5050

Excellent thread, the work you have done in both modelling and research is to be congratulated. In no way could I duplicate your digital artistry in creating the lazer cutting etc. files so I am in awe! In 1970 I lived in Oswestry just behind the station and my employers had a store in the works, actually in the part you are modelling. I went there a couple of times and was surprised to see how confined it seemed considering the scale of the work undertaken. I seem to think that rails, pits etc. were still there. It's great to see how this example of classic British industrial architecture now has a new lease of life.

Ooo yes, I remember that! I also have a feeling that - just once or twice - the inevitable happened and the 'held back' train was let go only for something to derail before it got to the other end where it was normally caught by someone who was also good at wicket keeping. The resulting carnage was impressive. Didn't happen often. Thankfully. Someone will now reply that it never ever happened.

I vaguely recollect possibly seeing one of these layouts at York (?) complete with a computer screen showing the timetable? If it is, then this was the first time I saw this sort of thing in use. It'll never catch on.........................

I love the bike related sign in this post. I need one of them in my shed to remind me how to put my bike back together next time I work on it!

Like the other photo threads, I've come to this one late as well. Super photos bringing back memories I didn't think I had of the Blue period. It was all so 'normal' then, I suppose we didn't think that in due course it would become 'historically important'. There's been some really excellent and historically interesting photos appearing on all these photo threads, keep 'em coming guys! And 1970, I remember that OK. I should do - I got married! Unfortunately at the time I wasn't really into trains. A pity because I was in High Wycombe at the time with all those hydraulics whizzing through. And my girl friend's (later wife's) office was right next to the station with a good view of the line and my flat backed onto the Bourne End line. I was often woken up in the night by a waiting loco throbbing away at eye level. Wigan Wheelers - I was 5th in their 50 mile time trial in 1966. Oh dear, was it really that long ago................................

Would the yard only be shunted by either Up or Down trains? I suppose there is a choice but is one direction more appropriate than the other?

Great shots again. I've never seen the gas works line even though our twice weekly cycle training sessions were around the estate, even going over the bridge in the background. This was around '63-65 and I remember virtually the whole line around the estate being full of old wagons with gaps only where there were level crossings. The line through Broxton was exactly the same. Who knows what gems were there waiting to be photographed in their dying days. Keep 'em coming! BTW - thanks for all the 'likes' on my models. I didn't want to hi-jack the thread but as someone mentioned the line's potential for modelling I thought I would show that it is possible.

Here's a shot of my 4mm scale model of the Overton/Bangor/Marchwiel style station buildings - made in 1972 for my 'Preesgwyn' layout. Virtually all in card and paper including valances and ridge tiles (no etchings then!). The chimney is (safely?) stored in a box somewhere. I used a set of drawings published in Model Railway Constructor by Mike Lloyd, Harry Leadbetter etc. to build it but had to omit one set of windows to fit my site. I still think it's an OK model and would use it again should I decide to build yet another Glyn valley layout - but with replacement valance and ridge tiles. My modelling skills possibly haven't improved over the years. The goods shed is a slightly later model, dimensions were taken from photos taken at Bangor-on-Dee late 70's/early 80's with Mrs 5050 acting as a height guide, bless her. it's never actually been used on a layout as yet - but you never know for the future. This is planked and corrugated plasticard, I had moved on by then. Oh, and if you've got a sense of deja vu, I originally posted a version of this in the wrong thread. 'Silly me' or words to that effect.................................

Oh dear YES!! It was PGH's thread I meant to put them in This is what happens when you rush full of enthusiasm. Must be an age thing.............................. I'll post there as well. Just view this as a little (totally unconnected!) bonus.

EDIT - WRONG THREAD!!!!!!!!!!! Should be in PGH's. Oh dear.................

Good job I don't waste my money on things only suitable to wrap fish and chips in...................................

We came back from honeymoon on IoW on one of these. My new wife wasn't feeling to good and the sea was very 'choppy' so we took the 'quicker alternative'. Needless to say she was feeling even worse when we got off! The effect that her green face had on the waiting queue is unforgettable Your photos are excellent, can't believe I've only just found this thread. The Leeds etc. ones from the 60's are before my time up here, dating from when Yorkshire and beyond was still a foreign land and the M62 was unthought of. To get to Yorkshire from North Wales by road meant blankets, flasks, sandwiches - and a strong bladder!

Super set of shots in my old stamping ground. I forever kick myself that I didn't go on that last train. Some of my mates did - do you have any shots of the platform etc. before the train departed? They may be on them. I used the line's wooden station building design as a basis for the station building on my original 'Preesgwyn' layout - and I still have it 40+ years later. I based it on drawings in the Model Railway Constructor by Mike Lloyd, Harry Leadbetter etc. I also have a model of the goods shed which was made for a projected layout of a twig off the branch which (as yet?) never got built. Love to see the rest of your photos!

