Blobrick

Whilst working on this scheme, a couple of other options occurred to me, in that its single track nature, would allow it to be used as a suitable design for any late built Great Western station. So how about Broadsands halt on the "Branch" down to Kingswear, where the original halt generated more traffic than expected and so was enlarged. Or possibly a late addition to the Taunton to Barnstable or Minehead routes. How about an extension to the Cambrian Coast route to Abersoch? Just found these two addition photos so though l would add them in the interests of completeness. (I m still trying to work out how to modify the original title of this thread, can any one point me in the right direction please? ) Thanks Bob C

To help, l have attached a very poorly drawn sketch showing the general arrangement of the proposed layout Broadsands.pdf

Well after almost a further 4 years gestation period, this idea has progressed from a circular layout of 8ft x 8ft to a 12ft x 5ft rectangular one. The main reason for the change has been the desire to fit in the Goods yard in a more flowing form. As a circular layout the radius being used was getting tighter and tighter, and as such was looking worse for it. In addition the ever increasing domestic pressure to take up less room with my modelling projects finally dictated the maximum dimensions allowed for this layout. And even at its modest 12ftx 5ft it will have to fold length ways to allow storage on top existing cupboards The concept for the layout is still the same, being a take on the Dawlish avoiding line planned by the GWR in the early to mid 1930s. However in this instance l have decided that due to the extreme gradients and heavy engineering that this route would require, it was built initially as a single line, with the provision to double the line at a later date. The location has also moved slightly, as Ashcombe has moved nearer to Newton Abbot and become Holcombe (Moor ?) I have stayed with the island platform configuration for the station, as l feel this suits the embankment, viaduct type nature of the line, where in this area level open ground would be at a premium. In this case l have assumed the modest goods yard was the only other area in addition to the platform built up at this point. Access to the platform remains as before from below via an underpass. As yet access to the goods yard and general scenery around the station has yet to be decided upon, but will most likely take a similar form as that at Perranporth on the Newquay branch. In fact the track plan is very similar to Perranporth with the addition of a Goods loop beyond the station platform loops to allow a slower heavy goods train to be put out of the way of faster traffic etc. For building structures on the layout l have decided to use the excellent Timber Craft range, I am in the process to building one of their Goods Sheds and l m enjoying it immensely, they do take time but the end result is well worth the effort. As for the station building l intend to use the same company's island platform building, along with a Cattle Dock and a few small buildings dotted around the Goods yard. The only draw back is that these buildings date from the late 1890 -1910 period, and by the time this layout is set, the Art Deco style was in full swing, so to be honest they are a little too early for a layout set in the 1930s. I keep searching for records of an earlier possible attempted plan to build the avoiding line but as yet l ve not found any evidence As usual l have made a mock up to see how things fit visually, and l am quiet pleased with the present arrangement as it stands, l have attached a couple of photos to show the over all effect (And before anyone comments, yes that is a Midland Open Cab in the Up platform, it was the only loco to hand!) As always comments are most welcome. Bob C

Hi Blueeighties, I ve been invited down to London for the second "Meet and Greet" on Sunday 30th at 13:00. (First one being Saturday 29th) Rebecca told me the session should run up to about 18:00, with a couple of "challenges" for the participants to have a go at

Gents, can any one help? I have been working my way through this thread, in an effort to find if the forth coming release of R3382TTS "Holland Africa Line" is in a suitable modified condition for the 1954-56 period. I ve noted that some members are hoping for another release of these locos in a "later condition". I am assuming this "Later condition" is before being finally rebuilt? Bob C

Yes indeed it does. I have spent years trying to get that across to my colleagues, to which they reply a lamp is the thing you put a light bulb into !

Just wondering if anyone has heard if there has been any word on a manufacturer announcing a class 86/87 model yet? (My 85s are lonely!)

