West Riding Terminus- Halifax Powell Street

[BurscoughCurves]

Hi all,

 

Had a good time at the Liverpool Model Railway Exhibition on Saturday, and picked up a lifetime supply of black weathering powder!

 

Did a little modelling today, with mixed results. I started the stonework on the retaining wall but tomorrow night i'm going to alter the DAS uprights to taper at the bottom to match the main wall as the blend between the plastikard and DAS looks awful. Failing that wont bother with the DAS at all (other than for blending corners/joins) but this will mean lots of awkward cutting and bending.

 

Corner area with Mikes Models buffers. The two pieces of walls are just propped upright temporarily; 

 

 

Awful DAS uprights;

 

 

Also painted and weathered the wooden cover for the coaling stage/water tank. I like the look of it but doubt i'll keep it. What was the purpose of these? Surely rainwater refilling the tank was a good thing? Also I can't find a picture of a former LNWR/LMS coal hole with a cover on!

 

 

Can't wait to sort out my mess from today!

 

Thanks for reading my ramblings,

 

Pete

[Joseph_Pestell]

Hi all,

 

Had a good time at the Liverpool Model Railway Exhibition on Saturday, and picked up a lifetime supply of black weathering powder!

 

Did a little modelling today, with mixed results. I started the stonework on the retaining wall but tomorrow night i'm going to alter the DAS uprights to taper at the bottom to match the main wall as the blend between the plastikard and DAS looks awful. Failing that wont bother with the DAS at all (other than for blending corners/joins) but this will mean lots of awkward cutting and bending.

 

Corner area with Mikes Models buffers. The two pieces of walls are just propped upright temporarily; 

 

RW1.JPG

 

Awful DAS uprights;

 

RW2.JPG

 

What was the purpose of these? Surely rainwater refilling the tank was a good thing?

CS1.JPG

 

 

I would guess that it was to stop dead (drowned) birds from getting into the locomotive tanks/tenders.

[BurscoughCurves]

Hi there,

 

Managed to alter the first DAS upright, I prefer the look of it now but think it will blend better when it has dried, been re-scribed and painted:

 

 

 

I think I may have to alter my ballasting technique. I have currently painted dilute Copydex between and along the edge of the sleepers and covered the track with ballast (Carrs 2mm for the main running lines and ash for the carriage sidings). When the excess is removed, it leaves a nice, but thin layer of ballast. I think because the Peco sleepers are quite thick I may have to use a thicker layer of PVA to build the ballast layer up in fewer coats. I'll have a play soon to see if is more appropriate.

 

Happy modelling folks.

 

Pete

 

 

[BurscoughCurves]

Hi folks,

 

Hope everyone is getting plenty of modelling done over the bank holiday weekend! I'm not doing nearly as much as i'd like!

 

I have started to paint the small section of retaining wall completed last week but I am struggling to replicate the finish I achieved on the small test samples. I'm now making progress after a few attempts so hopefully things can start to move forward on the scenic side of things.

 

 

After first painting the whole wall in mid stone colour, I dabbed chocolate brown over the higher areas and sprinkled black weathering powder over the damp paint. My first go at this made the wall appear VERY dark. Although it did look very similar to some colour images of the stonework at Bradford Exchange, it didn't scale well and just looked too dark. When the area was dry I brushed the wall with a nylon brush and it started to bring out the finish i'm after. Not sure if it is too uneven?

 

 

My task for tomorrow is to convert a black beetle powered DMU to DCC...

 

Thanks,

 

Pete

Edited May 3, 2015 by BurscoughCurves

[Scottish Modeller]

Hi Pete,

 

As a one time extensive user of Bradford Exchange - I think you have it about how I remember!

 

The colour variation depends on the porosity of each sandstone block.

 

The more porous it was - the more water (and dirt) it absorbed and the more prone to frost damage it became.

 

I've actually stood by and leaned against, one of the walls at Bradford Exchange.

 

On some of the blocks the surface would rub off leaving a lighter shade of stone visible.

 

Thanks

[great northern]

That looks pretty good to me. Pete. One hell of a lot of grime will have stuck to that wall in a century or so. I used to look out of my office window at the remains of Nottingham Victoria, mainly huge retaining walls, and they looked very dark indeed.

[BurscoughCurves]

Thanks Phil and Gilbert. I must be too familiar with post Clean Air Act modern pressure-washed stone; all of the images I found in any area (Bradford, Liverpool, London) around the 50's and 60's were almost all solid black! How did peoples' lungs cope?!

 

I dismantled my DC Derby Lightweight DMU (built by Dave Shakespeare) and started converting the Black Beetle motor to DCC.

 

 

Black Beetle with motor/contact wires unsoldered;

 

 

Extra holes added and Hatons decoder prepared;

 

 

 

Lovely interior!

 

 

After almost blowing up the decoder on my first attempt, the loco is now under DCC control. It isn't the greatest runner, I think I may have to adjust the wheel pickups, but it just has that look that oozes nostalgia. I'm very fond of it.