Thanks for the favo(u)rable comments. It won 'Best Railway Structure' award at Wakefield over the weekend. I've now got a pewter tankard to keep clean for the next 12 months. The inside and around the rim might not be a problem though...................... Regarding the 'win', I might actually have been the only entry................................... Someone commented at the show that it is smaller than they thought it was I've had comments like that before but not necessarily about signal towers. Perhaps it was the 'Father Ted' effect? 'Near.' 'Far away'

Latest bulletin! I have completed my model based on MY Tower at Ridgeley using photos from books and the web as my guide. It is not an exact model as its intended site is a bit smaller than the real one but I think it achieves the character of the original. The real MY Tower was finished (I think) in 'Insulbrick' siding in an imitation brick pattern. From what I've been able to deduce from photos this was manufactured in 5 brick x 5 brick sheets with a definite 'pattern' of the darker contrasting 'bricks'. These small sheets were also staggered to avoid adjoining verticals so there is a random but regular arrangement of them which I've tried to duplicate. I used brick plasticard mounted on thick card painted with a base colour and the darker bricks individually added once it had fully dried. I found I could only do about half a wall at a time or I got cross-eyed! Here's some photos of the real thing. You can see whether or not I've managed to capture the character of the building - http://www.wmwestsub.com/marylandjct.htm I'm not sure what the 'edifice' is on the front of the box. Could it have been an exhaust flue for a heating system? There is also a conventional chimney but perhaps the use of this was discontinued when the oil tank at the rear (for a new oil heating system?) was installed. The tank will be added once the building is in place on the layout. The steps are Central Valley, slightly different to the real ones but so much easier to use than scratchbuild! Roof is Wills slate sheet. Everything else (lamps, handrails, chimney, doors, flue etc.) was scratchbuilt mainly from styrene sheet, wire, pins, etc. The real location was in the angle of a wye opposite the entrance to Knobbly Tunnel. Mine is similar but if I have it facing the tunnel all the detail on the front and side will be lost. It will therefore probably be sited facing the overbridge across the entrance to Gordon yard which is how I've positioned it in the photos. This corner of the layout has not yet been scenicked pending the construction of the extension which will incorporate the other 2 sides of the wye. I did include the appropriate points for this when tracklaying. The model will be on show at Wakefield Exhibition this coming weekend.

Yes Jack, I know, I've seen them there. But - even though Hattons may be advertising them - are they actually in the shops? I'll try and find out this coming weekend at the WAKEFIELD EXHIBITION. Shameless plug. Hope Jamie sees it...............................

I asked around at Warley show yesterday about the Oxford US cars but nobody seemed to have any. Some didn't even know about them and another said they haven't been released yet. Have they?

I always liked all the various incarnations of the 'Ashdown and Midport' layouts from the original straight line terminus through the circular versions which included an EM one I think?

The late lamented Chris Matthewman had a beautiful K's Garrett on his various 'Striving' layouts and in EM. It's still running in the hands of the new owners. Another late clubmate had one in OO put together with Evostick. It ran. Sort of. My only succesful K's kit was the ubiquitous 0-4-2 14xx (or is it a 58xx? No top feed on mine). The original K's chassis with the keyhole axle slots was soon dispensed with along with the K's wheels to be replaced by Romfords. The motor became a DS10 with Romford gears. It was also my first compensated chassis with the trailing wheels incorporated in the chassis rather than in a separate pony truck. It became my first loco to be rebuilt to P4 by the expedient of putting spacers between the new Sharman wheels and the frames. In theory, it's still a runner but my P4 stock doesn't get many airings these days. I have also owned a 28xx which I soon realised was a waste of time as there was absolutely no side play in the drivers so would only go in a straight line even with flangeless centre drivers and a 43xx which I'm sure I must still have somewhere in bits. I've also got one side of a Coral wagon and 2 sides of a GWR tender, none of which have ever been built. Where did they come from? Absolutely no idea!

Thanks, that explains a lot. I hadn't noticed that the address was the same either. I thought they might have been some local accountants/solicitors winding the company up.

Thanks for that, the Chevy truck looks useful. I've also checked Oxford and the Plymouth looks like a possibility. EDIT - just realised it's a Mercury, doh!

I know I was!

At Harrogate MANY years ago I was helping operate a Midland layout when a spectator took a great interest in a Midland Horsebox parked in a siding. His praise was effusive for how good it was. He then asked if it was scratchbuilt. I replied (honestly) that it was Jidenco. Spectator gasped, pulled an anguished face and walked off in disgust.

Hopefully these will fill some gaps in my parking lots. I need typical 30's - 50's 'average' cars in muted colo(u)rs that would suit a coal mining area where cash etc. would be in relatively short supply. Any suggestions? I somehow think that a T-Bird wouldn't be a regular sight. And 4 wheel small(ish) trucks for local coal landsale deliveries? Who actually stocks Mini-Metals etc. in the UK? I've looked on several websites but not a lot on offer, if at all.

Here's the advert by Hutchinson Roe selling off 'all remaining stock' of GF. Makes yer wanna weep dunnit! HR don't appear on a Google search so who were they? Oh, BTW, my MN body is actually 'Port Line' now I've looked at it a bit closer. No numbers on the cab side though. Perhaps it came from this source!