RMweb Gold Popular Post nickwood Posted July 11, 2012 RMweb Gold Popular Post Share Posted July 11, 2012 (edited) Hi everyone. Please let me introduce Much Murkle to you all. Some of you who have been around a bit may remember that it did make a brief appearance on the old RMWeb up until I was at the point of building the platforms. Everyone seemed keen on using the blog facility at that time and I decided that wasn't for me so didn't bring the thread over and used the time instead to get on with some modelling and concentrate on a couple of other forums that I use. I did remain a member of RMweb but more in the "lurking" category until recently, my post count will bear that out. This is my first layout that I have ever got near to completion after a number of abortive attempts. Much Murkle is a GWR BLT for which I make no apologies having collected GW stock over the years. The layout is located in the area south of Ledbury, Herefordshire as I wanted to feature a cider house (rail served of course, even if unlikely). The name "Much Murkle" is fictitious but a derivative of the actual village of Much Marcle, which is well known for its cider making and serial killer (Fred West was born here). Whilst there is a Cider factory on the layout, Fred has not made an appearance as of yet. Construction began in January 2009 and the layout had its first outing to the Model Rail Group Forum meet at Bristol in April this year. Since then Much Murkle has featured in the July 2012 edition of Hornby magazine Whilst it performed well at the MRG meet, a lot was learnt from that first outing and I've just started the process of redesigning the fiddle yard cassettes and still have the fascia and lighting to do as well as building more stock, detailing the locos etc. Here's a few recent photos to get things started. Maybe not everyone's cup of tea, but I've enjoyed the journey so far. Edited March 20 by nickwood Exhibiting again 69 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Unicorn1 Posted July 11, 2012 Share Posted July 11, 2012 Hi Nick A great layout, I certainly don't think it's chiced, but as a BR(WR) modeller I would say that! I like the way you have used the space - with some non railway related foreground interest, and the curved track at each end too. Looking forward to seeing some more. Regards, Les 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Pannier Tank Posted July 11, 2012 RMweb Premium Share Posted July 11, 2012 What a lovely layout and Great Western too 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold gwrrob Posted July 11, 2012 RMweb Gold Share Posted July 11, 2012 What a cracking piece of work Nick , right up my street and certainly my cup of tea. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jules Posted July 11, 2012 Share Posted July 11, 2012 Can never have too many GW BLTs! Really like what you have done here - look forward to seeing more 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Sidecar Racer Posted July 11, 2012 RMweb Premium Share Posted July 11, 2012 I agree with the others , we need more GWR / BR (WR) support on here , there are'nt enough of us . Some realy nice work there Nick and I'm glad you took the time to put it up for us . Give us more any time . 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Physicsman Posted July 11, 2012 RMweb Premium Share Posted July 11, 2012 Nick, I'm not a GWR afficianado but I enjoyed seeing Much Murkle in Hornby mag and I'm very glad to see it here. More photos please - the first picture in your opening post is superb! Cheers, Jeff Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
cary hill Posted July 11, 2012 Share Posted July 11, 2012 I'd take the "cliched" bit out of the title - as the highly individual character of the scratchbuild main structures and the way in which the whole scene is portrayed lift this particular GWR BLT well out of the "cliched" zone. 4 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold nickwood Posted July 11, 2012 Author RMweb Gold Share Posted July 11, 2012 (edited) I'd take the "cliched" bit out of the title - as the highly individual character of the scratchbuild main structures and the way in which the whole scene is portrayed lift this particular GWR BLT well out of the "cliched" zone. I take your point and have now done what you suggest. Thanks to everyone for the positive comments. I'll put up some more pictures shortly. In the meantime here is a short bit of video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m7fCpwDSzqI&feature=plcp Edited July 11, 2012 by nickwood 15 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dukedog Posted July 11, 2012 Share Posted July 11, 2012 Hi Nick, I'm glad you decided to resurrect Much Murkle here on RMWeb, such a great layout deserves a bit more exposure on this forum. Having seen the layout in the flesh I can confirm to the other readers of this thread how good it really is. I have a feeling it won't be long before exhibition managers start sending you emails! Cheers nick and talk soon Frank 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Tom F Posted July 11, 2012 Share Posted July 11, 2012 My goodness. That really could turn someone like me, a die hard LNER entusiast over to the Western! Lovely modelling! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
