Sunday on Shed

I am running a series of photos every Sunday that were taken

in my trainspotting days.

The Ian Allan spotting books are dated

1979-1983

All the photos were taken during these dates.

I reckon i have something close to 200 photos here, all taken in the Corporate blue period from all over the country. The idea is to post One, maybe Two photos depending on what mood i am in. 

There is allsorts, some with trains, some just looking down the line, some out of focus, some to dark, some to light, some you may ask yourself, 'what the hell' Some i don't know exact dates, some i don't know numbers but they are all going to get posted.

I ASK ONE THING

   You are welcome to use the photos but it would be nice if you would copy the link or give some credit to the guy that took em. ie ME Colin Lockyer and/or THIS BLOG.

Sunday on Shed

I am running a series of photos every Sunday that were taken

in my trainspotting days.

The Ian Allan spotting books are dated

1979-1983

All the photos were taken during these dates.

I reckon i have something close to 200 photos here, all taken in the Corporate blue period from all over the country. The idea is to post One, maybe Two photos depending on what mood i am in. 

There is allsorts, some with trains, some just looking down the line, some out of focus, some to dark, some to light, some you may ask yourself, 'what the hell' Some i don't know exact dates, some i don't know numbers but they are all going to get posted.

I ASK ONE THING

   You are welcome to use the photos but it would be nice if you would copy the link or give some credit to the guy that took em. ie ME Colin Lockyer and/or THIS BLOG.

Exton Quays, The height of a layout

I have thoroughly enjoyed myself building the layout. I tend to be a creature of habit but have learned alot from the project, trying out new methods and ideas. The mechanism for the sector plate is one and the smoke generator for Odams chimney was another. In Fact the whole concept of a 'Cameo Layout' is new to me. I have seen plenty at various exhibitions in my time and have always thought, One Day!

We have had a few interesting moments, one was filling the lounge with a strawberry flavoured mist while experimenting with the smoke machine. I needed to turn the layout on its back on one occasion forgetting that there was still a tin of Humbrol 113 on the layout, the sky backscene became a very nice rusty brown colour, EEK! My heart sank in realisation.

I'm sure that there are aspect that Iain Rice may not agree with, Cobalt point motors for instance or Sprat & Winkle couplings, i have used them a lot in the past and they work and are reliable, we get on well with each other. At the end of they day it has to work.

The only aspect i am struggling with, and i get the impression that other people are as well, is the, "viewing height"
so this is my take on it.
Please note that these are my views on the subject. 
Everyone is equal on there own prognosis of this long discussed, well documented and drawn out affair
Are you ready for a science lesson?
I have just looked it up and it appears that the average height for a man these days is 5Ft 10ins, average height for the ladies is 5FT 5ins. Mum, you never put enough manure in me boots then, when i was growing up!
5ft 10, so, at least a rail height of 5FT yeah, that's not happening is it. I won't be able to see a dam thing.

At a recent exhibition, i and my fellow operator ran an experiment and we came to the conclusion that the average viewer spends not much more than around 4 minutes looking at a layout. So, with this in mind and  forgetting the general public for a moment.
I think this is more relative to the person operating the layout comfortably. I am 5ft 4ins in height so not the tallest of people . A Two day exhibition, its good if you can sit down from time to time. I've even had a little experiment of sitting on ones stool, quite a nice, comfy folding one at that, and measuring one's 'eye level', for me, this comes in at 4ft 3ins, ideally rail level needs to be just below this to stop one from straining looking slightly upwards all the time. I have come to the conclusion that my Rail level needs to be set at 4FT or 48 inches or 1220 of those 'mm' thingies. This means i can sit comfortably at the left hand end of the layout in front of the fiddleyard and see all that i need to see, interact with the viewing public without getting in their way, Nothing worse than having to say " excuse me mate i just need to push, pull or prod that switch down there" This is my prognosis on the subject. Men have backs that bend, children seem to love running around with these plastic stools these days and it just seems a good height for the ladies. I suppose we have to take one other thing into consideration, lets be honest, we are never going to please all of the people all of the time.
Sorry for wasting anyone's time with these rambling. Its Saturday Morning, Raining and no Frasier on TV.
Colin

Exton Quays The story

On the 12^th July 1858 an act was passed through parliament to open a line from Exeter to Topsham along with an extension to Exmouth. The Topsham to Exmouth section using the original route that was first planned by Brunel for a broad gauge line from Exminster to Exmouth the idea was never built. Around 1866 the Odams fertilizer factory approached the LSWR for a rail head to be built serving the factory and the local community. An act was passed and a small Station was provided along with Two sidings serving the factory and the Quayside, the line opened on the 29^th June 1871 under full ownership of the LSWR. (Exmouth docks did not exist at this point) Five weekday trains a day were planned although, this was soon upgraded to Seven. No access was allowed from the public to the Quayside except on Sundays when a permit could be obtained from the station master for fishing and crabbing.

