Rufuskins' Workshop LYR Wagons

This evening I was able to concentrate a little better on the latest LYR wagon, and I attach a screenshot below:-

The wagons are Diagram 19 10' 0" wheelbase cattle wagons running empty through Hawes behind a Class 27 engine.

Starting to get myself together and now that Diagram 19 is complete, the 10' 0" wheel base wagons are finished. I will now move onto 10' 6" wheel base wagons beginning with Diagram 80, which is a Low Goods type with a total of some 1860 built between 1910 and 1920. They were typically used for general merchandise across the whole LYR system, and lasted into British Railways era until about late 1950s.

. . . and here it is:-

Mmmm . . seemed to have missed the hand brake guides!

Added the handbrake guide to the Diagram 80, and subsequently completed Diagram 81, 83 (with and without vacuum brake) and 92. The latter three are all Half Box wagons which together with "Fruit" is the LYR description for open wagons. These are all on a 10ft 6in wheel base and there's one more open wagon to do for this wheel base, namely a Diagram 91.
I've now completed 45 wagons of varying degrees of accuracy. I now need to put these together in a slide show for a modelling event in Todmorden, Lancashire organised by the LYR Society. It is to be hoped that I have my thickest skin on in case of severely negative comments.
(I am also looking at a visit to the LNWR Archive Centre in May, and therefore need to put together a slide show of the LNWR coaches that I've created to date - may need to wear the same thick skin! The visit is mainly to glean as much information as possible on typical formations using the available Local Carriage Working and Marshalling documents. This is a major excursion as the centre is located in Kenilworth.)
In order to display the slide shows I need to buy a laptop and this will allow me to move onto Windows 10. I'll retain Windows 7 on the desktop and minimise internet connections with it.

. . and here's a rake of Diagram 92s running empty.

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I now need to put these together in a slide show for a modelling event in Todmorden, Lancashire organised by the LYR Society.

Hi Alec, I think this shows how far your modelling and confidence has blossomed. When you started putting your toes in the TSM waters you had more questions than answers as you gradually got to grips, but you have persevered throughout and this thread has marked your progress. Your models are excellent and it's good that you have found your own niche with LYR. Congratulations and I hope your slide show is a great success.

Danny, many thanks for your kind comments. Coming from someone with their own skills is certainly very encouraging and much appreciated.

I ought to mention that the slide show isn't actually part of the event, but I'm hoping to be able to show LYR members what we in the world of simulation are doing!

Well despite watching the excellent final episode of "Line of Duty" I've managed to complete another LYR wagon. This time it's a 12T Van on a 10' 6" wheelbase, namely a Diagram 82 of which 597 were built between 1910 and 1918. They were used all over the LYR system and lasted through LMS times into British Railways days until the mid 1950s.
Here's a screenshot showing my best interpretation:-

This is on a wooden chassis with vacuum brakes, and I hope to finish the Diagram 88 soon, which is a very similar van but on a steel chassis.
I've managed to save enough money to get a laptop - Windows 10 preinstalled - and I now need to set it up with Libre Office, basic MSTS and TSM. Libre Office includes a presentation programme that is based on a typical slide show.
I will of course need to root out all the guidance necessary for the minimal pain associated with installing classic programmes!

NOTE: It is highly likely that these will need revising as there may be roll-backs on both sides of the van. I am currently seeking guidance from the LYR Society.

I've now had confirmation that I have got the roll backs wrong in so far as all LYR Vans had roll backs to both sides except Diagram 3 which only had them to one side, and Diagrams 95 and 99 that had none. This also applies to Diagram 64 (Butter) and Diagram 98 (Grain). I now need to work my way back through completed vans and amend to suit.

Roll backs sorted in completed vans and I'm now working on Diagram 89, which was described as a 12T Covered Goods for the conveyance of motor cars!

Minimal work only as I have been setting up the new laptop and I'm now ready to install MSTS and possibly Open rails, although only for illustration of retro train simulation. Ged has already given me some of his usual excellent guidance, so it's a question of watch this space!

The Diagram 89 is complete having added some lettering to the side textures. When I say complete I've just realised that the vacuum brake hoses are not correct; i.e. they interfere with the end doors! Oh well I need to stop work on the Diagram 93 and sort the braking out!

Braking is sorted for the Diagram 89 and this together with Diagrams 93 and 94 are complete. Once I have some clarification for a detail to Diagram 95 I will complete this and Diagram 99, which will complete the Covered Wagons using a 10' 6" wheel base.

I've now received the best information over a query with respect to Diagram 95. This is a Covered Wagon (Van) using slightly modified Diagram 82 vans for use in the Great War by the War Department for carrying Picric Acid. This was an early explosive compound and at that time most military powers used Picric Acid as their main high explosive material! When they were returned from the war they were used by the LYR for the carriage of general merchandise.

The production line in the workshop has being running somewhat slowly but here at last is another wagon, namely Diagram 86 Inflammable Tank Wagon of which two were built circa 1918.

