AngryMeerkat Posted May 3, 2014 Share Posted May 3, 2014 So here's my new layout, and hopefully I'll get to finish this one! First of all, the history of where this came from can be found here - http://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/index.php?/topic/84877-stewarts-lanewesthouses-adaptation/ The backstory and (slightly altered) history - Allerton Lane is based in my memories, that great time when you're young and impressionable and a day can last a lifetime. I grew up in Liverpool in the 80s/90s, and watched BR Blue turn into sectorisiation which then became privatised, and it was a fascinating time to watch the railways evolve. I grew up in Garston, South Liverpool. The docks were a short bike ride away, providing coal and container traffic brought up the Mersey by boat. The docks exit took the line through Speke Stabling Point, past Fords Halewood plant and meeting up with the WCML to pass through Ditton and Widnes on its way to Crewe if you're heading south. We however are heading the other way towards Liverpool City Centre, Lime St station, and all the traffic that passed through what used to be a huge expanse of railway land at Edge Hill. With all this freight traffic, the WCML, and the Merseyrail 3rd rail network covering Liverpool and Wirral, BR and later 'North Of England Rail Company' maintained a depot presence in the Allerton area of South Liverpool. This area was chosen as the WCML passing through Allerton Station and the Merseyrail network at Garston Station pass over/under each other here, and Garston Docks and the Speke and Halewood trains are only 2 miles away as the crow flies. The depot at this hub was called Allerton Lane T&RSMD, and was capable of most works required below major servicing and full rebuilding. With its allocation of class 08s, on site wheel lathe, overhead wires, and battery locomotives it was an ideal place for anything in the NW of England to be looked after. This also made it a spotters paradise with the variations in rolling stock regularly visiting, from all classes of freight loco, Merseyrail 507/508 EMUs, classes 86/87/90 from the Liverpool-Euston passenger services, and even the odd preserved steam and diesel loco dropping in for wheel turning on the state of the art German manufactured wheel lathe. When the loco servicing side was quiet, the sidings could be seen filled with container wagons and departmental vehicles requiring servicing or wheel turning. Whatever your railway taste, Allerton Lane had it all at various times. The layout is set somewhere between 1986 and current day. The track layout bears no resemblance to the real Allerton T&RSMD, and is instead very loosely modelled on Stewarts Lane with the high level line passing close by. I do have the official track plan for Allerton, and have in the past contemplated modelling it, but unfortunately I don't have 24'x14' of space to create just the depot area, let alone add in the WCML! However having spent many many hours at Allerton I am hoping to faithfully recreate the atmosphere the place always had, dark and dirty but open and friendly to visitors. A representation of the WCML is to be included, but unlike the real Allerton where the main line passes slightly below the depot, my interpretation passes above with the depot sited in a cutting. Here is a Google Earth image of the real depot, almost exactly as I remember it - You can see the main depot building on the right. The single siding at the top of the depot heading out towards the top left is what used to be the scrap line, which used to contain a fair few 08s in various states of disrepair, and my biggest memory - the 08 at the end of the siding being pushed through the buffers! The white-roof building standing alone towards the left of the picture is the wheel lathe, once operated by a very friendly team who were never too busy to explain what they were doing and how. At the very left of the picture you can see what is now South Liverpool Parkway - a mainline station on the WCML linked to a station on the Merseyrail network, with a bus station attached providing a link to Liverpool John Lennon Airport. This sight (or very near to it) used to be a football ground for South Liverpool, I know at least one member on here remembers watching a game there while watching traffic go past on the railway! The WCML can be seen dropping off the bottom of the picture, looking left leads to Liverpool while looking right takes you to Crewe and on to London. Between the WCML and the depot can be seen the Merseyrail line which runs on to Hunts Cross. So that's the history and location, or the version in my head which is all that matters to me! So now on to my current layout. Whilst the current trend is to model the real thing using pictures or site visits, I'm going a slightly different route. The layout will be built based on my memories, the little things I remember from visiting the depot as a young teenager. And this is where I'm up to so far.... And the stock I will be running... As usual I look forward to any feedback, and will update with progress as it happens. Mark Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold PjKing1 Posted May 3, 2014 RMweb Gold Share Posted May 3, 2014 Hi Mark Really looking forward to seeing this progress, I'm modelling just around the corner from where your layout is based only in the late 60's, an like yourself chose the area because of all the variety of locos and workings. I remember passing Allerton depot when I was about 7 an I used to get so excited because of all the different locos an dmu's that you could see. Keep up the good work! Cheers, Paul Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
