South Shields Victoria

[tom shaw]

For the past year or so I have been busy turning my garage into a comfortable room 5.3m by 3m with modelling desk, work bench, heating, lighting, power and of course, space for a layout. I have also been planning and constructing said layout. I have been very motivated and so haven’t had time to post anything but now feel I have something to show.

 

Fact

South Shields, at the mouth of the River Tyne, has a very interesting, and rarely modelled, railway history.

The North Eastern Railway line from Newcastle was electrified in the 1930’s using a third rail system and these trains lasted until the mid 60’s. Running on the same tracks were steam and diesel trains to Sunderland and beyond and summer trains to the likes of Blackpool and even Kings Cross. The Harton Coal Company introduced overhead electrification in 1908 and during the 1960’s NCB steam and diesels worked alongside the electrics on the Harton system moving coal and stone waste between the various pits and the riverside staithes.

 

It is a fact that the Harton system was so efficient in dealing with local requirements that there was spare capacity and, for some time, coal was brought from other pits outside the system to be teemed at the staithes. This gives me an excuse to operate BR steam and diesels alongside NCB electrics, steam and diesels via a proposed exchange yard.

 

Fiction

My idea is to try and represent various elements of these railways by re-writing history and representing certain features in an imagined setting.  

In my version of history, decisions were made by South Shields Corporation, the North Eastern Railway and the great and the good toward the end of the 19th century to capitalise on the magnificent beaches of South Shields and to develop the area for the emerging holiday industry. Land was purchased and other land transferred between the Harton Coal Company and the North Eastern Railway to enable a double track line to reach the Bents Park area of the town and a new terminus station was built, with convenient access to the beaches, parks and promenades, and to the new hotels, guesthouses and infrastructure which were also planned. Being opened around the time of the Queen Victoria’s diamond jubilee, the new station was named in her honour. The HCC line to Whitburn Colliery, home of the Marsden Rattler, was also transferred to the NER along with HCC running rights, and this gave holiday makers access to more of the beautiful coastline and charming promenades. Just after the Second World War a new Butlin’s holiday camp was built on a former quarry site and this proved very popular during the 50’s and early 60’s. The new prosperity brought more industry to the area which was served by new goods facilities and this, along with the passenger and coal requirements required a small engine shed to be built.

 

The Plan

South Shields Victoria.pdf

 

The plan takes much inspiration from my favourite layout, Chris Pendleton’s North Shields. I was lucky enough to have seen this layout “in the flesh” on two occasions and was totally engrossed both times. Even with no rolling stock visible the typical north eastern setting was evident, and very reminiscent of my childhood memories around Tyne Dock in the mid to late 60’s.  I would also mention Ian Blenkinsop’s Marine Park and Tyne Bank layouts, featured on this site, as being very atmospheric and influential.

 

Much thought went into the final plan and in order to make it comfortable to access a fiddle yard to terminus arrangement was adopted. The layout is not to be portable so is constructed using ‘L’ girders, cross beams, 9mm plywood tops and 2mm cork trackbase. A rotating sector table type fiddle yard feeds a double track mainline which rises up to the station while a single track goods line and a single track NCB line drop down to the exchange sidings alongside, but below, the station. It is supposed that the goods line joins the main line off the layout. A goods depot similar to the one at Monkwearmouth and an engine shed, based on Hartlepool, are at high level and a small NCB coal depot for landsales is located off the low level exchange yard.

 

Peco code 75 points are used along with the new bullhead plain track. I have found SEEP solenoids to be reliable but the in-built switch often fails so I have hot glued a Peco changeover switch onto the Seep unit and use this to switch the point frogs.  Points are to be operated using Peco levers built into control panels located adjacent to the various action areas. The layout will be wired for DCC using NCE controllers via three districts using under board bus-wires. Couplings on all stock are DG type and strategically placed electro-magnets will be used for uncoupling.

 

Operation will focus on three areas:

The three platform station will handle local electric trains to Newcastle, non-electric local trains to Sunderland and Middlesbrough and steam/diesel hauled services to points further afield. Parcels traffic will also be worked in between these passenger services.

 

General goods traffic will be processed in the goods depot and trip workings will be run from here to an off-scene branch serving a quayside, a small oil depot and a ship repair yard.

The low level exchange yard will handle coal from the Harton system and from other collieries to the staithes, along with empties the other way. The yard will be wired for Harton electrics and there will be a mix of BR steam and diesel with NCB electrics from Harton and Westoe collieries and steam from Whitburn and Boldon Collieries (these were never electrified).

