Trams: Is There Much Tramway Interest On Here??

My North Pilton Works Flexicity kit is moving forwards slowly, I have managed to get 2 of the 3 chassis up and running and will be working on the third one next. This will need a little adaption are there is no motor holding parts for this one but as the motor, gears and bearings were all in the kit erroneously I intend to have that third power unit installed as it will give the unit a more balanced running feature I hope. Third and centre unit starting to take shape front. The small oblong boxes to its right are the lighting units.
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So a little trip down into the dark recesses of the Kingsway tram subway. It actually consisted of two separate stations, the southern end Aldwych now surrendered to form part of the Aldwych vehicle underpass. The northern end is the part visited. Unfortunately the pictures of the main station "cavern" did not come out well. The rest I will leave up to you. No sign of the #33, but the tour guides were well aware of its reputed residence. Max

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The entry slope from Theobalds rd end. The portals were raised to accomodate double deck trams but the road bed within the tunnels were dug out some 5 ft to accomodate them. The giveaway is the 11 ft tall recesses, way taller than your average human.

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Heading down to the station area.Note that the trams used a central "plough" to pick up current, not just here but throughout the metropolitan LCC area, although all the trams were equipped with poles to pick up from catenary outside this area.

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Exit from the station area. The station is served by an island platform arrangement.

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Exit steps from station platform to Kingsway central reservation island above.

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Bit of set dressing in the station area. This is from a film shot there. These have included Stephen Poloakov's brilliant "Hidden City" among others.

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Detail of wall in station showing the full height advertising framing on the side walls.

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Cast iron, not your average corrugated stuff, roofing throughout the subway's length. The entire subway is of "cut and covef" construction. Built the same time as the Kingsway thoroughfare above.

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Station exit wall, one side of the island. What appear to be tiles are glazed bricks, at the entrance too.

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A bit of point work

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And so it goes on. But I'll end here. We must have gone over a quarter of a mile in. Great tour and well presented by a squad of guides from the LT museum. A must do for any enthusiast the next time they set up more dates. Current batch sold out.
 
Yep, drove through the Aldwych underpass on many occasions, but them they shut it, have they re-opened it?

Also, a few years ago, there was a major underground fire in Kingsway - I walked through a few weeks after the fire while works was still going on and the theatres around Aldwych were still connected to standby generators. What stood out in my mind were the mountains of old cable that had been pulled out and, presumably, replaced :eek::eek:
 
Slightly off topic, and I don't want to start another series of wondering what this "Elvy" guy is saying this time, this is just a statement.

I purchased a Bachmann tram to see how it would fit in with my planned Manx Electric Railway models, which is how I came to think about modelling trams on 45mm gauge track, and the bug bit, I now have a few Bachmann trams and haven't as yet started my planned MER cars. Then a slight deviation and an interest in some standard gauge trams was rekindled.

I have come to realise that the only place for my tramway modelling interest is here on this forum. After falling in to this by accident I have adopted 1:22.5 as my modelling scale, although 1:22.6 is Gauge 3 scale they don't, from what I have been able to establish, cater for anything non-railway.
Tramway groups generally cater for N Scale, primarily 00 (4mm) scale, 7mm scale to a point and 1:16 scale, although G Scale 1:22.5 is acknowledge in books their is almost no interest in the scale from the tramway fraternity or trade support for the scale.


So to whom ever set up a tram specific section on this forum/group thank you, and thank you to all who have been supportive of a newcomer, hopefully we can get a few more folk modelling trams in this scale (1:22.5) and encourage trade support.

Anyhow that's my blurb.

David
 
Slightly off topic, and I don't want to start another series of wondering what this "Elvy" guy is saying this time, this is just a statement.

I purchased a Bachmann tram to see how it would fit in with my planned Manx Electric Railway models, which is how I came to think about modelling trams on 45mm gauge track, and the bug bit, I now have a few Bachmann trams and haven't as yet started my planned MER cars. Then a slight deviation and an interest in some standard gauge trams was rekindled.

I have come to realise that the only place for my tramway modelling interest is here on this forum. After falling in to this by accident I have adopted 1:22.5 as my modelling scale, although 1:22.6 is Gauge 3 scale they don't, from what I have been able to establish, cater for anything non-railway.
Tramway groups generally cater for N Scale, primarily 00 (4mm) scale, 7mm scale to a point and 1:16 scale, although G Scale 1:22.5 is acknowledge in books their is almost no interest in the scale from the tramway fraternity or trade support for the scale.


So to whom ever set up a tram specific section on this forum/group thank you, and thank you to all who have been supportive of a newcomer, hopefully we can get a few more folk modelling trams in this scale (1:22.5) and encourage trade support.

Anyhow that's my blurb.

