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Chandlers Row - 50s streetlife


Guest Jack Benson
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Guest Jack Benson

Although a bit premature, it seemed appropriate to plonk down the background buildings to see how it will look. 

 

IMG_1411_1000.jpg.0191bfeedd37b32aa80857910c0bb715.jpg

 

The sweeping curves suit the cramped space and the concept of glimpsing the train as it emerges to cross the road is utterly intentional. There will be a signature tree in the backround, if only to provide some much needed contrast to the grim brick.


Btw the blue patches save the faff if trying to apply a background after the wall is permanent.

 

IMG_1412_1000b.jpg.153b24d05be4d8d645b2b38ca7bb0903.jpg

 

Finally, a pre-war Southampton Corporation Transport Guy Arab waits as 30067 shuffles across Melbourne Road.

 

Cheers and stay safe peeps

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Guest Jack Benson

More modelling and another industrial wall, the intention is to improve the transition to the hidden siding.

 

IMG_0009_1000.jpg.60f2b761f2c5e0ae75c48625ad23510e.jpg

 

Finally, to continue the 50s theme, we had one of these in our garden, it is intended to have another for the pub at the end of the terrace, Dad kept his garden tools in it. Chapel was heavily bombed in 1940, one of these is an essential feature.

 

Anderson_Shelter.jpg.ea6f32ee745b2d69b11c8bce3ab1ebbf.jpg Anderson_Cartoon.jpg.9500d5b3ae05312671084754dafb8c79.jpg

 

We kept the little garden built by the late Bill Jones and reused it on Child Okeford, this is the Anderson Shelter, happy memories of a good friend.

 

Anderson_Shelter_320.jpg.d464543fd00b129fc7090270d0afc594.jpg

 

 

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  • 2 weeks later...
Guest Jack Benson

The groundwork and backscene have received a coat of paint,  we have just placed a few bits down in order to gauge the appearance. There is still lots to do - the foreground will be the remnants of a bombsite, very common in the 50s along the South Coast. The emerging vegetation will be a bright contrast to the dull brick.

 

IMG_1438a.jpg.bda4761877f2454e3f5b8f4a7e8df423.jpg

 

The Peco backscene will be affixed to some foamboard for a 2D effect and the missing pub is coming along nicely.

 

Cheers and Stay safe

 

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Guest Jack Benson

Sorry to bang on about realism but many who attempt to recreate 50s Britain don't actually model the reality of the time.

This scene was an everyday reminder of events just a decade before and the country's inability to recover, it should be remembered that the Ration book and Identity Card were still part of everyday life.

However, it wasn't all doom and gloom, the bombsites provided great, if dangerous, playgrounds and Chapel in Southampton was really knocked about a bit. Southampton City Corporation finished off what Hitler had started and the place is barely recognisable.
 

Bombsite1.jpg.1ac613c979850658d73d0eabc6122bd4.jpg

 

Rather than a neat set of sidings, maybe an overgrown mess of buddleia and rose bay willow herb with a neat allotment supplementing the meagre rations. 

 

It was really difficult to find images of Britain in the 50s as it was rather than as folk want to remember.

 

Cheers and Stay Safe

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Guest Jack Benson

Father used to slip into the Ship and slide out again, a regular comment from my mother and yet Dad was an abstainer for most of his life.

 

Strong's of Romsey was the local brewer and it is much missed.

 

20200515_TheShip.jpg.3d4f890179715440ccde380436012201.jpg

 

 Don't try to find The Ship in Chapel, the model merely represents a typical end of terrace public house.

 

Cheers and Stay Safe

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Guest Jack Benson

The little Anderson shelter does not want to have a hole cut in baseboard, instead a little hummock of grass is being constructed. 

 

Anderson_Shelter_3.jpg.5c57c32660a9f3a2bf3e06597635839b.jpg

Layers of hanging basket liner have been cut together with a neat entrance trench, stuck down with dilute PVA, once it is dry the Grassmaster got to work, a lot of vegetation will disguise this feature.

 

Cheers and Stay Safe

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  • 2 weeks later...
Guest Jack Benson

Hi,

 

Sorry but the recent relapse and visit to the local ICU has forced the decision to cease any further exhibiting and as Chandlers Row is a micro-layout built specifically for exhibiting,  the only outcome is a new owner.

 

The project was extremely interesting, thanks to Dave Marden and others who provided images and anecdotes about the Chapel area of Southampton - the bookshelf is full of relevant information and it will not be lost.

 

Whilst still able to do so, there will be limited progress, the most recent update is a burnt out car, a sight all too common in cities and inspired by an image of Melbourne Steet in the early 60s.

 

IMG_1480_450.jpg.56de7e426aefe8bf7b3788406d90c783.jpg

 

MelbourneSt1964_450.jpg.910e1e1ea0fd369b2ecb8b670d38db6e.jpg

 

At the moment, the allotment is coming along nicely, a Modelu figure of a gentlemen reading his newspaper will grace the scene and a good crop of vegetables is guaranteed.