I can remember cycling down to this very bridge with friends in 1975/76 to stand and watch traffic heading south. Nice to see the view again

Love the first photo of the 81 & 85 at Manchester, just sums up the WCML in the late 70s for me. Thanks for posting

She also covered "The Show Must Go On" by Queen, Freddie does it well but, she just added the special something to it.

Many Thanks for your input Cheers Bob C

Totally love these 1960s views. I think the Electric Blue livery sits very well on these machines. They make quite a striking contrast to the dark soot & begrimed infrastructure of the former steam era in which they arrived in. Its still amazing to see pictures of these powerful machines at the head of "traditional" mixed freights and long rakes of unfitted 16t minerals and Brake van. Real Railway!! Bob C

Hi Stovepipe Thank you so very much for looking this up for me. The period l am working around is Mid 1965 to Mid 1966, so these two photos are spot on. This time frame allows me to have AL5s in Electric Blue, with no SYWP twin pan, Electric Blue with SYWP and twin pan, and thanks to your efforts, Electric Blue with SYWP & single pan. In addition, with these links, l now have another source of photos to work through as well One very happy bunny Bob C

Gents I would like to ask a quick question if l may The last AL5 to enter service, E3095, did so in December 1964. Was she delivered with two pans or one? The Bachmann version of this model has only one pan, and carries Electric Blue livery with SYWP which would suggest that was the condition she entered service. There are two photos of E3095 already in this thread, both taken around 1967 I believe, and in both cases she has only one pan, which suggests if she did enter traffic with two, she lost one quite quickly. Can anyone confirm this please? I have already posted this in the AC locos section but think is should really have been here, soz Mr Mod!! Many thanks in advance Bob C

Gents I would like to ask a quick question if l may The last AL5 to enter service, E3095, did so in December 1964. Was she delivered with two pans or one? The Bachmann version of this model has only one pan, and carries Electric Blue livery with SYWP which would suggest that was the condition she entered service. There are two photos of E3095 already in this thread, both taken around 1967 I believe, and in both cases she has only one pan, which suggests if she did enter traffic with two, she lost one quite quickly. Can anyone confirm this please? Many thanks in advance Bob C

Need more Electric Blue photos................. Please give generously!!!

Hey that's my dream list !! However l can only agree 100% "More AC Traction" please Dave? Bob C

Hi Rembrow I have just picked one of these versions up at my local model shop, here in Derby. I can confirm it is the single pan version. As the 31-676 version is in electric blue with no SYWP but has twin pans, has only been produce in this one livery, l can't help but wonder if a version with SYWP is on the cards? Bob C

Hi Andy, just sent you a PM Bob C

Fascinating photo, l ve never seen this type of warning panel before, l assume it was an experimental version of what became the SYWP? Its nice to see photos of the AM3s, AM4s and AM10s, very much over looked in this period compared to the AL series Bob C

Hi 298 I ve been doing just that and trawling through the web. I ve found twin pan SYWP and twin pan no SYWP in traffic around mid 1965. So it looks like l can justify a 31-676, however finding one could be very difficult, unless some one has one lurking in a cupboard some where? Good home waiting. It would be nice if Mr Bachmann were to release the twin pan version with SYWP as well, hint hint Mr B ! Bob C

Gents l have a hopefully quick question I wish to add a further AL5 to my collection, and fancy 31-676, the electric blue version without the small yellow warning panels. However this model is the loco as built and as such has two pans. Can anyone tell me when these locos lost their second pan? Fingers crossed Bob C

Yes Andi, l totally agree, to much for a mere mortal to take! However l am enjoying this thread , my only wish is that someone would make a AL1, or 2 or 3 or even an AL4 to go with my Bachmann AL5, And of course there are those rumours about a possible 86 and or 87 in development in the wings somewhere? Bob C

Thank you again Robert, this thread has become almost an hourly read, so many great photos .However I must confess that even though l was on the footplate in the Banger Blue era, my favourites are from the Electric blue period. The locos looked so much smarter