1977joey

How good does the OO gauge 117 look? http://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/index.php?/topic/132656-Bachmann-class-117/ I'm not jealous at all :beee: lol! Cheers, Mark

I thought I'd best describe the operations of the revised plan... The station, loosely based on operations of 80's Shrewsbury will feature 7 platforms, though only 5 are in use with bay platforms 1&2 being disused with the trackwork lifted, only a stub of track will exist into platform 2 which is one of the 2 loco stabling points. Platform 3 can be used for north bound trains aswell as being used for much of the parcels services. The big island Platform features Platform 4 the main up & down Platform, bay Platforms 5 & 6 & also platform 7 for mainly southbound services though this will be operated as Bi directional as operations require... Trains featured here passenger wise are the Provincial Express Marches line services from South wales/South West to Crewe, Manchester & Liverpool, Normally loco hauled, though Stopping services are operated by DMU's or laterly 'Sprinters'. Birmingham/Wolverhampton to Shrewford stopping or semi fast services. The line to Chester via Wrexham & the local service to Crewe operated by DMU's & Class 150 Sprinters, then also the cambrian lines to Aberystwyth & Pwllheli which are exclusively Class 150 Sprinter operated (as was in the late 80's) InterCity services are around every 2 hours to & from London Euston, one of these, 'The Cambrian Coast Express' continues to & from Aberystwyth featuring a class 37. On summer saturdays there are 3 extra Loco hauled services down the Cambrian including 'The Snowdonian' to Pwllheli. With modellers licence I will also run an 'InterCity 125' service between Swansea & York, & have also pinched a Network SouthEast Paddington to Wolverhampton to extend to Shrewford ( giving me an excuse to run a Class 50 when they eventually come out ) Cheers, Mark

Hi Everyone, Well after a bit of an absence, i thought it time i revived my thread. I have been working on the revised version of Shrewford after the spare room in which it is housed has benefitted from being redecorated which was much needed, plus the baseboards strengthened after some slight warping. I also felt that the original Platform layout of the real Shrewsbury is what really works best for me in the end, as I've tried a few concepts of this now, none has really worked. Also I've moved the carriage sidings so that they now sit within the station area better using curved points, it's been an expensive game, but worth it in the end. With work getting in the way & life in general, its took almost 4 months to get the track pinned into place after sorting out the baseboards. So here is the revised plan & a couple of pictures showing the rescued buildings & backscene from the previous effort... 1st up is the new Shrewford plan trackwork in place & finally a drawing of mine dating back from 1999 of the first Central Trains liveried Class 158 at Shrewsbury that now hangs above Shrewford cheers for now, Mark

Very jealous looking at these pics, gutted that these are not yet going to be available in N gauge as I'd LOVE this DMU, it's been on my wish list for years & loads of other N gaugers! Looks a fantastic model. Come on Bachmann, please do this in N gauge too !!!!!! Cheers, Mark

This is going to look amazing, really looking forward to seeing it completed Cheers, Mark

Really looking forward to seeing this develop Great era you've chosen too Cheers, Mark

Bachmann are going to do one in OO gauge Tim, was announced about 2 years ago but it's not yet appeared. I was hoping to hear they would do one in N but still not in the announcements so was wondering if Dapol would do it.. Cheers, Mark

As Farish haven't announced a shrinked Class 117 DMU for us N gaugers in the 2018 range, I wonder if Dapol will consider doing it as we already have the Class 121/122's... The larger Suburban DMU's are really missing from the First generation DMU's on offer & were a massive part of the railway scene for many years. The 117 would be a good choice as it had a wide sphere of operation from Cornwall, the midlands & finally Scotland...from early green to Regional Railways liveries... Just a thought......

Hi Everyone, I was just wondering if anyone else like myself is having trouble finding the full product lists on the new Bachmann website? They appear to have disappeared & can't find them in the menu's. This was usefull on the old website to see when items were due etc... Not sure if I've overlooked the menu The Farish section is just about the new tooled Models for 2018, there is no link to the full catalogue list of items... Cheers, Mark

Really love the location & era of this layout so shall be following with interest :) All the best, Mark

As others have said, the Class 117 DMU gets my vote... Cheers, Mark

I wonder if Dapol will ever consider doing the Class 116/117 3 car sets as I was disappointed that Farish were doing it in just OO but not in N with the last announcements for new models. The 121/122 is a cracking little model....I'd just love to see the 3 car sets done.... Anyone else agree? Cheers, Mark

