Metropolitan H

I can also see the rear end of a train in the "Up" platform in the second picture - so you are underselling yout post. Not only that but the second picture features your C12 4-4-2T as pilot - I like C12s! Well done. Regards Chris H

Very Metropolitan! Regards Chris H

Sorry to hear you had such a bad experience of the ACE Trains Metropolitan Railway stock. I was resisting temptation till I saw the first of the Metropolitan Met-Vick Bo-Bo locos and the British Westinghouse "Camelback" Bo-Bo which came shortly after, but I wasn't tempted by the ACE Trains "C1" coaches as shown in the picture - preferring the similar but better liveried Darstaed coaches as see running below with the ACE B-W loco. That is the circa 1905 on livery and looks right for the loco. But to run with my model of the M-V loco - No.12 "Sarah Siddons" - I prefer the Later ACE "C/26" Metropolitan coaches which are closely modelled on the three "Dreadnought" vehicles running on the Keighley and Worth Valley Railway and make a very good appropriate train with Pullman car "Galatea" in the post 1925 maroon (doesn't show the smuts and dirt) livery. I run the Brown and White "Mayflower" Pullman with the B-W loco hauled train, its more appropriate! Anyway as it is just over the 160 years from the opening of the Metropolitan, here are a few more pictures on my layout. Hope you like these. My apologies for the deviation from your other trains. Keep enjoying your trains. Best wishes Chris H

- Carl Legg's model(s) of Lambourn. - Les Darbyshire's K&ESR layout(s). Thats just two that I recall directly. Regards Chris H (the Metropolitan one!)

Many thanks for the clip. I think the bit with the 3 car Southern Electric set is gauge 1 (?) - with the rest being "O" and probably all that year's version of "Maybank". i wish I knew more. I have also found a reference to the contents of the December 1975 "Model Raiways" which suggests there is a 4 page article "The Maybank & Maycroft Story - Bernard Wright delves into a legend" inside. I used to have a copy, but it went in a major thinning of the magazine collection a few years back - to make more room for trains. I will have to now seek a copy. Regards Chris H

You are probably right about the bus type that Ray Tustin made, although I think he made a number of bus models. My memory might well be in error, partially due to wishful thinking - I would like a K type to fit in the gap between diecast B type and RT in 7mm scale. Regards Chris H

Thanks for the excellent response - my memory of Bushampton must have been at the 1961 MRC show. Interesting to hear that it was then very newly converted to 2-rail. Am I right to remember Freddie Bush as a chain smoker and a real show-man type? - He and the layout made a significant impression on the then nearly 11 year old me! Many thanks Chris H

Don, I have got the copy of the reprint of Ray Tustin's "Garden Railways" book - one of the "Don't lose" books - and various of his NG drawings in the 7mm NGA book and directly from the MR Constructor articles - including the article on making a 7mm open-top double-decker bus (I think it is a London General "K" - but need to check). there is also the scan of "Paddington to Seagood" (Ihave similar tastes to Nearholmer). The early 1960s sounds right for Maycroft at the MRC show - along with Abermarsham, I would have been approaching 12 at Easter 1962 so quite impressionable! Regards Chris H

Having at long last waded through the full 57 pages of this topic, I find myself being in general agreement with a lot of the "Older Inspirational Layouts" recall having had some influence on my dalliances in this hobby. However, there are a few additional "Older layouts" that havent been mentioned yet, but had direct influences on me: - BUSHAMPTON - by Freddie Bush (?) - "0" gauge (Coarse scale - Stud contact) - LSWR branch line terminus to fiddle yard, sort of based on Swanage. Seen at a MRC Easter show circa late 1950s - but I have never found an article. - MAYBANK and MAYCROFT - Related "0" gauge lines. - ABERMARSHAM - Narrow Gauge running on 32mm (0) gauge track - seen at MRC show Easter 1962. See http://www.merionethrailwaysociety.com/in-the-beginning.html . This stated my interest in NG modelling in various scales stating with an "approximately" 7mm scale balsa wood and card model of a Ffestiniog Railway coach running on a pair of bogies from an Airfix "Booth Rodley" crane, through Eggerbahn, to more direct links to the Merioneth Railway Soc., O16.5 models with the Cottesmore group (see MRC for January 1979) and 16mm scale on 45mm gauge - with G scale Swiss. - CROWSNEST TRAMWAY - Roy Link - Exquisite NG modelling in various scales, at its best. Not all that far back but certainly from circa 1980 onwards. - LAMBOURN - by Carl Legg - In particular I refer to his first 4mm scale - "OO" gauge - model of Lambourn in the mid 1960s. Carl went on to much finer things, but as a teenager I was definitely inspired by this layout. To add to the list of inspiring modellers, I have to add R E Tustin. His 7mm scale Garden Railway and NG models - along with his drawings and articles (mainly 1950s MRC) have always been an inspiration. Regards Chris H

