Stephenwolsten

More progress......

Progress with the MDHB workshop (which will be partially modelled). Richard Ellis' window is particularly skilful. [The corner edge has since been finished].

Track awaiting cosmetic treatment.

Yes Mike, you are of course correct in describing the type of rail used on the MDHB system. I am not a permanent way expert but think that the rail, flangeway and 'check rail' was cast as a single head. Richard Ellis and I spent a considerable time discussing this feature, recognising its importance for the appearance and accuracy of the diorama. The ultimate decision was mine and reflected my need to compromise in terms of time and cost. I have chosen to represent the check rail as a cosmetic strip of Plasticard or similar, with the setts in-between, rather than a full-blown continuous metal check rail. If we had decided on a continuous check rail or some other representation of tram track then yes, moulded chairs would be in the way. The chairs should not be visible with this compromise method and I will post a picture when we have reached this stage of construction.

More progress with track work by Monk's Gate Models:

7mm cobbles produced by Giles Favell using his latest embossing tool. Source: Giles' Flickr site. See also Giles in RMweb.

Counting bricks on photographs to estimate dimensions of the MDHB engine shed and making an initial drawing expressed in terms of number of brick courses and brick lengths:

Testing clearances and early track laying by Monk's Gate Models:

My very rough sketch (!) and an early full size, track plan by Monk's Gate Models:

The underside of the diorama baseboard, constructed by Monk's Gate Models:

The track layout in real life (source LNWR Society):

A reminder of what inspired the diorama - a view showing the transit shed ('E"), Riverside branch, dock lines and MDHB engine shed (far right). Behind the photographer and shown as a shadow on the ground is the MDHB workshop, which will also be modelled (in part).

I have now rationalised my Pinterest Board and have divided it into sections to make it more accessible. The sections include locos, engine sheds, the Overhead Railway, track and scenic matters, warehouses, road vehicles, shipping, quayside features and the 'dock road' (including rail traffic). This thread will now move on to modelling rather than research posts, thanks to the work of Richard Ellis of Monk's Gate Models. https://www.pinterest.co.uk/stephenwolstenh/inspiration-for-atlantic-dock-7mm-scale-diorama-of/

I've just been catching up with your progress and Chris' work. The Queens Drive/Rice Lane buildings are fantastic. I particularly remember the corner sweet shop/newsagent and the Midland Bank (where I opened my first account in 1970). The Baths are very well modelled. I had school swimming lessons there in 1964. Your research on rail traffic etc is unrivalled. I hope to see the completed layout one day.......

Please don't take my views as worth much, as I misinterpreted what you had already painted and I admit to preferring a very high viewing hight. I wonder if the advice in Paul Bambrick's book is any help in deciding?

One of the usual views of the Tobacco Warehouse, as redevelopment started.

For some time I have been pondering the issue of a back scene for Atlantic Dock, with a preference for something photographic based on selected buildings along the Liverpool dock road. I knew that Pete Johnson's Canada Street EM layout was partly inspired by Liverpool scenes (e.g. the wall, hut ad lamps). But until today I had not seen any images that incorporated a back scene. I was therefore amazed to see this picture on Sutton Loco's Flickr site. The vast building is the Tobacco Warehouse at Stanley Dock (now converted into flats). But how did the photographer get the whole building in and orientate it so perfectly? The real building is at right angles to the old dock lines as Stanley Dock was the only one on the inland side of the dock road. All the exhibition photos of this layout do not include this grand warehouse. Was this picture manipulated digitally, I wonder. I hope a RMweb member knows the answer please! P.S. The photographer has now told me that it is 'photo trickery', as suspected. Philip Sutton photographed his friend’s layout with a white background, cut this out in Photoshop and overlaid it onto a background stock picture of the warehouses, doing his best to align and adjust the perspective to match. I think the adjustment was very accurate.

I'm in no position to comment given my lack of any modelling skills! But as you invited views, I think that the horizon may be set too high - sorry. The landscape here is a very flat, broad floodplain and I'm not sure that the sweep of the river and bend would be so visible behind the buildings in real life. Since writing this I have dug out some of the views of Tewksbury that I took last year, concentrating on the scenery rather than the buildings this time. The second and final photos were taken on the far river bank. I think they confirm that the landscape is indeed very flat for a long distance. As regards the prominent hill on the back scene, this is of course a feature of this region. I think a lot depends on how far you want to reflect the actual location. If you do want super realism, and if you have a high viewing position, I suspect that you could get away with less detail, especially the river. Sorry Richard if this is not what you wanted to hear! Stephen

A digital impression of one of the entrances to the redeveloped Princes Dock, Liverpool. This is the approximate location to be modelled but viewed from the inland rather than the river side. Copyright Peel Property. The second picture shows the view from the other side at an earlier date when the MDHB tracks were still visible.

Thanks Trevor for sharing your amazing images. They are a marvellous social record.

Massive warehouses were a characteristic feature of Liverpool's 'dock road' and some representation of them will probably be necessary at the rear of the diorama or on a backscene. Along the inland side of the dock road and in the narrow side streets lay a multitude of railway depots, bonded warehouses and forwarding depots. There were many other businesses such as export packers, ship repairers and provision merchants. There were factories too, mainly in the heavy process industries that gather at ports such as milling. oil seed crushing and sugar refining. Some examples are shown in the accompanying photographs. The traditional approach to modelling this is often to add a low-relief warehouse. But something cleverer may be needed to create an illusion of depth and perspective. I am tempted by suitable photographs but this approach may not work without a lot of digital manipulation to create a composite image (if technically possible even). The definitive book on this subject is Creating a Backscene: A Railway Modelling Companion by Paul Bambrick. The book is a comprehensive guide to creating eye deceiving backscenes, showing how a transition from 3D to 2D and other techniques produces the sense of depth.

No 24, date unknown.

Hi Mike, It was listed as No 8, date unknown. Stephen

This fantastic slide has just sold for £67.50 on eBay - a bit higher than my bid!