Popular Post 43110andyb Posted March 25, 2017 Popular Post Share Posted March 25, 2017 (edited) As a syndicate of 4 RM webbers we have purchased a !!!!small!!! layout called Charwelton, originally built and exhibited by Wolverhampton model railway club - since sold and purchased today by us from a private seller. Our intention is to create an exhibition layout by converting to DCC and bringing it forward to the 80's in a 'what if the Great Central had remained open' scenario. After an entertaining morning of van hire woes we eventually got it to fit in a LWB van (we ordered a extra long WB that didn't materialise- but that's a different story) and a Hyundai estate. The 1st board has been unpacked and work started! Intentions are to add an 80's feel, signalling upgrades to the area that would have taken place but keeping the semafore signals as many locations did well into future decades. Changes to the station and yards that would possibly have been made will have to be decided in the coming months. Hopefully we can do this magnificent layout justice and bring it back onto the exhibition circuit in a different guise and create a real flavour of the 80's as we remember them! Edited January 21, 2019 by 43110andyb 36 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
kernowtim Posted March 25, 2017 Share Posted March 25, 2017 Will be interesting to see this in an 80s guise, assuming its not a cycle way!! A excellent layout for watching the trains go by.. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
43110andyb Posted March 27, 2017 Author Share Posted March 27, 2017 First task has been to start and look at DCC conversion using the comprehensive book of plans and a first look at the main panel. Over to our DCC expert Simon with help (or hinderence)from myself. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marcus 37 Posted March 28, 2017 Share Posted March 28, 2017 Will be interesting to see this in an 80s guise, assuming its not a cycle way!! A excellent layout for watching the trains go by.. Or even this......... http://www.emcouncils.gov.uk/write/Catesby-Railway-Tunnel-Rob-Lewis-and-Ian-Bramble.pdf Having walked up this stretch of line and a fair way into Catesby tunnel really looking forward to seeing more of this layout. Cheers Marcus Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
danstercivicman Posted March 28, 2017 Share Posted March 28, 2017 I'm looking forward to this thread Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post DaveC46026 Posted March 28, 2017 Popular Post Share Posted March 28, 2017 As 1 of the syndicate of 4 - better bring something to the table (or layout!) I get the fun jobs - I'm taking each of the scenic boards and overhaulling them one by one! This include a repaint of all exteriors and underboard, the re labbelling of the track feed and board indication along with the fun bit! Wiping away the years of dust that has gathered and then adding about 25 years worth of new growth, new trees and sapplings as well as adding new lineside equipment and also adding about 25 years worth of decay to various buildings and bridges. So my entry 1 When aquired the layout was in pretty good condition for saying it had been in store for some time! (The electrical side of the team may beg to differ!) The main problems on the first board being that the ground cover had gotten rather dusty and dull, I know that subdued colours work well but this was almost monochrome. Also the embankment was in steam guise -i.e. empty! Now we needed to bring it into the eighties when cuttings were overgrown, new trees had taken route and sapplings were sprouting forth. To this end the first thing to do was simply give the layout a hair cut to thin out the grass and give a basis to the next stage of adding texture and different summer hues. Oh and the time was taken to catch 25109 entering Catesby tunnel with a rake of Presflo's Regards Dave 22 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Tony Wright Posted March 28, 2017 RMweb Gold Share Posted March 28, 2017 An interesting project - I wish you well. Don't forget that by the '80s, all the main running lines would have been flat-bottom rail had the GC survived. There's a fair bit of bullhead in place, because that's how it was on the real thing when we at Wolverhampton MRC modelled it in period. And, I laid and ballasted all the scenic-side track. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
