[gcbradford13]

A oo layout that is loosely based on East Leake Station in South Nottinghamshire, East Locksley is my hypothetical impression of the Great Central Railway's London Extension, if it had continued into the 1970's.

Small railway tunnel to be added here.

I do admit that all four of my GCR station buildings are in pre-grouping colours (green & cream) though I like to think that this colour scheme might have revived at some stations at the time.

I also know that Bachmann produce very good replica of a GCR signal yet I have chosen to semi-convert a default Hornby signal box to a similar appearance. Would it have still been painted cream & maroon beyond the 1960s?

I appreciate that there is more suitably accurate track available out there, yet I prefer to use my existing selection Hornby track to save money etc.

In terms of other things like signalling, track ballast and even station furniture, can anyone please help me create a best impression of a 1970s Great Central Railway?

Thanks

 

[John Webb]

Re the signal box colours - it seems that in the last half of the 1970s, BR must have bought a large quantity of white paint and many boxes were painted white all over. The preserved St Albans South box was treated this way in 1977 or 78, only to be closed in December 1979!
As to what boxes on the former GCR might have been painted, I am uncertain, as I cannot recall which BR Region was looking after it at closure. Maybe the present GCR as preserved might have some information?

 

[kristopher1805]

The hated (by the Midland former staff) GCR was broken into several bits in the late fifties and south from Sheffield more or less went to the LMR, north of that went to the North Eastern a few bits stayed with the Eastern whilst Lancashire went into the LMR. some parts over the Wirral might have been put into the GWR.

so the signal box at East Leake was a wooden version of the GCR Bachman model and the same size, most of the station was at the time of closure mostly white/cream with some maroon esp roof uprights and doors although colour photos are rare.

The goods shed is the one in the GCR set exactly but behind it sat the provender store on blocks to keep the rodents out, someone does a copy of this or similar and I have one for my Ashby on the Hill station.

http://imgur.com/wfhIdkN

Sorry this is such a poor photo but all I have of the provender store on the left and out of shot is the goods shed signal box is also partly in shot

 

[kristopher1805]

I see you are using the Metcalfe box which is not far off really as this is a CLC (Cheshire Lines C'tee box) and hence MS&L/GCR in design and these designs were taken by Allport when he left the MSL to become General Manager of the Midland.
The station would have curved platforms mostly although East Leake seems to have been less curved than others, there should be a ramp down to the road under and an open area on the platform to allow light to get down there.

http://imgur.com/sAdZLoP

This shows the ramp/steps cover and is again part of the Bachman set.

This one shows how the set is laid out for a London Extension station goods shed in the far distance.

http://imgur.com/LmeWOCz

Other end of the station in the background the signal box with brick base part of the GCR set East Leake was just the same but with a timber base a dirty cream/white in the late sixties.

sorry it will not paste - grrrrr!

 

[kristopher1805]

See if this works East Leake signal box 1970

and here is the goods shed and provender store

 

[gcbradford13]

Hello again, Here are some photos of what I have achieved so far on my GCR layout since last time I was here.
The photos were taken over several days

& even weeks.