PEMRC Newsletter August 2020

PORT ELIZABETH MODEL RAILROAD CLUB Newsletter

In this issue: PEMRC Calendar DIY – Carriage interiors Building a dream in steam Coloured Steam Locomotives Your story² Building Salt Lake Route Layout Transferring track plans Tailpiece(s) Committee

Opposites:

August 2020 #8/2020

PEMRC CALENDAR Public running day

Port Elizabeth Model Locomotive Society Londt Park, Sunridge Park

10:00 to 13:00

1st Sunday monthly

6 Corrice Road Charlo juanpierrekruger@gmail.com

19:30

J-P Kruger 082 321 2233

13 Lionel Road Walmer Downs

14:30

Mike 073 374 3280

6 Corrice Road Charlo juanpierrekruger@gmail.com

19:30

J-P Kruger 082 321 2233

Port Elizabeth Model Locomotive Society Londt Park, Sunridge Park

10:00 to 13:00

1st Sunday monthly

6 Corrice Road Charlo juanpierrekruger@gmail.com

19:30

J-P Kruger 082 321 2233

Sun 5

July 2020

Tue 14

July 2020

Workshop

Sat 11

July 2020

Layout visit at: Mike van Zyl

Tue 28

July 2020

Workshop

Sun 2

Aug 2020

Public running day

Tue 11

Aug 2020

Workshop

Sat 15

Aug 2020

Layout visit at: Roel van Oudheusden

Tue 25

July 2020

Workshop

Wed 2

Dec 2020

International Day of the Model Railway PEMRC event on Saturday 5 Dec. 2020 tbc

9-11

July 2021

National Train Show Santa Clara California, USA

Oct 2021

Eurospoor 2021 Event & Exhibition Centre Jaarbeurs Utrecht, Netherlands http://www.eurospoor.nl/

Aug 2022

NMRA National Convention 2022 Birmingham, UK https://www.nmra2022uk.org/

29-30

14-21

10 Wodehouse street Mount Pleasant, Port Elizabeth

14:30

6 Corrice Road Charlo juanpierrekruger@gmail.com

19:30

Roel 082 739 7679 J-P Kruger 082 321 2233

APPEAL:

Remembering the past or "how did you get into the model rail hobby?"

Please send us your story with some detail of your current layout to: pemrailroadclub@gmail.com

This article is reprinted from The Railway Magazine Guide to Modelling Dec. 2016

Testing new loco at Teesside Small Gauge Railway at Preston Park, Stockton-On-Tees. http://tsgr.co.uk/index.html

COLOURED STEAM LOCOMOTIVES https://www.steamlocomotive.com/types/colored/ Before the 1890s, most if not all freight and passenger locomotives were painted in colours. Some, like Jupiter (think the driving of the golden spike), were painted very brightly while others were more practical earthy tones like greens and browns. Black locomotives became common beginning in 1880, after coal burning engines made grime commonplace. Black was chosen because black locomotives didn't show all the dirt and grime that covered the locomotive during normal use. After 1900, when a railroad line wanted to show off their locomotive(s), perhaps when used exclusively for passenger service, they would use special paint schemes to make them look more "attractive" or fast. This, of course, necessitated more frequent maintenance and cleaning and therefore, was not a common practice.

Apple Express NG16 # 124 and #119 at home in Hume Rail depot on 6 Oct. 2018 © RvO Durango and Silverton’s Mikado K-28 #473 in colorful 1950s “Bumblebee” movie paint specially for D&SNG’s Railfest celebration. © Mike Danneman

The sun has already set in the mountain town of Silverton, Colorado, on the evening of August 23, 2010, with both wood and coal smoke filling the dusky air.

Denver and Rio Grande Western narrow gauge 2-8-0 No. 315, a member of D&RGW’s C-18 class, sits on the main line near the depot with a freight. Next to this train in Silverton’s passing siding is the Eureka and Palisade No. 4, a woodburning 4-4-0 that has just arrived in town after a trip to Cascade. Both trains are part of the Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad’s Railfest 2010 activities. © Mike Danneman – Railpictures.net

Pacific Coast Railroad #3, a 2-6-2 Porter built in1897, pulls restored wooden Disneyland coaches Up a 5% grade on the privately owned railroad.

ATSF #1010 2-6-0

Superb in its chocolate livery with yellow fillets, the Pacific 231 Chapelon Nord (4-6-2) is one of the most famous locomotives; modified by André Chapelon to give a power increase of 30%. Here it is departing Paris with the famous Flèche d'Or train (Golden arrow) between Calais and Paris in the 1930’s.

SNCF 230 G 353 (4-6-0) heading the Étoile du Nord (North Star) from Paris to Amsterdam captured on October 20, 1985. © Didier Duforest.

