Engine Wood

Really starting to look the part now Tim! To my eye's this is starting to ooze the same sort of atmosphere that Geoff Kent manages to create from his layouts, excellent work!!

Coming together nicely Captain.

 

Of interest, why the name "Dando" on the lorry?

Where does that wonderful row of houses go? I certainly agree with Paul, atmosphere is being generated, wonderful stuff!

 

Mike

Increasingly impressive - despite Coopercraft's dismal rendition of a pre-War AEC (sorry Tim, personal hobby horse, and a working late '30s lorry is pushing it by even the early '60s) - and I especially like that open space in front of the goods shed; too often we try and crowd too much into out models. Fifth picture down shows where the cottages go I think Mike (clue's on the baseboard!).

 

Adam

Coming together nicely Tim. There's a real sense of atmosphere developing even at this early stage.

 

Isn't it written in tablets of stone that you must have a Coopercraft AEC on your layout!

 

 

Thanks for kind comments, folks. Both vehicles borrowed from Engine Wood, although the van is likely to return to Callow Lane when it's complete. Point taken re age of AEC, Adam, (and road vehicles definitely not a strong suit here), but it's the only flatbed lorry in the box at the moment to pose on the incomplete layout!

 

What would be a more suitable flatbed for the early/mid-1960s, out of interest, and where can one obtain a suitable model?

Where does that wonderful row of houses go? I certainly agree with Paul, atmosphere is being generated, wonderful stuff!

Mike, as Adam indicated, the space for two of the four rows of cottages is in one of the photos.

 

Until I've finished the 'ground work' and weathering of the track, nothing is getting permanently fixed down.

 

The first things to be permanently glued in place will be the central over bridge and the four retaining walls next to it. The scenery can then be built up around the central feature of the bridge and retaining walls, and this will include three of the rows of cottages.

Sorry for banging on about the lorry - it's a nice kit, but a poor model. I guess it depends what business Dando's in as to the type of lorry he might buy. Had he bought an AEC pre-war, my guess is that he'd have been regularly driving it reasonable distances, they were quality motors. As such, assuming he had a fleet of vehicles, he'd probably have had it nationalised as part as BRS and his late '30s AEC would probably have been scrapped by them about the time of 'denationalisation' c. 1952. If he'd stayed in the haulage business he might have bought any number of middle weight lorries. There's a range to be had from Road Transport Images and though the cabs, wheels and chassis are good, I'd give the resin flatbeds a miss. RTI will be at Warley if you're going and Frank Waller (a retired transport manager) really knows his stuff.

 

If he were a simple coal merchant or carrier with one or two vehicles, or a bigger operator doing delivery work, it's unlikely he'd have bought anything as posh as an AEC in the first place, something like a Bedford, Ford Thames or an Austin or Morris Commercial is more likely and he'd probably have kept going with similar vehicles.

 

By your period, the ubiquitous Bedford TK (introduced 1960) would be a good bet for any operator running a flatbed. Oxford diecast do a good one of course and dull though it is, they seem to have been typical. A Ford Thames (EFE) wouldn't be unusual and nor would the replacement Ford D series (the best available is probably the Road Transport Images version).

 

Adam

Mr Dando is actually a local coal merchant in North Somerset, and really only operates in the Engine Wood area, although he's been known to have taken his lorry down to the Somerset Levels for the odd load of bagged peat on occasions....

 

He won't be making any regular visits to South Gloucestershire, not since his second cousin emigrated to Camborne in the mid-1950s...

 

Thanks Adam for your very helpful comments regarding an alternative, as I definitely need a coal merchant's flatbed for the other yard at Callow Lane, I'll respond to your PM.

Looks really great!