 

Progress

Baseboards are built, all track is laid and bus-wires are run below the baseboards. I have commenced attaching point motors and dropper wires to the bus-wires. Next will be to build the control panels and connect to points, signals and uncoupling magnets. The signals are yet to be made. Some buildings, from previous layouts, will be re-used where suitable but there are a lot of new buildings to construct including a typical NER train shed with semi-circular roof (as per North Shields). I did consider copying the peaked roof of the actual South Shields station but reasoned that a replacement station would use turn of the century architecture.

 

 

 

 

I hope you find this interesting and I welcome any comments.

 

Regards,

 

Tom

[Enterprisingwestern]

 

Very interesting track plan, looks to be an good concept, keep us updated.

A bit of pedantry, it's Chris Pendlenton, but whatever, if you're following his mantra then you won't go far wrong.

 

Mike.

[Pacific231G]

It looks like it's going to be an excellent layout Tom and a very good looking plan.

 

I've had something of a fascination with S. Shields after spending the autumn and (very cold) winter of 1969-1970 at college there. I saw the Harton electrics fairly often as they passed under Westoe Road while walking from the guest house we were accomodated in near the Roman Fort to what is now South Tyneside College (then South Shields Marine and Technical College)

I was surprised to discover that it did have a bit of a seafront with a beach, amusements etc. though I was far more fascinated by the apparently recently closed breakwater railway whose train was still in its sidings I never saw it in the summer but I don't think many people spent their holidays there overlooked by Westoe Colliery. but, as a fully developed Edwardian seaside resort, it could certainly claim to be even more bracing than Skegness! A holiday resort so close to heavy industry and mining might seem incongruous but Boulogne once managed it despite its steelworks  and large fishing port, the hotel where M. Hulot spent his holiday was only about three miles from the centre of St. Nazaire  whose shipyards built the Queen Mary 2 and there was of course Barry Island and Docks. 

I rather like the idea of the holidaymakers arriving at S. Shields (Victoria) with their buckets and spades while the Harton electrics trundle and spark beneath their feet.

[tom shaw]

19 hours ago, Enterprisingwestern said:

 

Very interesting track plan, looks to be an good concept, keep us updated.

A bit of pedantry, it's Chris Pendlenton, but whatever, if you're following his mantra then you won't go far wrong.

 

Mike.

Thanks for the comments Mike, and for correcting me on Chris's name. To think I have read and re-read his MRJ articles for 30 years and had his name wrong all this time, I am suitably ashamed.

 

Regards,

Tom

[tom shaw]

17 hours ago, Pacific231G said:

It looks like it's going to be an excellent layout Tom and a very good looking plan.

 

I've had something of a fascination with S. Shields after spending the autumn and (very cold) winter of 1969-1970 at college there. I saw the Harton electrics fairly often as they passed under Westoe Road while walking from the guest house we were accomodated in near the Roman Fort to what is now South Tyneside College (then South Shields Marine and Technical College)

I was surprised to discover that it did have a bit of a seafront with a beach, amusements etc. though I was far more fascinated by the apparently recently closed breakwater railway whose train was still in its sidings I never saw it in the summer but I don't think many people spent their holidays there overlooked by Westoe Colliery. but, as a fully developed Edwardian seaside resort, it could certainly claim to be even more bracing than Skegness! A holiday resort so close to heavy industry and mining might seem incongruous but Boulogne once managed it despite its steelworks  and large fishing port, the hotel where M. Hulot spent his holiday was only about three miles from the centre of St. Nazaire  whose shipyards built the Queen Mary 2 and there was of course Barry Island and Docks. 

I rather like the idea of the holidaymakers arriving at S. Shields (Victoria) with their buckets and spades while the Harton electrics trundle and spark beneath their feet.

Thanks David. I was born and bred in South Shields but paid little attention to the electrics, being so ordinary and always there. I much preferred Tyne Dock or Boldon Colliery station for my spotting activities.

 

Regards,

Tom

[tom shaw]

The inaugural train has been run. Tyne Dock 9F 92062 takes empty hoppers up the bank.

 

With sound.

 

 

Tom

[Barry O]

Runs well but you need a louder woof  woof, woof, outod the 9F. Regulator theough the roof and driving on the reverser..

 

Judith Edge kits do a nive etch for adding steps, door opening handles etc for the hoppers.

 

Keep up the good work.

Baz

[ianblenk]

This is brilliant, I shall look forward to reading your progress. I always felt Shields could be so much more than it was, both as a resort and railway wise, I hope you will put in some third rail stock!

