Richard Pike Posted August 11, 2016 Share Posted August 11, 2016 Hi, After modelling 4mm current day I have crossed over to 7mm and suddenly got the urge to model BR Blue. As a young boy in the late 1970's I have vivid memories of cycling alternate Saturdays between Westhouse's and Shirebrook depot's. I remember on one visit the depot foreman giving me and my mate a demonstration of the TOPS computer system and coming home with reams and reams of print out's of just about every loco I needed to cop. That got me drifting off into thinking of modelling Shirebrook, after an hour on Google Earth I calculated the depot could be modelled within a 500m window, that equates to around 11.6 m. The layout is intended to be an exhibition layout, providing someone would like to see it, but also I intend to use it at home and my layout space is just over 12m, so looked as though it was do able. I researched many maps and photographs and came up with a track plan scaled very close to the prototype and then just happened to come across a BR Engineering Track plan for the site, after consultation with some very helpful guy's on the Templot sub forum, this information was given to Stephen Freeman of Borg Rail who has produced me a wonderful Templot track plan for the layout based on the Engineering prototype. At home the layout is going to be around 9.5m scenic section and a round round fiddle yard, in exhibition mode, initially anyway, it will be around 12m scenic with a small fiddle yard either end. The end to end idea is to simplify the logistics of exhibition transport and not having an army of helpers, need to make it practical as possible. Very early days yet, but I have 60% of the boards at home and some track on order, so hope to make progress quickly. Here is a screen shot of Stephen's work, showing the track plan overlaid on the BR drawing. 13 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
bescotbeast Posted August 11, 2016 Share Posted August 11, 2016 You're in luck http://www.hattons.co.uk/205446/Heljan_9500_Modern_Diesel_Depot_Kit_unpainted/StockDetail.aspx Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richard Pike Posted August 11, 2016 Author Share Posted August 11, 2016 (edited) You're in luck http://www.hattons.co.uk/205446/Heljan_9500_Modern_Diesel_Depot_Kit_unpainted/StockDetail.aspx Yes, that was instrumental in my decision, again I have the BR drawings for the depot building, it will be interesting to see how close the Heljan model is to the prototype, but it certainly looks to be in the right direction. Edited August 11, 2016 by Richard Pike Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
vulcan product fan Posted August 11, 2016 Share Posted August 11, 2016 being from Grassmoor Shirebrook was very close to me as well .so i would love to see an o gauge model of it full of 08 20 47 31 56 and lots of MGRs 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Phil Bullock Posted August 11, 2016 RMweb Gold Share Posted August 11, 2016 Ah can hear those 20s warbling and the drain valves ticking on the Sunday line up of 47s... Great subject, looking forwards to seeing this advance Cheers Phil Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
tamperman36 Posted August 11, 2016 Share Posted August 11, 2016 That would be great and bring back some memories from years ago, out with some mates doing a day spotting on a weekend, hunting down those 56s and 58s that we never saw up in West Yorkshire at the time. If you would like to model it then carry on , people go to exhibitions to look at model railways of all eras and locations, some are of real places ,some are just made up but at the end of the day its about enjoying the modelling you do. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium jamie92208 Posted August 11, 2016 RMweb Premium Share Posted August 11, 2016 This sounds like a good project. I had several trips to Shirebrook in the 70's when the 56's were brand new. I may have some photos if you are interested Richard. Jamie 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richard Pike Posted August 12, 2016 Author Share Posted August 12, 2016 This sounds like a good project. I had several trips to Shirebrook in the 70's when the 56's were brand new. I may have some photos if you are interested Richard. Jamie Yes please Jamie, feel free to post them on the thread if you wish. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium jamie92208 Posted August 12, 2016 RMweb Premium Share Posted August 12, 2016 Yes please Jamie, feel free to post them on the thread if you wish.I'll have to dig the negatives out and scan them. Jamie 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stephen Freeman Posted August 16, 2016 Share Posted August 16, 2016 Hi, Yes I'd be interested to see them too, as we still have a few grey areas about which track was FB and which was BH, especially at the southern end and through the station itself. I've been making a start on the setback siding turnout and trap, taking advantage of the good weather and working in the garden. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richard Pike Posted September 21, 2016 Author Share Posted September 21, 2016 Track laying has commenced, Thanks to Stephen Freeman for producing the initial Northern point work, I have got the first track work layed and am busy wiring and fitting Tortoise point motors. My rolling stock collection is growing, I have 13 Skytrex HAA's along with 2 or 3 various wagons and loco stock is a 20, 31, 37, two 47's and a 56, so starting to get there. 12 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
vulcan product fan Posted September 21, 2016 Share Posted September 21, 2016 Can't wait to see those MGRs with an o scale bone . Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richard Pike Posted September 21, 2016 Author Share Posted September 21, 2016 Can't wait to see those MGRs with an o scale bone . Modelling period is 78-80 ish, so sorry no Bones. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