David
Some G3 odds and ends available here and there.

 
This fois a very broad church, anything and everything (legal, decent and non-controversial) goes. Whiteleaf Tramway is worth a look if you can get to an exhibition its being shown at
 
My North Pilton Works Flexicity kit is moving forwards slowly, I have managed to get 2 of the 3 chassis up and running and will be working on the third one next. This will need a little adaption are there is no motor holding parts for this one but as the motor, gears and bearings were all in the kit erroneously I intend to have that third power unit installed as it will give the unit a more balanced running feature I hope. Third and centre unit starting to take shape front. The small oblong boxes to its right are the lighting units.
View attachment 288844
How are you getting on with this? I would be interested in seeing the end result.
 
Here are a few photos from August and October 2021. I hope you like them.
The trams built by me and a friend get a run-out now and then. We meet at a friend's layout
and have a tram driving day. Three or four controllers are connected and off we go.

78113-modelltag-kurt-11.08.2021.jpg
The Zurich Tram 2000, 2042 was on the layout for the first time.

78118-modelltag-kurt-11.08.2021.jpg

In front Tw 220 with the also new Bw 532, behind Tw 221 with the new Bw 429.

78122-modelltag-kurt-11.08.2021.jpg

The vehicles meet in the new turning loop.

78124-modelltag-kurt-11.08.2021.jpg

The new Lgb tram train of the Kirnitzschtalbahn. The only thing what is not wrong with the vehicle is the colour scheme. Lgb does not dare to bring new trams onto the market. Only colour variants are produced. The sound of this model is not the best either.
the yellow of the egg. The highlight is the splashing of water. You'd think the conductor was peeing out of the moving car. - A pity.
The quality also leaves a lot to be desired. The colour print on the roof of the sidecar was faulty. At a price of 850,-- to over 900,00 €, you certainly don't have to accept something like that. That is why the sidecar is missing here. It is still not back in October 2021.


78130-modelltag-kurt-11.08.2021.jpg

The two Wuppertal trains meet at a junction.

78135-modelltag-kurt-11.08.2021.jpg

In the siding track, Atw (work tram) number 3241 also joins the company.

78141-modelltag-kurt-11.08.2021.jpg

Atw (work tram) 751 and Abw (work trailwer) 1753 has started its service.

78142-modelltag-kurt-11.08.2021.jpg

The Atw 751 and the Abw are freelance models and have been included in our urban tram series. (Städtische Straßenbahn)

78152-modelltag-kurt-11.10.2021.jpg

We met again in October 2021. This will be the Hagen Tw 336 with the Bw 133. The train was on a test run. The couplings still have to be reworked. After I had extended the couplings a little bit, it drove on the radius R2 a little bit. For radius R1 it still has to be adjusted in the workshop.

78153-modelltag-kurt-11.10.2021.jpg

He's already doing quite well. The original once drove in a corner of this garden.

78154-modelltag-kurt-11.10.2021.jpg

Today there were other wagons on the tracks. Atw 711 nit Abw 1713.

78156-modelltag-kurt-11.10.2021.jpg

Atw 712 also had to go back on the track.

78161-modelltag-kurt-11.10.2021.jpg

Atw 713 then also came onto the track. In the foreground a Nuremberg tram.

78162-modelltag-kurt-11.10.2021.jpg

On the Atw, the flashing lights must be made to light up with a decoder.

78165-modelltag-kurt-11.10.2021.jpg

That was it for 2021.
0
 
Here are a few photos from August and October 2021. I hope you like them.
The trams built by me and a friend get a run-out now and then. We meet at a friend's layout
and have a tram driving day. Three or four controllers are connected and off we go.

78113-modelltag-kurt-11.08.2021.jpg
The Zurich Tram 2000, 2042 was on the layout for the first time.

78118-modelltag-kurt-11.08.2021.jpg

In front Tw 220 with the also new Bw 532, behind Tw 221 with the new Bw 429.

78122-modelltag-kurt-11.08.2021.jpg

The vehicles meet in the new turning loop.

78124-modelltag-kurt-11.08.2021.jpg

The new Lgb tram train of the Kirnitzschtalbahn. The only thing what is not wrong with the vehicle is the colour scheme. Lgb does not dare to bring new trams onto the market. Only colour variants are produced. The sound of this model is not the best either.
the yellow of the egg. The highlight is the splashing of water. You'd think the conductor was peeing out of the moving car. - A pity.
The quality also leaves a lot to be desired. The colour print on the roof of the sidecar was faulty. At a price of 850,-- to over 900,00 €, you certainly don't have to accept something like that. That is why the sidecar is missing here. It is still not back in October 2021.


78130-modelltag-kurt-11.08.2021.jpg

The two Wuppertal trains meet at a junction.

