RMweb Premium Colin Posted May 15, 2012 RMweb Premium Share Posted May 15, 2012 Almost everyone I know has been expecting me to start on “South Pimlico 2â€, but since disposing of the old “SP†I have been suffering from a massive lack of motivation; the intention is to build this one first, get out onto the exhibition circuit again and only then will I look at producing another chunk of South London, maybe in another year or two. I felt I was in danger of getting onto a sort of layout treadmill, just turning out more of the same. Despite my preference for BR Southern Region, I do have a fair old collection of locos and stock appropriate for the other English regions, and am treating this layout as a bit of an experiment – by building several sets of main buildings I plan to change regions (and even eras) to suit whatever takes my fancy. Basically, the station building, goods shed, signal box and starter signal will all have to be removable/interchangeable – it should be interesting working out just how to do this and still end up with a convincing layout! By substituting a bus shelter for the main building, “demolishing†the goods shed and replacing the signal box with a ground frame I could possibly also cater for the post-steam period. I’ve kept the track plan and proposed scenic treatment fairly simple – the “generic†countryside approach won’t suit everyone but IMHO it’s worth a try, I’ve not seen this done before, although the concept has certainly been mentioned in magazine articles over the years. I intend to start with buildings suitable for the Western Region, but if anyone could point me at a suitable small building for the Midland Railway in perhaps the Gloucestershire area I’d be most grateful, as the LMR is fairly high on the priority list! The pics show progress to date – the “cutaway†on one board is there in case I choose to have the scenery dipping below track level. I'd be grateful for any constructive comments/input - the intention is to have the layout working by August and in a reasonably exhibitable state by next April - in time for its first appearance (invite already received!) 7 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest oldlugger Posted May 15, 2012 Share Posted May 15, 2012 Good luck with the new project Colin! Cheers Simon 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
steve1 Posted May 15, 2012 Share Posted May 15, 2012 Promising start Colin! Hope to see more. steve 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geoffrey Posted May 15, 2012 Share Posted May 15, 2012 Nice idea.Keep us all posted Geoffrey 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Colin Posted June 6, 2012 Author RMweb Premium Share Posted June 6, 2012 I made a fair bit of progress over the last couple of days - all the track is now laid and the layout awaits the attention of my good mate Iain, who will be doing the wiring. As regards the track, I'm using Peco Code 75 with the sleepers set further apart as per Andy's recent article; I've also used modified 6' way gauges (thanks Iain) to set the tracks closer together. Anyway, here's some pics - hope you like them! They were taken while the boards were set up in my lounge, so please excuse the mess in the background! In the last one, Monty (cocker spaniel) looks distinctly unimpressed...... 5 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete the Elaner Posted June 7, 2012 Share Posted June 7, 2012 I'm pleased with the difference the modified 6' way gauge has made. It is only 5mm narrower than standard streamline (the inaccuracies of OO prevent it going closer) but I am happy with the compromise. I think it also makes the pointwork flow more nicely. I suppose I had better get my finger out & start on the control panel. Captain Kernow has given Colin a deadline & I don't want to slow the wheels of progress. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Colin Posted July 10, 2012 Author RMweb Premium Share Posted July 10, 2012 A bit more progress (but not a lot).... The only changes to the main boards so far has been in respect of the wiring, which is progressing nicely. As this has been subcontracted out (cheers Iain) I've made a start on some buildings - the first (pics below) is VERY loosely based on Staverton and just requires some signage and a bit of fettling in places. Colour scheme is BR/WR; details have been taken from pics of WR stations in various colour albums (amazing how many colour variations exist). All you GWR modellers out there - please be gentle with me as this is the first GWR structure I've scratchbuilt in 40 years of modelling. Any constructive criticism will be very welcome - please let me know if it looks the part, or if any minor tweaks would significantly improve it. Next up will be a goods shed & ground frame, then my attention may turn to all things Midland for an alternative set of buildings........ 18 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
BlackRat Posted July 10, 2012 Share Posted July 10, 2012 Now thats very nice indeed! Did you use the Wills brick sheets? 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jules Posted July 10, 2012 Share Posted July 10, 2012 That station building is immediately recognisable as Staverton - I'd clocked it before reading the text! Great job 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Colin Posted July 10, 2012 Author RMweb Premium Share Posted July 10, 2012 Now thats very nice indeed! Did you use the Wills brick sheets? Yes - I can live with the slightly overscale brick detailthat seems to put a lot of people off. For small buildings in particular, I find the sheets ideal. As regards fidelity to the prototype, I took a few liberties with the back of the building; despite having taken lots of pics of the real Staverton, I didn't have enough info on the area round the main entrance doors. I've also added a couple of decorative valances - if these look a bit daft, please don't hesitate to tell me. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
