GWR/LMS OO Gauge DCC RR&Co

With the Hotel building itself now completed, I hope I can be forgiven for re posting a couple of  "before" shots of the rear








To make the two wings look credible I was obliged to use four end panels from the kit. These panels were never designed for anything except low relief models. I have always been worried about finishing them so as Eric Morecambe would say "you cant see the join".


I am rather chufffed with the way the 1mm veneers I showed last week fitted smoothly on to the backs:




Building now glued to base. Fire Escape and Ventilation in place.

Here is a less than flattering close up to give a glimpse of the kitchen



Outside the kitched doors I am hoping to convert a couple of Modelu lounging engine crew into sous chefs having a crafty smoke break. Painting the Blue and White check trousers will be an interesting challenge.

The close up does show up the origins of the ventilating equipment…small blocks of 2mm card clad with Scalescene print outs and a dab of weathering powder. From the obligatory 3' I think it looks quite credible although I wouldnt want an HVac engineer to look to closely at the layout!

Normally I use either painted wood skewers or Wills for chimneys but I thought I should splurge for the Talbot Hotel ……here are 30 metal castings from Langley Models.




Also from Langly (usual disclaimer) the fire escape















I still have to add lam posts at the front and a few detailing cameos front and back. That will have to wait until I have finished creating enough space on the layout to for the hotel base with its over large foot print!

For some time I have been obliged to take regular medication for high blood pressure…….unfortunately they have yet to discover a drug with sufficient strength to deal with my wrath at England contriving to lose to Wales on Saturday………I am only just about back to normal!

Keep calm……keep safe

  There is additional detail in every aspect of this build and it shows in obviously being a unique building created by a talented architect to fit the building plot and constructed by an experienced and skilled contractor, which I’m sure the client will put to very good use to please the end users. I just hope the quantity surveyors did their job as well as everyone else by realising the project within budget.
   
  Well done John, you are a man of many talents.
   
  Keep well,
   
  Bill  
   
  PS, Assuming that the palm tree in the said court was not grown there  from seed, how was it installed into its final position?

Well John, that's not bad, is it?  I love the before, mid and final photographs of the rear, not just a great reminder of how it has been transformed but also a superb example of what can be achieved with humble materials.  Well worth the extravagance on the fire escape and chimney pots too.  I also noticed, for the first time, the most appropriate decorative silver planters the palms are in - what a superb little touch.  An absolutely stunning design and exquisite craftsmanship - it may have taken some time but it is one of those models which will be a real feature and joy to look at, from every direction.  
 :cheers

Michael

Evocative. Next time I’m in Granby I want a room at the Talbot.

I'm really disappointed it's now virtually complete John………….

You have no idea how excited I was each time I saw there was another post from you - I was egging you on with almost as much pride as you must have had creating it.  Each post brought out an involuntary "yessss !!" or a "wow, I knew you could do it" ………..

I recall, many moons ago now, you posted that you'd hammered in the golden nail - track laying was complete.  I felt totally bereft, thinking that was it for Granby until you pointed out that it was only the trackwork that was complete.  There were many masterpieces still to come.  I have a similar feeling now - I've so looked forward to watching this hotel grow from scraps of card into the magnificent building it is today - you must be absolutely thrilled with it.

[user=1814]Longchap[/user] wrote:

 There is additional detail in every aspect of this build and it shows in obviously being a unique building created by a talented architect to fit the building plot and constructed by an experienced and skilled contractor, which I’m sure the client will put to very good use to please the end users. I just hope the quantity surveyors did their job as well as everyone else by realising the project within budget.
 
Well done John, you are a man of many talents.
 
Keep well,
 
Bill  
 
PS, Assuming that the palm tree in the said court was not grown there  from seed, how was it installed into its final position?

Thanks Bill…… you are very kind.