78135-modelltag-kurt-11.08.2021.jpg

In the siding track, Atw (work tram) number 3241 also joins the company.

78141-modelltag-kurt-11.08.2021.jpg

Atw (work tram) 751 and Abw (work trailwer) 1753 has started its service.

78142-modelltag-kurt-11.08.2021.jpg

The Atw 751 and the Abw are freelance models and have been included in our urban tram series. (Städtische Straßenbahn)

78152-modelltag-kurt-11.10.2021.jpg

We met again in October 2021. This will be the Hagen Tw 336 with the Bw 133. The train was on a test run. The couplings still have to be reworked. After I had extended the couplings a little bit, it drove on the radius R2 a little bit. For radius R1 it still has to be adjusted in the workshop.

78153-modelltag-kurt-11.10.2021.jpg

He's already doing quite well. The original once drove in a corner of this garden.

78154-modelltag-kurt-11.10.2021.jpg

Today there were other wagons on the tracks. Atw 711 nit Abw 1713.

78156-modelltag-kurt-11.10.2021.jpg

Atw 712 also had to go back on the track.

78161-modelltag-kurt-11.10.2021.jpg

Atw 713 then also came onto the track. In the foreground a Nuremberg tram.

78162-modelltag-kurt-11.10.2021.jpg

On the Atw, the flashing lights must be made to light up with a decoder.

78165-modelltag-kurt-11.10.2021.jpg

That was it for 2021.
0
I always enjoy see photos of your models and your tramway.

David
 
Here are a few photos from August and October 2021. I hope you like them.
The trams built by me and a friend get a run-out now and then. We meet at a friend's layout
and have a tram driving day. Three or four controllers are connected and off we go.

78113-modelltag-kurt-11.08.2021.jpg
The Zurich Tram 2000, 2042 was on the layout for the first time.

78118-modelltag-kurt-11.08.2021.jpg

In front Tw 220 with the also new Bw 532, behind Tw 221 with the new Bw 429.

78122-modelltag-kurt-11.08.2021.jpg

The vehicles meet in the new turning loop.

78124-modelltag-kurt-11.08.2021.jpg

The new Lgb tram train of the Kirnitzschtalbahn. The only thing what is not wrong with the vehicle is the colour scheme. Lgb does not dare to bring new trams onto the market. Only colour variants are produced. The sound of this model is not the best either.
the yellow of the egg. The highlight is the splashing of water. You'd think the conductor was peeing out of the moving car. - A pity.
The quality also leaves a lot to be desired. The colour print on the roof of the sidecar was faulty. At a price of 850,-- to over 900,00 €, you certainly don't have to accept something like that. That is why the sidecar is missing here. It is still not back in October 2021.


78130-modelltag-kurt-11.08.2021.jpg

The two Wuppertal trains meet at a junction.

78135-modelltag-kurt-11.08.2021.jpg

In the siding track, Atw (work tram) number 3241 also joins the company.

78141-modelltag-kurt-11.08.2021.jpg

Atw (work tram) 751 and Abw (work trailwer) 1753 has started its service.

78142-modelltag-kurt-11.08.2021.jpg

The Atw 751 and the Abw are freelance models and have been included in our urban tram series. (Städtische Straßenbahn)

78152-modelltag-kurt-11.10.2021.jpg

We met again in October 2021. This will be the Hagen Tw 336 with the Bw 133. The train was on a test run. The couplings still have to be reworked. After I had extended the couplings a little bit, it drove on the radius R2 a little bit. For radius R1 it still has to be adjusted in the workshop.

78153-modelltag-kurt-11.10.2021.jpg

He's already doing quite well. The original once drove in a corner of this garden.

78154-modelltag-kurt-11.10.2021.jpg

Today there were other wagons on the tracks. Atw 711 nit Abw 1713.

78156-modelltag-kurt-11.10.2021.jpg

Atw 712 also had to go back on the track.

78161-modelltag-kurt-11.10.2021.jpg

Atw 713 then also came onto the track. In the foreground a Nuremberg tram.

78162-modelltag-kurt-11.10.2021.jpg

On the Atw, the flashing lights must be made to light up with a decoder.

78165-modelltag-kurt-11.10.2021.jpg

That was it for 2021.
0
Lovely set of tram pics, the scale sized ballast certainly adds to the effect.
 
Terrific show as always Peter. You are a rare example of knowledgeable expert and skilled modeller in your chosen field, and able to pass on your enthusiasm to others.
Thanks.
 
Not sure if these have been noted before, but an interesting collection of G Tram bits available.

 
Just been to order a few bits, antiquated payments, nothing automated, cheque or BACS, but you have to email them if you use BACS, quaint - NOT :( customer lost.
Sometimes some of these small niche traders don't have the time / knowledge / expertise to invest in digital payments - keeping the website up together takes enough of their time.

