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AlwaysLearning

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  1. AlwaysLearning
    Welcome to the birth of my new layout CARLSDEN set on the GW/GC Joint line set in the 50's, 60's, 70's or 80's.
     
    The GW/GC Joint line was the last Main Line Steam railway to be built in England which finally opened for passenger traffic on April 2nd 1906.
     
    The Great Western & Great Central Joint Railway by Stanley C. Jenkins and published by The Oakwood Press together with 'The Final Link' by Dennis Edwards & Ron Pigram published by Midas Books cover all the history saving me going into great detail. There are also plenty of details on the Web for those who prefer to browse.
     
    I have produced a basic map of the Line and it's connections to existing lines just to confirm the location and it is by no means an accurate production.
    The line north of Ashendon Junction to Aynho Junction was known as 'The Bicester Cut-Off' and opened to GW passenger trains in 1910. The main objective was to cut the journey times between Paddington and Snow Hill by utilising the Joint line and the Bicester cut-off.

     
    The fictitious station of Carlsden is on the site of Saunderton Station between High Wycombe and Princes Risborough with the usual 'Modellers Licence' in full effect. The scenic section will be 12' x 2' with a fiddle yard capable of holding a rake of 10 Mk1's and 40 10t Minerals to enable prototypical running to be attempted.
    The track layout will be from Blackthorn Station, on the Bicester cut-off, as it suits my needs. The buildings are from Beaconsfield on the Joint line as I worked there in the early 80's as a Booking Clerk with fond memories of everything original including card tickets!
     
    Later I will discuss the attraction of the line as far as operational interest goes as the list of Steam Locomotive classes that were used covered all the Big 4 and Standards. Most Mainline Diesel traction has also been noted working the route in the 60's, 70's and 80's.
     
    I have many unpublished B&W pictures from the line in the early 60's taken by my late Stepfather, Bill Dudley, which I intend to share in the due course of time.
    There are also a few in the 80's taken by myself along the line.
     
    Layout plan and more to follow.
     
    Peter.
  4. AlwaysLearning
    Track plan completed and will not be changed! (apart from maybe an additional long siding behind the shed road.....perhaps...)
     
    Modelled area will be between the 2 bridges, 1 brick and 1 girder, to be scenic break material.
     

     
    Track will be SMP with hand built points. I have found a box purchased in the 80's that I never used, very handy indeed.
     
    DCC will be used for the first time, which sounds very up to date, but with many Loco's to convert perhaps a tad optimistic.
     
    Three 1200mm x 600mm baseboards to form the scenic section have been completed. Standard 50mm x 25mm (2" x 1" in old money) bracing topped with
    5mm ply. Apparently the Dinosaur approach to baseboard construction in 2017!!! It is tried and tested and has served me well over the years so if it isn't broke then....you know the rest.
     
    I will be working on the off stage track plan soon but there are a few options to explore before rushing in.
     
    Must finish now as my red wine is getting cold.
  6. AlwaysLearning

    2 more

    By AlwaysLearning,

    BR Standard 73066 heads 'The Queenshead' block cement train at High Wycombe on 28-09-1963
     

     
    7929 'Wyke Hall' on a mixed freight at High Wycombe in May 1964
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