leavesontheline Posted July 12, 2012 Share Posted July 12, 2012 My favourite piece in the current (just!) Hornby mag issue by far. Really well done! I often think its a shame that there is a perception that GWR layouts and BLT's in particular have been 'overdone' over the years. Maybe they were once and maybe every show one went to had several such layouts, but not so any more! This 'perception' (I assume that is all it is now?) has had the counterproductive effect of making modellers think twice about doing 'yet another' GWR BLT resulting in a dearth of such models! As your excellent modelling demonstrates the modern tools, materials, kits and even RTR models available these days offer much more scope than 10, 15 or 20 years ago, so why not go back to a 'well trodden' format, but making full use of what is now available to a skilled railway modeller such as yourself! I like your video too. It's nice to see it come alive as 'moving pictures' in magazines are a little way off yet! Yes, a good quality video too, birds tweeting in the background adding to the atmosphere, very professional ...... right up to the point (about 6:26) where you burped right next to the camera microphone!! The illusion was completely shattered for me right there!! Made me laugh anyway! Thankyou for sharing and to echo the above posts - more photos and more information on how you put it all together will be most welcome! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold John B Posted July 12, 2012 RMweb Gold Share Posted July 12, 2012 Good modelling is good modelling, irrespective of scale / gauge / genre or region. This is splendid modelling, and lovely to see here. Thanks for sharing! 7 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
MinZaPint Posted July 12, 2012 Share Posted July 12, 2012 Well that's fantastic, more my pint than cuppa! straight on my topics to follow and the video was very good, the camera in portrait mode would have shown just a little more. My own modest attempt is loosely based on Swanage BLT's right up my street and I do like to see railways in the landscape. Keep up the good work and the picture posting! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium DLT Posted July 12, 2012 RMweb Premium Share Posted July 12, 2012 What a gorgeous layout! Thanks very much for sharing. Dave.T Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium eldavo Posted July 12, 2012 RMweb Premium Share Posted July 12, 2012 Good to see you've brought MM over Nick. It may be Generally Wet and Rusty but it's top-notch modelling. Cheers Dave Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Grafarman Posted July 12, 2012 RMweb Premium Share Posted July 12, 2012 Just sat through the entire 7-odd minutes of the youtube clip, and loved every minute. I don't have the sound up at work so missed the effects! Have to confess that not having read the article in HM or the tags above until now I thought it was O gauge not OO...wonderful atmosphere...! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Popular Post nickwood Posted July 12, 2012 Author RMweb Gold Popular Post Share Posted July 12, 2012 (edited) On 11/07/2012 at 23:13, Dukedog said: Hi Nick, I'm glad you decided to resurrect Much Murkle here on RMWeb, such a great layout deserves a bit more exposure on this forum. Having seen the layout in the flesh I can confirm to the other readers of this thread how good it really is. I have a feeling it won't be long before exhibition managers start sending you emails! Cheers nick and talk soon Frank Thanks Frank, it's taken me a while to take the plunge again here but I'm rather pleased that I have now. On 11/07/2012 at 23:24, Tom F said: My goodness. That really could turn someone like me, a die hard LNER entusiast over to the Western! Lovely modelling! Go on, you know you want to On 12/07/2012 at 01:03, leavesontheline said: My favourite piece in the current (just!) Hornby mag issue by far. Really well done! I often think its a shame that there is a perception that GWR layouts and BLT's in particular have been 'overdone' over the years. Maybe they were once and maybe every show one went to had several such layouts, but not so any more! This 'perception' (I assume that is all it is now?) has had the counterproductive effect of making modellers think twice about doing 'yet another' GWR BLT resulting in a dearth of such models! As your excellent modelling demonstrates the modern