bobster Posted May 4, 2014 Share Posted May 4, 2014 Looks a good project Mark, look forward to more. Cheers, Bob. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Captain Nick Posted May 4, 2014 Share Posted May 4, 2014 I used to traverse this junction back in the late sixties and early seventies almost weekly at times, travelling between Manchester Central and later Oxford Road so I will look forward to seeing it progress Mark. Regards Nick Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
AngryMeerkat Posted May 4, 2014 Author Share Posted May 4, 2014 Well that's annoying!!.... Purchased the new Scalescenes modern depot kit, which looks fantastic and even comes with inspection pits included (saving me £32 on the Peco items!) and also buying photo paper and card and glue, I also got myself a new printer. A reasonable HP 2544 Inkjet wireless printer, for the bargain price of £39 brand new in Tesco. I then proceed to spend 5 hours trying to get this printer working, tried everything repeatedly. I gave up and got my brother-in-law round who is more computer savvy than me. He then spends an hour trying and trying. We came to the conclusion that 'the module' in the printer is knackered, and the printer is useless. What a great waste of 6 hours, and I still don't have my depot printed out!! Really looking forward to building this kit, it does look fantastic. If I can get a working printer I will do a 'review' on here for the kit, as I think it might be an interesting build. So, sorry about a lack of progress but COMPUTER SAYS NO! Mark Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andrew P Posted May 4, 2014 Share Posted May 4, 2014 Looks good Mark, I like the Stock but what will the Pola Bear be pulling? hhahahha All the best with this one. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
AngryMeerkat Posted May 4, 2014 Author Share Posted May 4, 2014 Looks good Mark, I like the Stock but what will the Pola Bear be pulling? hhahahha All the best with this one. Everyone has the Polar Bear express on their layout, right? Right?....... Mark Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
scouser999 Posted May 4, 2014 Share Posted May 4, 2014 Hi Mark Looking forward to this one!!! Back in the early 80's Allerton Depot was still a hive of activity with various motive power turning up. I always walked up the access road hoping to find my favourite class 40's inside the shed. I remember seeing the RTC class 84 with its stunning livery being there for a short time, and like you mentioned... the Depot staff were very relaxed with visitors walking around. Steve Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold PjKing1 Posted May 4, 2014 RMweb Gold Share Posted May 4, 2014 Sorry to hear about the printer problems, just means you can have fun on another day! Paul Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
AngryMeerkat Posted May 4, 2014 Author Share Posted May 4, 2014 Hi Mark Looking forward to this one!!! Back in the early 80's Allerton Depot was still a hive of activity with various motive power turning up. I always walked up the access road hoping to find my favourite class 40's inside the shed. I remember seeing the RTC class 84 with its stunning livery being there for a short time, and like you mentioned... the Depot staff were very relaxed with visitors walking around. Steve I remember the RTC 84 being there for a while, it sat outside the depot doors when I saw it but for the life of me can't remember what it was there for despite it being explained to me at the time. I also remember a big red steam engine being in the depot in the late 80s having it's connecting rods removed so it could go on the wheel lathe. Again I forget the loco type or any other info apart from it was big and red! Was a great place to go (along with Speke stabling point) in the BR blue era despite most saying it was boring, the amount of classes you'd see at the same time was amazing to a young kid! The depot got quieter during sectorisiation, but Speke go busier with the 56/60s on the coal traffic and 47/86/90s on the containers, and a few of the local friendly drivers were only too happy to let you 'cab' them and occasionally give you a ride up and down the sidings! Mark Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
