually and I think were worth it. The roof line was intentionally distorted to give it that aged look.
Here's the make-believe you all so love.......

'The Star at Combwich was a bit of a mess and rumour has it that the landlord's dogs used to lick the pint glasses clean. The beer was so sour it's unlikely that the canine smell on the glasses would have been noticed. The only food served was a knuckle sandwich along with a little blood and sweat to help it down'

Nothing like a bit of balony

nevard_091219_cementquay_ext_IMG_6164_web, originally uploaded by nevardmedia.

Highbridge's final Midland 1P 58086 managed to avoid scrapping in 1959 and in fact ended up in private ownership pottering about with wagons in Old Quarry Wharf on the banks of the river Severn. Here is the old girl captured on Ivan Locksmith's Leica in September 1963.

Wrong Side of the Camera

I'm normally the other side of the camera, either when I'm working in telly land or on assignment for Model Rail Magazine. On Tuesday though, I was asked down to chat about Catcott Burtle and photography at Ashdown Broadcasting's new HD web-TV channel Modelrailway.TV.

Right: Setting up Catcott Burtle in preparation for my nerve racking interview about the layout. Modelrailway.TV's Elliott Cowton seen here did a great job at ensuring everything went smoothly.

To those not in the know, Modelrailway.TV is a high definition on-demand channel specifically aimed at showing complete beginners and even the more experienced how to improve their model making skills and to take some of the mystery out of the more confusing gobbledegook in model railway land.

Ultra fast web streaming is increasingly opening up opportunities for niche subjects to be aired to a hungry and enthusiastic audience; allowing all sorts of fresh channels that could never afford to broadcast via more conventional means. Cable and satellite can run into millions per year, and that's just for an uplink or connection - that's before you even start production!

Left: 'On the Sofa', being interviewed about the hobby and photography by Ashdown's David King. I'm the nervous one on the right, I imagine you've guess that though! At least I ironed my shirt!

We to tend associate streaming video on the web with low res, highly compressed blocky images as seen on the likes of YouTube; so when viewing Modelrailway.TV's output I was thrilled to see that with most of the programming you have the option of of downloading proper HD widescreen material, this is because production is to broadcast TV standards.

With the gap between web and conventional television forever closing, it cannot be too long before web-TV will be sitting right along side familiar satellite and terrestrial broadcasting - all via the same box underneath the TV in the living room.

Keep an eye out for Catcott Burtle in Modelrailway.TV's run-down later this spring.

All that can be heard is the twittering of the birds

nevard_100221_combwich_IMG_6337_web, originally uploaded by nevardmedia.

A quiet moment at Ankle Bend Crossing just outside Combwich in the summer of 1955.

My recent house move has meant that the layouts are temporarily dismantled, the bonus of this is that it's given me a chance to get some snaps of some of the little scenes in the comfort of a warm house rather than the cold garage which previously housed Combwich.

No Photoshop was used in the creation of this image, only for colour and contrast adjustment. An A1 sized photograph of clouds was placed behind this segment of the layout.

Bath (S&DJR) Two Tunnels Greenway - decision made!

nevard_090918_midford_DSC_5797_web, originally uploaded by nevardmedia.

It would appear that B&NES on Wednesday 17 Feb '10 finally gave the go ahead to the Two Tunnels scheme to lay a cycle/walkway up out of Bath along the former S&DJR through Devonshire and Combe Down Tunnels through to Midford....

News
http://www.thisisbath.co.uk/news/Progress-tunnel-cycle-path/article-1840135-detail/article.html

About
http://www.twotunnels.org.uk/

Facebook
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=5299781522

DCC and me

Lenz Set 100 DCC, originally uploaded by nevardmedia.

A very kind benefactor has kindly long-term-loaned me what I gather is a very good DCC system to mess about with in the form of a Lenz Set 100 DCC set up.

The plan therefore is to buy some chips for my modern diesel stock which is mainly DCC ready - the 'ready' bit is very important, because electical stuff really is not my forte.

Luckily Cement Quay, bar a couple of sidings can all be 'turned on' which should allow a simple changeover. I will however make sure at the flick of a switch I'm able to convert back to DC - why, because occasionally I like to run a steam era scenario - many locomotives of which would be a nightmare to convert because they're so old.

My wife the other day even said that she liked sound fitted locomotives - what a sweetie! At least when I save up some pennies I won't need to smuggle the offending 'noisy loco' into the house and only operate it when she it out!

