steve1 Posted March 4, 2016 Share Posted March 4, 2016 (edited) Those of you that know the reputation of our small East Riding based group, know that we occasionally like to take on what might best be termed 'interesting' layout building challenges.... mainly in the interest of having an excuse to drink lots of tea and eat copious amounts of cake and biscuits...........so much so that we have averaged 3-4 new or rebuilt layouts per year in the 7 or more years since we formed… I’d give you an accurate total on the layouts but that would involve me taking my shoes and socks off…… Such challenges in the past have ranged from creating large fully working scenic exhibition layouts from scratch in a mere 6 weeks to taking a large hammer and big saw to Martin Wales's D&E era 'Kinmundy' layout and reformatting and reworking the mere bare bones that remained it into the highly detailed and wintery 'Kinfrosty' layout it is today..............whilst never actually telling him what we were going to do to it! So without further rambling let me introduce you to our latest dietary excuse 'Network Rail - Betton Street'. To coin a phrase........Here's one we didn't make earlier.......... The layout's owner and initial builder of this model used the Network Rail maintenance facility built at Shrewsbury a few years back on a former goods yard site (just off Betton Street - hence the name) for the purposes of servicing and maintaining the fleet of Network Rail yellow class 37's used on the test trains on the Cambrian lines as his inspiration. Though, instead of the neighbouring Network rail (PW and S&T) depot of the prototype, a basic set of DMU stabling sidings and a rather bland flat of a modern warehouse have been used as a backdrop. The former giving a little more operational variety perhaps but like the warehouse providing little in the way of interesting detail. Not helped perhaps by the sea of grey ballast that the rest of the layout consists...... an indication of the models rather rapid initial construction (it was quickly finished for the one and only show it has done thus far some time prior to the owners move into our neck of the woods.). Our initial survey of the layout shows that bland looks aside, in a surprise for one of our projects, it is really well put together and as such should in theory provide the base for making in look and work a lot better than it does at present, in very little time at all, and given it is due to appear at the Barmates show in Bridlington in May, we really have too! So feel free to comment, send cake, ask questions, point out where we have gone wrong or more likely lost the plot and most of all hang on to your seats as given out previous builds this could be an interesting ride......... Here are a few pics, starting with a prototype one to give the general idea and then on to some of the layout with which we started. And here are the artist's impressions of what we are intending to produce: Further updates as and when... steve Edited November 25, 2017 by steve1 11 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
class"66" Posted March 6, 2016 Share Posted March 6, 2016 Looks very nice!! wil follow this now. thanks neil. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
GRUNFOS Posted March 6, 2016 Share Posted March 6, 2016 I live about 5oo yards from the depot, there's been quite a bit of late night 37 action on the Cambrian recently, if you need any pics let me know. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
steve1 Posted March 6, 2016 Author Share Posted March 6, 2016 Next Chapter Before any of our work can start........or demolition for that matter!!........we put the kettle on (well its best not to rush these things!), do some research (if the layout is prototype inspired as here) and scribble some ideas down on paper, a beermat or back of a laptop so as to help visualise what the finished model could be like. A few slices of cake and a group chat later and here’s the rough overall sketch of how we visualise the updated model could potentially look if we incorporate more of the detail of the real servicing facility plus a low relief representation of the buildings of the Network rail depot of the prototype into the scheme......which will hopefully completely kill the bland grey look of the layout as delivered. ...and likewise an overhead look showing the reformatted scheme (which shows that the existing track work remains exactly as it is on the layout at present but also how in order that the new scenic additional work - how we need to widen the layout slightly along the rear of the visible section and add a short scenic only section to the right hand end. The layouts owner seemed somewhat stunned at this point as only 20 minutes had passed since it was unpacked ........so we ignored him and moved onto demolition! With the owner by this time rocking gently and mumbling to himself in a corner of the room at the speed of which a plan had been conceived to significantly upgrade his existing layout, we set to work. This proved to be a quick process in itself as, in this case, most of the existing hand-built structures were to be retained for reuse and there was very little other than various shades of ballast to remove.So, there was no employing large claw hammers and saws to smash and destroy (as happened with Kinmundy). In this case a mere half an hour later and all of the unwanted areas of ballast had been cleaned away and we could see what foundations with which we had to work.As we were planning to both lengthen and widen the layout, the back scenes were also removed for cleaning and repainting (again a quick job as they proved to be only held in place with a handful of screws and the overspill of the ballasting glue mix). So far so good as the layout is not putting up a fight and coping far better with the speed of its upgrade process than it owner........! And pics steve 6 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
clifford1981 Posted March 6, 2016 Share Posted March 6, 2016 hi i have multiple photos of coleham depot as was looking into building it myself! i have some unique/very interesting photos that maybe useful to yourselves of the tamper siding-there are some things that lend to much detailing if you need them give me a shout. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
class"66" Posted March 7, 2016 Share Posted March 7, 2016 Looking forward to more from this now.. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
steve1 Posted March 7, 2016 Author Share Posted March 7, 2016 With the first night's planning and demolition fun a mere memory, the rebuilding and detailing started on night two. Note the layout's owner, Richard, has actually recovered enough to work on his own layout! (First pic) Grass grows quickly in our parts and the observant of you might have noticed that a frame of 2x1 has been added to the rear of the layout to widen the scenic area to the rear of the track and the original backscenes reaffixed more securely! Whist a modicum of dry brush weathering made the existing concrete roadways look.....well more concrete like! steve 7 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold big jim Posted March 7, 2016 RMweb Gold Share Posted March 7, 2016 I live about 5oo yards from the depot, there's been quite a bit of late night 37 action on the Cambrian recently, if you need any pics let me know. i'll try not to wake you at 4am later tonight when i take the 97s off the cambrian back to bescot! steve: whats the origin of the nissen hut shed, i'm after something like that (exactly like that) for my layout 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
