Chris Chewter
-
Posts
1,182 -
Joined
-
Last visited
Content Type
Profiles
Forums
Blogs
Gallery
Events
Exhibition Layout Details
Store
Everything posted by Chris Chewter
-
Item now sold. -
There are some traders spaces available at Oxrail 2022 in October. If interested, please contact https://www.oxfordmrc.org.uk/contact-us/
-
We are currently sorting out bookings for traders at the exhibition, and we have some spaces available. If you are a trader and would like to talk to the exhibition organisers about booking space at the exhibition, then please visit https://www.oxfordmrc.org.uk/contact-us/
-
Carterton The Prototype 18 miles west of Oxford lays the small town of Carterton. Founded in 1894 and previously renown for high-quality tomatoes produced by the small holders of the village, it has now grown into a town serving the largest RAF station in the United Kingdom. Despite its relatively modern history, most people are surprised to know that Carterton used to boast its own railways station. Once a halt on the Fairford Branch, Carterton sadly lost its station when all passenger services were withdrawn in 1962, and the branch was finally lifted in 1970s. The Model The model shows Carterton as it existed in the late 1950s and early 1960s. A reminder that the Great Western Railway and later the Western Region of British Railways was about moving people, and wasn’t all chocolate box scenes. An echo of its wartime past when troops disembarked for RAF Brize Norton and RAF Broadwell, many sadly never returned. Whilst no where near the most attractive station on the Fairford Branch, it shows that just about any location can be modelled. The layout has proven to be a piece of history, with many people remembering their times travelling by train when Carterton was connected to the railway. Modelled in OO, and measuring 14 ft long by 2ft wide (4271mm x 610mm), with fiddle yards either end of a 6ft scenic section. The layout is operated from the front, allowing the layout to sit close to a wall, making the model extremely flexible to position at exhibitions. Exhibiting The layout is transported by van, and transported in 4ft x 2ft boards. The layout can be moved through a standard doorway using a foldable sack trolley. Setting up of the layout takes 1 hour and disassembly approximately the same duration. The layout is supported on its own legs. Barriers are preferable. Power to the layout is via four plugs, however the layout can be powered from a singular extension lead. The layout operates via DCC without sound. Expenses: To be agreed and is based upon the location of the exhibition. The layout is moved by van. Insurance: £2500 Range: Prepared to exhibit anywhere in the country. The layout is based near Oxford. Number of operators: Between 2-4 operators depending on availability and duration of exhibition. Contact: clchewter@hotmail.com RMWeb Link: https://www.rmweb.co.uk/topic/163973-carterton/#comment-4406904
-
One thing I have noticed is just how vulnerable layouts are when they are moved. You can see how close the chair is to the layout, and I really don’t want to damage the work done to date. As a result, I’ve been keen to get some end boards on the layout to protect it in storage and when it’s in transit. So a bank holiday trip to B&Q was scheduled to pick up some hardboard. The text was then laser cut to make things look a bit neater than my usual handwritten scribble. Hopefully that’ll keep the layout nicely protected whilst it awaits its next outing.
-
I think your correct. I did take a look at the photo, and it certainly looks like its an Oxford allocated van. Its a shame the text on the left isn't clearer. If its the times the freight would have worked, I presume it was similar to the Hornby Stoke Gifford van. The text seems to say more than just Hinksey to Fairford, so I presume it must read something like: 5:15AM Oxford Hinksey to Fairford 11:15AM Fairford to Oxford Hinksey I might drop a quick email to the Fairford Branch webmaster to see if he has a clearer copy.
-
Now that Carterton is packed away ready to be exhibited, I’ve been busy sorting out stock to run. One of the jobs is sorting out the Toads. After renaming one of them for Tetbury, I’ve taken the opportunity to make a few more Oxford ones to run. I already have one of the Bachmann models, and I didn’t want too many looking the same. So I found a Bristol West toad, and using a Railtec set of transfers, renamed it. Figures are from Modelu and we’re weathered down with Humbrol powders. Because Carterton is packed away, it had to make do with a test on Tetbury instead. Should look good on the layout. You may wonder why it isn’t a Fairford branch toad. That’s because I cannot find one in the books, so Oxford is the next best location. If anyone does know of a Fairford toad, then let me know.
- 155 replies
-
- 10
-
-
Hornby R4418 Pullman Bar Car "The New Century Bar" for sale. Everything seems in good condition with the lights operable. The box is a bit worn with damage where the price tag was. However apart from that, it seems to be in great condition and ready for any collection. This model isn't correct for the South Wales Pullman, so needs to go. However its a nice model so I might change my mind. Looking on eBay, Rails of Sheffield are selling this model for £79.50, so I'd be happy to let this go for £65 plus £4 postage with payment via Paypal. Any questions, then let me know.
-
Tetbury's taken a back seat due to other projects, however one of the things I've wanted to do was to give the toad a name. I've never been too sure how to sort this out until I found out that Railtec do custom transfers. Technically it should read "Tetbury Branch". I bet if I hadn't said that, no one would be any the wiser. Anyway, I thought the text would be too small, and the Toad seems to now look more at home on the layout. Tetbury has also been used to test trains for other layouts. I've been assembling stock for a permanent way ballast train which has just arrived in the platform. This train will probably be used mainly on the Carterton layout, but at least it gives me the chance to try out formations and to make sure they're exhibition ready.
- 835 replies
-
- 30
-
-
Thanks for the heads up. Looks like a case of fat fingers! I’ll get that sorted!
-
Yes, its a pay on the day event. Entry can be paid by cash or cashless on the door.
