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Holiday dreams in the Forest of Dean...

James Hilton

Entry posted by James Hilton

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I've just got back from a lovely week in the Forest of Dean with the family.

Of course we visited the railway (and rode behind City of Truro - a real treat!) and that's where my fascination started... two books, six sketches and lots of doodling later and I've not worked up a suitable track plan, decided on a location, period or anything really but I was inspired and it's another layout plan on my 'one day' plan.

I've always had a soft spot for the GWR and in particular the Collet cab 57xx panniers...

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If these weren't over £100 I'd definitely now be getting my hands on one of these...

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Parkend, and in particular March End sidings (the Parkend branch) were particularly appealing - I even went back and walked the track bed...

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and this isn't blooming Cinderford (tired scanning and confused scribbling - it's Coleford)! Coleford had two stations and was particularly interesting if I had the space...

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So there we go... I'm mad aren't I!!

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  • RMweb Gold
SouthernRegionSteam
  • RMweb Gold

Mad? Nah, you're just like every other modeller!

Seriously though, that is some seriously good sketching! If I was able to draw like that... blink.gif I really like the subtle shading and the forced perspectives. I think everyone could learn a thing or two from these.

So when will this be built then? wink.gif

 

 

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F-UnitMad

Looking at your sketches, I think I know which books you've got..!! :D Still good drawings though!!

The Forest of Dean is a lovely place, only enhanced by the Railway, and my favourite area in the UK that I'd like to model someday too, so you're not mad... or at least, not alone!! The good Captain Kernow of this Parish is a fan of the F.o.D. too. The only problem is as you've found... which bit?!?! - it's all inspirational!! :unsure: :lol:

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-missy-

Hello James.

 

Those sketches certianly capture some atmosphere. Its a shame you ideas are going to sit on the shelf though.

 

Missy :)

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Taigatrommel

I have every intention of one day modelling the ex-Severn & Wye or Forest of Dean Railway. I grew up playing on the old trackbeds of the mineral loop and Forest of Dean Railway, the spoil tips of the Eastern United and Lightmoor collieries and Shakemantle Quarry. But when I do it it will have to be a real location, probably a bit of the Forest of Dean line between Ruspidge and Soudley. Its the one thing that could get me modelling steam.

 

Wonderful sketches, I must do more myself!

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  • RMweb Gold
bcnPete
  • RMweb Gold

Hi James - very nice drawings.

 

Which books do you have on the line? It looks to be a very interesting project.

 

Pete

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  • RMweb Gold
46444
  • RMweb Gold

Morning James,

 

Excellent sketching. I really like them, they really capture the atmosphere of the F of D.

 

March End Sidings certainly has a lot of potential for modelling and as you have noted Class 14's/25's were used after the end of steam.

 

A few years ago I kept toying with the idea of building a layout based around Berry Wiggins depot situated at the old Whimsey Station outside of Cinderford. I've still got the numberplates for 3737 and 8745! Although I sold all of my Bachmann Berry Wiggins tanks.

 

Literature wise, I guess the definitive works would be the four books published on the F of D/ S & W branches by Karau et al published by Wild Swan.

 

I've also a soft back A4 book called Steam in Dean by Ashworth, published by Lightmore Press. This book is excellent as Ben Ashworth's photographs are excellent.

 

Also, Ashworth wrote two books published by Sutton titled Last Days of Steam in Gloucestershire. These books have some good photos of the Forest as well.

 

All certainly inspiring and so much potential.

 

Hope to see something oneday!

 

Cheers.

 

Mark

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  • RMweb Gold
Donw
  • RMweb Gold

If they still do the branch line experience days it well worth it driving the pannier from Lydney to Norchard was magic.

The curve at Speculation ( now part of the cycleway) is about as near as you get to a model railway curve.

Also the stone blocks showing the old tramway routes are still visible in places. The blocks for a tramway point were visible up behind Mushets furnace and at point quarry there is a stone bridge where the tramway went under the railway.

Donw

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Will Vale

Just lovely. I imagine you'll find it hard to resist coming back to this at some point even if it does wait in the wings for a while...

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Pugsley

Very nice James. There is definitely something very inspirational about the Forest of Dean railways - I was over that way a couple of months ago and saw that it was oozing with potential.

 

Go on - another project on the go won't hurt ;) :D

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James Hilton

Wow this post has generated some interest! Thanks for all the positive comments and encouragement. I do enjoy sketching, it sort of formulates ideas in my mind somehow, if that makes sense. I've always drawn as long as I can remember - encouraged in primary school, mostly trains and planes. In High School I learnt technical drawing, perspective etc etc but I already could recreate these, just didn't know the theory - so this just sharpened me up. I enjoyed art, but always wanted things to be crisp and exact - so drawing is much more precise than working with paint (for me). I enjoy it and it's lovely to hear other people like them - anyone wanting full res scans for their personal use let me know - I'd be happy to share these with you for display.

Which books do you have on the line?

 

Pete - I have two... Branchlines around Lydney by Middleton Press and The Dean Forest Railway, Past and Present.

The first purchased from a local book shop in Monmouth and the second bought at the railway at Norchard.

 

Go on - another project on the go won't hurt ;) :D
I think the wife would beg to differ! Current projects...

  • Paint the hall, stairs and landing
  • Paint the garage and shed
  • Paint the spare room
  • Paxton Road
  • Meadow Lane
  • Rose Hill
  • Myriads of models on my workbench
  • New photo plank (provisionally called Paxton Yard - more on that later)
  • Mountainbike magazine production
  • Region leader for a car club
  • Full time job!

There you go! :)

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