Modelling a GWR prototype : CARROG in 4mm & 7mm.

LarryG

Western Thunderer
Larry

I still have the brass San Cheng Pannier you sold me, it's hardly been used since I got it as I have been building the layout and it stayed in its box for most of the time. Interested?
Paul
Hi Paul, Thank you for your kind offer. My overall interest in models is now so low that I am taking a break. Interest in my own modelling activities has been tailing off for some time, which I suppose is not surprising when I have a list of 'day job' coaches to build as well.
 
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Focalplane

Western Thunderer
Larry

No problem, I can wait. . . It’s not going anywhere. Enjoy the break, I know I need to sometimes.

Paul
 

LarryG

Western Thunderer
Thank you Paul for the kind offer, but I have bought a Dapol 9659.

Nice day so the track was cleaned for the first time in in 6 months and the 47XX did a full circuit. Drifting steam is cobweb.....

WEB Carrog 47.jpg

The 4700 emptied the yard for the final time and is seen heading off before the headache ball arrives.... ;)

WEB Carrog 48.jpg
 

LarryG

Western Thunderer
Carrog-for-real is the terminus once again until at least July. The Llangollen Railway has got duller in recent years and there looks to be a complete absence of enthusiast gala weekends in 2019. The Great Central, a line once said to be more dependent on enthusiasts than other lines, has withdrawn lineside passes, so no doubt other lines will be even more crowded out this summer with camcorderistadors. ;)
 

Focalplane

Western Thunderer
I showed up at Toddington a few years ago to visit Rob’s Stall and was told it was a special event Diesel Day and I could not just visit the stall without paying the entry fee.

As a supporter of GWSR I found the management to be overly offensive. I rather think this portends a ruinous future for some heritage railways.

Better, perhaps, to have one’s own heritage railway layout where PC doesn’t exist.
 

oldravendale

Western Thunderer
The Great Central, a line once said to be more dependent on enthusiasts than other lines, has withdrawn lineside passes, so no doubt other lines will be even more crowded out this summer with camcorderistadors. ;)

You're quite correct, Larry, and it's sad that this has occurred. However, as I understand the situation once again it's down to a small number of lineside pass holders being less than sensible and putting themselves in dangerous positions. Doubtless this could be policed but to do so will employ even more volunteers and these people simply don't exist. Imagine the effect on all heritage lines should someone be badly injured. On the positive side there are lineside sites on the GCR which are available for public access and which provide good views of operations.

We at Finney7 have every reason to be grateful to the GCR and other heritage railways for giving us special access, although never on operating days. We fully understand why that should be the case - and on the GCR we are fortunate that the shed is often open for public inspection on operating days, a privilege not shared on many other lines. The GCR is certainly a railway for enthusiasts but we should remember that even here the greater part of the income by far is from non enthusiasts.

Also, Paul, perhaps you could reconsider your view of the situation at Toddington. Why should one not pay to enter a site on an operating day regardless of the purpose of the visit? Heritage railways cost a fortune - literally - to operate nowadays and surely it's not unreasonable to make our own contribution to running costs with due consideration to the huge pleasure they give us.

Brian
 

oldravendale

Western Thunderer
Nice one, Dave!

If I'm not mistaken that shot is on the GCR at Quorn - and on gala days that field behind the photographers is open so pretty much equivalent shots can be created without hi vis vests intruding.

Brian
 

Focalplane

Western Thunderer
Also, Paul, perhaps you could reconsider your view of the situation at Toddington. Why should one not pay to enter a site on an operating day regardless of the purpose of the visit? Heritage railways cost a fortune - literally - to operate nowadays and surely it's not unreasonable to make our own contribution to running costs with due consideration to the huge pleasure they give us.

Brian
Brian

I understand what you mean that heritage railways cost of lot to run, I have helped GWSR in many small but inconsequential ways as when in England I live a stone's throw from the railway. Back when I turned 60 my wife gifted me a fire and drive experience which I will never forget. However, I am not a member of the GWSR because I spend most of my time somewhere else. I used to visit Toddington regularly when I could to buy second hand books and gifts for the grandchildren, etc. at the station and Rob's second hand stall is in the car park. On the particular day in 2014 I drove over, not knowing it was Diesel Day, to visit the garden centre and the Rob's stall. I was not happy because it was the only chance I had to visit and I was told that I could not enter the yard. In fact I could have if I bought a day ticket but this was never offered as an option until I went away and wrote an email of complaint, answered by the Chairman. The high handed attitude of the on duty official was not a good sign and I have rarely been back. I can also attest that there were others there that day who were equally disappointed.