Hi Everyone, I've started adding vegetation to the area's that need it, Especially castle hill, tho this is slow in progress as I've been working a lot of late shifts recently. Castle Foregate (The road on which the station front sits) now has a zebra crossing, the lighting posts made from a cotton bud stem & a yellow painted bead on top. I'm yet to purchase more road vehicles & taxi's to populate that area & also the short stay car park next to the main station building. Also had a running session this afternoon, so here's a few pictures I took while playing trains... A shot of the Chester end of the station showing 2 Class 150/1 Sprinters. 150148 is leading a 5 car set & has just arrived at Platform 4 & will reverse with the 13:25 to Birmingham New Street, having originated at Pwllheli just under 4 hours ago. Next to it at Platform 3b is a 2 car set 150114 on the 13:19 to Chester Passengers join the Pwllheli to Birmingham New Street service, showing 150148 in 'revised' provincial livery with a Class 150/2 centre car, & nearest the camera is 150128 in original Provincial light blue livery A little later a Class 33 opens up after departing Platform 5 with the 13:31 to Cardiff Central (ex Manchester Piccadilly) A look at the gardens on the terraced houses at the southern end of the layout, more detailing needs to be done to these Next the station pilot Class 03 is coupled onto a rake of Royal Mail stock, ready to shunt them to Platform 2 to form the 13:58 Parcels service to Bristol Temple Meads A 2 car Class 101 has arrived at 13:44 on Platform 3b from Crewe, this will go back as the 14:05 all stations to Crewe A look down Platform 3 showing the Crewe local & a Pair of out of service Class 108's stand in Platform 1. These form the 14:25 to Wolverhampton a little later. Next the Class 03 eases the Parcels stock ready for the working to Bristol. The Class 25 seen on the extreme left of the shot is being prepared for this train. A couple of Class 20's are approaching Platform 5 ready for a crew change with the Mossend to Llanwern steel coil train A cross section look at the station A look at Castle Foregate, which has had lamp posts added aswell as it's zebra crossing & finally the station front. Cheers for now, Mark

Loving the latest pics Peter, Love the 37 & the 150 at the end, my favourite livery on those units.. A layout that keeps me inspired, All the best, Mark

Hi Sam, How is your layout coming on? Looks like a good plan .....& you can never beat a good running session Cheers, Mark

Hi Everyone, No more modelling done this morning but I did play trains & took a few shots ... Sunday morning & Loco's & units can be seen on the stabling point having spent the night at Shrewford A 3 car Class 150/1 Sprinter (With Class 150/2 centre car) approaches Platform 4 with the 11:45 Wolverhampton to Chester service A look down the Platform showing the Sprinter next to a Class 56 which waits on the centre road (Or up & down goods) with a Margam to Dee Marsh steel coil train The 150 then departs Platform 4 where it will go forward to Chester, next stop Gobowen The 56 starts to rev up & follow the 150 up the Chester line Cheers for now, Mark

Hi Everyone, A bit more done to the layout. I have edged the board along the track next to Platform 5 with some clear plasticard just in case of a would be derailment. Also added scatter & am yet to tone it down & add vegetation, I'm hoping to do this over the next few days. Today I've also had a bit of a running session, portraying a summer saturday circa 1987. I always loved to run down to Aberystwyth station in the late 80's to look at the 2 extra Class 37 hauled London services, there was one in the morning at 11:12 & one in the afternoon at 15:10 to London Euston with Mark 1 stock, usually the Rasberry ripple Intercity set on the morning one, & the afternoon one produced the Network SouthEast rake that was normally used on the Euston- Northampton service during the week. Some of this activity is depicted here at Shrewford today... 1st a look at the south end of the station showing a 5 car Class 101 set ticking over on the centre road waiting to form the 12:00 to Llandudno. Tyseley are short of sets at the moment so the NSE Class 101 is on loan. A hustle of loco's can be seen on the stabling point. A 2 car Class 150/2 has arrived at platform 5 with a terminating service from Chester A look at the south end of the layout showing where the scatter has been added & the terrace houses now have gardens. Still lots of finishing off needed to this end of the layout. I also want to add porta cabins or huts next to the carriage sidings A class 108 is seen waiting in bay Platform 2 which will form the stopping service to Cardiff Central The 12:19 Manchester Piccadilly to Cardiff Central approaches Platform 5. Class 33's finished on this line in 1986 but with a little modellers licence, they still appear in 1987 sharing these duties with class 47's. passengers board the 13:01 all stations to Cardiff which waits at Platform 2 Next the double headed Class 37's bring in the 12:41 London Euston to Aberystwyth summer saturday only service into Platform 4 in BR Blue & Railfreight liveries. The loco's would have attached to the train at Wolverhampton having taken over from electric traction. On arrival at Shrewford they will be uncoupled & run round the train to take it on to the Cambrian coast The class 33 departs Platform 5 for Cardiff The class 37's stand at Platform 4 while the shunter uncouples them from the train ready for the run round Cheers for now, Mark

Many thanks Mark , I can't see Shrewford going north of the border as all the stock I have for it is definitely for the London Midland region of BR, although I do have loco no: 47711 'Greyfriars Bobby' so I'll try over the next few days to get a shot of it in the Platform with some air con Mark 2's for you to give the impression of a push pull set . It's been a hectic time since I've got back from Scotland so not had much chance to do anything on the layout.. Cheers, Mark

