HAIR THATCHING
Wednesday, 15 January 2014
Saturday, 26 October 2013
YMRV MK1 SK Coach Enhancements - Final
What perplexed me most about the YMRV* coach is its lack of coach
numbers. After all, as a beginner's model I would expect a detail like
this to be included. But, as I researched suitable coach numbers to
apply it occurred to me that this is a very clever tactic that the major
manufacturers would do well to consider. The trouble is, if we
buy a rake of same style coaches from a major manufacturer the
chances are they will all have the same coach number since they are mass
produced.
What would be ideal is for coaches to be supplied without applied numbers but with a transfer sheet giving a range of number sequences for each region.
I used HMRS pressfix sheet 14 (BR steam era) transfers with a clear varnish coating to seal. Each character is individually applied, which is extremely fiddly (This is why I suggest in the above paragraph a number sequence transfer). The photo above also shows the home made concertina gangways.
What would be ideal is for coaches to be supplied without applied numbers but with a transfer sheet giving a range of number sequences for each region.
I used HMRS pressfix sheet 14 (BR steam era) transfers with a clear varnish coating to seal. Each character is individually applied, which is extremely fiddly (This is why I suggest in the above paragraph a number sequence transfer). The photo above also shows the home made concertina gangways.
From the same transfer sheet triangular no smoking signs are added to the two central windows of the non corridor side. All transfers are positioned by reference to a Bachmann green SK that I already have.
'Emergency lighting point' and white star vacuum points are added to the solebar each side.
'Restricted C1' is applied to each end.
The other modifications to the standard coach were painted grey roof, painted handles and the heavy weight removed for better free running.
* Your Model Railway Village part work.
To Part 0.
The other modifications to the standard coach were painted grey roof, painted handles and the heavy weight removed for better free running.
* Your Model Railway Village part work.
To Part 0.
Saturday, 19 October 2013
YMRV* Maroon Coach on BR(S) S.W. Division - Part 4
The other 1960s train of note is the Brighton/Portsmouth to Plymouth. In fact two trains because the first that drew my attention was the Saturday only service 9.03 Portsmouth to Plymouth because, as previously stated, there is reportedly a photograph somewhere showing the 4th August 1962 9.03 Portsmouth-Plymouth service with set 875 [BSK(34251)-SK(24311)-CK(15033)-BSK(34252)] having one of the centre coaches in maroon.
For the rest of the week the Portsmouth set was added to the Brighton to Plymouth service. This train had two claims to fame. Firstly it was the longest, regularly worked route across Southern Region and secondly it was the last steam hauled service to/from Brighton because steam locomotion was needed to operate the steam heated rolling stock used on this service.
The last timetabled through service from Brighton to Plymouth was March 1967.
The train comprised 10 coaches plus the Portsmouth set at the rear.
The Brighton sets:
Set 515* [BSK(35014)-SO(3836)-RB(**)-SO(3935)***-CK(15914)-BSK(35015)]
Set 516 [BSK(35016)-SO(3837)-RB(**)-SO(3936)***-CK(15902)-BSK(35017)]
* withdrawn prior to 14th June 1965
** various numbers
*** summer only
There are four good colour photographs of the Brighton to Plymouth train on route between Brighton and Worthing in 'Southern Counties Main Line Steam' by Michael Welch and these show a six coach formation (without the Portsmouth set) in 1966. Clearly, at this date of the Brighton sets only 516 is in use, if at all because sets were disbanded in 1966. The first SO in the train is maroon and one of the photos shows another maroon, possibly CK, towards the rear. The other coaches are Southern Green.
I cannot determine from black and white photos I have seen of earlier years whether the SOs are green or lined maroon and none of the coaches reveal their numbers.
Whilst the YMRV maroon MK1 is a maroon SK (second corridor) it almost passes as an SO (Second Open). The difference being roof vents and interior.
Aside from coaches it is worth noting that the engine carried the Brighton to Salisbury 3 disk head code (bottom left, middle top and middle bottom). This was changed at Salisbury for the Waterloo to West of England code (middle top and middle bottom). However, I have seen one photo of the train on Honiton Bank with the Brighton head code still in place.
* YMRV = Your Model Railway Village part work.
To Part 5.
To Part 0.
For the rest of the week the Portsmouth set was added to the Brighton to Plymouth service. This train had two claims to fame. Firstly it was the longest, regularly worked route across Southern Region and secondly it was the last steam hauled service to/from Brighton because steam locomotion was needed to operate the steam heated rolling stock used on this service.
The last timetabled through service from Brighton to Plymouth was March 1967.
The train comprised 10 coaches plus the Portsmouth set at the rear.
The Brighton sets:
Set 515* [BSK(35014)-SO(3836)-RB(**)-SO(3935)***-CK(15914)-BSK(35015)]
Set 516 [BSK(35016)-SO(3837)-RB(**)-SO(3936)***-CK(15902)-BSK(35017)]
* withdrawn prior to 14th June 1965
** various numbers
*** summer only
There are four good colour photographs of the Brighton to Plymouth train on route between Brighton and Worthing in 'Southern Counties Main Line Steam' by Michael Welch and these show a six coach formation (without the Portsmouth set) in 1966. Clearly, at this date of the Brighton sets only 516 is in use, if at all because sets were disbanded in 1966. The first SO in the train is maroon and one of the photos shows another maroon, possibly CK, towards the rear. The other coaches are Southern Green.
I cannot determine from black and white photos I have seen of earlier years whether the SOs are green or lined maroon and none of the coaches reveal their numbers.
Whilst the YMRV maroon MK1 is a maroon SK (second corridor) it almost passes as an SO (Second Open). The difference being roof vents and interior.
Aside from coaches it is worth noting that the engine carried the Brighton to Salisbury 3 disk head code (bottom left, middle top and middle bottom). This was changed at Salisbury for the Waterloo to West of England code (middle top and middle bottom). However, I have seen one photo of the train on Honiton Bank with the Brighton head code still in place.
* YMRV = Your Model Railway Village part work.
To Part 5.
To Part 0.
