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Location
Bangor NI
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I'm really into the LMS scene, especially ex LNWR, LYR and MR lines in the 1930s-40s. It's an era too I am drawn to for the LNER and SR, and perhaps ought to settle one way or another on one of the three! I also have D&E interests, having grown up with BR blue traction. I do a lot of reading on narrow gauge, industrial and light railways, and have long visited lost lines as part of the hobby. All round railway nut really.
My modelling is mainly OO, but I dabble with 009, 5.5mm, and Gn15, and have just begun a small 0 gauge project too. A few years ago, after a long lull in railway modelling, I started experimenting by creating a small 'plank' layout called Spencer Park, which began life as a 1970s BR stabling point, and has since morphed into something NCB based set 'somewhere in the Midlands' (http://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/index.php?/topic/49742-spencer-park-from-1970s-br-to-1970s-ncb-somewhere-in-the-midlands/). At the same time, I was occupied, on and off, with a long-term loft layout project called Westburnham (http://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/index.php?/topic/50227-westburnham-1970s-80s-1930s-40s-combo-loft-layout/), but a house move has given me the opportunity to rethink things.
I have a much better loft space now than before, 21 feet by 8, floored and walled with a velux window and proper stairs access, so planning is under way. The current plan is for a 4-track mainline on one (long) side, 1930s-1940s, possibly based on the WCML at Cathiron or Brinklow in Warwickshire, north of Rugby, where I used to go trainspotting in my younger days. On the opposite (long) side I have yet to decide, but I'm considering a steam mpd that spans the 1940s-1960s, a time-span flexible enough to accommodate Big Four steam right through to green diesels. What to do then with my industrials, my early-crest ex-GW steam locos and my BR Blue diesels?! We'll see.
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Fictional Yorkshire - LMS or LNER?
tractionman replied to Reptilian Feline's topic in Modelling Questions, Help and Tips
I've always thought the southern approaches to York would be very modellable for LNER and LMS interests https://davidheyscollection-static.myshopblocks.com/images/cm/7105ebf7baf1a56ca01b516e2921af07.jpg https://davidheyscollection.myshopblocks.com/pages/david-heys-steam-diesel-photo-collection-06-railway-centre-york -
To get an idea of scale size I use the historic Ordnance Survey plans on the NLS website and its measuring tool to calculate distances https://maps.nls.uk/geo/explore/#zoom=16.72813881706846&lat=51.23672&lon=-0.58070&layers=168&b=1 Then a scale conversion. Hope this helps. All the best, Keith
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A seventies and eighties focus does it for me, looking forward to this issue dropping through my letterbox. Cheers, Keith
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Bargain Hunters Mark 2
tractionman replied to newbryford's topic in Modelling Questions, Help and Tips
from Kernow: https://www.kernowmodelrailcentre.com/p/64218/4S-018-009-Dapol-B4-0-4-0T-Steam-Locomotive-Number-87 4S-018-009 Dapol B4 0-4-0T Steam Locomotive Number 87 in Southern Wartime £ 76.95 Saving £33.05 (30.05%) on RRP (£110.00) -
possibly a slightly revised delivery for: https://www.hattons.co.uk/433586/oxford_rail_or76j27001_class_j27_0_6_0_1010_in_lner_black/stockdetail.aspx the one I am interested in is due around the same time: https://www.hattons.co.uk/433590/oxford_rail_or76j27004_class_j27_0_6_0_1214_in_l_ner_lined_black/stockdetail.aspx 'Due into stock between April 2021 & June 2021', according to Hattons. cheers, Keith
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it's a nice looking loco, 'Lion', here in 1930 from Flickr (live link): cheers, Keith
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Ex-gwr BLT. New uni layout?
tractionman replied to Horsehay Railway Modeller's topic in Layout & Track Design
Well how about Tweedale, close to the Madeley branch... https://maps.nls.uk/geo/explore/#zoom=16&lat=52.64414&lon=-2.44132&layers=6&b=1 Cheers, Keith -
Ex-gwr BLT. New uni layout?
tractionman replied to Horsehay Railway Modeller's topic in Layout & Track Design
I always think it's best to look for name inspiration from the localities themselves, the NLS web-map viewer and historic six-inch scale OS maps are handy for this, eg: https://maps.nls.uk/geo/explore/#zoom=16&lat=52.63035&lon=-2.49964&layers=6&b=1 cheers, Keith -
This one? Looks fantastic! All the best, Keith
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That's right, expected this week at Rails https://railsofsheffield.com/groups/3373/new-from-graham-farish-Bachmann-due-soon- Cheers, Keith
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60s Industrial Steam (i.e. non-BR)
tractionman replied to Trev52A's topic in UK Prototype Discussions (not questions!)
Great shot of the level crossing and is that a Commer van? Very atmospheric! https://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/index.php?/topic/150114-60s-industrial-steam-ie-non-br/&do=findComment&comment=4331667 -
Your favourite heritage railway stations
tractionman replied to papagolfjuliet's topic in Preservation
Mmm yes Bury Bolton Street during an ELR diesel gala is a great spot, gets close to really conjuring up the good old days (70s/early 80s for me) with all the comings and goings and buzz, it's been too long since I was last there for the July diesel gala, so really looking forward to the next time. Cheers, Keith -
Not sure it's quite the same but I've gone for this stuff for similar reasons https://www.screwfix.com/p/vitrex-premier-wood-laminate-underlay-boards-5mm-9-76m/68038 though it's quite easily dented and I'm still pondering how best to stick it down, I've actually bought enough for two layers so I can cut sections to build up a track bed. Any thoughts on a suitable adhesive for this sort of stuff? Cheers, Keith
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Your favourite heritage railway stations
tractionman replied to papagolfjuliet's topic in Preservation
Levisham is pretty special, so too for me is Arley on the SVR, for branch line charm, but so too Rothley, lots of happy memories watching the trains and drinking tea on the platform from the little cafe there. Looking forward to seeing these gems again... Cheers, Keith -
Good to see the video, thanks for posting this--I'm not completely taken with the livery, I'd have preferred to see it in Sage Green, but your video has helped a lot in my mulling this one over! all the best, Keith