Early 1960s British Railways publicity artwork
COMMENT
I’ve managed to get this out just before the end of February and the official start of Spring! I wanted to wait however until Gwion Davies had been able to photograph our very-recently received 2021 wagon commission, Copper Pit Collieries, so that I could share them with you without delaying until the May edition. You’ll see the photos later in the newsletter, with an update on their sale.
Also in the newsletter is a note on a future stock-sale, some updates on the website and general news about our premises.
THE CLUB WEBSITE
It’s always worth looking for what’s new on the website. This month, Gwion Davies has started to document his micro-layout build – no name yet – and has posted photographs of some of the scratch-built buildings he is using. His build can be seen here.
Gwion will continue to update as his build progresses.
I have also posted some new coach builds on my workbench, there’s a photo and a link later in this newsletter. These projects are quite straightforward and the workbench articles give blow-by-blow accounts to assist any who wish to try for themselves.
As usual, any members who feel that they have articles or builds which they’d like to see on our website, please let me know.
TICKETS PLEASE
This month, the only ticket that I have ever seen for Swansea Victoria and it was issued some time before closure in 1964. Victoria almost celebrated its centenary but failed to achieve it by just three years.
Images of the station make it look far larger than it actually was, having just two platforms and a central road. Suffering blast damage in 1941 during the Swansea Blitz, the skeleton of the overall roof remained but the glass was never reinstated. It must have been a grim place to have to wait on wet November evenings…..
This detail from a 1911 Railway Clearing House junction map shows Victoria’s location in relation to other Swansea stations – note that there are seven of them [excluding goods]! The site of the station is now covered by the Leisure Centre and the green area in front of the Waterfront Museum. Apart from some retaining wall and an over-bridge [opposite Tesco Marina], little remains to show where once trains ran to Manchester, York and Euston.
Taken from an early-30s GWR publicity pamphlet
The above photo shows ‘Bulldog’ Class 3380 ‘River Yealm’ [withdrawn March ‘38] with a mixed rake of non-corridor stock. The third vehicle looks to be a Dean 40ft. passenger luggage van but it is the first vehicle, the Clerestory in chocolate-and-cream, that is the reason for posting this. The coach is almost certainly a Diagram C10 eight compartment All-Third, one of 200 or so built by the GWR between 1894 and 1902, most seeing service on branch lines and a number surviving into post-nationalisation days. One has survived in preservation.
In model form, this coach can be constructed quite easily through a cut-and-shut of two old Triang Clerestory Brake coaches. It is also far, far cheaper than building one via a Slater’s kit! The photo opposite shows the finished product with the original rather basic donor-vehicles now nowhere to be seen. Have a go during what is left of lockdown: the build is fully detailed in our website and can be found here.
THE CLUB PREMISES
A small number of us visited the club recently to check on the condition of our rooms and layouts. Whilst the FOYD building has suffered some flooding – presumably burst pipes – and the cellars are very wet indeed with condensation showing on the ground and first floor windows too, our premises were fine.
Nick Kerslake had recently finished working to repair the damage caused by the recent burglary, with no sign of that event now visible. The only problem that will face members on our return is dust: all uncovered layouts and projects will require very careful cleaning to remove 12 months of settled dust. All surfaces are pretty dusty in fact, and a thorough clean will be necessary before we can resume normal service – whenever that it. This is all good news though and no damage, no unforeseen leaky skylights [apart from a very small dribble from one] and no evidence of rodents or pigeons! All-in-all, not bad for 12 months of closure.
THE 2021 WAGON COMMISSION
They’ve arrived! And 60% have been sold already! The photos below show the beasts in the flesh The eventual commission is for 43 x 0 Gauge, 110 x 00 Gauge and 125 x N gauge wagons.
Those who have ordered and also paid for postage will begin to receive their wagons shortly. For those who have paid but wish to collect personally, and those* who still wish to purchase and collect themselves, it is very much hoped that you will be able to pickup your wagons from the club car-park on the 5th. May. Obviously, this date may be subject to change, depending on Covid circumstances. Any changes in arrangements will be communicated promptly by e-mail and through future newsletters. Further details may be found in the Products section of our website : srmg.org.uk
* please note that with 60% of the commission already committed and national advertising soon to follow, this edition may sell out before the 5th. May. It may be prudent to order sooner consequently, rather than trust to later availability.
All photos courtesy of Gwion Rhys Davies
FROM LAST MONTH….
Last month’s note on the Railway Air Services caused some interest and I have been asked for further photographs. Before that however, should anyone be interested in including one of the RAS planes above their layouts, Oxford Diecast have produced a DH Dragon Rapide in the colours of the Railway Air Services in 1:72, close enough in scale really to use with OO.
These photographs show an extraordinary event in which no-one – no-one – was injured. In December 1946, this RAS Dakota cashed onto the roof of a house in South Ruislip having left Northolt in difficulties because of severe icing on the wings. It had been unable to gain height and the end result was inevitable. The aeroplane was a write off but the house was fully repaired shortly after.
I am extremely grateful to the Croydon Airport Society for permission to show these photographs.
A FUTURE STOCK SALE
It seems to have been an age since we have been able to hold one of these events but Noel and I continue to be contacted by individuals who want us to sell their collections for them. We have one collection certainly [and probably two] in the wings but our ability to organise a sale is currently hampered [sensibly, I’d add] by the Covid regulations. There are also some items that were held back from the last sale which will be included in the next event. As soon as a relaxation becomes viable, we shall agree a forward date and advise all through the monthly newsletter. In due course, I’ll also be able to say what the collections involve.
Best wishes all and if you have photos or articles for the March edition, please let me have them by the middle of the month.
Tony
A prototype for everything.
From the July 1929 ‘Meccano Magazine’, GWR-hauled LNER coaches at Cardiff General Station, forming the northern return of the Ports-to-Ports express which in ten or so hours ran between Newcastle and the north-east coast ports to Barry [and, later, Swansea]