COMMENT

With 2020 soon to be behind us, and New Year’s resolutions imminent, I’ve struggled to find something positive to say to lift spirits. The club has been closed for the best part of a year and, indeed, a whole year may have elapsed before we can resume normal service once again. Whilst we are probably luckier than many, our premises are secure and our future is certain, some disappointments remain. The 2021 show, for example, is by no means guaranteed. If so, that will mean no show for two year’s running. But it does look bleak currently, as our booked venue, The Orangery at Margam, has been withdrawn and our deposit returned. Neath Port Talbot, who manage the venue, have advised that The Orangery is to become a vaccination centre for the year and so will be unavailable. It may be possible to organise a much smaller event during 2021, but a suitable venue will need to be found and exhibitors identified. Consideration will be given to this possibility in due course and you will be updated through the newsletter.

On a more positive note, the damage created by the recent burglary is soon to be repaired! It has taken a while to arrange for this as the insurance cover is not held by the club but, rather, The Gordon Moore Centre. An estimate has been delivered however and we are confident that the work will progress. I am also delighted to include some members’ contributions in this month’s edition: an article on a shunting plank by Richard Vaughan-Davies, some photos of members’ modelling and a fascinating recollection from Niel Clements from his time as a Secondman. Highly recommended that one!

THE 2021 WAGON COMMISSION

Some good news! The artwork [below, the O gauge version] for the 2021 commission has been received, signed off and now simply awaits a manufacturing slot from Dapol. We hope to see the finished articles in February next year: just 8 to 10 weeks away.

And believe it or not, 20% of this new commission has already been ordered!

In the ‘Products’ section of the club’s website there is an article describing the wagon and its owning colliery in more detail. The link is here: srmg.org.uk/copper-pit-collieries

The club’s Facebook page also has information and links to the commission. If anyone can supply a non-copyright photograph of the original wagon for inclusion in the website article, I would be extremely grateful.

Incidentally, the 2020 commission is almost sold out now – just 5 OO wagons remain. That commission, too, is in the Products section of the website if any wish to purchase from what is left.

TICKETS PLEASE

This month, a Great Western Railway ‘HM Forces On Leave’ single for Cardiff General to Port Talbot General, in the days when stations had proper names!

It is interesting to note that the holder was allowed to travel on either the Great Western main line between to two locations or on the rural Vale of Glamorgan line. They were obviously not an Officer though as the ticket was for 3rd Class travel only! Port Talbot General held that name from 1924-1947, when it became Port Talbot. From 1984 it has been Port Talbot Parkway, although quite where the Parkway-bit is, is anyone’s guess…….

THE INGELNOOK - A COVID BUILD BY RICHARD VAUGHAN-DAVIES

Looking for something different to model? Tired of trying to justify that factory in the middle of a field? How about this, a relatively small layout designed with purely shunting in mind. It can have as much or as little added detail as required, although I suspect not many of us would just leave it as plain baseboard! Although why go full scenic when the primary purpose is to shunt and sort wagons?

The track plan is very simple: a head shunt capable of holding the loco and 3 wagons, 2 sidings capable of holding 3 wagons each and a final siding capable of holding the completed rake of 5 wagons. That's all. Siding length is set for the rolling stock used and so that cheating can be discouraged. Not that any of us would.

A basic track plan is shown below:

The way it works is this. 8 wagons are randomly placed over the 3 sidings, and the aim is to construct a rake of 5 wagons in the correct order, and leave it in the longest siding. The construct of the rake is decided by numbering or pictures of the wagons before shunting begins. That's not too bad, I hear you say, but just think, with a rake of 5 wagons out of 8 available, there are 40,320 different variations on a theme!

The length of the sidings will depend on the size of loco and wagons, but will usually produce a small, simple layout. 2 points and some straight rail should see you with a complete layout. Mine used two medium points and 4 metres of track and some 75x3mm cork strip to sit it on.

The finished size will depend your chosen scale. Mine just happens to be O gauge and is 2400x340mm. It's 340 mm wide because that was the size of ply I had!

I used this particular track plan as I wanted the head-shunt to be in the middle of the board. I intend to minimally ballast the track and fit buffers to stop the rolling stock rolling onto the floor! It may even get a backscene. What did I say about no real need to add scenery?

With only 1 loco in steam, power requirements will be light. DCC would be a bit of overkill, as would full electronic control of the points. With a maximum of 8 wagons, all different, not too much outlay in the way of stock either, if you have to buy new. That is, unless there is a change of gauge, like me, and then it’s a fortune.

There are numerous websites with info on Inglenooks/shunting puzzles, but apart from the basic set up and method of use, they are quite straightforward. A Google search on “Inglenook layouts” will give you lots of help.

That's it. Have fun, and enjoy the challenge.

MEMBERS’ MODELLING

Some of you have been quite busy during the lockdown as the following shows. I have too many photos to include all this month and will save some for the January edition. In the meantime, some scratch-building from Ian Stevenson and a lineside hut from Gwion Davies. I know that Simon Durrer has an O Gauge Class 40 in build too, but photos for that are awaited…

Built by Gwion Davies from a commercial kit, these cheap and simple offerings can be made to look quite realistic with a little care. The mortar courses have been picked out nicely here, adding greatly to the finish.

