Stephenwolsten Posted April 22, 2020 Author Share Posted April 22, 2020 (edited) Counting bricks on photographs to estimate dimensions of the MDHB engine shed and making an initial drawing expressed in terms of number of brick courses and brick lengths: Edited October 15, 2022 by Stephenwolsten 4 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Michael Edge Posted April 23, 2020 RMweb Premium Share Posted April 23, 2020 Good to see this actually appearing now. 1 3 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
hayfield Posted April 23, 2020 Share Posted April 23, 2020 I have been popping in and out of this thread, must say very interesting project Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold beast66606 Posted April 23, 2020 RMweb Gold Share Posted April 23, 2020 Some scenes from the docks here Stephen if you haven't seen the video 5 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stephenwolsten Posted April 23, 2020 Author Share Posted April 23, 2020 (edited) 7mm cobbles produced by Giles Favell using his latest embossing tool. Source: Giles' Flickr site. See also Giles in RMweb. Edited April 24, 2020 by Stephenwolsten 5 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stephenwolsten Posted April 23, 2020 Author Share Posted April 23, 2020 More progress with track work by Monk's Gate Models: 7 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Michael Edge Posted April 23, 2020 RMweb Premium Share Posted April 23, 2020 How are you going to inset this then? The MD&HB used a heavy type of tram rail section with the checkrail formed in the head. The moulded chairs will get in the way as far as I can see. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stanley Melrose Posted April 23, 2020 Share Posted April 23, 2020 At 22 minutes 30 seconds in the video (2 posts earlier) there is a fleeting glimpse of the back of a 15 year old in a maroon blazer. I can report that the wearer was me! The next post showing an Austin 7 reminded me that my first car was a 1934 Austin 7 in exactly those colours. Registration was ED8412. It's still in existence as far as I know but based in Newcastle on Tyne. Memories! Cheers, Stan 5 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stephenwolsten Posted April 30, 2020 Author Share Posted April 30, 2020 (edited) On 23/04/2020 at 18:43, Michael Edge said: How are you going to inset this then? The MD&HB used a heavy type of tram rail section with the checkrail formed in the head. The moulded chairs will get in the way as far as I can see. Yes Mike, you are of course correct in describing the type of rail used on the MDHB system. I am not a permanent way expert but think that the rail, flangeway and 'check rail' was cast as a single head. Richard Ellis and I spent a considerable time discussing this feature, recognising its importance for the appearance and accuracy of the diorama. The ultimate decision was mine and reflected my need to compromise in terms of time and cost. I have chosen to represent the check rail as a cosmetic strip of Plasticard or similar, with the setts in-between, rather than a full-blown continuous metal check rail. If we had decided on a continuous check rail or some other representation of tram track then yes, moulded chairs would be in the way. The chairs should not be visible with this compromise method and I will post a picture when we have reached this stage of construction. Edited October 11, 2022 by Stephenwolsten Track images added. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stephenwolsten Posted April 30, 2020 Author Share Posted April 30, 2020 Track awaiting cosmetic treatment. 6 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Michael Edge Posted May 1, 2020 RMweb Premium Share Posted May 1, 2020 9 hours ago, Stephenwolsten said: Yes Mike, you are of course correct in describing the type of rail used on the MDHB system. I am not a permanent way expert but think that the rail, flangeway and 'check rail' was cast as a single head. Richard Ellis and I spent a considerable time discussing this feature, recognising its importance for the appearance and accuracy of the diorama. The ultimate decision was mine and reflected my need to compromise in terms of time and cost. I have chosen to represent the check rail as a cosmetic strip of Plasticard or similar, with the setts in-between, rather than a full-blown continuous metal check rail. If we had decided on a continuous check rail or some other representation of tram track then yes, moulded chairs would be in the way. The chairs should not be visible with this compromise method and I will post a picture when we have reached this stage of construction. You might find that a lot more difficult than you imagine - and the turned in ends of checkrails and wing rails will be very visible, neither of which existed on MD&HB track. Incidentally I've got all the bogie mouldings done for your LOR train, send me a pm or email with the address to post them to. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stephenwolsten Posted May 3, 2020 Author Share Posted May 3, 2020 Progress with the MDHB workshop (which will be partially modelled). Richard Ellis' window is particularly skilful. [The corner edge has since been finished]. 9 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stephenwolsten Posted May 4, 2020 Author Share Posted May 4, 2020 More progress...... 