Ian McIntosh layout

The Hatton's weekly email came with a reference to Ian's layout and the following link -Well worth a look.

This was the wording that was included in the email and is not on the site.

"Rugby Road - Ian MacIntosh

Ian has been a customer of Hattons for decades, and this week he kindly forwarded a link to us displaying his impressive N gauge layout ‘Rugby Road’. We felt these images deserved a much larger audience than just ourselves in the shop, so we asked Ian if we could include the link for you all to see. Fortunately he obliged, and also sent us some much appreciated commentary which we have added below. A big thank you also to Ian’s partner Sally for her help putting this feature together.

I was first introduced to Hattons in 1947 when my father bought me a Gauge 0 LNWR precursor tank locomotive for my 11th birthday, and later a Hornby compound (1185).

However railways had been instilled into me from an even earlier age; in the late thirties with particular emphasis on all things LMS and subsequently the LMR around Burton on Trent and Coventry. It came as no surprise to anyone that I worked on Coventry station and then in the Control Offices at Rugby, Workington and finally at Manchester Piccadilly where, after a while, I was in charge of the main line into Piccadilly. That was a particularly challenging and interesting position. Sadly around this time (1968), whilst re-organisation of British Railways did not necessarily mean redundancy, it certainly reduced, at that period, prospects for promotion. So I decided, with my family, to emigrate to New Zealand.

I had a few jobs when I got here but I could not get the railway bug out of me (not that I wanted to) so I started building a Gauge 00 layout in my basement. It was quite a good one but I did not like running 5 coach trains behind Duchesses or Scots so I changed to N scale in 1980 where I could run 12 coach trains realistically.

Three moves, and three layouts later, I have built what I imagine will be my final layout. All have been named ‘Rugby Road’ (marks 1 – 4) because of my affection for Rugby. The layout is based on a typical Midlands scene in the ‘50’s and 60’s with plenty of grime and terraced houses etc. I smoke a pipe and frequently shake it over the loco shed (and other parts). It all adds flavour.

It is housed in our garage (why keep a car and lawnmower in a building of the same standard as the lounge - it can and does stay outside) and occupies an area of 13 feet x 14feet and apart from having access from the lifting garage door and the opposite end of the room there are two small areas in the middle, one for the control are and the other a workshop bench so there is plenty of scope for viewing from various positions and for plenty of scenery.

The whole layout is built 4’ off the ground. This was decided upon because I am not as nimble as I was and this made it easier for working underneath, but a secondary benefit was that viewing at eye level when seated was much more realistic - I thoroughly recommend it.

The rough layout plan is an inverted figure of 8 with 4 tracks all the way round with 3 running loops through the station and yard areas in each direction with extra platforms and a parcels platform to cater for the large number of passenger that travel. There is a large marshalling yard and sidings with a goods shed that is based on the large Midland Warehouse at Burton-on- Trent. The loco shed was constructed in 1983 and has been transferred to all subsequent layouts (each with just a bit of modification) and the grain of wheat bulbs are still the originals. I have incorporated a diesel depot now to house the diesel fleet. After all they had quite a few in my day.

One of my favourite locations is that by the canal side. This is based on the Oxford canal adjacent to the mainline just north of Brinklow where I spent many happy hours in my youth. Yes I know there are only 3 lines there but there will be 4 in the future. One day!

So now I spend time maintaining Rugby Road, operating it or just sitting watching the trains go by. "

 

Hi Dave,

Something wrong with the link.

It just sends me to a blank new topic page here on YMR.

Can you try and put the link in again.

Cheers.

Same here Dave.

I looked at the layout via Hattons Newsletter page.  Haven't tried via here but, if 2 of you have problems, then there must be one :roll::roll:

Yes - just tried it and the same result - just a blank "New Topic" page. :???:

Maybe it needs doing via Hatton's web site ……:roll:

Forgot to say, it's a very good layout but no better than some on here (I won't mention any layouts in particular because I'm bound to miss some out :oops:) and, IMHO, not as good as MikeC's Swanhurst or New England layouts.

Sorry gents - linked fixed - my mistake  I have made a mental note to test links immediately after posting in future :oops:

 

 

You got it now Dave.

The sheer size amazes me, must have automatic control.

What a cracking layout.I'd kill for a room that size to build in! …….And what an impressive control panel too.
  Thanks for the link.

Cheers,John.B.:thumbs

Got to say, Thanks for the link to this superb railway Dave.
Its the sort of model one needs to revisit as something new catches the eye each time.

regards,
Derek