Makerfield, my 1970s North West UK layout
 

Well, you learn something every day. Today I learned that stuff you've made, which looks perfectly good to the naked eye, looks not quite so good when you photograph it.

I intend to put together a web page/blog thing detailing the progress of building my attic railway,"Makerfield". It's set in the late 1970s in the area between Warrington and Wigan, hence the name, which is that of the surrounding Borough. In reality, by that time the railway was electrified with overhead wires, but I'm not ready to add those yet.

This is a project which has taught me the basics of woodworking, electrics and modelling in card and plastic. Until I get the web page together, here's a few pics of progress so far.

Over the past week or so I've been building a row of houses based on terraced rows typical in this area. Here's a pic of them nearing completion. Interior lights are fitted to all buildings made so far. I still need to add drainpipes and touch up the painting:

http://www.clockworkcommunications.c...out/houses.jpg

Here they are in position on the layout. As you can see, the council needs to come back and finish the pavement.

http://www.clockworkcommunications.c...ut/layout2.jpg

Another shot of the station area. As this is the 1970s, a period when the railway was in a state of extreme dilapidation, I'm aiming for a kind of drab, skronky northern feel, which is how I remember it. At a later date I will add some station signs, people, and maybe a couple of billboards advertising the latest movies (Star Wars, Grease etc) or XTC's White Music / Drums & Wires LP (to make up for the lack of publicity they got from Virgin at the time....)

http://www.clockworkcommunications.c...ut/layout1.jpg

Motive power is currently Bachmann class 40 and 24, which are excellent performers, plus a load of not-so-great Lima and Joueff forties, etc. which I bought second hand but rarely use. More Bachmann stock will be added, plus one of the forthcoming Hornby 56s and a class 108 for the bay platform service to Liverpool, when they release the all-blue, full yellow ends version. (available cash permitting).......

I'm enjoying the process of photographing stuff then modelling it. The houses are based on those alongside the railway near here, the station building is a shortened version of the one at St. Helens Junction, the bridge is based on that at Golborne and my next project is a small industrial building based on this reference:

http://www.clockworkcommunications.c...ut/joinery.jpg

It's a hobby and it keeps me off the streets. :)

By the way, the station lamp you can see is obviously not of the corrrect period. It's a Veissmann kit. It should really be the "T" shaped BR station lamp, if anyone knows where I can get working models of these please let me know. I need about ten!

Pete,
Thanks for sharing “Makerfield” with us. I also live in the North-West so I am familiar with the style of architecture that you are creating.
The buildings in the photos look fantastic and although they must be very time consuming I don’t think you can beat studying the real thing and then constructing them yourself from scratch.
Please keep us informed of your progress and sorry for cocking up the transfer of your original thread.

Pete,
have you seen this lamp from Viessmann? I know it's a bit chunkier than the B.R. design but I think it looks reasonable. It seems to be available with bulb or LED.
Attachment 108

Other Viessmann lights here

MUCH BETTER Pictures
 

Thanks Swiss! I'll take a good look at those. I bought the "park lamp" style cos I saw it on a layout at the Preston show, painted up in LMS Maroon and Cream, and it looked great. I just wanted to see how it went together & if it looked effective on my layout. Well, it does, but it doesn't look right for the 70s period.

I went back up and took some pics without the flash, and from realistic viewing angles:

http://www.clockworkcommunications.c...yout/locos.jpg
http://www.clockworkcommunications.c...out/street.jpg
(Check out those chimbleys! *gulp*)

http://www.clockworkcommunications.c...out/bridge.jpg
http://www.clockworkcommunications.co.uk/layout/24.jpg
http://www.clockworkcommunications.c...yout/forty.jpg

I'm pretty happy with it so far. I advise anyone who's thinking of starting to build, to go for it. I'm a bit of a perfectionist but I'm learning to let the odd flaw through. It's very therapeutic. Not enough hours in the week though!

Very nice Pete. It makes a change to hear of a layout set in the all blue period, a period which is sorely neglected if you ask me. Any chance of you being able to upload a track plan?

Really enjoyed the photos. A track plan would be nice.

Gives me a push to get on with my layout.

Best wishes,

john H-T.

looks good, ive been looking at some links on here and ive decided to make a micro n gauge layout, Ive not used my stuff for atleast a year so decided to go buy some wood (bookshelf size) and im going to make a small yard totally randomly.

must add i like the way you have photographed it how many transormers have you used in the set up?? this is something im struggling with

Makerfield track plan
 

Hi folks, thanks for your kind comments.

This is the track plan
http://www.clockworkcommunications.c...out/layout.jpg

it may take a while to load.

Although there are four running lines through the scenic section, There are only three feeds, as I had a H&M Duette

http://www.metromodels.net/HM_duette_contr.JPG

and a H&M Clipper from my childhood, both 25 years old, in the attic. These have proved more than reliable, I like the sturdy construction and the resistance switches allow slow speed control for freight. I would heartily recommend these, which can be bought cheaply at shows or on ebay etc. But make sure all the wires etc are sound.

