Wright writes.....

[Richard_A]

I keep on thinking about how a fictitious Swansea Central railway station would look, it was proposed a few times, but obviously nothing came of it.

 

A mix of gwr, lnwr, midland, but which company would have the biggest input?

[Tony Wright]

Another layout based on a prototype, but not an actual 'copy' is Robert Dudley Cooke's Kingstorre in EM...........

 

 

 

 

But it shouts out Dawlish!

 

If anyone can give me names of layouts they've found 'inspirational', I'll see if I've got photographs of them. 

 

 

[gwrrob]

Hi Tony @Tony Wright

 

Holiday Haunts was a favourite of mine  , 7mm and stock that was mouthwatering.

[mullie]

How about Pendlebury in P4 (I think that is what it was called) and  the Berrow Branch?

 

Martyn

[CF MRC]

I’ll raise one Pendon…
 

Tim

[D-A-T]

Two layouts I wish I had seen: Wickham by Chris Matthewman and Eastfleet by a member of Wakefield Railway Modelling Society (I think). Both exuded atmosphere in the photos. 

The only other is a current one: Ballyconnell Road. 

[Chas Levin]

15 hours ago, LNER4479 said:

Morning Tony,

 

Knowing how much you like to see people actually building things ...

 

I have - finally - completed building this LMS Fairburn tank. Entirely scratch built (other than the usual wheels, fittings, etc)

 

I say 'finally', as I first started it 35 years ago!! In those days, there was no RTR equivalent so it felt a little different (!) Anyhow, I resolved at New Year to finish it, so here she is. I like to think that my standards have improved in that time, so one or two aspects from 35 years ago probably don't bear too much close inspection ... (although the unintended wrinkly tank sides might be more like the prototype than the RTR version, perhaps?)

 

More pictures on my Hills of the North thread.

 

 

I think those wrinkly tank sides are brilliant and definitely more prototypical than the RTR verion! Trying to model that effect is on my to-do list - you must be very pleased to have to have done it unintentionally.

[The Fatadder]

1 hour ago, Tony Wright said:

Another layout based on a prototype, but not an actual 'copy' is Robert Dudley Cooke's Kingstorre in EM...........

But it shouts out Dawlish!

 

If anyone can give me names of layouts they've found 'inspirational', I'll see if I've got photographs of them. 

 

 

Always good to see photos of Kingstorre, quite possibly my favourite layout and such an inspiration.  Wish my daughter's school had a layout of this quality hidden away in the basement! 

[Willie Whizz]

1 hour ago, mullie said:

How about Pendlebury in P4 (I think that is what it was called) and  the Berrow Branch?

 

Martyn

It was reading the Railway Modeller article in Pendlebury (c 1980?) that rekindled my interest in railway modelling for the first time since I was a teenager. 
 

At the time I didn’t understand the track gauge issues though. 

Edited August 25 by Willie Whizz

[Willie Whizz]

1 hour ago, Richard_A said:

I keep on thinking about how a fictitious Swansea Central railway station would look, it was proposed a few times, but obviously nothing came of it.

 

A mix of gwr, lnwr, midland, but which company would have the biggest input?

There was a proposal in the late1880s, approved of by the local Council,  for a “Nottingham Central Station” which would have rescued both the Midland and the Great Northern (and by extension therefore the LNWR, North Staffs and Nottingham Suburban railways, and later the Great Central) from their locations well outside the City Centre. 
 

For those who know the area, it would have run roughly to the north of Parliament Street - imagine if you will that the 1890s Victoria Station pivoted at its bottom end from a north-south to an east-west axis. 
 

It never happened - I think an economic recession took hold before anyone had to make their minds up- but as a “might-have-been” for anyone looking for a sizeable multi-company station with several routes to model, I think it would be a real go-er. 
 

If anyone’s interested l’ll see if I can dig out the diagram. 

[PupCam]

12 hours ago, Captain Kernow said:

In terms of convincing the viewer, Tony, you could be right about Copenhagen Fields, but perhaps mainly for those who know the area (or knew the area when it looked like that).

11 hours ago, Tony Wright said:

And watching The Lady Killers...........

