Bradgate and Market Bosworth

Pics didn't work I'll have another go

let's try again!!










I really do struggle with technology. How on earth I got the layout running on DCC I sometimes wonder!!

John

That's looking very nice, are you going to find place for the Ashby canal ? (just remember there's no locks !) it's a very nice rural area. BTW the Ashby was built to transport coal into the midlands if I remember correctly.
Whats the size of your shed ? A friend of mine built an external fiddle yard for his complete with waterproof cover it added greatly to the operational potential. Just the job for a rainy winters night clearing a stock blockage outside !

Thanks for the comments guys.

Yep - I live on the outskirts of Leicester and the other station name of Bradgate is from a village to the north. There lies Bradgate Park and the ruins of Lady Jane Greys home (she who lasted only nine days). So I've got the ruined castle -scratch built- to go with it. Not intended to look like the real thing if anyones seen it by the way. See pic with Ivatt hauling small rake of Ratio Mid Subs (my first foray into coach bulding, airbrushing and lining out).


This next pic shows an area I've been working on to scenically link the lower and upper levels. The triangular plywood area is a hinged lift up to allow access for construction/maintenance and will have some workmens cottages in situ.


The next pic shows a canal basin to supply raw materials to the Cake Mills (represented by the Metcalfe Brewery Kit) plus a few extras. When I saw some tankers available for Olympia Oil & Cake I had to have them. Olympia (later BOCM) were based in Selby N Yorkshire which was my mums home town. I couldn't fit a canal in at that point so it just dsappears into a tunnel.



I'm hoping to do a bit of canal work on the upper board. More of that on another occasion, but it will probably involve locks.

The shed is 14'x8' but usable area about 6inch less after insulating and lining. Should have gone for an extra foot each way as the return loop and gradiant are not ideal but it wasn't disastrous ( an excuse to do some double heading or banking - more locos! . I have contemplated the idea of going outside for extra storage so that might be one for the future.

Pic of Black Five over river in front of viaduct to finish today.


Many thanks for your interest and comments.

Nice work there John. I like the photos, especially the class 5 . Low level angles are not often taken of models ,well done.
That was about the the right angle of one of my favourite spotting sites.

Regards

Hi Willy,

Within the overall size, the boards are a bit of an odd size/shape so i've sketched out a couple of rough plans to help you (I hope!). If you marry this up to some of the photos it should make sense.


The lower level is purely a plan of my own design, and to be honest it developed as it went along. Not the purists way of doing it I know but one thing I've learnt over my years of modelling is don't start the scenic work until you're absolutely sure that running is perfect, and the track plan is right. In other words 'play trains' extensivly first! I'm not saying I had no idea what I was aiming for, but, for instance, I didn't originally have plans for an extensive MPD.


That's one reason my upper level is still at the bare track stage after 3 years as I've only just settled on the track plan with a clear understanding of how the scenics will fit in. This terminus plan was a little more structured though and is based on David Jenkinsons final incarnation of his 7mm Kendal masterpiece. It looked a fantastic plan for the space I had and if it was good enough for The Master who was I to complain! I must say it works very well.

Hope I havn't rambled on too much and you find this helpful.

Happy modelling
John

Lovely bit of model work John, I like the way you blend in the scenics with the railway or is it the other way around?
Following your remark of going outside, I remember years ago a chap with a large shed showing his railway in a Railway Modeler issue, He was building an 0 gauge layout and continued the track outside, He built enclosed loops out of marine ply on leg supports. As the rail was enclosed leaving the shed and returning it kept the weather from getting in. Now he coated the marine ply with weather proofing and had access hatches in the boxes incase of accidents. Gave him a load more scope inside his shed for his layout. regards, Derek

As an 'exiled' Leicester man, I'm going to build a layout in the loft loosely based on the East Midlands too. I will also use some license when choosing district/station names.

Will you find space for 'Old John' near your Bradgate ruin?

I look forward to following your thread and hope to start mine soon too!

Thanks for the suggestions/comments.

tank engine - May have to seek planning permission from Capability Brown aka my mum who controls things in the garden, but its a posibility in the longer term

15A - where are you exiled to? ( I'm originally from Somerset and was a Gods Wonderful Railway fanatic until I decided that if I'm living in the Midlands why not model it). At present the only 'Old John' is me but you've inspired me so I think a bit of art work on the backscene beckons. Thanks.

Here are a few pics of devlopments on the scenic link section. Trying to give the road here a rural feel -still working on it so we'll see if it goes right.






Happy Modelling
John

QUOTE (Shedman @ 15 Sep 2010, 12:46) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>15A - where are you exiled to? ( I'm originally from Somerset and was a Gods Wonderful Railway fanatic until I decided that if I'm living in the Midlands why not model it). At present the only 'Old John' is me but you've inspired me so I think a bit of art work on the backscene beckons. Thanks.

Ironically I'm exiled in Bristol, GWR country! (Midland Railway was here too , though)

'Old John' is the 'pint beer mug' shaped folly on the top of the hill near the ruins of Lady Jane Grey's house, for those who are wondering what the hell we're talking about.

Time for a small update with some pics. As ever progress is slow, hindered by such silly things as work!






Nothing extra on this next shot - I just liked the photo!