An Edwardian GWR project in OO

This has always been a lifetime ambition of mine and was first attempted back in 1979 where it was started in a 20x10ft garage, it was to OO finescale as my father convinced me to go that way despite me wanting to build my own track in either EM or P4. I got as far as laying all the track (Peco 75) except for an access bridge by a door, I had then started on the buildings but had only built the engine shed, one side and end of the carriage shed for Hemyock and a framework for the junction platform when I had to move and it was all scrapped. A second attempt was started around 2003 and the basic groundwork for Hemyock followed me around for another 7 years before being scrapped again.Last year in August I started what will be the final version, having taken early retirement I have no intention of moving again and will finish this lifelong dream once and for all.
Now for the interesting bit, some pictures of what is definitely work in progress, but first a link to the Culm valley site. http://hemyock.org/mediagallery/media.php?f=0&sort=0&s=20070125173522129
I believe in saving money for important stuff so it all started off on two old internal doors strengthened by whatever wood I had spare and some track laid with the aid of mock-up buildings.




Then the track was positioned and laid on cork, the river bed was cut and final comparisons to the prototype made and everything secured in place.


Then it was onto some groundwork, this was covered in newspaper to start with then finished off with brown paper and sieved soil (all free) and some ballast I had from the earlier versions.


A retaining wooden fence was then made for the river bank and more soil and grass added, the cattle dock and platform were also started at this point, then the cold weather started to arrive and it was left apart from the buildings being made and this is where it is currently at.


I will start a separate thread detailing the builds.
I hope I have posted everything correctly and you have enjoyed this brief introduction and further progress will be made once the boards are residing in their new shed in a few weeks time.
Jim

I spent a long time trying to decide between Tiverton Junction and Newcastle Emlyn. NE won in the end so I shall be watching this build with delight… Especially since it's built economically.

I'll have a ticket for the ride please.

Thanks Marty
Strangely enough I had looked at Newcastle Emlyn before deciding on Tiverton and Hemyock, there are obviously a few stations out there that have enough character for us to want to model them.
I had a quick look at NE earlier and now it is time to go back for a more thorough look.
Jim

Hi Jim…nice start,more build pics please when available :thumbs…

Spot on there Jim - that is definately Hemyock, including the shortest run round loop in railway history- until they lengthened it.

Had a go at this myself once Jim in O guage and it took up all of 18 feet!

The history of the line, along with early, mid and late track plans are all available in Paul Karaus book 'Great Western Branch Line Terminii' absolutely brilliant reading.

They reckon that in it's day the only locos that could make it up from Tiverton Junction was the little 14xx's and even they kept derailing on the run round loop!

Yep, Hemyock, most definately my favourite GWR Termini albeit the GWR did'nt want it,  and wished they hadn't bought it off the Culm Valley Light Railway!

All the best.

Allan.

Thanks Dave
There will be a break when I have to demolish the old asbestos garage and then erect the new workshop but after that I hope it is full steam ahead to get as much of the station done as possible before next winter.

Alan
I'm really pleased that you recognised it from what has been completed so far. I work from the Paul Karau book and am hoping that I can recreate each of the early photographs that are in there. I can imagine the length of an O gauge layout as this is currently 11ft long to include all the groundwork from the occupation crossing to the front of the factory, I didn't want to compress it if possible as it would have made the angles all wrong with that curve through the station. You are right about the engine size too as the 0-6-0s used by the GWR early on all derailed so it had to be 2-4-0s which I will build later on.
Thanks for commenting, I have always been an admirer of your work over the years which has inspired me to do the best possible.
Jim

Hi Jim.

Sorry I'm a bit slow with replying - I've started Threads all over the Web!!

In case you're interested, I do believe that the Dairy at Hemyock is still there, or that's what Chris Liegh told me.

Regards.

Allan.

Hi Alan
No problem with your reply as I know you are busy replying to lots of posts, you did answer one for me on RMweb about windows the other day and now I see you have your 'Scratchbuilding clinic' on here.
As for the Dairy that went long ago, I went for a visit in 2003 (I think) only to see them clearing the site after the demolition had taken place. Most of the dairy in photographs features the new office block that replaced the cottages at the entrance, it is the earlier version of the cottages and the single storey butter factory that I will model, I believe the only two storey building was the mill itself which sat over the race.Photographs are a bit scarce for that though.
Jim

It has been a couple of months now since the last update so time for another.