 

Slowly getting there!

 

 

 

 

Pete 

 

 

[Scottish Modeller]

Hi pete,

 

There appear to be very few colour images on the web that show how Bradford really was, but I remembered the R W Caroll had posted one in an earlier RMWeb.

 

http://i176.photobucket.com/albums/w174/robertcwp/Other/BradfordExchange_undated_s.jpg

 

This gives a good idea what it was like!

 

Thanks

[AireValley1962]

Those walls are really starting to look really authentic - the DMU nicely complements them too.

[BurscoughCurves]

Thanks for the comments gents.

 

Unfortunately I haven't even been able to get into the railway room this week because of work, hopefully things will be back to 'normal' soon!

 

Phil- another cracking image, thanks. There doesn't seem to be too many 50's or 60's colour images of Halifax about, unless anyone has any hidden away?!

 

Thanks,

 

Pete

[Scottish Modeller]

Thanks for the comments gents.

 

Unfortunately I haven't even been able to get into the railway room this week because of work, hopefully things will be back to 'normal' soon!

 

Phil- another cracking image, thanks. There doesn't seem to be too many 50's or 60's colour images of Halifax about, unless anyone has any hidden away?!

 

Thanks,

 

Pete

Hi Pete,

 

You are correct - not many photos of Halifax around - especially colour ones.

 

A photo survey of the station was done in the early 80's - it was one of the sites touted for the Bus Museum.

 

I do remember there were over 200 photos covering the station, goods shed and environs.

 

Not sure who would have the photos now though. 

 

If you try contacting the Halifax MRC - it is possible they gained them as the photographer was one of their members.

 

Thanks

[BurscoughCurves]

Hi Folks,

 

It's been a while unfortunately; and this is usually the point at which I say 'slow going on the layout front due to work...'

 

So, slow going on the layout front due to work! I have progressed a little on the retaining wall front and have butchered (hopefully) about 80% of the slaters plastikard that I need to. I bought a couple of wills viri-girder kits and would have finished off the back wall section but ran out of DAS so was unable to finish the upright pieces;

 

 

The stone inside the tunnel has only been plonked in place, and before painting and powdering it really does look a mess!

 

 

A young spotter trades scraped knees and lifts himself for a glimpse over the wall;

 

 

 

A few addition to the stock front in the form of a couple of suburban MK I's and a lovely horsebox;

 

 

 

The brakevan was a 2nd hand purchase for a few quid from hattons which was strangely weighed down with a PP3 battery! Ironically the replacement 'liquid lead' is probably far less safe!

 

On a recent return trip from London, I was made up to spot (I think) Union of South Africa at crewe heritage centre;

 

 

Always a bonus to spot a legend!

 

Sorry it's late, but thanks for the tip Phil,

 

Pete

 

 

    

[BurscoughCurves]

Hi Folks,

 

It's been a while since my last update but I have made some progress.

 

I have finished ballasting all of the track- other than the unlaid MPD area at the front of the layout. I'm going to finish all of the rear detail before laying the MPD and building the turntable. I will either scratchbuild a 65 ft one with a lathe turned well or I may purchase a MetalSmith Cowan & Sheldon kit- does anyone have any experience with these?

 

The ballasting method I started with was painting Copydex between the sleepers and then sprinkling the ballast onto the glue. This took an age but produced a nice, neat finish however I don't think it is appropriate with the thickness of Peco sleepers. The ballast level looked far too low even after 3 'coats'. Because of this I moved over to the traditional lay dry, spray and dilute PVA method which is so much messier but produces a decent, full depth. That being said i'm not 100% happy with it but i'm hoping after an airbrush of sleeper grime will bed-in and blend a little more.

 

 

I had read about the sound deadening quality of the Copydex method and cannot believe how loud the PVA track sounds now! If my layout was a roundy-roundy i'm sure the neighbors, and more importantly the missus would have more issues with the hobby!

 

I have also had my first play with a static grass applicator. It is a Finescale Model Railways tea strainer type and the tiny test area I played with looks promising. The grass fibers I have bought are 3mm and 10mm autumn colours as I don't want a vibrant green summer scene- more of a yellow washed out depressing Northern feel!

 

 

The long retaining wall has been completed and the stonework painted and weathered. The method that seems to produce the filthy look I am after is to paint a sandstone base colour, followed by applying a brown colour applied with a sponge to the high stone relief. When the paint is still wet and tacky I layer on black weathing powder with a coarse brush and allow the excess to fall off (collecting the loose powder for re-use).

 

 

 

 

I am planning on bedding in the retaining walls with the scenics and ground cover but I have made them removable in case or emergencies with numerous magnetic door catches;

 

 

These hold everything in place well enough.