 

Cheers

 

Ian B

[New Haven Neil]

Our home town eh Tom!

 

Looking forward to this developing, a theme close to my heart.

 

David 231, you may have been surprised just how busy the beach used to get.  I was born and grew up on the seafront and lived in Shields '59 - 02.

 

I have a couple of photos somewhere of the Ruston on the Pier, 1976/7 ish.

 

[Enterprisingwestern]

22 minutes ago, New Haven Neil said:

Our home town eh Tom!

 

Looking forward to this developing, a theme close to my heart.

 

David 231, you may have been surprised just how busy the beach used to get.  I was born and grew up on the seafront and lived in Shields '59 - 02.

 

I have a couple of photos somewhere of the Ruston on the Pier, 1976/7 ish.

 

 

There's always rust on the pier, it's the salt water wot does it!!

 

Mike.

[Toftwood]

This looks great and already on its way. I'm from the other side of the mouth, Tynemouth. Will enjoy following the progress. My own effort, Cullerbay and Marden Road (Rmweb) is a fictitious line set somewhere on the N East coastal area.

Lovely.

 

Regards Pete.

[tom shaw]

Thanks Pete,

I've been busy with wiring recently so not much visible progress but hope to do something on the scenic side soon.

 

Regards,

Tom

[ianblenk]

Looking forward to more details!

 

[tom shaw]

I have finally tired of wiring under the layout, having connected up all the droppers to bus-wires and all the point motors ready to connect to control panels (when I make them). I've yet to do the uncoupling magnets and wiring for future signals. This is one of the least enjoyable parts of the hobby for me even though I'm an electrical engineer. So I succumbed to a bit of  scenic work in the engine shed and the goods yard.

 

The first picture shows a development away from the original plan where I have added a coal stage from a previous layout to a road coming off the turntable. This is really using the coaling stage as a back scene rather than as a practical solution. The ramp up to the stage will be in low relief and disappears behind the shed. Water cranes, yard lamps and inspection/ash pits can also be seen along with untidy heaps of ash, so common at north east sheds of the period. It all needs further blending in and weathering but it's been a good tonic to wiring.

 

The second photo shows some card cut to fit between the tracks so road vehicles can get close to the wagons. This will be painted and weathered to replicate concrete.

 

Regards,

 

Tom

[turtlebah]

3 hours ago, tom shaw said:

I have finally tired of wiring under the layout, having connected up all the droppers to bus-wires and all the point motors ready to connect to control panels (when I make them). I've yet to do the uncoupling magnets and wiring for future signals. This is one of the least enjoyable parts of the hobby for me even though I'm an electrical engineer. So I succumbed to a bit of  scenic work in the engine shed and the goods yard.

 

The first picture shows a development away from the original plan where I have added a coal stage from a previous layout to a road coming off the turntable. This is really using the coaling stage as a back scene rather than as a practical solution. The ramp up to the stage will be in low relief and disappears behind the shed. Water cranes, yard lamps and inspection/ash pits can also be seen along with untidy heaps of ash, so common at north east sheds of the period. It all needs further blending in and weathering but it's been a good tonic to wiring.

 

The second photo shows some card cut to fit between the tracks so road vehicles can get close to the wagons. This will be painted and weathered to replicate concrete.

 

Regards,

 

Tom

 

Tom - looks great. An ambitious project and I’m looking forward to seeing how this evolves. Top work thus far.

 

[Toftwood]

On 1 April 2020 at 18:53, tom shaw said:

I have finally tired of wiring under the layout, having connected up all the droppers to bus-wires and all the point motors ready to connect to control panels (when I make them). I've yet to do the uncoupling magnets and wiring for future signals. This is one of the least enjoyable parts of the hobby for me even though I'm an electrical engineer. So I succumbed to a bit of  scenic work in the engine shed and the goods yard.

 

The first picture shows a development away from the original plan where I have added a coal stage from a previous layout to a road coming off the turntable. This is really using the coaling stage as a back scene rather than as a practical solution. The ramp up to the stage will be in low relief and disappears behind the shed. Water cranes, yard lamps and inspection/ash pits can also be seen along with untidy heaps of ash, so common at north east sheds of the period. It all needs further blending in and weathering but it's been a good tonic to wiring.

 

The second photo shows some card cut to fit between the tracks so road vehicles can get close to the wagons. This will be painted and weathered to replicate concrete.