-
Oxrail 2022 is coming! Held at Edward Feild School, Bicester Road, Kidlington on Sunday 16th October between 10:30 and 16:00 it's already looking like a fantastic collection of over 15 layouts for only £6 per person with FREE ENTRY FOR KIDS! Layouts include: Bossington - A fictitious branch line terminus in OO from the 1950s Crocklemouth - A fictitious seaside station in OO East Dock - Based on the Goole/Selby area, this layout represents a dock set in the 1930's in EM Edrom - Scottish boarders action on this representation of Edrom on the Berwickshire line in N gauge Goppingen - A Marklin Z gauge layout Hauteluce - Swiss Z gauge of a village in the French Alps Kenstadt - A winter scene in Marklin Z gauge Kleindorf - A fictional alpine layout on the German/Swiss border in Z gauge New Mexico Museum - A model of a fictitious but plausible museum in the city of Santa Fe in HO and HOn3 Pontfadog - A 009 model of Pontfadog village on the Glyn Valley Tramway Randolphs Yard - A small shunting layout in OO built by Summer Fields School Radio Times - A 2mm N gauge slice of 1950s London Schweizer Kleinstadt - A swiss Z gauge layout with 3D printed catenary Snake Bend - A mammoth "freemo" style layout in N Stonewaite and Bainrigg Railway - 1930s 0-16.5 7mm narrow gauge Swakeleys - A 16 foot long OO layout Wyken Yard - A small shunting yard in O gauge We are also holding a raffle with some fantastic prizes including: Family ticket to Bekonscot model village and railway Family ticket to STEAM – Museum of the Great Western Railway, Swindon Family ticket to the Severn Valley Railway Standard travel ticket to the Watercress Line Family ticket to the Gloucestershire Warwickshire Railway Family ticket to the Didcot Railway Centre Family ticket to the Chinnor and Princes Risborough Railway and finally, the opportunity to win a Rowse honey hamper A full selection of food and refreshments also available via cashless payment. For further details, please check out our website at http://www.oxfordmrc.org.uk/exhibitions/ (Please note that layouts are subject to change)
-
Managed to do a bit of work on Carterton in between Ally Pally and a bit of model railway club bits and pieces. Signage has been put on the front of the layout and I forgot to take photos! I’ll try to grab a photo when I’m next in the workshop later in the week. The only one I got was a razors edge railcar in platform 2!
-
Tetbury is in the April 2022 copy of BRM. Looks great on the BRM stand at Ally Pally!
- 835 replies
-
- 11
-
-
-
Test trains on Carterton
-
Finally some moving trains at Carterton! The station building has been reunited to the layout, and the model has been tested to see how everything is running. I also managed to borrow one of the club members railcars for size. Exciting to see things coming together!
- 155 replies
-
- 14
-
-
-
-
Another view of the station building with the completed canopy. I think that looks much better than the first attempt. I’ll put it on the layout tomorrow and see how it looks.
-
One issue I’ve observed with the layout being moved was the large station canopy working loose. I’ve always felt the supports were too flimsy, and you could see the underside of the building sheet, so the opportunity was taken to replace it. New supports were cut on the clubs laser cutter and this time the cross bracing was fitted as per the photographs. To make sure that the corrugated asbestos looked the same when at eye level, the clear stuff was used and painted grey. It just needs weathering.
-
Oxrail 2022 is coming! Held at Edward Feild Primary School, Bicester Road, Kidlington, OX5 2LG on Sunday 16th October between 10:30 and 16:00 it's already looking like a great collection of over 15 layouts for only £6 per person with FREE ENTRY FOR KIDS! We are also holding a raffle with some fantastic prizes including: Family ticket to Bekonscot model village and railway Family ticket to STEAM – Museum of the Great Western Railway, Swindon Family ticket to the Severn Valley Railay Standard travel ticket to the Watercress Line Family ticket to the Gloucestershire Warwickshire Railway Family ticket to the Didcot Railway Centre Family ticket to the Chinnor and Princes Risborough Railway and finally, the opportunity to win a Rowse honey hamper A full selection of food and refreshments also available via cashless payment. For further details, please check out our website at http://www.oxfordmrc.org.uk/exhibitions/ (Please note that layouts are subject to change)
-
No idea. I'm just modelling what I see. About half way down the page are images of the box in use looking very much like corrugated asbestos: https://fairfordbranch.weebly.com/route.html
-
Unfortunately wiring below the board is never photogenic. The second board has been wired, although I haven’t been able to fit the track droppers. However it’s good to see the layout back on its legs again after it’s been upturned for a few days.
-
Managed to borrow one of the model railway club members workshops to get Carterton sorted. So I’ve been able to get the layout assembled to see what it looks like. But of course, the progress has been below the board.
- 155 replies
-
- 10
-
-
-
Things have been a bit quiet on the Carterton layout. I’ve been busy assisting the model railway club with one of their projects, so my attention has been elsewhere. However the club is running an exhibition in October and have invited Carterton to attend. So now all of the non photogenic jobs need to be done. Jobs like fiddle yard assembly: And putting support legs together: They aren’t exciting jobs, and don’t make great photos, but they need to be done all the same!
-
Sat working from home when the Modelu 2022 catalogue arrived. Very pleased to see a short two page article on Tetbury. Always nice to see your work in print!
- 835 replies
-
- 20
-
-
-
Yep, you’re right, the yellow loco is the RMweb limited edition. It’s by far the kids favourite loco too, especially with a train load of minions in tow. I’ve always wanted to weather it, but the kids have told me it must stay as it is.