devondynosoar118 Posted July 10, 2012 Share Posted July 10, 2012 That station building is immediately recognisable as Staverton - I'd clocked it before reading the text! Great job Me too, I volunteer there occasionally and you have caught the spirit of it well. Looks to be a great start, will watch with interest. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geoffrey Posted July 19, 2012 Share Posted July 19, 2012 Can't wait to see the other buildings ,goods shed,cattle dock... 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Colin Posted July 28, 2012 Author RMweb Premium Share Posted July 28, 2012 And now.... 4 views of the goods shed. This isn't based on any prototype, but is hopefully in keeping with the station building and, with the addition of a small ground frame and a couple of corrugated tin huts, a nice little group of buildings should result. 10 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geoffrey Posted July 28, 2012 Share Posted July 28, 2012 Lovely little model 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
devondynosoar118 Posted August 2, 2012 Share Posted August 2, 2012 Fits very well with the station building. Without the window in the gable end and a side loading door that could be Staverton's small goods shed. Very nicely modelled. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Colin Posted August 2, 2012 Author RMweb Premium Share Posted August 2, 2012 Here's what could well be the only non-railway building on the layout - a very anonymous cottage which will be occupying a nice corner plot behind the station. Wills parts & sheets used again, the model needs a few small details but is otherwise complete. 13 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Popular Post Colin Posted September 11, 2012 Author RMweb Premium Popular Post Share Posted September 11, 2012 Hols over, thought I'd restart work by finishing off the next station building - this time based on Henstridge (S&DJR). I probably made a bad choice as Henstridge is a unique building, and I really should have used a more typical structure for what is after all a completely fictitious layout - never mind. It's an impression only, based on what I could glean from pics in various books/mags in my possession. AFAIK all the windows and doors are in the right place, and to me it looks the part. Wills sheet has been used again; the large window on the front was cobbled out of some C&L industrial windows and the sliding door and notice boards are all scratch. It just needs some posters and signage now - a suitable goods shed is next on the agenda. 21 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geoffrey Posted September 11, 2012 Share Posted September 11, 2012 Keep up the good work. Hopefully see at Shenfield on Saturday. Question; How many people does it take to operate Shoreditch? 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
devondynosoar118 Posted September 13, 2012 Share Posted September 13, 2012 Wonderful buildings! 1 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Captain Kernow Posted September 13, 2012 RMweb Gold Share Posted September 13, 2012 Most impressed with current progress, Colin, really lovely buildings. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Colin Posted September 13, 2012 Author RMweb Premium Share Posted September 13, 2012 Thanks to you all for all the comments so far - most encouraging. Looking at the pics of the latest buildings reminds me that I haven't added any flashing round the chimneys yet! I'm thinking of incorporating some illumination, so this may have to wait as for now the roofs will have to be removable. Next step will be to mount the station buildings and goods sheds (once I've found and built a suitable S&D prototype) on identical bases, so they can slot into place on the layout. I'm also looking at a suitable ground frame for the S&D scene - Midford is currently the front runner as I have plenty of pics for reference. I'll probably stick with two sets of buildings for the time being - I really need to get started on some basic scenery and a station platform as the layout may appear as a basically non-operational "work in progress" exhibit at the forthcoming Mile End Fine Scale Group expo at the end of October and I want it to look vaguely like a station! If I do manage another set of structures, it will probably be for a 1970s/80s scene - "bus shelter", Portacabins etc. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Colin Posted November 14, 2012 Author RMweb Premium Share Posted November 14, 2012 A bit more progress - once Iain and I had made sure that the layout is electrically sound, I commenced work on the scenery. First job was ballasting & spraying the track - unfortunately the photos fail to show that the sides of the rails are actually painted a slightly different colour to the sleepers and ballast. Anyway, here are a few pics of the station board, on which the most progress has been made to date; rudimentary scenery is now in place and I've shown both my Western Region and Somerset & Dorset buildings on the layout (further buildings for other regions are scheduled to appear before too long). The cottage in the background will be a permanent fixture common to all versions of the layout, as will any other non-railway structures. I hope this gives a clearer idea of what I'm hoping to achieve! 14 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hugh Flynn Posted November 15, 2012 Share Posted November 15, 2012 Hi buildings look great ,I have used wills for many buildings but you have shown me the standard I need to aim for? Well done Hugh 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Colin Posted November 15, 2012 Author RMweb Premium Share Posted November 15, 2012 Hi buildings look great ,I have used wills for many buildings but you have shown me the standard I need to aim for? Well done Hugh Thanks for the compliment Hugh, but I wouldn't say they're that good! You can't see the rough edges in these photos. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geoffrey Posted November 15, 2012 Share Posted November 15, 2012 I like it .Especially the curved platform. Do you have any pics of the other end of the layout? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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