Dornoch Branch Train Anniversary

 The Dornoch Branch train last ran 60 years ago, on the 11^th June 1960.

The branch loco 1649, inherited from Kyle of Sutherland, has been undergoing a detailing upgrade and will eventually be re-numbered 1643 for St Donats 1963. Here it is with a Dornoch train modelled on a Douglas Twibell photograph taken in September 1959.

St Donats 1963 Re-start

Since the last post in April 2019 I have struggled to get back into modelling, the last work on the diorama finishing around February 2019. I did have a flurry of activity upgrading 1649 at the Missenden Summer School in 2019 and continued until October. Compare this photo with the one in the post of 1^st February 2019. It’s strange to think how I was happy to exhibit 1649 on Kyle of Sutherland in that form and that no-one commented on the lack of detail.

The detailing and the above view of 1649 were based on a photo of 1643 on the cover of Roger Cox’s copy of “The Pannier 16xx”, a double page spread of 1643 inside, and photographs of every 16xx for cross-referencing. My shed books tell me 1643 was a Llanelly engine, which I saw in 1963, so it wouldn’t be too much of a stretch to re-number 1649 to1643 for use on St Donats 1963. My thanks go to Roger for an extensive loan, the book being now safely back in his hands again.

Of particular note are the sandboxes folded up from 6 thou nickel as in Photo H9, page 94, of Guy Williams “The 4mm Engine, A Scratchbuilder’s Guide”, and the water balance pipe made from a 5 thou brass fold-up over a hard brass core, just visible behind the middle splasher. The snagging list still contains over 20 items, including a new front lamp with improved carrying handle.

But what of the diorama itself? My self-isolation to reduce the risk of catching the corona virus has brought about a resurgence of interest and enthusiasm in modelling. Here a health expert keeps me company while I review plans for the main structure, aka the “box”.

With the experience of making Kyle of Sutherland under my belt, I decided this time to make the box first, rather than the layout, and avoid the difficulty of boxing up the completed layout later when I needed to store it.

Now, with the top and front panels removed, the base of the box will be revealed as a traditional baseboard (salvaged from Kyle of Sutherland and reduced in size) with the box sides and back panel able to support the proscenium arch, backscene and lighting.

Starting The Layout

Cannibalising an earlier layout, Kyle of Sutherland, is a quick way to achieve the basic framework and supporting structure for St Donats 1963.

The main scenic element is a 3 foot long diorama, with 2 foot 6 inch cassette tables at either end. The cassette tables can be turned around to allow operation from either front or rear. Here’s the start of work on the scenic board with the foreground track sub-base being tested for fit and position.

As soon as there’s some track, here’s a GWR 16xx loco ready to go. That is apart from brakes, sanding gear and some minor corrective surgery. And a slight re-alignment of the handrail.

Rolling Stock

Making a BR(ex-GWR) 16xx Class 0-6-0PT for my other layout, Kyle of Sutherland, brought the St Donats project back to mind, and got me thinking of rolling stock.

The 16xx pannier will need renumbering, perhaps to one of the many 87F Llanelly examples of the type that I saw in 1963. The Hawksworth tender at the back, or the alternative Collett tender in the Malcolm Mitchell box at the front, will eventually be paired with 5961 Toynbee Hall, another Llanelly engine. So far, the Hall consists of a footplate and cab modelled as described in Guy Williams’ scratchbuilding guide “The 4mm Engine” using measurements I made of 4920 Dumbleton Hall at Buckfastleigh. The box at the back contains a CSP/Agenoria kit for Peckett 0-4-0ST 1151, the last of its type in South Wales, which spent its final days shunting the Tremains yard near Bridgend. It’s just possible I saw the real loco when I went to Bridgend by train in September 1963. I would like to think so.

Then there’s a set of 247 Developments coach sides for a diagram G66 Special Saloon, which I’m looking forward to building. I measured, photographed and travelled in this coach on the South Devon Railway. I’ve also planned to make panniers 3753 of 88J Aberdare and 7413 of 84E Tyseley.