Looking very good. Roderic

I see that it continues to be quiet on the forums - perhaps it's this brief spell of warm weather? For myself my LYR wagon work continues with the Diagram 98 (Bulk Grain) nearly completed. This was another conversion carried out during World War 1 but was taken back into LYR service following the end of the war. Essentially it's a van with hoppers within and was used between Liverpool and Blackburn supplying milled grain to Lancashire chicken/egg farmers. The vans were rated for 12T, which meant they typically ran half full when meeting this limit. They lasted into LMS days.
That then leaves Diagrams 9 (Implement Wagon) and 61 (20T Brake) in the 10ft 6in wheel base range, although wagon loads will need to be sorted for 7 of them.
When finished some 58 wagon diagrams should be complete in 3 wheel base sets. Might then move onto bogie wagons?
Still need to finalise the LYR wagon slide presentation!

In between solving the jigsaw I've completed Diagram 42 - 30T bogie coal wagon - of which 2 were built in 1901 to see whether bogie wagons offered any particular advantages. Diagrams 45-lower (1902) and 59-upper (1905) were subsequently built - both as open bogie 30T goods wagons. In addition Diagrams 45-upper (30T bogie van), 58 (30T bogie van) and 59-lower (30T bogie low sided) were also built.
Here's a screenshot of them being tested on NWE V3 behind a Class 27.

PS: Will include a coal load later.

. . and after several failed efforts I've managed to add the FreightAnim - basically I forgot to set the axes to the origin!

Today I have been revisiting open wagons and their relevant loads, and have added them into the wagon folder rather than create a "LYR_Common.Loads" folder as I originally intended. I have also started the next bogie open wagon.
Still plenty of scope for wagons and loads - some 60 wagon diagrams left for me to attempt!
I shall probably move back onto LNWR Non-corridor Coaches in June - again plenty of scope!
Who knows might even actually make some available for download!

Here's a screen shot of some loaded wagons hauled by a Class 27.

Here's another attempt by the LYR to see what could be gained by the adoption of bogie vans. This was the first attempt and was capable of carrying some 30 tons. However the major drawback is obvious in so far as the restricted access of one set of double doors each side. Later attempts had two each side. This van was included in the LYR Diagram Book as 45 upper.

I'm hoping to keep right on to the end of the road!

This van was included in the LYR Diagram Book as 45 lower.

. . . . and this one is Diagram 58, which is a 30T Van with two openings and hence an improvement on Diagram 45 upper.

Now it's onto Diagrams 59 upper (30T Open) and 59 lower (30T Low).

Been a while since I checked in, but just want to say it's great to see the continued improvement with every new model you make.

Keep up the good work!

So very good to hear from you Niall, and many thanks for your kind words. Here's another bogie wagon:-

. . . and here's Diagram 59 lower, which is a 30T Low Wagon.

Mmmm . . . I see that the forum has been a hive of activity whilst I've been on my hols!

What is it they say "If you haven't anything interesting to say, then say nothing!" Perhaps I should adopt this approach? Oh well that's life!

Tomorrow I hope to re-start my LYR wagons plus put together a slide show of the LYR wagon screenshots.

Well the slide show is more or less finished - just need to add a bit more description. At last I've completed the Diagram 61 20T Brake Van - actually not quite as I have still to add L and Y to the sides and possibly a location plaque also on the sides.

Well done, Alec. These are splendid wagons, and you have built up a superb collection. Roderic

Thanks for the kind words, and they are always appreciated.

I'm currently working on a Diagram 9 wagon used for the carriage of implements - mind you there were only two of this diagram built. I only need to complete the textures to the chassis and then I can put all the pieces together to create the model prior to export to MSTS and subsequent tweaks, etc.

After this I need to concentrate on the slide show, as I was informed tonight that I have been allocated a slot at a LYR Society modelling meeting -      - and hence I need to make sure that I don't let either myself or train simulation down.

This means re-doing a number of screen shots and adding a little more detail to individual slides, plus add a few more notes and illustration of how virtual models are built up. It is unfortunate that both MSTS and TSM are old programmes - as we were all reminded with the postings about MSTS reaching the grand old age of 15 years!

Anyway here's hoping that I don't make a complete fool of myself!

Tonight I had a short run with the illustrated formation comprising an LYR Class 27 with 4 sheeted Diagram 81s and a Diagram 61 Brake - after watching England play.

Well I've managed to put a presentation together for next Saturday, and hopefully I'll not make an idiot of myself. After messing around with both Bandicam and FRAPS I've even managed to insert a short video clip - the Bandicam clip was not stable so the FRAPS clip has been used. Mind you the 15-20 second clip creates a big file, and perhaps it might be possible to reduce the size of the clip.
I'm looking forward to it in a masochistic sort of way!
I now need to make a list of bullet points to avoid excessive waffle!

What format does fraps save files in? if it's .mp4 it is a big file, converting it to .wmv will significantly  reduce its file-size.

Markh5682 wrote:What format does fraps save files in? if it's .mp4 it is a big file, converting it to .wmv will significantly  reduce its file-size.

It saves it in AVI format. I'll look for something that may convert it!

