Makerfield, my 1970s North West UK layout

[meurglysIII]

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....

[swisstrains]

Originally Posted by meurglysIII

...................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!............................

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

[meurglysIII]

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

[swisstrains]

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

[Shed Cat]

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

[meurglysIII]

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

[meurglysIII]

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..) ?

[swisstrains]

Originally Posted by meurglysIII

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.

[Shed Cat]

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

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

[chapelon]

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.