More modules nearly done
I suppose modules is the right word, it’s certainly how I am approaching the various structures that nestle on the platforms.
these are 2 of the lift modules that appear on the ‘A’ platforms (that’s Derby/London or Eastern end of the station. The large flick through timetables are still there. The area where the wall is recessed had benches in the 1980’s. These will be replicated by using cut down DMU seats from DC Kits.
From pillars to posters
Thanks to the help of my long term friend and his laser cutter I have made a start on the pillars that litter the platforms at New Street (and also give i its characteristic look of a public loo!).
The tiles are laser cut onto paper which is then wrapped around a wooden inner. Half round microstrip is used for the bumpers around the base. The laser cut is very very subtle and it looks like a print but you can feel the cuts and more importantly in certain light you can see them even though you cant make out the black lines from the same angle. The wooden formers are used because these pillars (there’s an awful lot of them) will have to take the weight of the shopping center above. For that reason holes are cut through the platforms and the pillars are glued to the baseboard. The area where the tiles stop mark the height of the ceilings.
Another mind numbingly repetitive but ‘needs to be done’ tasks is to add posters to the walls. For a long time I have been collecting 1987 posters as and when I find them and some are shown here. The frames are simply 30thou microstrip.
For some more (and Ive got to be honest way more interesting) examples of Tim’s work with his laser cutter click here
30th July 2010
I have been busy working on buses again. I have now split the road vehicles section into 2 parts, 1 for commercial vehicles and 1 for buses. Plenty added to both sections.
A few updates to the stock section too, the main one being a new section for the class 155 DMU. Click on ‘stock’ in the main menus to have a look around.
Work has progressed well on the London end of the station and finally I have uploaded a gallery of pictures taken by visitors to the DEMU showcase in June to the shows page.
11th March 2010
I have started up a few more galleries, this time dedicated to classes 20, 31 and 120. They are all to be found in the stock section.
Also for this update I have a new section on how I am modelling my platforms in the layout section
21st December 2009
The end of the year sees the end of another long ongoing project. That being the model of Birmingham New Street Signalling complex. For more pictures of this model please go to the layout section.
21st October 2009
Time for another update. There are a few new sections to the website as well as a conclusion to an ongoing project!
First up I have had a track building urge again and good progress has been made on the London/Derby end station thoat. To see more go to the track page.
A new section on how I am building my roads can be found in the scenary section.
If you have roads you need vehicles to go on them! See more in the Vehicles section.
Finally my staff building is finished!
21st July 2009
I have made good progress over the last few months and took a section of the layout to the RMweb Members day at Chasewater. Nothing like a show to focus your attention even if it is only a demo and it doesn’t have to be finished.
James Hilton, Paul Burkitt-Gray and Tim Maddocks took images of the layouts outing and a big thanks to them for letting me reproduce them on my site. More pictures are on the shows page.
Above image © Paul Burkitt-Gray
Progress continues on my staff building, if you want to see more then please go to the layout section.
17th March 2009
Been busy working on the ex LNWR building that can be found at the Wolverhampton end of platform 1, Proving that not all things on a big layout have to be huge I had a spot of fun making a 4mm scale padlock for the shed that is hidden under the Hill Street Bridge. The penny is for scale!
With the help of WFRM I have produced etches to represent the c1/8 Concrete signalling troughing found lineside. More info and prices are on the goodies page.
4th December 2008
Work progresses on the retaining walls and they are not far from finished now. Just the laborious task of picking out different bricks in various different shades. Go to the scenary section for more pictures of progress so far.
12th April 2008
I have been busy building the smaller building that forms part of New Street’s Signalling complex. The picture below shows the 2 building roughly positioned for the first time to get a sense of scale. More pictures of the new building are in the scenary section (in layout)