Loch Awe - An overview...
Afternoon all,
Here’s an introduction to an idea for a follow up layout in 2mmFS. I had been debating whether to move into 7mm and progress further with my china clay layout however maybe there is one more 2mmFS layout in me before the eyes and patience give up
Partly inspired by the excellent Meanach in Model Rail recently, which has prior featured on here and been a favourite too, the lure of the Scottish period in BR Blue is too hard to resist. By staying with 2mmFS means an opportunity to create a ‘train in a landscape’ but keeping it within a size which could still be termed micro layout I have again turned to my favourite Ikea Lack shelves which provide the dimensional restraints. A good flick through of the two Ian Futers Scottish layout books revealed an image (usually just one is justification) of a class 27 passing through a station between a loch and a rock face. Unfortunately I can’t post It here so as to avoid copyright issues.
This photos was the spark and the research commenced. Situated on the scenic line to Oban, the station seemed to be at its heyday until closure in 1968, reopening in 1985 having been simplified to a single line and sprinters. Here is where a dollop of Rule No.1 comes in as this would probably not make for a great exhibition layout, however clearly loco hauled trains to Oban would have still run through it.
So my proposal is to use the 68 track plan but set it around mid eighties so I can run class 27’s and later class 37’s. One of the things that I think has been successful (from feedback) on my interpretation of Kyle of Lochalsh is the layering of the scenery - harbourside water at the front, station at the next level and then mountains in the backscene. This project uses the same ingredients however there will be a larger expanse of water at the front, station at the next level then the intruiging Loch Awe Hotel at high level in bas relief behind - all surrounded by trees, foliage and rock faces. I think this is also why St Ruth is such a popular layout on the circuit as it has similiar levels of depth and perspective
To put in context, here are a few images to begin with...
It’s an incredibly beautiful setting...
The hotel obviously has to form part of the model...
As usual, much has been pondered first by sketches to try and help make decisions. There will be one Lack 1100x260mm scenic board and two 590x260mm Lack fiddle yards. This will avoid having a joint halfway through the water I can also store the two FY’s in one box and the scenic box in another, not unlike Kyle.
Here’s a series of sketches undertaken recently...
Option 2 was chosen so as not to cramp the two sidings...
Option B avoids joints in the water...
Setting out the proportions...
Operations and track plan has been skewed slightly...
Presentation ideas and overall feel of layout...
Dimensions for fascia and viewing...
Following this I have emailed the Architects who undertook a refurbishment of the hotel to see if I can get copies of some drawings. Two emails later, still no replies so plan B will mean producing my own CAD drawing of it and building a representation from that. I need to try and purchase a few books on the line as there is not much photographic record in the early eighties presumably as the station was shut...Trains to Oban will include passenger, oil and mixed freight I assume.
Following this I have made a crude full scale mock up using foamboard from the work studio. As previous mock ups I have used the white balls as Architectural interpretation of trees so no gags about The Prisoner series again please
Here are some pics with a few trains laid out to give an impression...The footbridge will be modelled and possibly the signal cabin but I will be trying to convey glimpses of trains through the trees and foliage so the platforms will be kept pretty simple. The half station allows 3 coach trains (I have some pics of Large logo class 37’s on three coaches) which will fit nicely on each fiddle yard at either end. The two sidings allow for some shunting to add interest.
Google Earth overview...
Front on view of scenic section...
Overall shot...large expanse of water at front to be modelled...
I have more photos of the mock up but will perhaps save for a second follow up entry as I think I have exceeded the 10MB size limit...
The plan is to try and finish Meeth for the 2mmFS 60 years celebration in 2020 and that will be used as a test bed to improve my scenic landscape skills as Kyle is pretty urban!
As with Kyle, this again represents my interpretation of a place so is not meant to be an exact scale copy however it will hopefully have enough ingredients that people who have been there can recognise it...and in addition be an entertaining exhibition layout.
Would love to hear your feedback and thoughts on it,
Thanks, Pete
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