Brush Posted March 23, 2014 Share Posted March 23, 2014 Hello. Having Recently Purchased a Balloon Body shell in N gauge, I have decided to start making a layout to run this tram on when completed. This layout would be set in Blackpool of course but I am still thinking of a prototype, I was thinking maybe Blundell street where they unload the trams and sometimes display them on summer days. I do like the idea of doing a 'snow' Blackpool tram layout that would certainly be interesting to model luckily I have snowploughs coming with my tram kit anyway or I could do little bispham loop, I want the time period to be 2000-present really though the idea of the 70s in Blackpool is promising. well I hope you like my idea and it would be great to have some feedback. -Brush Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brush Posted March 24, 2014 Author Share Posted March 24, 2014 Hi all. Some of you may have not seen Little bispham Loop so here it is Regards -Brush Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Legend Posted March 24, 2014 RMweb Premium Share Posted March 24, 2014 Yes there is something about the Blackpool trams that is just endearing. I remember being entranced by what I later found out were balloons. As a wee boy I was screaming to go into a big tram instead of the smaller ones, that we're presumably rail coaches- we'll I was three at the time. Have a look at the Thornton clevelys layout on here, if you haven't already seen it. Superb modelling Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brush Posted March 24, 2014 Author Share Posted March 24, 2014 I agree, it's something about those balloons, but I do have a soft spot for the brush rail coaches. I had a detailed look at it because the last time I saw it was some time ago, I then swiftly ordered a tram kit this weekend and I'm currently deciding on the location. Regards Brush Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Legend Posted March 24, 2014 RMweb Premium Share Posted March 24, 2014 Even the fencing on that loop just says Blackpool. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Balloon_726 Posted March 24, 2014 Share Posted March 24, 2014 Team TG wish you the best of luck with your new project! As you may know we developed a lot of the custom stuff for our project most of which we have spares of or can make up, such as fencing etc.Doing a prototype is a good idea, its worked well for us, its then more the challenge of trying to recreate a location to the best of your ability, plus you get to visit, do research and in our case talk to local people, find out more and look for those odd or rare photos.We took a few photos of Little Bispham Loop last year, when we were considering it as a second layout or replacement for Thornton Gate at some point but it was just one idea and would have been years off, so we might be able to share the research photos we took at some point if this is going to be your prototype.Anyway as I said best of luck will follow with great interest. Ps Snow is fun to do to Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brush Posted March 25, 2014 Author Share Posted March 25, 2014 Thanks Tom and the TG team, I've nearly decided to model little bispham mainly because it requires minimal scratch building of structures yet still attracts interest, though a snow layout somewhere on the network. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brush Posted March 26, 2014 Author Share Posted March 26, 2014 Actually, research may be good as I am trying out track plans for the loop and I can't get it right, I think a visit to the model railway shop is in order! Kind Regards Brush Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brush Posted March 29, 2014 Author Share Posted March 29, 2014 Hi allI decided that I wouldn't model little Bispham for a variety of reasonsSpace, the loop wasn't ideal for storage and was quite wideA couldn't find the track workBut I didn't give up so I decided to model a fictional location as yet unnamed on the promenade with the houses and hotels in the background.I went to the Timber and ply shop today and got my small but purposeful layout boards.I couple of days ago I also received my balloon shell and accessories from Tom at Thornton gate, it is brilliant! And captures the balloon in N gauge wonderfully I wondering what livery to paint it, maybe balloon 715 in white.Anyway I attached two early photos of the layout and tram.Kind regards-Brush Ps: I am also thinking of using Kato 'Unitram' Track has anyone used it at all? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
reevesthecat Posted April 6, 2014 Share Posted April 6, 2014 Have you considered the 3 track layout at Bispham or the Cabin before it was changed? Chance for through journeys and stop and reverse? Also a fictional thornton gate where the preservation trust got the permission and lottery funding to build a museum/ depot on the land as was planned a few years ago? Cheers Mark Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brush Posted April 6, 2014 Author Share Posted April 6, 2014 Good Idea, I haven't got the final trackage yet, so it could be a option I think I am going to use kato unitram tram track and weather it to look like Blackpool. I think Tom has Thornton Gate covered and I don't have the space really but Thank you for the idea! :-) I have nearly decided on an era and then I can turn my balloon into its livery, I have recently been looking at 1960s-1970s again but present day 2004-2011 will probably be the way, I have shortlisted a few liveries Balloon 715 60s condition Balloon 717 Today Balloon 702 -2007 and a few more! -Brush Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Balloon_726 Posted April 7, 2014 Share Posted April 7, 2014 Yes safe to say Thornton Gate is well and truly covered, we might even 'update' to the current new system in the future if something dose happen with the site Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brush Posted April 12, 2014 Author Share Posted April 12, 2014 I've Always liked the idea of a plain white livery and I have suitable transfers with my kit to do this. Balloon 715 carried white from April 2006 to sometime to in 2008. Any other livery thoughts, I could do any of them (nearly!!) Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.