GWR/LMS OO Gauge DCC RR&Co

Hi Keith

Across the ocean and a continent! I agree July may be optimistic but I will work towards that and we will see how it turns out.

Is that Hooton to West Kirby line the one that ran through Gayton and Thurstaton alongside the Dee? It was about 1/4 mile from our house although when we lived there the line had long gone and become the Wirral Way.

Best wishes

The Hotel is now in its permanent position on the layout. There is still a lot to be done to the surrounding area but at least passengers arriving and departing from Granby no longer have to look at a bomb site.

By way of a reminder, here is a wide angle view of the train room taken from the doorway 



The reverse view looking towards a collection of assorted memorabilia that is normally cropped out. Why do we keep this stuff?  As a rugby fan its very difficult to justify a 50 year old Paddington Bear with a Villa scarf!



I have been muttering for some time about the size of the Hotel footprint in relation to available space.




The eventual solution was to build out an extension in front of the station building

 

Its less than ideal. The Shed turntable controller had to be rewired and relocated on the other side of the duck  under. Its now a very long reach to the Shed approach road, fortunately, because of Stay Alives, loco stalls are now  rare.

 That apart I think it works quite well



The Canal Warehouse still has to be linked to the main level but I have been cropping out the unfinished rear of the Warehouse for a decade so a few more months won't hurt.




The hastily constructed door to the Post Office looks a bit contrived but I do like this view up the alley to St Asaph's Square and beyond to Chester Road and the north bound bus stops.



Viewed from the front showing off the varied skyline plus a last chance to see Paddington Bear


 
There is no picture frame trim left so the sides of the extension will be finished with Will random stone. This wall will culminate in a tunnel portal for the branch line which exits the hidden storage roads beneath the hotel.

Because of space, Chester Road, the street parallel with the station, had to be one way. The extension has enabled me to add south bound bus stops and traffic signs which make the traffic pattern look more credible.
 

 
I didnt originally intend to have St Asaph's Square set back so much but I am actually quite pleased with the sense of depth that has been created

I have added some detail but there is a distinct absence of pedestrians around the hotel and new bus stops. Once the little people have been painted I will post a few cameos.

Meantime I need to run some trains……but before doing so I have to come to a decision about the geriatric storage turn table and resolve a tiresome sporadic short on the branch line…..I could be away for some time!

Finally, here is an old photo of Granby that I took in 1948  with my Box Brownie before being treated by Auntie Edith to Afternoon Tea at the Talbot …….must have been my birthday.

Oh Wow! John, that is superb.  Seeing it in its location gives the sheer scale of the hotel and it looks superb.  Well worth the additional carpentry and electronics required for its home.  I like the way the copper roof ties into the station too, suggesting similar build dates (or a considerate architect).  Never mind "contrived" doors on the post office, the view through the alley is magical.  In fact the whole scene has a jumble of different viewing angles and things to see with a real sense of people with busy lives.  You must be delighted with the final outcome.
Michael

Thank you Michael thats very kind of you. I am pleased at the way it has turned out although its more by luck than judgement. I dont have your ability to visualise a scene from the outset. It took a lot of fiddling with that template to cover all the conflicting requirements……hence the curtailed side pavements around the hotel.

Thanks again…so glad you like it.

Just stunning John ! It just looks.   Right  :thumbs
Cheers

Matt

Did someone say Wow, Stunning, Magical? All these words are so correct in describing what you have expertly crafted over the years John, yet still manage to keep the evolution moving onwards and upwards.

I just love your railway room and could happily live there with Paddington (typically for GWR) for company.

Magnifique mon ami and thank you for your skill, patience and generosity in sharing your passion with us all.

Very best,

 Bill

+10
 

  S’mae John

  Fear not , I’m already thinking at least August….timescales have never been my strong point.

  Yes, the same line – closed to passengers in September 1956, but remained open to goods until May 1962. Must admit I thought the freight finished in 1960, but according to the web it continued up to 1962. I well remember Saturday trips with my mother from Central Low Level to West Kirby, then by bus to Thurstaston, for a walk up Thurstaston Hill. I do remember seeing the train passing when we were sat at the top.  Thurstaston Station closed to passengers in 1954, it was not exactly convenient for Thurstaston Hill or Thurstaston itself, but remained open for goods to the end in May 62.

More truly amazing photos from Granby - if you're going to have a hotel, this is how it's done.

Keith
  

That just looks so much like a busy town/city centre and I love the shot through the alley.

Hi Keith, Matt, Bill and Pete
Thanks for the nice comments guys……much appreciated

Bill…..I had to laugh with your remark about Paddington Bear…….I look at that darn bear almost every day and would you believe I had never associated it with the station!:oops:  How slow can one get?

Best wishes to all

Amazing and a great inspiration. I'll go straight into the 'tram room' and start work on a more modest hotel 'Young & Jackson'!