 

The thing about Copenhagen Fields for me is that is effectively a 3D, colour version of all of those evocative black and white images from Eric Treacy (and others).     

I suppose the fact that ~8 miles up the line was home turf for me in my young trainspotting days so I knew the area well seals the deal for me.

 

We had CF a number of times at the CMRA shows over the years which gave me plenty of opportunity for extended gawping to soak up the atmosphere.

 

Alan

 

[Clive Mortimore]

I have been reading this debate about real locations and made up ones and we all have own views on the subject. 

 

An example my very good friend @Keith Turbutt said he likes Gresley Beat which is a non prototypical location but has many features of the GNR line through its southern end.  I laughed when I saw what Tim @CF MRC said. Two very different opinions but both equally valid as we all have our own expectations on what a good layout should look and operate like. 

 

Neither Keith or Tim, as far as I am aware, had any input into the making of Gresley Beat. Did the builders enjoy making it, running it and showing it to others, I ruddy well hope so or what was the point of doing it. Ignore those who are not keen on a layout as it is a BIG bonus if others enjoyed what has been made.

 

This brings me to my post of a couple of weeks ago when I said I had the best model railway in the world, because it meets my needs. Surely that should be our first aim, be it we want a model railway of a real place, a model railway that is in a fictitious setting  but when viewed and operated follows real practice, or even just a big trainset to run trains on (like I have). After all we are the ones that look after it from conception, through all the trials and happiness of its lifetime, until either it or us are carried to our final resting place. 

 

Me train set, totally made up Sheffield Exchange , thanks to @Northmoor for his kind comment about it earlier today.

 

 

Cor blimey Guv that were four years ago , get your finger out and finish it.

 

 

 

 

Edited August 25 by Clive Mortimore

[Chuffer Davies]

2 hours ago, mullie said:

How about Pendlebury in P4 (I think that is what it was called) and  the Berrow Branch?

 

Martyn

The Berrow Branch has to have my vote because it was the first layout I saw where the models ran faultlessly.  When I started building my own models I aspired to recreate the same faultless running.  

[Woodcock29]

12 hours ago, Tony Wright said:

Good morning David,

 

They're a great improvement on the earlier Heljan O2s.................

 

As before, an O2/4 is catered for (top, ex-O2/2).

 

Improvements include all-metal handrail pillars, black-painted rather than just black plastic bodywork, a more-robust (adjustable) drawbar, more-accurate and more-robust valve gear, blackened wheel rims and pick-ups, better chimney and greater attention to QC at source.

 

Regards,

 

Tony.

 

 

Tony

A couple of comments on the latest Heljan O2s which of course I've only seen in photos. More-accurate valve gear - I don't think so. More robust probably as I understand they changed the metal its made from but it still has the glaring anomaly of a fixed right angle at the front end of the eccentric rod. Better chimney - not from the photos I've seen. However, I do look forward to seeing one as one friend of mine has ordered one.

 

I only hope a range of spare parts will be available, as they were previously, so I can convert a very cheap damaged O2/3 model I got a couple of years ago into a 1930s period O2/1. 

 

Of the 3 LNER 2-8-0 models available I rate the Hornby O1 as the best model with the Bachmann O4 second. Maybe Heljan's improvements will make the O2s equal second? One significant benefit from Heljan of course is that they provide a wide range of O2 variants. Something Bachmann could do with the O4, eg O4/7, O4/8 but haven't. I suppose at least Bachmann has produced an upgraded model of an original ROD as well as GWR//WR RODs.

 

Andrew

[1471SirFrederickBanbury]

56 minutes ago, Tony Wright said:

I really wonder what some critics expect from current RTR locomotives. I agree there are some issues, but every new model locomotive I've been asked to review of late has been really good; in terms of appearance and performance. They're light years beyond what was thought excellent years ago, and far, far better than the majority of kit-built equivalents. Lining too thick/incorrect? Then do better yourself, and please show us. Lubricator drive too thick? Then make it yourself, to scale, and see how it holds together under power, proving it with a video. 

 

I've been asked to review Heljan's latest manifestations of its O2s. The originals were not too good in many respects, but these issues appear to have been attended to in these latest models. I can see some potential points of criticisms, but here goes...............

