Older Inspirational Layouts

[t-b-g]

I've done a bit of back reading on this; According to the preview for the 1990 MRJ show, "Central Hall was the last place it was seen before retirement nearly forty years ago".

That would seem to coincide with Peter Denny's move to Cornwall and the permanent installation of Bukingham in the vicarage which took place in 1956.  

Once permanently installed and extended, Leighton Buzzard (Mk 1) was built as a portable section to fit obove the mainline storage sidings, and Peter states that LB was taken to the Central Hall in 1958.

There was a separate loco depot diorama built that wasnt part of the main layout, and again according to the books this was shown at the Central Hall in 1959.

I havent found any references to further exhibitions after that date.

Cheers,

Dave.

 

Thanks for that.

 

It pretty much fits in with the information I have. The loco shed diorama still exists and I have taken it out on display a couple of times. Peter told me that he used to give talks at model railway clubs and took it along with him.

 

I have been trying to work out whether the loco shed was a "left over" from one of the versions of Buckingham (possibly modified into a two road shed) or if it was built specifically for the diorama. It is probably mentioned somewhere in Peter's writings but I can't recall seeing it.

 

I haven't been able to find out what happened to the Mk 1 Leighton Buzzard, which was a very small, easily transportable layout. I can't see any buildings from it on the present Buckingham and most buildings were re-used when a layout was dismantled. So perhaps it was disposed of complete or maybe it was totally demolished.

 

I like to think that it is still around somewhere as I found it highly inspiring as a concept.

 

Tony

[t-b-g]

You may be thinking of the MRJ Exhibition, it was in November 1990 at Central Hall.

 

Izzy

 

I was one of the many who waiting outside for a couple of hours to be let in due to the massive crowds. I made the journey mainly because I thought it would be my one and only chance to see part of Buckingham.

 

Funny how things happen!

 

Tony

[glo41f]

Gosh - the MRJ Exhibition!

 

I was an operator on Wallsea for that show. The layout worked well throught the show and we actually ran 3 24 hour sequences through completely. Never done before or since!  The hall was heaving with people so much so that once you were inside the layout you were stuck there for the duration almost. I remember the huge queue to see Hursley and the throng around Leighton Buzzard. I think that Charford was also there but when I went past there was a lot of talk but not much moving! I was personally greatly impressed by Dunwich which was to me a masterwork.

 

Folk were queuing for hours to get in and announcements were made on the lines of "once you have seen the layouts move out as thee are x hundred still waiting to get in". I recall a chap from northern climes declaring that he had waited two hours to get in and there was no way he was leaving the place until he had his money's worth!

 

I do not think we will see the like of it again. I wonder did it make money for Wild Swan?

 

Regards

 

Martin Long

Edited January 31, 2015 by glo41f

[Dr Gerbil-Fritters]

Wallsea, now that was another of my inspirational layouts.

 

I think I read about it in the RM in about 1978...  Is it recorded online anywhere?

[New Haven Neil]

Odd thing, after dipping in here yesterday I dreamed of Bevleys last night!  I think I mentioned it pages and pages ago when I started the thread off?

 

Two pals from our club went to Central Hall for the MRJ show, they were impressed and infuriated in equal amounts.  They didn't get to see the one layout they really wanted to see - 500 mile round trip.

[Steve Sykes]

For me, the star of the MRJ show was Chris Pendlenton's North Shields. The way his sprung locos moved was a revelation, giving the impression of real mass on the move. I was so impressed I made the trip to see it again at the Newcastle show.

 

Steve

[New Haven Neil]

That's where I saw it, I still have some video somewhere.  Back when I was a Geordie!

 

Stunning portrayal of the railways in the northeast as I remember them, although a bit later than his layout portrays, I just remember the end of steam.

[Izzy]

Gosh - the MRJ Exhibition!

 

I was an operator on Wallsea for that show. The layout worked well throught the show and we actually ran 3 24 hour sequences through completely. Never done before or since!  The hall was heaving with people so much so that once you were inside the layout you were stuck there for the duration almost. I remember the huge queue to see Hursley and the throng around Leighton Buzzard. I think that Charford was also there but when I went past there was a lot of talk but not much moving! I was personally greatly impressed by Dunwich which was to me a masterwork.