DaveC46026 Posted March 28, 2017 Share Posted March 28, 2017 Hey Tony- good to hear from you! I think the general consensus is we don't want to disturb the rail! I think we can live with the superb track work as is! We want however to give the layout an 80's feel with the scenics! More overgrown, more run down! Then with DCC sound and prototypical stock formations, we can hopefully bring new life to a wonderful watching the trains go by layout! You'll have to come and guest operate! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Popular Post Tony Wright Posted March 29, 2017 RMweb Gold Popular Post Share Posted March 29, 2017 (edited) Hey Tony- good to hear from you! I think the general consensus is we don't want to disturb the rail! I think we can live with the superb track work as is! We want however to give the layout an 80's feel with the scenics! More overgrown, more run down! Then with DCC sound and prototypical stock formations, we can hopefully bring new life to a wonderful watching the trains go by layout! You'll have to come and guest operate! Thanks Dave, The superb trackwork is down to Tony Geary and Rob Kinsey. I was just the platelayer. You might be interested in some shots showing the layout as WMRC used to run it. The civil engineering/architecture in these shots is the work of Norman Turner, Richard Turner and Malcolm Nevitt. I built most of the locos and most of the rolling stock in these pictures. Dave Lewis built the SR set and Rob Kinsey built the J11. I hope you derive as much pleasure from Charwelton as we did. Working in a group (with some very-talented all-round modellers in it) is a great privilege. A 'guest' operator with DCC and diesels? That would be (almost) a first. I once mucked up the operation on Black Country Blues! Regards, Tony. Edited March 29, 2017 by Tony Wright 21 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Worsdell forever Posted March 29, 2017 RMweb Gold Share Posted March 29, 2017 A 'guest' operator with DCC and diesels? That would be (almost) a first. I once mucked up the operation on Black Country Blues! Regards, Tony. You can't muck it up more than us regulars... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
D1059 Posted March 29, 2017 Share Posted March 29, 2017 (edited) Be careful with the overgrowth - Yes, by the 80s there was more undergrowth, trees etc, but BR hadn't completley resigned responsibility for anything beyond the cess the way that Railtrack and Network Rail have done and continue to do. Compare this 1985 view of Bourton http://www.hondawanderer.com/47033_Bourton_1985.htm with this one from 2015 GWML Intermodal by Stephen Dance, on Flickr The grass is is a bit long and there are a few very small bushes/saplings here and there, but overall it looks pretty much the same as your new layout. The 2015 view shows the jungle that has grown up mainly since the mid 1990s Edited March 29, 2017 by D1059 3 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Enterprisingwestern Posted March 29, 2017 RMweb Gold Share Posted March 29, 2017 You can't muck it up more than us regulars... At least he wouldn't infect it with kettles. Mike. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Joseph_Pestell Posted March 29, 2017 RMweb Gold Share Posted March 29, 2017 Like that photographic impression of light at the other end of the tunnel. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Tony Wright Posted March 29, 2017 RMweb Gold Share Posted March 29, 2017 Like that photographic impression of light at the other end of the tunnel. It's not a photographic impression. It's a hole drilled in the end board at the right orientation for the north end of Catesby Tunnel. 3 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Joseph_Pestell Posted March 29, 2017 RMweb Gold Share Posted March 29, 2017 (edited) It's not a photographic impression. It's a hole drilled in the end board at the right orientation for the north end of Catesby Tunnel. That's how early photographs were made. Nice result anyway that I don't think I have seen before on a layout. Edited March 29, 2017 by Joseph_Pestell Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
richard i Posted March 29, 2017 Share Posted March 29, 2017 I will watch this with interest, i did a lot of the grass, bushes, ballesting. It was great to watch the trains run through. Richard Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
