PaternosterRow

Cheers, Pete, More pictures to follow shortly, Sir. Aren’t those old Lima’s just lovely? This hobby would be perfect if you could only stuff all of those sounds and smells into the models too.

Thanks Compound, Don’t know why people don’t like the mixture of 60/70’s dirty concrete and blue trains! I always loved the Blue era - it seemed like a great time of hope for the future. All of those great inventions and events just kept coming back then. The Space Race, the APT and Class 43, Concorde, Harrier Jumpjet and lets not forget Punk Rock. Gosh, we could say anything we liked back then and the only people who got offended was the older generation. Seems like it’s the other way round nowadays!

Cheers Londontram, I grew up there in the 60/70’s too. I only have vague memories of the steam era. We walked across the park to school and I remember Mom telling me to take a good look at a steam engine making its way to Walsall one cold morning. It was all clouds of wonderful steam and noise and she said we wouldn’t be seeing them for much longer. The Blue/Yellow era is what I really remember - I’d spend hours pressed up against the Park fence watching the trains go by. Always remember going to New Street or Walsall from Perry Barr on Saturdays with Mom and my sister. Mom loved going by train and New Street Station was a real treat - always busy - like a great dark cavern full of diesel smoke and blue sparks. Happy, happy days in wonderful Suburbia. It was a great place to grow up.

Cheers Mikkel, I wished I had the skill to make those light portals a little more spidery as they are in real life. But given that I do everything on a budget, as much as possible, they aren’t bad for a few bits of cheap soldered wire. They do at least look like British MK 1 catenary. Mind you I understand why over head schemes are not modeled much as it gets in the way of track cleaning and maintenance - an oft recurring evil of 4mm scale as I’m sure you are aware. The waiting shelter on the south platform is removable so I can place the camera down at that spot - not gluing it in place was a good decision in retrospect. I love those old Hornby and Lima trains as there are hours of pleasure to be had in detailing and upgrading them. Lima moldings are superb and the depth of detail in the underframes lends them much more accuracy than modern variants in my opinion - but maybe that’s just because my eyesight is starting to fade!

Just a quick update on progress so far. Upon showing the first pictures to my wife she said that the layout looked too rural for it to be Perry Barr. Whilst the there is a Park to the north of the station there were obvious signs of it being in a suburban, Green Belt area - it was right next to a Shopping Centre (Lynton Square in the 70/80's) and the original site of the Dog Track Stadium - but these could hardly be seen from the station as the ground sloped off rapidly behind the station. However, I put a factory in and some more trees etc to balance this out a bit. You can go overboard on backscenes so I like to keep them as simple as possible. The following pictures are the latest offerings. Hornby Class 86. With a bit of detailing these old machines look quite good. It's got a great motor on it too and pulls an 8 coach Bachmann MkI rake with ease. A detailed Lima Class 31 - a great motor but does not like running on Code 75 Concrete Track - there's a 3ft length of this in the lead up to the station. The old Polly in the background (now the UCE) is just a sourced picture pasted onto card and placed right behind the station building. Nice shot of the 31 pulling a bit of freight. This is a hacked about Hornby Class 86 (Pheonix) that has been renumbered and given an etched double arrow. Note the absence of the Springs - that was how the 86's first came out of the shop. They developed cracking on the frames so the suspension was beefed up, even the wheels were given rubber inserts I believe at a later date. It's pulling a Royal Mail train. Whilst these express trains never stopped at Perry Barr, they were often seen on this stretch of the line (The Chase Line) when maintenance work was being carried out on the Wolverhampton to Birmingham main line route. The Southern Pride Class 304 has arrived so I'm going to start work on that. However, it came minus the detailing frets containing the hinges and handles etc so I'm stuck for a while awaiting their arrival. Wish me luck as it's my first kit build and it looks like a lot of hard work.

