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One of the things I have at last realised is that new techniques and technology now make it much easier to start my first (and last) layout.   My early days were in the era of heavy 2x1 baseboards with chipboard, Sundalea or ply, heavy lighting systems, and all the problems of electrical wiring and achieving smooth running.  I now realise that baseboards can be made very light, LED lights have transformed illumination, and battery powered locos with radio control from an iPhone eliminate all the problems of dirty track, wiring faults and jerky running.

 

I have done some research/Googling but does anyone please have any advice or recommendations about using LED light strips on a layout eg positioning, illumination, need for reflective surface etc?  And if I have only a few permanently coupled locos/short trains, can I skip DCC and go straight for radio control and battery power?

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Why call the proposed layout Atlantic Dock?  You will find an Atlantic Dock Junction on old railway maps but no Atlantic Dock.   This is because a Liverpool Dock was called Atlantic Dock during its construction The dock was built by George Fosbery Lyster between 1874-82.  During its construction, the dock was known briefly as Atlantic Dock for about a year.   However, the dock was then officially named Alexandra Dock when opened in 1881 and was named in honour of Queen Alexandra.  I could call the layout 'Princes Dock' as this is the main area inspiring it.    But it won't be an exact copy.   'Riverside' would be a suitably generic title but would be confused with the former MDHB Riverside Station nearby.   So 'Atlantic Dock' sounds authentic, has not been used before, and reflects the Port of Liverpool's position and the strong North American influence on the city.

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9 hours ago, Michael Edge said:

Atlantic Dock Junction was on the Bootle branch, Jack Nelson made a diorama of this many years ago. As you say the name is very appropriate.

 

Yes, and I've always been interested in this location ever since the Jack Nelson diorama featured in a railway magazine.  Some pictures on this earlier thread: 

 

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I've learn't quite a bit about lightweight construction, backscenes and lighting by studying Gordon Gravett's 7mm Arun Quay layout.   Am I alone in spending more time looking underneath and behind layouts, rather than the front of them?!

 

Arun Quay LED.jpg

Edited by Stephenwolsten
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On 04/06/2019 at 11:47, Michael Edge said:

Atlantic Dock Junction was on the Bootle branch, Jack Nelson made a diorama of this many years ago. As you say the name is very appropriate.

 

I have tracked down articles covering  Jack Nelson's diorama of Atlantic Dock Junction (and others) in Model Railways Magazine, November and December 1972.   How time flies!

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John Gahan's book portrays the railways along and over Liverpool's 'dock road' in a very evocative style.   I was fortunate to record an extensive video interview with him in Liverpool before he died.   His memory was as sharp as ever and his passion for the Overhead Railway very obvious.

gahan.jpg

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1 hour ago, Stephenwolsten said:

John Gahan's book portrays the railways along and over Liverpool's 'dock road' in a very evocative style.   I was fortunate to record an extensive video interview with him in Liverpool before he died.   His memory was as sharp as ever and his passion for the Overhead Railway very obvious.

 

 

Lovely bloke John - I knew him through the railway connection as he also photographed the Bootle Branch (Edge Hill - Bootle Junction) including the old Tuebrook signal box and used to tell the story of it's demolition - a G2 with a stout rope tied around the box supports (it was on an embankment) and reverse gear

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Just north of that area abutting Regent Road and Grove Street was a timber yard in the 1960s.  I worked for the company that operated from there, Hunter Fowles, during 3 Summer holidays in my student days.  It was strenuous stuff but did wonders for my physique and visits from Jinties on shunting duty maintained the railway interest.

 

Stan

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Remains of signal at Princes Dock.   I read that the cable was run along at a height, to avoid getting caught up in dock movements and storage.   The weight was therefore up there too.

 

princesdocksignal.jpg

Edited by Stephenwolsten
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