7mm Lamb's Leap. A sheep learning curve.

76043

Western Thunderer
I worked in the 90s for all sorts as I was freelance. I did work for Network Models in Ladbroke Grove, A Models, Clerkenwell, architects such as KPF, and Thorp Models in Gray's Inn. I also did a bit of advertising, animation and product work. Thorp were the oldest in the UK, having started in Victorian times, they worked on various models such as Bush House, various Underground stations in the 30s etc. I've still got a copy of their 1930s brochure. They are still going, having moved to Ascot. I worked with @unklian quite a bit.

The industry seems to be virtually gone now, only film seems to be still going strong. Glad I got out of it, was dusty, long hours and low paid, but fun. We used to joke you never saw an old modelmaker, either because their lungs gave out or they got lucky and left the industry. I don't miss it.

Tony
 
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NHY 581

Western Thunderer
A quick query,

Does anyone have any images or line drawings ( Or can point me in the general direction of) the two road vans converted from AA3 Toads?

I'm aware of one image on flicker but could really do with sight of a line drawing.

Any help appreciated.

Cheers,

Rob


* Oh, and livery details in BR days ( 1950s)
I'm thinking bauxite as they were fitted but confirmation would be nice.


**I'm also aware and have a copy of Model Rail Dec. 2018 where Chris Leigh makes a 4mm version of the Cirencester Road Van.
 
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Phil O

Western Thunderer
In the wagon bible GWR Goods Wagons by Aitkins, Beard and Tourret. There are a couple of pictures of road vans on pages 468 and 469, the 2nd is in BR livery. There is no drawing in the book with the conversion.

Having reread your post I suspect that the photo in BR livery is the same as the Chris Leigh one as it's Cirencester RU. I'm unable to discern the colour. I'm guessing that it's through piped as there's no discernible evidence of a vacuum cylinder and thus probably grey.
 
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Pencarrow

Western Thunderer
In the wagon bible GWR Goods Wagons by Aitkins, Beard and Tourret. There are a couple of pictures of road vans on pages 468 and 469, the 2nd is in BR livery. There is no drawing in the book with the conversion.

Having reread your post I suspect that the photo in BR livery is the same as the Chris Leigh one as it's Cirencester RU. I'm unable to discern the colour. I'm guessing that it's through piped as there's no discernible evidence of a vacuum cylinder and thus probably grey.

Interestingly the two road vans were each slightly different one offs. How the doors were fitted into the existing AA3 design differed between the two. No 17600 looks most similar to a big standard AA3 but with doors in one of the 4 body panels. 56458 seems to have no vertical angle irons on the sides. That the impression to my untrained eye anyway.
 

Phil O

Western Thunderer
Chris,

I can't fault your untrained eye, 17600 has stiffners and 56458 doesn't. 17600 was built in the year before 56458, perhaps use in traffic revealed that the extra stiffening was not required.
 

NHY 581

Western Thunderer
Evening all.

I received a package from Peco yesterday.

I intend to use a Peco AA3 as a base for a road van conversion. I couldn't bring myself to buy a Peco Mink to chop up simply for the doors and frames. However, I contacted Peco and after a very brief conversation secured a pair of sides and doors, which arrived nicely packaged and at a sensible price.

This now makes the conversion a more practical (economically) proposal.

I'm going down this route as I take the view that with only a few items of stock required, I can have a couple of 'character' items.

I have a soft spot for brake vans and road vans in particular so I am looking forward to starting this.

As Chris mentions, I will be aiming for the Kington van and retaining the side braces. How accurate this turns out remains to be seen but we can have a go.


Rob.
 

Mick Bonwick

Active Member
So that's two things that go at the front and two things that go at the back. There will, presumably, be something in the middle of each train, so any sidings or loops will need to be at least 3' long. See? I know what you're up to. You can't pull the wool over my eyes, you know.
 

NHY 581

Western Thunderer
Nice of ewe to pop in Mick.

No progress made at present but plotting and scheming are still very much ahoof.

I'm looking to pick up the Toad in a week or so and get project Roadvan under way.

I'm also very taken with the Minerva 5 plank and modified Iron Mink wagons, both of which are very nice indeed and look set to be added to the roster.
I've said it before, but I don't see this layout needing much in the way of stock so I can pick and choose a few key items.


I'm also looking forward to weathering in the bigger scale.

So, plenty to be going on with.


Rob.
 

NHY 581

Western Thunderer
Afternoon all.

By way of a tentative update, I've now ordered the Peco AA3 Toad courtesy of Kernow Models and await it's arrival at Chateau Sheep.

I'm also now giving thought to the baseboards and what will be the overall size of the layout, excluding fiddly yardage.

What I am not thinking about is where I will put it.........yet.

All in all,......Spiffing.

Rob.
 

Mick Bonwick

Active Member
Minerva Iron Minks are lovely things. I've had a few come my way and they scrub up nicely. Or should that be scrub down?

Itching to see some progress in photographic form!
 

NHY 581

Western Thunderer
As a further taster of where I hope to end up, here is what was originally posted on the Sheep Chronicles to set the scene for Lambs Leap.....( with a couple of amendments)


Lamb's Leap.....a small run down wayside station on the former Lamb Valley Light Railway with a single siding retained for the local coal merchant and farmers...........the small wooden office cum ground frame......a surprisingly short, wooden faced, ash topped platform set into a low rising, fern encrusted bank, topped with a single enamelled name board....goods yard bordered by low stone buildings of indeterminate age.....the feeble glow offered by a couple of oil lamps dotted about the place.....weeds and wild flowers poking through the rapidly disappearing cinder ballast....a general atmosphere of a damp autumnal morning..... the pleasant waft of a coal fire from a nearby cottage drifting across....a warming flicker of an oil lamp from the office.........the distant cooing of a wood pigeon from the nearby woods.......a gentle scrape of the coal merchants shovel as he loads the sacks.......an earthy, slightly fragrant smell of wet ferns.......the slow, regular drip from the stand pipe in the yard into the bucket beneath...


Rob.
 
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AJC

Western Thunderer
So faded/distressed wartime brown might be appropriate then or would we see faded pre-war choccy and cream?

Rob.

Dark/light stone if pre-war. More likely I think would be Black. I think that’s what happened to the clerestory grounded at Llanfair Caereinion (Welshpool and Llanfair).

Adam
 

NHY 581

Western Thunderer
Thanks Adam.

Black was at the back of my mind. I've not decided how the layout will look but would like to add a grounded coach body to it all.......somewhere..


More thoughts needed...

Rob.
 
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