I checked on things soon after the last post and found that the layout had suffered over the winter, the cold and damp had caused some of the track to lift so there were steps at the joins and some of the scenic work had either lifted or moved. I was unable to repair it as life took a turn for the worse with the wife and all my time and effort had to be focused there, I did lose enthusiasm for all modelling at that time so everything came to a dead stop.

Now things are improving I looked again at things and decided some 12" to the foot building was required as I needed a proper modelling shed - Now!

So that was it, the old garage that was here when I bought the house had to go, the thing was emptied, Hemyock cut in half (ouch) and stored and demolition started. Here are a few pics to show progress.

The building was an old cement bonded asbestos one which had a lean to the right as can be seen against my level trellis but also fell away to the back by 6.5" from the centre, this end only dropped 2".





The frames had rotted inside along the base




Thre was plant growth through the floor and up the walls




So all the asbestos sheet was removed, safely of course with minimal breakage and using PPE, it was then bagged and taken to the dump which accepts it and is only a few miles away. As can be seen the old frame was pretty incapable of staying up and needed propping while I took it apart.




Roof trusses removed, props taken away and it all fell down.




I now have a clear site and a new level base, all I need now is the new 20x10 shed which is due in the next few days.

 

I have been busy drawing up a track plan for the new layout so I know where everything needs to go later, but I think I need to save up a bit more before I can afford baseboards - unless I can find some more old doors!

Hopefully work should progress soon on Hemyock (both bits:shock:) and it won't suffer like it has.

 

Jim

20 x 10 sounds like it might be a bit bigger than the old garage Jim.? A decent space for a layout.

Where is the car going to live? :lol:

Hi Marty
Your'e right it's bigger, the old one was 16x8 but I needed more room than that to avoid too much compression, as for the car it is parked in a lay by out front. Luckily we live on a no through road and there are only six homes and one farm so it is pretty quiet.
I just want to get everything set up now so the sooner the phone rings to confirm delivery the better.
Jim

The very best wishes for success with your new Railway house and build Jim.

Regards,

Derek

G'day Jim,

Are you going to use any of the old garage frame for supporting the new layout, or is it only good for fire wood ??

Cheers, Gary.

Thanks Derek
I'm looking forward to getting the building up and being able to progress and knowing that whatever I do will remain intact.


Gary
Some of the wood from the roof sections have been kept to make legs with, the rest was either too twisted or rotten to use so that is firewood now.

Jim

Good Morning everyone
Just a quick update to say the new shed is now up and just waiting for me to insulate it, this will be done with polystyrene as I can get a free supply of it over the coming months and I am always looking to save money where possible. The layout progress will be slow as I am determined to get the shed as complete as possible this year so I have somewhere to store everything I make and be safe in the knowledge that it will not suffer any damage as is the case so far.
Anyway, here are a couple of pics of the new railway shed, Hemyock is leaning against the wall far right corner, it looks very small now in its new home.






I think once it is completed I will be be spending many happy hours in here.
Jim

G'day Jim,

That is one damn nice looking shed. Not that it should be called a shed, it shall be known as 'the railway room'. Great place for the Tiverton Junction and Hemyock to call home.

Cheers, Gary.

Where are the finials…and the valance… Can you get light stone and dark stone paint made up still? :lol:

What a great space…. Definitely :mrgreen:

Marty

Jim, any power cables in the polystyrene need to be in conduit to protect the cable as stuff migrates from plastic cable sheath in the poly & things get brittle & the possibility with  fire & noxious fumes exist.

But certainly a good space.

Well Jim, I'm sitting here looking at your new Railway Room with envy, If  I got a place like that SWMBO wouldn't have any where to put here flowers and such like. Looking forward to see how it progresses.

Thanks for all the replies and the positive comments, also the advice about the cabling Sol, though I am thinking of coming through the floor as I have to relay some of the paths and it would make sense to bury the cabling under them if I can. 
I like the idea of the colours but the wife doesn't think much of the light stone so I think she will choose the colour, Oh well it's the space that counts for me so I'll let her have her bit of input. I just need to redesign and set out the garden and seating area then we will both be happy, but what about that valence…and the gas lamp….not forgetting a station seat…..:roll:

Jim