Jump to content
 

Chandlers Row - 50s streetlife


Guest Jack Benson
 Share

Recommended Posts

Guest Jack Benson
On 29 January 2020 at 12:46, wamwig said:

It seems these Lindas often have good ideas re layouts and buying things, mine does as well.

Hi, 

 

Wise words, thanks. 

 

The module duly arrived within 24hrs from SMS, and by evening it was no longer a kit. The image emphasises the extreme lack of depth compared to the Tim Horn module BUT it meets the limit of lift/shift and a nice Inglenook will provide plenty of entertainment at exhibitions. Moreover, it might encourage others in the same predicament to look at the potential of a micro-layout.

image.jpeg.2f7528dcd77b225903372a9e0b24dcef.jpeg

 

It should be ready for the start of the autumn exhibition season.

 

Cheers

 

 

Link to post
Share on other sites

  • 2 weeks later...
Guest Jack Benson

Moving the goal posts

As planned the backscene of terraced houses, shop, pub and warehouse is fairly typical of Southampton's Chapel suburb but it is problematic. The 22cm gap between the shop and pub is too large, it demands a separate distant backscene but a narrow jitty between the two buildings would be an intriguing solution, especially if partially blocked by one or two implanted cannon barrels - very nautical. 

Street_Cannon4.jpg.98105b8a7583399565a33a3f14d8457e.jpg

 

As  isIMG_1337a1000.jpg.96fdd7c395c49dc89a197723d3605440.jpg

 

As modified

IMG_1332a1000.jpg.a64d3abce5fe3c251d26212d483a2d2f.jpg

 

The gap between the pub and warehouse would be filled with a brick wall and rusty gates giving access to the warehouse whilst providing some much needed separation between residential and industrial premises.

These look suitable.

GatesWall.jpg.9aca03a1dcdeaa250c4c28b14b76295f.jpg

 

Cheers

Link to post
Share on other sites

  • 1 month later...
Guest Jack Benson

Hi,

After an unscheduled stay in hospital, work has recommenced.

 

Peckett W4 'Bristol'

The release of Hornby's Peckett W4 was a celebration for those interested in the industrial railways, this particular loco was used on the Chapel Tramway as 'Bristol'

Here it is awaiting for works and nameplates from Narrow Planet.

 

Bristol.jpg.227d043e6240ccb23096dfde7b23f0bb.jpg

 

Cheers

 

Link to post
Share on other sites

Guest Jack Benson

The Inglenook trackplan has proved to be unpopular though functional, instead a more 'open' design is being used, just as soon as the glue for the cork trackbed is set. In such a small space, it is merely a diorama with moving parts, certainly not a layout but it will do. The track will be inset and the whole caboodle weighs just 8kgs, well within my 10kgs maximum lifting limit.

 

20200310_CR_1000.jpg.ace5de56be70f64bbbbde90e627908eb.jpg

 

 

Link to post
Share on other sites

Guest Jack Benson

Dibles_Rough4.jpg.f58c78568c89c9fd6b4dae8222a4b1f4.jpg

It is becoming obvious that the use of the micro layout module for Chandlers Row proved to be unsustainable, the tiny module will be used for its original purpose as a permanent way depot diorama shunting puzzle.

Instead the 48"x18" Tim Horn module, will be used for Chandlers Row using the trackplan above, it is the only way that the existing buildings can be used successfully. The buildings really need the extra space to do them justice and the iconic scene of the Peckett 'Bristol' crossing Britannia Road can be finally captured. We just need to make a gasholder in low relief.....

 

The extra weight will be a problem but a solution will be found.

 

Cheers

Link to post
Share on other sites

Guest Jack Benson
2 hours ago, Nearholmer said:

I'm glad I'm not the only one who goes through lots of iterations before finalising on how/what to build.

The buildings were simply too good for a tiny micro that is just 9" deep, the much, much larger Tim Horn module has the potential for a proper diorama without appearing to be overcrowded.  It simply means that it will take another year or so to complete, what could possibly go wrong in the meantime??????

 

Cheers

 

 

Link to post
Share on other sites

  • 2 weeks later...
Guest Jack Benson

A kind soul suggested abandoning the low relief Gasholder and replacing with a 2D image cut from a Peco backscene thus allowing the relocation of the row of terraced houses/shop together with the Railway Tavern pub.

 

20200323_CROW.jpg.539894474c7f3cff9e6fc5866f83d83d.jpg

 

Sorry about the rubbish scan.

