Brinkly

Hello! Marytavy is an interesting case. When the LSWR had running rights from Lydford to Plymouth, the GWR installed the second platform and passing loop to enable a more frequent service. However, this was a relatively short-lived piece of Launceston branch infrastructure. Once the LSWR had completed their line from Lydford to Plymouth, the GWR removed the passing loop (1890ish). The signalling was removed at the same time, with the signal box assigned a new role as a goods 'lock-up': a ground frame installed to work the siding. All traffic was dealt with by the 'down' train, on route to Launceston. Between the 1930s-50s gradually ran the station down, and, as a wartime economy measure, the station became an unstaffed halt in August 1941; the siding was removed in December 1948. Even before this took place, the station had a bit of a reputation for being down at heel. In the early 1920s, the local GWR authorities had forty fits when they became aware that the 'up' platform had been converted into a rather extensive chicken run by the station staff! After an inspection, the practice ceased! Building wise the platform was 300ft long, with a structure not dissimilar to the one at Coryton - constructed from local stone, with rather ornate gothic-style arches above the doors and windows. The signal box was a Saxby and Farmer model, similar to the examples at Horrabridge and Bickleigh. Similar to Bickleigh's, a sliding door was fitted below the windows for ease of goods movement: I'm not sure exactly when this took place. At the end of the siding, stood a 42ft loading bank and from what I can tell from late 1940s photographs, the siding went right up to it. So I don't think the siding was shortened during the station's existence. The station building and signal box both retained their GWR colours right through to the end, although, it did look rather shabby when the halt closed 1962. Thanks for your interest and the great map! Kind regards, Nick.

Hello! I am here, but haven't any modelling time since returning to work in September. I have a Year 6 class this year, and they are very far behind due to lockdown. Some of them did nothing at all between March and September... Anyway, half term starts next Friday at 3:30! So hopefully I'll be able to do some modelling again in between ripping up carpet and repainting upstairs (ha!). Cheers, Nick.

Don't worry about hijacking the thread at all. I'm always interested to learn more about the Branch. A copy of E Lyons Historical Survey of Great Western Engine Sheds has arrived and been most useful - the GWR standard running shed diagram will be used to help inform the building drawing (height and fittings etc). Unless anyone knows of the location of the actual drawing? Regards, Nick.

Thanks, David. That is much clearer than the one I have.

Having asked about the loco shed, are any of Launceston’s other structures (station building and goods shed) depicted anywhere else? Regards, Nick.

Hi! Thanks Harlequin; that’s really helpful. Building really, but if there is anything else useful that would be really helpful. I do have a couple of track plans (from the King Book) so any better ones are alway useful for the Brinkly archive! Cheers, Nick.

Greetings, I'm sure I'm not imaging this but does anyone know where I might track down a copy of Launceston (GWRs) locomotive shed plan? I know it exists but cannot for the life of me remember where I saw it. I was discussing its potential use as a prototype with a friend over the phone (who is just getting into N gauge) and said I'd send it on to him (insert eek face!). Any help would be greatly apricated! Kind regards, Nick.

I was wondering the same thing. Regards, Nick.

I wasn’t entirely sure what other bits and bobs would go inside the building, so yes in answer to your question! Although, I’ll need to do a bit of research. I think so re right. Something warm and not too bright. I have drilled a hole in the floor behind the fireplace for the electrical fitters.

I did get the joke, Simon. Hence the laughing emoji!

He does have a fire; although, that single glazing (with a crack in the top panel) doesn't help!

I soldered up a Seven Models desk, table and filling cabinet. I've left the table out as it was a little too big for the space. I just need to bend a chair up for Arthur Stephens, a Princetown porter, working week and week about at Merrivale.

Greetings, The missing parts from the weighbridge arrived yesterday, so I decided to crack on a little further with the building. With the lovely photographs of Gara Bridge that Tim shared and Mikkel's GWR light blue distemper paintwork, which I wasn't even aware of, I opted to repaint the inside of the weighbridge. The woodwork received a coat of Precision GWR chocolate, simply as I have a small tin of Satin paint which I wanted to start using up and the top was a mix of Humbrol 34 (Matt White) and a dash of 96 (RAF Blue). The dado rail was painted in Matt White, to inject a bit of detail. As I said earlier, I wasn't convinced by the laser cut door and opted to fit an etched replacement from a Churchward Models GWR signal box etch, which was liberated from the maturing box! I also decided to experiment with real glass, using a small piece of cover glass. Unfortunately, or fortunately, this has a slight crack in the top right pain, but I think it adds a bit character to the structure. As the door now wasn't flush with the walls, I inserted a couple of slithers of card either side to 'pack' the walls out and make it easier to fit the interior wall overlays. The door has been painted with Precision P21 Light stone and P22 Dark Stone. Just for a bit of fun, I added a notice board and a picture on the walls. I don't know if it is prototypical, but it helps with the ex GWR theme! The poster on the noticeboard is a closure one, so helps date the scene too late 1955! The kit was left to dry for a day or so, and this afternoon I started painting the exterior. Humbrol No 70 was used as the primary brick colour, with Precision Engineers Blue Brick for the brickwork at the base of the building and above the windows and doors. The bargeboards are yet to be fitted. I also installed a small cast chimney from Dart Castings and some putty to represent the cement work. Once dry, I will paint the mortar courses and dry brush. The window sills were painted with Matt White, but I'm minded to paint these in GWR light stone to match the facia boards. The next stage will be to fit the roof (which will be detachable) and add some interior fittings from Seven Models; deks, table, couple of chairs and filing cabinet, plus a member of staff from Modelu. I've also invested in some etched GWR signs to fit to the exterior and an etched weighbridge plate from Smiths. Thanks for reading. Nick.

I've really enjoyed catching up with your thread, George. Cracking stuff as always. Best wishes, Nick.

This building is something else! Such beautiful craftsmanship; well done! Kind regards, Nick.

Certainly do. The laser cut windows are nice, but a little on the thick side.

I'm not even going to ask how you got that photo!!!

Brilliant Chris! Thank you. I had no idea that one went down the Launceston branch. If only I had a time machine! Best wishes, Nick.

Another cracking photo! I really love this old industrial buildings. What an amazing apartment that would make today. Kind regards, Nick.

Thanks Tim, that is a really useful reference.

That’s buddy. I really should get them finished! I think, bar final assembly, they are done. Thank you for the reminder! Regards, Nick.

Didn’t realise you had photographed my dad re-decorating last year!

Hi Matt, I've really enjoyed reading through your thread; really nice modelling. The cattle vans are coming along nicely. Best wishes, Nick.

Railway architecture and paint schemes are a really subject in their own right. Gerry, thank you for your written description - that is really helpful. Mr V, photos are great! Thank you for sharing. The lower wood panel ling certainly looks very dark. I think I might repaint the interior along the lines of worn light blue and dark brown for the wood paneling. Kind regards, Nick.