 

 

The O2/2 version in early BR guise.

 

 

An extremely good puller.

 

 

Might the numbers/branding be a little big? 

 

 

The O2/4 version (ex-O2/2, now with B1 boiler and side-window cab).

 

 

 

An equally good puller. 

 

Both these models run superbly. 

 

 

Sorry for any confusion.  I meant to say nothing in that post to insult Hornby, and my goal was to only really compare Hornby to other RTR manufacturers.  Many manufacturers can do LNER lining much better, and ditto for the tinplate coupling/conrods.  I only gripe that Hornby were so close to an absolutely beautiful model that only few could see major issues with, but they cut just a few corners, which is psychological (people get more upset if they miss by a slim margin than a large one), but the result of such few tweaks could greatly improve how the model looks, and most manufacturers will tool up new rods more frequently than ever ~22 years, as they really ought to with how good the rest of a model produced today compares to that old valve gear.  One last thing,  Hornby's valve gear in my experience doesn't always hold up to the output force of their motors, or heavy slipping, which I guess is somewhat realistic, but I digress. 

[trw1089]

6 hours ago, Tony Wright said:

One of the most 'convincing' layout I ever photographed was the Late Dave Shakespeare's Tetleys Mills.

 

Even though it was a work of fiction..........

 

 

 

 

 

 

It couldn't be anywhere but the grimy West Riding.

 

He'd started work on its successor..............

 

 

Tetleys Mills 2, but he died before it was completed. 

 

It was one of the saddest days of my life when Andy York, Gilbert Barnatt and I dismantled it. 

 

 

Thanks for posting these Tony, Dave and his Tetleys Mills layout were so inspirational for me and I feel very fortunate to have some of Dave's models now running on my layout. I'll always be thankful to Gilbert for giving me and others the opportunity to purchase some of Dave's modelling as he was one of the first people on this forum to message me after I posted for the first time.

 

 

 

[Richard_A]

9 hours ago, Willie Whizz said:

There was a proposal in the late1880s, approved of by the local Council,  for a “Nottingham Central Station” which would have rescued both the Midland and the Great Northern (and by extension therefore the LNWR, North Staffs and Nottingham Suburban railways, and later the Great Central) from their locations well outside the City Centre. 
 

For those who know the area, it would have run roughly to the north of Parliament Street - imagine if you will that the 1890s Victoria Station pivoted at its bottom end from a north-south to an east-west axis. 
 

It never happened - I think an economic recession took hold before anyone had to make their minds up- but as a “might-have-been” for anyone looking for a sizeable multi-company station with several routes to model, I think it would be a real go-er. 
 

If anyone’s interested l’ll see if I can dig out the diagram. 

That sounds interesting,  I have a rough idea of whereabouts in Swansea the Station might have been located, it's an interesting proposal to merit further thinking in my opinion. 

[Tony Wright]

11 hours ago, gwrrob said:

Hi Tony @Tony Wright

 

Holiday Haunts was a favourite of mine  , 7mm and stock that was mouthwatering.

Good morning Robin,

 

Most of my shots of Holiday Haunts were taken on medium-format film/transparency, so I can't show them on here.

 

I'll go through my old computer's files and see if I can find the few digital images I took.

 

Regards,

 

Tony. 

[Tony Wright]

10 hours ago, CF MRC said:

I’ll raise one Pendon…
 

Tim

Good morning Tim,

 

Indeed!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Regards,

 

Tony. 

 

 

[Tony Wright]

10 hours ago, D-A-T said:

Two layouts I wish I had seen: Wickham by Chris Matthewman and Eastfleet by a member of Wakefield Railway Modelling Society (I think). Both exuded atmosphere in the photos. 

The only other is a current one: Ballyconnell Road. 

Good morning,

 

I have no pictures of Wickham, and any of Eastfleet are on transparency.

 

However,

 

 

 

 

I do have a few digital images of Ballyconnell Road.

 

Regards,

 

Tony. 

 

 

[Tony Wright]

8 hours ago, PupCam said:

 

The thing about Copenhagen Fields for me is that is effectively a 3D, colour version of all of those evocative black and white images from Eric Treacy (and others).     