12 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stephenwolsten Posted May 7, 2020 Author Share Posted May 7, 2020 Building up the depth of colour and rust detail, courtesy of Monk's Gate Models: 7 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stephenwolsten Posted May 9, 2020 Author Share Posted May 9, 2020 Amazing construction and weathering of Slaters' corrugated iron, by Monk's Gate Models: 10 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marshall5 Posted June 1, 2020 Share Posted June 1, 2020 I was doing some scanning and thought that this image of Princes Dock may be of interest although it is a couple of hundred yards south of the area modelled. Looking at the military vehicles in the bottom left hand corner I'm guessing 1940's. The photo is full of atmosphere, coal fired ferry boats, a Sentinel steam wagon and horse-drawn drays. Enjoying seeing the progress on your model. Cheers, Ray. 5 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stephenwolsten Posted July 20, 2020 Author Share Posted July 20, 2020 (edited) The next sequence of photos will show the complete process of design, manufacture, construction and painting of the transit shed for the diorama. The first picture shows enlarged research photographs being used to count the number of brick courses, to estimate dimensions. These calculations are then used to produce an annotated drawing expressed in terms of x brick lengths and y brick widths. Edited October 15, 2022 by Stephenwolsten 3 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stephenwolsten Posted July 20, 2020 Author Share Posted July 20, 2020 (edited) Using my brick calculations, Monk's Gate Models converts this information into General Arrangement drawings and then CAD drawings for laser cutting. This picture shows the manufactured parts for the transit shed. The front wall had altered brickwork and a sliding door. Edited October 6, 2022 by Stephenwolsten 4 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stephenwolsten Posted July 20, 2020 Author Share Posted July 20, 2020 (edited) This picture shows the assembled parts. Edited October 6, 2022 by Stephenwolsten 5 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
simontaylor484 Posted July 20, 2020 Share Posted July 20, 2020 Good to see some more progress on this layout Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stephenwolsten Posted July 20, 2020 Author Share Posted July 20, 2020 (edited) Superb signwriting and weathering of the sliding door, by Richard Ellis of Monk's Gate Models. I now know what a lumper is! Edited October 18, 2022 by Stephenwolsten 8 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stephenwolsten Posted July 20, 2020 Author Share Posted July 20, 2020 (edited) Work in progress on the dock wall and gates. For the architects , this is one of several gates built in buff sandstone by dock engineer Jesse Hartley, in the classical style of his predecessor, Foster. They are "square in plan and have pitted rusticated bases, which chamfer to battered ashlar shafts and have gabled caps with acroteria"! Edited October 6, 2022 by Stephenwolsten 9 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stephenwolsten Posted July 22, 2020 Author Share Posted July 22, 2020 The dock boundary wall is a striking feature because of its grand scale, both in length and height, and because of its purpose to inhibit theft and smuggling. It was built over a period of approximately 30 years by different dock engineers. It varies in height and materials along its length of approximately 2.75 km., but is generally around 5.5m high and is a strong linear feature, making a crucial contribution to the local distinctiveness of this part of Liverpool. Its purpose was to control rather than prevent access from the town into the docks, and the monumental gateways with their heavy wooden gates sliding in iron guide rails effectively made the docks into a fortress-like stronghold. The design of the various gate piers demonstrate a fascinating progression from Foster’s early classical style to Jesse Hartley’s whimsical turrets. Princes Half-Tide Dock began as a tidal basin but was extensively modernised around 1868, when two passages and a barge lock were installed, allowing small vessels to come and go at a wider range of states of the tide. Prior to the alterations, the dock boundary wall had been extended further north on the landward side, in similar brick between 1841 and 1848 to provide security for the Dock Railway, which was used for the construction of further docks to the north. The North Gate to Docks 28-31 Victoria, Princes and Waterloo, the Gate to Victoria and Trafalgar Docks, and the Gate to Clarence Dock and the Gate to Clarence and Clarence Graving Dock are all built by Hartley in buff sandstone in classical style established by Foster. They are square in plan and have pitted rusticated bases, which chamfer to battered ashlar shafts and have gabled caps with acroteria. I chose to have this style of gate pier modelled as it was more ornate than Foster's design, but more representative of the Princes Dock area than the granite rubble masonry piers with Doric caps found nearby. 3 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
simontaylor484 Posted July 22, 2020 Share Posted July 22, 2020 On 20/07/2020 at 16:24, Stephenwolsten said: Superb signwriting and weathering of the sliding door, by Richard Ellis of Monk's Gate Models. I now know what a lumper is! That is a brilliant piece of workmanship. Lumpers must be general cargo handling in this case. I believe it is a term used for handling fish in the east coast ports 5 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stephenwolsten Posted August 25, 2020 Author Share Posted August 25, 2020 (edited) More encouraging progress by Monk's Gate Models on view. This picture shows the completed boundary wall, police hut and the concrete lamp posts which were a feature of the dock estate. My 16 June 2019 post shows an actual lamp post. Edited October 6, 2022 by Stephenwolsten 11 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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