These kits [or similar] are available from both Wills and Ratio.

From Ian Stevenson, two scratch-built tin mining vehicles based on N gauge Kato and Tommytech chassis.

The blue [ish!] loco opposite is an explosives carrier whilst the ‘digger’ below is a ‘Mucker’ shovel, designed and built by the Eastern Iron Metals Company of America under licence in Helston, Cornwall.

SOME RECOLLECTIONS OF A SWANSEA SECONDMAN [NIEL CLEMENTS]

Back in 1986 I transferred from a North London depot on the LMR to Swansea as a Secondman. Everything was BR blue with yellow ends. Landore TMD serviced HSTs, first generation DMUs and a host of diesel locos ranging from 03s and 08s to 37s and 47s. The odd 33 and 50 would make an appearance.

As well as Secondman-ing Swansea Drivers we would also be sent to Carmarthen as required. At Carmarthen were a small number of 'green-card' Drivers. These men had failed to fully pass their medicals but were considered fit to work if accompanied.

One job Swansea Secondmen used to pick up was to accompany a Carmarthen man on the munitions train. Trecwn Armaments Depot and the Navy Ordnance Depot at Milford were still operational back then. Normally it was a mundane task with three or four Speedlink wagons and an English Electric Type 3 Class 37, waiting in loops and sidings for passenger trains to pass. On occasions though it got a bit more interesting.

At Carmarthen we walked out the messroom over to a single Class 37; the driver, myself and the guard. We boarded the loco and went out to junction, to pick up our load. Some Speedlink van wagons for Trecwn and, unusually, a 7 plank open wagon, tagged on the back, bound for Milford. And off we trundled.

Swansea Drivers would often let the Secondman drive; it was unofficial but experience was gained and the Driver could have an easy day. Carmarthen men would not let the Secondman drive. This made the day drag. And with a guard to do the coupling, operate points and contact the signalman, the only thing I could was enjoy the view.

On this day I was intrigued by what was in the open wagon. We headed West, through Whitland and towards Clarbeston Road. At least here I got to do something; collect the token for the single line towards Fishguard. I opened the loco cab door as we approached the signal box at ‘Clarby’ Road, lent down as we slowly passed and took the token off the signalman. The Driver took it and put it on the desk in front of him. The token always stayed in the driver's view, it was his authority to be on that line. I went back to watching the view.

At Letterston we went into the loop and the guard took the token and inserted it into the ground frame. This did a number of things. It unlocked the frame so that the guard could operate the points and allow us onto the Trecwn branch. By operating the points, the token was locked in and we couldn't access it with the Signalman at ‘Clarby’ Road's say so. He could now use the route to Fishguard for other trains. To get to Trecwn the train would be propelled, with the guard walking ahead and the loco pushing the trucks. At the Armament depot gates, always shut on arrival, the guard would go and find the military police. The first time I went there I expected a fully armed chap in army fatigues. Very disappointed when what looked like the local bobby showed up.

Trecwn is very boring. A row of sidings and a couple of buildings. Most of the interesting stuff was under the hillsides. We would drop off the wagons and pick up any that were due to leave. The bobby would keep an eye on us, making sure we didn't go too far. The occasion I took my camera and asked the bobby if I could take photos of the engine wasn't met very kindly. "You should get back on your engine and keep your camera in your bag"

Today we shunted the wagons; 7 plank open to one side, drop off the in-bound trucks, pick up the outbound and go and recover the open wagon. And back to Letterston Junction.

The guard contacted the signalman, got the token and we headed to ‘Clarby’ Road. Due to the cut back nature of the railway, we had to travel on to Whitland and there we could go into the yard and run round our train. With the 7 plank open now behind the engine we set off back towards ‘Clarby’ Road, this time keeping on the mainline to Haverforwest and onwards to Milford Haven.

It's a nice winding route with a couple of junctions for the oil refineries. We, though, continued to Milford Haven station and its small yard. On arrival the Guard uncoupled the loco and we ran round the train, coupling on to the other end. Still I had not seen what was in the open wagon, the sides were too high.

The line to the Ordnance Depot at Milford Haven was off limits to British Rail engines or staff. We would push the wagon up to a closed gate and wait; we were not allowed to leave the wagon unattended. The Driver shut down the engine and made a brew, joined by the Guard. I went for a walk, intrigued. I climbed off the loco, walked down past the vans and stood alongside the open plank wagon. "What's in there?" A quick look around, no one watching and I clambered up the side of the wagon, climbing on the brake rigging and then peering over the side into the wagon. And almost fell off in fright. Inside the wagon was a big black sinister looking sea mine in its cradle. The classic WW2 mine you see in the movies. I quietly noted that the sticky out detonators were missing, which was oddly reassuring. I climbed back down and returned to the loco.

"There's a mine in that wagon"

"That's right boy, what did you expect?!"

AND FINALLY…..

Well, that’s it for December and the year. It’s been an odd one, but I very much hope that 2020 is altogether more enjoyable and rewarding experience for you and, on behalf of the Committee, I wish you all a Happy Christmas and a prosperous New Year.

And keep those photos and articles coming……!