Nuffield's Best

nevard_091231_gpo-austin-a30_DSC_6510_web, originally uploaded by nevardmedia.

Here we have a 'Classix' EM76667 Austin A35 Van - Royal Mail (75223). This attractive little model has been enhanced with a coat of matt varnish to kill the toy like shine.

It's debateable if any A35's ever carried this livery, but despite that, it makes a colourful model that contrasts nicely with what was frequently a dull austere era when cars where either painted black, grey, pale blue, cream or black.

These inexpensive models I fear have knocked the white metal kit market off the shelf, for despite minor failings they're a fraction of the price of a kit, better detailed and ready to plonk.

Please be kind, this model is far bigger on your screen than it is in real life - it's only around an inch and a bit long!

Model Rail International

See Cement Quay's 'bit on the side' print début with an unexpected twist in the new Model Rail International.

• Nuremberg Toy Fair 2010
• Zement Hafen - Waterside German ‘HO
• Inspirational Projects
• CULT CLASSIC: Modelling DB Class 103
• ‘ALLENDENAC’: French ‘O’ spectacular
• ‘ZOFELD’: DB era 4 Diesels
• Where to go in 2010
• Easy trips & big events
• Packed with useful information, tips and inspiration!

---

• Follow Model Rail on Twitter!
• Buy online here!
• Call 0845 120 4600 International +44 (0) 1858 438866

World Wide Wagon Tour

nevard_100123_worldwide_DSC_6520_CLAG_web, originally uploaded by nevardmedia.

'Winston' photographed for my entry in the the 'Your Model Railway Forum' World Wide Wagon Tour on 23 January 2010. Catcott is stage 4 of a tour of one of many layouts on route and will culminate at the Kernow Model Railway Exhibition 4&5th September 2010.

Fingers crossed the various postal services will allow this wonderful tour to complete! And yes, that is me driving it (aided with Photoshop) - for a bigger version of the photo above click here!

New Home - well, almost....

Temporary Storage, originally uploaded by nevardmedia.

The move finally went to plan and the model railways have been coming out of 'Big Yellow' storage in dribs and drabs. Here is some of the collection housed in the smallest of the bedrooms temporarily whilst I ponder on demolishing the monstrosity of a concrete pre-fab garage and building a new bespoke wooden garage/railway room.

Galloping Greyhound

8503_mhr_bighton_30120_web, originally uploaded by nevardmedia.

'Greyhound T9' & Austerity 'Errol Lonsdale' make light work of a Medstead bound working just west of Ropley, Spring 1985. Rolleicord, Agfachrome 100 Pro

Back to the mid 1980's photography was simple and technology was not running away with itself. In those days it was what you put in the camera that counted, that and a degree of skill - no review screen in those days! This shot I recall at the time was to test out some new all singing & dancing Agfachrome 100 that had just appeared as a faster rival to the long lived 50 asa (iso) CT18. The camera, a late 1950's Rolleicord 5a twin lens reflex.

I didn't use the Agfachrome again, the result being a little muddy compared to Ektachrome and the new in your face Fujichrome RDP 100 that had just come onto the market. Still, with relatively inexpensive medium format scanners and a touch of photoshop we can now compensate for the film's possible shortcomings.

The Trainsets Go Big Yellow!

Cemeny Quay Goes Big Yellow!, originally uploaded by nevardmedia.

With an impending move to a new house, I thought it best to avoid having the removal company having anything to do with the model railways. To get around this I've hired storage at Big Yellow so the layouts can be out of harm's way on the move day. I can then pick them up at my leisure after we've settled in (OK, the following day!).

Here's the beast that is Cement Quay riding in luxury down the corridors of Big Yellow. I could do with one of these trollies when taking a layout to an exhibition!

Here's to 2010!

nevard_091231_catcott-3mt_DSC_6500p_web, originally uploaded by nevardmedia.

A spanking gleaming brand new Bachmann BR Std. 3MT with an ex GWR B set slows for Catcott Burtle.

Bachmann BR Std. Class 3MT - a layman's review.....

nevard_091225_bach3mt_DSC_6450_web, originally uploaded by nevardmedia.

I like many have really been looking forward to this release of what is a very useful and attractive workmanlike engine.

In ready to run form, the nearest prototype we’ve had to this is probably the Bachmann Ivatt Class 2 tank which despite being a good model in its day is now getting a little long in the tooth.

