Southwold stock

[Stephen Bazire]

Thanks Rik, lovely to get such a warm welcome. I'm still trying to find the download section here though!
And shall I be that churlish anorak who mentions that there were actually two types of 4-wheel truck with curved ends? One had one plank for the curve but a few had two planks (or one and a half). I guess that was so they could put more in those trucks.

[-steves-]

The 3D download area can be found here. https://gardenrails.org/forum/viewforum.php?f=55

Welcome to the forum

[ge_rik]

Thanks Rik, lovely to get such a warm welcome. I'm still trying to find the download section here though!
And shall I be that churlish anorak who mentions that there were actually two types of 4-wheel truck with curved ends? One had one plank for the curve but a few had two planks (or one and a half). I guess that was so they could put more in those trucks.

Interesting. I'd not noticed that. Presumably they were taller. I must go back to my books and see if I can spot the variant (sounds a bit like Covid)

Rik
PS Good luck with the downloads. Let me know if you need any mods.

[Stephen Bazire]

Thanks Rik, lovely to get such a warm welcome. I'm still trying to find the download section here though!
And shall I be that churlish anorak who mentions that there were actually two types of 4-wheel truck with curved ends? One had one plank for the curve but a few had two planks (or one and a half). I guess that was so they could put more in those trucks.
I'm not sure how you managed the coach but the only way I could make them strong enough was to use a perspex box and add the window frames to that. One coach got blown off an outdoor layout 5ft onto solid concrete and survived unharmed! Unlike my church...

[ge_rik]

Looks like you've somehow reposted the same message.
The coach seems ok with just the strength of the plastic, but I generally over engineer my stock.

Have you managed to follow the link Steve posted?
If not, you'll find the files under
Stock & Railways > 3D Printing > 3D Print Files

Rik

[FWLR]

Great video, although I personally don't like the "Sea Shanty" music, it annoys the hell out of me. I do however turn the sound off when I hear music and just watch the brilliant lines and rolling stock, which your's is so watchable and the story of how you came to build the models and buildings is great.

Welcome also to the forum Stephen, looking forward to more from you in the future..

[ge_rik]

....... I personally don't like the "Sea Shanty" music, it annoys the hell out of me.

Then I doubt you'll enjoy some of my model making sessions in the workshop Rod, when I play my English folk music CDs and occasionally grab my tin whistle and join in. Though you'll probably be pleased to hear that I now no longer strap on my bells and dance to the Morris tunes ....

Rik

[ge_rik]

And shall I be that churlish anorak who mentions that there were actually two types of 4-wheel truck with curved ends? One had one plank for the curve but a few had two planks (or one and a half). I guess that was so they could put more in those trucks.

Hi Stephen
I've now uploaded another zip file containing the higher curved ends to complement the existing 3 plank wagon parts. I've also noticed those wagons had a shorter wheelbase so I'll tweak the solebars for the swb van to make them fit.

BTW I've also added some strapping for the insides of both sorts of three plank wagons. I noticed the internal strapping when researching the taller three plank opens - it isn't shown on the line drawings in any of the Southwold books.

Rik

[Soar Valley Light]

Then I doubt you'll enjoy some of my model making sessions in the workshop Rod, when I play my English folk music CDs and occasionally grab my tin whistle and join in. Though you'll probably be pleased to hear that I now no longer strap on my bells and dance to the Morris tunes ....

Rik

Rik, I'd pay good money to see a video clip of that!

CFLR Andrew

[Soar Valley Light]

That's a lovely railway Steve, I loved the youtube clip. I quite enjoy folk music but I see what folks mean about the volume. It would be fantastic to see some pic's of the line now and to watch the restoration.

All the best,

CFLR Andrew

[ge_rik]

Rik, I'd pay good money to see a video clip of that!

CFLR Andrew

No video, I'm afraid, but how about a photo from the archives ....

2021-01-18-19-34-39.jpg (52.73 KiB) Viewed 4741 times

That's me on the left

Rik

[philipy]

That's me on the left

Notta lotta peeple know dat!

[FWLR]

....... I personally don't like the "Sea Shanty" music, it annoys the hell out of me.

Then I doubt you'll enjoy some of my model making sessions in the workshop Rod, when I play my English folk music CDs and occasionally grab my tin whistle and join in. Though you'll probably be pleased to hear that I now no longer strap on my bells and dance to the Morris tunes ....

Rik

..............

I bet that's a sight to see Rik...