 

Regards,

 

Tom

Hi Tom, is the Engine shed scratch built?? looks the business. Take the roof off and you have Tyne Dock/Percy Main :-) Coming on well. Love the progress so far.

 

Pete

[tom shaw]

Thanks Pete,

the engine shed is scratchbuilt from card, scalescenes brickpaper (inside and out), superquick tilepaper cut into strips and scene setters windows with paper frames. It is based on Hartlepool and featured on my previous layout.

 

Hartlepool managed to keep most of it's roof until near the end of steam. I grew up about quarter of a mile from Tyne Dock so I know the state it was in at the end.

 

Cheers,

Tom

[Bochi]

Fantastic layout plan, busy in all the right ways, I'd say. Looking forward to seeing this one grow!

[runs as required]

Brilliant subject!

Came too late to Tyneside (1976 from Africa) to catch steam in Shields  (though we rented originally adjacent to the colliery line from Backworth north of the Tyne, and I loved the sound of the NCB locos  at night slogging away slowly up/down to the Northumberland Dock).

 

Wife worked at the Marine & Tech till 2004 - she started Social Care and Counselling courses there within a seriously macho Catering Department, ending up as College Counsellor to lonely overseas Marine students.  I enjoyed her objecting to the lowering of the College pass mark to 40% while on the Examination Board there.  When asked why she was the only one objecting, she argued that Deck Officers ought to be far more accurate in their navigation!

 

The Harton line passed close by the new College site in Westoe Village (the old one became a pub on Ocean Road) and I was fascinated by the way the busy line slipped so silently through downtown Shields. Looking forward to your modelling of that - so like the NER might have been to York.

 

Latterly the resort was famous (like Whitley Bay) as the Scottish Riviera during Glasgow Fairs Week though  since the closure of Westoe colliery the sea front has been very skilfully reconstructed using EU money by a Brexit voting population!

 

Best Wishes

dh

[Toftwood]

On 3 April 2020 at 19:12, tom shaw said:

Thanks Pete,

the engine shed is scratchbuilt from card, scalescenes brickpaper (inside and out), superquick tilepaper cut into strips and scene setters windows with paper frames. It is based on Hartlepool and featured on my previous layout.

 

Hartlepool managed to keep most of it's roof until near the end of steam. I grew up about quarter of a mile from Tyne Dock so I know the state it was in at the end.

 

Cheers,

Tom

Any chance of a closer look at it whenever you can? Thanks, (I have a Hornby Scenecraft shed two road stone built with the arched doors. Its ok but....)

 

Pete.

[tom shaw]

Pete,

The shed first appeared here (page 2, near the bottom) and developed through several attempts at roofs and skylights.

I'll take some specific shots when I can.

 

Regards,

 

Tom

[Toftwood]

3 hours ago, tom shaw said:

Pete,

The shed first appeared here (page 2, near the bottom) and developed through several attempts at roofs and skylights.

I'll take some specific shots when I can.

 

Regards,

 

Tom

Thanks Tom, I had a look at your old thread. Was impressive!

 

Regards

 

Pete

[tom shaw]

Haven't updated for a long time so here goes.

 

I started making my station train shed from card covered with scalescenes brickpaper. Each wall has an inner and an outer section which will be placed back to back. One side was cut out first then the other marked out through the first so all windows and openings match.

 

 

The reverse shows spacers fitted to the top, bottom and the opening sides to give a good depth to the brick. The brickpaper is cut, folded back and glued with a Pritt stick. The final wall will be made up of 4 layers of card.

 

Windows surrounds were cut from 1mm plasticard and the bottom half fitted with clear glazing. The top is fitted with scenesetters glazing and then mullions and transoms made from microstrip.

 

Not sure if this is still sold but I bought a few packs a few years ago.

 

This shows the partly covered sides in place and gives an idea of the size.

 

A finished window

 

I drew the facade on CAD, printed it full size and temporarily fixed some 1mm glazing to it.

 

This was then set about with various thicknesses of plasticard and microstrip. Support pillars added and the lot fixed together.

 

That's more or less where I am at the moment. Currently making the semi-circular girders for the roof and planning the station building, which will be based on Darlington (complete with clock tower, hopefully).

 

Merry Christmas and a happy new year to everyone here, let's have a better new year than this one.

 

Tom

 

[tom shaw]

1 minute ago, New Haven Neil said:

A corner of the Forest of Dean....

 

Nice, I like the static grass in particular. Something I need to learn about for my embankments.

 

Tom

[New Haven Neil]

Oops, that was meant to be in Ian's thread, sorry Tom!