UK Screenshots for Pre BR Blue. High resolution warning.

[HotshotJimmy]

While i'm waiting for my route to pop up on the DLS I decided to investigate what the route would look like in perhaps the late 50s very early 60s since there is a greater abundance of rolling stock available. (Availability of L&Y buildings/period items is very short currently but hasn't put me off yet)

2P nearly ready with a mixed goods train.

Some BR containers ready to get sorted through

Rather dirty 8F joins the line from the coal mine

As for the route itself, some places have had the track ripped up and dropped to one side, some speed restrictions added for the older viaducts/bridges on the line.

A new and clean DMU sits at Wath.

 

[KotangaGirl]

Nice looking screenshots Jimmy. I tend not to go any further than 1954 when modelling BR. After that the most common phrase that turns up when doing research is 'British Railways demolished xxxxxxxxx' which not surprisingly doesn't interest me at all.

 

[KotangaGirl]

I don't usually bother with minor railways like the GWR but after using this 45XX to test my signals I decided to let her work a loaded train. Here she is looking pretty at Burdale.

GWR 4547 Burdale TRS19 18.8.20 by A1 Northeastern, on Flickr

My main interest is the 19th century era GWR in Cornwall when they had their trackwork set to the correct gauge, but I can tolerate the narrow gauge GWR. Those 7 plank wagons are ones that I don't recognise. Do you know who made them and if they are on the DLS.

 

[lewisner]

My main interest is the 19th century era GWR in Cornwall when they had their trackwork set to the correct gauge, but I can tolerate the narrow gauge GWR. Those 7 plank wagons are ones that I don't recognise. Do you know who made them and if they are on the DLS.

HI, I was going to check them this morning but when I pressed the power button on my PC there was loud bang and sparks shot out of the power connector. It looks as though the PSU is toast so I will have no computer for a couple of days.
Having said that they must be from the DLS as I wouldn't have bought them as payware.

 

[teddytoot]

They look like <kuid2:86627:100181:6> 7 plank GWR end door w JAG by John Whelan which is built-in in 12, TANE and 2019.

 

[HotshotJimmy]

A full shed ready for action in the multiplayer session.

Something going a lot faster than we will thunders past.

Straight out the gate with some Scottish flavour (Two of the 2Ps are in the works so this engine was drafted down from Scotland)

Great cab, great sounds and a great steamer. She's doing well this evening.

 

[KotangaGirl]

On the Minehead branch. The engine is Swedish, but it was built by Beyer-Peacock so it gets to play with my other 19th century engines.
The layout is 'Turks Castle' from TS2004 days which I've been working on over time in TS2019 to update it, but without spoiling its essential charcter.

On the climb up to Crowcombe Heathfield. The gradient here is 2.55% and even though the train is fairly light the old Beyer-Peacock was working hard.

Over the other side and it's all downhill to Minehead. That brings it's own problems though with ancient braking systems.

I see Wallace is giving his strange girlfriend from the future a driving lesson again. The 2-4-0ST was built for the Edinburgh & Glasgow Railway in the 1850s. The livery it's wearing isn't E&GR though. A nice old engine and a lot of fun to drive.

 

[HotshotJimmy]

Now that is proper old school Pre grouping

Wonder what the times were between Edinburgh and Glasgow back then.

 

[johnwhelan]

Proper railway stuff.

The loco is from Camscott I assume, the coaches though?

Thanks John

 

[borderreiver]

Steep grade Annie 2.55% is 1 in 39. I am not surprised that the Beyer Peacock is working hard. HotshotJimmy, Wikipedia reports that on opening in 1842 the Edinburgh & Glasgow Railway used rope haulage up Cowlairs Bank and with ten intermediate stations the journey took 150 minutes. Four trains each way per day. That was to Haymarket in Edinburgh. The extension to what we now know as Waverley did not open until 1847. Rope haulage persisted at Cowlairs until 1908.

 

[HotshotJimmy]

Steep grade Annie 2.55% is 1 in 39. I am not surprised that the Beyer Peacock is working hard. HotshotJimmy, Wikipedia reports that on opening in 1842 the Edinburgh & Glasgow Railway used rope haulage up Cowlairs Bank and with ten intermediate stations the journey took 150 minutes. Four trains each way per day. That was to Haymarket in Edinburgh. The extension to what we now know as Waverley did not open until 1847. Rope haulage persisted at Cowlairs until 1908.

