NEWSLETTER September 2019
In this issue: Editorial Layout visits planned Recent layout visit Diorama Club Library – Railway Paintings by Terence Cuneo The end of steam in the UK Recommended on the web Trouble in Model Britain? Hornby’s Harry Potter BRM Cakebox challenge Committee
PEMRC NEWSLETTER SEPTEMBER 2019 # 5/2019 EDITORIAL Dear member, The feedback I received is encouraging and lets me continue with the current size of 14 pages with a variety of illustrated railway related content. Next month we will start with articles on Modelling Scales, Railway Eras and start a regular feature on some of the larger public layouts in the world. Regards Roel
Contributions not received by the 15th of the month will be held over for the next issue. Email is preferred.
Club’s Email address: pemrailroadclub@gmail.com
Layout Visits Planned: 28 September
Juan-Pierre Kruger
6 Corrice Road, Charlo
12 October
Charl Du Plessis
26 Richardson Summerstrand
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Graham Chapman
118 Adam Road Charlo
November
082 321 2233 Street
082 450 7052 072 103 4625
December no layout visit Layout visit on 14 September 2019 – Juan-Pierre Kruger, HO scale, American Pos t
Due to technical issues, this is regrettably postponed to Saturday 28 September 2020.
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DIORAMA by Johan van der Mescht: The prototype stands in Paulet Street in Somerset East. Johan explored the street view on Google Street View. He doesn’t know what the rest of the house looks like. It will eventually be part of a street scene where you will only see the front view - therefore no windows or detail at the back of the building.
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From the Club Library: - Railway Paintings by Terence Cuneo Available in the Club Library, PEMRC B04. Ask Carel van Loggerenberg. Following his much acclaimed autobiography, “The Mouse and His Master “now a book devoted exclusively to the railway paintings of Terence Cuneo, the undoubted master of this genre. One of the few railway artists actually to be commissioned by the railway companies and particularly by British Rail when steam was still operational, his paintings are renowned throughout the world. As well as illustrating his most famous works, the book includes many new and unseen paintings. Both the paintings and the text, laced with fascinating sketches and anecdotes, reflect this great British artist’s genius and real love of railways. Indeed, his enthusiasm has produced paintings of railways as diverse as the small trains of Kashmir and the giants of America and Canada, at the same time remaining true to his first love, the great railways of Britain.
278 x 215mm. 128 pages including 64 pages in full colour. Published by New Cavendish Books, London ISBN 0 904568 61 X 3
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FIFTY YEARS SINCE THE END OF BRITISH RAIL STEAM The date 11 August 1968, is indelibly etched into the minds of most railway enthusiasts, at least in Britain. That summer Sunday marked the great watershed in British transport history. It was when British Rail ran its final steam-
hauled train, the legendary ‘Fifteen Guinea Special’, hauled by no fewer than four locomotives – three LMS ‘Black Picture by John H. Bird Fives’ and one BR Britannia Pacific, No. 70013 Oliver Cromwell – in stages from Liverpool to Carlisle via the stupendously scenic Settle and Carlisle Line and back.
View video: https://www.britishpathe.tv/video/the-last-steam-train/ https://youtu.be/GTY0YPsLePg
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The ‘Fifteen Guinea Special’ may have been the last of its kind, but it was more like an encore, for British Railways had blocked the use of its steam locomotives after the previous weekend when the ‘real’ final curtain fell. The writing for steam, however, had been slowly appearing on the wall for decades: The DRG Class SVT 877 Hamburg Flyer – sometimes also Flying Hamburger or in German “Fliegender Hamburger” – was Germany's first fast diesel train, and is credited with establishing the fastest regular railway connection in the world in its time on 15 May 1933. The diesel-electric powered train was used to carry passengers on the Berlin–Hamburg line covering the 178 miles in 138 minutes. This performance was only equalled 64 years later, as the Deutsche Bahn began to use ICE trains between the two cities in May 1997. Image by Appaloosa The LNER looked at buying a ‘Hamburger’ set, but decided to stick with steam and design a new breed of locomotives, which could do the job just as well. The GWR successfully introduced diesel railcars in the Thirties, and in 1946 ordered a gas
turbine locomotive On the Southern Railway, Oliver Bulleid experimented with his radical Leader class, a unique type of locomotive, which resembled a modern diesel, but was a steam engine with a firebox in the middle and cabs either end. It was the LMS that turned out Britain’s first main line diesel after announcing in March
1947 it wanted to use diesel haulage for passenger services. LMS No. 10000 and was the first mainline diesel locomotive built in Great Britain. It was built in association with English Electric by the London, Midland and Scottish Railway at its Derby Works, using an English Electric 1600
hp diesel engine, generator and electrics. LMS 10000 was officially presented to the Press at Derby Works in December 1947
Keith Holford Archive
Cash-strapped Britain did not have the money to ditch steam in favour of diesels and electrics, and so steam would have to reign supreme until British Railways’ 1955 Modernisation Plan said otherwise. 7