 

Britannia Road might have to be re-aligned or at least moved to accommodate the buildings. A nice industrial brick wall will fill any voids but the idea is to allow as much space as possible in the foreground for the quayside.

 

A couple of RM members have volunteered to help exhibit Chandlers Row, if and when everything calms down, thus the problem of lifting and shifting is solved.

 

Cheers

Link to post
Share on other sites

  • RMweb Premium

Might I suggest that you move the terraced houses to the right hand side, with the pub at the left hand end of the terrace.  IMHO the pub, which is an end of terrace type, looks incongruous on its own, unless it's intended to be the sole survivor of a bombed out or demolished terrace (a lot of the housing in that area was cleared in about 1958-61).  I look forward to seeing this when it's complete and shows resume.

Link to post
Share on other sites

Guest Jack Benson

  On 23/03/2020 at 12:12, petethemole said:

Might I suggest that you move the terraced houses to the right hand side, with the pub at the left hand end of the terrace.  IMHO the pub, which is an end of terrace type, looks incongruous on its own, unless it's intended to be the sole survivor of a bombed out or demolished terrace (a lot of the housing in that area was cleared in about 1958-61).  I look forward to seeing this when it's complete and shows resume.

 

The Tim Horn module is complete and 3mm cork tiles laid.

IMG_1352_1000.jpg.b672659c268414ac51d5579f2541f120.jpg

 

The next step is to lay the track and install control wiring.

 

Pete's comments have been taken onboard, the terraced row is correctly orientated and the road will be lined with  a substantial industrial wall and gates. The backscene will be full of suitable urban grot with a gasometer at the fore.

 

We made some major errors in planning Chandlers Row, the scope really needed the larger module, whether we can exhibit the module remains to be seen.

 

Cheers

 

 

 

 

Edited by Jack Benson
Wrong image
Link to post
Share on other sites

Guest Jack Benson

Starting to lay the track revealed a couple of mistakes in the plan, the loop was irrelevant and the length of the headshunt is critical at just 200mm. It just about holds an unprototypical S100 and a vanIMG_1365_1000.jpg.2be3e6bd0ff58acd9d6155c2fe381779.jpg

 

20200402_CROW_800.jpg.dcae73bb26566b5c9d28cc8da959676f.jpg  Looking at Chris Nevard's excellent work, it was obvious that a minimalist approach is better suited with just two Peco SLE92 turnouts and all the track will be either inset or covered in years of industrial grot. Very tight clearances and curves are not only necessary, they are indicative industrial railways. The wonderful image of Great Yarmouth by Rusell Walker has been an influence on the peek-a-boo from behind the warehouse and scenes of hidden reveals are always intriguing. 

 

297530264_GreatYarmoth_RusselWalker.jpg.f80265309450d9b703b85413b1ce388c.jpg

 

Cheers 

 

 

Link to post
Share on other sites

Hi Jack, why not put a double slip nearer to the road to give you more track for shunting, a bit like the piano plan? If the point is nearer the center of the layout you can shunt a longer train?

Link to post
Share on other sites

Guest Jack Benson

Hi,

 

The camera has recharged, time for an image of the track before wiring and ballasting.

 

It has worked out as expected, lots of room for small details and certainly not overburdened with track.

IMG_1366_1000.jpg.8f52d35e744341ce40063b08a867ff2a.jpg

 

Not looking forward to the wiring the tiny contacts on the SEEP motors but only two are required.

 

TTFN

 

Link to post
Share on other sites

Guest Jack Benson

The Hattons Barclay has undergone transformation

 

20200404_01.jpg.a8fd0e3f134d3bb118b8a702c3df3aa7.jpg

 

Not quite as 'cute' as the Peckett, never the less, it will be a useful locomotive.

 

The name was carried by a Barclay, acquired by the Chapel Tramway from Hillsea Gasworks, the loco was built for the Admiralty for use at a Air station in Essex and is still extant at Yeovil Steam Centre. Unfortunately not the same class of Barclay.

Link to post
Share on other sites

Guest Jack Benson

Hi,
I had some SEEP PM-4 turnout motors left over from a previous project, I was determined not to buy any more and set about installing a couple on Chandlers Row. They were no more or less fiddly to fit than other similar motors, proper alignment to ensure a full throw is absolutely essential and a couple of hours was spent beavering away in anticipation of faultless performance.