vulcan product fan Posted September 21, 2016 Share Posted September 21, 2016 Modelling period is 78-80 ish, so sorry no Bones. ah well whistling wardrobes in pairs and first built grids then just as good great work on the track by the way 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Enterprisingwestern Posted September 21, 2016 RMweb Gold Share Posted September 21, 2016 Track laying has commenced, Thanks to Stephen Freeman for producing the initial Northern point work, I have got the first track work layed and am busy wiring and fitting Tortoise point motors. My rolling stock collection is growing, I have 13 Skytrex HAA's along with 2 or 3 various wagons and loco stock is a 20, 31, 37, two 47's and a 56, so starting to get there. IMG_3567.JPG That incline looks a bit steep! Were the 02 chimneys still there in your period? Mike. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richard Pike Posted September 21, 2016 Author Share Posted September 21, 2016 That incline looks a bit steep! Were the 02 chimneys still there in your period? Mike. Got a pair of 37's lined up as Bankers for the gradient, but it does look a little steep 02 chimneys ????, tell me more, don't know about those. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
16A Posted September 21, 2016 Share Posted September 21, 2016 What a great surprise finding this thread! It's been a dream of mine modelling Shireborook in 4mm for years, still struggling to get the templot design from the same plan you have there. I'll be following this with great interest.Plenty of pictures here for reference. https://www.flickr.com/photos/16418497@N03/albums Adriano Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grimleygrid Posted September 21, 2016 Share Posted September 21, 2016 Good luck with your new project, excellent choice of location to model. Like many others, I have always thought that Shirebrook would make a nice layout. These are a bit later than your specific period, however, they might be of interest; 3m23s; http://youtu.be/L78q3c_24TM 3 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Enterprisingwestern Posted September 21, 2016 RMweb Gold Share Posted September 21, 2016 Got a pair of 37's lined up as Bankers for the gradient, but it does look a little steep 02 chimneys ????, tell me more, don't know about those. Each side of the office block entrance doors was an ex Langwith Junction 02 chimney with the number painted on, there in my days up to the very early 70's but I don't know when they disappeared. Yes I was sad enough to write the numbers down at the time, although all my reference stuff is packed away in the garage awaiting man cave construction, I have a colleague who is somewhat in advance of you all with his P4 version of 41J who I gave the numbers to and may well have them to hand. Mike. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Classsix T Posted September 21, 2016 Share Posted September 21, 2016 Best wishes with this project Richard, I wasn't familiar with the prototype as a youngster but nowadays as Editor of the C56G's newsletter it's become a venue I'm frequently reminded of! C6T. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold MarshLane Posted September 21, 2016 RMweb Gold Share Posted September 21, 2016 Hi Richard, Looking good - shall be following along. I started with building the depot building (not Shirebrook I hasten to add!) for my layout as I thought once i get into trackwork and scenery i'll never come back to it! Hope you've got a big area for the man cave! If you decide a Bone might need to make an appearance, drop me a message and i'll pop over with my 7mm one - seen here inside my shed! 1970s-1980s is great period to model, i've gone a little wider late 70s-late 1980s/early 1990s - concluding with the introduction of the 60s! Rich 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
vulcan product fan Posted September 21, 2016 Share Posted September 21, 2016 Hi Richard, Looking good - shall be following along. I started with building the depot building (not Shirebrook I hasten to add!) for my layout as I thought once i get into trackwork and scenery i'll never come back to it! Hope you've got a big area for the man cave! If you decide a Bone might need to make an appearance, drop me a message and i'll pop over with my 7mm one - seen here inside my shed! 1970s-1980s is great period to model, i've gone a little wider late 70s-late 1980s/early 1990s - concluding with the introduction of the 60s! Rich wow thats what im talkin about great model pal love the class 58 i lived right across from avenue carbo plant in chesterfield and watched them night and day workin coal train on and off really impressed ...... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
penyghent Posted October 26, 2016 Share Posted October 26, 2016 Each side of the office block entrance doors was an ex Langwith Junction 02 chimney with the number painted on, there in my days up to the very early 70's but I don't know when they disappeared. Yes I was sad enough to write the numbers down at the time, although all my reference stuff is packed away in the garage awaiting man cave construction, I have a colleague who is somewhat in advance of you all with his P4 version of 41J who I gave the numbers to and may well have them to hand. Mike. Did you ever find out those chimney numbers Mike? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Enterprisingwestern Posted October 27, 2016 RMweb Gold Share Posted October 27, 2016 Did you ever find out those chimney numbers Mike? I shall endeavour to cross question my colleague! Mike. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richard Pike Posted January 17, 2017 Author Share Posted January 17, 2017 (edited) Currently away from home, so no practical progress, the second and final section of point work is finished and ready for collection from Stephen Freeman, so hopefully in the next couple of months I should make good progress. I am slowly building up the loco stock, my current fleet is; 08 x 2 20 x 4 31 x 1 37 x 2 47 x3 56 x 1 I am also lucky in having regular visits from a mate with another 08, 47 and 56. Progress is also coming together with the wagon fleet which currently stands at about 40 units made up of HAA's and 16 Tonner's and I am also working on an engineers train that will include two Hydraulic cranes. Once I get back home I will upload some pictures of the stock. Edited January 17, 2017 by Richard Pike 5 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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