Chester Northgate - Present Day

[Ben Dapol]

Hi everyone, I’m Ben, 21 years old and from North Wales.  I’ve been writing this article for 2 years so far on and off and thought now would be a good time for sharing it. 

 

Like many others, a few months into 2020, I suddenly became not very busy. But if you were to offer any working 18-year-old the opportunity to have lie ins until further notice, they would jump at the chance.  On the other hand, during the day I became so increasingly bored that I thought the only thing I can really do here is build another layout.

 

I inherited my interest in railways from my Grandad who has volunteered at the nearby Llangollen railway since the mid-90s.  So naturally I have always been more interested in the steam era compared to modern.  All my previous layouts have been based in the 1950s and 60s, yet a layout set in the present day had always been in the back of my head.   Something else that piqued my interest was the recent technological advancements in laser cutting and 3D printing, which has led to an influx in the development of small layout accessories primarily catering for the modern era. 

I had taken one of my last layouts to a few shows and thought it was quite fun, this then became a must for the new layout.  So, the final criteria became to make a small modern layout that could be easily transported on the backseat of my Honda.

 

I bought 2 1102mm x 250mm laser cut baseboard kits from Scale Model Scenery which were designed to be stored inside those large ‘Really Useful Boxes’.  This provides sufficient protection during transit and not to mention that the woodwork side of things has never really been my forte.  I slightly modified them by adding a lighting gantry at the front and altering the configuration of one of them, to create a small fiddle yard.  This didn’t really work.  The MDF was splitting and the small frame needed to support the lighting rig wasn’t strong enough.  The restrictions of the plastic box meant it wasn’t feasible to expand the framework unfortunately.

 

Inspiration

The design brainstorming took a few weeks until I settled on a what if? Layout displaying what I think Chester Northgate station would look like now, had it not closed in 1969, but re-built like Wrexham Central was.

With Northern Trains serving the route east towards Manchester via the old mid-Cheshire CLC route through Delamere and Northwich.  Then the Borderlands line by Transport for Wales from Wrexham to Bidston is connected via the 6-mile, ex-GCR line through Sealand which is now a nice cycle path.

The station plot is now the site of the Northgate Arena.  It’s not really an arena, more a glorified leisure centre.  So, I decided this would be something I surely must be able to squeeze into the far corner using some embossed plasticard for the walls and some 3D printed pieces to form the distinctive roof structure.

Regarding the number of platforms, it was announced in 2019 that TfW were doubling the services on the Borderlands to 2 per hour in both directions, adding the hourly Northern service in the other direction would mean 5 trains per hour.  So clearly a single platform is not viable here and as I am quite short of space, an island platform seemed practical in this scenario, just.  Below is the final design I’ve settled on.

 

Basics

I’ll be using code 75 concrete sleeper track and hydraulic buffer stops from Peco with a 3D printed custom buffer piece based on those at Wrexham Central.

No 1970s rebuilt station looks complete without a horrible looking station building, I think that’s a given. I’d seen online that someone had modified Peco’s modular square office buildings into a long station building.

The platforms will be made using Peco’s concrete platform sides and modern tactile edging topped with some nice embossed paving.

The signage will be the new Transport for Wales design which is gradually starting to make its way across the network, appearing at Wrexham General during 2021.  I’m sure it won’t be long before it’s more widespread.  The quicker the horrible Arriva design and colours get removed the better.  As this will be constantly set in present day, the signage will be updated to accommodate this

 

Electrical

The idea for this layout is to be fully automated, for 2 reasons.  Firstly because just sending a DMU up and down a straight piece of track gets boring after 30 minutes, never mind several hours.  The second is so that at larger exhibitions I can stand at the front and listen to what people are saying, haha.  I’ll use the Block Signalling DCC shuttle for the front track, then the rear can alternate between normal DCC operation and another shuttle.

All the buildings will have their own lights and I’ve even bought a scenic sounds unit from Gaugemaster and will be hiding it underneath the lighting rig, just to add some more atmosphere on top of the train noises.  The signals will be from Berko and hopefully will be automatic as well

 

Rolling Stock

The Northern services along the mid-Cheshire line are normally hauled by a class 150 or class 156, made by Bachmann and Realtrack respectively, although both models did come in the pre-Northern nationalisation livery, the only difference between 2019 and 2022 is the logos on the side.  Just a quick transfer change in which Arriva disappeared and the word ‘northern’ became ‘NORTHERN’.

