Cholsey & Moulsford (Change for Wallingford)

[Nick Gough]

15 hours ago, MrWolf said:

I do like a bit of miniature civil engineering, especially when it's done with as much attention to detail as everything else. It very often gets skipped over and to me that stands out a mile. I've always taken an interest in such things, probably because by the time I came along, bits of architecture was all that was left in many places.

I find it very satisfying to create something like this from scratch. Even though it would be a lot quicker to use a kit it wouldn't be the same and, of course, when modelling a real place you're less likely to find one to match the prototype structure.

 

It's nice that this bridge is still in railway use, both for the main line railway and the preserved Wallingford branch:

 

[MrWolf]

You're making a great job of it too. A real location certainly has to be modelled as faithfully as practicable and I'm always impressed by those who tackle such models.

 

Something fictional or based on a reality presents it's own problems in making things look at the very least plausible. I do tend to use parts of kits for items that aren't standardised, in the same way others will use embossed plastic but for most things I go out of my way to see make things a little different.

[Neal Ball]

40 minutes ago, Nick Gough said:

I find it very satisfying to create something like this from scratch. Even though it would be a lot quicker to use a kit it wouldn't be the same and, of course, when modelling a real place you're less likely to find one to match the prototype structure.

 

It's nice that this bridge is still in railway use, both for the main line railway and the preserved Wallingford branch:

 

its very satisfying to be able to stand at the same point you are modelling 

[Nick Gough]

11 hours ago, Neal Ball said:

its very satisfying to be able to stand at the same point you are modelling 

 

Obviously I won't be replicating all the rampant greenery of today!

[Nick Gough]

Turning my attention to the other end/side of this bridge it has a much different appearance:

This side is what remains of the original Brunel bridge built to carry the two broad gauge tracks at the opening of the line.

At some point it has been altered to remove the brick arch and replace it with a girder deck.

 

In its original state it would have looked similar to this one at nearby South Stoke:

 

The Brunel bridge must have been widened a couple of times. First in the 1860s to carry a third track - the Wallingford branch line. Then again, in the 1890s, when the main line was quadrupled, and three more tracks were added - the two relief lines and a refuge siding for the Up Main.

 

This photo shews where the extended, arched bridge meets the now altered, girders:

 

I am going to try using different methods to model the older side of the bridge with its interesting curved brickwork:

[checkrail]

Fascinating stuff, and quite a modelling challenge, though one we know you'll rise to successfully.

[Nick Gough]

 

Another challenge with modelling this side of the bridge is its proximity to the wall:

I can't build it up in situ easily.

 

Why bother though, when it's not going to be easily viewed? Well, I know its there and I would have to make the parapet and wing walls anyway.

 

Here I do have the advantage of Brunel's plan drawings which are downloadable from the Network Rail archive website - free of charge, for personal/non-commercial use.

 

Using my Silhouette programme, scaled to 4mm:

 

Making a start, with the assistance of Mr Kellogs:

 

This will probably be a bit of a 'trial & error' venture.

[Mikkel]

Just been catching up on the bridge Nick, it's looking very good. I smiled at the unlikely encounter between messieurs Brunel and Kellogg - in model railways anything can happen!

 

 

On 03/10/2023 at 16:20, Nick Gough said:

I have tried to replicate these:

Though it was difficult to establish how curved these parts should be, since they don't shew up on the 25" OS maps or any drawings I have found.

 

I have used part of a common household item to support the curves:

 

 

 

Very impressed with the curved wingwalls. Can I ask if that is Slaters? The last two batches of Slaters I've ordered snaps whenever I try to curve them, but maybe I'm just unlucky with bad batches.

 

 

Edited October 20, 2023 by Mikkel
To clarify

[Nick Gough]

3 hours ago, Mikkel said:

Just been catching up on the bridge Nick, it's looking very good. I smiled at the unlikely encounter between messieurs Brunel and Kellogg - in model railways anything can happen!

 

 

 

Very impressed with the curved wingwalls. Can I ask if that is Slaters? The last two batches of Slaters I've ordered snaps whenever I try to curve them, but maybe I'm just unlucky with bad batches.

 

 

Yes, it's Slaters Mikkel.

 

I bought this particular sheet recently from one of my local model shops.