 

GMC-PM4.jpg.0f92006574e6108542154f1a45bf3145.jpg

 

How wrong I was, one SEEP motor was lethargic and barely threw the Peco code 75 turnout, whilst the other just buzzed - the power supply is Gaugemaster's own sealed unit.

OK, digging through the 'spares' box uncovered two very ancient Peco turnout 30+ year old motors which had actually started to rust. A quick clean with a suede brush and a repeat of installing using a simple centering jig to ensure the solenoid is dead centre. The result is astounding, the turnout moves with a satisfying 'snap'.

 

710129728_pecopointmotor.jpg.82b95a1df5c040c3bf6b84fab5aac230.jpg

 

Sorry about the state of the wiring, I need to apply some wraps and cleats but I just wanted to test the motors, I still have to add the Vee switch and CDU.

 

IMG_1367_800.jpg.91d7c423729bb9665f4ccf923193a85b.jpg

 

I suppose that any lesson to be learnt is always use whatever you know and trust.

 

Cheers

 

 

 

Edited by Jack Benson
Link to post
Share on other sites

Love Peco point motors, as you say a satisfiying clunk. I always add a peco accessory switch below the point motor to change the polarity to the frog and use a CDU.

Link to post
Share on other sites

Guest Jack Benson

Taking full advantage of the sun, the layout emerged from the shed so that the worktop could be used to cut the road from mounting board.

 

IMG_1378_1000.jpg.576755575fc597d541e18bd9e0b779f1.jpg

 

It is really starting to come together, it has been described as too small but a recent BBC4 review of the life of Carl Fabergé showed that size is illusory - it is all in the detail.

 

Cheers

 

 

 

 

Edited by Jack Benson
Had not finished the post
Link to post
Share on other sites

  • 2 weeks later...
Guest Jack Benson

As the subtitle of this thread is "50s streetlife" it might to appropriate to share the images that have been collected to use on Chandlers Row. For some, the 50s is still a memory albeit distant whilst for many others it is unknown, the following are scenes from everyday life as suffered in Britain whlist rationing was not so long ago.

 

Greengrocer.jpg.11ce1438b821cefb67191473b027703a.jpg

The weekly visit by Mr Hapgood was an opportunity to invigorate Dad's roses but competion was fierce.

 

4.jpg.d4740f858ae14c4f1ce36262bf35c97f.jpg

Spotted at a local historic rally, this stirred memories of highly dangerous heaters.

 

Chapel_Streetlife.jpg.920563ff4274ba9a1764e9c21d2f0e07.jpg

These ladies in Chapel are returning from the gasworks having bought household coke, the prams are a far cry from the Silver Cross devices in Bassett. It is a shame that such folk are ignored by 3d printers.

 

Cheers

 

 

Link to post
Share on other sites

Guest Jack Benson

Back to modelling, 30067 plays peek-a-boo behind the Fyffes building on Chandlers Row

 

IMG_1399.JPG.1c71612a9047200a24515d541b9b79b3.JPG

 

Cheers and stay safe peeps

Link to post
Share on other sites

Guest Jack Benson

Carrying on with some background to Chandlers Row, the name is taken from Frederick and Mabel Chandler, the owners of 39 Albert Road, Chapel now demolished.

 

Albert_Road.jpg.011be95e660b22e976436e2b7d9f36be.jpg


Inspired by but not a copy, the terrace attempts to replicate a tiny portion of Chapel.

IMG_1400.JPG.89c881cf8e810a99f84e2c17b85527aa.JPG

 

Chapel Road before these buildings were declared slums and demolished, once a vibrant community. 

 

Chapel_Road.jpg.bd5528a00564e037b9e3664e25df89d5.jpg

 

More to follow

 

Stay safe peeps

Link to post
Share on other sites

Guest Jack Benson

Just for a change some modelling,

 

IMG_1407.JPG.7ba9c5badf63cd195a39f95782819ac6.JPG

 

The wall that separates the sidings from the road is a very prominent feature, some Hydrocal castings were obtained because their tatty distressed appearance is appropriate for 50s Chapel.

 

IMG_1404.JPG.71a45e1102b425137ecc5a64144a5828.JPG

 

The first coat of artist's burnt sienna acrylic was enhanced by a wipe over with artist's raw umber acrylic, ordinary waterproof PVA was used to secure the castings to the baseboard and each other. .

 

Cheers and stay safe peeps

Edited by Jack Benson
Link to post
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
 Share

×
×
  • Create New...