Hi Mikkel, Had a look at Mutton - brilliant bit of modelling - I thought it was P4 at first and had to go back to read from the start - can’t believe it’s code 75. The ‘less is more’ principle is a good one to follow and ‘Mutton’ is a perfect example of how to let the well modelled elements and great stock stand out on their own. Perry Barr was never busy, but I’m going to include a couple of figures on the Platforms - all Preiser - you can’t beat their stuff even though some of them are H0. Regards, Mike

Hi Clive, Brilliant thread - really enjoyed reading through the latest entries. That 304 is marvelous - I’ve just ordered one from Southern Pride but did consider getting some Replica coaches and having a go at making my own. Never done anything like this (just slight modifications) and always marvel at the confidence you have in hacking about and making up your fronts. Great skill. Mike

Beautiful modelling. Less really is more sometimes and the stock is beyond brilliant. Had to go back to the start to find out that this is Code 75 - felt sure it was an EM or P4 when I first saw the pictures - really impressive stuff. Mike

Love the ply box - another IKEA conversion, Pete? Careful, neat work as always.

Hi Mikkel, thanks for the great comments. Memory of a largely happy childhood has definately played a part in my decision to build Perry Barr. It's certainly quite a common factor amongst us modellers - although it's always folly to view the past through rose coloured glasses. It wasn't all long summer holidays! It was a typical suburban area - a large park boarded the one side of the station so there was plenty of green. This also let me off the hook as there aren't too many buildings to make. I also firmly believe in the 'less is more' principle - I've seen some fine layouts that have been ruined with rushed backscenes and shodily put together half relief schemes. Better not to have them in the first place. 'White space' is not always necessarily 'bad space'. It's another 'quickie' in which I used simple methods to create the long embankments etc. They were made from cardboard sections with basket liner glued over the top. The liner is soaked with watery PVA and the static grass applied straightaway. It's certainly not a thorough method but it works. The overhead gantries were also just more of the same old wire I use which has been soldered together in jigs etc. I seem to get spurts of real enthusiasm followed by long periods of inactivity. It's the way I work and can quickly get bored with a project if I don't make the effort sometimes - there's always seems to be a better layout just over the horizon. Taking photos and writing articles is as exciting as the modelling for me - it's something that has become intertwined in the whole process. Besides, and whilst it seems a little trite to admit, I get a real kick out of going into the newsagents and seeing my work in print. Cheers, Mike

Hi Dave, Thanks for the kind comments. It’s a pity that there isn’t a lot more interest in overhead stuff - it’s definitely harder to make 25kv layouts and there isn’t a lot of available British catenary to make it any easier. I did do a Chocolate Box layout a few years ago called Cheslyn - it became a bit of a bore in the end and I lost interest swearing that I’d stick to urban stuff thereafter. Whilst Perry Barr is a Northern suburb of Birmingham, and has a bit of a country feel to it, it still a city type layout and I’ve enjoyed doing the mix of concrete and green. It’s certainly the first layout I’ve done that’s not fictitious - probably why I’m enjoying making it. It’s funny how we modellers all have that in common - ‘grew up near a railway’. They left a big impression on us didn’t they? The sounds of the trains at night were as reassuring as the ticking of the hallroom clock. Thanks again, Mike

Hi Pete, good to hear from you too. Thanks for the kind comments. I don't visit the site as often nowadays, but when I do I always take a peek at your stuff. Sad to hear about the end of Thurso - love your scottish 2mm FS stuff. Totally innovative layouts that were so well engineered and crafted. However, good luck with the 7mm - I'm sure you'll master that too. I wanted to make as much of the station as possible - there's something about blue brick and concrete. Suppose it's because growing up in Birmingham meant being surrounded by the stuff. Can't see what others object to with the BR Blue and Yellow - again, it's probably because we grew up with it. The 70's seemed like a great period full of hope for the future - especially when you think of all those great achievements of the time - HST/APT, Concorde, Harrier Jump Jet etc. etc. New technological firsts just seemed to keep comming out of our factories back then. It's all sadly gone now and our generation had to witness the sad demise of British Industry during the early 80's. The 70's era wasn't as bleak as younger generations seem to think it was either - at least we had Punk and could say what we thought without fear of the censor! Also, think of the irony - BR developed the tilting train and Virgin have to now buy them in from Italy!

