Spikeyorks

Thanks for your thoughts. They all help. Note that the original plan is loosely based on Enfield Town where, in fact, the bottom platform (PL3) is still in use today although all the other sidings have gone. In the 1970s, when I was familiar with the location, most of the track layout still existed and was electrified. That is my time period. (I just wish I could fit in the 4 stabling sidings that were in use at that time). The platform at the top (PL1) used to run alongside the engine shed where there was an additional loop. In my plan, however, the very top loop is completely fictional and I added it simply to add an additional traffic flow where there might have been a need to run round. Perhaps I should remove the crossover from this area and instead put in between the tracks in PL2 and PL3......which is where it is in real life in Enfield Town? This would enable me to run CL31 and blue suburbans into these two platforms. The arrival facility for PL3 is via an 'off plan' crossover between the running lines the other side of the over bridge. Again this is how it was in real life and this will be facilitated by the traverser. In the plan as is you can have EMUs arriving and departing simultaneously however, as things stand at the moment, you would never have two arrive or depart at the same time as the station is only approached by a double running line. What you are more likely to see is an EMU shunting or going through the carriage wash whilst another EMU move happens. The main line 'loop' around the signal box is fictional but I added it in to avoid just having straight running lines. I quite like the idea of an emu snaking around it and it does remind me of a location somewhere.....possibly on the Southern region. If we still to real life then the Enfield line would see mainly 305s with some 308s and 302s. However just having these units would be quite dull hence all my other ones. (I'll hopefully be getting a 306 soon and then things really will take a more imaginary turn). All of this was why my original layout name was going to be "Greastern" as a play on words of Great Eastern would enable me to run anything.

I remember all the carriage sidings around Stratford full of EMUs and other ECS. Long gone now of course. I don't think I will use the Minories template because I would also like other things in my layout (ie the carriage washing plant and the diamond crossing). As for possible station names then London (Aldersgate), London (Folgate) or London (Brick Lane) are good contenders. However I still think I prefer the suburban terminal rather than the City one. There is the possibility of a Tilbury Riverside type option assuming that Tilbury had developed more into a passenger port. The CL309s could be running as boat trains to and from London and to and from East Anglia?

Re my original layout plan. I think I will now redraw it with the emu stabling sidings further 'south' thus giving more room for the traverser. The stabling sidings will have the look of the first image below......I have some Bachmann derelict houses to go along the top of the cutting. For the sidings at the top I did originally think dairy and quite like the look of the second image which has a very urban feel. Any thoughts? (mini Ilford) Then all I really need to work out is what to put at the end of the stabling sidings. I quite like the idea of them ending with a shed. I think that the Peco Shed might have enough of a hint of East Ham to make it a possible starter. Just wondering how high the doors are in relation to OHL and pantographs. Looking at pictures on the web they do seem to have sufficient height?

Are you quite sure that you're not confusing a 5 with a 3? After all it is a blurry image.

Dopey old me. Of course that first pic is of a buffet unit. So at least two units carried this livery. Well that's the excuse I need to be happy that 623 must have done so too. Happy days.

1) Clacton does have an acceptable amount of griminess. 2) As does Southend Victoria. 3) Another CL309 pic with the wrap around BG ends. 4) Found this pic on the web by accident.

re the CL309s with the blue grey wrap around ends then these were the pictures that I had. To be honest I had already requested that my unit be 623 and only at the last minute did I ask for this livery (and then immediately regretted it thinking that I wouldn't like it). Once the model was completed I thought it was great and, only then, did I wonder whether this livery was a one-off on 625. Even now I still don't know.

Well I must admit I never expected to see the names Dunwich, Blakeney and Cley come up in relation to possible locations. (Dunblacley being a possible name....although it sounds a bit Scottish to me). I did think of something like a Maldon (on steroids) where, perhaps, there could have been fast and slow commuter trains to Liverpool Street with an excuse for diesel services on the ex-Woodham Ferrers line. No my location is definitely somewhere in the London suburbs with brick cutting sides, grime everywhere and a rundown feel. Probably it is the CL309s that are the indulgence here as they wouldn't have been seen anywhere off the mainlines but, perhaps, they might've visited my location for off-peak stabling or the like. Building wise I'd have a set of Bachmann Art Deco stations together with their Underground station building so I'd like to place those on the layout if possible. (hints of Loughton?). Having said that I really do like the latest March station buildings. These definitely do have a North London feel to them. (I also like the Metcalf canopies which, again, would look good on my platforms). The choice is endless.

I must admit I do particularly like this version of the CL309........even though I can never remember seeing one in this livery in real life.

With Enfield Town you have worked out my starting point however I think I will be using the Bachmann Art Deco station buildings to provide a long run on the island platform. Mind you I do like the look of the March station buildings which do also have a North London feel to them. Decisions Decisions.