I suppose the fact that ~8 miles up the line was home turf for me in my young trainspotting days so I knew the area well seals the deal for me.

 

We had CF a number of times at the CMRA shows over the years which gave me plenty of opportunity for extended gawping to soak up the atmosphere.

 

Alan

 

Good morning Alan,

 

I'd go as far as to state that Copenhagen Fields is one of the finest exhibition layouts of this, or any other time.

 

 

An earlier view, when the tower still had the name 'Ebonite'.

 

 

From two years ago, now bearing the name 'Tylor'. I assume this represents an earlier timescale than 'Ebonite'? 

 

 

An incredible aspect!

 

 

Wear and tear over the years?

 

How long has the layout been going?

 

Regards,

 

Tony. 

 

 

Edited August 26 by Tony Wright
to add something

[Tony Wright]

7 hours ago, Woodcock29 said:

Tony

A couple of comments on the latest Heljan O2s which of course I've only seen in photos. More-accurate valve gear - I don't think so. More robust probably as I understand they changed the metal its made from but it still has the glaring anomaly of a fixed right angle at the front end of the eccentric rod. Better chimney - not from the photos I've seen. However, I do look forward to seeing one as one friend of mine has ordered one.

 

I only hope a range of spare parts will be available, as they were previously, so I can convert a very cheap damaged O2/3 model I got a couple of years ago into a 1930s period O2/1. 

 

Of the 3 LNER 2-8-0 models available I rate the Hornby O1 as the best model with the Bachmann O4 second. Maybe Heljan's improvements will make the O2s equal second? One significant benefit from Heljan of course is that they provide a wide range of O2 variants. Something Bachmann could do with the O4, eg O4/7, O4/8 but haven't. I suppose at least Bachmann has produced an upgraded model of an original ROD as well as GWR//WR RODs.

 

Andrew

Good morning Andrew,

 

On further investigation, you're right about the valve gear. It is more-robust, but still has the anomalous fixed right angle at the front end of the eccentric rod. 

 

Chimneys?

 

 

 

A better fit, perhaps? 

 

You might recall the modifications I conducted with regard to Heljan's first O2s.

 

The poor chimney was the first to go!

 

 

 

 

 

Replaced by a far-superior Markits one.

 

 

And renumbered with the correct size ones.

 

 

 

And Geoff Haynes' weathering completes the job. 

 

I might well conduct similar alterations on one of the new Heljan O2s.

 

Regards,

 

Tony. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[St Enodoc]

40 minutes ago, Tony Wright said:

Good morning,

 

I have no pictures of Wickham, and any of Eastfleet are on transparency.

 

However,

 

 

 

 

I do have a few digital images of Ballyconnell Road.

 

Regards,

 

Tony. 

 

 

Funny, isn't it? Ballyconnell Road looks fabulous in photos but when I saw it at Warley last year it didn't work for me - it was very small and no matter how I looked at it, there always seemed to be too much "off-stage" distraction.

[dibateg]

Thanks for sharing some beautiful layouts Tony -

I think we did reasonably well with Basford North to represent an actual location. There are massive compromises of course, now if I had a room twice the length! - How many other railway modellers have said that? It is recognisable though...

 

I need to take one at the right angle...

 

 

I don't think I'll be putting the trolley bus wires just yet... or recreating that shunting movement. I need to make up that 'Borough Building Society' sign though...

 

 

Regards

Tony

 

[DenysW]

10 hours ago, Willie Whizz said:

There was a proposal in the late1880s, approved of by the local Council,  for a “Nottingham Central Station” which would have rescued both the Midland and the Great Northern (and by extension therefore the LNWR, North Staffs and Nottingham Suburban railways, and later the Great Central) from their locations well outside the City Centre. 
 

For those who know the area, it would have run roughly to the north of Parliament Street - imagine if you will that the 1890s Victoria Station pivoted at its bottom end from a north-south to an east-west axis. 
 

It never happened - I think an economic recession took hold before anyone had to make their minds up

I suspect it foundered on a combination of Watkin's personality and the fact that the only sensible joint Midland/GC/GN station (using a high level/low level strategy) would be where the GCR crosses the Midland - which is at the Midland station! Anything else costs the Midland a fortune, and does not improve their services much.