Broadgate was the brainchild of my son John. After Dunston Green had been sold, without the stock, we had the need for a layout to run the stock. I don’t think we really  wanted to Exhibit it, it was just to play trains at home. After all, it was quite small and a  bit limited. In those days the micro layouts were few and far between, however we soon got invitations, mainly as a space filler, sometimes we took it to exhibitions as well as another layout, just for that reason.  Broadgate had a long run on the circuit and after 6 years we decided to sell it. It eventually went to Les Williams, who had become a collector of my work. I actually sold it to Les even though I had a higher offer as Les was the best home possible for it. Les purchased the layout only,  some of the stock was sold to another friend, Ian Taylor.

One thing I tried on Broadgate was to sculpt  the side scenes in the shape of trees and bushes, see photographs. I never did this again – say no more.

This is a smashing little layout for 10-12 loco’s and a fuel tank or two.

I based the layout on twilight as we had working yard lights. I do think that a bright blue sky background and working Yard/Station lights looks a bit odd. Overhead lighting is fine.

Les still owns the layout.

 

 

 

 

Kirkbridge was a commission for Les Williams. Having already made a terminus station for Les, he decided that a depot lane would be the next project. After several meetings a final plan was produced and the results are below.

Les still owns the layout but the locomotives have been upgraded from Lima to Heljan, Bachmann and Hornby.

 

 

 

Melford was my first Exhibition Modern Image layout and I have fond memories of making it and  displaying it. After exhibiting this layout for over five years, it was eventually sold. I kept track of it for about two years longer, then it disappeared. I have no idea where it is now or even if it exists.

When I was designing the layout, try as I may I could not get the design to fit the proposed two even sized baseboards of 5′ 6″ X 2′. Whatever I did a point ended up on a join. I don’t know whether I made the right decision but – I made the base boards two different sizes, one was 5′ x 2′ and the other was 6′ x 2′. I never mentioned this is the MODEL RAIL article, mainly because I was a bit embarrassed. I really did not know whether you should do things like that!  Now, 15 years on, would I do it again – ‘yes’ if it still went in the car.

This layout has appeared in MODEL RAIL No.15  JANUARY 2000.

Also on a MODELRAIL DVD/VIDEO

Dunston Green was my first ever Exhibition Layout. It was made for my sons to play with. John was interested and maintains his interest in Railway Modelling to this day, Paul, my younger son was not really interested and was a reluctant Exhibition attendee. When built I had no intention of Exhibiting this or any other layout. I was a visitor only at all the local exhibitions. Around this time I met Keith Wright and his brother Paul at a local Model Shop. Keith saw the layout and an invitation to the Stowmarket Exhibition followed. The Exhibition came and I received  four more invites – it all started from there.

I have to say none of this would have happened without Keith. Sadly he died at the early age of 40 years,  5 years ago. Still missed very much – thanks for your help mate.

I sold the layout to a very good home and as far as I know it still exists in private hands.

This Layout has appeared in MODEL RAIL No 15  JANUARY 2000

Also on a MODEL RAIL DVD/VIDEO

I was given this commission by a local model shop, the baseboards were already made and installed. Mike Allen, who was the person that wanted the layout already had scale drawings available for the proposed layout. Mike had decided that he wanted to go DCC, and this was entrusted to another person. My part was track laying and all the scenic work, although I reluctantly had to help with some basic wiring.

As the baseboards were already made, when I put on the track some hefty changes had to be made. I tried to engineer the points  away from baseboard joins and cross members, but this was not always possible  and some sawing had to be done. Moral of the story, when you have a scale drawings,  make the baseboards and cross members to fit the drawing! To increase interest I suggested a branch line with a terminus station – Mike agreed.

This was a big commission for me and Mike had done meticulous  research, not just on the area of Lincolnshire railways to be portrayed, but the surrounding  area, its buildings and terrain.One nice touch was that some shops etc were to named after his relations.

This layout has appeared in MODEL RAIL. No. 106  JULY 2007

 

 

 

 

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