Can I also add the following favourites to your list: - Eric Ravillious - Edward Bawden - Rowland Hilder. Another very useful resource is the "Recording Britain" series of watercolours and drawings that were commissioned in winter 1939-40, from various artist by the Pilgrim Trust. From 1943 the 1500+ images were transferred to the V&A Museum. There are numerous published volumes of the pictures - of which my favourite is "Recording Britain" edited by Gill Saunders, V&A Publishing, 2011 - ISBN 978-1-851-77661-0. That lot can keep you entranced for weeks / months / years. Regards Chris H

I can't do you a picture of a Met "E" Class at Minories, but here is the real Met. No1 at Moorgate - nearly ten years ago. Actually 02.57hrs on 10th January 2013! Enjoy your Met trains at Minories - I am impressed. Happy Christmas all. Chris H

For Surbiton Downside see: - https://www.mediastorehouse.co.uk/network-rail/sr-surbiton-station-reconstruction-1-8-10368251.html?mp=26 - https://www.mediastorehouse.co.uk/network-rail/sr-surbiton-station-reconstruction-1-8-10368253.html Have fun. I'm still waiting to see an actual model. Regards Chris H

That looks cold - as if there is a hard frost across P'boro North. Brrr!!! Quite appropriate here. Regards Chis H

Don't be put off by the "Sold Out" message. There have been four distinct versions - mainly involving the liveries - and although some were all allocated on delivery to UK there are probably a few still available. Speak to Paul Lumsdon a.s.a.p. for further info. Regards Chris H

That is very definitely a Hornby-Dublo (pre- Ringfield) motor in the H-D class R1 0-6-0T chassis - from when that model was first introduced. Those motors are very good, first appearing in the Bristol Castle model of 1957 (???). Looking more closely, I don't think that chassis has been rewheeled, my memory say the R1 wheels and crankpin heads looked the same. Although the U1 might need clever attention to the pony truck suspension - is the pivot arm length right (?) - the rest of the mechanism is good and nothing to do with the old Tri-ang Rovex 0-6-0. While I'm on, I recommend using appropriately sized Roundheaded "Brass" rivets for GWR tank vents. Brass is easier to file / machine than copper which is too soft. I'm enjoying Bill's postswhich I've only lately come to - keep it up. Regards Chris H

Looks like you have reached a significant milestone, so I hope to be able to come and see soon. There has also been a bit more progress on Gutter Lane recently, with the third switching panel being fully finished and boxed up- although there are a few feed wires to connect at the track ends. Also there has been some operations / playing going on as the Atlantics seem to be breeding. The final track fixing and wiring for the lifting flap will be progressed over the next week or so. Then I will start on platforms etc. Regards Chris H

Hate to be picky, but arent those shots taken from the eastern side of "Crescent" bridge? - I believe Spital Bridge is to the North of the station. Regards Chris H

A very quick teak of the verticals gives this version. I think it adds to the greatness of your picture. A shame that I have lost Mallard's front left buffer,but with the vertical vertical it is a superb image. Regards Chris H

Will there be a train ferry? If so, where will it dock this side of the Channel / North Sea? Will it be able to navigate the Swale and dock at Richmond (n Yorks) or are you postulating a ferry service to Birchoverham Staithe? - The later might result in some interesting direct workings to Castle Aching! Now I shall be having strange dreams of the "Not so short sea crossing" in days gone by. Regards Chris H

While I agree wholeheartedly, please remember that for the vast majority of the then populus, you are describing conditions still prevalent in the mid/late 19th century. Like a lot of others on this forum, I am very glad I live now and not in earlier times - and while I am a great fan of Pendon / Steam Railways / Amberdale / Madder Valley etc., please remember that most of the places modelled were rather poor and squalid. Regards Chris H

But Tunbridge Wells is south of the Thames and not in Wessex or Mercia!

Not so fast! EH lost a lot of support from members when the wife of the then Chief got vast amounts of money spent on recreating the gardens at Kenilworth Castle - rather than stabilising / conserving other more worthy (depending on viewpoint - but the majority of members agreed) sites / buildings. They no longer get a subscription here! Regards Chris H

My experience of the real thing - 1890s Metropolitan Railway "Jubilee" stock 4 wheeler - removing the partitions leads to the middle of the roof sagging to near flat and the width over cantrails spreading - markedly - in the middle of the coach. Gently pulling the cant rails in over a couple of weeks will restore the roof line. So, don't remove all the partitions, they tie the sides together. Regards Chris H

Don't forget that the NT has its own current turmoil and strife which might also be of interest - see "www.RestoreTrust.org.uk"! It all depends how "Woke" one sees oneself? Regards Chris H

Do you really think another General Election will be allowed by the "Swivel-Eyed Loons" after they have re-installed Boris? My bad dream is that the legislation requiring General Elections is repealed - while they still have the over-ridding majority. Then Parliament is progued on the slightest of reasons and Martial Law imposed while they don Brown shirts and arm bands, to start hounding down all opposition along with book burnings and the setting up of forced labour camps. I hope I'm wrong. Regards CH