London Bridge (at the end of the 20thC)

[grahame]

After a long time working on planning an N gauge layout based on London Bridge (see my thread : https://www.rmweb.co.uk/topic/115057-scratch-built-card-and-styrene-structures-based-on-real-buildings-around-london-bridge/ about making the buildings) I've been able to start to realise my dream.

 

A garden shed/room has been procured and erected in my small garden and now that a patio has been laid and the garden tidied up (although not completely) I can move on to the next phase:

 

 

The internal dimension is a fraction under 11ft 6" (3.5m) by a bit over 8ft (2.5m) which is probably not to bad for N/2mm scale - double that to 23ft by 16ft for an OO/4mm equivalent layout space comparison. But it's 'obsons as I couldn't have had it any larger anyway. I've ordered and had delivered timber for the construction of the baseboard frame and support. And I've started on planning how that will be assembled.

 

 

With many of the buildings already constructed, the layout will hopefully become a reality.

 

Edited September 5, 2023 by grahame
Update

[bmthtrains - David]

The buildings alone are worthy of museum display so I will be looking forward to seeing your progress on the layout itself over the next few years.

 

David 

[shanks522]

Very much looking forward to your creation Graeme, as David said the buildings are superb, it’s going to be a masterpiece. 👍

[carlwooduk]

An excellent home for you layout Grahame, look for to seeing your updates and progress on what will be an iconic N gauge layout.

[njee20]

I often look at the various buildings in the vicinity of the station on my way to and from work on Southwark Street with you in mind! As others have said, they're stunning, so another one keen to watch this develop!

[grahame]

A little bit of background planning info:

 

The planned period that the model will represent is the late 70s to early 90s. Although this is probably a little excessively optimistic time frame for a historic model railway, it conveniently falls between the two major rebuilds that the real station has undergone in the last century. Firstly, the infamous 1972 to 1978 rebuild under British Rail, and then the 21st century redevelopment in 2012 to 2018 under Railtrack. And the period conveniently covers the end of the interesting British Rail blue and blue/grey scene, the London and South East 'jaffa cake' sector period, as well as the introduction of the swish red, white and blue 'toothpaste' livery of the Network SouthEast period.

 

 

[phil_sutters]

Looking forward to seeing you bringing all the beautifully crafted little gems together. I am especially keen to see it as I knew the area well in the late 20th century. Doesn't that sound a weird description of an era, when you have lived through it. There's a lot of hard work ahead, but it will be worth it, I am sure. Best wishes, Phil.

[RobinofLoxley]

as well as the introduction of the swish red, white and blue 'toothpaste' livery of the Network SouthEast period.

 

Swish? You really are joking I hope.

[AndyB]

Hi Grahame,

You've a nice shed for the layout. Will the layout be a permanent fixture, or will you be able to exhibit it? 

Best. Andy

[grahame]

9 hours ago, RobinofLoxley said:

 

Swish? You really are joking I hope.

 

Nope. Swish, as in impressively smart and fashionable. I liked it. It was bright, refreshing and new. 

 

Edited July 23, 2023 by grahame

[grahame]

3 minutes ago, AndyB said:

Will the layout be a permanent fixture, or will you be able to exhibit it? 

 

 

It'll be permanently installed in the shed. I've got too old for taking layouts to exhibitions these days.

 

[MyRule1]

 At least with your chosen period you avoid having to build the Shard but No 1 London Bridge was built during the period and would make an interesting project.

 

As others have said if your earlier models are anything to go by this will be an interesting project to follow.

 

Last thought you could always model the NSE open day in 1988 https://www.kentrail.org.uk/London Bridge 1988.htm. 

[grahame]

Yep, the Shard would scale out at 7ft tall in N/2mm scale. No1 will be at the back of the layout so I've built a low relief version. It's not completed, details to be added including glazing, but here's how it currently looks:

 

 

The two large buildings for the layout are New London Bridge House and Southwark Towers, both now demolished, but essential for the layout period. Here's my core for New London Bridge House.

