Peterborough North

[great northern]

Yup.

 

I liked the shot we used in MI - http://www.rail-onli...3f650f&type=800 - but you'll have to round up some spotty spotters to stand at the platform end. The telegraph poles also look a bit 'busy'.

 

That platform will need a bit of paint first though but it will make a cracking angle for various worthy locos.

 

Those telegraph poles are a nightmare Andy, about five of them that size I reckon. That's why I keep putting that job off. The platform surfaces will hopefully be finished off soon, after which I can get some more people installed too. Then there are the platform lamps. Only about a dozen in all, but very distinctive indeed, so there is another problem. It will be those details that bring it to life though, so all will get done, somehow, sometime......

[great northern]

I am doing some modelling, honestly I am, but I've reached the point where I have e-mailed some shots to Gravy Train for his comments before I go any further. After struggling in the gloom for a while I gave up and put the lights on. It then occurred to me that I can photoshop out the shadows they produce, and that with a combination of Digital Photo Pro and Paint.Net I might be able to get some reasonable results. So here is a shot of one of the problem corners, virtually impossible with natural light.

 

Here is the 04/8 which the shed staff borrowed this morning for a trip down to Little Barford power station. Nearly back now with the empties, but it has had to run tender first as there was no way to turn it down there. That is also why there is a brake van next to the engine. Thanks again to AndyRush for this information.

 

The trench in which the signal is sitting will be filled in once they are all operational by the way. Any chance of realism is spoiled by the sky coming right down to the baseboard, which has again triggered the possibility of putting a backscene in just from this point to the end of the layout. It is hard to access as one has to bend under a bookcase, and that bracket signal at the edge of the baseboard is very vulnerable, so nothing much is lost by doing it, and it would cure the problem seen here. In 1958 Spital Bridge shed was about here, so I'm wondering if something in very low relief might be possible. We shall see.

[Mallard60022]

Gilbert, have a word with PMP of this Parish re. the backscene. He really has some great ideas for those and cunning ways of 'concealing' style scenic breaks rather like the sides of a theatre stage. Have a shufty at Albion Yard and you will see what I mean.

His ideas could save you a heck of a lot of time.

I'm going to have to do exactly this sort of visual trickery very shortly.

Cheers, P

P.S. I have actually modelled today but have broken my 12 hour statement.............sorry.

P @36E

[great northern]

I decided in the end to wait until Gravy Train visited on Sunday before doing anything permanent around the station frontage area. We had quite a long discussion about levels, as photos appear to show the land dropping away from the railway, but in the end we decided that it was the angle from which the photos were taken that caused an illusion, so like nearly all else around Peterborough, flat earth rules.

 

There have been a couple of additions to the overall scene though which Peter brought with him yesterday, so I shall start with one of those.

 

 

These two lean to buildings were on the end of the Down side at the South end, and here they now are. I love this kind of small detail, as I think it brings things to life in a way which is out of all proportion to its size.

 

 

In order to show the new buildings I had to move the small hut which stands in front of them, so this shows how the scene actually looks now. It also shows that there are now some more prospective passengers at last. Peer into the gloom on the right hand side though, and you will see that one of them has had a nasty fall. Predictably, he is right in the middle, where I can't reach without taking the roof off .The big advantage of the roof is that figures really can't be seen in any detail, so the fact that to me any way they just don't look right won't matter much.

 

Right, on to the stuff I am doing. I stress that this lot is just at mock up stage, and very crude mock ups as well. I really want to see how it all relates to each other and to the real thing before I go any further.

 

 

This shows part of the loading dock at the South end. To the extreme left is the other structure Peter brought yesterday. These are some sort of storage facility, and sat on a plinth in front of the parcels office. As you can see, no plinth yet! The blue card to the right, which lifted up as soon as I took my eyes off it, marks the pavement of Station Road, and confirms that all of the properties except one on that road will be off scene. All the photos show a number of vehicles parked nose in to the back of the dock, and they do appear to be at a slightly lower level, so I have incorporated that. I suspect that this was just about all the parking space provided.

