Hilton and Mears: Prototype Parallels A side B side remix…

“Red and yellow diesels with about 350hp.

Road salt in covered hoppers.

Short trains due to track conditions vs loco power.”

TOP: Claremont and Concord, Ron Wood photo (https://flic.kr/p/RxrJAF)
BOTTOM: AV Dawson, Nick Jones photo (https://www.branchline.uk/pastevent-alt.php?eventid=292#) 

So began a conversation Chris and I shared last week as I was developing the original Prototype Parallels 2 post. These words, a window on our friendship are lifted as conversation straight from that small window of inspiration we both carry in our pockets, online instant messaging. Presented here to share the energy that fuels so many fires on here, and over there.

“I think in a strange twist, the AV Dawson set up is like a modern La Valley era C&C

Last mile, interchange with main line, hauling to their own yard, cars moved as required to unload.

That C-C photo is epic. I bet you can hear me favouriting that photo from an ocean away.

AV Dawson is, or sure looks like, that British shortline version of American operations. Cast off mainline power from a golden era of BR, set against a backdrop of modern rolling stock and a modern railroad’s environmental attributes.

AV Dawson triangle, sketch by Chris

That sector plate yard. It could represent multiple industries really. The idea is that the section of exposed track represents the bit of mainline that we’d see railfanning as we watch their 08’s darting around the site. Sometimes pulling, sometimes pushing, stock. The sector plate yard is like a exchange of sorts. Instead of storing whole trains on it we drop off wagons on it, then change to the next track, and hook onto ones to remove. The spectacle we witness in the open is wagons appearing then disappearing around the scene.

When we relate to this site we describe it in terms of one engine-one car phrasing. To make my triangle really work you do need a runaround loop across the front, so that any engine can work either leg in either direction, and always the dance on display is that of a pair of 08’s scurrying around to find where their wagons have gotten off to.

I can see how your hand and head have determined this and how it suits the style of operation you recreate. When I relate to the site, I see all the of the loading and unloading points orientated in the same direction and use that to determine the ‘fork’ character. It’s funny how our own preferences become a set of blinkers!

This is interesting. As confessed, once I’d seen that darn triangle I couldn’t stop seeing it!

I couldn’t help but see another way to cast such a scheme and with full credit to your A side B side. I present a 2 player version… 

AV Dawson A side B side remix, sketch by James

It is fun to contemplate two-player versions and imagine this as a tabletop layout set on a dining room table, beers and spare wagons at the side. What a wonderful way to spend some time.”

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This short post is the latest in an ongoing conversation between friends, over blogs, across the ocean. Take a deeper dive by exploring the Hilton and Mears label here or there. 

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