DaveC46026 Posted March 29, 2017 Share Posted March 29, 2017 (edited) Be careful with the overgrowth - Yes, by the 80s there was more undergrowth, trees etc, but BR hadn't completley resigned responsibility for anything beyond the cess the way that Railtrack and Network Rail have done and continue to do. Compare this 1985 view of Bourton http://www.hondawanderer.com/47033_Bourton_1985.htm with this one from 2015 GWML Intermodal by Stephen Dance, on Flickr The grass is is a bit long and there are a few very small bushes/saplings here and there, but overall it looks pretty much the same as your new layout. The 2015 view shows the jungle that has grown up mainly since the mid 1990s Hi D1059 That's 1 tidy embankment! I was thinking more like this! https://www.google.co.uk/imgres?imgurl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.hondawanderer.com%2Fimages%2F47270_Wickwar_Tunnel_1989.jpg&imgrefurl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.hondawanderer.com%2F47270_Wickwar_Tunnel_1989.htm&docid=k6ZFzPtsmyq3LM&tbnid=3vQ0vDAjEgLJaM%3A&vet=10ahUKEwjc9eiwz_zSAhWLKcAKHf5NC6wQMwg-KBkwGQ..i&w=1230&h=836&itg=1&hl=en-gb&client=safari&bih=559&biw=375&q=wickwar%20tunnel&ved=0ahUKEwjc9eiwz_zSAhWLKcAKHf5NC6wQMwg-KBkwGQ&iact=mrc&uact=8#h=836&imgrc=3vQ0vDAjEgLJaM:&vet=10ahUKEwjc9eiwz_zSAhWLKcAKHf5NC6wQMwg-KBkwGQ..i&w=1230 But I agree BR didn't let things go too far! I think in tidying and freshening the embankment we do want to present it slightly differently and give the impression of a railway 25 years on! Edited March 29, 2017 by DaveC46026 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
DaveC46026 Posted March 29, 2017 Share Posted March 29, 2017 (edited) I will watch this with interest, i did a lot of the grass, bushes, ballesting. It was great to watch the trains run through. Richard Hi RichardIt's good to have a few members that worked on the layout get in touch! We want to be sympathetic to the layout whilst bringing into the Diesel era! Hopefully if and when we're on the circuit! ( we have had a few offers already!) you'll make yourself know when your standing in front watching the trains go by! Edited March 29, 2017 by DaveC46026 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
DaveC46026 Posted March 29, 2017 Share Posted March 29, 2017 (edited) Thanks Dave, The superb trackwork is down to Tony Geary and Rob Kinsey. I was just the platelayer. You might be interested in some shots showing the layout as WMRC used to run it. Charwelton 07 V2 on Bournemouth-York.jpg Charwelton 13 A3 on Up express.jpg Charwelton 16 A1 entering tunnel.jpg Charwelton 22 A22 under bridge.jpg Charwelton Dec 03 01.jpg Charwelton Dec 03 02.jpg Charwelton Dec 03 03.jpg Charwelton Dec 03 04.jpg The civil engineering/architecture in these shots is the work of Norman Turner, Richard Turner and Malcolm Nevitt. I built most of the locos and most of the rolling stock in these pictures. Dave Lewis built the SR set and Rob Kinsey built the J11. I hope you derive as much pleasure from Charwelton as we did. Working in a group (with some very-talented all-round modellers in it) is a great privilege. A 'guest' operator with DCC and diesels? That would be (almost) a first. I once mucked up the operation on Black Country Blues! Regards, Tony. Many thanks for those Tony! I've seen most before but some mustn't have got published! I assume they're you're handy work! We would like at some point to do a then and now type shoot and recreate the shot angles with the new scenics and stock! Edited March 29, 2017 by DaveC46026 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Tony Wright Posted March 29, 2017 RMweb Gold Share Posted March 29, 2017 Many thanks for those Tony! I've seen most before but some mustn't have got published! I assume they're you're handy work! We would like at some point to do a then and now type shoot and recreate the shot angles with the new scenics and stock! They are Dave, There's a disc somewhere with dozens of pictures of Charwelton on. If any of the pictures are of use to you, please let me know. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Mr.S.corn78 Posted March 29, 2017 RMweb Gold Share Posted March 29, 2017 First task has been to start and look at DCC conversion using the comprehensive book of plans and a first look at the main panel. Over to our DCC expert Simon with help (or hinderence)from myself. image.jpeg Hi all, So as I'm tasked with the conversion to DCC of the layout, with help from Andy, I thought I would say hi. The planning for the conversion are still in a very early stage with a study of the panels, looms and the great wiring Manuel that the original builders did its hopefully going to be slightly easier than first thought. A few changes will be made to not only the board wiring but also the panels which as you