 

The walls of the hotel garden are also temporary, as are the trees, and the fencing. Station Approach comes in from the right between the two wallls.

 

 

The view from under Crescent Bridge. You will see that the Up platform was finished off yesterday, though the mortar coat to the sides is still to be applied, and in common with all other platform surfaces there is more to be done to finish them off.

 

 

One more view from Crescent Bridge.

 

 

Now we are standing on the pavement on the far side of Station Approach, and looking along the forecourt. I had some 15mm square stripwood lying about, so that has been used for the sub frame. That is topped by 1mm card, as shown toward the front of this view, and above that at the rear I have added a thin grey card which will be the base surface for the forecourt. It extends under the buildings at present, but will be cut back to remove any gap between the buildings and the surface on which they stand.

 

 

 

Did I say I love detail? Here are the first two signs to be added to the walls, the first of many I can tell you. Every wall inside and out was covered in them.

 

 

Finally, another view under the roof from the North end. We now have the valance on the side of that last bit of arcade, though the strong light has completely bleached out the roof. The very harsh light at the other end though is entirely prototypical. I've never seen a photo which has succeeded in avoiding that, which is not surprising I suppose when you take into account the equipment and film available back then. There might be a "shot of the day" later if I have time, but that's all for now.

[Mallard60022]

"crude mock ups" is about the right description of my best work in comparison to this.

Can I hear a whistle in the distance or was it an excited Robin?

P @ 36E

[jwealleans]

Is that Robin who's passed out on the platform from excitement?

[great northern]

So, this afternoon I sat at home waiting, in vain, for someone to turn up for a long pre arranged appointment. Not railway related I hasten to add. Finally realised they weren't going to show, so shot of the day, or more accurately "train of the day", went ahead instead.

 

Featured below is the 1.15 pm Harrogate - KX behind one of my favourite A3's, Woolwinder, recently fitted with a double kylchap. Some of these were taken with overhead lights on, but the last two just took advantage of what little natural light remained. I know which I prefer.

 

 

 

Ignore the bloke on the floor, I reckon he's just looking for sympathy.

 

 

 

 

I know the last one doesn't work, but I spent ages working on it, so in it goes anyway. Believe it or not, the ****** bookcases can still exercise their malign influence. A shot like this goes over the top of the blue card, and the bookcases get nicely positioned behind the hotel roof, causing all sorts of problems when I try to edit them out. There should really be a nice view of Peterborough Cathedral in the distance behind this one.

[45568]

.

Ignore the bloke on the floor, I reckon he's just looking for sympathy.

 

When questioned by station officials it appeared he was a visitor from the continent. Gave his name as "Suarez".

cheers,

Peter C.

[great northern]

.

Ignore the bloke on the floor, I reckon he's just looking for sympathy.

 

When questioned by station officials it appeared he was a visitor from the continent. Gave his name as "Suarez".

cheers,

Peter C.

 

:laugh: :lol: Shan't be able to sleep now Peter - I keep bursting out laughing every time I think of that reply.

[Guest jonte]

May I ask, Gilbert, what standards were used in the construction of the track work? For instance, are they built to DOGA 'Finescale' or 'Intermediate' ? Also, have you set a single b-t-b for all stock used and if so may I enquire as to what it might be (perhaps 14.8) ?

 

Sorry to interrupt the flow, but I've been unable to find an answer so far in this excellent thread so I hope you don't mind me enquiring.

 

Many thanks,

 

Jonte.

[jwealleans]

Don't you just hate those smileys sometimes?

[Mallard60022]

The bloke on the platform....I knew he was Russian all along as Ms Agutter told me.

Otherwise it was a spotter who had just realised he had cleared his LNER/ER Pacifics.

'Woolwinder' - the last A3 I saw at the 'Cross', ready to head North in '60 or '61 I think. It had those lovely chimney shoulder pads by then - nice.