AngryMeerkat Posted May 4, 2014 Author Share Posted May 4, 2014 Sorry to hear about the printer problems, just means you can have fun on another day! Paul Straight back to Tesco tomorrow morning for an exchange! Can't be waiting to make progress on this layout, it's got me excited for the hobby again! And I've still got loads of wiring to do!! Mark Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold PjKing1 Posted May 4, 2014 RMweb Gold Share Posted May 4, 2014 Straight back to Tesco tomorrow morning for an exchange! Can't be waiting to make progress on this layout, it's got me excited for the hobby again! And I've still got loads of wiring to do!! Mark You'll enjoy the wiring! I'm like that since I returned to the hobby I can't get enough of it, problem is there's that much a want to do an I don't know what to do first as I want to do everything at once Paul Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold PjKing1 Posted May 4, 2014 RMweb Gold Share Posted May 4, 2014 Would like to say this thread is making me jealous, I never had a depot visit apart from crewe diesel depot open day, although I did visit aintree shed unfortunately there were no trains or tracks but I suppose it can count Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
scouser999 Posted May 5, 2014 Share Posted May 5, 2014 I think the Big Red Steam Engine was Duchess Of Hamilton 46229 around mid 1990. My interest in railways faded with all the changes in motive power and colour schemes. Speke was a great place to find various motive power in the 80's. I recall 37's and 20's being stabled there. Unfortunately, I only visited a few times as my friend and I were mugged of our belongings while looking around the 4x40's that were stabled there. I am from the North end of Liverpool and my local line was the Bootle Branch.. mostly 25's / 40's / 47's... with the occasional cab ride/ drive! Happy days! I too have a very small depot layout, like you say very loosely based on various Works/Depot visits. What was it that made you decide on a Depot layout? Space? or favourite location? or something else? Hope you can sort your printer problems today... as I am looking forward to your progress. No pressure meant of coarse! Steve Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
scouser999 Posted May 5, 2014 Share Posted May 5, 2014 Paul, Crewe Diesel was notoriously difficult to gain entry to during the early 80's! I wish they had an open day back then.. My friend and I managed a commando style raid on the depot which involved dodging the offices at the entrance and literally running through the depot shooting away with the camera!! Its was adrenalin fuelled but well worth it. Sorry for going off topic Mark.. I will return to my man cave now. Steve Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold PjKing1 Posted May 5, 2014 RMweb Gold Share Posted May 5, 2014 Paul, Crewe Diesel was notoriously difficult to gain entry to during the early 80's! I wish they had an open day back then.. My friend and I managed a commando style raid on the depot which involved dodging the offices at the entrance and literally running through the depot shooting away with the camera!! Its was adrenalin fuelled but well worth it. Sorry for going off topic Mark.. I will return to my man cave now. Steve Hi Steve, It was a good day out my grandad took me, can't remember what year it was but I know someone has uploaded a video on to YouTube of the day. Cheers, Paul Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
AngryMeerkat Posted May 5, 2014 Author Share Posted May 5, 2014 Duchess of Hamilton rings a bell, I was thinking Princess but I agree with you Steve. Sorry to hear about your troubles at Speke, it was a rough place back then and not much better now apparently. My gran lived the other side of the playing field at the entrance to Speke stabling point so luckily I knew most of the local 'boys' and apart from the usual mickey taking for being a trainspotter I didn't get hassled, and growing up in Garston meant most of the kiddies were friends of friends or went to the same school. Also agree about Crewe, a real hard place to see. We had a great vantage point from the opposite side of the depot, and very very occasionally got a walk around thanks to friends of my dads. The reasoning behind the depot, purely just good memories from growing up. Touring depots was something I did mostly with the old man, who died when I was 17, so it's happy memories that I want to try and recreate. I did try and model Poole station where I live now, but I soon realised 12' length is beyond my skills and free time. Cutting down to 5' length and modelling a dirty scene I know and remember well is something I feel more comfortable with. Printergate is now fixed thanks Paul, only took 9 hours and 2 printers but I'm finally printing the Scalescenes depot and waiting for the match to kick off. Printed 3 pages so far on the highest print setting and have to say the quality of the design and print is out of this world! As soon as construction starts I'll be sure to upload some pics. Mark Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold PjKing1 Posted May 5, 2014 RMweb Gold Share Posted May 5, 2014 Hi Mark Glad the printer is sorted and we can ignore the match glad the happy memories with your dad are inspiring you I've got happy memories modelling with my dad. My better half is based in Speke unfortunately keeping law an order, apparently she likes it because it keeps her busy :/ This is gona be a great layout, more soon please Cheers, Paul Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
