Teignbridge (change for Upcombe branch)

[steve fay]

Glad to see the MBR trees looking good, I’m waiting on a batch my self.

[Brinkly]

Lovely work David, such great modelling.

 

Regards,

 

Nick.

[Ardmore]

It’s late afternoon in the summer of 1959 and the last up branch passenger train from Upcombe has just arrived in the bay platform at Teignbridge, the junction with the South Devon main line. In addition to the regular ‘B’ set, no. 5573 has brought an ex-SR 4-wheel parcels van that will now be detached from the train.

 

 

No. 5573 has run forward along the bay platform and is waiting while no. 3840 climbs toward the summit with its class D freight to Tavistock Junction.

 

 

 

 

No sooner has the down freight disappeared under the bridge than  Hall class no. 5967 ‘Bickmarch Hall’ appears, slowing for its stop at Teignbridge with its local passenger train from Plymouth to Exeter.

 

 

 

No. 5573 will now run forward onto the down main, stop, and then reverse  onto the up main so that it the parcels van can be attached to the rear of the Exeter train for the next stage of its overnight trip up to London. In the next photograph, the parcels van has been attached to the up local, and no. 5573 has returned across the main lines to run around its ‘B’ set. Meanwhile, no. 5967 is departing in the Newton Abbott direction.

 

 

 

 

 

No. 5573 has finished running round and is now being coupled up to the ‘B’ set in the bay platform for its final run down the branch this evening. It appears the crew has still to move the lamps to the correct positions.

 

 

Note to those with obsessional tendencies (a group in which I include myself): with bidirectional running on the branch, there are at least three options: (1) no lamps (incorrect all the time); (2) lamps at both ends of the locomotive and the ‘B’ set (incorrect all the time); (3) lamps at the front of the locomotive and one end of the ‘B’ set (correct for up branch trains all the time). My choice is option 3.

 

Thanks for looking.

 

David

Edited September 1, 2022 by Ardmore

[Ardmore]

Time for another update. Last time it was photographed, no. 5573 was leaving Teignbridge for its final trip down the Upcombe branch that evening. Here it is again, emerging from under the road bridge and crossing the viaduct as it nears the end of its journey through the South Devon countryside.

 

 

 

 

 

Thanks for looking, and for the comments and likes.

 

David

 

Edited September 1, 2022 by Ardmore

[scottystitch]

Jaw-droppingly good modelling and, importantly, photography. The lighting is perfect!

[jazzer]

That really is a cracking layout. Modelling is one thing but capturing an atmosphere is so, so, difficult, yet one look at the pictures screams West Of England mainline.

 

Well done on an exceptional model.

[Ardmore]

Another aspect of the scenics that didn’t quite work for me was the low relief buildings behind the branch terminus station (see posts 100 and 118). I decided to remove these and replace them with a hedgerow to create a more rural setting that would merge into the back scene.

 

 

 

 

It then occurred to me that a fish and chip shop wasn’t the most appropriate choice alongside a 1950s grocers and greengrocers, so I converted it into an old-fashioned hardware store, with items for sale on the pavement outside. I’ve added some fruit and veg in the window of the greengrocers, and there are shelves with food items inside the grocers. 

 

I’ve completed the scene with some typical GWR pine trees as a visual break at the end of the layout. For those that are interested, I sourced these from JTT Model Trees.

 

 

 

 

Thanks for looking, and for the comments and likes.

 

David

Edited September 1, 2022 by Ardmore

[sn]

Great layout!

 

Is that John Betjeman walking down your street there? He's probably making a doc for BBC about the delights of travel by train!

[westerner]

I find your layout quite enchanting. Love the HP advert, where did you get it?

[Ardmore]

I find your layout quite enchanting. Love the HP advert, where did you get it?

 

 

Alan - Thanks for your comment: Wencombe was one of the inspirations for this layout. The HP advert comes from one of the Sankey Scenics 1950s billboards sheets.

 

David

[westerner]

David, thank you for your kind comments about Wencombe and the info about the advert. I really do like your layout, if I was just starting out it would inspire me. It is good to see so many excellent GWR/WR layouts on the forum and yours is one of the best.

Edited September 11, 2018 by westerner

[Brinkly]

Inspirational stuff David. Your work captures the feel of a GWR station very well. 

 

Kind regards,

 

Nick.

[Ardmore]

Another part of the layout that has received some attention in recent months is the field and buildings at eastern end of the Teignbridge scene, here visible on the right in the distance.

 

 

In addition, there is now a gate leading into the goods yard, and a weigh bridge near the entrance. The vans in the foreground are all Bachmann models that have been detailed with screw-link or instanter couplings (Smiths). The two BR-design vans have also been fitted with tie bars (Cambrian Models). All have been weathered by GC Weathering, back in the UK (usual disclaimer).

 

The next photograph shows a closer view of the cottages and Royal Oak inn, looking along the road across the railway over bridge to the bus stop opposite the entrance to Station Road. The inn was constructed to my own freelance design using Wills and Ratio materials, while the cottages were made from a Wills Craftsman kit, but substituting lime washed stone sheet for the walls.  

 

 

The Royal Oak has acquired a substantial covering of ivy (MiniNatur, 1:160 scale), and four trees from MBR Models have appeared in the field. Note the stile in the hedge opposite the Royal Oak (Peco) and the worn down grass on the path leading from it. Blocking the entrance to the field is an MG TC whose owner might have been glimpsed in earlier photographs watching the trains from the parapet of the over bridge.