[FWLR]

Rik, I'd pay good money to see a video clip of that!

CFLR Andrew

No video, I'm afraid, but how about a photo from the archives ....
2021-01-18-19-34-39.jpg

That's me on the left

Rik

That's just made my day....

Thanks Rik.

BTW, I like music of all persuasions. From classical to chamber. It's just these old ears can't hear the same has they used to and I get annoyed with myself because the sound I hear now is muffled to the extent, that it can all be the same sound I am hearing......

[ge_rik]

Thanks Rod

Rik

[ge_rik]

And shall I be that churlish anorak who mentions that there were actually two types of 4-wheel truck with curved ends? One had one plank for the curve but a few had two planks (or one and a half). I guess that was so they could put more in those trucks.

I think I've just out-anoraked you. I went back to my books about the Southwold and discovered there were not only two versions of the curved ends as you indicate, but there was also at least one three-plank wagon with no curved end. I also spotted that I'd inserted strapping between the hinge straps which didn't actually exist - I think I must have got this off the plans which were in Model Railway Constructor as they're not on the plans in the books - either that or my eyes were playing tricks. Looking closely at the various photos, it looks like some wagons actually had rubbing plates added between the hinge straps to protect the sides when they were lowered - some wagons had one rubbing plate, some had two and some had none. Who knows, some wagons might have had one rubbing plate on one side and two on the other...!

So - I've now revised all the drawings and hopefully I've now created parts for all variants. I've uploaded them all to the 3D print files section.

I'm looking forward to seeing your next video - and yes please include even more Suffolk folk tunes ......

Rik

[Andrew]

I think I've just out-anoraked you.

I LOVE how geeky close observation of minor railways can get! Perhaps one of you can enlighten me on something that's puzzled me since I first read "Branchline to Southwold", namely why the vans seem to change length - assuming they're the same vans? Assuming too that I'm remembering correctly, I haven't actually dug out the book to check...

Nice to have you with us Stephen - I've long been an admirer of your line, dating back to whenever it first appeared in SMT. Your pragmatic (and artistic) approach to modelling a prototype has been one source of inspiration as I've attempted to recreate a little Welsh Highland flavour in my little South Bristol back garden.

I really enjoyed those scenes on the old Southwold Railway, and the sea shanties too. You're right Bertie, isn't there supposed to be a sea shanty revival going on on TikTok? Personally I like to think it's all down to two teenage girls my wife and I came across in a Bexleyheath back street nearly 20 years ago. As we approached one held up a cardboard sign reading "Bring back Sea Shanties", while the other struck up an an appropriate tune on a violin, before both dissolved into giggles and collapsed back into their house...

And Rik - who knew?! I've always felt there's a Morris Dancer inside me somewhere waiting to break out, but here in Brizzle they all look like scary compost heaps, unlike the clean-living hankie waving Kentish types I knew in my South London childhood...

OK, back to Southwold rolling stock...

Andrew

[ge_rik]

They lengthened the original vans in 1918. I think they were in need of repair and so decided to make them bigger. They also remodelled the coaches and modified some of the wagons over the years. I think a fair number of narrow gauge railways butchered their rolling stock over their lifetimes.

Rik

[invicta280]

Another folk enthusiast here, who often attends the Rochester Sweeps Festival. There seems to be a close harmony between rail enthusiasts, real ale drinking, morris dancers and canal boaters.

[Stephen Bazire]

Which side is that Rik? I've danced and played with Bath City, Great Western, Bristol and Kemp's Men but not danced for a year or so (I'm the non-hatted box player in this clip <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S4NiSsUdptM> on a trip back to Bristol). And that is NOT a sea shanty! They're shanties, not sea shanties (a tip if you're trying to appear knowledgeable but if you want to wind up an expert call them sea shanties. Works a treat).
Yes, the vans did lengthen but years later than needed. The SR only had these two vans for carrying anything needing protection, which caused a lot of problems with holidaymakers and their suitcases which blocked up the coaches. If you weren't aware, one of the vans is the only surviving piece of SR stock, currently at the East Anglian Transport Museam near Lowestoft. The Southwold Railway Trust also made a replica of the shorter van, currently on blocks at Wenhaston station.
There was at least one 3-plank truck with flat ends. It seems to have been used a lot (but never 2 at the same time so probably only one) but with the extensive use of tarpaulins it's hard to tell much, even its number. Anyone any idea how to do 16mm tarpaulins?
Cheers
Steve