That's pretty cool. Still about 20 years till South Queensferry had its own station (not Dalmeny). I'm sure April 1847 was when the Cale began building Princes Street Station (now the Cale Hotel).

 

[HotshotJimmy]

Trying Wathdale in 19, the AI suck and the Boiler Pressures are 0 but it works at least.

 

[KotangaGirl]

Proper railway stuff.

The loco is from Camscott I assume, the coaches though?

Thanks John

John, - the Beyer-Peacock is by vovven47 who has released models of a number of older Swedish locomotives including two 19th century Beyer-Peacocks, - the 2-4-0 tender engine and a saddle tank which I haven't tried out yet. His locos use a scripting system that integrates the engine spec, sound file and steam/smoke effects together under DCC control and the final effect is highly realistic.

The coaches are by Paulz Trainz. Quite a while ago now Paul took on a commision to create mid-19th century engines and rolling stock for a Trainz enthusiast who wanted to build a model of part of the E&GR. They are tucked away in a corner of his website and not many people know about them. A lot of the goods rolling stock is early GNR and LNWR reskinned into E&GR and early NBR livery and the coaches are a collection based on a variety of surviving mid-19th century drawings, but during this era there wasn't that much difference in coach designs so they are pretty much universal.
The locomotives from this commision are a bit of mixed collection with not all being genuine E&GR, but despite being older models and simple in their details are actually quite good. Most of mine have been updated and fettled in some way.

Steep grade Annie 2.55% is 1 in 39. I am not surprised that the Beyer Peacock is working hard. HotshotJimmy, Wikipedia reports that on opening in 1842 the Edinburgh & Glasgow Railway used rope haulage up Cowlairs Bank and with ten intermediate stations the journey took 150 minutes. Four trains each way per day. That was to Haymarket in Edinburgh. The extension to what we now know as Waverley did not open until 1847. Rope haulage persisted at Cowlairs until 1908.

I have a copy of the gradient profile for the Minehead branch Frank and it is a real rollercoaster with very long steep gradients. It's become my locomotive test track especially for when I'm sorting out the especs for running under the 'advanced' steam controls. I have both Broad Gauge and standard gauge versions of the Minehead branch which allows me to give all my various 19th century engines a good run.

Strangely none of my E&GR engines have been near anything resembling Cowlairs. There are a couple of layouts on the DLS based on the area, but when I looked at them they were fairly disappointing.

Trying Wathdale in 19, the AI suck and the Boiler Pressures are 0 but it works at least.

In general I've found the steam controls to work reasonably well in TS2019 Jimmy. Better than in TS2012 in fact. The ghost steam pressure bug is still a pain, but it can be worked around by giving engines time to raise steam on shed before going out to do their assigned tasks.

 

[KotangaGirl]

More mid-19th century fun on the Minehead branch.

These South Eastern Railway Cramptons were the big engine of their day and were a modified version of the Crampton patent design. I do have nice clean SER Cramptons, but this mucky one is my favourite. Wallace has his strange girlfriend from the future with him again.

This is a smaller Cramption by E.B.Wilson built according to Crampton's original design. A pretty little thing and it can't climb hills for toffee. The E.B.Wilson 0-6-0WT playing the role of banking engine is the one doing most of the work.
Cramptons were briefly tried out in Britain, but were by and large a failure. In France though they were very successful due to travel distances being longer as well as the general lack of steep gradients on French railways.

 

[HotshotJimmy]

Ye like you said I gave them a second in the sheds all setup while I boiled my own water for a cuppa (side note while I was waiting, I began thinking how I could power my house with a Beam engine or steam engine, even got as afar as sketches)

Anyway back to tonight's report;

I wanted to get the 380ish tonnes of coal from Wath Coal Mine to Fellbeck Quarry without either stopping to bring up steam OR using a banker while only using one trusty 7F 2-8-0 designed by Henry Fowler (Number 3802).

The engine ran light to the coal mine where the wagons were and would then fill them up before heading off.

3802 seen here pulling away from the Coal Mine with the valves blowing off on the start of the run. Slight climb out of the mine but nothing to stop pressure being created.