 

 

I also have a similar foamboard core for Southwark Towers which is bulkier.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited July 23, 2023 by grahame

[Siberian Snooper]

Hi Grahame,

 

Looking forward to seeing your buildings in place with the railway snaking its way between them.

 

[grahame]

Sounds like the pressure is on - to get cracking and not to disappoint. Unfortunately it will take a little while as the next stage is the baseboard carpentry - sawing, gluing and screwing. And the women's football world cup games are currently on TV with the men's rugby world cup to shortly follow.

 

In the meantime here's an old pic of the buildings that will be in the back left corner of the layout temporarily posed.

 

[Jon Harbour]

Looking forward to seeing this Magnus Opus develop Grahame!

[grahame]

I've made a start on the baseboard sawing, gluing and screwing. But it's slowly, slowly, school-boy wood-work. Not exactly cracking pace carpentry.

 

[Siberian Snooper]

Progress is, progress!

 

 

[grahame]

And a little more progress. I've now completed the main scenic baseboard framework support. The top surface is yet to be glued and pinned down. The structure is free standing (not attached to the walls) and is quite firm and rigid although some planned cross bracing and low level longitudinal struts are yet to be added. But I'm calling it a day as it's far too hot and sunny to be working outside (cutting and assembly has mostly been done in the garden).

 

The baseboard height is 43" and then the viaduct on which the trains will run will be a further 2-3 inches above that. The end/side boards, which will have the return curves are non-scenic and will be at the viaduct height and hopefully include stock storage. The two structures on the floor under the baseboard left end are the cores for the two large skyscraper buildings - fortunately they do fit in under the ceiling/lights. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[grahame]

Just a little woodwork today. It's been too hot and humid today for undertaking much physical work like that, but I did manage to complete the main baseboard to the road level with all the surface ply cut, glued, screwed and pinned in place. Next will be the viaduct level and the ends/side baseboard extensions for the return loops.

 

 

The modelled road section is the left hand end end with Borough High Street rising up towards the back and becoming the start of London Bridge itself. The railway, from Charing Cross and Cannon Street, crosses the road between the two columns and swings around in to London Bridge station.

 

 

[grahame]

The postman delivered something to put up in the new shed this morning:

 

 

It's printed on thin ali-sheet and gloss finished with sticky pads to save drilling in to the shed walls and potentially damaging the weather barrier.

 

 

[grahame]

A little bit more wood hacking this morning. And a start made on the baseboard framework for the west end return loops. 

 

 

It's a little higher than the scenic baseboard so that the trains run can straight on to (and off) the viaduct height with no slopes. You can see that it lines up with the bridge across Borough High Street abutments (Just under the right hand side of the window).

 

The wider area allows for a double return loop from Peco No3 and No4  radius setrack curves (currently on order). The entry, along the wall under the window, will be angled roughly in line with the wood moulding strip lying on top. But that requires more wood mangling and I'm now going to have a shower to get ready to stroll down to the local for a few sherbets.

 

 

 

 

 

[grahame]

This morning a little more work on the 'off scene' west end return loop baseboard. But now I need to go out for some more supplies. I've used a complete box of 200 screws and I need more and some panel pins. I'd also like to get some grey emulsion to paint the wall behind the scenic section - the London skies are often grey. Snag is I need to wait until the window cleaner has been.

 

 

[grahame]

I got some grey emulsion yesterday and have painted a first coat this morning. It's going to need another coat and looks a little dark but seems to be drying lighter (maybe it's a stormy day - and will help with the urban grot look). I'd like to fade it downwards to a lighter finish - maybe some Halfords aerosol grey and white primer will help with blending by gentle spraying.

 

Meanwhile I'll watch the current women's world cup footie game while it dries. Fingers crossed.

 

 

 

 

 

 

[grahame]

Left the paint to dry overnight and this morning it's not too bad. It's dried lighter, probably more acceptable, although some touching up is required. I'll try and get that done today. And I'm in two minds over whether to dust some white on along the bottom - skies tend to get lighter towards the ground/horizon. The pic below has the wrong colour temperature balance set on the camera but it gives an idea of how things are going: