I remember both articles well, like you I looked up the 1978 one after reading Chris Ford's. I look forward to following this project.

I wasn't aware of Chris' book, thanks for that, must look it up. Is that @Ian Smith's Modbury on the cover? 

Thanks @Mikkel. I haven't found confirmation in the book yet (maybe I missed it), but the upper photo does indeed appear to be Ian's Modbury layout, very deservedly on the cover. The lower photo is, I'm pretty sure, the lovely Condicote by Bob Vaughan.

I'm very much enjoying Chris' book; some fascinating historic context, examples and step-by-step guidance on specific projects/builds. The other books are excellent as well - lots of inspiration and ideas. 

29 minutes ago, Ian Smith said:

Mikkel,

It is indeed an early view of Modbury!  A couple of years ago a friend who had bought the book alerted me to the fact that Modbury was shown on the cover (at the time I wasn’t aware of the book even existed!)

Ian

I think I'd be more than a little bamboozled to find a picture of a layout of mine on the cover of the book I didn't even know about.🙄

Thank you, Jimbo, much appreciated. I'll have another look at the issue. I was aware that Roy C Link was inspired by the Fairford branch, I'd assumed the terminus.

On 09/03/2023 at 18:27, Yan said:

I remember the original article in the RM very well as I followed Roy Links design and build a layout.

http://grogleyjunction.blogspot.com/2008/12/lost-layout.html

 

Since then Iain Rice developed the idea further with his Broadwell Green design and I've often thought about this as a project but it never came to fruition.

Will follow you progress with interest.

Yan, thanks - link and additional context both very helpful! Incidentally it's the second mention of Prototype Models' kits I've read this week; I'm starting to feel like I've missed out as the company seems to be long gone.

On 24/03/2023 at 08:53, jimbofin said:

You can still pick up the Prototype Models Kits, for instance from Antics https://anticsonline.uk/Category/Bilt-Eezi--Prototype-Card-Kits_N1940

I have a small stash from my own ideas for building an Em version of TAoC. However the printing, by modern standards, leaves a lot to be desired. I've even tried improving them in Photoshop with no success.

So my suggestions. First of all you could buy the kits and use them as a template, perhaps using some Scalescenes textures to replace the originals.
But on TAoC the buildings are very close to the viewer, so it might be worth using laser cut kits. York Model Rail do a suitable groundframe, though I would be tempted to put a signal cabin on the platform. Arch  Laser do a Fairford Goods shed.

Years ago, I got Lcut to produce a lasercut version of the platform building. Somewhere, in amongst packing cases, I still have the preproduction version.
And Intentio do a GWR weighbridge.

Hope this helps

Thanks jimbofin, sorry I didn't spot your comment earlier - it does indeed help! In the end I decided to take a different approach with the layout (which I've summarised in another blog post if you're interested) but it's useful to know about all those sources and suppliers as I'm hoping this layout will be the first of a bunch. The link was also useful - I can appreciate your point about the printing, judging by the listing photos, but there are some interesting building shapes in the range which could make a good 'skeleton' to overlay with texture sheets and detail packs. But not for this layout, probably, as I'm already struggling to find space for the structures I've already bought 😅😬