PENDON1_Newspaper.jpg.2fdc22e6e3edeb81089a6f597d511dea.jpg

 

Finally, for anyone interested in becoming the new keeper of Chandlers Row there is a webpage with the basic details and an email address for the group. Just click here

 

Cheers and Stay Safe

 

Thank you

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Glad you're out of ICU but it's a shame you have to let the layout go.  I've enjoyed following its progress and commenting.

 

From 1971-3 we had an old caravan as a site office for the Melbourne Street excavations. It was parked where the back of the house was.  Those houses had very shallow footings.  I remember the sack factory well. 

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Guest Jack Benson

The urban allotment was crucial part of life in the 50s, rationing was still in force and fresh vegetables were part of the nation's diet. 

 

dig-for-victory.jpg.bc36505f01a0990257674a6a64a4e57f.jpg

 

The ‘Dig for Victory’ campaign was set up during WWII by the British Ministry of Agriculture. Men and women across the country were encouraged to grow their own food in times of harsh rationing. Open spaces everywhere were transformed into allotments, from domestic gardens to public parks – even the lawns outside the Tower of London were turned into vegetable patches.  Leaflets were part of a massive propaganda campaign aiming both to ensure that people had enough to eat, and that morale was kept high. 

 

IMG_1502a.jpg.0d8b68a90c3a37d26a722628c23437c0.jpg

 

On Chandlers Row, the Sidings Yard has been turned over to cultivation with every scrap of land becoming an allotment, this piece of ply has been painted followed by a coat of PVA covered by a dusting of recycled tea leaves for texture. The tiny grey rectangle is the base for the old water tank.


Cheers, Stay Safe and Thanks

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Guest Jack Benson

This morning's post delivered a set of laser-cut pavement that has been painted but will need setting onto the baseboard for Chandlers Row.

 

A quick shuftie just to see what it will look like - spot-on for Chapel.

 

ChandlersRow2.jpg.2022a229e79bf94186ba205fd5dcd8b5.jpg

 

Getting there and sorry about the warped pavement, it will be firmly attatched.

 

Cheers, Stay Safe and thank you to everyone

Edited by Jack Benson
Pavement painted
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  • 2 weeks later...
Guest Jack Benson

Link to blog

 

Free to an appreciative home - Chandlers Row

Recently I was advised to cease exhibiting, the deal is simple just collect from Sherborne. 

Read the blog for dimensions

What is not included :- stock, buildings, controller, power supply, figures.

 

Contact:- pottendorfho@gmail.com

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Guest Jack Benson

Paul,

 

The trick was to base the layout on a real scene, everything simply fell into place.

 

image.jpeg.3e3591f4f842a75a962aa581e55d502f.jpeg

 

The curve was simply to break with the usual 'all track must be parallel with the front' syndrome and the low relief banana warehouse is the perfect scene blocker.

 

Cheers and Stay Safe

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Guest Jack Benson

The final flourish, the rhubard plants have finally peaked on the allotment,  I hope that the elderly gentleman to whom the layout is destined enjoys the small details.

IMG_1517.JPG.bbb0a43368ed7e1fa86c101256a67d1d.JPG

 Cheers and Stay Safe

 

 

 

 

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Guest Jack Benson

Hi,

 

The layout was collected this morning, now on its way to its new owner.

 

The next task is my son’s diorama.

 

Thank you :-)

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Guest Jack Benson
1 hour ago, davegreenly said:

So sorry to read you have had to give up the layout. Hope things go better heath-wise in the future.

Dave

 Cheers Dave,

 

I share the same aspirations.

 

Currently trying to create a silk purse from a porcine lughole and failing

 

Stay Safe.

 

 

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  • 4 weeks later...
Guest Jack Benson

A final flourish of inactivity : -

 

This is Bristol crossing from Bull's Run in the late 40s

1638-peckett.jpg.b64e39df46fd09f99fad63fbbe845916.jpg

 

My attempt to replicate this loco using a modified Hornby W4 Peckett

IMG_0011.JPG.7c6fdd6f04bfa571c86e7beb96501c36.JPGIMG_0012.JPG.0daa5370172031599b60a306f348b60e.JPGIMG_0013.JPG.23bf0a410f1f39c4be6337a14a59cfb6.JPGIMG_0014.JPG.c6e2bfefd8766f8f34400ff7167d7ba6.JPGIMG_0015.JPG.e939e8af3b969cfae4541c5513a69df3.JPGIMG_0016.JPG.db1466b15041a72583f304f70b2e2b55.JPG

I was contemplating offering the Peckett in exchange for a Drewry 03/04 but it performance and appearance stopped all such frvolity. A pair of 3D crew are ready for duty.

 

The backscene is MicroPlank which is turning out better than expected.

