PaternosterRow

Hi Pete, Thanks very much. I tell you, I wished I had your skill with the pen when the plan went down for this. I also wish I could work with the precision you bring to bear in your own creations. Perhaps then I could have avoided some of the awkward mistakes made. I’m one of those types that tends to flag easily, especially during all of the cutting out phase, and it shows. The original screen was so precise and rigidly uniform across its entire length. It was a great work of industrial art that’s now sadly lost having been demolished in 1958. I only hope I do it some justice in model form. Thanks again for the flattering comment. Mike

Much appreciated comment from another Modeller who has ‘the eye’. Your work is always inspiring. Nice to hear from you, Alex.

Hi Job, Thanks very much for the kind words. A long way to go yet with this.

The latest effort is a plan to recreate a part of the great Carlisle Citadel Station for my collection of steam locos. I want a half station scene with a mirror doubling up the length on the internal section. It'll be another one of my wire roof schemes. The tracks beyond a middle platform with act as a run through so that the station can be linked up to a future run around planned for my loft space. Station buildings on the middle platform will hide the hole in the mirror. However, I figured that if I couldn't make a half decent attempt of the magnificent neo Tudor Screen then it would all come to nought. I used a blown up photocopy of a picture from Denis Perriam and David Ramshaw's book as a template. This was pasted to card and the windows cut out. The smaller windows were drawn out and then cut. The middle section of the North Screen as per pictures in the book. The window bars were painted directly on to a piece of 2mm perspex. The finished article. Detailing was achieved using strips of Evergreen and whatever else came to hand. Althougth the original was painted white (or Cream) it was very dirty from smoke etc. My weathering is not yet finished as it needs a little more soot above the track positions. The weathering helps hide a lot of mistakes. An old Lima Crab under the screen. The height is right as far as I can make out from pictures. The book from which the model was copied. I don't think it's a bad effort, but there's a few wobbly bits and areas where things don't line up quite right. The screen will never be viewed straight on when the layout is complete. However, there's a long way to go yet and, knowing how quickly I can get bored with a current project, the layout may never be completed. An additional pic taken this morning after a few tweeks to the screen. I got really niggled by the line between the clock section and left hand section - you can see a distinct misalignment between the top arches. So I added a small 1.5mm wide strip of Evergreen along the bottom of the windows. This now lines up nicely. The eye forgives a lack of detail, but it always spots things that are out of true. The screen will also always been seen from this angle on the layout.

Beautifully made.

And they say DCC is easypeasy! Well done in sorting it out. Love the rationalized drawing by the way. It’s a pity someone hasn’t come up with pre printed copper clad sheets of points and track sections that could be fixed under the board for easier connection. I’ve always had a problem when flipping the layout over during wiring as everything becomes opposite to the above track plan and I start getting confused. Layout wiring is an art in itself yet it never seems to get much of a mention. Love that shot taken by CN - shows just how well you integrated the back scene. Great to see you back up and running with Kyle again. Mike

Brilliant, brilliant, brilliant. What a fantastic mega kit and so neatly demonstrated. Thunderbirds was years ahead of its time and I much prefer the original to all the other cartoony take offs since. TB 2 looked fantastic raising up and down. You may have pointed it out already, but how much did this cost in total? Really entertaining thread, thanks so much for sharing. Mike

Beautiful! Looking forward to seeing this develop.

How did you make those superb buildings? Particularly impressed with that engine shed. Great workmanship. Mike.

I’m bound to say that it was another great issue with my layout in it, but I’ve always been consistent in my praise for BRM. I’ve watched it grow from the early years since Warner’s took over and turned it into a high quality product. I don’t mind not having the DVD (and you can still have it if for free if you ask for it!) as I don’t always watch it. Loved Tackeroo - a highly crafted and researched layout. A fitting tribute for this time of year (liked the inclusion of the Poppy in both printed and digital issues). Well done again guys - in my opinion BRM always delivers great value for money.

Hi Mark, Steve and The Signal Engineer, Thanks for the kind comments. It’s great to here from people who were familiar with the place. I have vague memories of the UCE being built. I spent a lot of time as a lad exploring Lyndon Square shopping center, Perry Hall Park etc. The locals hated the One Stop when it was first built in the late eighties. However, it was an instant success and nobody can explain why the old shopping center failed so miserably. Yet it was, in my opinion, a much more friendly and architecturally beautiful environment. The station, of course, was the most exciting place of them all! Mike

