While away from the Railway Room I have been able to do some research on various topics, often as a diversion from more pressing family moments. One such area has been the relatively new field of laser modelling.
The various kits I reviewed at Telford were all quite amazing but the one problem I had with all of them was that, when you want to accurately model a prototype, there are likely to be few kits out there that will do and even then they will need a lot of customization to represent the prototype.
As an example, many reading this would say that companies like the LNWR built their signal boxes along set designs. This may be true but in many cases there were individual changes made due to the land available. For Penmaenpool it would appear that although the signal box was exhibited by the GWR at an exhibition before its installation it may well have been a one off design. Most unusual is the fact that the levers faced away from the track, a rarity that can be modelled quite easily by relocating the interior to match. Nonetheless, I could not find any laser cut kits that came close.
What may be useful are individual components, such as window frames, but even these are unlikely to be exactly correct.
So it looks as though I will be scratch building the rest of the structures as one-offs, using the brass strip framework employed on the engine shed and rec room. This is another good reason for buying some RTR stock - time is of the essence.
The outstanding building/structures include the signal box, the station house (booking office and residence), the hotel, the goods yard shed and two wooden shelters on the platforms. Then the platforms themselves, but this is where one possibility for laser cut parts might work as the platforms were wooden planks on cast concrete supports. The supports could be laser cut as a batch.
Going back a few years, Alan Buttler did some sterling work on his diorama of Oswestry Works but this has had to take second place to his Modelu business.
Enough rambling.
Paul