john flann Posted March 17, 2018 Share Posted March 17, 2018 (edited) Let me introduce my new layout, Hintock St Loe, a cameo Inglenook and here tell you how I am setting about its building. It is another standalone layout (like Port Bredy) and yet part of my Hintock Branch story. It's virtue is that is a handy size of 6'0 a 1'4, of light weight construction, is readily portable, will sit on a table, can be stored upright in a cupboard or similar, be available for operating-playing with-in an ordered manner at home or exhibition and will provide hours of entertainment. As well as intellectual exercise. What more could one ask? In my imagination the village of Hintock St Loe lies a mile or so to the north of Hintock Redux across the River Brede. Ancient in origin it is set among the verdant and attractive SW Dorset countryside and with the opening of the Hintock Branch became an increasingly pleasant place to live; for the railway gave ready access for business and pleasure to Hintock Redux itself (this was before the introduction of the motor car) and to Hintock Junction and from there to Dorchester, Weymouth and Yeovil (each with its main line connection). All my modelling sets out to do is to create an impression, the overall effect is that which i seek. Exactitude is not so important, what I want is that it shall "look right." The period is the 1930's, the GWR and SR operate the branch Jointly, and as ever in Hintock country it's a lovely English summers day. And, on a personal note the name is taken from the pretty and small village of Newton St Loe a few miles distant from Bath. There, sent by my parents I spent the summer school holidays in 1944 away from the worst of the German V1 and V2 bombardment of London. Holidays over I returned to it. While I knew full well what I wanted to create I needed to see how things would work out and this mock up broadly resembles it. The trick is to pull it off in all respects. That is for subsequent posts. Edited March 17, 2018 by john flann 10 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andrew P Posted March 17, 2018 Share Posted March 17, 2018 Excellent John, I do love that sweep into the Station. What size will the Staging Yard be? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
john flann Posted March 17, 2018 Author Share Posted March 17, 2018 Andy, thanks and happy you approve. Present intentions are that it will stand alone and be used as an Inglenook. I'll get that built first. Nice idea though. A bit depends on space but it would be readily possible to add small staging yards (sector plates perhaps,) at either end, and make it into an attractive through station. I'll see what length of wall there is available. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter Kazmierczak Posted March 17, 2018 Share Posted March 17, 2018 Looking good John. Just one thought. You mention it being light-weight, but with all the buildings etc on the completed model, 6ft x 1ft 4in is going to be rather a large single board to shift around. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
john flann Posted March 17, 2018 Author Share Posted March 17, 2018 Glad you like it Peter. It shows promise. Yes, that is a valid point but your fears are unfounded. Actually, the baseboard has been built, track laid and trains run all to my satisfaction. I found too I can manage the board myself. But obviously it would be easier with another pair of hands. My next post will show the form of lightweight construction of the board; added back scenes will add some little extra weight and that of the buildings is negligible. Granted they all add up but nothing untoward.. The baseboard is reasonably conventional but nowhere near the recommended monumental methods commonly advocated. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold sjrixon Posted March 18, 2018 RMweb Gold Share Posted March 18, 2018 John, you really are a prolific layout creator, love it! Looking forward as ever to see the progress. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
steve22 Posted March 18, 2018 Share Posted March 18, 2018 (edited) Hi John, I don't post anything like I used to but I still follow you frequently. I think I've commented before on how your layouts convey a sense of the railway serving the community. I'm sure it has something to do with the many buildings you include, even in short confined spaces. Their placement suggests that they were already there, long before the railway came. Steve. Edited March 18, 2018 by steve22 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
john flann Posted March 18, 2018 Author Share Posted March 18, 2018 (edited) John, you really are a prolific layout creator, love it! Looking forward as ever to see the progress. Scott, thank you, Yes, i have built one or two layouts in my time. But each I like to think has a different character yet within the same theme. The particular aspect here is the challenge of random and systematic shunting that the Inglenook design lends itself to. Add in Kadee couplings and one can fun. That's ever my aim. Edited March 18, 2018 by john flann Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
john flann Posted March 18, 2018 Author Share Posted March 18, 2018 Hi John, I don't post anything like I used to but I still follow you frequently. I think I've commented before on how your layouts convey a sense of the railway serving the community. I'm sure it has something to do with the many buildings you include, even in short confined spaces. Their placement suggests that they were already there, long before the railway came. Steve. Steve, thanks for those kind words. I had noticed your apparent absence and am glad you are back in touch. In building any layout I always locate it somewhere and remember that was there first. Dorset is my favoured location and in and around Bridport (Hintock Redux) . The other thing is that the early railways and particularly branch lines, were largely financed by local money, had local engineers, employed local contractors and used local materials. Hence there is a "family look" of the structures and buildings. One can see that with my Port Bredy layout (On my Hintock thread). And where they all hang together as it were. That too is illustrated by this image. Initially the Signal Box was shown as built with L&SWR brick and stood out like a sore thumb, Now re-sheathed in local stone like the Station buildings and Victory Mill, it fits right in. 6 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nearholmer Posted March 18, 2018 Share Posted March 18, 2018 You have a good eye for ‘the stage set’ aspect of a small layout, and this is another one where the ‘set’ looks perfect to display the play. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
