Building a Southern Region layout

[Wellyboots]

6 minutes ago, Bulwell Hall said:

 

Interesting to see the ex SECR railmotor set still working in and around Dorset in 1957.  The set worked for many years on the Sheppey Light Rly. in Kent until that line closed in 1950.  They - I think there were two sets - were then transferred to Dorset for work on the Portland Branch from Weymouth to Easton.  They stayed until that line also closed in 1952 and I wondered what happened to them after that.

 

Gerry

 

According to An Illustrated History of Southern Pull-Push Stock after the closure of the Sheppey branch, in December 1950, sets 513 and 514 wandered around the South Western section during 1951, being noted at Portland, Hayling Island and Exmouth.  Between 1952 and 1956 they were allocated to the Clapham Jn - Kensington Olympia sevice, 1957 to 1959 they were used on the Fawley branch, although the table at the of their section in the book show the 1957 allocations as 513 - Fawley, and 514 - Salisbury for Idmiston.

[Guest Jack Benson]

OK, back on topic.

 

This is the eye-wateringly ugly Ratio ARP signal cabin but this time with the roof in the right position (tut,tut Ratio)

 

 

The glazing bars need to made but Mike is on the case, it looks tons better than the Ratio publicity photos and has oodles of charachter.

 

Of course, a nice Kernow RTP would have been OK or even a scratchbuilt LSWR Type 3 but this makes a bold statement.

 

Cheers and Stay Safe

 

[lmsforever]

Like the look of this layout  good article in the Modeler very S&EDR  spacious and well modeled liked the back story as well.

[down the sdjr]

Just spent this evening reading this thread, all the ups and downs.

Really interesting, looking forward to seeing more.

[Guest Jack Benson]

I am wondering if I can get away with this:-

 

 

Maybe not appropriate for a supposed location just west of Dorchester - more likely to be Eldridge Pope or Palmers but neither brewery were particularly prolific as advertisers. Strongs of Romsey placed these in a number of locations not associated with their beer, maybe in anticpation of the arrival of a thirty traveller?

 

Cheers and Stay Safe

[Guest Jack Benson]

Compare with the unmodified Ratio ARP, the window glaxing bars are strips of sticky white label.

 

 

 

Not so ugly, thanks to Mike.

 

Cheers and Stay Safe

[Captain Kernow]

1 minute ago, Jack Benson said:

Compare with the unmodified Ratio ARP, the window glaxing bars are strips of sticky white label.

 

The additional work, especially the new glazing bars, have transformed this model, very nice indeed.

 

[Guest Jack Benson]

Finally, today.

 

You might think that you have seen this image before but the buildings were those built for the original Beaminster Road in 2010, it took ten years for them to return.

 

 

Thank you, Stephen

 

Cheers and Stay Safe

[JZ]

7 hours ago, Jack Benson said:

I am wondering if I can get away with this:-

 

 

Maybe not appropriate for a supposed location just west of Dorchester - more likely to be Eldridge Pope or Palmer's but neither brewery were particularly prolific as advertisers. Strong's of Romsey placed these in a number of locations not associated with their beer, maybe in anticipation of the arrival of a thirty traveller?

 

Cheers and Stay Safe

They had 940 tied houses on acquisition by Whitbread in 1969. Plus they must have served a large free trade in the area. Palmer's were and are fairly local to Bridport. Eldridge Pope spread to Bath and Bristol. I can certainly remember Strong's adverts, I seem to remember one near Templecombe station.

This would be appropriate for your period, though it is a modern replica.

 

Edited May 21, 2020 by JZ

[Guest Jack Benson]

An adjunct to a much earlier post about rural motor repairs, I found this image of the garage near our home in Bournmouth and is still trading as an independent.

 

 

All those lovely 50s automobiles. Enjoy the details.

 

Cheers and Stay Safe

[DLT]

Strong's advertising was a familiar part of my childhood, sadly I wasn't old enough to enjoy their products before they were swallowed up by Whitebread

[Guest Jack Benson]

As part of the return to Southern ownership, the little dairy* is to be redeveloped as an Army railhead comprising a gantry, Nissen store, guardroom etc. Unlike many military models on layouts, there will be no CT vehicles just a couple of early 50s equivalents of today’s white fleet. 
 

 

This will be the chance to finally use the packet of Merit Army Personnel that have lain, unopened, since Triang days.

 

 

Army Camps or indeed any government depots throughout the South, for example Piddlehinton Army Camp, were not unusual in the 50s, they tended to be tucked away whilst still easily accessible for transport and TA units tended to on the far end of the priority list when it came allocation of vehicles. Stores were not always under cover, instead hastily constructed hardstandings in woods were often used for bulk supplies, thus  a simple rail loading site could be part of a large but discrete logistics facility.
 

*all the scratchbuilt dairy related bits will meet their end on a well known auction site.

 

Cheers and stay safe

 

 

 

Edited May 23, 2020 by Jack Benson
Added link

[Guest Jack Benson]

A stranger passes through,

 

Though not usual the Brighton Atlantics did roam outside the Central Division with confirmed reports during WW2 (17th July 1941) No. 2421 was seen at Dorchester on a van train and a photograph by Sid Nash at Yeovil Junction.

 

 

What exactly is the excuse for this image, it is simply implausible fun.

 

Cheers and Stay Safe

 

[petethemole]

If the van train was heading for Weymouth, or the RN base at Portland, I could justify buying a Brighton Atlantic.  Or Rule 1 applies.. I've fancied getting one since they came out.

[Captain Kernow]

4 hours ago, Jack Benson said:

A stranger passes through,

 

Though not usual the Brighton Atlantics did roam outside the Central Division with confirmed reports during WW2 (17th July 1941) No. 2421 was seen at Dorchester on a van train and a photograph by Sid Nash at Yeovil Junction.