Perry Barr Station opened for traffic on the 4th July 1837 and initially served the Grand Junction Railway that linked Birmingham with Manchester. The GJR, forerunner of the LNWR and today’s WCML, beat the London to Birmingham line by year to become the world’s first long distance, inter-city route. This makes Perry Barr one the oldest operational stations on record. It was also my local station as a lad and I spent many a happy hour on the platforms watching the trains go by. The layout has been set in the corporate period and the trains range from those of the mid sixties to the early eighties. The LNWR took over operation of the line in 1846. The station platforms and buildings were substantially rebuilt under their ownership. It remained largely unchanged until the early sixties when the original Victorian arched road bridge was replaced with the concrete structure seen today. This was done to accommodate the widening of the main A34 (Birmingham to Walsall Road). The station was electrified in around 1966 and formed part of a link in the then new WCML. As part of the Chase Line (Birmingham to Rugeley route), the station served freight and local traffic. However, mainline trains would sometimes be diverted via Perry Barr when maintenance work was carried out on the Wolverhampton to Birmingham Line. The layout is a fairly standard eight by two foot affair with some compromises. For example, the track (Code 75) bends the opposite way to that of the prototype. This was done to suit my requirements as the layout will form part of a run around scheme I have planned for my loft space. Also, the blue brick bridge on the left is a lot nearer to the station than the one found at the real location. This was simply done to provide a convenient scenic break at this end. The factory is also an invention as the station originally bordered Lynton Square Shopping Centre and the original site of the dog track stadium during the period set. These couldn’t be seen at platform level plus the land graded away quite rapidly from the station embankment on that side. The factory was therefore placed there to remind the viewer that the station was on the outskirts of an industrial city setting. The overhead gantries are all hand made out of simple galvanised wire that has been soldered together in a series of jigs. Colin Graig’s superb insulators have been used to lend a bit of authenticity. The station, overbridge and platform buildings have been faithfully copied from the superb picture taken by Steve Jones in 1978. The original entrance during the LNWR - sourced from the Warwickshire Railways site. Map of the line between Perry Barr and Witton Stations - sourced from the Warwickshire Railways site. Building of the concrete overbridge in the early sixties - sourced from the Warwickshire Railways site. Picture taken in 1978 by Steve Jones. The layout was copied from this picture. Hornby Class 86 in early executive livery hauling a rake of Bachmann MK1 coaches. A Southern Pride Class 304 EMU in corporate livery A Bachmann Class 25 hauling a short freight Bachmann Class 85 in early electric blue livery hauling some Bachmann MK1 coaches Hornby Class 86 hauling some Hornby Freightliner flats. Note the cross arm pantograph - this was made from nylon bristles from a brush (got into a lot of trouble from SWMO for that!) Hornby Class 86 hauling a post train No WCML scheme would be complete without a Hoover - this is a detailed Lima model A detailed Lima Class 31 - one of my favorite locos

Got mine last night. Gosh, you could smell the seaweed looking at that magnificent beach scene on Porth ST John. Brilliant piece of modelling. Another great issue guys.

Welcome to the forum, Tim. Happy modelling! You’ll find loads of encouragement from the members on here. Mike

That’s a great piece of modelling. Love the brickwork and how square it all is.

Just came out of hospital after a painful bout of Diverticulitis (swollen colon). Nothing too serious, so I nagged SWMBO to take me to Killarney to pick a copy of BRM. Spent a very cheery afternoon in bed reading it. Another brilliant issue with something for everyone. Loved the 3D supplement - another one for the prized possessions draw - the shot of the station with the three arched viaduct at the rear was my particular favorite. Great layouts again - Ripley stole my eye though - beautiful layout with lots going on. Really high standard from all the contributors as per usual. Found the ‘how to’ guide on the pickups very interesting - might have a go at adapting the method for my old Hornby Class 50 (if it’s possible). Another great issue that keeps raising the game - by far the best modelling mag on the shelves in my opinion. Well done everyone.

More brilliance from the master. Lovely work.

WOW!

Agree with Dave - the horses look so natural in pose and colour. But it is the carter that steals it for me - the detail of his face is incredible. I quite liked the first lot of lettering by the way. Brilliant craftsmanship as usual. Can we have another Farthing episode soon - you must have quite a cast of characters by now.

Lovely work, Wenlock. Brilliant attention to detail and patient craftsmanship.

Hi Pete See you are applying your usual fastidious approach toward the new scale. Beautiful craftsmanship and I’m really looking forward to seeing this develop. Great to see you modelling again. Are you going to treat us to some more of your inspirational drawings? Scratch that last question as I’ve just seen the first installment. Great project.

Brilliant diorama. Love the detail and the tumbledown shed is magnificent. Excellent work.

Lovely work. Particularly like the shots taken in sunlight.

Cheers Regularity, You’re dead right about the code - I’m pretty sure the B’ham to Walsall was 2G50 - not sure about the other way. I just used what was available from a preprinted tacky back sheet of codes I had spare. Whilst I spent many a happy hour watching trains I was no spotter and this reflects in all my layouts - a lack of accuracy etc. It was my mate Brendon that made notes etc. However, I’ve lost contact with him over the years. I know the 304’s ran some pretty long distance services initially, but as the bigger locos became abundant they were reserved for suburban duties. Thanks for the info - always welcome and noted for future reference.