This event has coloured my view of heritage railways which is unfortunate. I thoroughly enjoy the Ffestiniog Railway when in Porthmadog (Portmadoc) and also the tea room at Carrog (on topic here!) is a joy to visit.

The best heritage steam for those of us over 70 years old is probably in our memories.

Best wishes and absolutely no offense meant, Paul
 

oldravendale

Western Thunderer
.....and absolutely no offence taken, Paul.:)

Of course, I didn't know the specific circumstances and it's clear that the "official" was out of line. Good on you for contacting the railway, and good on the Chairman of the railway for responding. Certainly there seems to be a general assumption by heritage railway management that their volunteers will want to present a friendly and helpful face. We all know about assumptions! Regrettably there will always be a few who will see their temporary position as an excuse for being as officious as possible.

In my experience heritage railways try - and are on the whole pretty successful at - training their full time and key volunteer staff. However, it's difficult to provide even basic training to a mobile and temporary workforce. I guess that those without training should not be in customer facing situations, but even that is not always possible.

Brian

Edit..... Sorry for the thread hijack. Reckon we should close this bit down now!
 

LarryG

Western Thunderer
I ran a couple of locos from the comfort of a demoted office chair today. At full height, it offered a better view of the layout. I will be glad to fit larger speakers inside O gauge locos again, but that apart, the track formation requires a lot of consideration. I have in mind a layout plan that everyone and his dog seemed to adopt in the early 1960's and it involves a GWR through station with a bay. I like trains in bays! I am happy to settle for a blue route restriction because I only want small O gauge locos anyway. The railway company and topography are important seeing as they determine such things as architecture and scenery, but I will not be tied to a real station. GWR brick waiting shelters appeal to me because they do not cast large shadows on the backscene or make stations darker than need be. This is an important consideration in a shed.

I decided this morning there was no point in prevaricating and so I contacted the 'tower' for a Pannier.
 

Pencarrow

Western Thunderer
I showed up at Toddington a few years ago to visit Rob’s Stall and was told it was a special event Diesel Day and I could not just visit the stall without paying the entry fee.

As a supporter of GWSR I found the management to be overly offensive. I rather think this portends a ruinous future for some heritage railways.

Better, perhaps, to have one’s own heritage railway layout where PC doesn’t exist.

We had a similar experience a few years back. Returning from exhibiting a layout in the SW we dropped off the motorway for refreshments rather than using motorway services.

We had no time to ride trains as this was simply a pit stop (something we do to support preserved lines) but we were prevented from tea and cake by an officious member of staff who would only allow entry if we each bought a day ticket.

We left and the railway lost our money. Not been back since.
 

jonte

Western Thunderer
I ran a couple of locos from the comfort of a demoted office chair today. At full height, it offered a better view of the layout. I will be glad to fit larger speakers inside O gauge locos again, but that apart, the track formation requires a lot of consideration. I have in mind a layout plan that everyone and his dog seemed to adopt in the early 1960's and it involves a GWR through station with a bay. I like trains in bays! I am happy to settle for a blue route restriction because I only want small O gauge locos anyway. The railway company and topography are important seeing as they determine such things as architecture and scenery, but I will not be tied to a real station. GWR brick waiting shelters appeal to me because they do not cast large shadows on the backscene or make stations darker than need be. This is an important consideration in a shed.n

I decided this morning there was no point in prevaricating and so I contacted the 'tower' for a Pannier.

The darker and dingier, the better for me, Larry.

7B19783E-519E-49D0-AF7C-5EE49E58187A.jpeg 3CE25B10-E248-4E72-B729-9D0F16BD427F.jpeg

Your stuffs a bit too green for me, Larry ;)

I do like your work though.

Welcome to WT.

Jonte
 
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