HeatonLodge40

Thanks, the kind comments are appreciated as always. I’ve been working on an idea to extend the width of the model from 4/5ft to 9ft. In order to give perspective & distance I’m going to construct around 25 trolleys almost the same height as the layout but each about 4ft wide by 4/6ft long. On these will be modelled further scenery disappearing into the distance ending in a 3ft tall flat backscene. With these being easily pushed around on wheels I’m thinking it’s a relatively easy way to almost double the width. That’s the idea anyway!

Both these bridges were built by Allan Downes and await covering with Das clay and the stone courses scribed in. The viaduct spans the River Calder at Cooper Bridge on the prototype and was originally built by the Manchester and Leeds Railway in the late 1800's. The Girder bridge is still there but sadly disused since the 1960's and is situated within 10ft of the viaduct. The derelict factory is also by Allan and is awaiting conversion to an old sewerage works which also lived a stones throw from the two bridges

Bit of an update.. the last couple of months has seen me working on the new paint shop and work shop in the basement of the old mill. I reckon in another month I'll be restarting modelling Heaton Lodge itself. I've wired in 15 sockets and pleased to say I'm still here. The plasterboard is almost covering the stud walling I've also built and interior painted, just the lighting to install now. Couple of snaps..the first is a view from where the Western end scenic break will be showing there's a way to go yet. Then there's the fiddle yard of the same length on the opposite side.

Really enjoyed this thread Simon cheers Simon

Would help if I added the pic.

This is sleeper grime and dark rust mixed about 50/50 on 7mm scale Heaton Lodge.

Only the range by AK Interactive. I had the same issue, their moss green was superb for weathering fences. I might have a couple of pots of sand brown if you need some? Simon

Just been for a wander to the real Heaton Lodge Junction and was astonished at the tree clearance Network Rail have done. Its not been as clear as this since the early 1970's.. Here's a pic taken today from the original LNWR footbridge over the dive under line. The dive under tunnels are on the right (now only a single one used) and the Calder Valley line running over the top. The ex LNWR line to Huddersfield curves away to the left. Compare this to the 1960's B&W snap from the David Hey collection of the same location but taken from the ex L&Y signal box which until 1970 was just over to the left of my snap. I haven't got this far yet on the model - all the above are on boards 28 - 33. Right now I'm on 17/18.

Few pics of the 15 TTA tanks some of which which await weathering. I fitted these JLTRT kits with mini ball races from M&M models and sprung the axleboxes with tiny springs. They even detect the 1:137 gradient which is great! Real shame about JLTRT - looks like I'm going to struggle to find the other 10 TTA's I need to complete a full train..

Goodness even being mentioned in the same paragraph as Pendon is flattering even if that model is vastly superior - especially concerning the exquisite building. HL isn't fixed, it will be moving (once complete) 3 times a year. The many positive comments are inspirational to me too as sometimes things get very frustrating - as all us modellers know.

Couple more pics..

It's a good point. Each trestle has an adjustable surface onto which each frame rests. On a set up a laser level on a tripod will indicate that the top of each trestle is exactly the same as the one before. To complicate matters though the 1:137 gradient on the prototype (from East to West) is built in meaning even though the trestles are exactly the same level, the track is still rising gradually. Overall at the west end of the model the track will be 14cms higher than the track at the East end - so roughly a scale 1:137

Umm...yea

Thanks for all the kind comments.. Lots of plans to show it nearer the completion goal of about a year or so

Evening all, short update until I get some better pics done over the weekend complete with the signal gantrys working. Since I last posted I've been in the basement most evening and have sprayed 550 litres of white paint. Yesterday I finally moved with an artic the sections of Heaton Lodge which were above my office near Birmingham and assembled them in its new home with the help of Dave from White Rose Model works. If I'm honest I was a tad shocked myself how large even the 40% (80ft) of what you see here is. It left me thinking I really must have a screw loose. However, at least now I can return to modelling and finish the next 100ft in the next 12 months. As you may notice from the pics the model gets a lot wider after about 70ft, and further on are more double junctions, tunnels and large bridges.. Coke can on track is for scale

Iands thanks for that info I didn't realise the two parts were different. Am I right in thinking the two cables do actually attach to the rails? Peterkern23 its 7mm O gauge. Sorry for the hijack of the thread!

Here is a pic of a scratchbuilt dummy Westinghouse point motor on Heaton Lodge which is set in the early '80's. The yellow box is a track circuit detector

Agree.. I use Mini Natur 6mm autumn blend & Noch winter blend mixed together in a kenwood blender for a couple of minutes. Using PVA neat I sprinkle sieved earth on before the glue dries this being the result. Thanks Andy York for the first pic..

Thanks for that, yes I've seen that snap. I've one somewhere with two 40's pulling 20 vans which will certainly be replicated.! Quick update.. right now I'm hard at it every evening building an office/workshop using stud walling and painting a ceiling white in the old mill basement I'm renting which is 186ft x 90ft! Got myself an airless paint sprayer which is worth its weight in gold. Beats a roller hands down..Once the floor and walls are done and the whole model assembled in its entirety for the first time (about 75ft) - I will update. Simon

Hi Martyn the ballast is a mix of C&L buff/grey and in different sizes from 7mm to 2mm. Should have all the sections completed so far joined up from the end of next month, now the model has a place to live. Cheers Simon

I will indeed thanks for asking.! Simon

It's Woodland Scenics deep pour water in the murky shade they do. Tried a few different methods but this looked the best in my humble opinion Allan - yes it would need a few tins of Humbrol so using white primer probably need about 100 litres

Getting ready to relocate all the different sections of HL to its new home in the old mill basement. Meanwhile the last two 'cassettes' pictured earlier have been fitted inside their frames and wired and are waiting for me to pick them up.. Couple more of the detail pics I like included here of the stream/culvert.. Unfortunately there won't be much modelling for the next 2 months while I switch to lighting the basement, painting the walls and concrete floor. Given its 600sq metres that's going to fun.

You must have worked that route dozens of times! Cheers

Thanks for that, yes that pic of Heaton Lodge was taken shortly after the down slow was lifted. Likewise the Red Bank working will be a bit of a party piece on the model, being one of the longest heaviest trains to growl past. I'm intrigued why the interest in this working? It was a sad day when it stopped running after decades passing the spot.