Benjamin Brady Posted March 6, 2012 Share Posted March 6, 2012 (edited) Ladies and Gentleman Welcome to Alsager Railway Associations O gauge exhibitional model railway called Hassell Harbour Bridge and measures 41ft by 15ft. Our layout has existed in various forms for over 30 years and as the name suggests, in its present guise the brige is the main focal point for the model. We have displayed the layout at various shows around the country including the National Railway Museum. We have recently returned from Model Rail Scotland in Glasgow where a good time was had by all and the layout was awarded the Model Rail Scotland trophy for the best scenery/architecture on a layout at the show. Before you see the layout for yourself I would like you to use your imagination as we go on a quick trip around the model. The journey starts in the ten road storage sidings 8 of which are covered. As the train leaves the sidings we pass into Hassell Rode station which is a small station to serve the mining town of Hassell. The railway now runs over the oldest board on the model and don't we know it. These boards were built to last without weight in mind and they have lasted. As the platforms of the station are left behind we run under the colliery exhange sidings and then onto an embankment, where we come across our first bridge a two span lattice work girder bridge. Below this bridge we see one of the fisrt watering holes on the layout 'The Millstones' which is situated beside a tranquil stream where swans and other wildlife can be found. I am sure if we could we would all want to relax drinking a pint in this pub watching the trains pass by on a summers evening. However there is no time to daydream the journey must continue and as we leave the bridge we notice an engine shed comimg into view on our left which is still currently under construction. On our right we pass by a few buildings rescured from the previous layout these being a church, garage and signal box. Just as we are about to enter the most impreesive part of the layout the viaduct and bridge we notice a wagon incline which takes wagons down to the harbour below. As the railway passes onto the first viaduct the scenary start to slip away from us down towards the quay. As the first viaduct ends we pass on to the main feature of the model which is a 5ft 6in long hog back girder bridge which spans the harbour 3ft below, in 7mm this equates to 130ft. The bridge was constructed over two years out of plywood, laser cut and covered in plastic card. The bridge is a complete unit. The harbour scene includes a costal vessel unloading alongside a small quay which consits of a general merchandise warehouse compleate with dock railway and shunting loco. On the opposite bank there is a small boat house. As this is passed we exit from the other side of the brige and onto the second viaduct, at the end of which on the right hand side can be seen the second pub 'The Fox and Hounds' after passing by this pub the road is crossed by means of a level crossing which can be seen operated after the passing of a train. The railway then continues to pass over the final bridge on the layout over the canel where a busy wharf can be seen a blacksmith at work and two barges waiting to be loaded with coal from the colliery by means of a narrow gauge railway. Rounding the curve we enter onto the newest borads of the layout, where we have added a passing loop on each line. as the train passes by these it enters and tunnel and thus back into the storage sidings. Above the storage sidings we will find Hassell Hill Colliery, which is still under development with various buildings still needed and associated colliery clutter. There is also a village visable just in front of the loco shed where when compleate will be seen the 3rd and final pub 'The Collierys Arms'. The operation of the colliery can be seen as simple but effective to the public, empty wagons are pushed up from the exhange sidings behind Hassell Rode station. The wagons are then shunted under the screens where they are loaded, the loaded wagons are then sent back down to the exhancge sidings to be unloaded. There is much more to the layout that can not be described here, though, it can only be seen, such as the amout of cameos that are on the layout, the two sailors on the platform talking to the arp warden, the schoold girls who have missed the bus, and the hunt. The lord and associated guest out shooting for a day. I shall try and include photos of all these and many more. The model does not have a specific date in time, and as a result of this run trains from Victorian Britian right through to privitasation. We like to see the model as a test track with scenary and so as a result are happy for the public to test stock on the model at shows. So anything goes. Feel free to ask any questions you may have The O Gauge Edit 19/02/2017 Hello All, This post has been somewhat taken over by personal project rather than just focusing on the club layout of HHB. I shall continue to post updates on the HHB and the continue developments with the colliery. It shall however also feature personal modelling topics along with the two personal model railways both being in 00 gauge. These are Egyptian Hill which is a junction set somewhere on the outskirts of London. The other is the exhibition layout of Weaver Hill which depicts a modern section of 4 track mainline set somewhere in the UK. Updates on these projects can be seen towards the end of this thread. Benjamin Edit 19/02/2017 Hello All, This post has someone been taken over by personal project rather than just focusing on the club layout of HHB. I shall continue to post updates on the Edited January 27 by Benjamin Brady 8 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