 

Folk were queuing for hours to get in and announcements were made on the lines of "once you have seen the layouts move out as thee are x hundred still waiting to get in". I recall a chap from northern climes declaring that he had waited two hours to get in and there was no way he was leaving the place until he had his money's worth!

 

I do not think we will see the like of it again. I wonder did it make money for Wild Swan?

 

Regards

 

Martin Long

 

 

I was one of the many who waiting outside for a couple of hours to be let in due to the massive crowds. I made the journey mainly because I thought it would be my one and only chance to see part of Buckingham.

 

Funny how things happen!

 

Tony

 

Isn't it just. I never did get to see Leighton Buzzard then despite my best efforts, but I did Wallsea, and ended up in 7mm and a member of Martin's happy North Essex GOG group for some years. Taking up the challenge of 2mm in more recent times I made the trip to the Nottingham show a while back to see the group of 2mm layouts that had been assembled for that year including Fencehouses, and had the absolute bonus, and joy, of finally seeing Leighton Buzzard. Not only that but my wife and I managed to view it early on the Sunday before it got too busy, and had almost a private viewing as a result with no one else around - as well as a nice chat with t-b-g and his helpers. What more could you ask for?

 

Happy memories, all of it.

 

best regards

 

Izzy

[Izzy]

Thanks for that.

 

It pretty much fits in with the information I have. The loco shed diorama still exists and I have taken it out on display a couple of times. Peter told me that he used to give talks at model railway clubs and took it along with him.

 

I have been trying to work out whether the loco shed was a "left over" from one of the versions of Buckingham (possibly modified into a two road shed) or if it was built specifically for the diorama. It is probably mentioned somewhere in Peter's writings but I can't recall seeing it.

 

I haven't been able to find out what happened to the Mk 1 Leighton Buzzard, which was a very small, easily transportable layout. I can't see any buildings from it on the present Buckingham and most buildings were re-used when a layout was dismantled. So perhaps it was disposed of complete or maybe it was totally demolished.

 

I like to think that it is still around somewhere as I found it highly inspiring as a concept.

 

Tony

 

I've just been looking at the first WS book (Peter Denny's Buckingham Branch Lines PT1 1945-1967), and the caption on photo 81/p102 states that the new turntable installed in 1960 came from the exhibition unit, photos of which, 74/75/76, are shown on p94/95 and depict a two road shed with the turntable and coaling stage. Could this possibly have been re-vamped into the current loco shed diorama (I have no idea what this currently looks like of course) after the turntable was fitted into Buckingham? Just a thought.

 

Izzy

[t-b-g]

I've just been looking at the first WS book (Peter Denny's Buckingham Branch Lines PT1 1945-1967), and the caption on photo 81/p102 states that the new turntable installed in 1960 came from the exhibition unit, photos of which, 74/75/76, are shown on p94/95 and depict a two road shed with the turntable and coaling stage. Could this possibly have been re-vamped into the current loco shed diorama (I have no idea what this currently looks like of course) after the turntable was fitted into Buckingham? Just a thought.

 

Izzy

 

Many thanks for that. I had completely forgotten that there was another loco shed diorama. My Vol 1 of WS is out on loan at the moment so I can't compare but there are a couple of photos of the current one on the EXPO EM 2011 thread...

 

http://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/index.php?/topic/30204-expoem-bracknell-14-15-may-2011/page-5

 

But it doesn't seem to create a link and I am not sure how to do anything about it!

 

(Edit .... it did after I hit "post"!)

 

The current one has no room or sign that there was ever a turntable involved, so it may have been built new, after the old tuntable/shed one was dismantled.

 

Cheers,

 

Tony

Edited February 1, 2015 by t-b-g

[Stringfingerling]

For me, the star of the MRJ show was Chris Pendlenton's North Shields. The way his sprung locos moved was a revelation, giving the impression of real mass on the move. I was so impressed I made the trip to see it again at the Newcastle show.

 

Steve

That show was the bees knees of shows for me; Inkerman Street, North Shields, Corris, Tanygrisiau, Buckingham, Hursley.  Fantastic and still inspiring me when I look back through the exhibition guide now.  MRJ said at the time that there would never be another one like it.  I'm still hoping they'll change their minds 25 years later.