cansee from the photos are awe ok of art and a real advert for the workmanship that has gone in to this layout. As and when we make a start we will of course pop a few photos up here for you all to see. As an aside we have already got an exhibition invite so the electrical department best get a move on. Cheers Simon 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom D Posted March 29, 2017 Share Posted March 29, 2017 First let me offer congratulations to the "syndicate" (as described by the op), on purchasing such a fantastic layout, as I was reading through your posts, I couldn't help but remember an MRJ feature on this layout. What was most striking was seeing a picture, of a seemingly endless rake of oil tankers, most of the pictures in that issue of the magazine were in black and white, and while they were very atmospheric, seeing the colour pictures from this post, really offer a different perspective. From the size of the layout in the article, I can only imagine the task in front of you, so good luck with your endeavors. Are you planning on adding to, or modifying the layout plan in any way? Looking forward to following this thread. Tom D Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
richard i Posted March 30, 2017 Share Posted March 30, 2017 Hi Richard It's good to have a few members that worked on the layout get in touch! We want to be sympathetic to the layout whilst bringing into the Diesel era! Hopefully if and when we're on the circuit! ( we have had a few offers already!) you'll make yourself know when your standing in front watching the trains go by! I will be happy to do so, but it may be a while as I now live across the pond, otherwise I might have given more serious thought to taking on the layout myself.Richard Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Mr.S.corn78 Posted March 30, 2017 RMweb Gold Share Posted March 30, 2017 First let me offer congratulations to the "syndicate" (as described by the op), on purchasing such a fantastic layout, as I was reading through your posts, I couldn't help but remember an MRJ feature on this layout. What was most striking was seeing a picture, of a seemingly endless rake of oil tankers, most of the pictures in that issue of the magazine were in black and white, and while they were very atmospheric, seeing the colour pictures from this post, really offer a different perspective. From the size of the layout in the article, I can only imagine the task in front of you, so good luck with your endeavors. Are you planning on adding to, or modifying the layout plan in any way? Looking forward to following this thread. Tom D Hi Tom, The plan is to leave the track work on the senic of the layout alone. We may moth ball the quarry siding and part of the yard but that is still something that we need to discuss as we have quite a bit of departmental stock so it may be turned over to PW/S&T. I have a couple of ideas for the non Senic parts of the track work but that needs to be discussed before anything is made public so to speak. Thanks Simon Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
DaveC46026 Posted March 30, 2017 Share Posted March 30, 2017 First let me offer congratulations to the "syndicate" (as described by the op), on purchasing such a fantastic layout, as I was reading through your posts, I couldn't help but remember an MRJ feature on this layout. What was most striking was seeing a picture, of a seemingly endless rake of oil tankers, most of the pictures in that issue of the magazine were in black and white, and while they were very atmospheric, seeing the colour pictures from this post, really offer a different perspective. From the size of the layout in the article, I can only imagine the task in front of you, so good luck with your endeavors. Are you planning on adding to, or modifying the layout plan in any way? Looking forward to following this thread. Tom D Hi Tom - we've had the layout in our possession about a week and we're looking a possible changes to the track layout as the ironstone quarry would possibly have been spent by the 80's but then somebody came up with a few ideas to keep this branch open! Who knows? The layout has been bought to give big long trains with DCC sound the chance to open up and stretch their legs really but if the opportunity arrises then we're not adverse to a little shunting! The sidings are ear-marked for engineers traffic in some shape or other! Regards Dave 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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