Cheers wombatofludham (love the handle), The old shopping centre was called Lynton Square and it was built in 1964. It was demolished around 1987 - it was never popular for some reason, but, as kids, we loved the place. There was a little model shop on one corner and I spent hours looking in the window at the example dioramas the owner built. He was a great guy and would throw in a paint brush or even a Humbrol paint when you bought a kit. This was handy as my father brought me up on the principle that the more chores you did the more pocket money you got - and, boy, did it have to be earnt (I'm for ever grateful for it though!). Behind the shopping centre was the site of the original dog and motorbike racing track - I got a near free view of this from my bedroom window. The river Tame actually bisected the two, doing a lazy 'S' on its way from the Park to the A34 overbridge. The dogtrack was demolished in about 1985 - the old Stadium by the Poly was done up to create the present day venue. They actually had to reroute the river to accommodate the New One Stop complex that was built around 1990. I hated the One Stop - it just didn't have the character of the old place with its office block and underground carpark complex.

Cheers, Compound. Yes, they were in a real sorry condition by the mid 70's - there used to be a gas fire in the waiting room and it never worked. My mother loved going to Birmingham (New Street) or Walsall on the train at the weekends, but the station never seemed busy whatever time you used it. I remember always getting told off by her for standing to close to the platform edge - the platforms were always so mean sized that you couldn't help standing on the flags. Those train trips made a big impression on me (I loved New Street Station - it was an exciting place to a small boy). Perry Barr might have been the worse station on the Network but it was our station all the same!

I haven't been resting on my laurels since my last layout and have been ferreting away as usual. So, and having grown up in Perry Barr, I thought it was high time to have a go at a model of the station there. I've had to rely on a couple of pics by Steve Jones along with my memory of the place. I didn't fancy using any of the available catenary so had a go at making my own out of wire. The are not perfect but look credible especially with Colin Graig's superb pewter insulators. A couple of Steve Jones superb pictures of Perry Barr - this was just how I remember it having grown up during that era. I've got to order a Class 310 or 304 kit from Southern Pride as of yet. I'm inclined to go for the 304 as I've never built a kit before so think it prudent to start off with a simpler model (the 310 looks really complicated). My take of the scene with a modified Hornby 86 and, as yet unmodified) Lima 101. The Lima is a superb little model with its flush windows - it needs a new motor and some minor alterations. The Lima 101 - many find the all over blue with yellow ends a bit boring, but I've always loved this simple colour scheme from BR corporate period. The other end of the layout. It's eight foot long - the bridge at the Park end is a ficticious scenic break - there was one like this but it was about 2 miles from the station. I used to walk to school across Perry Hall Park every day and would often have my face pressed up against the spear fencing. Every once in a while the drivers would sound off a two tone and wave to me. Great, great days. There are 4 light weight portal type gantrys at the station and two 'H' girder types by the Park end. The portals were made from 0.75mm galvanised wire - soldered together in jigs. The uprights for these were made from the same wire - soldered together in lengths and then given a hard filing to give crisp edge to the stanchions. The portals are slightly over scale - the prototypes are only 18inches deep and mine would work out to be around 22 inches square - I don't think it's that noticable now that they are in place. The 'H' type portals were made from Brass sections. Perry Barr is not an attractive station by any means with it's concrete overbridge and steps - this was installed in the early 60's to accommodate the widenning of the A34 Birmingham to Walsall Road. However, it is one of the oldest operational stations in the world. It was originally the fourth station out of Curzon Street on the old Grand Junction Railway - the world's first 'long-distance' intercity railway (4 July 1837). This Birmingham to Manchester route opened nearly a year and a half before the London to Birmingham railway which commenced on 17 Sept 1838.

