From Llangunllo to Llanbister Rd.

Geoff

Geoff

Western Thunderer
Captain Kernow said:
Visiting the model shop in Exeter this morning for the first time in ages, I made an impulse purchase of a DVD from 'The Jim Clemens Collection', namely No. 12 'Herefordshire Byways'. As you probably know, Geoff, there is some absolutely superb footage on this of the Kington and Presteigne goods. I'd never seen it before and it's extremely inspirational!
Click to expand...

I'm so pleased that you have managed to get your hands on a copy Tim :) Jim's son Michael tipped me off about his late fathers films, when I contacted him for permission to use some photos for my articles in the Railway Modeller. Jim was another of those unsung hero's who recorded the country railway and passing of steam, where would we be without their like?

For those who are unaware Jim's work, then take a look here, you won't be disappointed. Michael Clemens Railways

Happy New Year to all,
Geoff
 
Captain Kernow

Captain Kernow

Western Thunderer
Hi Geoff,

Just a quick question with regard to the real Kington and Presteigne goods services in the 1960s, if I may, please? All the photos I've seen show the 14XX (usually 1420) working bunker-first towards Kington and, therefore, chimney-first back towards Leominster. Do you know if this always applied (to the regular goods services, I mean), please?

In the Clemens footage, when 1420 couples to run back to Hereford with 1458, both locos are also facing the same way.

Thanks.
 
MartinWales

MartinWales

Western Thunderer
Tim
I seem to remember a 3mm version of Presteinge by a teenager in the mid 1970's, and an article written in Model Railways sometime in 1978?

May be worth pursuing some back numbers?
 
Geoff

Geoff

Western Thunderer
Captain Kernow said:
Hi Geoff,

Just a quick question with regard to the real Kington and Presteigne goods services in the 1960s, if I may, please? All the photos I've seen show the 14XX (usually 1420) working bunker-first towards Kington and, therefore, chimney-first back towards Leominster. Do you know if this always applied (to the regular goods services, I mean), please?

In the Clemens footage, when 1420 couples to run back to Hereford with 1458, both locos are also facing the same way.

Thanks.
Click to expand...

Hi Tim,
Nearly all the photos of the Kington goods that I have come across show both classes 14XX and 74XX working bunker first towards Kington, and chimney first towards Leominster. However I do have a photo of Pannier 4600, dated 22/08/ 1956 working the goods towards Kington chimney first.

I assume there was nothing to prevent the 14XX Class from running from Leominster to Kington chimney first, as I have several photos showing 1455 on an SLS special doing so, the same loco also worked up the Presteign branch bunker first on the same day.

MartinWales said:
Tim
I seem to remember a 3mm version of Presteinge by a teenager in the mid 1970's, and an article written in Model Railways sometime in 1978?

May be worth pursuing some back numbers?
Click to expand...

Martin / Tim,

I think Martin is right about the 3mm scale layout of Presteign, though the only model that springs to mind, albeit in '00' scale is this one Presteigne Station Diorama.

As for articles in the model press I can only recall this one, 'Presteigne, an ex GWR Station Worth Modelling ' Model Railway Constructor, May 1969 by Roy G. Perkins. Other than a track plan of Presteign and a couple of poor photos the article doesn't really tell you much.

Whilst I'm here I might as well post a couple of photos of my Class 122, which has been converted from my old Hornby Class 121. I have yet to complete the interior, change the number and weather it.

P1160419.JPG

P1160413.JPG

Geoff
 
Geoff

Geoff

Western Thunderer
MartinWales said:
May have to dig 'em out and check! Remember that the chap used GEM track in 3mm, and several GEM kits too....
Click to expand...

Hi Martin,
Following a little research I think the chap in question might have been Colin Cook whose layout of Presteigne appeared in issue No. 49 of the 3mm societies 'Mixed Traffic' magazine. I had left the society by then and had returned to modelling in 4mm scale so don't have that particular issue in my collection.

Mention of GEM track and kits brings back many happy memories of skipping tech. to catch a morning train from Warrington BQ to Colwyn Bay. I would then walk along the promenade to George Mellors factory / shop at 31a Rhos-on Sea for a bit of retail therapy. In those far off days I was modelling Ashburton in 3mm scale and also used GEM flexi track points and loco kits.

I would then return home on a Holyhead - Manchester train, usually behind a Class 40, timing things just right so as to walk through the front door as if I had spent a normal day, and evening at tech. :)

Geoff
 
Last edited:
MartinWales

MartinWales

Western Thunderer
Hmmm....happy days indeed! Remember one of my first solo rail trips was doing something very similar! There used to be a decent model shop in the 'Bay, and a couple of others too, one of which was mainly a sports shop. Occasionally I would accompany my father, who was a photographer, and had a company car with his job.
Still think it was something like April or May '78?
 