It would take another 13 years to eradicate steam from the network. Modern traction was seen as being sleek, stylish, clean and more reliable, and nothing less would entice passengers and businesses back from road to rail. By 1968, however, a third of the UK rail network had closed, the car had become the undisputed king, and British Rail had still not cut its huge losses. The 1960s was the great decade of change, and while the public at large accepted the change to modern traction as inevitable, there was still a widespread and immense affection for the steam trains that had been part and parcel of workaday life since well before living memory and the pace of their loss in those final years was still a shock to the system. As in the previous decade, trainspotting was a massive hobby for short-trousered schoolboys, who would gather at virtually every station during weekends and school holidays – for them trainspotting was a way of life. When it became clear that all was being washed away by a tsunami of progress, when even steam engines with a service life expectancy of many more years were being withdrawn en masse and scrapped, all they could do was savour the last of the summer fruits while precious few weeks remained, before the steam sun would shine no more. By the mid-Sixties, steam was rapidly conceding ground across the UK network in ever-decreasing circles until it could be only the north-west of England, where a plethora of farewell specials were arranged in the first half of 1968. Groups of enthusiasts sneaked into engine sheds at night to so they could bow out in resplendence rather than coated in thick layers of grey grime, as was the norm in those dying years. People power ensured steam would not die in 1968. One of our finest heritage lines opened, the Keighley & Worth Valley Railway, to be followed by many more, keeping the glories of the past alive for many future generations. And gentle pressure on British Rail to allow privately owned steam locomotives to return to the national network paid off three years later, sowing the seeds of the rich and vibrant main line steam scene we relish today – Flying Scotsman, Tornado and all. Furthermore, British Rail steam itself did not die in August 1968 – it was just not used to haul trains on the standard gauge main line any more. BR still used mobile steam cranes for many years, and then there was the ultimate anomaly of an organisation, which had closed so many rail routes, big and small, saving a remote steam-operated narrow gauge branch line in the form of the Vale of Rheidol Railway – where the only concession to ‘progress’ was the painting of its three steam locomotives and coaches in corporate Rail Blue livery with the famous double-arrow logo! ‘Real’ steam – as distinct from locomotives run for the benefit of enthusiasts or tourists – survived elsewhere for a few more years, notably on London Underground and on the Northern Ireland system until 1971, and in industry as recently as 1992. Yet 50 years after it by and large disappeared from public view, the public’s affection for steam has by no means waned – quite the reverse – and today, our heritage railways and main line tours comprise a sizeable and growing section of many a local tourist economy. Steam’s twilight months heralded a new dawn. One lesson here: just because something is obsolete, that does not automatically render it useless, especially if it comes with a more than generous helping of romance, public affection, nostalgia and overwhelming pride in our heritage. Robin Jones May 2018 Extract from “The End of Steam 2018” – The Mortons Media Group Ltd Ctrl +Click on thumbnail to access complete PDF (117MB) on PEMRC Google Drive 8
Fast-forward 50 years and steam on the mainline is as popular as it ever was. Tens of thousands were lined up to witness the Flying Scotsman’s return to steam in 2016 and about 500 steam-hauled charters run on the national network each year. Fittingly, three separate charters ran over the Settle & Carlisle Railway 50 years to the day since steam came to an end. There’s nothing quite like riding behind it on the mainline. Sitting in the comfortable BR Mk1 carriages from the 1950s and 1960s, you experience a sensory overload, from the clitter-clack of the wheels on the rails to the sound of the locomotive. On steep gradients, there are distinct barks as it thunders its way over the crest, the fireman working extra hard to shovel coal quickly enough. ‘You knew you were taking part in railway history as the full expectation was that it would be the end,’ says Bill Owen, who was on board both trips, when remembering that day half a century apart. ‘It was magic,’ agrees Mr Newman. ‘The crowds on the platform at Manchester were massive. People were all over the tracks. The signalmen didn’t seem to mind, the police weren’t called and nobody got themselves run over.’ Phil Braithwaite photographed and travelled on the final steamhauled trips in the North-West and sums up the joy of those days. ‘It’s the soot in your hair as you stick your head out of the window,’ he believes. ‘I’m a bit old now, but I used to do it all the time with my long-focus lens, to get photos of the locomotive at the front. When I look back on it, they weren’t that great, but they painted a record.’ It’s clear that, as in any sphere, much has changed over the past 50 years. However, one thing hasn’t and is unlikely ever to do so – that’s the thrill of steam and its intoxicating effect on those that encounter it, from the small child to the casual bystander. And, of course, the dedicated rail enthusiast. Read more at: Fifteen-guinea-special
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RECOMMENDED READING OR VIEWING ON THE WEB: SOUL OF A RAILWAY© https://sites.google.com/site/soulorailway/home By Les Pivnic and Charlie Lewis Les and Charlie are working together on this project to convey to future generations the essence of a once magnificent transport network in South Africa - the South African Railways. “Many others have made contributions in telling the story of steam in South Africa. We are especially grateful to all those who have contributed photos and information for captions. Particular thanks to Bruno Martin for providing the beautiful and informative maps accompanying each chapter. Finally, thanks to Robert Wilson of Melbourne for inspiring us to attempt something similar to his FAPs with "the other SAR" Please note: All photographs, maps and text in Soul of a Railway are protected by copyright and may not be copied or reproduced in any way for further use without prior permission in writing from the authors.
