The High Weald Light Railway (HWLR), ex B&MLR

Tobias · Post by **Tobias** » Sun Dec 19, 2010 7:58 pm

hi tom i have found the mamod coach and it is being given a quick resto before it leaves

Tom · Post by **Tom** » Mon Dec 27, 2010 8:00 pm

Hi All,

Hope you had a great Christmas!!

Right, now the HWLR would like to unviel one of its major Plans for 2011:

(WARNING ALOT OF WRITING FOLLOWS)

*Drum Roll Please*

Operation Fireblade: A Fire Train!!

There are a few reasons to this, first of all I have never seen one modelled in Narrow Gauge Terms (i would like to be corrected if there is one out there somewhere

) and my dad has been a fireman at the local station for the last 32 years where he has reached the dizzy heights of station officer, and the last reason is its different and something that will be unique, and brings a modern side into NG modelling

After a quick bit of googling it was found that these sorts of vehicles are already in existance, they are made by the MPV's builders Windhoff, and run on the Swiss and German Networks

but they look nothing like the one i have planned

Here is one:

Now where do I start? Like the above it will be based on a ST****RD GAUGE Network Rail MPV type vehicle using the same modular system for the equipment it will carry onboard. Drawings have been done and measurements are now being finalised. So far 3 different variants have been thought up (a 2 Car, 3 Car and 2 x 2 Cars) but it is hoped that construction costs will be low enough to make a dummy one to carry more equipment if needed, or just have the cars at either end powered to help with the weight. The modular system will work a bit like what they do with shipping containers and the RHTT's, the different sized modules will slot together in the spaces available.

The model will only be detailed outside (apart from the cabs etc) and have no working parts, so no squirting water etc, but will have electronics and hopefully a few flashing lights if i can find some =]

The Modules I have so far to make up the train are: Engine Room, Equipment Lockers with room for ladders on top, Hose Chest, Pump, Water Tanks x 2/3, Small Foam Tank, Floodlights, Generator, Crew Space in the Front Cab and Water Monitors possibly on cab roofs on lower platforms.

I shall post the drawings/quick sketches once they are complete to give you an idea of whats going on properly

I reckon that the project will take the best part of the year, but the end result will hopefully be worth all the trouble

If anyone has any ideas or thoughts dont be shy, any feedback is welcome

Tom

Tom · Post by **Tom** » Mon Dec 27, 2010 9:40 pm

on 45mm shouldn't be too hard, on 32mm somewhat more challenging

do you mean stability wise?

Sir haydn · Post by **Sir haydn** » Mon Dec 27, 2010 11:04 pm

The german narrow gauges had 2 vw vans which had been equipped as fire engines for road use converted to rail. one even had a small wagon which was a water tank.

hussra · Post by **hussra** » Tue Dec 28, 2010 8:50 am

Sir haydn:45538 wrote:The german narrow gauges had 2 vw vans which had been equipped as fire engines for road use converted to rail. one even had a small wagon which was a water tank.

And the Talyllyn's signalling regs still contain provision for the fire trolley to follow trains through the section between Pendre and Brynglas...

spooner · Post by **spooner** » Tue Dec 28, 2010 2:27 pm

The Cumbres & Toltec and Puffing Billy use Wickham trolley type vehicles for fire patrols.

Tom · Post by **Tom** » Tue Dec 28, 2010 4:38 pm

So there were some out there then, I suppose every line had to make a provision for one just for a safety precaution? and the risk of lineside fires in the summer?

I can imagine what the Wickham Trolleys would have looked like, I did quickly google the VW ones with some good results.

Parts wise im hoping to scratchbuild as much as possible, but i do have some pipe, plasticard, balsa etc laying around which looks to me to be viable for use within the train.

The one thing I can't decided about however is one long water tank or 2 seperate smaller ones?, it would be easier making 1 but it takes up more room

Thanks for the info given

Tom

Tom · Post by **Tom** » Thu Dec 30, 2010 1:44 pm

Hi All,

I will move the post about the fire train to the projects area once i get it started

just another update

another Penryhn Quarrymens Coach has emerged from the Paintshop at Pattenden Lane, it just needs its brake handle and brake gear fitted now, with the paint touching up here and there.

Heres the pics:

someone got some paint on the wheels!! oops!

Enjoy

Tom

Sir Clothem Cap · Post by **Sir Clothem Cap** » Thu Dec 30, 2010 1:49 pm

Good work there Tom.