Captain Kernow

Captain Kernow

Western Thunderer
Hi Geoff,

Out of interest and going back to the Clemens footage of the Kington and Presteigne goods, do you know anything about the practice depicted in the film of the traincrew laying detonators behind the train at Kington Jct (once clear of the main line), to 'protect the train?'.

As they should also have the One Train Working staff, they should surely have adequate operational protection, plus they are protected by fixed signals at Kington Jct, where the signalman will also have made an entry in the train register and possibly used a reminder appliance in the box etc.

I have e-mailed Michael Clemens about it, but I also wondered if you knew, please!

Thanks.
 
Geoff

Geoff

Western Thunderer
Hi Tim,

I couldn't login to the forum earlier so sent you the following by email.

" I came across your questions regarding the detonators on your thread, and have been doing a little digging around. Alas I can find no explanation anywhere, have you contacted Mike Romans (The Stationmaster) over on RMweb? He seems pretty clued up on operational matters, failing that I hope Micheal Clemens can help".

Sorry I can't throw any light on the matter.
Geoff
 
Geoff

Geoff

Western Thunderer
p1160532.jpg
Whenever my young grandson Jake pays a visit the two of us end up having a running session. Obviously he is always the driver and I end up pulling levers to set the road. He also selects which locomotives he wishes to drive, hence the rare appearance of a 'Hymek' on the pick up goods at Llangunllo.

P1160551.JPG
Normal service resumed later when 1455 arrived in charge of a local passenger train. The A44 Driving trailer makes a welcome change from the usual Airfix, or Bachmann models so often seen on (G)WR layouts.

P1160541.JPG

Some engineering works going on close to the dairy, so a rake of empty milk tanks are currently being stabled opposite the station building. Having experienced the stench of such tanks at close quarters I feel sorry for anyone who is waiting for a train! So what is going on down in the dairy, well to begin with a water tower is being built.

P1160497 (3).JPG

The tank will be finished in BR light grey which should blend in nicely and help draw the eye away from the backscene. Why add a water tower, well having decided against including one at Llanbister Road shed, I had one going spare. There are only two milk tanks outside the dairy, the rest are reflections courtesy of the mirror. Plans are afoot for another change in this area, more news at a later date, meanwhile and returning to Llanbister Rd. the shed currently looks like this.........

P1160555.JPG

The building is a mix of 'palight', styrene, and Mainly Trains etched windows, topped off with York Modelmaking slates.

Geoff
 
Geoff

Geoff

Western Thunderer
Pencarrow said:
Lovely work Geoff, you've even put in the wider tile at the end of odd rows.
Click to expand...

Thank you Chris, your own thread provided a timely reminder to get the slates correct, mind you it was a fiddly job in 4mm scale ;)

NHY 581 said:
Lovely images Geoff.

Cosy ,warm feeling to it all.

Rob.
Click to expand...

Cheers Rob, I was reading the comments on your own thread about photography, I also hate the current trend for bright in your face images that appear in the mainstream railway modelling magazines. In fact it is just one of the many reasons why I no longer purchase them, the images might be technically perfect but to me they lack atmosphere and a feeling for the subject. I accept that my own efforts fall short from a technical point of view, but I'm more interested in composing a shot and trying to capture the mid fifties, to early sixties scene with its muted and restrictive colours.

Alan said:
Always a joy to see your work.
Click to expand...

Thanks Alan, good luck with your new 7mm adventure, I'm envious in a way ;)

Peter Little said:
This and the "Far North Line" are top level modelling and the images capture the atmosphere really well.
Regards
Peter
Click to expand...

Thank you very much Peter:)
 
Geoff

Geoff

Western Thunderer
Brian T said:
Your grandson obviously has impeccable taste,re; his motive power choice!.

And i`m liking the progress on the 7mm engine shed too,very nice.

Brian.
Click to expand...

So you are another 'Hymek' fan Brian :rolleyes:.

My grandson chose it again yesterday for the Leominster (Cadburys Ford Bridge) - Llangunllo empty milk tank service.

P1160579.JPG

Thanks for your comments about the engine shed which is 4mm scale. I had to abandon my plans for a 7mm version due to a lack of space.

Geoff
 
Brian T

Brian T

Western Thunderer
Geoff said:
So you are another 'Hymek' fan Brian :rolleyes:.

Hymek fan and hydrulics in general,though i was just a bit too young to remember them on BR.

Thanks for your comments about the engine shed which is 4mm scale. I had to abandon my plans for a 7mm version due to a lack of space.

Ahh my mistake!.

A shame to that you don`t have the space you`d like though for 7mm,as i`d love to have seen what you`d had done....

Regards,
Brian.

Geoff
Click to expand...
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
What's New?
Top