[DLT]

Many thanks for that. I had completely forgotten that there was another loco shed diorama. My Vol 1 of WS is out on loan at the moment so I can't compare but there are a couple of photos of the current one on the EXPO EM 2011 thread...

http://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/index.php?/topic/30204-expoem-bracknell-14-15-may-2011/page-5

But it doesn't seem to create a link and I am not sure how to do anything about it!

(Edit .... it did after I hit "post"!)

The current one has no room or sign that there was ever a turntable involved, so it may have been built new, after the old tuntable/shed one was dismantled.

Cheers,

Tony

I've just been looking at the first WS book (Peter Denny's Buckingham Branch Lines PT1 1945-1967), and the caption on photo 81/p102 states that the new turntable installed in 1960 came from the exhibition unit, photos of which, 74/75/76, are shown on p94/95 and depict a two road shed with the turntable and coaling stage. Could this possibly have been re-vamped into the current loco shed diorama (I have no idea what this currently looks like of course) after the turntable was fitted into Buckingham? Just a thought.

 

Hi Tony, Izzy,

 

The 1959 diorama (WS pt1, page 94-95) featured a 2-road single-roofed shed, elevated coaling stage and turntable.  The intention was to install the whole lot on "canal corner", but there was an outcry in the pages of RM against losing the canal. The turntable WAS installed at Buckingham (at the front, where the mill was) but the shed and coal stage were "disposed of".

 

The double-roofed shed featured on Tony's diorama is the final shed from Buckingham Mk2, built later when the depot was eventually moved into canal corner.

 

Cheers, Dave.

 

PS  We DEFINITELY need a Buckingham thread....

Edited February 1, 2015 by DLT

[RANGERS]

That show was the bees knees of shows for me; Inkerman Street, North Shields, Corris, Tanygrisiau, Buckingham, Hursley.  Fantastic and still inspiring me when I look back through the exhibition guide now.  MRJ said at the time that there would never be another one like it.  I'm still hoping they'll change their minds 25 years later.

It was probably a once in a lifetime experience to have been there and seen what were then regarded as the finest layouts of the day, together with the ones which had set the bench marks over generations since model railways had been in their infancy.

 

Wonderful though it would be to repeat the MRJ Show exercise, I doubt modern day economics would allow it to be a viable proposition, at least as far as Central Hall is concerned. Central London is just too horrendous to even contemplate running a show like this nowadays.

 

It did occur to me a few years ago the Aylesbury Railex is probably the modern day equivalent and we're blessed with having that every year.

 

If MRJ did ever happen again, what would be there and just what ever happened to Hursley?

[Donw]

Quite a few things here.

I concurr about Buckingham. Peter displayed some layouts around 1949 (before my time) and there was nothing in the early sixties. The MRJ shown was a true one off some really good layouts unfair to mention any particular ones all were top notch. But for me the highlight of th day was being stuck next to Don Boreham in the lunch queue and then enjoying lunch together worth the entry price for that alone. A most entertaining character.

Wallsea is very good Barrie send me a lot of stuff when I was the Gazette editor. There should be at least one DVD available to Guild members of Wallsea (confirmed). If you are a guild member searching for Barries articles on the Gazette archive would produce someinteresting stuff.

 

Don

[David Bigcheeseplant]

It did occur to me a few years ago the Aylesbury Railex is probably the modern day equivalent and we're blessed with having that every year.

 

If MRJ did ever happen again, what would be there and just what ever happened to Hursley?

 

I remember queuing round the block for the MRJ show, it was different from what other exhibitions were doing at the time, and when I had the idea of doing Railex eleven years ago the MRJ show but a basis of what I wanted to do. We have had a number of layouts appear at Railex that were at the MRJ show (this year we have Peter Kazer's Corris), although some are no longer around while others are unlikely to be seen in public again.

 

Going back to the title of the thread Geoff Williams iconic Aylesbury has been acquired by the Risborough club and will be exhibited twice, the first being Risex this February and Railex in Aylesbury in 2016

Edited February 2, 2015 by David Bigcheeseplant

[RANGERS]

It did occur to me a few years ago the Aylesbury Railex is probably the modern day equivalent and we're blessed with having that every year.If MRJ did ever happen again, what would be there and just what ever happened to Hursley?