sb67 Posted May 6, 2014 Share Posted May 6, 2014 Looking forward to watching this develop Mark, I like the look of the scalescenes depot as well so looking forward to that. Steve Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
AngryMeerkat Posted May 6, 2014 Author Share Posted May 6, 2014 Started building the Scalescenes Modern Depot today. Well I say started building, what I mean I started gluing all the printed pages to the card backing. Also why do supermarkets not sell liquid craft glue any more? They sell superglue, wood glue, or craft glue that dries bright pink!! So sorry for my pink depot.... As good as the depot looks, and as good as the actual construction instructions are, I have to say I'm very slightly disappointed with one aspect of the kit. When you print out the PDF the depot building it makes is pretty small. This is fine as the kit is easily expandable, but it would be nice if the side walls, roof, and inspection pits were on sheets clearly marked as "PRINT ONE COPY OF THESE PAGES PER LENGTH EXPANSION" or something like that. I'm absolutely rubbish with computers so taking sections of each sheet and putting them on one or two pages for printing is beyond my capabilities which means I will end up wasting ink and paper printing parts I won't need. It's not a massive problem, but one improvement I would definitely appreciate in the future. Tomorrow will involve more gluing of printed sheets to card, and construction will probably start over the weekend. I'll keep this thread updated with how it goes. Mark Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold PjKing1 Posted May 6, 2014 RMweb Gold Share Posted May 6, 2014 Hi Mark I've downloaded the terrace backs but I've only printed off a test copy, I must admit I looked at it an thought I'll leave that for another day, well in fact I'm leavin it for the mrs to do. I recon once you get started it'll probably be quite easy. Hope you get on ok with it tomorrow mate. On the glue front, I seen some liquid craft glue yesterday in hobby craft but I don't think it comes in a fetching pink colour though Cheers, Paul Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
AngryMeerkat Posted May 6, 2014 Author Share Posted May 6, 2014 Hi Mark I've downloaded the terrace backs but I've only printed off a test copy, I must admit I looked at it an thought I'll leave that for another day, well in fact I'm leavin it for the mrs to do. I recon once you get started it'll probably be quite easy. Hope you get on ok with it tomorrow mate. On the glue front, I seen some liquid craft glue yesterday in hobby craft but I don't think it comes in a fetching pink colour though Cheers, Paul Don't get me wrong the actual construction looks easy. But the parts you need to print to make the depot longer are spread over a few sheets with other parts you don't need. The instructions say you can make it longer, but I need to work out how to make it wider as well, gonna be a proper cut-n-shut when it's finished! I was hoping to get to Hobbycraft, but we're about a month behind on the yachts in work so battering the overtime ready for the boatshow season starting soon. Was hoping the local Sainsburys sold something, remember that brown glue that was like water that you used to use in school? But nope, so I'm stuck with liquid Pritt in bright pink! On the plus side any excess shows up easily so you can remove it before it dries! Mark Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
class"66" Posted May 7, 2014 Share Posted May 7, 2014 Wil follow this Mark!! looking good so far my mate Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold PjKing1 Posted May 7, 2014 RMweb Gold Share Posted May 7, 2014 Morning Mark I'm sure you'll do fine with it, good thing is if you make a mistake with it an worse comes to a worst you can just print off another sheet, good point about seeing the excess glue, wish the glue I used last night would of been pink as it would of stopped me super gluing the tube of glue to my finger along with a vacuum pipe!! I've still got the print off the tube on my finger Hope you have a good day mate Thanks, Paul Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold PjKing1 Posted May 7, 2014 RMweb Gold Share Posted May 7, 2014 Meant to ask, are you going to have OHLE? Paul Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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