The different feeds to the track are shown on the diagram in different colours, as you can see the green section is just one power feed, but split into an up and a down line by use of points. I just have to be careful that the points are set correctly. Theoretically these are the slow lines so traffic is not as fast/frequent as the two fast lines at the front. In reality i like to run slow goods trains more than fast passenger (and i have few coaches but many wagons...)

The long siding around the back of the layout is used for storage of a long goods train which I like to run occasionally. The end of the siding is isolated with a switch on the control panel so I can pick up the train with another engine to bring it out of the siding. I still have to fit an uncoupling ramp though.

All the points on the layout are stud and probe controlled from a track diagram. This was, erm, a challenge (it took ages) but really impresses visitors!

The dotted items have still to be built, and may change. There's a lot of scenic work still to do.

I'll post updates as and when there's new stuff to show you (could be a while!)

Pete

hi pete your image says it contains errors and wont show

Pete

Sorry same problem: no picture!

John.

Pete,
I don't know why but I couldn't open your layout plan directly (got the dreaded red cross:) ) so ended up downloading it onto my PC and opening it with a bit of jiggery pokery in Photoshop.
There is certainly plenty of operational interest with all those running-lines. I bet you sit for hours watching your favourite trains go round.:D
I agree with your comments about H & M controllers. They are great and far better than a lot of the modern junk you get nowadays. I'm using Gaugemaster controllers on my N-scale layout......they're not bad but nowhere near as robust as the H & M's.
Keep up the good work.

layout plan re-uploaded
 

I had the colour mode set wrong. I've fixed it & re-uploaded it now. Please let me know if it works.

Cheers
Pete

Yep, it works Pete, and I must say it's very impressive. I wish I had something like that. A couple of tins of Guinness, a plateful of sausage sandwiches and that would be me set for the day. A real 'trainspotting' style of layout and one which I would be able to lose myself in for hours. Good luck with it! :)

Fine Pete looks great. Wish I had that much space! What are the dimensions?

John.

Hi Folks

Sorry it took me a while to get back on this - been busy building the joinery, i'll post some pics of that soon.

The layout is approx. 16' x 8', with a large operating well in the middle. I kind of regret building it all on onme level, and not making the scenic sections wider, but hopefully there'll be other layouts.

One area where I need help is signalling, that is a way off yet, but is anyone here clued up on where signals should go & what types? - I'm thinking colour lights rather than semaphore. I'd really appreciate any help. The track nearest the centre well is the "up fast" (right to left through the station) and the two topmost lines are the slow goods/stopping passenger lines. Any ideas?

Cheers!
http://www.philroche.net/wp-content/...sExtraCold.jpg
Pete

Pete,
Looking at your layout diagram are you saying that the red track is the "up fast"? I am a bit confused because you say it passes through the station from right to left or is that with the diagram upside down?
Correct me if I'm wrong but with the station at the bottom of your diagram are the tracks from top to bottom.
1. Up fast
2. Down fast
PLATFORM
3. Up slow
4. Down slow
PLATFORM

Signalling shouldn't be too much of a problem for your layout as there are very few sets of points on the scenic section where junction indicators would be required ( I am assuming that you don't want to have signals in the storage sidings)
Most signals would be 4-aspect colour lights with possibly 3-aspect colour lights controlling the exits from the bay platform and the other sidings.

Hi John, thanks for the quick reply.

Yes, you're right, I'm looking at the plan as I would normally view the layout, the way you have listed the running lines is correct, i.e. with the plan upside down.
1. Up fast
2. Down fast
PLATFORM
3. Up slow
4. Down slow
PLATFORM (with bay for dmu shuttle service)

Thanks for the advice re. signals. Would you recommend the ecko ones (plenty of time till I get round to doing this by the way!)

Here's how the joinery building (which has now become buidings as I've moved it to the area below the bridge at the storage sidings end of the scenic section - phew) is progressing:

http://www.clockworkcommunications.c...inerymodel.jpg

It's fitted with interior roof girders & lights, hence the wires. It's not in position yet as I need to complete it, add ratio Security fencing and pallets, clutter, vehicles etc. It's time-consuming, this modelling lark! :-)

Apologies Pete, I meant to reply ages ago but it slipped my mind (as do many other things nowadays:D )

I haven't had anything to do with Eckon signals for a long time but I think they are still the most popular colourlight signals amongst 00 modellers and they do make the 4-aspect ones that you would require on your layout. A firm called Traintronics also make some nice looking colourlight signals but they appear to be a bit more expensive. Some pictures here:
http://www.expressmodels.co.uk/acata...intronics.html

You and me both Pete. I don't have a clue when it comes to signalling.

not a problem guys. I'm still a long way off, working on the buildings along the back wall. It's taking forever, but as I climb in the attic now the sight that greets me is looking more and more like a model railway. And that's good!