tools, materials, kits and even RTR models available these days offer much more scope than 10, 15 or 20 years ago, so why not go back to a 'well trodden' format, but making full use of what is now available to a skilled railway modeller such as yourself! I like your video too. It's nice to see it come alive as 'moving pictures' in magazines are a little way off yet! Yes, a good quality video too, birds tweeting in the background adding to the atmosphere, very professional ...... right up to the point (about 6:26) where you burped right next to the camera microphone!! The illusion was completely shattered for me right there!! Made me laugh anyway! Thankyou for sharing and to echo the above posts - more photos and more information on how you put it all together will be most welcome! I hadn't quite thought about how perceptions may have changed over time, thanks. As far as the video sound effects are concerned, the birds are real and so is the burp I meant to edit that out but forgot. Pleased you found it funny. On 12/07/2012 at 14:35, eldavo said: Good to see you've brought MM over Nick. It may be Generally Wet and Rusty but it's top-notch modelling. Cheers Dave Hi Dave, thanks Thanks to everyone else who have taken the trouble to post, it is appreciated. I'm cassette building at the moment but I'll take some more photos soon. In the meantime just to keep your interest here's a few more shots The first shot is from a while back taken shortly after the station building was fixed in place. The B Set has since been weathered and the couplings replaced with DG's Collect Goods arriving with loaded wagons from Much Murkle Quarry. All workings out of the quarry have to be reversed at the station loop adding to the traffic. Pannier leaves with the evening goods Edited December 22, 2022 by nickwood 23 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold trw1089 Posted July 12, 2012 RMweb Gold Share Posted July 12, 2012 Good to see MM over here Nick, and while you know where my sentiments lie, you've done such a great job on this layout it deserves the accolades and viewing by the wider community. Cheers Tony Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Unicorn1 Posted July 13, 2012 Share Posted July 13, 2012 (edited) Some more superb phots, esp the black and white, and the lighting is excellent. Do you use any specialised lighting? The quarry working strikes a familar chord round chez Unicorn........ Regards, Les edited to aid clarity Edited July 13, 2012 by Unicorn1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold nickwood Posted July 13, 2012 Author RMweb Gold Share Posted July 13, 2012 Good to see MM over here Nick, and while you know where my sentiments lie, you've done such a great job on this layout it deserves the accolades and viewing by the wider community. Cheers Tony Thanks Tony, good to meet your acquaintance here as well. Some more superb phots, esp the black and white, and the lighting is excellent. Do you use any specialised lighting? The quarry working strikes a familar chord round chez Unicorn........ Regards, Les edited to aid clarity Hi Les My photography skills come more by luck than judgement. I have a Canon G11, tripod and in addition to the two fluorescent lights in the garage I have a workshop light which consists of two 500W halogen lamps mounted on a stand (£40 from Screwfix). Hence the strong shadows. The biggest problem with the Canon G11 is the depth of field as it will only go as far as F8. I do try hard to get good composition to the shots though. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
devondynosoar118 Posted July 13, 2012 Share Posted July 13, 2012 As others have said, wonderful work. The only people who think GWR modelling is a cliche are the sort of people who always have something negative to say about any layout, therefore not worth listening to. Missed it in the Hornby mag but more photos please! GWR/WR simply has the best scenery, smartest stock, most beautiful engines and most interesting buildings in Enland.... 4 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
westerner Posted July 13, 2012 Share Posted July 13, 2012 Enjoyed the article, the photos here and the video, you can't have to much GWR/WR. a lovely layout. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jack Posted July 13, 2012 Share Posted July 13, 2012 There is some superb modelling there ... and I do like a good BLT whatever the flavour Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chubber Posted July 13, 2012 Share Posted July 13, 2012 Quality modelling Woody! I like the way in which those areas which would be called 'cameos' on other layouts just seem to be in place naturally, more please, and more video, too. Is there an extension called 'Evenmoor Murkle' in the wings? Doug Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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