artizen Posted March 6, 2012 Share Posted March 6, 2012 I remember this from a while back. There was a thread about building the bridge but the rest of the layout was never detailed. Do you have larger photos? I would love to see the rest of the layout in all its large as life fullscreen glory! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
bruced2 Posted March 6, 2012 Share Posted March 6, 2012 Saw this layout at Glasgow what a sight its awsome, glad you guys had a good time. Bruce Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Benjamin Brady Posted March 7, 2012 Author Share Posted March 7, 2012 Hi I shall be down the club on Friday as it is our running night, so I shall take some photos then, however while at the club there are no figures or signals on the layout but you should be able to get a feel for the layout. Benjamin Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Benjamin Brady Posted March 11, 2012 Author Share Posted March 11, 2012 Hi All I was unable to get any photos of the bridge from friday night as we ended up having loco trouble but I shall upload some photos from the layouts website. I Hope you all like. A3 PAPYRUS Croasses Hassell Harbour Bridge. A4 DOMINION OF CANADA Heads the Coronation over the Bridge. An N2 passes Hassell Rode North with an mixed goods. BR 45xx rattles over the bridge with a short goods. The Devon Belle hauled by PLYMOUTH as it was in 1948 races onwards. The Coronation rounds the curve before entering the viaduct. (The goods yard on the right of the photo is now where the engine shed is, photos to follow.) The new corner boards with the loops on. The Bridge. Here are a few more photos from our recent outing in Glasgow. A few guest locos on shed. The coster unloads at the quay. Two LNER Locos on shed, A3 PAPYRUS and B17 MANCHESTER CITY Passing at the loops. The colliery exchnage sidings. Uo the incline to the colliery. The screens and headgear at the colliery top. The colliery engine shed with Flourence No2 outside, the village is situated on the right of the photo. The narrow guage at the canal wharf. The colliery end of the narrow gauge. The exchange sidings once again. The Colliery once again. Two more LNER locos on shed. A class 26 passes the Fox and Hounds A class 26 passes Hassell Rode North box 8 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Benjamin Brady Posted March 16, 2012 Author Share Posted March 16, 2012 Hi all Been down the club tonight for anther running session, everything running well and time for a few shots of the layout, and some not so serious shots but all a bit of fun at the end of the day, I hope you enjoy. Benjamin 7 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trains&armour Posted March 17, 2012 Share Posted March 17, 2012 Nicely done model ! Sierd Jan Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Benjamin Brady Posted March 24, 2012 Author Share Posted March 24, 2012 Hi All Work has now commenced on the new colliery village for the layout (Pictures to follow) this will be situated in front of the colliery engine shed and when finished will have a pub and chip shop on it. The houses when in position on the layout shall face back to back with the ally looking down towars the engine shed. There is also other work going on with the layout at the momemnt such as more point rodding for the south signal box, and more items for the engine shed such as a coaling stage. We once again had a good running session last night down the club. Benjamin. 3 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Benjamin Brady Posted March 24, 2012 Author Share Posted March 24, 2012 Hi All Posting for the second time today, just been to visit one of our club members private layouts, I know it is not linked directly linked to Hassell Harbour Bridge but I thought I would post a few photos of my loco on his layout. Could quite easily be the Devon banks. Or the sea wall. The bridges on his layout. Benjamin 4 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Benjamin Brady Posted July 27, 2012 Author Share Posted July 27, 2012 Hi All Its been a while since I have posted on here but i thought it was about time that I got back round to posting about the layout and keeping you all informed on what is going on. The layout shall be being displayed at the Manchester museum of science and industry this weekend as part of a exhibition on modelling that they have on over the weekend. Benjamin Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Benjamin Brady Posted November 23, 2012 Author Share Posted November 23, 2012 Hi All Been a while since anything has been posted on here re-guarding the layout. As it stands there has not been a great deal of activity on the layout. Mainly just work on the senics, and ways to make cut down time in erection and strip down at exhibitions such as sticking figures down. The layout was a Peterborough during October and I believe a good time was had by all who attended the show with the layout. The next outing for the layout will be Wakefield on the 30th of November 1st and 2nd of December. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Benjamin Brady Posted February 3, 2013 Author Share Posted February 3, 2013 hi Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Benjamin Brady Posted February 3, 2013 Author Share Posted February 3, 2013 Hi all Sorry for the previous hi post me and the world of modern technology seem to be having a few disagreements today. Anyways onto the important things such as model railways. As some of you maybe aware there is currently a dvd of HHB out at the moment with BRM, I hope that those of you who have seen the dvd enjoyed it and for those wishing to see the layout in the flesh we shall be attending York show at Easter, which we are all looking forward to as it is usually a good weekend with plenty of places for refreshments in the evening. Attached are a few photographs taken by Kevin Tams at the Wakefield show. You will see from the photos that we stick to our principle of anything runs. Benjamin 6 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Benjamin Brady Posted February 25, 2013 Author Share Posted February 25, 2013 Hello all once again. As some of you may be aware the layout has recently appeared in Railway Modeller, not to bad at the moment for publicity two magazines in as many months. Anyway I hope you all enjoyed the article, if any of you have any questions arising from the article please feel free to ask any questions and I shall try and get back to you as soon as possible. We are getting geared up for York now that shall soon be upon us. Off topic I was at Model Rail Scotland this weekend and had a very enjoyable weekend I was especially a fan of Kielder Forest, an excellent model and shows as nice as big is the detail that can be captured in a small space is well shown. Makes you think Hassell Harbour Bridge is a little to big sometime, more a train set for playing trains. Benjamin Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Benjamin Brady Posted March 27, 2013 Author Share Posted March 27, 2013 Hi all, Just a quick update reguarding the layout, we are all ready for York show now the layout is packed up ready for collection in the lorry tomorrow, we are all looking forward to an enjoyable weekend, hope that those of you attending will enjoy the layout and the other exhibits as we are. I attach a few pictures of a detailed and weathered tower King (King Richard 1) ready for its outing on the layout over the weekend. Benjamin 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Benjamin Brady Posted May 21, 2013 Author Share Posted May 21, 2013 Hello all Just a quick update as to what is happening with the layout at the moment. Since I last posted we have attended York show which proved to be an enjoyable event with an excellt social evening proveided by by York club itself on the Saturday night. There were very few problems with the running of the layout on the saturday, by sunday though i think no one escacaped the wrath of the layout, with eveyone having stock that played up and points failing, normal running had resumed by Monday though. The next outing will be Barrow show. As for what is happening with the layout now, as of York our present layout manager Mike Sant stood down from this role, he has put in a stearling effot over the years and was presented with a well desrved bottle of whisky. The new role is being undertaken by Derek Osgood and Richard Brady, we all look forward to seeing the vision of the layout continue, and new ideas are always welcomed. The first item on the agenda for the layout is an alteration to the corner boards, the one with the engine shed and station on. The reason for this is because we have an engine shed in the middle of nowhere and an incline into an engine shed, this is something that needs to be address to make the layout move out of the fantys toy train set world. Anyway the plan is to convert this area into a good sidings with reception loop and shall hopefully completed for out next outing. Th other area to be address is the corner boards which currently contain the loops, there is not much happening on these boards and they are not used to their full potential, there are a few ideas floating about as to what is happen at this end, but one step at a time. ] I shall try and get some photos of the corner board progress up in soon. Benjamin Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Benjamin Brady Posted June 2, 2013 Author Share Posted June 2, 2013 Hi All I promised pictures in my last update and here they are. We have had a sunday running session down the club today, could not think of a better way to spend an afternoon myself just watching the trains go by, i'm sure many of you share this opinion. While I was down I took the liberty of taking a few photos of the layout and the area that is to re-developed and ongoing works on the layput such as the point rodding that is currently going in, this work is being undertaken by Mike Sant. I hope you all like the photos and if any of you would like any of specific areas of the layout feel free to ask, I'll be more than happy to get the snaps next tiem i'm down the club. Benjamin 5 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Benjamin Brady Posted June 2, 2013 Author Share Posted June 2, 2013 This image shows the area to be remodeled to create a goods yard complete with goodshed, I shall keep to topic updated with pictures of the progress of this area. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Benjamin Brady Posted June 2, 2013 Author Share Posted June 2, 2013 Pictures of the ongoing point rodding work. 6 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Benjamin Brady Posted June 2, 2013 Author Share Posted June 2, 2013 Last selection of photos for tonight, sorry I've posted a few times falling out with techonlogy tonight, but at the end of the day managed to get all the photos where I wanted them on here. 5 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Benjamin Brady Posted June 8, 2013 Author Share Posted June 8, 2013 Hello all Sorry this a bit late on in the day for you all as many of you may have plan now for your sunday, but for those of you who have no idea what to do tomorrow and are local to Alsager we are hosting an open day at the club for the layout. The layout will be running with all detail added, if you model in O gauge feel free to bring some of your own stock down to run on the layout. The club will be open from 1 o'clock onwards. We are just located off Moorhouse avenue in Alsager. http://www.streetmap.co.uk/map.srf?x=380350&y=356050&z=0&sv=380350,356050&st=OSGrid&lu=N&tl=ALSAGER%20RAILWAY%20ASSOCIATION%20CLUB&ar=y&bi=%7E&mapp=map.srf&searchp=ids.srf The link shows our location on the map. Unfortunatly I shall not be there tomorrow but here will be many more club members all willing to talk and would be more than happy to put your stock on. Many thanks Benjamin Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Benjamin Brady Posted July 6, 2013 Author Share Posted July 6, 2013 Hi All Just a quick update on the layout, there has not been a great deal of work going on recently, with having the open day we did not want to start on taking the track up in the engine shed until that was over, however work shall commence on that now and shall hopefully be convered into a goods yard for the Barrow railway exhibition. There has also been some work the embankment on the loop end of the layout, along with the continual addition of point rodding. Unfortunatly i've not been able to talk any more photos of the layout recently, as some of you may be aware there are also other project to be attending with aswell such as the shunting layout being build for a show at the end of this month. Benjamin Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Benjamin Brady Posted August 6, 2013 Author Share Posted August 6, 2013 Hello all There is not really a lot that I can say about the layout at the moment I myself have not been down to the club in a while with being away. I believe that the plan is to have the the goods yard area complete for our next show at Barrow on the last weekend of September. The engine shed has now been removed and I believe that the track have been realigned to accomadate a warehouse. I shall hopefully update with photos soon. Benjamin Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Benjamin Brady Posted August 31, 2013 Author Share Posted August 31, 2013 Hi all It's been a while since I have update this topic, but there is not a great deal happening on the layout at the moment it is mainly talking, the only noticiaable difference is where the goods yard is going to dip between the siding and engine shed has now been filled in ready for some indusrtrial building to be put in place. Also one of our new members has alter the rock face where the loops are and an ecellent job has been carried out. Unfortunatly I've not been able to get any photos but I shall hopefully have some in the next few weeks to undate the topic properly. Benjamin Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Benjamin Brady Posted October 25, 2013 Author Share Posted October 25, 2013 (edited) Hello all, It has been a long while since I have replied to this topic so I though it was high time that I did so and keep you all up to speed with what is happening with the layout so far, since my last post as always there has been a lot going on with the model. It has recently attended the model railway show at barrow hill, where as always a good time was had by all who attended, I was unfortunatly unable to attend this show, but shall hopefully be going on its next outing to Peterbourgh in Febuary next year. After the exhibition there was a meeting about what is to happen next on the layout, we have decided that we shall extend into the layout with senic boards the idea being to create a town around the station. We have also been keeping up with out usualy running sessions and the other day had a BR running session, I attach some photos of that day. Until next time Benjamin Edited June 14, 2017 by Benjamin Brady Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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