As for the Transport for Wales section.  Class 150s rule the rails on the borderlands line.  As of early 2022, Bachmann don’t make it in the smart new TFW white, black and red, and their silly policy of only announcing things a month before they are on the shop shelves, leaves me contemplating whether or not to buy an existing model and have it resprayed.  Though sod’s law dictates that a few days after I send the model off, a lovely new Bachmann model will appear.  Class 153s used to operate fairly regularly along the line, though nowadays when they do venture to North Wales, it’s almost always to work along the coast.  But to be honest, if Hornby were to release a TfW version, I doubt I’d say no.

The introduction of the new class 230 (refurbished London Underground D-stock) units keep on getting pushed back months at a time so when they finally appear, I’m hoping someone would be making a half decent kit.

Network rail still operate track inspection trains along the borderlands line, varying in length for different uses.  They are normally hauled by class 37s and 73s.  The smallest loco-hauled train I found in Wrexham Central consisted of a modified ex-inspection coach sandwiched by 2 class 37s.  Network Rail also have a modified class 150 which has made an appearance in the past, though I’d rather not go cutting up one of those myself.

All stock is going to be fully detailed inside, sound fitted and weathered appropriately.

 

12th December 2022

So, now we’re up to present day.

That baseboard was sent to the tip and to be honest, and after all the ball-ache, I didn’t look into a replacement for roughly a year.  I came across Tim Horn’s baseboards online and started to enquire about having a custom one made. This time I’m going for a 1 ft x 6ft full scenic section without any joins, accompanied with a 2ft Traverser fiddle yard at the end.  It wasn’t cheap, but hopefully with it being built by a professional baseboard builder, it’ll be worth it.  It’s due to be deliver today and needless to say I’m very excited.

[woodenhead]

Interesting approach, I too am doing a variation on Chester Northgate though as a 1960s what if rather than present day.

 

I've kept more in line with the actual station layout, though it's latest incarnation that I am wiring up presently has moved further from the true layout design than it was 6 months ago.  Being 1960s I get to think about services a lot further afield than a present day Northern / TFW and get to play with what if CLC/GC/GW routes.

 

You've mentioned the 230 above, I am not sure TFW will ever use them now as Vivarail went into liquidation recently and they've already been pulled from the Bletchley-Bedford route with 150s making a comeback.

[Ben Dapol]

3 hours ago, woodenhead said:

Interesting approach, I too am doing a variation on Chester Northgate though as a 1960s what if rather than present day.

 

I've kept more in line with the actual station layout, though it's latest incarnation that I am wiring up presently has moved further from the true layout design than it was 6 months ago.  Being 1960s I get to think about services a lot further afield than a present day Northern / TFW and get to play with what if CLC/GC/GW routes.

 

You've mentioned the 230 above, I am not sure TFW will ever use them now as Vivarail went into liquidation recently and they've already been pulled from the Bletchley-Bedford route with 150s making a comeback.

Yes. I've seen your thread, it's looking very good so far.

 

Most of my stock is 1960s GWR/LMS/LNER steam and diesel.  I'd like to do a model of a fictional terminus based in Chester eventually, but for know I don't mind focussing on a small modern layout.

 

I heard about Vivarail's administration and think they will eventually be used on the line but won't be for a while.  Maybe they can find a way for the class 197s to be used or refurbish some 175s, though I think there will be gauging issues otherwise they would have done it previously.

[5BarVT]

4 hours ago, woodenhead said:

You've mentioned the 230 above, I am not sure TFW will ever use them now as Vivarail went into liquidation recently and they've already been pulled from the Bletchley-Bedford route with 150s making a comeback.

Only hearsay, but I gather that Bletchley-Bedford were leased including maintenance so administration meant no maintenance so no trains, whereas TfWs are owned and maintained by TfW so could be used.  Mind you, for how long without spares etc I don’t know.

Paul.

[Ben Dapol]

The baseboards thankfully arrived all in one piece and took me about an hour to put together.  The pre-drilled and countersunk holes really made it a lot easier and meant I didn't need to clamp it all together.  The base of the traverser unit was pre-assembled and runs along parts from a drawer.  It's very smooth and I only needed to attach the sideboards before attaching it to the scenic section.

 

I thoroughly recommend Tim Horn for baseboards.  This has been a breeze to put together and was well worth the wait.  They're fantastic.

 

I'm not properly attaching the lighting rig for now, this is so that I have enough space to properly apply the backscene which I've just ordered.  I've screwed it on but haven't used any glue.