Hi everyone, I've been working on the south end of the layout today using filler & papier mache to make the embankment for the Abbey & also embankments around the river. Whilst waiting for this to set, I've had a bit of a running session so thought I'd take some pictures. I'm off to scotland over the weekend, so that's it on the modelling front at least for a few days Looking south showing work I've done to the embankmets. Trees & bushes will hide the area's with gaps. The tunnel portal at the south end. It is imagined at the other end of the tunnel is the junction for the Wolverhampton line & the south wales main line, which then diverges again at Sutton Bridge Junction for the cambrian line. Overall look at the station, on the holding sidings can be seen a shiny new Class 150/1 Sprinter with the station pilot class 03 shunter & also a Network Southeast Class 47. In the station are DMU's in the bay platforms & a Class 47 hauled InterCity service to London Euston waiting at Platfrom 4. Class 101 DMU's seen in the bays are on Platform 1 a 2 car set is on the Swansea service via the central wales line & a 3 car set at Platform 2 waits with the all stations to Wolverhampton. Cheers for now, Mark

Hi everyone, It's been my annual leave week from work & it's given me chance with the wet weather to get on with the layout. The track is now ballasted, signals are now added tho there is one more gantry I need to do at the south end before the tunnel. The signals are none working which I made from chopping up a set of knightwing traffic lights & the effect is pretty good, maybe i'll have working one's someday. I have also populated the platforms, added the lamposts & more signage aswell as the station clocks. I'm yet to add a plastic barrier along the edge of the board next to Platform 5, only a light engine at slow speed has run along here just to test the track so far. the south end of the layout is next for attention where the ' Shrewford Abbey' stands on the hill. I'm going to put tunnel portals either end & tidy up the whole area, also the embankments around the river all need attention. Here is a set of pictures showing how it's all looking at the so far..... Cheers for now, Mark

Hi Everyone, Thought it time I did an update as I have been doing bits when I can to Shrewford. With the nice weather now with us, the garden is taking priority as well as decorating around my shifts. I've printed off all the signs for the station as well as Platform numbering. Also I've started to add the information TV screens made from plasticard & which I'd kept from my old layout. Very fiddly to make, but worth the effort & look the part when mounted in place. I have also painted the canopy valance on Platform 3 cream & I am yet to do the canopy over Platforms 4 & 5 the same. The Platforms numbers are glued to track pins then mounted under the canopy A look through to Platform 3 showing the phone box & other bits appearing This view showing other canopy additions while a Class 150/2 Sprinter waits with a Chester service An overall look showing bits of debris cluttering platforms 4 & 5 which are clocks (which i cut from photographs of actual clocks) for the Platforms aswell as signals & lamposts which are yet to all be put into place A look at the canopies down the bay Platforms, I've made plastic imitation lighting with the station name also displayed. A look at the north end of the station with the Sprinter at Platform 3 & a First Generation DMU at Platform 4b with services to Chester & Crewe Still lots to do with the scenics, but trying to get the fiddly parts out the way first. Once the platforms have all the furniture fitted,I will start the ballasting. Cheers for now guys Mark

Thanks Boco , I was wondering how to do this end of the station & like the idea of the railway going over the road (as it does in real life at Shrewsbury), & thought it the only way without actually cutting the base board. I will add a fascia to the other side too Thanks Jeremy, glad you like it Thanks Mark, it's finally beginning to look like a layout now & less of a bomb site lol! Cheers, Mark

Hi Everyone, It's a day off for me, & as the weather is pretty unsettled, it's given me chance to get on with the layout rather than jobs I need to do in the garden. I've painted 'Castle hill' & also being sorting out the north end of the station, (my version of Castle Foregate). As i've been unable to cut through the baseboards at this end of the layout due to the cross braces being here, I've done the bridge over the road by illusion. In this first picture can be seen the Layland National bus as if it's driven up the road under the railway. This is how it looks from the railway side. I'm quiet pleased with how it's turning out. a look from eye view level A look through the platforms showing a Class 150/1 Sprinter on a Chester service A view looking south showing the river, the parts of painted before adding scatter & Castle hill Within the castle walls on the top of the hill, I will add flower beds, paths & benches later on Cheers for now, Mark

Hi Everyone, I thought it about time I updated my thread after a while.The layout is progressing slowly around my shifts, I've just been doing bits at a time. I've been constructing the street area around the station front. The impression here will be that the road will dip under the railway by way of illusion as I can't cut through the baseboard as I'd originally have liked due to the cross bracing at this end. I'll post more pictures as it comes together, i have done this effect before & it does work well. I'm yet to finish off the pavements. I've also completed the canopy's over the bay platforms though these need to be glued down once all the station signage is completed, I have also boxed in the area which is imagined to be spanning over the river Severn. Here are the pictures of how it looks at the minute, the boards are in a mess with construction tools aswell as materials. I'm looking forward to when it nears completion for a good tidy up. Cheers for now, Mark

Many thanks Mark, glad you like them Hi everyone, after a month that seems to have fled by I've only managed to almost complete the canopy over the north end of Platform 3. The joys of shift work for the real railway, I try to sometimes have a bash at the layout after my 05:40 am early shift but often just don't feel motivated, lack of sleep on earlies normally, not for the want of trying to either lol! then my days off are always busy. Anyway slowly but surely it is starting to take shape, here are some pictures of the almost completed canopy with a Tyseley based West Mids PTE Class 101 in the pictures for effect. Cheers for now guys , Mark