The BR 'Golden Arrow' left Victoria Station: the celebrated de-luxe (all Pullman cars) Continental Boat Train to Folkestone Harbour, which connected with the ferryboat to Calais, thence an arrival that evening in Paris at 21.40. The locomotive, bedecked with headboard, Union Jack and French flag, is BR Rebuilt Merchant Navy 4-6-2 No 35028 'Clan Line' © Brian Stephenson

On a fine spring day Battle of Britain 'Air Smoothed' pacific 'Tangmere' 34067 starts the last steam hauled passenger train up the 1:30 gradient from Folkestone Harbour to the mainline junction. The locomotive is carrying the full 'Golden Arrow regalia as used in the 1950s. The branch has seen little use in recent years, about 1 train per week and is to close in the very near future.

So ends 149 years of railway association with the once busy cross channel port. © AlanCrotty.

DB’s BR 18 201 special on 22.4.2016 in Vogtland © vogtlaendischer-botschafter

#60103 “Flying Scotsman” © Geof Sheppard at Kentford climbing towards Minehead

© Fred Kerr All 6 streamlined LNER A4 Pacifics lined up for the big farewell in Nov. 2013

Streamlined Baltimore and Ohio locomotive #5301 “The President Adams", a 4-6-2 Pacific style locomotive.

Postcard from July 1956

SAR Class 26 4-8-4 aka “The Red Devil” © Bernd Seiler

Southern Pacific GS-4 4-8-4 number 4449 Š Michael Allan

Streamlined Chesapeake & Ohio 4-6-4

In 1964 CB&Q 5632 was painted with temporary (water-based) gold paint to help commemorate the 100th anniversary of CB&Q's suburban service, the Chicago, Burlington and Quincy Railroad.

My story - how I got into the model railroad hobby: Antonie Wentzel: I would like to share my “green” story with the group.

I was introduced to the hobby by Bernard Green, who later referred me to Ray Green, and it just so happens that my choice of railroading empire is also GREEN, being the American Burlington Northern livery!

I never had interests in trains as a child, even though my grandfather worked on the railways, shunting in the Germiston yards. I had the odd fascination with 15F locomotives in the Vereeniging area in the 80’s, but they were few and far between.

Being a huge motorcar and motorsport fanatic, I had a permanent layout of Scalextric. I wanted to build a Monaco grand prix circuit, and thought about having the buildings and also a model train network to keep my son occupied. I was looking around for an old Lima train set to purchase.

Our technical advisor at work at the time was Bernard Green, and he suggested I visit him one Saturday to see what he could offer from his train collection. I walked into a 3-car garage with extensive layout detail and mountains and hundreds of operating Southern Pacific trains. Within a few seconds I was hooked by the realism and artwork, and being in my mid-30’s, realized that this would be a hobby to cherish until retirement! Within the next 6 days I had a brand new Burlington Northern locomotive and some secondhand track and a handful of rolling stock. I borrowed an old power supply and throttle, and played on my dining room table until the early morning hours, dreaming of the projects that I could start. With the help of club members, I soon collected heaps of information and paperwork, and the love for the hobby grew in leaps and bounds. Research put me in touch with people in the USA, all keen to help a new rail fan with some information.

When I moved to PE in 2002, I was told to contact Ray Green, and through this connection, I have met some brilliant craftsmen and real railway men!!

After being in the hobby for 23 years, and currently working on my 7th HO layout, I can truly say that Model Railroading is the best hobby ever!

Needless to say, the Scalextric is packed away, and only gets the odd December holiday to entertain us between railway projects.

Antonie Wentzel Thank you Antonie for sharing.

My story - Roel: I was fortunate to have had a dad who had a keen interest in model trains.

My first track consisted of a Trix 3-rail oval with a green electric loco built entirely by my dad, modelled on the NS 1000. He was a turner and had turned the wheels himself in brass and the body was made from wood.

Then we emigrated and no layout was built until we had our own house.

My dad wanted a layout but it was not going to be anything that was commercially available because that was unaffordable. I helped him to make the tracks from ‘ysterdraad’. Iron wire was cut in about 25cm lengths and pulled straight with a manual drill in a vice. Two lengths were then soldered on top of each other for the required height. These were then soldered to brass screws on the free standing 4’ by 8’ Masonite board.

During day time my bed was stored underneath. At that time (1960’s) Lima became available and more affordable but ran on DC whilst up till then we had used AC. A rectifier was scratch built since the AC motor would run on DC but not vice versa. Catenary wire was added and we had individual control of the one steam and one electric locomotive.

