GWR branchline terminus 9x2 first layout

[Clanline35028]

Hello, first layout builder here, got a 9ft by 2ft space in my bedroom, planning a gwr branch line terminus and fiddle yard, any opinions on track plan or tips on how to get started would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

[Paul H Vigor]

Recommended book of GWR trackplans: Great Western Branch Line Termini by  Paul Karau.

[Paul H Vigor]

1 minute ago, Paul H Vigor said:

Recommended book of GWR trackplans: Great Western Branch Line Termini by  Paul Karau.

Also: Great Western Branch Line Modelling by Stephen Williams.

[Clanline35028]

Ok, will definitely check that out. Thank you.

[jazzer]

44 minutes ago, Clanline35028 said:

Hello, first layout builder here, got a 9ft by 2ft space in my bedroom, planning a gwr branch line terminus and fiddle yard, any opinions on track plan or tips on how to get started would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

 

Look the track layouts and photos of the real thing and first decide decide which you like best and which comes closest to what you have in mind. You will probably have to make a number of compromises because of space etc and  it may well finish up rather different to your prototype as a result but something that is at least based on the real thing I say likely to look far more convincing than starting with a blank sheet of paper and drawing the first thing that comes to mind. Something like Ashburton might be a good place to start, or you could probably take somewhere like St Ives, then straighten the platform and shorten it without losing too much of its atmosphere, bearing in mind that for most of the year the service would in real life be worked  by a small prairie and two coaches. You only have two feet of width so remember less is more and don’t clutter it. 

I look forward to seeing it develop.

[Clanline35028]

Yes, I do plan on making more but may be a few days/weeks as I am still waiting on baseboards. Thank you for that, I will look into Ashburton.

 

[Rivercider]

Welcome to RMweb.

Your choice of a GWR terminus, but with a Southern Railway Merchant Navy user name is interesting!

 

The track plan looks perfectly straightforward and workable, many similar layouts have been built over the years. If you have a favourite station, or know one area well, then you can personalise your layout by adding details appropriate to the location.

 

I could see a 14XX and autocoach working some services, with the loco spending the night in the shed. If your station is near the sea in a holiday area then you can justify some additional trains on summer Saturdays.

 

Good luck,

 

cheers

[Clanline35028]

Alright, much appreciated, thank you, I will probably go and mull over some ideas

 

[stivesnick]

Hi 

 

As well as looking at railway related books and plans, it is also useful to have a think about what goes on outside the railway fence. The National Library of Scotland provides free access to maps of UK towns going back to when the railways were first built, so having chosen a possible track plan based on a real station, check out the local map to see what was around the station including local industries. The Britain from the Air web-site is also worth checking out, will have some aerial shots of your chosen town. Even if you don't follow a railway track plan exactly, looking at maps and aerial photos can help create a suitable setting for the layout.  

 

Do you know what time period your layout will be based on? 

 

Regards 

 

Nick 

 

[Clanline35028]

Yes I do, it will be mid to late 50s western region

 

[Clanline35028]

Update, sorry there hasn't been one in a while, but the buildings have arrived! Got a Bachmann scenecraft corrugated goods shed, a metcalfe gwr wayside station shelter, metcalfe stone platforms, metcalfe stone single track engine shed, metcalfe road overbridge and metcalfe gwr signal box.