From Llangunllo to Llanbister Rd.

Simon Glidewell

Western Thunderer
The level crossing looks just right Geoff; I'd even be temped to leave the wonky post as it is. Such things were common and it adds character. Great set of photos!
 

adrian

Flying Squad
The wonky gatepost will be sorted once the gates are finally fitted, I had forgotten about the plank on the bridge deck and that too will be sorted.
The atmosphere you've created is great, as Simon says I'd be tempted to leave the wonky gatepost and the planking on the bridge deck because it does add to the scene quite nicely.
 

Neil

Western Thunderer
Middle photo does it for me too, the composition of crossing and bridge is a brilliant piece of understated detail. These days I always aim to install straight fencing, perpendicular telegraph poles and square buildings; but if something goes a little wonky then I leave it so. I think it gives believable decrepitude; sometimes deliberate decay can be too studied to be believable.
 

Geoff

Western Thunderer
Thanks for your valued comments chaps, once the gatepost are firmly secured they will be true but at the moment with them being free standing the weight of the gates is tilting them over.

The middle photo seems to have gone down well so here's another taken from the same location before cropping..........

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AJC

Western Thunderer
That's wonderful. What I especially like about this is that there are no obvious boundaries to the modelled world; a cunning angle.

Thanks for showing that.

Adam
 

Geoff

Western Thunderer
Thank you Adam and Jerry for your kind comments :)

Following a couple of interesting and helpful PM's from Tim (CK), I decided to stick to my original plan and install a second pair of level crossing gates just beyond the station platform rather than an occupation crossing, thank you Tim ;)

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I'm hoping it might be warm enough in the garage later this week so I can spray both pairs of gates. Other jobs on the to do list include restoring the ground around the gate and signal posts.

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Finally an overall view of the signal box crossing which for reasons unknown I was unable to upload last week.

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Geoff

Western Thunderer
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The first pair of crossing gates are now in place, hedgerows are appearing and the allotments are taking shape. There is still a little work to do on the half timbered cottage and some trees need making to mask the scenic exit, then once the allotment are planted out with various vegetables and some grotty potting sheds appear this scene will be more or less complete. Though I fancy parking an old grey Fergie tractor on the cobbles outside the grain store, we shall see.

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The layout is now fast approaching its second birthday which is on the 25th March and I expect to have completed it by mid summer, I will then concentrate on building some new stock and improving older items. its possible that a simple diorama or two might follow but my layout building days are definitely over.

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Geoff

Western Thunderer
Steam has been swept away and replaced by one of those new diesels in an attempt to cut cost and save the line from closure.
Its about time the old Fordson post van was replaced with a 'Moggy Minor' as well but it will probably linger on for a few years yet.
The windswept tree has taken a real battering over the years due to the line being totally exposed to the elements.


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The trees are nothing more than Seamoss with C & L plastic armature offcuts, cobbled together as an experiment and to assist in planning the scene. The one here acts as a rather effective view blocker as the track disappears through the backscene and onto the sector plate.

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I reckon the handbrake cable has snapped on the old Fordson as it started to roll backwards as I pressed the camera shutter. The tree is still working well in this view taken from a different angle, in fact I might just leave it as it is.

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Another experimental tree sits between and slightly behind the two buildings, it could do with being a tad taller but I'm wary of anything bigger casting unwanted shadows on the backscene. The trees will now be left in place for a day or two whilst I weigh them up and perhaps make a few changes to them.


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Finally an unusual and unfinished view of the river bridges as seen from the roof of the feed store.
 

Dan Randall

Western Thunderer
I think scenes like this - captured to perfection by Geoff - illustrate why GWR or BR(W) branch lines have always been such a popular choice for layout builders over the years. :thumbs: I sometimes wish I'd been born 20 years earlier, so I could have witnessed the prototype stations that inspired this sort of scene, before they were swept away....


Regards

Dan
 

Geoff

Western Thunderer
Thank you once again for your kind comments and 'likes' chaps, when I first started planning the layout I did wonder how it would be received and if others would understand what I was trying to achieve, so its a huge relief to find that there are many like minded souls out there who share my love for the rural railway and this simple sort of railway in the landscape modelling. I really consider myself fortunate to have experienced the steam operated country branch, it was a part of life that we took for granted at the time and it never crossed our minds that one day it would disappear. Trying to recreate those far off, innocent and carefree days is what Llangunllo is all about........
 

Geoff

Western Thunderer
I'm kicking this post off with a couple of photos of 1455 hard at work shunting milk tanks, since this shot was taken I've been busy modifying some Ratio fencing which now extends along the whole length of the track and have more or less completed the scenery beyond the level crossing.

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I doubt that much traffic will build up whilst the crossing gates are closed for the shunt to take place, which is a good thing considering my relaxed attitude to layout operation. Work on the allotments is still in progress and a few typical tatty sheds will soon take root amongst the weeds and unkempt grass.

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Meanwhile an old Fergie tractor has made an appearance, rather than open my wallet and purchase a well known expensive cast kit I've opted to see what I can do with an el cheapo Oxford Diecast model. So far I've chopped the one piece front axle in two and made a pair of stub axles as per the prototype. They have been glued in place to give a touch of right hand lock, the steering wheel has been thinned down and I'm currently working on a three point hitch which is sadly missing from the model but what do you expect for four quid. I've also applied a light coat of farm yard muck over the entire model in hope of giving it a well worn look.

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I rather like this view of the bridge between the building and tree, the telegraph pole is a modified Ratio offering and another dozen are yet to receive the same treatment. Rainwater goods are yet to be fitted to the cottage and the stone trough needs some supports not to mention a water stack pipe and tap.
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Finally 4560 rumbles over the crossing and river bridge with the pick up goods.

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Though I've plenty of small detailing jobs to do the layout is more or less finished now and I'm looking forward to building a couple of auto coaches and a selection of BR goods stock.
 
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