john flann Posted March 18, 2018 Author Share Posted March 18, 2018 Kevin, thanks. You are quite right with the analogy. Yes, I do look on it as something akin to a stage presentation with promoter. story line and plot, script, actors, sets, performance and audience. Follow along and enjoy the show! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
john flann Posted March 24, 2018 Author Share Posted March 24, 2018 (edited) Having created in imaginary terms the back story now to the reality of the first practical step. The all important base board. Here I wanted strength, a resistance to twisting (the back scene screwed to the frame will help do this) and light weight. I used 1/4" birch plywood, a frame of 3/4" x 3/4" hardwood, with braces of the 1/4" ply, glued together and clamped together for 24 hours. This is the underside. Braces. Glued and clamped. After the 24 hours I could turn it right side up and do some initial track planning. It was most satisfying. Edited March 24, 2018 by john flann 5 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
john flann Posted March 27, 2018 Author Share Posted March 27, 2018 This is from Nicholas Flann, John Flann's son. It with sadness that I have to inform you that John died on Sunday. It was sudden, and I don't believe Dad suffered at all. He was on his way to Church with his jacket and badge on, locking the front door on his way to the garage when he must have collapsed. He was working on Hintock St Loe that morning because I saw the changes he had made from the night before. Dad would often run ideas on his layouts by me, where to put a tree or getting the line of sight right when placing the buildings. I remember the insight Dad had when trying to fit a bridge across the middle of Port Bredy---put in a level crossing. Some of my first memories of growing up where helping Dad with his model railways. I was his assistant at many an exhibition in Manchester each year and then sometimes in London. I cannot express the thanks I have for everyone on the forum who corresponded with Dad over the years. His railway and his friends and fans he had on the forum gave him so much vitality and enthusiasm for life. He often shared your stories with me and kept me up to date with how many likes he was getting on his posts. Here are a few photos of Hintock St Loe as he left it. 2 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter Kazmierczak Posted March 27, 2018 Share Posted March 27, 2018 What a shock! My condolences to you Nicholas and all your family. John's layouts brought great pleasure to so many people. May he Rest in Peace. 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
chesterfield Posted March 27, 2018 Share Posted March 27, 2018 What a shock! My condolences to you Nicholas and all your family. John's layouts brought great pleasure to so many people. May he Rest in Peace. And from me also . Gunner Flann was an inspiration for me and I shall miss his cheery gentle comments Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
380John Posted March 27, 2018 Share Posted March 27, 2018 Heartfelt condolences to you and your family Nicholas. May John rest in peace. All the very best to the family. John 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold DaveF Posted March 27, 2018 RMweb Gold Share Posted March 27, 2018 Ncholas, my condolences to you and your family. I had been following John's Hintock threads for some time and was fascinated by the stories behind the layouts. He will be greatly missed. David Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andrew P Posted March 27, 2018 Share Posted March 27, 2018 Nicholas, Firstly thanks for the E-Mail, and like others have said, he will be sadly missed, and his modelling is a real inspiration. Again has others have said, our thoughts are with you and your family at this difficult time. Andy. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andy R Posted March 28, 2018 Share Posted March 28, 2018 Nicholas- like many others may I express my condolences to you and family via this layout topic. He was an inspirational modeller with prolific output of wonderful ideas and craftsmanship. Regards Andy R Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold aselley Posted March 28, 2018 RMweb Gold Share Posted March 28, 2018 Nicholas my condolences at what must be a very hard time. Your father's models and indeed his life are something to be proud of and serve as an inspiration to many of us. My thoughts are with you and your family. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
SimonMW Posted March 28, 2018 Share Posted March 28, 2018 Oh no! Condolences... his railway modelling has been wonderful to see. He will be missed. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold john dew Posted March 28, 2018 RMweb Gold Share Posted March 28, 2018 I got the sad news from Nicholas this afternoon. He was my friend and neighbour (albeit a thousand miles apart) these past 8 years.John was a true gentleman of the old school. Not only was a skillful and knowledgeable modeller, he had the ability to describe his creations in such a manner that the reader could almost feel the sunshine in his wonderful Dorset villages. He was invariably generous and supportive. He will be much missed John 4 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
bgman Posted March 28, 2018 Share Posted March 28, 2018 Your family and all here have lost a wonderful man, may I also offer my condolences to you. Grahame Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
sp1 Posted March 28, 2018 Share Posted March 28, 2018 What a shock! This is very sad news. Rest in Peace John. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
sb67 Posted March 28, 2018 Share Posted March 28, 2018 That was a shock to hear that. Thank you for letting us know Nicholas, cant have been easy at this difficult time. My thoughts go out to you and your family and I hope your all as well as can be expected. May your dad rest in peace. Steve. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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