The builders made a variety of minor measuring and cutting errors….but perhaps the major criticism would be significant over engineering…..with all the 2mm card double and triple laminated it weighs a ton….I am wondering whether I need to strengthen the baseboard frames  :roll:
 
I had hoped to permanently commemorate the Quantity Surveyor dangling from a bosuns chair….I dont think I can manage that now but never fear a tall chap named William will appear in one of the cameos……I am afraid his car will be an MG rather than a Triumph.

You can buy and plant Palm Trees when quite young and even in Canada (admittedly on the West Coast) they grow quite steadily. I believe the Palms in the Talbot Hotel were installed when the ballroom was renovated in 1912. Now in 1947 careful pruning by Tom Jones, hotel handyman, keeps them under control :lol:

Keep Well

[user=1512]Headmaster[/user] wrote:

Well John, that's not bad, is it?  I love the before, mid and final photographs of the rear, not just a great reminder of how it has been transformed but also a superb example of what can be achieved with humble materials.  Well worth the extravagance on the fire escape and chimney pots too.  I also noticed, for the first time, the most appropriate decorative silver planters the palms are in - what a superb little touch.  An absolutely stunning design and exquisite craftsmanship - it may have taken some time but it is one of those models which will be a real feature and joy to look at, from every direction.  
:cheers

Michael

Thanks Michael that is very kind of you.

I am glad you liked the planters……they were donated by Doreen from her jewelry making box. The interior is rather more visible than I anticipated. Given hindsight perhaps I should have added more detail but its too late now……not to worry, there is enough going on everywhere else.

Keep Well

[user=19]Marty[/user] wrote:

Evocative. Next time I’m in Granby I want a room at the Talbot.

Thanks Marty……it will make a ice weekend break from Newcastle Emlyn. Be sure to tell the receptionist whether you want a canal or railway view from your room!  :lol:

Keep well

[user=6]Petermac[/user] wrote:

I'm really disappointed it's now virtually complete John………….

You have no idea how excited I was each time I saw there was another post from you - I was egging you on with almost as much pride as you must have had creating it.  Each post brought out an involuntary "yessss !!" or a "wow, I knew you could do it" ………..

I recall, many moons ago now, you posted that you'd hammered in the golden nail - track laying was complete.  I felt totally bereft, thinking that was it for Granby until you pointed out that it was only the trackwork that was complete.  There were many masterpieces still to come.  I have a similar feeling now - I've so looked forward to watching this hotel grow from scraps of card into the magnificent building it is today - you must be absolutely thrilled with it.
 

Peter….once again you are too kind. Nevertheless I am so glad you like it. .
Your constant enthusiastic support has been a great source of encouragement for me.

The golden spike celebration seems years ago now and rather like Ron (Sol) hasnt stopped me tinkering with the track. Once I get the storage turntable sorted (sadly its still unresolved) I am planning a major rejig of the storage yard

As far as construction is concerned……..this summer I hope to start the initial stages of Granby Castle……. under a sun shade with perhaps the occasional glass of Rose.

Keep well

As with Pete it almost seems a shame that the build is effectively complete. Another stunning addition to your layout - once you have hired the crane and installed the extra baseboard supports. I, as many, look forward to the your posts and the inspiration they bring especially through these difficult times. What's next?

[user=1886]DaveH_Murcia[/user] wrote:

As with Pete it almost seems a shame that the build is effectively complete. Another stunning addition to your layout - once you have hired the crane and installed the extra baseboard supports. I, as many, look forward to the your posts and the inspiration they bring especially through these difficult times. What's next?

   Its currently the other side of the duck under so getting it on to the layout in one piece may be a bit of an adventure

Joking apart thank you so much for your very kind remarks. I find it takes a surprising amount of time to construct these posts with ok photos and reasonably coherent comments……..its therefore very gratifying to be told that they are appreciated.

Keep Safe

Painstaking work that's turned out very nicely. Thanks for showing us what can be done with cardboard.

Thanks Pete……you have been very patient during this incredibly sloooow build :thumbs

I think you're the one with the patience.

