Current Model Projects.
16mm/ft scale on Gauge 3 (64mm) track
Model of Transporter (Host) Wagon
Production model of Quarrymen's Coach
Prototype model of Quarrymen's Coach
SM64 Gauge 3 stone block track
From 1843 the Padarn Railway was originally built with double headed rail (Bull head) in cast iron chairs each mounted on stone blocks. The stone blocks were replaced with timber sleepers after the two Horlock locomotives arrived in 1848. The date of the changeover is currently unknown.
The idea of modelling a section of SM64 track with dummy stone blocks was too appealing to resist, so some scrap timber was chopped to sleeper lengths and the centre cut away to half height to make sleepers with integral blocks. The cast metal chairs were pinned to the blocks with steel panel pins and the track ballasted for the photographs.
16mm Brake Van.
This is based on the Gauge One Mid Wales Brake Van, but to 16mm scale with appropriate design changes.
Gauge One Wagons.
Gauge One. Hereford, Hay & Brecon Rly cattle van
Gauge One. Mid Wales Brake Van
Inspired by a photo in Cambrian Railways Album Vol 1 by C.C. Green
Lightly painted and weathered.
Gauge One. LYR Cattle Wagon 1895
Gauge One. LNWR Catttle Wagon. c1850
Gauge One. West Cornwall 4 Ton Mineral Wagon.
A very small 4 Ton standard gauge mineral wagon.
Gauge One. Chaldron Wagon.
Scammell Showman Tractor rail conversion 1/76 scale
Sentinel & Foden steam wagon - railway locomotive conversions.
SENTINEL STEAM WAGON CONVERSION:
Brief History of the Bryncethin Sentinel.
New to D. Mylon & Co, Watford as a Super Sentinel 5 ton 3 way tipper 2 Dec 1926. N°6773, Reg No. RO 5183.
Sold in 1930 to Charles Jenkins of Bryncethin Brick Works Ltd. Bridgend. Assumed scrapped by 1938. Photo of Sentinel dated 24 June 1937
Above: Bryncethin Brickworks Sentinel loco
Below: The O gauge model (unfinished)
O Gauge version:
Below: Model to date. The buffer beams and ballast tank need fitting and a chain drive?
Narrow Gauge O-16.5 Mallet version:
OO ex LNER Mallet conversion:
O-16.5 Narrow Gauge Mallet conversion:
OO Gauge Sentinels:
Some even smaller micro gearbox/motors have appeared on the market. Two have been easily converted to take standard OO wagon wheels in their 2mm axles. These may appear in new even smaller model conversions.
An old photograph of a Sentinel Steam Wagon conversion into a locomotive was the inspiration for making this model in 4mm scale (1/76).
It will be a challenge to make a set of fine sprockets (or pulleys) and to cut and join the coupling chains on both sides. I'm hoping to use some microscopic Fusee chain from an old pocket watch.
This match head shows how incredibly fine the Fusee chain could be made.
It was used for early verge escapement watches and today is still used in aneroid barometers and certain 'fashion' watches.
Below: Fusee chain. (the caliper is set at 1mm)
The chain is 0.25mm wide x 0.63mm high.
These scale up as 3/4" thick x 2" high for OO scale and are about scale size.
This shows how the chains are joined,. Click HERE
Sadly this antique Fusee chain was produced in the C18th & C19th by orphan child labour in Christchurch, Dorset, England and paid just 6p per week.
This book tells the history, "The Christchurch Chain Gang" by Sue Newman. Amberley Publishing 2010.
A brief description of the fusee chain makers can be seen HERE.
An alternative steam locomotive design by SKODA SENTINEL:
ABOVE: This run-down example of a Foden steam wagon rail conversion at Aycliffe limestone quarry in Co. Durham is waiting to be scrapped.
BELOW: The O gauge model (unfinished)
O Gauge version:
OO Gauge version:
CHRISTIE FIRE ENGINE CONVERSION:
Something even more unusual: A converted American Christie self propelled steam fire engine.
ROAD-RAIL TRACTOR:
See "Stronach-Dutton Road-Rail" page >
This WW1 period experimental Road-Rail Tractor had its road wheels running on a couple of narrow paved strips each side of the narrow gauge track. The front of the truck was jacked up in its rail bogie that could guide the locomotive along a track and haul conventional narrow gauge wagons and coaches. The theory was that there was much higher traction by using rubber road tyres while keeping the low rolling resistance of a railway for the non-powered stock. A number of Haley road lorries was converted for road-rail use at the Wembley Exhibition's internal railway.
GUY ROAD-RAIL TRACTOR:
Built in 1923 for South Africa, they were fitted with two petrol engines and drove the large rear wheels. The front could be fitted with a narrow gauge railway bogie to guide the tractor as it hauled railway stock. The rubber tyred drive wheels ran either side of the track.
1923 BRITISH EMPIRE EXHIBITION, WEMBLEY ROAD-RAIL TRACTOR:
MODEL ROAD-RAIL SYSTEM
A couple of draft mock-ups models in 4mm scale for a possible Road-Rail exhibition model and one in 1/12 scale from MSS components for a Gauge 1 garden railway http://www.steammodels.com/