Those signals look good by the way, I'm starting saving....

Isn't it a great feeling when it all starts to come together? :)

Update
 

Got those joinery buildings made - yes, it became BUILDINGS when I realised there was still a lot of space to fill. Currently working on the bridge seen behind the portable offices, and a Ratio security fence to seperate frrom the running lines.

might get round to adding people one day.

All the buildings are from scratch and have lights installed.

http://www.clockworkcommunications.c...ut/joinery.JPG
http://www.clockworkcommunications.c...portakabin.JPG

Great stuff Pete.:)
The ERF really looks at home in front of the buildings.

I like the Portacabin. (other makes are available !)
Never seen one as a model before. Is it an original idea?

portable office thing
 

Thanks guys! The portable office thing is based on one I drive past on my way to work every day (in St Helens). I liked its unpretentious ubiquity (PSEUD ALERT!!) so decided to photograph it and model it. The two guys I asked for permission were puzzled until I told them I wanted to build it for my model railway, then they just looked kind of pitying. :)

http://www.clockworkcommunications.c...nprototype.JPG

I built it from Europoint artists mounting board* http://www.paperco.co.uk/2005/Produc.../Europoint.htm which is probably my favourite modelling material, as it's laminated in about 6 layers so you can cut out struts etc, then peel away a few layers to create indented walls etc. The window blanking panels are not stuck on, rather the surrounding areas are peeled away. I used this technique on the station buildings which I was pretty happy with, not sure if there's a decent pic of it on here (based on St Helens Junction)

Anyway, here's the plans for the office building if you fancy making one.

http://www.clockworkcommunications.c.../megacabin.pdf

I make window frames by printing fine outlines onto a sheet of sticky labels, sticking this to clear plastic (mainly collected blister packs) then cutting through the sticker lightly with a sharp scalpel blade & steel rule then peeling it off. So all in all, the portakabin cast pennies to make.

Cheap as chips modelling! You can't beat it!

*rescued from a previous place of work

pix
 

btw, is it better to post links to pictures like I have been doing, or paste them in here (as shown above which I just figured how to do..) ? :)

Pete,
Pasting them into your text is fine for smaller pics but the larger ones that you treat us to play havoc with the forum layout.:)

The only "problem" is that your model looks much LESS scruffy than the original :D

But I suppose you have to maintain certain standards for your layout.:D

I have a pair of duette's that are at least 30 years old and I like them for the same reasons as yourself,especially if I want to double or even triple head with ROCO engines that sap the amps in multi.

Progress on the south end....
 

I put a fence round the factories...
http://www.clockworkcommunications.c...yout/fence.jpg
and built a school
http://www.clockworkcommunications.c...out/school.jpg
and added a bridge, with a diorama comprising an old repainted, non-working airfix 31 and some mineral wagons.
here are some more views:
http://www.clockworkcommunications.c...nderbridge.jpg
http://www.clockworkcommunications.c...outhbridge.jpg
It's coming on..........

Nice work Pete. It was worth waiting for your update.
You have certainly been busy.

I particularily like your school, it's very impressive.

Adam

Yes, I agree.
It's just like the one I attended 50 years ago. School dinners were delivered in tin containers and the classrooms reeked of cabbage all afternoon.:D

Great stuff Meurglys, I'm expecting to see a write up in one of the railway modelling magazines sometime in the future. :)

Fantastic stuff. I really like the realistic colouring of the factory scene:- especially the ballast colour.

Do you think you now need to add some puddles and an authenticly flooded area of the town?:D

Thanks for the kind words. I just spent a few hours adding lamps on the station platforms, got about half of them done. I decided to persevere with the veismann park lamps (in kit form cos they're half the price and I wanted to replace the dim bulbs supplied with bright grain of wheat bulbs), even though they are not right for the period. But - I wanted working lights and have not been able to find good-looking, working 1970s 'T' lamps.

I bought two secondhand H&M 'Mutipack' controllers from the model shop in the coach on the end of Bury Bolton Street station today, for the purpose of powering the lights on the layout. They're ideal really as they draw their power from the 12v socket of the adjacent Duette, so don't need ANOTHER seperate power supply, and they have a dial so I can control the brightness of the lights. Only one of them works though. :( Hey ho. I'll call it a donation to the ELR. Only cost me a tenner for the two, so......

(had a good day there by the way, double headed class 20s through the tunnels with the windows open - gloriously loud!)

I'll post more pics of the layout when I get the lights finished. :)

Pete

Keep us updated Pete!

Pete,
What materials did you use for the fencing? It looks really effective.

Thanks Swiss. It's a Ratio Security Fencing kit, though I used old guitar strings (top E :) ) rather than the included wire, for the top bits. (the supplied lengths were too short). It was definitely a learning curve, I found it really fiddly. That was my 3rd attempt, though I'd probably get it right first time if I were to do another.

That's what practice is for, right? :)