81A Oldoak Posted January 22, 2014 Share Posted January 22, 2014 I have at long last started my much threatened 0 Gauge South Wales Valleys branch line called Cwm Bach. You can follow the building of this layout elsewhere on RMWeb at http://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/index.php?/topic/80426-cwm-bach-a-south-wales-branch-line/page-5&do=findComment&comment=1314495 To make way for the new layout my 4mm scale Boduan Junction based on the Cambrian Coast Line in the 1950s and 1960s is to be lifted with asset recovery and demolition starting in the next few days. By way of an obituary and in memoriam, I have posted some photos of the layout taken earlier this evening. They run in viewing order from the west end to the east end of the station. Please don't ask what a pair of WR diesel hydraulics are doing there; I claim Rule 1 and The Fifth Amendment. Boduan Junction is almost 20 years old and has served me well. However, it is showing signs of old age as evidenced inter alia by the bubbling sky paper. It featured in an article in the Railway Modeller way back in November 1998. The track was SMP and the points all scratchbuilt from code 75 BH rail and copper clad sleepers. All of the buildings are scratchbuilt with the exception of the goods shed (modified Wills), level crossing cabin (Wills) and the platelayers' hut (Coopercraft). Several featured in the Railway Modeller complete with scale plans. Here is the list: RM November 1992 – Building a period garage in 4mm scale. NB this was my first article to be published anywhere. RM June 1993 – Triumph in Tin – a scratchbuilt essay in Edwardian Ecclesiastical Austerity. This describes the corrugated iron chapel. RM December 1993 – A signal box for Abersoch." Originally built for Abersoch, which still stands, the box was moved to Boduan when I scratchbuilt a Dutton style box for Abersoch. RM April 1996 – “A pattern for islands” – scratch-building an island platform station building. RM May 1997 – A scratch-built footbridge. So a bitter-sweet moment as I say farewell Boduan Junction, but time marches on and my 0 Gauge collection really does deserve somewhere proper to run after waiting patiently in the wings for so long. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
David C Posted January 23, 2014 Share Posted January 23, 2014 Thanks for showing the photos. I remember the articles in RM and indeed have kept them for reference - so no greater compliment can be made! There is some nicely observed modelling there. 20 years is a long time for a layout and is probably about the average sort of lifespan you can expect before things break or deteriorate to the extent that it becomes uneconomic (in terms of effort and time) to repair. Presumably, you're keeping Abersoch? Regards David C Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
81A Oldoak Posted January 23, 2014 Author Share Posted January 23, 2014 Thanks for showing the photos. I remember the articles in RM and indeed have kept them for reference - so no greater compliment can be made! There is some nicely observed modelling there. 20 years is a long time for a layout and is probably about the average sort of lifespan you can expect before things break or deteriorate to the extent that it becomes uneconomic (in terms of effort and time) to repair. Presumably, you're keeping Abersoch? Regards David C David, Abersoch is still in situ. It is the Mark 2 version that I started building around 1999 following the "completion" of Boduan Junction. It featured in the December 2005 edition of the Railway Modeller and replaced its Mark 1 predecessor, which I started in 1989 and featured as Railway of the Month in the May 1995 edition of the Railway Modeller. Abersoch Mark 1 narrowly avoided death. Its first home was the garage of our army married quarter in Pirbright when I was major serving as Paymaster to the Welsh Guards.The hurricane of 1990 lifted the roof of the garage and deposited it inside the structure. I lost a lot of models and the insurance claim reducer loss adjuster had an interesting time trying to value hand-built track and scratch-built buildings. Fortunately, the baseboards survived and moved to Bielefeld in Germany in November 1990 where it was ensconced in a very nice, large, warm and dry cellar room. It moved to quarters at Worthy Down near Winchester at the end of 1992 before going into the house we bought in 1993 and we remain to this day. Abersoch's trains have no where to go, so it is more of a shunting layout. It is rarely run as most of my model railway time now is spent on 0 Gauge projects and, of course, the Ixion business. Its future must be doubtful, but until I need the space it will linger on like a Beeching oversight. Regards, Chris Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