steve1 Posted March 7, 2016 Author Share Posted March 7, 2016 Big Jim, It was scratchbuilt by the owner, Richard. Maybe I can twist his arm into adding some words about it. steve Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold big jim Posted March 7, 2016 RMweb Gold Share Posted March 7, 2016 that would be appriciated, even if just to find out what materials were used as it looks spot on Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
steve1 Posted March 8, 2016 Author Share Posted March 8, 2016 Base of colour tinted tile adhesive going in as foundation for cinder track roadway and start made on security fencing around the locomotive servicing facility. Plus lifting beam, based on prototype, under construction. steve 7 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
steve1 Posted March 9, 2016 Author Share Posted March 9, 2016 Roadway base topped with mix of the boiler sweepings of a domestic pellet burning heating boiler, paint and hairspray...... then when the loose stuff is lightly brushed off and the surface is sealed with dilute pva, this leaves a realistic looking potholed surface. steve 8 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
steve1 Posted March 11, 2016 Author Share Posted March 11, 2016 Extension work starting and shell of large s&t stores building trialled in the backdrop. Plus reworked and detailed network rail road vehicles tried for size on the new roadways. The crane is now finished and installed. steve 12 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
d winpenny Posted March 13, 2016 Share Posted March 13, 2016 looking great david Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
steve1 Posted March 13, 2016 Author Share Posted March 13, 2016 (edited) Extension work starting and shell of large s&t stores building trialled in the backdrop. Plus reworked and detailed network rail road vehicles tried for size on the new roadways.With the scenic area now extended both in length and width and the basic ground covers in where needed we have already started adding the fine details like waste bins and rainwater filled potholes in some of the more complete areas. This may seem a little backwards (AAF as we generally call it in these parts – you work it out!), when so many of the structures and other part that make up the main parts of the model are still to be completed but is essential time saver in this case as we are working to a tight deadline. It is why we plan and discuss our layouts (or rebuilds) over tea and a sugar rush in advance........... cake really is the power behind our layouts. steve Edited March 13, 2016 by steve1 11 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
class"66" Posted March 14, 2016 Share Posted March 14, 2016 (edited) Like how you made your "rough road" Edited March 14, 2016 by class"66" Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Derekstuart Posted March 14, 2016 Share Posted March 14, 2016 Steve it has been a real privilege to read this thread. Not only for the work shown, but also the comical delivery. I too am quite impressed with that road. I must go and try to copy that idea learn from that idea. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
steve1 Posted March 15, 2016 Author Share Posted March 15, 2016 A few poor quality phone shots (the camera battery died!), but hopefully they still show that even at this early stage how the details we are adding, when combined with the correct stock for the layout (albeit with the Vi-trains version of the yellow livery) brings the layout to life even though it is far from complete.Everyone has been busy on their respective work benches too, as the old goods shed now sports a complete and new roof created from the handy and easy to use self adhesive tiles by York Model Maker, plus the scratch built shell of the first of the pair of very large portacabins that provide for the staff mess, shower and changing facilities for the servicing facility has arrived too but still has a long way to go (not to mention gaining it partner) before it can be permanently added to the model. The layout's owner Richard is looking a lot more happy and a lot less worried these days at the progress we are making. steve 7 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold big jim Posted March 16, 2016 RMweb Gold Share Posted March 16, 2016 I was in coleham earlier having a site induction and I showed the depot boss the pics of betton st and he was very impressed with it! I can now officially take locos on the real place now! 9 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
steve1 Posted March 18, 2016 Author Share Posted March 18, 2016 Another busy nights work on the layout thanks in the main to the two most important things to our modelling………….. firstly the layouts owner wasn’t there!!(tee hee)! and secondly we had and a packet of chocolate digestives ......... We are now at the point where details like the oil storage tank taking shape but the really observant of you might notice that the blandly painted white backdrop has actually gained a faint hint of a sky about it thanks to a few minutes work with a cheap set of artist's acrylic paints.Whereas elsewhere what looks at first to be some kind of cobbled together level crossing has been installed........... which in reality is a railing point for Network Rails 'Roadrail' vehicles ......... and yes photos we have show the prototype to be made out of a mix of rubber roadway (no doubt recycled from some level crossing somewhere) and a few planks of timber! As for the much commented on track way, here are the first stages of a bit more of it under construction………,messy but fun (and the finished surface will need sealing with dilute pva once dry). steve 8 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
steve1 Posted March 18, 2016 Author Share Posted March 18, 2016 By the way. Thanks for all the photo offers but we are well supplied at present. steve Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
d winpenny Posted March 19, 2016 Share Posted March 19, 2016 More great work David Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
class"66" Posted March 21, 2016 Share Posted March 21, 2016 Realy looking good now!!! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
steve1 Posted March 22, 2016 Author Share Posted March 22, 2016 Another evening's work (and a packet of choc chip cookies) and hopefully you can now see how the layout is starting to take shape.............At this rate the owner who hasn't seen it for a week won't recognise it! The shell of the S&T stores building taking shape now you should be able to now see the overall look that was shown on the concept sketches at the start of the thread is now taking its final shape (for the layouts original 2 boards at least).Certainly looks a lot different now from how it started out doesn't it? Still, with all this rapid progress we should still have to make time for the interesting side projects such as building this useful whitemetal Landrover kit but whilst doing it converting the result into into a model of this......... http://www.aquariusrail.com/road-rail-v ... work-rail/ steve 5 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
steve1 Posted March 30, 2016 Author Share Posted March 30, 2016 There are also some civilian vehicles due to appear on the layout. Here are a few of them: steve 5 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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