1st and 4th pics - class.

As a jolly Gilbert, how about visiting the fair City of Peterborough and taking some pics near the Cathedral and then 'shopping' those into your backgrounds? You might even be able to use them on some sort of 'back/front' screens at a later date?

Beats playing that funny game where loads of blokes lose their balls.

P @ Klingon Colony E

Edited October 30, 2012 by Mallard60022

[great northern]

May I ask, Gilbert, what standards were used in the construction of the track work? For instance, are they built to DOGA 'Finescale' or 'Intermediate' ? Also, have you set a single b-t-b for all stock used and if so may I enquire as to what it might be (perhaps 14. 8) ?

 

Sorry to interrupt the flow, but I've been unable to find an answer so far in this excellent thread so I hope you don't mind me enquiring.

 

Many thanks,

 

Jonte.

 

All of the track work was done by Norman Saunders of Just Tracks Jonte. I think he is the man to answer your queries. I've had a look at his web site, but that doesn't give the answers, so a call to him might be the best option. I'm afraid I can't give you the answer myself. I just know that it is fabulous track!.

[great northern]

The bloke on the platform....I knew he was Russian all along as Ms Agutter told me.

Otherwise it was a spotter who had just realised he had cleared his LNER/ER Pacifics.

'Woolwinder' - the last A3 I saw at the 'Cross', ready to head North in '60 or '61 I think. It had those lovely chimney shoulder pads by then - nice.

1st and 4th pics - class.

As a jolly Gilbert, how about visiting the fair City of Peterborough and taking some pics near the Cathedral and then 'shopping' those into your backgrounds? You might even be able to use them on some sort of 'back/front' screens at a later date?

Beats playing that funny game where loads of blokes lose their balls.

P @ Klingon Colony E

 

I've been thinking about another trip down to Peterborough Phil,but I reckon there will be a problem with getting a photo to act as a backdrop. It comes in the form of the Inner ring road and a very large shopping centre and multi storey car park, none of which were around 50+ years ago. I can't think of a way to get the cathedral at the right kind of distance while eliminating all of the modern stuff. The same applies on the West side - everything has gone. I should go down there though, as I'm sure the GN hotel will have some very nice archive photos. It's just getting round to it as usual.

[great northern]

House bound at the moment as my car has gone for a major service. They've just phoned me as for some reason they expect me to pay for it. That bill, together with renewal of the layout insurance makes it an expensive day. Never mind, the sequence has thrown up two notable trains, so here are your shots of the day.

 

 

First we see the arrival of the Up Northumbrian behind Top shed A1 Sea Eagle. There are times when I wish the LNER hadn't been so fond of lattice post signals.

 

 

Two for the price of one! Golden Fleece is waiting in the bay platform to take over the Up Glasgow - KX, and Andrew K Mc Cosh has the Scotch goods again.

 

 

Number 3 rolls gently past a Boston K2 wating to depart with the 5.03pm to Grimsby, while the V2 pilot still waits for something to do.

[davidw]

Gilbert weren't the k2's an early withdrawal?

[Guest jonte]

All of the track work was done by Norman Saunders of Just Tracks Jonte. I think he is the man to answer your queries. I've had a look at his web site, but that doesn't give the answers, so a call to him might be the best option. I'm afraid I can't give you the answer myself. I just know that it is fabulous track!.

 

No problem, Gilbert, but thanks for trying. Likewise, I had a butcher's at Norman's website but it didn't reveal anything although I suspect it's one of the two DOGA standards. If you haven't had to reset the b-t-bs on any of your RTR stock then my money's on 'Intermediate'.

 

Best wishes and please keep feeding us more manna from heaven.

 

Jonte

 

PS my post was supposed to read '14.8?'. Dunno where the smiley thingy came from.

[great northern]

Gilbert weren't the k2's an early withdrawal?

