ianblenk

Making a start on the MLV. Hornby full brake sides and DC models ends. I guess the roof plus conduits are going to be the tricky bits.

The Jubilee Pub, with Herd Groyne beyond. Still a few bits to add to the buiding.

The Durham Light Infantry arrives to take the express fish as far as York. My Grandfather was in the DLI in the First War so I thought this was appropriate for the centenary.

Hi Neil, This is as close as I could get to your photo, please excuse the unfinished EE. I didn't go for the renderd brickwork on the bridge abutments as I thought it was too untypical. Ian B

Hi Neil, Thanks for posting the photos and the livery info. It was the location of the last photo (Westoe Road?) that inspired me to build Marine park. I will post my interpretation of it. I always found the railways around S.S. fascinating. I took many photos whilst incarcerated in Dr Winterbottom Hall doing my 'tickets' I was fortunate enough to get some of the Ruston down at the blockyard. Alas most of these went missing during a house move back inthe 80's. Whilst loading at Harton I always found the railway staff most helpful and very pround of the railway and its locos. Frank(?) Bond especially, he gave me a tour around and arranged for cab rides up to St Hilda's sidings. Happy days! Thanks Again Ian B.

As you can see still lots to do, next task is to put the overhead on the Harton Line. Two building projects to finish, one is Harton No 15 from a J. Edge Kit, I should have had two Black Beetle motors but opted for just one, will need to pack it out with lead. Can anyone help with liveries? When delivered I think 13 & 15 were in black and 14 in Royal blue, however all my photos are from the early 1970's onwards. When delivered did they carry any yellow warning panels or were they just in a plain livery? I'm guessing the black ones were lined out in red. I spent years on colliers running to Harton Staiths and had many conversations and cab rides, but never asked about liveries! Also am starting South Tyneside MLV, the building of which is well documented elsewhere on this site, but does anyone know where I can buy jumper cables etc for the cab fronts, I could make my own, but that way lies madness. Will post photos as I make progress, which I have to say is usually glacial, I also have a building to finish for the Newcastle layout Port Solway, I hope they aren't in a hurry! Thanks guys. Ian B

Gateshead J72 moves empty 21 tonners Tyne Dock T1

Stevie Clarkes collier Arundle in ballast for Harton Staiths to load power coal for the London River

Blink Bonny coaled and watered awaits the peg to run forward and take the South Shields to Liverpool stopper

The layout supposes the railway ran beyond South Shields Terminus along the bank of the Tyne to serve staiths and ship yards. The scenic section is only 3' 6'' and will have examples of the Harton Railway and 3rd rail electrics. Please excuse the unfinished state.

Thanks Paul, Makes the layout look better than it is! Ian

Thanks for the comments, started work on painting J36 tonight (PDK Kit), transfers ordered, should really put tender cab on it, watch this space.

Well, back from Birtley exhibition, the layout behaved well as did the operators, next task is to get a servo fitted on the signal and complete some steamers to retro the layout to 1960, one day all will be finished and then I can build 'Marine Park' a South Sheilds based model. IB

Port Forbes in P4 Locos by Bob Hetherington

I need to put a backwash light to ge rid of those shadows on the back scene. The distillery is based on Towiemore

Well finally moved into the railway room and finished the model apart from a few small details, first outing is at Birtley 9th 10th March. here are a few snaps of the work so far