Mmmm . . . I had a shock this morning when my laptop refused to boot up saying there was "Boot Device Not Found" and saying I needed to install an OS!

Suggested I went online to HP support, so thankfully I could via the desktop. Found the relevant guide and have been able to action "BIOS Setup Default settings" and the laptop booted up (W10 OS)!

It doesn't help that I must have been bitten by some insect or other, as my right hand has become a bit swollen and in particular the right index finger - typing is not straightforward. Plus my right eye was quite irritated through the night and is only now become more tolerable!

Is this the start of an apocalypse after last night?

Despite last night's problems I managed to get to the LYR Society meeting, and make my presentation. I was third on so I was concerned it might be a bit of "the corporation dustcart" after "the Lord Mayor's parade"! Thankfully I got through it and even managed to get a few laughs. Surprisingly there were not many who had used MSTS, nor the other sims! However people were interested to see what I was doing as an alternative to traditional model railway work. I don't think I made any converts, but stimulated a little discussion afterwards.

Anyway it's back to TSM modelling - possibly some loads for existing LYR wagons.

Here's a short formation of four Diagram 92s with Pit Props.

Here we have a load of cobbles in Diagram 83 Opens behind the ubiquitous LYR Class 27!

Here's a picture of a rake of Diagram 50 20T Loco Coal wagons - my first 12ft 0in wheel base wagon!

Somewhat out of context bearing in mind the coaling tower behind, but what the heck!

Anyway back to packaging LNWR Non-corridor coaches for upload!

Continuing to work on 12ft wheel base wagons, but this time adding loads as I go along. Looking at my spreadsheet it would appear that I ONLY have another 50 to do! However this needs to be balanced with the LNWR carriages plus work I'm doing on a parametric modelling project. Currently it involves transcribing the LYR time tables in the 1906 Bradshaw - quite fascinating really. Whatever happens in the near future I have plenty of train related projects to keep me both happy and stimulated!

The following screen shot is of the Diagram 90 Water Tank Wagon. There were two built in 1913 with one stationed at Horwich and the other at Newton Heath for the two Fire (fighting) Trains. The formation included a covered carriage truck which housed a vertical boiler steam engine and a mess van. An engine in steam was always coupled to the water tank ready to respond to a call out. They both lasted into LMS days, although the Newton Heath train was disbanded with the tank sent to Crewe where it was painted red. The other tank stayed at Horwich and remained in a grey livery through LMS and British Railways times and lasted until circa 1959.



As I often say train simulation is not only about creating a virtual world of railways, but can be very educational.

It's oddly satisfying when you work on models - be they wagons or carriages - when there's no pressure to perform so to speak!

I've been concentrating on getting a new car these last few days and hence modelling has taken a bit of a back seat! That's now sorted and Ilma and I are quite happy with our Vauxhall Astra (14 reg), with tax, insurance and roadside assistance all sorted. Being a 5 door Mark and I will still be able to visit exhibitions, etc. The old Vectra (58 reg) was definitely showing its age after travelling over 95,000 miles!

I'm now dividing my time between LYR 12 ft wheel-base wagons, and the data input for the parametric work I mentioned early. This is really fascinating as programming has been developed that shows the passenger trains travelling on the LYR network in accordance with the 1906 Bradshaw. I'm not sure whether this is available on-line at the moment, but if and when should be something else – especially if goods traffic can be included. The trains are currently represented as green dots that travel along the actual lines on the network map stopping at the scheduled stations.

LYR 20T Coal Hopper - Diagram 54

132 built between 1903 and 1909, and initially used for supplying coal to L&Y Power Stations, and occasionally used on Loco Coal duties.

LYR Wagon Diagram 68 - 541 built between 1906 and 1914.

These became the standard Loco Coal wagons, being used all over the LYR system for loco coal supply. It should be pointed out that this wagon diagram included several variations including some with doors in the floor. This model attempts to represent the first batch of wagons built.

LYR 20T Coal Wagon Diagram 69 - 76 built in 1906 in two batches. The first 40 had a wooden chassis whilst the second 36 had a steel chassis of which this is an example.

This was the LYR's first attempt at an end discharge traffic coal wagon. It was typically used across the whole system for taking coal to ports for steamer bunkerage.
It's worth pointing out that the LYR was the only railway to serve both the Irish and North Seas. The LYR owned (or jointly owned) 28 ships, which was the greatest total of any of the British railways!

Making some progress - albeit slow - on a Diagram 84, which is yet another 20T coal wagon. I have also completed a Diagram 71 but no screenshot currently available.

LYR Diagram 55 10T Open Wagon - unfitted - of which some 746 were built between 1904 and 1909:-

This screenshot shows a rake of these wagons with aggregate loads, They were considered to be the standard long length fixed end half box (open) wagon for the LYR, and were typically used across the whole system for general merchandise.

Looking good Alec.

Thanks for that.

LYR un-fitted Diagram 63 10T open wagon of which some 1310 were built between 1904 and 1910

This screenshot shows them with a series of crates. They were considered to be the standard longer length wagon combining side and end openings. They were typically used across the whole system for general merchandise.