Another really superb issue guys. Congrats to Andy on those brilliant pictures of Buckingham and to the team for the writing and spread. The late Peter Denny was a genius in my opinion - to think about what he created from the basic materials and tools he had to hand is mind blowing. The comments Tony Gee has received about the layout looking tired - well, wouldn't you if you were 70! The layout was, and still is, a brilliant piece of engineering - even the signals worked from 'under the board' connections to his switching system - unbelievable patience and craftmanship. Peter Denny's 1972 book is well worth a punt if you want to find out about his construction methods. The article about Dave and Shirley Rowe's work was also brilliant. I bought a book of Daves about 22 years ago (from a stand on a Station platform at the Severn Valley Railway come to think of it) and have read it cover to cover on many occasion whilst searching for inspiration. It describes the construction of the Bascule and Telescopic Bridge in detail and also has other work (including some stunning pics of various slate quarry incline models). Apart from the front cover, all the pictures are in black and white so it was real treat to see the work in colour. However, I had no idea that his wife also shares his passion and creativity. Gosh, if only I could get my wife to be even fractionally interested in the hobby! We really do stand on the shoulders of giants - had it not been for the efforts and publications from these modellers I doubt I'd have given trying the techniques I use in my own work a go. They were the ultimate contributors from the 'make do mend' generation and demonstrate that nothing is impossible if you put your mind to something. One thing I've learnt is that the joy in modelling is found in the journey rather than the outcome - something that Peter and Dave expressed many times in their publications. The hobby owes them so much and it's brilliant that Tony Gee took on Buckingham and restored it so others can also appreciate the work - many thanks to him and I hope to see further articles about the layout in the future. You know, BRM has come a very long way over the last few years and it's a real joy to see it on the shelves every month. Being unafraid to revisit the past like this demonstrates the editoral team's confidence in where they have taken the magazine so far - precisely what makes for a great monthly in the long run. By the way, thanks for the plug in the digital advert - I got a real kick out of seeing my 'Station' picture, particularly in this issue. Mike

Brilliant stuff. Very informative blog and great craftsmanship. Will be definitely following this.

Great shame, Pete. Wish you the best with your other modelling ventures.

Seems like an age since I spent anytime on RMweb, but every time I return I always have a look in at your blog. It is an absolute pleasure to view your pics and I’m always ‘double taking’ at them. This has to be the most perfect layout currently in the hobby. Simply because it’s complete and fully working - you don’t mess about, do you? I also love the pics and description of the whole layout - should be an update every two months in the magazines. Thank you for posting and giving the rest of us constant inspiration. Happy New Year and wish you happy modelling for 2018. Keep posting whatever you do. Regards, Mike.

A couple of Lima HSTs about to depart the ‘Station’. Happy New Year to all my fellow RMweb friends. Wishing you all good modelling for 2018.

Don't know if it's an indication of my age but I love this type of 3D stuff. Thought the issue was brilliant and that the images were stunning - best in good light conditions. Groundbreaking issue (never seen any other modelling publication attempt this) and it will certainly go into the 'cherished items chest' for future reference. Well done everyone involved and can we see more layouts done like this in the future? Very brave to attempt this - why I love BRM so much.

Hi Pete, What a treat - looking forward to seeing this develop. Really enjoy your drawings and design approach to layout building. So neat and tidy - so architectural really. Brilliant workmanship. Mike

Anyone got any of these very hard to come by resin ends? DCkits don't do these anymore and the Southern Pride ones don't seem to be correct (beside I don't think they sell them separate to the whole kit). Want to convert an old Lima 117 at some time in the near future. Be very grateful to anyone that can help. Cheers, Mike.

If I could use it, and afford it, I definately would. It's an expensive program and, having weighed up the options, I'd rather spend what little there is on the fleet. I also have to say that you're the last modeller on here that I'd call a bodger! The trouble with anything we create is that we tend to see the imperfections in our own work simply because we made it. My Dad (a great carpenter) always used to say that - others would admire his work but he, and only he, could always detect the joins and compromises he'd made. Because of the height of the flats I needed to have a tall (almost 3ft) backscene so that photos taken at yard level seem to contain an infinite sky. It was made from a 2x1 batton frame with cardboard (old fish boxes from a restaurant I know) glued to the front. The joins were all filled and sanded and then the whole thing painted in white emulsion (I even used blobs of grey paint in order to create a cloudy sky) - it was a disaster (buckled everywhere) and it would have been cheaper to have bought a full sheet of 6mm ply. It was resanded, pasted over with a roll of backing paper and then repainted - still not very good but much better. Then there's the lighting - I use LED spots from above. These shine down on the backscene to counter the shadows thrown onto it by the buildings but this creates blobs of intense light in several locations which show up on the photos - honestly, getting the whole thing right is a nightmare. I have nothing but respect for pro photographers and their lighting methods - it's an artform all by itself. Next time, I going to consider using hanging cloth from behind or something like that.