I was after an n gauge chassis last year, and the particular dealer - the only one who had one at a half reasonable price in the entire universe - had a similarly antiquated system which was further thrown by the Flu lockdown and his unwillingness / fear / medical reasons for not wanting to go to the Post Office or Bank.

As it was the only one available in Christendom, I persevered :rock::rock:
 
Just been to order a few bits, antiquated payments, nothing automated, cheque or BACS, but you have to email them if you use BACS, quaint - NOT :( customer lost.
As a person who is also a small trader of predominantly 7mm scale items I can fully appreciate Paul Coles (KW Trams) situation, the costs associated with having a web payment system make it unviable, and while I suspect Paul's turnover is greater than mine, any costs associated with using a web payment system would ultimately end up pushing up his prices for all of us.
Take a look at KW Trams 0 Gauge truck sides and then try and find someone else supplying the same or similar product for less than double his prices, unless there is a supplier I am unaware of you won't.

I actually find KW Trams system quite straightforward now I have his details added to my banking application, simply place your order, requesting to pay by bank transfer, his system will automatically send you two emails, one confirming your order and one with his bank details. I simply transfer the funds, send him an email to say funds transferred and 2-3 days later received the goods, regardless of the order size.

Just to note, I have no affiliation with KW Trams other than as a satisfied customer.

unfortunately tramway modelling still has a small following, but if we don't support the few suppliers making some of the bits we want we will need to do a lot more scratch building.

Anyhow, that's me back from a wee trip to the Isle of Lewis and Harris and catching up with things. Wife is off to a weans 6 birthday party so its modelling time for me.

David
 
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As a person who is also a small trader of predominantly 7mm scale items I can fully appreciate Paul Coles (KE Trams) situation, the costs associated with having a web payment system make it unviable, and while I suspect Paul's turnover is greater than mine, any costs associated with using a web payment system would ultimately end up pushing up his prices for all of us.
Take a look at KW Trams 0 Gauge truck sides and then try and find someone else supplying the same or similar product for less than double his prices, unless there is a supplier I am unaware of you won't.

I actually find KW Trams system quite straightforward now I have his details added to my banking application, simply place your order, requesting to pay by bank transfer, his system will automatically send you two emails, one confirming your order and one with his bank details. I simply transfer the funds, send him an email to say funds transferred and 2-3 days later received the goods, regardless of the order size.

Just to note, I have no affiliation with KW Trams other than as a satisfied customer.

unfortunately tramway modelling still has a small following, but if we don't support the few suppliers making some of the bits we want we will need to do a lot more scratch building.

Anyhow, that's me back from a wee trip to the Isle of Lewis and Harris and catching up with things. Wife is off to a weans 6 birthday party so its modelling time for me.

David
Just been to order a few bits, antiquated payments, nothing automated, cheque or BACS, but you have to email them if you use BACS, quaint - NOT :( customer lost.

Well said David, sometimes we get so used to the now now now situation that we shoot ourselves in the foot by not following a much slower method.
 
As a person who is also a small trader of predominantly 7mm scale items I can fully appreciate Paul Coles (KE Trams) situation, the costs associated with having a web payment system make it unviable, and while I suspect Paul's turnover is greater than mine, any costs associated with using a web payment system would ultimately end up pushing up his prices for all of us.
Take a look at KW Trams 0 Gauge truck sides and then try and find someone else supplying the same or similar product for less than double his prices, unless there is a supplier I am unaware of you won't.

I actually find KW Trams system quite straightforward now I have his details added to my banking application, simply place your order, requesting to pay by bank transfer, his system will automatically send you two emails, one confirming your order and one with his bank details. I simply transfer the funds, send him an email to say funds transferred and 2-3 days later received the goods, regardless of the order size.

Just to note, I have no affiliation with KW Trams other than as a satisfied customer.

unfortunately tramway modelling still has a small following, but if we don't support the few suppliers making some of the bits we want we will need to do a lot more scratch building.

Anyhow, that's me back from a wee trip to the Isle of Lewis and Harris and catching up with things. Wife is off to a weans 6 birthday party so its modelling time for me.

David
I guess it depends upon whether you want to grow the business through new customers or are happy serving your current customer base and picking up enough new business along the way to keep things ticking over.

The online payment system my wife uses for her music school business is 1.2% for card payments in person and 2.8% for online payments through the website.

I would think such costs are easy to absorb into a growing business model, with a small increase of 3% and possibly a similar discount for existing customers wishing to pay by BACs.

These days virtually all traders at shows will take cards, so failing to move with the times might be enough to sink some small traders, which would be a real shame.
 
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