7mm Ranelagh Bridge west London Stabling point 1959/1964

Compton castle

Western Thunderer
Hi all, I would like to introduce my current long term plan to model Ranelagh Bridge in 7mm around 1960 give or take a few years.
I havent made a start on Boards yet as Im still trying to find a suitable home for the layout. I do plan to build it so eventually it could be exhibited.
The layout will be controlled using DCC.
At the moment Im building up my loco fleet, I have a Metal Smith GWR 65 foot pattern turntable that was built for me by metal smith that I was going to use on another project, My loco builder is currently in the process of converting it from the curved type to a flat Topper as is prototypical for Ranelagh Bridge.

turn table.jpg
82.JPG
The above shows the turntable in its original form and the second shows the progress thats been made.
I will re size some pictures of my locos and post up soon
All the Best
Steve
 

Compton castle

Western Thunderer
Locos,

IMGP0745 (1024x768).jpg
IMGP0743 (1024x768).jpg
IMGP0748 (1024x768).jpg
DJH Brittania 70019 Lightning, JLTRT king 6023 King Edward II, JLTRT 5099 Compton Castle.
DJH built the Brittania for me although Fred Lewis had to re do the lining on the running plate as it had shattered, He is also responsible for the Weathering on both Brit & King.
 

Compton castle

Western Thunderer
Ive just had an update from Paul and here is a picture showing the locking gear taking shape on the side of the turn table and a comparison of the size of the parts.
171.JPG
 

Compton castle

Western Thunderer
I would love to see the pics of D1011.
This is an ariel view of Ranelagh Bridge and it just shows how compact the site was. I have scaled it using the coaches as a guide and the model will be about 15 foot long by 18" to around 5 foot at the widest point.
Ranelagh from the Air.jpg
And a taster of the future.
around the turntable.jpg
The circular brick walk way was laser cut by Laser Craft Devon. They have been commissioned to do a kit of the Water tower, Westbourne Bridge signal box and the triangular stores building directly behind the signal box as seen from the ariel shot.
 

lancer1027

Western Thunderer
Hi Steve, a very warm welcome to the forum:thumbs:..

I will be watching this thread with a great deal of interest.:D.

Before i finally decided to go with Penzance i was toying with the idea of doing Ranleigh Bridge but during the 70's with LOTS of blue hydraulics so this project of yours has a special view for me:bowdown:.

Shame its not going to be a tad later but nevertheless a great project.:thumbs:.

I look forward to the next installment.

Rob:)
 

Compton castle

Western Thunderer
Hi Rob
hopefully in time we will have a few hydraulics knocking around, Im looking forward to seeing how Heljan get on with there Western I really want D1000 Western Enterprise in scruffy patchy desert sand. With JLTRTs D63XX and warships coming out it could get quite exciting.
any way you will have to make do with steam for now;
britt-003.jpg
dscf3704.jpg
Castle 5043.jpg
This shows to good effect the superb Weathering done for me by Fred Lewis.
The last picture is of 5043 Earl of Mount Edgcumbe, This was my first loco in 7mm its a JLTRT kit built by Paul Hanna painted by Conrad Cooper. Unfortunatley being involved in the building industry the financial crisis took its toll on me and with having a new daughter on the way I had to part company with it. Now two years later Im luckily able to get her back, So she will be the next loco to rejoin the Ranelagh fleet.
 

mickoo

Western Thunderer
I'm glad this has made it over here, been trying to follow it over 'there' but the forum issues (now seem to have settled down) took much of the pleasure of trying to read through all the pages.

The DJH Britannia does look nice, it keeps drawing me in when ever I see one on the web or at shows. Despite their shortcomings in the chassis area DJH do offer some nice looking locos.

Re Ranelagh Bridge, came across this view whilst researching other projects.

http://railphotoprints.zenfolio.com/p274090425/h156cb5d4#h156cb5d4

Regards
 

alcazar

Guest
Looking forward to seeing progress.

As a matter of interest, why did you need new plates for the turntable? Are they different from the ones Metalsmith supply?
 

Compton castle

Western Thunderer
Looking forward to seeing progress.

As a matter of interest, why did you need new plates for the turntable? Are they different from the ones Metalsmith supply?
There was not any plates supplied with the metal smith turn table. Im not sure if the curved top table had any makers plates.
 

Compton castle

Western Thunderer
Ransoms And Rapiers and Cowans and Sheldon installed makers plates on there turntables. I think Swindon might have been responsible for the curved top type and did not bother with plates.
I only need one of the plates as studying many pics of Ranelagh Bridge there was a plate on just one side. Guilplates have done a good job of these plates as I always use Severnmill plates for my engines.
 
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