Tom · Post by **Tom** » Thu Dec 30, 2010 6:45 pm

Thanks Sir Clothem Cap

Regarding the Fire Train and Operation Fireblade, a member on the NGRM forum, has just given me another idea which I think would be worth while looking into =]

Here is what he said:

The fire train would most likely earn its keep in the summer dealing with lineside fires and things. How about some other modules for use 'out of season', maybe a weedkiiling train with tank and spray booms, or a lineside vegetation cutter or even cranes for track relaying?

So instead of being just a Fire Train, it could also be an MPV and conduct lots of different jobs around the railway

What do other people think?

Tom

MDLR · Post by **MDLR** » Thu Dec 30, 2010 7:23 pm

Tom:45680 wrote:So instead of being just a Fire Train, it could also be an MPV and conduct lots of different jobs around the railway What do other people think?

That would be in keeping with narrow gauge thinking - make a vehicle with as many uses as possible!

Sir Clothem Cap · Post by **Sir Clothem Cap** » Thu Dec 30, 2010 8:33 pm

Normal narrow gauge practise is to make a wagon that can fulfil the purpose and use any motive power that is to hand. So a tanker wagon with ability to spray liquid in verying pressures would fit the bill.

DolwyddelanLightRail · Post by **DolwyddelanLightRail** » Thu Dec 30, 2010 9:32 pm

Nice one! They really do look smashing!

Tom · Post by **Tom** » Fri Dec 31, 2010 7:07 pm

Hi All,

Ill take this opportunity to say Happy New Year to everyone from the HWLR :D

Thanks for the kind comments and i have made to decision to build other modules for the train to carry :)

Right now heres some W.I.P shots of another project (one of many going on at the moment) Its the Brandbright 4 Plank Wagon I got back in November, im slowly getting through it bit by bit, but after seeing the link to make a working taillamp on another thread (totally different from how I was going to do mine for the VoR Gaurds Van) on Mr Dominic's MDLR website I explored the site more and this gave me some inspiration. :D When I saw the sheet rail that Brian had added to one of his wagons, I thought I would give it a go too, heres the pics of what I have done so far :D (Materials used are 2 Coffee Stirrers for each end, small amount of electrical cable and some superglue)

Enjoy!

MDLR · Post by **MDLR** » Fri Dec 31, 2010 7:26 pm

I've actually decided to put a fixed one on my VoR Passenger Brake, wired in with the interior lights................

The "tails" on the LED are not that robust and tend to snap off after a while...........

Tom · Post by **Tom** » Fri Dec 31, 2010 7:43 pm

I've actually decided to put a fixed one on my VoR Passenger Brake, wired in with the interior lights................

The one on my VoR will be fixed was the LED is already wired up, its just poking out of the back at the moment. I'll just drill out the lamp and then stick it straight onto the back of the coach, but if that fails I do have an 'I' Shaped Lamp Bracket that will also do the trick

Did you get the VoR Gaurds for Xmas then Brian?

Tom

MDLR · Post by **MDLR** » Sat Jan 01, 2011 1:13 pm

Yup - it's gone to nearly the bottom of the pile! I've got a platform shelter for Draper's Platform in the paint shop, then there's a Director's Saloon, THEN the brake, THEN a bogie Driving Trailer for the Youlgreave branch.

I'm also going to build an Association "Victory" when that kicks off, and I've also got to build a platform shelter for the platform I'm going to build at Stoneleigh, which is going to be a prize in the Grand Draw.

Did I mention I'd got a full track relay to do, as well??

Hancockshire · Post by **Hancockshire** » Sat Jan 01, 2011 1:25 pm

They look superb. I tried to say that in a different way earlier but for some reason, that was removed. Me is angry but me like the pretty rolling stock. Me like a lot

taliesin001 · Post by **taliesin001** » Sat Jan 01, 2011 1:30 pm

very nice

Tom · Post by **Tom** » Sat Jan 01, 2011 2:58 pm

Yup - it's gone to nearly the bottom of the pile! I've got a platform shelter for Draper's Platform in the paint shop, then there's a Director's Saloon, THEN the brake, THEN a bogie Driving Trailer for the Youlgreave branch.

I'm also going to build an Association "Victory" when that kicks off, and I've also got to build a platform shelter for the platform I'm going to build at Stoneleigh, which is going to be a prize in the Grand Draw.

Did I mention I'd got a full track relay to do, as well??

Brian, not much then!! haha

Ill happily take the directors saloon of your hands

They look superb. I tried to say that in a different way earlier but for some reason, that was removed. Me is angry but me like the pretty rolling stock. Me like a lot

Talking of that I did get an Email Notificiation yesterday but couldnt find the post

so that must have been it

Thanks for the comments

Tom

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