Ben Alder
Western Thunderer
My current layout is based on two Highland stations- Thurso and Helmsdale- and hostages to fortune have been set by using these names for the models. OO gauge has been used, with C&L track and Peco points- point building not being an aspect of the hobby that has ever really appealed to me. However, cosmetic chairs were fitted to these, which improved the overall appearance no end. The layout was built, at a breakneck rate for me, over the course of 2012, although it has been in gestation for some forty years now, and represents the changing emphasis towards railway modelling for me- adolescent dreams of a Highland based set up, followed by years of freelance layouts, using the increasingly better R-T-R offerings, and eventually a return to building white metal kits and buildings to create a prototype reality.
The actual build was recorded as it went over on RMweb , which helped as a spur, so I won't go into any great details here, but instead show some images of the finished layout- finished as in built, but still lots of detailing to be done. These have all been shown on RMweb already, so bear with me if they are familiar.
The terminus is a compressed copy of Thurso, with all its sidings modelled somewhat compactly, and the only main change from reality is the turning around of the turntable and shed 180 degrees to fit into the space in the room. I also took the liberty of making a two road shed, to cater for some of the proposed branches from the town. A few overall shots to give an idea of the place now.
Two views looking towards the buffers.
And showing the other end with a beefed up shed. I also modelled the long gone signal cabin, basing it on the one at Hoy on the branch, photos of the Thurso one being very elusive.
Finally, a passenger departure from the station.
The actual build was recorded as it went over on RMweb , which helped as a spur, so I won't go into any great details here, but instead show some images of the finished layout- finished as in built, but still lots of detailing to be done. These have all been shown on RMweb already, so bear with me if they are familiar.
The terminus is a compressed copy of Thurso, with all its sidings modelled somewhat compactly, and the only main change from reality is the turning around of the turntable and shed 180 degrees to fit into the space in the room. I also took the liberty of making a two road shed, to cater for some of the proposed branches from the town. A few overall shots to give an idea of the place now.
Two views looking towards the buffers.
And showing the other end with a beefed up shed. I also modelled the long gone signal cabin, basing it on the one at Hoy on the branch, photos of the Thurso one being very elusive.
Finally, a passenger departure from the station.