 

Plenty left in 1958 David - Boston still had about 8 on the books. They staggered on till 1961 I think, though I suspect that the last couple were just used as stationary boilers. 1759 was definitely used in that way at New England, and I believe another one was at Kings Cross. The last English based locos were at Colwick, and they were still being used for seaside excursions in 1960.

[great northern]

No problem, Gilbert, but thanks for trying. Likewise, I had a butcher's at Norman's website but it didn't reveal anything although I suspect it's one of the two DOGA standards. If you haven't had to reset the b-t-bs on any of your RTR stock then my money's on 'Intermediate'.

 

Best wishes and please keep feeding us more manna from heaven.

 

Jonte

 

PS my post was supposed to read '14.8?'. Dunno where the smiley thingy came from.

 

A few of Norman's turnouts have had to be eased a bit to allow some RTR stock to get through, but I would say that you are right in surmising that it is Intermediate, as Norman knew that most of my stock is RTR when he took the job on. As to the smiley, when your post came to my inbox it said 14.8, so goodness knows where it managed to creep in.

[Guest jonte]

A few of Norman's turnouts have had to be eased a bit to allow some RTR stock to get through, but I would say that you are right in surmising that it is Intermediate, as Norman knew that most of my stock is RTR when he took the job on. As to the smiley, when your post came to my inbox it said 14.8, so goodness knows where it managed to creep in.

 

Ah, I see, that's very interesting and also reassuring that even the professionals have to resort to a bit of tweaking now and again. In fact knowing this has reinvigorated me (long story).

 

Thanks for letting me know, Gilbert.

 

Best wishes,

 

Jonte (this one is intended!!).

[Mallard60022]

Pics 1 & 3 - just wonderful.

Gilbert, there was a chap earlier in this tome that took some pics in the 'borough. Perhaps you could ask him con him to visit the local archive office' or library where there could be some historic pics. If you are then allowed to copy those then hey presto at least you might have some b & w backgrounds. I'm sure he would love to get rewarded with some more lovely pics including his efforts?

Cars.....pah! Car Mechanics... even more pah! Resulting Invoice ..... bl**dy great pah! Bring back the horse and trap I say.

P @36E

[Joseph_Pestell]

Re photo-shopping the latttice work signals:

 

Do you work round them each time? Or do you have a library of signals which you can add too the shot afterwards? That might be quicker and easier.

[TheLaird]

Some of you may recall that a while back Gilbert had a couple of visitors from the West Riding, a photo of one appearing on this thread. Well I have finally got around to putting together some video footage shot on that occasion. Unfortunately, by the time the camera came out the light was failing and the beautiful red sunset did little to enhance things. However, Gilbert has decided to publish and be d****d, so here it is.

 

http://youtu.be/HySHbTc33Pw

[great northern]

Pics 1 & 3 - just wonderful.

Gilbert, there was a chap earlier in this tome that took some pics in the 'borough. Perhaps you could ask him con him to visit the local archive office' or library where there could be some historic pics. If you are then allowed to copy those then hey presto at least you might have some b & w backgrounds. I'm sure he would love to get rewarded with some more lovely pics including his efforts?

Cars.....pah! Car Mechanics... even more pah! Resulting Invoice ..... bl**dy great pah! Bring back the horse and trap I say.

P @36E

 

I contacted the Archive department of Peterborough library back in 2009 Phil, and they could not have been more helpful. Then I was asking for photos of the station area, but I guess I could see if they can help with background shots too. I did promise to send them some images once the project was well under way, and I haven't done that yet, so I'll send them some images and see if they can help me again. Coldgunner's photos were indeed very good and useful, and they will be a big help to Peter when he starts on the bridges. If he is around, perhaps he would let me know if he can help some more?

[great northern]

Re photo-shopping the latttice work signals:

 

Do you work round them each time? Or do you have a library of signals which you can add too the shot afterwards? That might be quicker and easier.

 

I have to work round the signals each time as my knowledge of photoshopping is to say the least limited. I'm afraid I wouldn't know where to start if I wanted to add things to a photo, though I guess it would involve more layers?