Moorgate - The Widened Lines

Emma H

Active Member
My layout represents Moorgate and the Widened Lines in the early 1930's prior to the formation of the LPTB. The final plan is to model the complete section between Aldersgate and Moorgate but for now I am just focussing on Moorgate station and the Western approaches.

I have never been one for BLT's and my interest in electric traction and the London Underground made Moorgate an obvious choice. I did ponder doing Farringdon and the Ray St Gridiron but Moorgate offered (personally) more operational interest with the terminating LMS and LNER steam services, and some token freight traffic to Whitecross Street Goods Depot.

The basis for the layout is this signalling diagram along with a copy of a 20' to the inch plan showing the alterations carried out as part of the electrification works.
Signalling Diagram.jpg


The station today is very different from the open air station I am modelling, and I believe that about 70% of the original alignment between Moorgate and Aldersgate was in the open. This is a view looking west toward the Whitecross Street over bridge.
Moorgate Looking West.jpg

Moorgate also offers the usual urban grot which I find more appealing (from a modelling perspective) than rural charm. This is the (very clean) signal box shortly after opening surrounded by the aforementioned urban grot. I won't be modelling the buildings behind the signal box because this will be the public viewing side. Milton Street over bridge is on the left

For the 1926 re-signalling, all the signals are colour light with mechanically operated points fitted (where appropriate) with economical facing point locks.
Moorgate Signal Box.jpg

Baseboard building was a saga in itself (my first layout I have ever built) but an enjoyable learning experience for future baseboard building.

After a few false starts on the baseboard front coupled with some lengthy Templot sessions this is where I have reached. The templates are A3 sheets roughly lined up hence some of the alignments look a bit suspect. This is the view looking westwards towards Aldersgate with part of the backscene support on the left with the public viewing side on the right. This was an experimental session to make sure I was happy with the height of the layout and that any rolling stock could be easily reached from either side.
Moorgate Layout-1.jpg


I also indulged in a spot of physical modelling. This another view looking towards Aldersgate: in the foreground is a representation of Moor Lane over bridge which spans the west end of the station and in the background is a representation of Milton Street over bridge.
Moorgate Layout-2.jpg

Some more physical modelling looking east towards Moorgate station.
Moorgate Layout-3.jpg

Track building escapades to follow:…………..
 

Rob Pulham

Western Thunderer
You have got further than Me Emma. I have the base boards built but I haven't even vaguely thought of a track plan yet.....
 

Osgood

Western Thunderer
BLT - I'm sure you don't mean the sandwich - but what does it stand for please?

(Probably showing my poor grasp of suburban railway terminology)
 

Emma H

Active Member
What sort of motive power/stock do you envisage?

Richard

Hi Richard,
This will end up being a separate thread in itself because there was quite a wide range of workings through the station. But it will be a mix of kits and scratchbuiding. Briefly we have the following;

The LNER services worked by N2 tanks hauling Quadart coaches (kits available for both)
The LMS services worked by Johnson 0-4-4T and Fowler 2-6-2T tanks hauling Non-corridor coaches

The Met services can be split in to two types, Loco hauled and Multiple Unit;
On the loco hauled services we have the Met Bo-Bo's and Dreadnought coaches both of which are available as kits from Ken Degroome. In addition we have the loco (again Bo-Bo) hauled GWR services to the city using the the GWR city articulated sets.

There were numerous types of Multiple Unit stock which briefly are 1905/1906 with the clerestory roof, the 1913/1921 stock and finally the MV/MW stock (later known as T stock). The Hammersmith & City Railway stock had a different livery.

I am currently scratchbuilding a 6 car set of 1913 stock and also have a Bo-B0 loco kit on the work bench somewhere.

Plenty to keep me out trouble:cool:....
 
S

SteveO

Guest
That's quite an ambitious plan! Are you a friend of Buckjumper? I'm pretty sure he's involved in modelling around these parts too.
 

Emma H

Active Member
That's quite an ambitious plan! Are you a friend of Buckjumper? I'm pretty sure he's involved in modelling around these parts too.

Hi Steve,

I have corresponded with Adrian and if you continued the Widened Lines eastwards you will eventually arrive at Basillica Fields albeit about 50 years earlier...
 

Dikitriki

Flying Squad
Hi Richard,
This will end up being a separate thread in itself because there was quite a wide range of workings through the station. But it will be a mix of kits and scratchbuiding. Briefly we have the following.........
............................
I am currently scratchbuilding a 6 car set of 1913 stock and also have a Bo-B0 loco kit on the work bench somewhere.

Plenty to keep me out trouble:cool:....

That's a fascinating mix of stock. I'm sure I've seen your coaches under construction elsewhere on t'internet.

Are you doing all this on your own?

Richard
 

Emma H

Active Member
Are you doing all this on your own?

Richard

Yes!

I have worked out that the best way to keep my interest going is break the project down in to stages. On the layout I am just concentrating on the station and the immediate approaches from Aldersgate with the intention of getting something running on that section and then fully completing all the buildings and scenery.

The final length of the layout will be around 65 to 70'. It is intended (at the moment) as an exhibition layout but I have no date yet in mind when it will be in a fit enough state to go public.

On the rolling stock front I have the 6 car 1913 stock and the Bo-Bo under construction. In the kit cupboard I have another Bo-B0, 4 Dreadnought coaches and an N2. Here it's just a case of self-discipline to avoid too many unfinished projects on the go.....:rolleyes:

This is in addition to helping have the Warley club's S7 layout (Ellerton Road) ready for this years Warley show.
 

ScottW

Western Thunderer
Looks like a great project Emma. With the urban landscape and electrified lines it's going to be full of atmosphere. :thumbs:

Looking forward to seeing this project progress.

Scott
 

mickoo

Western Thunderer
Excellent glad to see this re-surface, I'm sure I read about this a while back on RMWeb? Looking forward to following this one :thumbs:
 

Yorkshire Dave

Western Thunderer
I look forward to seeing the development of Moorgate. Will there be a crimson Met Pullman amongst the rolling stock?

I always fancied Farringdon (providing you have the space!) pre 1923 with the SECR, Midland, GN, GW etc and their associated passenger and freight trains. Not forgetting the Met and H & C.
 

Wagonman

Western Thunderer
An amazing project. Good luck with it – and don't forget to send progress reports to the Newsletter...


Richard
 

Ressaldar

Western Thunderer
The final length of the layout will be around 65 to 70'. It is intended (at the moment) as an exhibition layout but I have no date yet in mind when it will be in a fit enough state to go public.

eyebrows were raised high when I told the Club members that our model of New Brighton would be 39' long - so an individual effort on 65' - 70' is mind blowing. I take it that Hall 8 at the NEC is already earmarked for permanent exhibition then.:thumbs::bowdown:

cheers

Mike
 
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