Enter the Bachmann BR Std. 3MT 2-6-2; the first thing I noticed was the new style of smart packaging which allows one to see the actual model without having to open the box. The way this has been done is very innovative, though I must admit that it took me a couple of minutes to work out how to get in - the clear sleeve confusing me!

First impression is the super fine paint job, the green having a wonderful freshly polished look about it with very finely executed lining in finest Swindon style. Examining the locomotive in greater detail I thought that maybe I had some grease from my dinner on my hands, but no, the chassis is very heavily lubricated with some kind of light machine oil with appears to get everywhere. I guess this is to ensure the fine valve gear and other moving parts have minimal friction – maybe a tad overdone with this particular example.

The locomotive is very finely detailed, and if you’re comparing it to the old Ivatt Class 2 tank, this is a totally different beast – it looks absolutely stunning with the level of delicate detail and finish possibly setting it above what could be achieved with even the finest crafted kit.

As for strict millimetre accuracy I won’t comment because I’m not a ‘loco-ist’, but to me it captures the feel of the real thing perfectly, with the ¾ rear view being particularly attractive.

After adding the detail pack (which I have to say was a doddle even after a couple of pints of ale) it was time to run the loco in. Most will test the running before adding the detail pack just in case it's duff and needs to be returned, I rarely use common sense when it comes to model railways!

Last night my circle of track was laid (3rd radius set-track is about as tight as one can go with the front steps added) and the pretty little locomotive was given a good running-in to get everything to bed in nicely. After about an hour of silky smooth gliding around the circle of track in both directions, it suddenly ground to a halt. I thought at first the cat had swiped the locomotive, but no, the eccentric crank on one side had somehow or other come adrift and could be seen swinging from the expansion link even though the retaining screw was still in situ.After bit of muttering and the use of a small screwdriver, I managed a successful reassembly (with a dash of cyano for good measure which will no doubt void the guarantee) and all is now well. In time it will be interesting to read whether anyone else suffers this problem.

Eccentric crank aside, which is down to poor assembly; you may have read recently in the modelling press about that maybe RTR is becoming too delicate? Until now I dismissed those letters as being penned by ham-fisted people that maybe should take up another hobby like boxing or caber tossing. Whilst the new 3MT is incredible on the fidelity front, it is almost impossible not to distort or dislodge some of the detail when handling it even with utmost care.

My kit built locos are far more tolerant in this respect, because brass or nickel silver is used for the fine detail rather than flimsy low cost ABS plastic. I wonder if the manufacturers need to look at using such materials rather than plastic - many I'm sure would pay the extra few quid to have something that doesn't fall apart every time it's handled. We cannot expect or want the manufacturers to reduce the level of detail we have come to expect in recent years, but maybe the materials used need to be addressed – what do you think?

Verdict:

• Pros – stunning finish and feel with amazing level of delicate detail. The model captures the look of the real thing very well. An excellent and very useful prototype which could be seen over many parts of the railway network and is equally happy on the mainline or branch whether on goods or passenger service.



• Cons – the delicate detail comes at a price, it’s tricky to handle the model without knocking or distorting some of the fine detail. The excessive amount of lubricating oil gets everywhere and helps to attract hair and dust. Finally, the disintegrating valve gear should not really happen after just 1 hour of careful running in. As is so often the case, build quality is the weak link.

Bach' Beauty

nevard_091225_bach3mt_DSC_6447_web, originally uploaded by nevardmedia.

The new Bachmann Class 3MT in Swindon lined green.

Xmas Antidote....

nevard_091220_cqx_IMG_6161c_clag_web, originally uploaded by nevardmedia.

No snow, sparkles or bright coloured baubles here, but a picture of an early sunny morning in late summer:

Now in private ownership, Radstock's former Lancashire and Yorkshire Railway 'Pug' 0-4-0 51202 is captured pottering about with high exposives on a little used section of Cement Quay. Apart from the fake clag, there is no computer jiggerypokery with this snap.

A short while ago I detailed up and repainted the Hornby 'Pug' bought on Ebay. The wagons are from various kits, some of which are getting on for 30 years old, they were recently refurbished to bring the weathering up to current expectations (I hope!).

The cement loading thingamywhotsit is a modified and repainted Skaledale ready to plant structure, the aerial conveyor is Cornerstone (Walthers). Grass is Mini-Natur applied with a Grasmaster, other rocky detritus is the real thing from from Midford in Somerset which was scaled down using a hammer.