 

Having got some of the brittle stuff about a year ago, from the same place, I tried gently flexing it before I used it for this location to make sure it would be okay. Then having cut it to size I rolled that part around a wooden handle, to get it curved, before glueing in place.

 

 

 

 

Edited October 20, 2023 by Nick Gough
Clarity

[Neal Ball]

55 minutes ago, Nick Gough said:

Yes, it's Slaters Mikkel.

 

I bought this particular sheet recently from one of my local model shops.

 

Having got some of the brittle stuff about a year ago, from the same place, I tried gently flexing it before I used it for this location to make sure it would be okay. Then having cut it to size I rolled that part around a wooden handle, to get it curved, before glueing in place.

 

 

 

 

 

Would softening it in warm water be possible?

[Siberian Snooper]

It certainly won't hurt to give it a dip.

 

 

[Nick Gough]

21 hours ago, Neal Ball said:

 

Would softening it in warm water be possible?

I did consider doing that but, since it was flexible enough for what I needed, didn't bother to try.

[RJS1977]

On 03/10/2023 at 15:20, Nick Gough said:

 

Since I don't have a drawing of this side of the bridge (and it would be foolhardy/illegal  to climb all over it with a tape measure) I have estimated most of the dimensions from photos and counting bricks.

 

 

Even we don't get to access that side of the bridge very often!

 

As there is insufficient clearance between the tracks over the bridge to erect a fence, that section of the branch constitutes a "red zone" that C&WR volunteers need specific permission from Network Rail to enter on foot, usually only when there is a possession on the Relief Lines.

[Nick Gough]

The latest with my 'Brunel' bridge face:

 

Mostly done with cereal packet card, some foamboard, toilet roll inners (for most of the curves), and a little filler. It doesn't shew up too well in the photos but the wing walls are angled from top to bottom, as are the curved angles joining the wing walls to the face of the bridge. I think this would have been tricky to replicate in plastikard.

[Nick Gough]

In other news I have finally completed all the tests and scans. I had to travel to Leicester, a couple of weeks ago, for a PET scan since the consultants were concerned that my PSA blood result was very high, and the previous scans might have missed something.

 

However, this has confirmed that I do not have a spread of the cancer beyond its original site and, consequently, they have now decided on a treatment plan. I have started hormone treatment and, in three months, will have a months worth of radiotherapy treatment. They are confident that this will cure rather than just contain the disease.

 

In the meantime I still don't have any symptoms and I remain as active (and busy) as ever.

 

Last month we spent a week sailing around the Dalmatian coast, and islands, of Croatia - nothing to do with railways though I did see a train in Split station:

 

[Chris116]

All the very best for a successful outcome to your health issues. Your modelling is very impressive.

[Nick Gough]

3 hours ago, Chris116 said:

All the very best for a successful outcome to your health issues. Your modelling is very impressive.

Thanks Chris.

[BMacdermott]

Hello Nick

 

All the best for the next few months!

 

As you know, I have 'been there, done it, and got the T-shirt!" I'm sure it will all be fine and worth the effort.👍

 

Brian

[Nick Gough]

23 minutes ago, BMacdermott said:

Hello Nick

 

All the best for the next few months!

 

As you know, I have 'been there, done it, and got the T-shirt!" I'm sure it will all be fine and worth the effort.👍

 

Brian

Thank you Brian.

[Nick Gough]

Due to all the curved surfaces it's not really practical for the usual embossed plastikard on the brickwork.

So I'm having a go with downloaded and self-printed brick sheets from Scalescenes.

 

So far, so good, I think:

[Graham T]

They look good to me Nick.

[Nick Gough]

I've just booked my tickets for the Sunday at Warley - now I know that I'm not going to be whisked into the hospital for my treatment, or having to recover from any procedures.

 

 

Number one grandson is coming too, for his second visit, so I know that he is still keen after last year.

[Nick Gough]

We had an enjoyable day at Warley.

Despite arriving shortly after opening, and staying until closing, we only just managed to make our way round all the layouts - no time for all the manufacturer's stands.

 

A few of the sights (with my usual GWR bias):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Nick Gough]

I only made one purchase there:

 

Very interesting with, mostly, photos I haven't seen before.

[Nick Gough]

Back home I have wallpapered the whole of the bridge face:

 

 

To finish I need to fix coping stones to the parapet and wing walls.