 

I bought several 3mm white LED's from Maplin some time ago, intending on installing them into the signal box and coaling stage. The were all duds however, none of them worked. I tested them all with the correct resistors and made sure the polarity and voltage was correct and safe and my thoughts were confirmed by my Dad, a retired Electronic Engineer. He ordered me some quality replacements (from RS or Farnell components- I can't remember which one) and I have now installed lighting into both the coaling stage and signal box;

 

 

 

 

I am going to fire up my airbrush this weekend and try to weather the track. The next goals will then be to make the platforms (more RMweb research needed on this subject first!) and over-bridge, and then scratch-build the low relief factory and commercial buildings.  

 

Onwards and upwards!

[leopardml2341]

Pete,

 

You've certainly captured the 'essence of West Riding' with those retaining walls.

 

Good luck with the track weathering.

[edcayton]

Just a thought, but if you get in touch with the builder of Halifax King Cross, Steve Hall, he may be able to help with info, plans etc for the "real" Halifax railways. I don't know how to contact him but he is easily found by google.

 

Ed

[BurscoughCurves]

Hi Ed,

 

Halifax King Cross is one of my favorite layouts, just full of atmosphere. After an earlier discussion with knowledgeable RMwebbers I though a 'might have been' would be better than a pure fictional location- hence the former LNWR terminus in Halifax (off Powell Street!). I'd love to pick his brains though, thanks.

 

 A few stock photos after a running session;

 

An express from Liverpool headed by Jubilee Falkland Islands (please excuse the dust!) rests after a decent slog through the Pennines:

 

 

The station pilot is an old L&Y radial engine:

 

 

I am going to replace the standard Bachmann decoder with a 'stay alive' one and ad extra weight to this loco as it could do with being a bit more precise when on pilot duties!

 

The old faithful Fairburn is on a local to Huddersfield:

 

 

 

Progress is slow going but I'm loving seeing things come together. A glimpse of the atmosphere I am after;

 

 

Pete

[Alister_G]

Hi Pete,

 

I've just had a quick glance through your thread, and I'll definitely be following from now on.

 

You've made a brilliant job of all that retaining wall, the colouring is superb, and the whole layout oozes atmosphere.

 

I love the interior shots of the engine shed as well.

 

Cracking stuff.

 

Al.

[gismorail]

Only just picked up this layout thread very impressive ..... it's amazing with some thought and planning what you can get into 3m x 2m room will be following with interest. 

Like your approach to improving the look of peco track by opening up the sleeper spacing, been a few layouts recently on here where this has been done and it does make a great visual improvement. 

I noticed in some of your pictures that you had used some track templates and was wondering as to where these are from .

[ben pez]

100% looks like west yorkshire with those retaining walls,weathering & colour looks spot on.

 

Cheers.

[BurscoughCurves]

Hi people,

 

Thanks very much for the comments, very kind of you all.

 

Gismorail- my original plan based on a rough estimate of the loft space in my new house was a little more ambitious. It is still my dream layout of an ex- LNER mainline somewhere out of Leeds Central crossed by a former LMS line and I think it was around 6 meters long. I'm very relieved I've started on something smaller, this layout is taking me long enough! But it is an important learning curve which will hopefully set me up well for the future. The track templates are 1:1 printouts from SCARM the layout design package. It is a simple to use program, and a little basic. The library of track, Peco finescale for me, was so useful. I will use something a bit more advanced in the future.  

 

Ben- Ais Gill looks spot on, lovely modelling. I am jealous of that lovely duchess! 

 

So I got my airbrush out for the second time ever today, and started by giving the track a general dusting of railmatch 'sleep grime' between the rails. It is very subtle and I may give a few more coats this week. I sprayed some modelmatch 'oily black' weathering dye at the areas were locos will stand:

 

 

I also tried to spray a little of the oil colour at the point tiebars.

 

 

 

 

I think i'll add some black to the sleepers on the outer edges of the rails for a little more tonal variation.

 

Whilst the airbrush was out I thought I'd start to weather some stock by spraying the under-frames with railmatch 'frame dirt'. I went at it very timidly but at least I've made a start!

 

 

 

 

In fact you can't even tell I've started on the horse box: 

 

 

More to follow soon, thanks folks.

 

Pete

 

 

[cheesysmith]

I must say that for a layout that doesn't even have a diesel in sight, I likeit, or a layout set in Yorkshire without a coal wagon anywhere it does just shout Yorkshire grime, and therefore even being outside my usual modelling period, I will be watching your progress. keep things coming.

[leopardml2341]

I must say that for a layout that doesn't even have a diesel in sight, I likeit, or a layout set in Yorkshire without a coal wagon anywhere it does just shout Yorkshire grime, and therefore even being outside my usual modelling period, I will be watching your progress. keep things coming.

 

Wor 'e sed an' all

[BurscoughCurves]

Wor 'e sed an' all

Will I get kicked off my own thread if I hold my hand up and say "I'm from Lancashire!"

[leopardml2341]

Will I get kicked off my own thread if I hold my hand up and say "I'm from Lancashire!"

Not at all, I just see it as County envy

 

You'd think I'm biased, can't for one minute think why

[BurscoughCurves]

Haha! Come on- we're all friends now! Besides Lancashire also had steam, grime and grot!