 

 

 

Thanks for looking and for your encouragement.

 

David

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited September 1, 2022 by Ardmore

[bgman]

Super modelling David.

[gismorail]

The more I look at this wonderful layout the greater the inspiration I draw for my own creation. I'm about to start a winter long marathon producing trees hedges and foliage and your work gives me great ideas and I thank you for posting such excellent photographs for everyones enjoyment. 

[Ardmore]

The last section of the layout which required some scenic attention has now been completed (at least for the moment). That is the rising ground behind the up platform and in front of Station Road at Teignbridge. In an attempt to capture the typical appearance of a country GWR station, I have now 'planted' a row of 8" pine trees (from JTT Scenery Products). As these are some 30" from the front of the layout, they are less detailed than the Scots pines at Upcombe station. The first pair of photographs show the 'before' and 'after' appearance.

 

 

 

In the next pair of photographs, the goods shed is not hidden behind the large oak tree. The goods crane came from Mike's Models, longer ago than I care to recall.

 

 

 

If the roofs of the buildings look different in the 'after' photographs, that is because I am in the process of weathering them. Here is a final 'after' photograph looking from the other direction. I posted the corresponding 'before' photograph last week.

 

 

Once again, thanks for looking and for your encouragement.

 

David

 

 

 

 

Edited September 1, 2022 by Ardmore

[Modelling Mike]

David, I have just finished catching up with this wonderful thread, and I have to say your latest scenic enhancements are spot on. I was particularly taken with the pub and cottage scene - the ivy on the Royal Oak looks fantastic.

 

The work around the viaduct is also excellent - the new greenery really brings the scene to life. I’ll have to look out for the MBR models trees, as I’ll need some soon for my own layout and they do look the part.

 

Keep up the great work and keep the updates coming!

 

Cheers, Mike

[Ardmore]

Now that the scenic details around Teignbridge have been enhanced with the addition of the six pine trees, it's time for some main line steam action. First up is no. 6010 'King Charles I' heading east with one of the four daily named trains between the south west and Paddington. The Cornish Riviera Express, The Cornishman and The Royal Duchy started from Penzance, and while The Mayflower ran between Plymouth and London.

 

No. 6010 is a renamed Hornby model (R3332) which has been detailed with class A lamps, crew, and real coal. It has also received attention from GC Weathering. I chose this engine because it was one of the two King Class locomotives that I saw dumped awaiting their fate during my first visit to Old Oak Common in October 1963. The other was no. 6028 'King George VI' and I also have a model of that engine.

 

 

 

 

 Next up is no. 3840 heading west up the gradient with a class H unfitted freight bound for Tavistock Junction yard. All the wagons in this train have passed through the expert hands of GC Weathering and I have also added a coal load to each of them. The layout is DCC, and this engine has been fitted with a TCS DP2X-UK decoder together with a TCS KA1-C keep alive capacitor. The addition of the latter unit transformed it from a somewhat indifferent performer into a beautiful slow runner.

 

 

 

Once again, thanks for the 'likes' and for the encouraging comments.

 

David

 

 

Edited September 1, 2022 by Ardmore

[BobM]

Time for a few pictures of my favorite ex-GWR class. Here is no. 7020 'Gloucester Castle' speeding through Teignbridge on a down express. This model came from the "A Date with the Duchy" set that I acquired second-hand, and started life as no. 7036 'Taunton Castle'. It has been updated from the early emblem on the tender to the later crest as the layout is set in 1959-1960. The undersized plastic smokebox dart has been replaced with a Markits brass version which (I think) greatly improves the appearance of the model.

 

IMG_3603.jpg

 

IMG_3606.jpg

 

IMG_3607.jpg

 

IMG_3610.jpg

 

Thanks for viewing.

 

David

Hi...

I just love that footbridge....

Regards

Bob

[Ardmore]

Hi...

I just love that footbridge....

Regards

Bob

 

 

Hi Bob,

 

The footbridge is a modified ex-Hornby kit (R 481) which is now part of the Gaugemaster Fordhampton range. I described the modifications I made elsewhere:

 

http://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/index.php?/topic/95033-gaugemaster-fordhampton-structures-oo4mm-scale/

 

All the best.

 

David

[checkrail]

Teignbridge had somehow fallen off my 'followed topics', so I've just spent a pleasant half hour catching up with your 2018 posts. Still definitely one of my top five - absolutely gorgeous.

 

John C.

[definate maybe]

Hi Ardmore, I hope you are well.

just seeing if there is any progress on the layout

mark

[GWR57xx]

Only just come across this thread.

Looks superb and right up my street.

Going back to read from the beginning.

[GWR57xx]

Fabulous.

[Ardmore]

Well, it's been quite a while since I last posted anything on this topic. Work was progressing, somewhat more slowly than before, and then we decided to move home earlier this year. So, in the space of four days at the beginning of March, we sold our house near Atlanta and bought one near Athens (Georgia not Greece, before anyone asks). The move itself took place over three days in mid-April: right in the middle of the COVID-19 outbreak here.

 

That meant the layout had to be dismantled (no small task), the stock packed up, and everything transported 50 miles to our new home, before being reassembled. That work is now almost complete, and test running is in progress. All being well, I will post some pictures of Teignbridge (and Upcombe) in the near future.

 

David