 

 

The next step is to detach the fiddle yard and cut the hole to allow the trains to move between the 2.  Then to seal the wood with some primer and black paint

 

[Ben Dapol]

I've made a few adjustments to the boards over the past few days.  First was removing the traverser runners and re-attaching them further back so they didn't over hang.  The only thing is that I didn't get them bang on in line so the tray did catch slightly on the main board, but this was nothing some sanding couldn't sort.

 

The notches cut out for the lighting rig must have been cut for some 6mm wood rather than 9mm, so I filed these down a smidge.

 

Finally, I cut out the hole in the board linking the scenic area to the fiddle yard.  As there is no point work on this layout and the slight curves are a very large radius, I'm in theory going to be able to use an accurate 6ft between the 2 running lines. 

 

At the moment I'm unsure as to how to hide this as in real life this is the entrance to the Northgate Avenue housing estate.  I'm considering either building or buying a large building to sit between this and the public.  I'm not sure an overbridge will look right, as technically the North Wales Coast Mainline goes underneath the layout about a third of the way in from the left .  I've got plenty of time to decide as I'll probably start on the scenery from the other end of the layout.

 

[woodenhead]

2 hours ago, Ben Dapol said:

At the moment I'm unsure as to how to hide this as in real life this is the entrance to the Northgate Avenue housing estate.  I'm considering either building or buying a large building to sit between this and the public.  I'm not sure an overbridge will look right, as technically the North Wales Coast Mainline goes underneath the layout about a third of the way in from the left .  I've got plenty of time to decide as I'll probably start on the scenery from the other end of the layout.

 

I've the same issue, I was thinking bridge then I remembered how it was above the North Wales line and the station fronted onto a road.

 

So a big building it will be and a signalbox the other side to create a box into which the trains pass.

[JackB95]

Just discovered this thread, and what a little treat it is. Big win for me on the ground it's a small terminus ✅ North Wales (ish) ✅ modern ✅ and TfW/ATW/Northern ✅

 

Following with great interest! Do miss my old single line terminus-style layouts. Don't make me start one 🤣

[Ben Dapol]

All primed and ready for the backscene which I might have a look at tomorrow.  It’ll all be painted black except for the underneath which I’ll probably just leave painted white as it’s never going to be seen.  I won’t put the black layer on until it’s ready to be exhibited, that way it won’t get chipped or damaged.

[Ben Dapol]

The backscene is now in place. 
I used the ID Backscenes 106B as it has some terraced houses similar to the real view in Chester.  In reality there’s a small office block and a fire station between the arena and houses but I think adding them on top will look messy.
I wanted to have a go at doing curved corners to make it look like the sky was continuous.  I used some acetate and double sided tape to attach them on.

 

The backscene itself was trimmed at the base to reduce the amount of grassland before the houses.  Again, in reality this is a car park, something else I would have to stick in top.  To be honest, I don’t really care, I think it looks fine.

 

 

Overall, I’m quite happy with it.

[Ben Dapol]

I’ve started laying the back line with the idea that once that’s in place I can start making up the platform, then lay the front line which is curved.

 

I’ve used a 2mm cork as the track bed and have started to removed the sleeper webbing from underneath the track.

I’m using Peco Streamline code 75 concrete sleepered track.  Unfortunately, I’m one of those people that gets irritated by incorrect sleeper spacing.  Thankfully this layout will only be using 4 flexitrack lengths so it’s not going to take too long.

[MarshLane]

Ben,

Just to confirm a few comments on the real railway from earlier - nice work on the layout so far btw!

 

On 12/12/2022 at 13:14, woodenhead said:

You've mentioned the 230 above, I am not sure TFW will ever use them now as Vivarail went into liquidation recently and they've already been pulled from the Bletchley-Bedford route with 150s making a comeback.

Yes, TfW have confirmed they still plan to be introduced asap.

 

On 12/12/2022 at 16:59, Ben Dapol said:

I heard about Vivarail's administration and think they will eventually be used on the line but won't be for a while.  Maybe they can find a way for the class 197s to be used or refurbish some 175s, though I think there will be gauging issues otherwise they would have done it previously.

 

175s are going - first one is due to be withdrawn later this month. I gather the new two-train service on the Borderlands line will be a 150 diagram and a 197 diagram.

 

On 12/12/2022 at 17:36, 5BarVT said:

Only hearsay, but I gather that Bletchley-Bedford were leased including maintenance so administration meant no maintenance so no trains, whereas TfWs are owned and maintained by TfW so could be used.  Mind you, for how long without spares etc I don’t know.