I remember queuing round the block for the MRJ show, it was different from what other exhibitions were doing at the time, and when I had the idea of doing Railex eleven years ago the MRJ show but a basis of what I wanted to do. We have had a number of layouts appear at Railex that were at the MRJ show (this year we have Peter Kazer's Corris), although some are no longer around while others are unlikely to be seen in public again.Going back to the title of the thread Geoff Williams iconic Aylesbury has been acquired by the Risborough club and will be exhibited twice, the first being Risex this February and Railex in Aylesbury in 2016

 

I still look forward to seeing Chris Pendleton getting his train set to Aylesbury mind....

[glo41f]

The question was raised earlier as to whether there is any pictures of Wallsea for devotees. Well they do exist. The Gauge 0 Guild has two programmes in its DVD range which are available to members and there was a production made some while ago in the "Model Rail" series of layouts (Number 2 in the series) The Guild ones are filmed and commeted on by Barrie but the Model Rail one is a professional production by Telerail.

 

Wallsea is still going strong and regularly run at its home base. There are now over 100 locos, nearly 200 coaches and 300 wagons on the system. You can go weeks without seeing the same loco/train combinations which really adds to the illusion of watching a real railway. The amazing thing is that everything is the work of one man and his dedication and vision.

 

If only I was so focussed!

 

Martin Long

[BlackRat]

I kept on meaning to pay a visit to Rev Denny, as he lived in my patch.

 

Never got round to it, which is a major regret on my part!

 

Still I wasted enough time visitng other layouts, sheds, boxes etc etc etc!

[RJS1977]

Same here - I remember calling in on the Exeter MRS about 12 years ago when there was a possibility I might be relocating there (I was working there during the week and coming back to Reading at weekends for a while) and there was a list on a door for people to sign up to visit Buckingham. For various reasons I didn't sign up (partly not being an Exeter MRS member of course) and always regretted it.

[Izzy]

I was pleased to have a Buckingham 'fix' recently with the update that Tony wrote for the first issue of the Finescale Railway Modeller Review. Still inspires me in ways others don't every time I see shots of it. Perhaps because it seems like keeping in touch with an old dear friend, which it is really for me since the first time I saw it in RM in the early 60's.

 

Izzy

[Happy Hippo]

Although there are inspirational layouts out there, the one that really got me salivating was a Hornby 'O' gauge clockwork railway!

 

Up and down lines (in an oval) connected by a trailing crossover and a siding off the inner oval to a turntable and some 'parking' space.

 

My father made it for me, and at the age of 18 months old, I really was dribbling.

 

But it was the model that got me hooked on model railways for life.

 

Thanks Dad.

Edited February 3, 2015 by Happy Hippo

[Donw]

I was glad I went to see David Jenkinson's last layout. It wasn't finished at the time but now its gone.

 

Don

[Dr Gerbil-Fritters]

I was glad I went to see David Jenkinson's last layout. It wasn't finished at the time but now its gone.

 

Don

That's very sad to hear - as I understand it, he'd only just put up the canopies at the station.  I treasure my copy of Historical Railway Modelling - it's a very 'Jenks' publication, full of his character. ..

 

As indeed, all these fine layouts have more than a touch of their creators about them.  I think it's one of the things we've lost with the rise and rise of rtr.  It is very good to have, but it makes my railway look your railway look like his railway, and that's rather a shame.

[glo41f]

"all these fine layouts have more than a touch of their creators about them.  I think it's one of the things we've lost with the rise and rise of rtr.  It is very good to have, but it makes my railway look your railway look like his railway, and that's rather a shame."

 

You are so right which is perhaps why the likes of the more specialised scales such as 2mm, 3mm, S4 and S scale are attracting more modellers. (I am not including 7mm as the RTR situation is starting to impact there too!)

 

Martin Long

[John B]

"Allied Marine" was a favorite of mine, too - back then you didn't see many (if any) industrial layouts, let alone grotty industrials. Some of the adaptations of kits were inspirational.