S’mae John

Update on this transatlantic milk train…. there is a photo of it waiting in the goods loop for access to the yard in the gallery, time around 16.00, after dropping off the latest delivery at the plant in the Port sunlight area, and collecting the previous day’s flushed out empties. That’s the only way I can justify a fairly quick turnaround at the processing plant. It has now arrived in the yard at Birkenhead, the Hall has gone on to Birkenhead shed to be fed and watered, before returning south after the evening rush hour  at around 18.30 – arriving Wrexham about an hour later, to continue on to Granby and Shrewsbury. Don’t know how that fits in with your times, but given this is 13 years later, I reckon we’re allowed a bit of ‘flexibility’!

Keith

My apologies to all……..this must be my longest gap in posting for many years  :sad:.

All manner of events, railway and domestic, combined to delay me from finishing the site detail of the hotel and even posting anywhere. Hopefully most, if not all, of these issues are now sorted. ;-)

 There are still a load of figures still to paint so the hotel frontage looks strangely deserted but most of the surrounding infrastructure is now in place. Given luck I can take some shots and post them over the weekend.

Talking of shots, we both had our Covid jabs on Tuesday. Side effects were relatively mild…..nothing like I remember from my Army jabs many years ago. Canada is a long way behind the UK …..only 12% have had the first jab so it will be quite a while before we can get together again with all our family. Nevertheless there is a glimmer of light at the end of the tunnel

Wishing you and yours a very Happy Easter.

[user=1798]Woodside[/user] wrote:

S’mae John

Update on this transatlantic milk train…. there is a photo of it waiting in the goods loop for access to the yard in the gallery, time around 16.00, after dropping off the latest delivery at the plant in the Port sunlight area, and collecting the previous day’s flushed out empties. That’s the only way I can justify a fairly quick turnaround at the processing plant. It has now arrived in the yard at Birkenhead, the Hall has gone on to Birkenhead shed to be fed and watered, before returning south after the evening rush hour  at around 18.30 – arriving Wrexham about an hour later, to continue on to Granby and Shrewsbury. Don’t know how that fits in with your times, but given this is 13 years later, I reckon we’re allowed a bit of ‘flexibility’!

Keith

Special apologies to you Keith for not replying sooner. :oops:

The timings look great to me. I tend to equate Granby with Wrexham so I will plan to have the empties arrive at  Granby at 19.30. The two dropped off tankers will then travel back to the Dairy at Cynwyd at the rear of the 20.00 B Set.

Not quite sure when this will happen as I am in the middle of a major re wiring of part of the branch (one of the set backs I referred to above! :sad:) but, as you said, with a 13 year time difference we can afford to be flexible!

Best wishes

Sorry to hear that numerous delays have been thrown in your way John, but it's good to see you back again and I hope you are able to get back into a comfortable routine that suits you well.

Well done getting your vaccinations and we are also way behind the curve in France, the whole of Europe having found to be lacking with any robust vaccination programme.
   
  The change to hot sunny weather here has kept me busy outdoors, but the gardens beckon with so much work to do, but I'm not complaining.
   
  Have a good Easter weekend and enjoy what Granby has to offer.
   
  Best,
   
  Bill
  

Thanks Bill thats very kind of you.

The garden is also beckoning here and although its still chilly…12o…..I am told there is loads to do and thats before we start with all the seedlings in the greenhouse….where fortunately it is somewhat warmer.

Mind you none of this helps with the modelling :lol:

  S’mae John

  No apology required - looks like that will be OK for now – an example of ‘trains across the sea’ perhaps…. even ocean….
  As soon as I’ve completed the ’61 timetable, give me a month or three, I’m going back a few years to when the Hooton-West Kirby branch was open, to see if the layout can cope with the extra traffic at Hooton. One possibility would be for a couple of milk wagons in the pickup freight off the branch – which could then be added at Hooton and detached on return, as you have at Granby.
Second thoughts… three months takes us to July, I fancy time in the loft will be at a premium by then…

  Keith