Fast forward to 1980 and our first European adventure. Adri and I got stranded with a broken-down car in Germany and went exploring the city on foot and were fascinated by the display of N-gauge layouts and its possibilities. I came back armed with several catalogues. My HO layout was then just about started in our house in Alberton and I was having difficulty getting it all in in the limited space available. Model Train Exchange in Johannesburg agreed to sell my HO collection including all the Matchbox cars and all cash realised was promptly converted to Arnold N-scale material.

My first N-scale locomotive was the green Swiss crocodile which I received as a gift from my parents when they had visited family in Holland. Through E-Bay and BidorBuy I was able to expand my collection although a layout was only still in the planning. Nothing was built till our ‘final’ house in Mount Pleasant and I had retired.

The PEMRC exhibit first seen in Greenacres, then 6th Ave Walmer and then at the Emerald Hill Spar in Mount Pleasant, did give me the boost to get building. I started in the smaller of the two garages and in 2016 we took out the internal walls. I was then fortunate to acquire the very substantial layout from Olaff Schiffl. The original layout doubled in size and the integration was a challenge.

My biggest joy is the interest shown by my grandson, Luke.

Roel

Your story here next month; Mike Smout and others…

LOS ANGELES to SALT LAKE Route – from the January 2010 issue of The inspiration: The track plan:

The layout sketch:

The end result:

The rugged mountain desert scenery of the Meadow Valley Wash provides a picturesque backdrop for trains on the Union Pacific Salt Lake Route. The layout features Kato Unitrack with super elevated curves.

A pair of Union Pacific freights bank into the super elevated curves on the Salt Lake Route.

A westbound Union Pacific freight passes an eastbound Amtrak passenger train at Caliente In the background UP no. 1660 pushes two cars of raw materials to Superior Furniture Inc.

It looks like the owner of the Impala has some explaining to do after driving through the freshly painted parking stripes

Dick modelled the Meadow Valley Wash during its dry season, however you could add water to the creek with a small amount of clear resin.

The How:

The illustration shows how the folding legs fit into the L-girder bench work.

Having the legs tucked inside makes it easier for transport.

L-Girder bench work is ideal for layouts with grades; it also provides plenty of strength with the minimum amount of wood, making the layout lighter for transport.

Cut the joists to fit the curve of the layout on the Meadow Valley Wash side - the other side is straight.

Putting the legs on castors does raise the overall height but it makes moving the layout that much easier.

After marking the edge of the creek bed and wash on the joists, measure down 5cm and use a sabre saw to cut the joists. These slimmer cut-down joists support the base for the plywood creek.

Meadow Valley Creek runs out from between a pair of canyon walls, flows beneath a truss bridge and then spreads out (in flood times) into a wide wash.

Mark this on the plywood and cut it out saving the cut out for the floor of the wash (creek).

Mark the location of the joists with a pencil; apply glue to the top of the joists, drive drywall screws through the plywood into the tops of the joists.

Fascia fine points. Use glue and screws to attach vertical lengths of 1 x 2 to the side of the joists to support the layout’s hardboard fascia.

Here is the layout with the hardboard fascia attached to the sides.

The ends will come later once the scenery contour has been determined.

Double sided curved backdrop.

The uprights to hold the backdrop down the middle have been fastened with metal angle brackets. With foresight, and openings in the plywood, these could have been fastened to the joists.

The tops of the supports are bevelled angling them down towards the Meadow Valley Wash side making it easier to cover them with scenery.

The backdrop is attached to the yard side of the vertical supports.

The hardboard surface has to be smooth Squeezed together.

C-clamps at the top of the backdrop and drywall screws at the bottom force the back-to-back pieces (rough side to rough side) of tempered hardboard together until the carpenter’s glue dries.

Marking where the mountains would meet the fascia.

Then a need was found for a hill in the corner. The extended fascias will help to disguise the extruded foam used to create the hill.

To be continued: Next month Laying track & wiring.

How to transfer a track plan from paper to model railroad bench work Published: July 15, 2020 Text and images by Jeff Wilson This simple method lets you scale up a track plan from a magazine or sketch onto your model train table.

You've managed to find the perfect track plan in a book or magazine, or you've spent hours at the drawing table or computer carefully drafting a track plan. The next step is transferring the track plan to your layout table or bench work.

If you've never done this before, the first thing you'll probably learn is that regardless of how carefully you've measured - track will almost always take up more room on the layout than it did on paper. It is important to take your time and be precise, as any miscalculation will hinder tracklaying.

Transferring a plan from a magazine article to full size on a plywood bench work table top isn't difficult, as long as you have a few simple tools and some patience.