[user=2172]Claus Ellef[/user] wrote:

Amazing and a great inspiration. I'll go straight into the 'tram room' and start work on a more modest hotel 'Young & Jackson'!

Thank you Claus:thumbs. I had to do a bit of googling to work out Spring and Jackson:lol:. That should make a great model.

Cheers

What a  absolute delight! So worth the effort, John. I wonder if, with one of those long fibre optic camera extensions  one would ever run out of new Granby scenes?

Doug

[user=312]Chubber[/user] wrote:

What a  absolute delight! So worth the effort, John. I wonder if, with one of those long fibre optic camera extensions  one would ever run out of new Granby scenes?

Doug

Thank you so much Doug. 

There is still one window sill and pillar left and I may well need an extendible arm for that:lol:

That looks absolutely fabulous John.

It makes that square - one can almost hear the traffic and imagine the Concierge rushing to help the important guests out of their cabs - I wonder if, when they booked said cab, they knew just how close to the station the Talbot was ………….. :hmm

The "Palm Court" looks brilliant and I love the clever touch of the kitchen staff down below - having a quick fag ?

The whole scene is so very realistic - there's nothing "train set" about Granby - it really is a very typical town in miniature.

I'm sure, if I were in UK, I'd look at the architecture in many towns and say "ah, that's just like Granby" - not, you'll note, the other way round …………………. :cheers

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

Oh Wow! John, that is superb.  Seeing it in its location gives the sheer scale of the hotel and it looks superb.  Well worth the additional carpentry and electronics required for its home.  I like the way the copper roof ties into the station too, suggesting similar build dates (or a considerate architect).  Never mind "contrived" doors on the post office, the view through the alley is magical.  In fact the whole scene has a jumble of different viewing angles and things to see with a real sense of people with busy lives.  You must be delighted with the final outcome.
Michael

 

+1

Totally agree. Wonderful job John.

Colin

Amazing pictures John! It's so much MORE than a railway…it's a magnificent "place"where a railway just happens to run through.I think it's what we all should be aiming for, but you have set the bar incredibly high.Inspirational.
Cheers,John.B.:thumbs

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

That looks absolutely fabulous John.

It makes that square - one can almost hear the traffic and imagine the Concierge rushing to help the important guests out of their cabs - I wonder if, when they booked said cab, they knew just how close to the station the Talbot was ………….. :hmm

The "Palm Court" looks brilliant and I love the clever touch of the kitchen staff down below - having a quick fag ?

The whole scene is so very realistic - there's nothing "train set" about Granby - it really is a very typical town in miniature.

I'm sure, if I were in UK, I'd look at the architecture in many towns and say "ah, that's just like Granby" - not, you'll note, the other way round …………………. :cheers

Hi Peter

Thank you for those very kind comments. The square wasnt planned like that it was just a happy result from my mis-measuring:roll:

 I wonder if “concierge” might not be too sophisticated for Granby’s provincial gentry? :lol: However in the painting queue I do have a Victorian Stationmaster in a frock coat who I am hoping to transform into Head Porter to stand at the doorway.

Glad you noticed the cooks having a break….I had hoped to add a waiter or waitress  in a black frock and white pinadore but couldnt find anything suitable…..I am looking for someone in tails as an alternative. I have a couple of close ups of the current group which I hope to post shortly.

Best wishes

[user=2170]Colin W[/user] wrote:

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

Oh Wow! John, that is superb.  Seeing it in its location gives the sheer scale of the hotel and it looks superb.  Well worth the additional carpentry and electronics required for its home.  I like the way the copper roof ties into the station too, suggesting similar build dates (or a considerate architect).  Never mind "contrived" doors on the post office, the view through the alley is magical.  In fact the whole scene has a jumble of different viewing angles and things to see with a real sense of people with busy lives.  You must be delighted with the final outcome.
Michael

 

+1

Totally agree. Wonderful job John.

Colin

Thanks Colin (and Michael) so glad you like it. It took rather longer than I expected but better late than never!

[user=201]georgejacksongenius[/user] wrote:

Amazing pictures John! It's so much MORE than a railway…it's a magnificent "place"where a railway just happens to run through.I think it's what we all should be aiming for, but you have set the bar incredibly high.Inspirational.
Cheers,John.B.:thumbs

Thanks John……..charming comments. I remember when I first started someone, probably CJ Freezer, saying one should always remember that the railway always arrived after the landscape. I often think I have laid far too much track and that it is too dominant so it is very encouraging that you think otherwise…thank youagain!

Best wishes

Hi John
Hardy's Hobbies do a waitress in a pinny… although she is holding a teapot!  I'm sure you could do something about that.  Also Pullman staff who could be made to look like a waiter…..And an IKB who might also work as a a character - or even a statue!

Michael