 

 

What exactly is the excuse for this image, it is simply implausible fun.

 

Cheers and Stay Safe

 

And what lovely things they are, too! Nothing wrong with having some fun, that's what it's all supposed to be about.

 

[Guest Jack Benson]

Attenshun!

 

The redevolpment of the dairy site continues  apace thanks to the discovery of Milicast Models via this extraordinary blog, whose author is a very skilled modeller.

A search of 50s railheads revealed a couple of views of RAF Whiteparish (see below)which was simply a hardstanding where wagons were unloaded and dispersed - all mandraulic.

 

 

Later the first forklifts began to appear together with palletised loads, ideal for our 50s scene.

 

 

 

The dispersed outdoor storage of materiel was standard in the late 40-50s, following the catastrophe at RAF Fauld in '44.

Now, the buildings - they must be utilitarian and ugly, the guardroom is a shocker. Of course, a Nissen hut is an essential.

 

 

 

 

Thanks and Stay Safe

 

Edited May 24, 2020 by Jack Benson

[Guest Jack Benson]

Hi,

 

Unfortunately, progress will be non-existent for the forseeable future, chest pains again and back to ICU, at least I have a nice thick book to pass the time.

 

 

Cheers and Stay Safe

[Guest Jack Benson]

Hi,

Discharged and feelin' fine. Dire warnings not to overdo anything but OK to use the workshop when the sun is down. One consequence is a definite end to exhibiting, no matter how much I enjoy standing for eight hours on a concrete floor, it has to stop.

 

Instead, fumbling about on the home layout keeps the mind and fingers occupied. This is the latest escapade, a Metcalfe newspaper kiosk for the sale of Picture Post to the local soldiery, however incredible it might sound station news vendors were often the distribution hub for local communities. Anyway a few images to amuse.

 

Downton - the David Cockman collection

Shame it isn't SR green

 

and finally a reminder of the 50s

 

Cheers, Stay Safe and thanks to everyone

 

[lmsforever]

Please were did you get the post office van like the look of it. Chris

[Guest Jack Benson]

 

Chris, 

 

If it is this model, it is a Fordson E83W by Classix, there is an example on Ebay. The model is one their earliest and has been sprayed with Dullcote, a set of door mirrors are waiting to be fitted.

 

Cheers and Stay Safe

Edited June 1, 2020 by Jack Benson
iPad fun

[Chris116]

On 21/05/2020 at 17:35, JZ said:

They had 940 tied houses on acquisition by Whitbread in 1969. Plus they must have served a large free trade in the area. Palmer's were and are fairly local to Bridport. Eldridge Pope spread to Bath and Bristol. I can certainly remember Strong's adverts, I seem to remember one near Templecombe station.

This would be appropriate for your period, though it is a modern replica.

 

There are two such replicas on the Mid Hants Railway. One is at Alton and the other at Alresford. I think the one shown is the Alton one.

[Bulwell Hall]

1 hour ago, Chris116 said:

There are two such replicas on the Mid Hants Railway. One is at Alton and the other at Alresford. I think the one shown is the Alton one.

These signs are very well remembered.  There was one in a field facing the railway just north of Eastleigh - Allbrook?  I recall it from my childhood journeys from Winchester Chesil to St Denys en-route to visit my grandparents who lived at Woolston.  Latterly the original Merchant Navy in BR blue was replaced with a more up to date Rebuilt Merchant Navy in BR Green.  I don't recall when the signs disappeared though.

 

Gerry

[DLT]

3 hours ago, Jack Benson said:

 

 

A couple of months ago, we set up an online group page for modellers of the Southern Region rather than maintaining a one-person blog, it is early days and we don't expect too much but you never know.

 

Cheers and Stay Safe

 

 

 

I've just applied to join it

[DLT]

And been accepted.

[Guest Jack Benson]

The LSWR Class S11 was a class of 10 4-4-0 steam locomotives designed for express passenger work by Dugald Drummond. They were introduced to services on the London and South Western Railway in 1903. None of the class survived into preservation after their brief career in British Railways ownership. 

The S11 has always been the ‘Cinderella’ of Southern railway modellers, AFAIK it has never been offered as a kit in 4mm even by the most obscure manufacturer. However, a 7mm version is available from Ace Products and it might be possible to reduce the artwork as it isn’t a particularly difficult locomotive. No valve gear, nice parallel boiler, space for a High Level motordrive without intruding in the cab. 

The S11 lasted on secondary services until the mid 50s, livery would be either plain or lined black for BR. A very useful loco.

 

https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-F3ixb57qy5I/XtjNHYK1y1I/AAAAAAAARGs/rYN7M5WyljwAyjkC0baJfSyDkRGB1IOYACLcBGAsYHQ/s640/30399.jpg

 

https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Jc98LwFX8J8/XtjN080YsoI/AAAAAAAARHU/5vVQYobVhBofvnrOEiCh-dfRwfCIRpWCQCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/30400.Jpg

 

https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VqKX-OomOWc/XtjNKk9oGeI/AAAAAAAARG0/8ohS5SL8S_s_8PnOqyrWPDyTV7OqbDCHgCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/30403.jpg

 

https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-74DT_eXzmTI/XtjNLvIBVAI/AAAAAAAARG4/di15LHsZRkct-NWAk6pPEiNw2YZ0ol-ZACLcBGAsYHQ/s640/30404.jpg

 

https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HPRLaOB-EkE/XtjNNbS-a-I/AAAAAAAARG8/a4dEi3I_zfIjyfMUfQFyCSuK9mVvN2TwwCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/30396Fratton.jpg

 

A more comprehensive version of this post can be found here

 

Cheers and Stay Safe

 

 

Edited June 4, 2020 by Jack Benson
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