Tools and tricks One of the first steps in track planning is drawing a grid on the plywood (or whatever surface your layout top happens to be). As fig. 1 shows, a drywall T-square with 4-foot arm is invaluable for this. A 12" grid is usually sufficient, but for complex plans you might want to add grid lines at the 6" marks as well. It's also important to draw grid lines on the track plan to match those on your layout surface. Once the basic grid is drawn on the layout and track plan, the next step is to mark out the radii of curves.

Fig. 1 GRID ON TABLE. A drywall T-square with a 4-foot arm works well for laying out a grid on the table. A 12" grid is sufficient for most track plans.

Figure 2 shows how to find and mark the centre of the radii on the track plan. Transfer the centre point to the layout table, then use a compass to transfer the curve to the table. You can make a large compass by using an old wood yardstick. Holes in the yardstick at 1" intervals make handy guides for a pencil.

However, some curves are too broad to easily use a yardstick, or the centre of the curve may be well off the layout table. In this case curve templates work well (see fig. 3). My curve templates are about 40" long and made from large pieces of .060" styrene that I had on hand. You can also make them from hardboard (such as Masonite) or thin plywood. Cardboard will work, but it is not as durable as hardboard. I made my templates in 2" intervals from 18" to 44", and as the photo shows, there is different radius on each side of the template

Fig. 2 CURVE CENTERS. Measure to find the centre point of each curve, then mark it on the track plan. .

Fig. 3 CURVE TEMPLATES. These templates are especially handy for drawing broad curves. They can be made from styrene, hardboard, or thin plywood.

Planning turnouts Probably the most difficult part of track planning is leaving enough room for turnouts.

They always seem to take up more space than originally figured, and every manufacturer's turnouts vary slightly in size and shape. Because of this, complex track work in published plans often doesn't fit the same way on a layout. To remove the guesswork, make several paper turnout templates by placing turnouts on a photocopier, then running off as many copies as you need. Be sure to label them with the brand name and size. As you use templates, tape them in place, as shown in fig. 4. Alignment is the important thing remember that you can trim turnouts to fit tighter areas as long as you maintain proper alignment and track centre spacing.

Fig. 4 LAYING TURNOUTS. While turnouts can be trimmed for size, they must be kept in proper alignment. As you use the turnout templates, tape them in place to prevent the track from becoming misaligned.

From paper to bench work Large rolls of newsprint or brown craft (or wrapping) paper work well for laying out full-size plans. You can do this even before starting bench work by laying the paper on the floor where the layout will go. Getting your track plan to the bench work is a fun step in visualizing what your finished layout will look like. Work carefully and take your time, as the process is vital in getting track to fit properly, which will enhance operations and enjoyment.

TAIL PIECE

“The Brick Train� is a brick sculpture located on the outskirts of the town of Darlington, in the English county of Durham. The sculpture was created by David Mach in 1997 to celebrate the town's railway heritage and is modelled on the steam locomotive Mallard, which set a UK rail speed record of 126 miles per hour (203 km/h) in 1938.

The locomotive is depicted as if just having exited a tunnel, with the billowing smoke typical of such an exit.

The structure commemorates the Stockton-Darlington Railway which opened in 1825 and was Britain's first permanent steam locomotive railway.

A total of 185,000 Accrington Nori bricks were used in the sculpture's construction, and it is 7 metres high and 29 metres long, covering an area of 600 square metres. It is hollow inside and special bricks provide gaps that enable bats to fly inside and roost.

Stained glass window at Grantham Station marking Mallard’s world record feat by Michael Brown.

5 inch scale A4 Sir Nigel Gresley at Teesside Small Gauge Railway at Preston Park, Stockton-OnTees.

COMMITTEE 2020: Chairman: Treasurer: Clubhouse: Layouts: Librarian: Editor: Workshops: ‘Shop’:

Roel van Oudheusden Attie Terblanche Mike Smout JP Kruger Carel van Loggerenberg Roel van Oudheusden Graham Chapman Mike van Zyl Mike Smith

roelvanoza@gmail.com terblalc@telkomsa.net ma.smout@mweb.co.za juanpierrekruger@gmail.com annie3@telkomsa.net pemrailroadclub@gmail.com chapman22@telkomsa.net carpencab@gmail.com mwsmi5@iafrica.com WhatsApp: 078 069 7699

Subscriptions for 2020 are R300 for the year.

EFT is preferred, but the Treasurer may be persuaded to accept cash.

Bank account: Port Elizabeth Model Railroad Club FNB Walmer Park, branch code 211417, Account no. 623 861 2205 7

Model Rail 24.7.2020

CLEVER WORD RE-ARRANGE: Dormitory Presbyterian Astronomer Desperation The eyes The Morse code Slot machines

Dirty Room Best in prayer Moon Starer A rope ends it They see Here come dots Cash lost in me

“The best way to end up with a small fortune, is to start with a large one”.