Wath Junction box was aware of the train and the signals were set and tokens exchanged, first climb passed the old passing loop was taken well with no loss in pressure and a steady 17mph indicated. It was decided not to push for more speed as the 20mph over the viaduct wasn't far up the line anyway. Pressure was maintained with the "Little and Often" method being used throughout (water level maintained between 60%-70% and the fire at all times 97%-100%). 3802 can be seen above just passed the viaduct with the chance to increase speed.

We pass the banker sitting ready but not today buddy. 3802 passing Wath, no passenger services to restrict speed or the line. Pressure was still 200 all the way with the odd blow off. Looking good for the next climb.

First proper challenge now. 2% and above just after Wath. Not much chance of getting faster here as the curve is a 20 limit. It flattens off after the bridge so we can gain some time there. Pressure good, levels good, fireman tired.

Someone at the farm's halt waiting for a train spots the 7F making a racket on the approach.

Steps down from the platform as its pretty loud.

Off she continues ready for the next climb even though this one isn't finished just yet.

All the way to the top...

 

[HotshotJimmy]

PART 2;

Really thumping now, coal and water hasn't changed, still little and often. Pressure starting to drop now as we've had to add more cut-off to stave off stalling. entered the climb at 22mph but really struggling at 16-17 now.

So bloody close now, down to 176 on the gauge. That last two climbs took out 24lbf/in[SUP]2[/SUP] . Points set, coal areas ready for us. Just a little bit more. Upping the cut-off again to stop any slowing down. Only about 13mph now.

A worker stops work to watch the magnificent sight as she gets to the top with just 162 on the gauge. What a run.

The crew take 5 as they build up pressure again and make sure all is good with the train. Oiling done before the turnaround and then back down the line. Great effort from the crew.

Ladies & Gentlemen, Fowler's finest. The 7F.

So now the figures of what I took.

The run was roughly 10 miles from mine to quarry with about an average speed of 12mph giving us a time of approximately 50 minutes.

(Anyone know coal capacity in tons of an LMS 3500 Gallon tender)

If I know the tonnage I can work out how much coal was used.

Coal usage was 26% (3794 units/5080 units) Tender can hold 7 tons so if we assume it was full leaving that is 1.8 tons used.

Water usage was 18% capacity (11715 units/14300 units) meaning I used 630 Gallons of water on the WHOLE run (running light from shed). I have no idea if that is prototypical so if someone wants to let me know be much obliged haha.

So that is 63 gallons of water a mile? or 0.01MPG?

Possibly I hashed up the math BUT the main point was I was able to do the run and I have learned the sweet spot for these engines. Hope you enjoyed the little story, night all.

 

[KotangaGirl]

Well done Jimmy. Working a gradient like that one using the steam controls definitely sorts out the drivers from the pretenders.
For some unknown reason I've never tried driving a Fowler 7F. I don't even think I got one in my digital trainset box.

 

[HotshotJimmy]

Well done Jimmy. Working a gradient like that one using the steam controls definitely sorts out the drivers from the pretenders.
For some unknown reason I've never tried driving a Fowler 7F. I don't even think I got one in my digital trainset box.

Its a great engine, having been on the real one at NYMR I just turn the surround sound and bass up, sweet spot for the sound is below 20mph which suits a heavy train on a small route.

 

[Heinrich505]

HotshotJimmy,
What a cool little story. Quite the adventure. You had me cheering for your mates as they started to slow down but kept on chugging. The fireman deserves a pint when you get back to the yard - he had quite a workout.

This looks like quite the challenge. Very nicely done!

Heinrich505

 

[borderreiver]

HotshotJimmy, re post #2978 - I think that you have to know which class the "Fowler 3500 Gallon" tender was paired with.

Your loco is the former S&DJR 7F 2-8-0.
The former S&DJR type - LMS 2870 Deeley/Fowler 3500G paired with the S&DJR Fowler 7F 2-8-0 (# 88 / 9678 / 13808 / 53808) was originally 7 tons. http://www.ten.rhrp.org.uk/tens/TenderInfo.asp?Ref=171

Others:
LMS 3295 Fowler 3500G paired with 4F 0-6-0 5.5 Tons. http://www.ten.rhrp.org.uk/tens/TenderInfo.asp?Ref=337
LMS 3116 Fowler 3500G paired with 4F 0-6-0 4.0 Tons. http://www.ten.rhrp.org.uk/tens/TenderInfo.asp?Ref=116