Goods traffic was the main income for the line taking advantage of the Quayside at Exton built by the LSWR and the lack of navigational waters to Exeter. Odams main import was Guano from Brazil and South Africa, this was off loaded from barges at the Quayside and transported into the Factory. Finished fertilizer products were than transported by train to all points in Great Britain. Other goods traffic included fish and timber products. Two covered wagons a week arrived from Nottingham with products for the local 'Boots' Stores. Coal was another major product distributed to the local community. One cattle train a week was booked on Wednesdays to take cattle to the market at Exeter. One other special wagon a week arrived at Exton, this was a gas tanker to supply gas for the station lighting and carriages, although these were sometimes filled at Exeter.

Adams 02's were the mainstay of the line but often a spare Adams radial from Lyme Regis would stand in for some services. An Adams B4 could often be seen on the morning goods from Exeter, Two hours were allowed to shunt the yard before returning to Exeter.

Its 1936, a warm early September day, storm clouds are gathering in the distance. The sounds of Seagulls squarking, chirping and wailing. The waters lapping against the Quayside wall. Station Master 'Mathews' pulls off the signals with a clunk. Passenger waiting on the platform discussing the day ahead. The porter, Eric is busy lining up the empty milk churns ready to be loaded.

In the distance the beat of an Adams class 02 climbs the short bank towards the station, then the sounds of hissing steam as driver John shuts off the regulator, the rattle of steel wheels on steel rails, moments later the 02 bursts through the over bridge and coasts into the station. This is the 7.32 from Exeter. The start of a new day as the first train arrives. The fireman jumps out to uncouple the 02, they have Eight minutes to run round uncouple the covered van from the rear of the train shunt into the bay platform couple up to the train ready to return. Eric is fairly new to the job and still getting to grips with the job of rolling milk churns. Passengers aboard the train, Annie is off to Exeter to start a new job in town. Doors slam, “all aboard” Station Master 'Mathews' blows his whistle, Driver John opens the regulator the 02 barks into life and disappears under the road bridge. Calm is restored. Hurry hurry, No time to relax as the morning goods will be arriving in Seventeen minutes.

Exton Quays and another update.

Exton Quays is at my favourite point in its build,

 adding all the bits.

The last couple of weeks have been spent painting and populating the layout.

Still lots to do and add.

This is how the layout looked on the 4th August 2017

Boy, has it moved on.

Sunday on Shed

I am running a series of photos every Sunday that were taken

in my trainspotting days.

The Ian Allan spotting books are dated

1979-1983

All the photos were taken during these dates.

I reckon i have something close to 200 photos here, all taken in the Corporate blue period from all over the country. The idea is to post One, maybe Two photos depending on what mood i am in. 

There is allsorts, some with trains, some just looking down the line, some out of focus, some to dark, some to light, some you may ask yourself, 'what the hell' Some i don't know exact dates, some i don't know numbers but they are all going to get posted.

I ASK ONE THING

   You are welcome to use the photos but it would be nice if you would copy the link or give some credit to the guy that took em. ie ME Colin Lockyer and/or THIS BLOG.

Sunday on Shed

I am running a series of photos every Sunday that were taken

in my trainspotting days.

The Ian Allan spotting books are dated

1979-1983

All the photos were taken during these dates.

I reckon i have something close to 200 photos here, all taken in the Corporate blue period from all over the country. The idea is to post One, maybe Two photos depending on what mood i am in. 

There is allsorts, some with trains, some just looking down the line, some out of focus, some to dark, some to light, some you may ask yourself, 'what the hell' Some i don't know exact dates, some i don't know numbers but they are all going to get posted.

I ASK ONE THING

   You are welcome to use the photos but it would be nice if you would copy the link or give some credit to the guy that took em. ie ME Colin Lockyer and/or THIS BLOG.

Sunday on Shed

I am running a series of photos every Sunday that were taken

in my trainspotting days.

The Ian Allan spotting books are dated

1979-1983

All the photos were taken during these dates.

I reckon i have something close to 200 photos here, all taken in the Corporate blue period from all over the country. The idea is to post One, maybe Two photos depending on what mood i am in. 

There is allsorts, some with trains, some just looking down the line, some out of focus, some to dark, some to light, some you may ask yourself, 'what the hell' Some i don't know exact dates, some i don't know numbers but they are all going to get posted.

I ASK ONE THING

   You are welcome to use the photos but it would be nice if you would copy the link or give some credit to the guy that took em. ie ME Colin Lockyer and/or THIS BLOG.