Train geeks

I haven't visited this blog for while. Many other activities have been taking up my time: setting up websites, making models of trains and enjoying the weather whenever the sun shines.

There is not enough time to do everything in one lifetime. Making reasonably accurate model trains involves some research, at least reading a book on the subject,  combined with some model making ability.

My website is over here: Diagram3D and it continues the general theme of trains, preferably ancient,  of the type I like which is also, hopefully, the type that everyone likes.

Research takes ages and traditional railway model making involves arcane skills which also take time and patience to learn. I do possess some of these skills but not all.  Even the most talented modelers get older.

As a result,  not much modelling happens as ones eyes and hands are no longer up to the delicate business of making models of trains. It is a complicated business. For example, after one has completed the model it still has to be painted and this is a subject in itself. Steam trains were painted in all sorts of complicated liveries and the modern versions are just as difficult to paint.

My solution to the onset of bleary eyes was to approach the subject again, taking into account 21st century tools and techniques (Laser cutters, 3D printers and software). The intention was to produce model railway parts and kits that could be assembled without much effort in a reasonable time by average folks.

These days,  I design the model and the machines make the parts. Which is as it should be. I never quite understood the fascination for making things laboriously by hand that were better accomplished by using a machine.

The net result is that I am now able to continue my hobby for much longer than I expected with more satisfaction in the process.

From The Engineer, 1868 

 A six coupled goods engine designed by 

Patrick Stirling for the GNR. 

Note the early style of cab and the absence of brakes.

From the Engineer 1871, Stirling Single Number 8, Great Northrrn Railway

NLR - North London Railway

This page links to the North London Railway (NLR) history on Wikipedia

NLR - North London Railway

and the historical society concerned with this railway

North London Historical Society (NLRHS)

LNWR - London and North Western Railway

This page links to the the London and North Western Railway information on Wikipedia  

LNWR 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/London_and_North_Western_Railway 

and also the society devoted to this railway

LNWR Society

GNR - Great Northern Railway (UK)

This links to the Great Northern Railway (UK) information on Wikipedia


Great_Northern_Railway


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_Northern_Railway_%28Great_Britain%29

The Yellow Brick Road - GNR ballast and bricks - Kings Cross - Deeping Lakes

The Great Northern Railway excavated the gravel used to ballast its tracks from around 1870 until 1897 at what is now known as Deeping Lakes. In addition a brick works on site produced an estimated two million bricks for the railway. These yellow bricks are prominent at Kings Cross station but were used for most of the companies buildings.

The cessation of activity at the site corresponds with the death of Patrick Stirling and the subsequent appointment of a new Chief Mechanical Engineer, Henry Ivatt, who upgraded the permanent way to accommodate heavier traffic.

A current link to the

Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust page for Deeping Lakes:

http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/reserves/Deeping-Lakes


I always wondered why The colour of the "ballast" printed on tinplate track bases by Hornby Dublo was sand coloured.

The London and North Western Railway and Crewe Works

The London and North Western Railway was featured by "The Engineer" in a supplement in December 1908.

The supplement has twenty pages about the works including some colour plates. The document is about 8 megabytes in size:

http://www.gracesguide.co.uk/images/1/1e/Er19081211Supp.pdf