Northpoint

 

The 'box Nick has at the moment is North Eastern -

 

 Hence the need to replace it with a more Midland looking one..!!   

I've been making and adding ground signals this afternoon.

Made from styrene rod for the post, square styrene for the lamp, a disc cut out of 20 thou with an office hole punch, arm and balance weight from scraps. Sprayed black, face picked out in white and red decal stripe.

Now we skip forward a couple of years....

I've just discovered this on ebay:

Probably more in keeping than the one currently on the layout.

Many years ago, back when I had HAIR, (un like Nick now  ) I changed from UK to German and even then had a small dabble in American, I have to agree that the Continental stuff is in many cases light years ahead of most UK RTR. Having run your East German Layout at Derby a couple of years back Nick, I was amazed at the running of the Piko Tank Loco, when I was modelling German Piko was the cheap bottom end of the market but that (I think it was the 0-10-0) was just amazing, slow controlled and a joy to use as a shunter.

 

Now what shall I do with that 6ft x 1ft Plank?   :no:        

The tank was Fleischmann actually but still excellent considering it is no more than a circular pancake motor. The diesels were Piko and they ran extremely well too.

Apologies to Nick for taking AM off Topic.

That's alright, Andy. It's not as if you're the first person to ever do that on this forum!!

Back to the comments about weathering and decoders - I wholeheartedly agree, although I was rather pleased with the effect on this one.

I would add though that I am still always disappointed with the quality of the running with the majority of UK locos I have experienced. Some of you will be aware that a lot of my modelling time is spent in the realms of the USA, Germany, Holland etc and I'm afraid many of the UK offerings are still a way behind the latest US and Continental models. Strange, given that thye're probably all made in the same factory these days!

I've got a spare 6ft x 1ft Plank, I really must do another small-un. Looks like I'll be having fun at Sutton Coldfield and Derby.

I'll look forward to that Andy. US themed after your experience at Nottingham?

Really nice photos.  Thanks for posting them.  Is that the Bachmann 3F that you have on the goods train?

 

Cheers,

William

Thnaks, William.

Yes - the Bachmann 3F factory weathered and factory installed DCC. Still needs its Kadee couplers.

I'm pleased to see that manufacturers are at last realising that weathering is more involved than just a spray of earth coloured paint across the bottom half of the model!

 Love to see some more pictures when you have the chance.

 

Cheers,

William

 Here you go...

Another question Nick. Why does your scenario not join up with the NSR station? Your southern route ends up not far away but I can imagine there must have been a significant height difference or some quite steep gradients. In those days the railway companies just seemed to plough through the middle of towns regardless.

I guess it's because the project was always to build a small layout and the terminus suited the space.

The use of Ashbourne for the name was more a "stick a pin in the map" and came after the layout had been conceived. I never really considered the history until the other day. I would like to think it is a plausible "what might have been" and I'm surprised the Midland didn't have a go at it.

I went to Ashbourne for work this morning and parked in Sainsbury's car park which is next to the station hotel. I could see what appeared to be the parapet of a bridge, presumably from the old right of way.

I like the bottom Route that would be near to the other Station on the A515, that still has some Buildings standing, but I don't know which company that was.

 

Nice pics Nick.

North Staffs wasn't it? Or LNWR?

... and a couple more photos as requested.

That's all I have for now. I'll try and get some more later in the week.

Out of interest Nick, where in Ashbourne does your scenario place the station?

That's a good question. I haven't thought about that in a lot of detail but I have 2 possible scenarios:

1) a junction on the Duffield - Wirksworth branch following the Ashbourne - Belper road via Hulland;

2) a junction on the main line just north of Derby following the A52 via Mackworth and Brailsford.

As for Ashbourne itself, again, a couple of scenarios, both close to the town centre.

Much of the residential development on the east and south-east side of the town is unlikely to have been there in the period I'm modelling (early 1960s).

Re backscene - whilst I used the Gaugemaster one on the original layout, I noticed it has a curious mix of bare trees and trees in leaf! I have decided that this one will have a minimalist backscene - blue paint with a bit of painted foliage.

Although, if we get a decent day in the next couple of weeks, a trip to Ashbourne (not far from here) might be on the cards to see whether there are any useable views of the town that could be photographed and used on the backscene.

I didn't realise it was 6 years ago that I last posted in this thread. A lot has happened in that time....

First, the original layout was sold! I'm not really sure why as soon afterwards, I built it again, but this time as a mirror image.

It languished in my garage in a semi completed state for a number of years until I dug it out earlier this year and the appeal reasserted itself.

So, here is Ashbourne (Midland) mark 2.

It even has a lighting pelmet now:

Still a few things to do before its debut at the Sutton Coldfiled show on 23/24 April. It can also be seen at Derby on 7/8 May.

Nick

 

He needs some more motivation, just dangle a few beers in front of him for TVNAM

There's a nice drop of Old Peculiar at the pub in the village of the same name.

You had better get a move on, Ray. I was expecting it at TVNAM next year!!

Good luck!

Excellent, Dan.

Looking forward to seeing it on Saturday.

I manage to get the link working! I have been looking for a greyhound to sit on the bridge. Model Junction had some a little while ago, but of course I didn't buy them then, and now they are no longer in stock! 

 

Thank you Nick. I would love to be at TVNAM this year, but I can't wait for Florida. It is a tough call 

 

If you'll have me, I'm definitely available for TVNAM 2016!

I'll put you on the list.

Looking good, Rob.

Are you sure you want to go on holiday in stead of bringing the layout to TVNAM?

Thanks Lloyd. Hopefully I'll have it finished by the end of May, and I'll be able to get cracking on my next N scale layout!

There's a lot riding on that statement, Dan!

I know all about fitting in the car! My last attempt for our Midlands meeting in March failed and I had to ask somebody else to take Foxley Park. Fortunately, it is only just down the road.

Ready in time for September?

Hopefully Ian from the RS Tower group will bring Gillsborough. I suggested it to him when I saws him at Exeter in January. Hopefully, Martyn will be rounding up people from that part of the world.