Paul.

 

Paul - spot on.  The LNwR sets, VivaRail did the maintenance on them.  All others (incl. 484s on IoW) are not directly affected by the VivaRail news (ie they won't stop running like LNwR). Spares is an interesting question, although I gather a lot of the various items, especially around Diesel engines were off the shelf, so the same parts (or suitable similar ones) should be available, but thats only my understanding, and I may be wrong.

 

Good luck with the layout, I'm following along in the background...

Rich

 

[Ben Dapol]

On 16/01/2023 at 23:16, MarshLane said:

Ben,

Just to confirm a few comments on the real railway from earlier - nice work on the layout so far btw!

 

Yes, TfW have confirmed they still plan to be introduced asap.

 

 

175s are going - first one is due to be withdrawn later this month. I gather the new two-train service on the Borderlands line will be a 150 diagram and a 197 diagram.

 

 

Paul - spot on.  The LNwR sets, VivaRail did the maintenance on them.  All others (incl. 484s on IoW) are not directly affected by the VivaRail news (ie they won't stop running like LNwR). Spares is an interesting question, although I gather a lot of the various items, especially around Diesel engines were off the shelf, so the same parts (or suitable similar ones) should be available, but thats only my understanding, and I may be wrong.

 

Good luck with the layout, I'm following along in the background...

Rich

 

Hi Rich.

 

Thanks for the layout compliments.

 

It feels like TFW have been saying they’re due to come into service for years now.  I travel the line regularly and to be fair, even though they’re old, the 150s aren’t bad since they’ve been refurbished inside.  Yes, one breaks down every now and then but that’s the same with most DMUs of that era.  
 

Saying that the proposed doubling of services and the use of 197s are a welcome step forward from my point of view.

 

Thanks

 

Ben

[Ben Dapol]

I ordered some 25mm metal baseboard alignment dowels from Layouts4U the other day.  They slot perfectly into the pre-cut holes.

 

They’re not really a necessity but does make joining the 2 boards a lot easier.

 

[5BarVT]

3 hours ago, Ben Dapol said:

They’re not really a necessity but does make joining the 2 boards a lot easier.

Disagree.  They should mean the track will line up perfectly time after time . . .

:-)

As you might guess, I’m a big fan of alignment dowels.

Paul.

[Ben Dapol]

Before laying the next pieces of track, I want to get at least the basic structure of the platform in place.

As I’ve said previously, I try and avoid using wood, so instead I’ve spent evenings and lunch breaks over the past week or so working on a card platform kit.  I laser cut it in work (with the boss’ permission), using some waste card.  It’s similar to the Kitmaster O gauge platform kit, just a bit smaller, and to my own dimensions and specification.

I’ve started with a frame that’s been glued to the base.  I didn’t have time at the end of today to cut out the main structural lattice frame, if there’s spare time tomorrow I’ll try and cut them out.

 

Rather than having a ramp, I’ve gone for a more modern platform end, with one being slight shorter than the other.  This helps accommodate the track curve and saves the ball ache of getting the platform shape spot on, so that it doesn’t look odd when a train goes past it, as most curved platforms do.

 

[WCML100]

Some great progress - Following with interest :) 

[Ben Dapol]

So the first phase of the platform is done, there were some changes that had to be made, but I’m quite happy with it now.

 

 

I’ve not seen many layouts with modern platforms like this.  I’ve based mine off what they did with Wrexham Central, removing the ramp and extending the overall length.  The newer section is large precast concrete blocks while the original looks like breeze blocks.  Both have an angled effect near the top which I’ve managed to replicate with a separate piece.

 

I’ll have a think about the top surface and what I’m going to put on it, and I also need to do other raises areas behind the buffers and for the road.  But I think the next step is to lay the other piece of track and sort out the electrics.

[JackB95]

Oh I LOVE that. Like you say, modern platforms like this are so rarely modelled. If I wasn't modelling an older station myself, I'd have a go at a newer structure.

 

Fantastic.

[Ben Dapol]

3 hours ago, JackB95 said:

Oh I LOVE that. Like you say, modern platforms like this are so rarely modelled. If I wasn't modelling an older station myself, I'd have a go at a newer structure.

 

Fantastic.

 

Thanks Jack

 

Like most modern layouts, I was planning to use the Peco Concrete style, but then I had a change of mind and decided to go for something a bit more unique.