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Hi, thanks for that - had completely overlooked the fact I had used Midland fencing! Have had a quick 'Google' and looked at the Javis Premier sleeper fencing - this looks a lot more suitable for the 'run down' atmosphere I am trying to create on this layout

Have now started work around the old Chapel area - building fixed in place and ground cover started. Not happy with the fence though, just does not look right

Have been building the signals for the layout over the last couple of weeks. Now competed, spent last nights modelling time fixing them in place. Trains can now run in a controlled and safe manner! The main signal to the Bletchley branch at the end of the platform. The unusual shunt signal that used to control access to the line to Goldington Power Station. Ground signals in the CCE sidings. Next job up is detailed scenery around the old tin chapel

Time for an update as quite a bit of progress has been made in the last couple of weeks. I have been completing the building and detailing of the station and fixed it in position. Similarly, detailing of the bridge has taken place. I have also built some fences and put them in place in front of the bus garage and at the end of the sidings. Work has also continued on detailing and weathering the track. Next projects are to build the signals and detail the area around the tin church Would like to exhibit Bedford St Giles in the future so if there are any exhibition managers reading this...

What a fantastic model shop - and in a great location too! Shop full of stock at good prices, super range of accessories and really friendly staff. Was good to see the shop was busy, they deserve to do well. Reminded me of the model railway shops in days gone by. Managed to get all the bits and bobs I needed to complete my layout, so pleased!!

Past couple of weeks have see the building of the (very) low relief United Counties bus depot, along with starting to make the sidings look run down - as was the general feel of St Johns towards the end.

On a topiclal note, had a super pint of "Flying Scotsman" in the Barley pub in Newport (Shropshire) today. Landlord was kind enough to say I could keep the special branded pint glass when I mentioned I was into steam trains!

Hi, the barrow crossing is going to go from the right hand end of the platform, across the points to the base of the footbridge - interesting route, but it retains the character of going from the platform, across the running lines to the footbridge that St Johns used to have

Hi Simon, thanks for the feedback and the useful comments When I finally fix the platform canopy down, I have already made the concrete feet to go on the bottom of the posts - they were quite a distinctive feature! Interesting about the closeness of the signal box to the running line - there is not a lot of room for me to fit it in. However, had a play around last night and changed the angle a bit - does look better so thanks! Just need to be careful now with the roof edge so close to the front edge of the layout.

Update with the work done over the holiday break - managed to get the following done: Station completed including fencing and canopy. Detailing kit installed in the signal box Buffers painted and installed. Basic ground cover put down.

Couple of photos taken last night - platform and canopy almost finished at last!

This weekends work saw the completion of the platform structure and 'what was left' of the overall roof. Here are a few photos of the trial fitting. The vertical girders will be squared up when they are fixed to the baseboard btw! Next to paint the overall roof and weather it

Following the kind posting of a photo of the platform canopy last night, here is mine so far - this weekends project is to finish it

Absolutley brilliant, thanks for posting and really timely! I have been building the platform and canopy this week, so thats really useful to help me get the details right - really appreciated.

This weeks modelling time has been spent on the completion of London Road bridge - now to put some basic ground covering down before bedding the bridge onto the layout

Hi, thanks for your comments. The platform is going in the space behind the Cravens unit in the first photo on this topic. The gap is 32mm wide so the platform will be about 7' 6" wide in 4mm scale. The canopy will go over the line the Cravens is standing on, then the supports will drop down between the 2 lines. Hope to start building the platform next weekend after the London Road bridge is completed (this weeks project!). Undecided yet whether to do a disused platform next to where the Gloucester DPU is standing to replicate the old platform at St Johns where the station building used to be - will do a mock up to see what it looks like. The overall aim is to get as much flavour of St Johns into the layout bearing in mind its minimal size, so most things are not where they were on the prototype!

Thanks to all for your interesting posts (and reminisces!). Very useful comments and photos regarding the signal box - I have an old Hornby one and keep looking to detail it up as its the closest I can find. Here are a few photos from this weekends work - building the London Road bridge with a Scalescenes kit. Have trial fitted some old Airfix footbridge steps to replicate the steps up to London Road. One of the features I really wanted to include to get the flavour of St Johns, but in a different place due to my space limitations

Thanks for the offer of some photos - any of the station during the late 70s to early 80s would be really appreciated. You are all correct, it was a run down area - that's part of what attracted me to model it. I recall fencing that had fallen down, the total lack of protection from the rain, the disused line to the power station and the derelict former Cambridge platform once they had knocked the building down - happy days!!

I have been working very slowly on my new micro layout, but have finally reached the stage last night where the baseboard, wiring and track are complete so thought it time to pop a page on RMweb. Bedford St Giles is based very loosely on the old Bedford St Johns station that closed in the 1980's when trains were diverted into Bedford Midland. All the features of the old station will be there, but not necessarily in the same places! These include: The platforms - one disused and one with the decrepit fencing and what was left of the overall roof. The foot crossing to access the station. The concrete road bridge and steps up to it. The signal box. The baseboard is 4' x 1' - it has a plywood top and 2" x 1" wood frames. The backscenes are mounted on 6mm ply. Track is Peco code 100; the points are worked by brass rod with wooden handles - simple and reliable. I will post more photos and info on here as work progresses, but here are a few for starters

Thanks Jim - a big too dark for photos

What are you working over the Chase lne please Jim. there have been quite a few extra freights due to the work currently being done at Stafford.

The Chase line is my local line Jim - look forward to these diversions and the chance to get some photos of workings other than class 170s and coal trains to Rugeley. Any info you have on the diversions nearer the time would really be appreciated

We have a 5" gauge garden railway and I consider it to be a combination of model engineering (building the infrastructure, rolling stock, etc.) and railway modelling (detailling locoss, etc). If you take your time and around there are some incredible bargains to be had, you can pick up decent locos for around £500 on occasions - you can get a lot for your money! You dont need a a huge garden - we have a 120 foot circuit plus a branch line and we have 10 foot radius curves. There is nothing quite having a ride round your garden on your own railway after a hard day at the office

Great to see some 5" gauge stuff on here - here is a link to our 5" gauge garden line - www.kestertons.co.uk I'm In the process of repainting a Maxitrak Ruby steam loco into DHR livery - you can't beat live steam!

Hi. Not sure if this has already been suggested, but some 1960's style BR station buildings would be very useful (along with appropriate signage). The buildings I am thinking of are those on the LMR which were rebuilt as part of the electrification scheme. Thanks!