FiveandNine Posted January 23, 2014 Share Posted January 23, 2014 Chris, Thanks for showing the photos and sorry to hear it's the end for a layout that certainly inspired me and no doubt quite a few more here over the years. My own layout Calchester was based quite heavily on Boduan Junct. Al Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jack00 Posted January 23, 2014 Share Posted January 23, 2014 First time I have seen this. What a lovely layout. Mind you it was created almost a year after I was born!! Thanks for posting Chris. Jack Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adrock Posted January 23, 2014 Share Posted January 23, 2014 Chris, Thanks for showing the photos and sorry to hear it's the end for a layout that certainly inspired me and no doubt quite a few more here over the years. My own layout Calchester was based quite heavily on Boduan Junct. Al I couldn't agree more, and Chris knows how much of an influence Boduan Jct exerted on me as a young 13 year old modeller back in 1998! It's great that your 4mm railway has also had it's (albeit brief) chance to shine on RMWeb. The layout still looks fantastic even now. Adam Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kenton Posted January 23, 2014 Share Posted January 23, 2014 Always very sad to hear of the demise and obituary for a much loved layout. I always think, maybe a better home and a gift of many more hours of pleasure should be given to someone or a dedicated museum set up for their retirement. But onwards and upwards, in this case to a bigger scale, I just hope that its demise will give fond memories and no regrets. Oh, and please, no photos of the destruction process. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
81A Oldoak Posted January 23, 2014 Author Share Posted January 23, 2014 Always very sad to hear of the demise and obituary for a much loved layout. I always think, maybe a better home and a gift of many more hours of pleasure should be given to someone or a dedicated museum set up for their retirement. But onwards and upwards, in this case to a bigger scale, I just hope that its demise will give fond memories and no regrets. Oh, and please, no photos of the destruction process. I thought about another home for Boduan Junction, but the electrics and the baseboard have deteriorated and would be quite troublesome. Rest assured that the demolition and funeral will be a quiet and private family affair. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
81A Oldoak Posted January 24, 2014 Author Share Posted January 24, 2014 In response to an overwhelmingly loud clamour from the general public a request, here are some photos of Abersoch Mark 2. The photos of Abersoch Mark 1 in the May 1995 Railway Modeller were shot in the Peco studio at Beer. Somewhere, I have the original prints and when I find them I will scan them. All of the buildings on Abersoch are scratchbuilt. The engine shed is a resettled refugee from Abersoch Mark 1 that was inspired by the BR-built shed at Templecombe on the S&DJR. An article describing its construction and plans were published in the October 1994 edition of the Railway Modeller. The goods shed was (very) loosely inspired by Cardigan and featured in the March 1993 edition of the Railway Modeller. I have attached a scan of the drawings. Inspiration for the station building and the signal box came from Afon Wen and Criccieth respectively. The Dukedog was built from an etched-brass kit, the make of which I can't remember. Ironically, I collected the two Bachmann Dukedogs today that I ordered from AC Models in Eastleigh over 18 months ago. They are lovely models, but the delivery times of some manufacturers are a complete disgrace of they which they should be thoroughly ashamed, and I state this as someone who is a manufacturer with direct experience of mass-produced RTR locos. Sorry about that. I hope you like the pictures of Abersoch. Regards, Chris RM Goods Shed drawings March 1993.pdf Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
westerner Posted January 24, 2014 Share Posted January 24, 2014 Two of my favourite layouts. Goodbye Boduan Junction. I certainly enjoyed reading your articles in RM Chris and I do have them filed in my favourite layouts folder, Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Y Ddewin gwyn Posted January 25, 2014 Share Posted January 25, 2014 Diolch yn fawr! Your layout was very important for me actually taking up Railway modelling at all. Sorry to see it go, but I well understand the attraction of O-scale. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
81A Oldoak Posted January 28, 2014 Author Share Posted January 28, 2014 As the accountants would say, asset recovery started on Boduan Junction today. Buildings, signals, trees and fencing have been lifted and put into store. As promised, no photos of this distressing scene. However, I have decided to let the buildings and signals go to a new home. Contact me via PM if you are interested. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
edcayton Posted January 30, 2014 Share Posted January 30, 2014 I think that the little yard with the signal components is stunning, and something I haven't seen modelled before. Why is a man who is moving to 0 gauge buying 00 Dukedogs? We should be told. Ed Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
81A Oldoak Posted January 30, 2014 Author Share Posted January 30, 2014 I think that the little yard with the signal components is stunning, and something I haven't seen modelled before. Why is a man who is moving to 0 gauge buying 00 Dukedogs? We should be told. Ed For the same reason I own among other things 2 Dapol Westerns and 2 Class 22s, a Bachmann 3F, 4F, 9F, 04 ROD and City of Truro and others; Hornby LNER 01, GWR 42XX and 72XX and assorted Heljan diesels - I like them! But I must stop as they are cluttering up my garage. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Donw Posted February 2, 2014 RMweb Gold Share Posted February 2, 2014 At least the new Dukedogs can pose on Abersoch for now. Thanks for the lovely photos Don Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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