vectispete

Very high quality modelling. I will certainly look out for progress posts.

I am thankful for the post. Fed up of walking out of WHS empty-handed,

Good luck with this section of the IOW Chris. The loft layout must be looking quite good now with Cowes and Newport partly done. Do do you have any timetables for the IOW? As you know I am modelling Cowes 1950 and to date have not located a BR timetable for this period. i have one more rake to complete and possibly 1 more O2 then the buildings will continue in earnest. I must upload some photos as I progress Pete

Fully understand. I have spoken to him before via PM but I have never asked for any info. Pete (IWCR) has been most helpful with all sorts of things (buildings, coaches, general questions). A true font of all IOW knowledge. Thank you you for the kind comments about the coaches - can’t wait to actually run them behind a loco! best wishes on your future layout. I will look out on these pages for its progress. Pete

I have made a start on the buildings and is an area I really enjoy doing. Coaching stock is one rake away from all that is needed. I might build another 2 O2s. I have 2 E1s and even the E4 that was such a failure. Having recently moved house I now have the garage space I need. Just need the cash to install electricity into it and insulate it. That’s my frustrating part, every additional item built hasn’t go onto the (non-existent) layout. Still, it will come. You can see some of my coaches on Chris Gardner’s post showing his excellent Cowes, Newport et al project. Do do you have any research material that may be of use that you are willing to share? Regularity - sorry, I didn’t go back to the start of the thread, I just read the post. Pete

I have made a start on the buildings and is an area I really enjoy doing. Coaching stock is one rake away from all that is needed. I might build another 2 O2s. I have 2 E1s and even the E4 that was such a failure. Having recently moved house I now have the garage space I need. Just need the cash to install electricity into it and insulate it. That’s my frustrating part, every additional item built hasn’t go onto the (non-existent) layout. Still, it will come. You can see some of my coaches on Chris Gardner’s post showing his excellent Cowes, Newport et al project. Do do you have any research material that may be of use that you are willing to share? Regularity - sorry, I didn’t go back to the start of the thread, I just read the post. Pete

What track is it Nick 00 EM or P4? It is a shame that you have had to abort Cowes. I have researched it for 20 years on and off and haven’t laid as much as a sleeper down. Good luck with your new venture. pete

Would you be able to PM me with an estimate for building a 45xx in em gauge from a Malcolm Mitchell Churchward kit I have?

....and he accepts commissions? i cannot find him on google.

Can anybody suggest any good loco builders? I have a couple of 45xx kits need building in 4mm em. i have seen a couple of names in adverts in railway mags but wonder whether there are members on here with good/bad experiences.

Not sure if this topic has been discussed previously but has anyone had 4mm loco kits built and can recommend a builder? I have seen a few model builders advertise. I know this is a very subjective question but I have a couple of locos that I would like built and am at a loss as to where to go.

Hi Kris I assumed Collett, Hawksworth & Centenary. When you say summer of 1947, would it have been running by June of that year?

What coaches would have been used in 1947 for the CRE? Was it then called Cornish Riviera Express or Cornish Riviera Limited? Or was there both?

Add to that double loco hauling, splitting larger coach formations using the sea siding and the platform siding, fish and other goods wagons, loco to engine shed movements. Plenty for one person to do. I just need to to learn more about the stock used for my selected period; 1947. I have 10 years knowledge of all things Isle of Wight but absolutely nothing GWR. At least photos are plentiful, even if from different periods and loco coach and wagon kits are available.

Hi I have only just read your thread. I have plans of St Ives station; inland and sea elevations, if you are still looking for information on it. Pete

Very valid points Johnster. Class 45xx look nice but will be the sole loco type. Coaches are quite varied around 1947 and may even include all brown carriages. My intention would be to run 'correct' stock. Having researched IOW Cowes station for 10 years and collated sufficient locos (mainly O2s) and coaching stock I keep being put off making inroads because it simple doesn't look 'pretty' enough. Trevor Pott's 'Churston' and Robert Dudly-Cooke's 'Kingstorre' amongst others have got me completely smitten with GWR although my knowledge of it is very little. St Ives brings back childhood memories, looks stunning, and is probably achievable as a sole long term project. Plenty of buildings to measure and build, sand and sea to try and recreate. Even a putting green, which I have never seen before. All on several levels. Whether operationally it will keep me occupied is another question. Maybe building the layout will give more pleasure than operating it. I won't know that until further down the line (no pun intended!). With the space I have available if it wasn't going to be St Ives I would choose a through station with branchline eg Maiden Newton (Gerry Beale is already building). I thought I would see what information was available initially. Question then would be which through station!! Pete

Joseph - I intend to model it in 4mm em gauge. Maybe June 1947 so that trains are not as long as summertime. It is such a beautiful staggered scenic opportunity from beach up to the 'top' road. Scenic break in the form of a bridge. I may have to 'bend' the layout to fit it in. I have a garage to use and the intention is to build over many years. I think the splitting of rakes to reduce a Cornish Riviera Express train plus local and goods trains will keep a single operator busy enough. Ian - thank you very much. This certainly gives me perspective as I have many photos of the area to cross-reference to. Pete

Thank you for the post - I will hunt down a copy of this by hook or by crook. Having spent 10 years researching Cowes on the IOW visually it does not compare to St Ives and at 53 I have had a mid-life crisis and decided to change my 'layout in a lifetime' Pete

Does anyone have any track plans of this station showing lengths of station platforms, goods siding and engine shed siding? Also I am looking for photos of the station post war pre nationalisation and coach formations for the same period. if anyone can assist I would be grateful. Pete

This is from a Worsley Works kit in 1950 livery. It is on a friend's layout. He takes a good photo also which helps.

and this photo shows the interior.

Hi The latest addition to the fleet - LBSCR 6986 'observation' coach that was used on 'The Tourist'

The Brighton's were Alan Gibson kits. He sold to David Geen, but I do not think that he's health is the best at present so is looking to sell his business (I am sure I have read this somewhere). Google searching David Geen still shows the kits listed. Also I think Roxey Models do a range. Pete

Hi Chris I think that looks very good from that photograph. Good work and well painted.

A couple more coaches for Merstone layout.