 

Cheers and Stay Safe

 

 

 

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  • 3 weeks later...
Guest Jack Benson

Chandlers Row

For 'tis not dead, it merely sleepth - anon

 

It was suggested that the MicroPlank concept could be the basis for a more ambitious 'lock-down' project using 5mm foam board with a thin ply 'skin'. The Really Useful 77ltr storage box could again be used as both transit and storage but first a look at the internal dimensions of the Really Useful 77ltr storage box:-

Internal: 1,135 x 232 x 340
(length x width x depth in mm)

Rather than store the layout on its base, why not store it on its side in the box thereby each module could be 1135 long x 232 high x 340 wide or in old money 44.68" x 9,1" x 13.38".  Better still, three 44" modules could just fit in the free space in the shed.

 

20200802_a_800.jpg.390c39354ca62a3c6d44ea49f9eeadf0.jpg

This extremely simple plan represents two 44"x12.5" modules that will exit to a simple storage module not shown on the left. The badly drawn circle is a fixed crane for moving coal from barges to waiting wagons. An extra siding off the run round loop is possible. The vast empty space on the left will be filled with a road and terraced houses.

 

Another suggestion, rather than another short diorama, maybe a layout with a simple coal yard/quay at one end with some track beside a road to a rudimentary fiddleyard?

 

Some inspiration was needed.

 

Hulton_Sidings_600.jpg.2284c0d52c7d41a979b83a04a627fb77.jpg

 

This cheery scene captured by D.Hampson is Hulton Sidings, some of its elements could be 'borrowed' and combined with this slightly sunnier scene of Dibles Wharf.

20200110_Dibles1_Slimline.jpg.4776838c1f39885fdf86c04e74febc3c.jpg

 

Rebirth

 

Cheers and Stay Safe

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Guest Jack Benson

A crane for the quayside

This is a model from Artitec 10.297 unfortunately an obsolete kit but this is the type of small device that would suit the quayside on Chandlers Row.

 

10.297_800.jpg.73e19f06b055c9f3c72f4a72093f8758.jpg

 

Finding one is going to be tricky, although bits of the ancient Airfix model could be upcycled with a new jib, I wonder if a suitable item is available in 3D?

 

Cheers and Stay Safe

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Guest Jack Benson

Hi,

 

I just about managed an even worse sketch of the proposed ‘super’ micro, two rather than three 44”x12.5” foamcore boards and a homemade LocoLift capable of holding four 16t minerals and a Peckett W4. The reverse curve into the dockside coal yard won’t be so sharp and a storage siding has been added off the run round loop. The latter is a compromise as the real coal yard would be dead end sidings shunted by capstans, dobbin or a Fordson with a thick plank but as none of these methods are practical unless your name is Giles, a simple loop will have to do. The other bit of theatre is to hide the street running track behind the boat yard full of maritime grot, slightly more interesting or maybe not?

 

IMG_20200807_1a.jpg.f73c378ffb967d1f8ca8d7519213219c.jpg

 

 

 

Cheers and Stay Safe

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  • 2 weeks later...
Guest Jack Benson

The latest and last version of Chandlers Row, will actually include a ship's chandler plus all the usual detritus normally found in an old boatyard - Mallaig painted by Howard Butterworth.

 

Mallaig.jpg.ac39d893cf69973a6c5411ab33b21248.jpg

 

Meanwhile, a Kinder Surprise has been acquired to replicate one of these objects, a Yokohama Fender - the yellow container was kept but the contents and 'chocolate' were consigned to the gash.

 

Fender.jpg.82c0a210cc5dc55f74157c5d762f531c.jpg

 

This supplier, Cornwall Model Boats, has been contacted as a possible source of bits, will post the response. 

Meanwhile, another waterline dumb barge has been sourced for the coal jetty, the last one, apparently.

 

 

 

Cheers and Stay Safe

 

 

 

Barge_350.jpg

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On ‎04‎/‎08‎/‎2020 at 12:28, Jack Benson said:

A crane for the quayside

This is a model from Artitec 10.297 unfortunately an obsolete kit but this is the type of small device that would suit the quayside on Chandlers Row.

 

10.297_800.jpg.73e19f06b055c9f3c72f4a72093f8758.jpg

 

Finding one is going to be tricky, although bits of the ancient Airfix model could be upcycled with a new jib, I wonder if a suitable item is available in 3D?

 

Cheers and Stay Safe

There is this as an alternative? http://modeltechstudios.com/hoscaleindustrialcranewoperatorscabkit.aspx

 

Stu

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Guest Jack Benson
On 17/08/2020 at 21:45, col.stephens said:

Yes, if you don't mind paying £60 ($79) for it!  Plus postage too I guess.  Rather on the expensive side.  The crane shown above should be a fairly straightforward scratchbuild in styrene.

 

Terry

My ‘cheapo’ solution is the Airfix portal crane cabin, base and gubbins. The jib is a cutdown Hornby plastic breakdown crane. The inspiration from Jim Smith-Wright who used the same basis but a scratchbuilt jib. It looks OK on paper and Jim’s model is a belter, the cost was less than £20. The clamshell grab is a 3D print job, which is not so cheap but it is a worth it for the rivet detail.

 

Cheers and Stay Safe.

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