Great Central Railway station subway and how to use it.

1927 Views 6 Replies 4 Participants Last post by kristopher1805, 10 mo ago

gcbradford13

Discussion Starter · May 4, 2022

Hello,
I recently bought a Bachmann Scenecraft model of a 'Great Central Platform Subway' [44-118]. With this, I plan to create a small Great Central Railway layout probably set 1910's-1920's. I know the GCR is best known for it's high level station entrances as is well demonstrated on the preserved section from Leicester North to Loughborough. Yet beyond that, what GCR stations would have utilised platform subways?

And if possible, in real world terms, how can I get the platform subway to work on an solitary island platform?

Thanks

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kristopher1805

· #2 · May 4, 2022

Right, these were ramps usually and went down to street level, if you go to Disused Stations there is a GCR section but you should look at Woodford, Lutterworth and some others.
So if you look at my layout I decided to swap the high level overbridge for a lower level approach so as you come out of the ramp (or stairs) you will go into the sort of reception area and then the booking office, behind this are restaurant etc then the WC, Bachmann made all the models in the required series.
The central platform is an island although Woodford had a side wooden platform

So here you see the platform end, I have 4 loops each side which was not normal,

http://imgur.com/jzQQgZQ

Then we have the approach which happens to be a tram terminus

http://imgur.com/Nhtcl2m

A different view shows the ramp, the canopy and booking office

http://imgur.com/K2UMKBB

Sorry I never completed this very well but I got into my narrow gauge railway after this.

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34C

· #3 · May 4, 2022

I don't know enough about the GCR to say whether it applies to any of their stations but it is quite possible for a subway to 'return to surface' unseen under a building standing on a platform, or a freestanding building at natural ground level, which may be anything from track level to below track level, the latter most common. (There's a good example near me at Knebworth (ex-GNR) where the railway is on a low embankment, and the station building on the original natural surface alongside the embankment.)

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kristopher1805

· #4 · May 4, 2022

These stations were part of the London extension so by the time these stations were built the whole of the network was really complete except the GW&GC joint which was a fusion of both co's styles. so the central island idea was economical and cheaper to build only problem was loading freight such as milk churns from railside where there was no platform but that lead to wooden structures as mini platforms. In the case the design kept the station platform access below and a roadway passed underneath (or above)

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Graham Plowman

· #5 · May 5, 2022

gcbradford13 said:
Hello,
I recently bought a Bachmann Scenecraft model of a 'Great Central Platform Subway' [44-118]. With this, I plan to create a small Great Central Railway layout probably set 1910's-1920's. I know the GCR is best known for it's high level station entrances as is well demonstrated on the preserved section from Leicester North to Loughborough. Yet beyond that, what GCR stations would have utilised platform subways?

And if possible, in real world terms, how can I get the platform subway to work on an solitary island platform?

Thanks View attachment 21280

Just a tip here: make sure you have sufficient platform width between the building and platform edge.
In the UK there is a mandatory requirement of 6 foot clear which is 24mm in 4mm scale: OO Scale Measurements - Model Railways On-Line
For an island platform, this means you need a minimum of 24mm on both sides ie the platform width must be the width of the building + 48mm.

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kristopher1805

· #6 · May 5, 2022

Now if you buy the other items in the set made by Bachmann you will find the part with the canopy which just fits on the either steps up or the subway down. This canopy on the GCR was just the right width to cover the platform but not overhand onto the track again as you will see in the photos as it was, I'll measure mine up tonight and let you know.

Not done this before see if it works

This is Lutterworth in the 60's canopy slightly narrower than the platform, subway cover is about one third of the platform width and this is wider than the standard steps up to a roadway as you see the cover sits on the end of the canopy with canopy resting on the end wall, the railing to the right gives light to the road underneath, also there is a slight curve to the platform edge as this is usual twin track that opens up for the platform then comes back together after that.

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kristopher1805

· #7 · 10 mo ago

Anyway how have you got on GCB (Bradford was LYR and GNR at the Exchange end and Forster Square at the north and Midland end of the City so sad the GCR never got near the place possibly Penistone was their nearest point. anyway like to see what you did with it?

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