THE WORLD'S MOST AMAZING SCENIC TRAIN JOURNEYS A 3 minute clip on The Lonely Planet highlighting about a dozen famous scenic rail routes to put on your bucket list: the-worlds-most-amazing-scenic-train-journeys
JAMES MAY'S “BIG TROUBLE IN MODEL BRITAIN” Two-part documentary introduced and narrated by model railway enthusiast James May, following a year inside Hornby Hobbies - the iconic British toy-maker on the brink of collapse. You can view or download this from the Club’s Google Drive “Videos of interest”: PEMRC Google Drive
Hornby has commemorated the last British Railways steam-hauled passenger train with a limited edition train pack. You will find a review of this here: Ctrl + Click on image below
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Harry Potter still continues to captivate one generation after another and Hornby are delighted to bring their Harry Potter collection to you. Step into the Wizarding World, a magical universe created by J.K. Rowling, as we bring you all the mesmerising magic and action from the Harry Potter movies. Fans of all ages will love recreating the adventure of travelling on the Hogwarts Express from Kings Cross station’s iconic Platform 9 ž to Hogsmeade station...
Ctrl + Click for details of HORNBY's HARRY POTTER range
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See the details of the BRM Cakebox challenge and the results by holding the Ctrl key and clicking on the thumbnail of the article which will take you to the Club’s Google drive to view or download this 3 page article from the January 2019 edition of British Railway Modelling.
Ctrl + Click:
Model Railway Challenge televised last year on UK Channel 5 The series was shown at the Club and you can always request a copy or repeat showing. Steve Flint of British Railway Modelling was one of the judges but also instrumental in getting the challenge off the ground and on TV. You can read his reflection on the series on page 52-53 of the January 2019 issue of Railway Modeller by following the link embedded in the thumbnail:
Ctrl + Click
Video #5 BBC Four Timeshift aired on Wed 6 March 2019 The Model Railway Story: From Hornby to Triang and beyond, this documentary explores how the British have been in love with model railways for more than a century. What began as an adult obsession with building fully engineered replicas became the iconic toy of 50s and 60s childhood. With unique archive and contributions from modellers such as Pete Waterman, this is a celebration of the joys of miniaturisation. Just don't call them toy trains! Ctrl + Click to view 12
COMMITTEE: Chairman:
Mike Smout
Treasurer:
Attie Terblanche
Clubhouse: Mike Parsons
Email:
ma.smout@mweb.co.za terblalc@telkomsa.net
Tel:
041 365 3456
Layouts:
JP Kruger
juanpierrekruger@gmail.com
Librarian:
Carel van Loggerenberg
annie3@telkomsa.net
Editor:
Roel van Oudheusden
roelvanoza@gmail.com
Workshops: Graham Chapman Shop:
Mike Smith
chapman22@telkomsa.net WhatsApp:
078 069 7699
Email:
mwsmi5@iafrica.com
Subscriptions are R300 per year. Bank account: Port Elizabeth Model Railroad Club FNB Walmer Park, branch code 211417, Account no. 623 861 2205 7
Are you affected or infected? It is often said that our hobby is like a contagious disease, but whilst you may or may not agree with this, do you suffer from any of the following: S.A.B.L.E (Stuff/stock acquired beyond life expectancy) G.A.S. (Gadget acquisition syndrome)
STOP PRESS: BIG BOY’S SECOND RACE ACROSS AMERICA’S SOUTHWEST The German IGE-Reise travel company is arranging a special tour whereby rail enthusiasts will be following Big Boy #4014 in a special bus charter in the golden autumn colours of the American Southwest in such a way that you will be able to make spectacular photographs. The tour will also visit railway museums, a trip on the Durango & Silverton Railroad and the Verde Canyon Railroad. To end the tour there will be an exclusive two-day photo excursion with two steam locomotives on the Grand Canyon Railway. 11-26 Oct 2019 from EUR3490pp sharing plus return flight from SA to Frankfurt/Munich Original flyer in German attached or visit ige-erlebnisreisen.de 13