Rosie Taylor

Some more views of the clerestory (dont seem to be able to rotate the image?!)

It does seem very likely these are either old CCW or Ratio wooden kits - now I know what to search for I've found a fair bit of info (including elsewhere on this forum!). I feel a little embarassed I assumed they were scratchbuilt, I wouldn't have guessed kits were ever made from actual wood! I'll likely finish them to some degree, as a curiosity, as they're still a nice reminder of the original owner. Can't work out what that short clerestory coach is though...

Hmm, interesting. I'll follow that rabbit hole and see what I can find!

Ah, brilliant! Thanks, I hadn't considered looking at LMS stock, now I see pictures of the 'Stove R' it seems obvious. The build of the models is very nice and quite intricate. The shells are made from fairly thin (and fragile) veneer, I'll need to do some repairs before further work. I don't expect them to be comparable to RTR stock or kits, but will be nice to finish them with a passing resemblance to the prototype.

I inherited these coach bodies many years ago when an older family member (Dad's cousin) passed away. The rest of his collection was sold but these came to me as I think nobody knew what to do with them! I was far too young and inexperienced to finish them, so they gathered dust as a curiosity for the past 20+ years. Now I'm older and fairly competent at scratchbuilding and modifying stock, I'd like to see if I can do anything with them. They'll never be finescale models due to the material, but the craftmanship is excellent and I'd like to honour his memory by finishing them in some fashion - I have fond memories of him humouring me as a young boy and showing me his massive railway collection! First step though is identifying the prototype... I'm fairly certain this is an LNER Gresley 61'6" 3-Compartment Corridor Brake Third. The window layout and length are spot on And I think this is a Gresley Vestibule Third? Window layout seems correct but it's slightly too short (by about a scale foot) Gresley Open Third? Length is accurate but window layout is slightly off I think (missing small window on one side) These two are a complete mystery to me - both are about scale 30-32ft long, one has a clerestory roof. If they are based on LNER Gresley coaches, I think I need a good book on the subject. I mainly model 1980's BR Blue, so am out of my depth here. I have Keith Parkin's excellent book on Mk1s, so I'm looking for something similar for these coaches (history, detail differences, dimensions, drawings etc). A Google search suggests "Historic carriage drawings..." by Nick Campling, can anyone recommend? Finally, can anyone shed light on the construction? I'm wondering if the bodies are based on a kit, of if there was ever a popular article etc that he used as inspiration. From what I remember of the man, it does seem like him to just decide to make these out of wood because he could - he was very talented and inventive. Thanks in advance for any help!

I can add that I've just received my order from him - I contacted him by email regarding some TPO parts and printed sides (basically to get them before they dissapear) and he was very helpful. It did take almost 2 weeks for the first reply, but understandable as the business is in the process of winding down and they are very busy.

Ordered two sheets of BL09 transfers, was impressed by the quick turnaround and helpful communication (as well as the price)! Heartily recommend

Hi Martin, Thanks, but I'd already thought of that. I didn't go far back though, I might check and have a look for a number!

As Hurst Models now seem to be (sadly) completely defunct, I'm keen to contact them about purchasing any remaining stock, or artwork for their etches, decals etc. There used to be a phone number on their website but the site is now completely down and the domain up for sale. I have an email address for them but this doesn't seem to reach anyone. Any help appreciated, Thanks

I broke 1 out of 6 Alan Gibson wheels I was fitting to the Hornby Class 08. I'm looking for 1 (or more likely to be available, 1 set) of "4854D - 4'6 14 Spoke wheels" I dont even need the axles! I can of course contact Alan Gibson for a new set but wanted to check here first before ordering just one item from them!

Just curious, but when you have so much on your desk at once, how do you keep track of which is for which customer (for example, multiples of the same model)? Amazing work btw, although it makes me look at my own detailing attempts and sigh...

Here's what I can find on my pc, taken when we were location scouting. I think I have more without anyone in them, that shows the length of the building from the inside (and without us standing around!). Will post if I can find them. Dundee museum of Transport was using the building to store vehicles in at the time we were taken.

Sulzer27jd has already mentioned, but Maryfield Depot in Dundee still survives mostly intact, including the rails in the forecourt. Now owned by Dundee Museum of Transport, they intend to refurbish/rebuild it and use as their new premises but need to raise a LOT of money first - about half the very large roof is gone. I was lucky enough to film a music video for a local band inside last year and have a large amount of photos, if anyone is interested?

The LMS Engine Sheds book seems a good lead, I'll see if I can find a copy at the Glasgow show end of this month. If not, there seems to be a few copies found online for a reasonable price. I've had a lot more time to dedicate to research recently, as I'm off work for a few weeks with a hand injury. As a result of this, I've been up to Forfar to photograph the Caledonian engine shed that still remains in the middle of an industrial estate (the current inhabitants were extremely helpful). As far as I can tell, the architecture is similar enough to help fill in some missing details.

Thanks, I'll look into finding plans for the goods shed as I believe they were built at roughly the same time as the engine shed. Unfortunately I've already investigated the plans, and while they gave me the much needed track layout, there's not much on the engine shed except a rough footprint.

From having a look at their archive catalogue, there doesnt seem to be any drawings of the engine shed I'm after. There are a lot of records and plans of the Forfar Shed though, which might be similar.

That seems a wealth of info, can't believe I didn't find them before. Although I'm modelling the depot during the 1980s, the building itself shouldn't have changed too much from when it's Caledonian origins.

Im considering a layout based around the old Dundee West MPD, but have reached a dead-end with my research. As far as I've gathered, the depot (once located on the north side of the Dundee approach to the Tay Bridge) was originally built as a steam shed by the Caledonian Railway, then converted for use as a diesel/dmu servicing depot in the late 60's, before being demolished in 1987 (not to make some feel old, but 2 years before I was born!). After a lot of searching, I've managed to find a lot of photographs of the depot and the locos that were based there, but I'm struggling to find any drawings, plans or measurements that would help me model the building to scale. I've already visited the National Records of Scotland, where I found a 1968 plan of the area that has given me the trackplan and rough dimensions of the building. What I'm really needing is (ideally) architectural drawings of the building. Does anyone know where I would be able to find anything that would help? If I dont get anywhere I can always count bricks from photos, but there's still a lot of the main building that I can't find photos of! Any help appreciated