I have considered Walton (perhaps too simple) and also Clacton (perhaps too complicated) and either wondered about some amalgamation of the two. There are some nice photos of Walton when it still had two platforms and some sidings however I think I want to go urban rather than rural with grimy buildings, walls and trackwork etc. Having said that there was a nice seaside town layout on Ebay (Woebegon on Sea) that I did wonder if it could be altered to fit the GE electric period. Yes I am considering a CL15 or even a CL20. Yes they might be out of period but a really grubby green version might be acceptable (more dirt than green though). After all Colchester had a green carriage heating unit kicking around for a good few years. I'm getting a CL125 DMU next week which, technically, wouldn't have been seen with the GE electrics at that time. Certainly not in blue anyway.

I think that I have to widen my baseboards otherwise I think you are right and the traverser idea wouldn't work. I think I will redraw the plan with the stabling sidings moving south a few inches as that seems to be the easier of the two options. That way my two main running lines will be more to the centre of the board. Regarding platform 3 then my thoughts are that there would be a crossover between the two main lines out of sight on the other side of the road bridge so that, actually, you could then arrive at that platform. The station at the moment is based very loosely on Enfield Town although the loop and sidings at top of the board are completely fictional. Enfield also had 4 stabling sidings that rose above the main running lines ending at the level crossing. I can remember walking to the crossing and seeing a row of CL305s looking down at me. Shame no one seems to have an image of this nowadays.

"Remember to leave room for a traverser to slide across so that all of it's roads can connect to the rest of the layout. And the similarly for cassettes: you need room and easy access to handle them". Hi Phil I'm pretty sure that I am in traverser land here. I don't have the space to knock up a fan of sidings that would work and I'm not convinced that a 4 coach long cassette will be the best way to handle the EMUs without dropping them. I do think that the width of my plan might be a sticking point and I might need to find the proverbial "extra 6 inches" which is a possibility. I'm not too bothered if all tracks don't all line up but, obviously, most will need to if the layout is to operate properly. It might be that with the extra width I can pull the stabling sidings forward leaving the space behind for the traverser? David

"That looks pretty good to me. Re the top two sidings, perhaps extend one, suggesting another industry/private siding off-scene. But keep at least one as a short siding, the stop block provides an opportunity for scenic work (weeds, litter, etc)" Hi Keith I wanted to avoid only having EMUs on the layout. I will acquire a CL31 and some Blue Suburban coaches to add a bit of variety to the passenger services. I already have a Cravens 2 car and will have a CL125 DMU (3 car) soon. I just wanted to have some sort of freight kicking about even if it is very small scale. At first I considered a dairy (as per Ilford), then parcels as per Southend Vic. I'm now mulling over some sort of departmental yard which would require short trains to arrive on the main lines and then set back under the road bridge. There are regularly 'interesting' wagons appearing on Ebay and the like and I quite fancy that. That's why I'm considering keeping the "stub" and pushing the other line back under the bridge. Scenic wise then I am aiming for "grubby and unloved" !!! David

"Your collection of EMUs looks wonderful, can I ask the origins of them. I am in the process of building a series of GER EMUs." Hi Clive These EMUs are all Britannia Pacific models acquired over a couple of years. Funded by the disposal of a large amount of N gauge and tinplate. All the EMUs look great although I took a bit of a gamble with the CL305s by basically having a 3-car CL304. (These are now going to be tweaked with ex-luggage coaches to make 4 car units). I convinced Peter to make a CL307 and now have the first two of these he has made (1 refurbed, 1 original). Hopefully I will be getting two CL306s at some point this year, plus some large window CL305s, and then that will be that. Your EMUs currently under construction seem to be coming along nicely. I wish I had the skills to make something like that myself however I am hopeless at anything creative involving glue !!! I will keep watching your developments and see how you get on. David

I have been sketching out a plan for a shelf layout to run my collection of GE emus on. My requirements are as follows; 1) The ability to have 4-5 emus on show at one time. 2) At least 3 platforms. 3) Carriage washing plant. 4) The diamond crossing near the washer (as per Enfield Town or Chingford). 5) At least one other traffic flow (perhaps parcels like Southend Victoria) to bring in diesels. 6) Must be able to run 4 car emus into all platforms and stabling sidings. I can fit a 13 foot run in the available space and have come up with the following plan which gives me most of what I am looking for and also has the vast majority of the pointwork on the central board. (The boards would be 4ft / 5ft / 4ft in length). Not sure whether to use cassettes or a traverser. Also not sure whether or not to run the top sidings back under the roadway to the traverser too. Any thoughts out there? Thanks David

This looks like it is going to be an interesting layout. Thanks for sharing. I was wondering. What make is the 3 road shed in "picture one" of the thread? Is it a scratchbuilt model? If not are the entrances high enough to take catenary and pantographs through? Just asking as I would like to have an emu shed that is full height.