Portland Stone Loads

[Dorsetmike]

So far I've been able to find out that Purbeck stone was taken by the Swanage railway branch, but not yet found where it went from there; transporting it by sea ended around 1920. There was at one time a tramway for horse drawn stone wagons to the pier, I've also seen a photo of a horse drawn cartload of stone standing in the sea, water up to the horses belly stone being transferred to a barge and from there to a sailing craft.

[Bangor Lad]

What have you used for the ropes?

Just bared and twisted wire, around four strands per rope, I think. Painted frame dirt, glued into position, snipped at the ends. The ends were given a dab of superglue to prevent them splaying, and then a dab of paint to hide the metal.

I think Simon's got it about right. The finer the wire you find the better it will look. You need to twist it quite a bit to get the effect but it's surprising how robust it is.

Dave

[CarriageShed]

...I strip a length of plain multicore wire, separate the strands, paint them a rope sort of colour...

That does look good, Simon, and very realistic.

I think Simon's got it about right. The finer the wire you find the better it will look...

I think you're right. Mine is also twisted a lot, but it doesn't really show up in the photo. Either way, it seems I'm going to have to redo the ropes.