Hi all,
I'm currently writing a book about prototypical railway operations in the BR Blue (TOPS) and Sectorisation eras. I have plenty of material, but one area where I am lacking is high quality pictures of N Gauge Layouts set in the BR Blue and Sectorisation eras, particularly those showing realistic modelling and/or operations.
If anyone has decent pictures, and they are willing to see them in print (properly credited of course), then please get in touch.
Many thanks
Richard
Sounds like a lovely project Richard. Have you seen shrewford on the forum? What areas do you need for workings of trains please? Maybe working timetables can help . Chris
Hi Chris,
Geographical area is not important, I'm looking UK wide.
I have plenty of information on real world trains (including working timetables), and a number of people have given me permission to use their photographs of the real thing, but I want to include some pictures of N Gauge layouts, it is, after all, a book about operating N Gauge trains and layouts in a realistic manner.
For those interested, its going to be published by Pen and Sword and will be released hopefully sometime in 2023.
I'm sure @AndyRA (https://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/index.php?action=profile;u=5731) would be please to furnish you with pics of his layout featuring the Southern end of the WCML.....................
https://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/index.php?topic=1724.msg746619#msg746619 (https://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/index.php?topic=1724.msg746619#msg746619)
There is another layout named 'Blue is the colour' but I can't recall which forum member owns it - sorry.
Re blue is the colour @Newportnobby (https://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/index.php?action=profile;u=264) will this jog your memory ?
Norman Jones ring a bell ? Oh burshaw north Western, David forshaw.
I've seen the layout several times, Chris, and have pics squirrelled away in various 'Exhibition' albums but can't winkle them out. There is no 'Norman Jones' on the forum and I assume hardly anyone uses their birth name for the forum anyway.
As you say, Burshaw North Western is another good 'un
Quote from: montyburns1982 on July 07, 2022, 10:35:47 AM
Hi all,
I'm currently writing a book about prototypical railway operations in the BR Blue (TOPS) and Sectorisation eras. I have plenty of material, but one area where I am lacking is high quality pictures of N Gauge Layouts set in the BR Blue and Sectorisation eras, particularly those showing realistic modelling and/or operations.
If anyone has decent pictures, and they are willing to see them in print (properly credited of course), then please get in touch.
Many thanks
Richard
Great project. I am definitely in the 'realistic train make up' camp.
What about Blueball Summit? Not on here AFAIK, but exquisite modelling. Think the builder is on RMWeb.
What are you defining as realistic operations? Prototypical rakes, or are you thinking of more than just trains running in circles?
Hi Richard,
I will be running 1970s Western Region BR Blue locos and stock on Vale of Oxbury both days 10 & 11th september at TINGS.
Are you planning to attend?
No photos to hand as layout has been in storeage for a few months. Send me a PM if that helps you ; we may be able to sort a mini photo shoot before / aftre public opening times.
couple of examples attached of my stock.
Regards Carl
Thanks for the responses guys, appreciated.
Unfortunately I won't be able to come and take photos because a) I'm struggling for time as it is and b) I'm the worlds worst photographer. I was rather hoping someone would have some good pictures I could use.
In terms of the scope of the book, it's a broad approach to 'realistic' operation covering formations, loading of wagons, track layouts, train operation, signalling layouts etc. Similar books have been produced in the past but always about the Steam era.
For anyone who is interested, here is a DRAFT lisat of chapters (names etc may change as I get further into the manuscript)
1) The Railway As a System – Purpose, Destination, Traffic, Goods, Region, Geography
2) Train Formations
a) Total Operations Processing System (TOPS) and the vehicle CARKND
b) Train Marker Lighting, Lamps and Headcodes
c) Vehicle Compatibility – Couplers, Jumpers, Barriers and Translators
d) Passenger
e) Freight
f) Departmental
g) Special and Miscellaneous
3) Civil Engineering (The Permanent Way)
a) Track
b) Earthworks
c) Bridges, Viaducts and Tunnels
d) Level Crossings
e) Other Features
4) Signalling
a) The Purpose of Signalling & Signalling 101
b) Semaphore, Colour Light and Other Signalling Systems
c) Siting and Control of Signals
d) Siting and Positioning of Ancillary Signalling Equipment
e) AWS, TPWS and other Safety systems
5) Power and Distribution
a) 25kV AC or 1500v DC Overhead Line Installations
b) 750v DC 3rd Rail Installations
c) Siting and Positioning of Track Side Power Equipment
6) Track Layouts
a) Stations
b) Junctions
c) Sidings and Yards
d) Maintenance and Servicing Depots
7) Dressing The Scene
a) Trackside Clutter
b) Railway Buildings
c) Life Outside The Railway Fence
d) Vehicles and People
8) Realistic Operations
a) Movement with a purpose
b) Developing a Working Timetable
c) Interaction with Signals
d) Operating Speeds
e) Starting and Stopping
f) Coupling and Uncoupling
g) Shunting Operations
9) Advanced Operations
a) Realistic Block Working Using Multiple Operators
b) Waybills and Realistic Wagon Paperwork
c) Using Randomised Task/Event Cards
Regards
Richard
I've got some strictly amateur photos. See https://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/index.php?topic=47727.465 (https://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/index.php?topic=47727.465)
(https://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/gallery/124/3123-080722143942.jpeg) (https://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view&id=124005)
I could try to take a few specific photos with a better depth of field if that would be of any use.
A layout I see a lot on Twitter is NSE Latchmere, it is very detailed and the builder/owner posts quite a few videos, I believe it's the other gauge though but might still be worth contacting for pics of the modeling world (railway model world that is)
A few pictures from the layout over the past few years.
(https://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/gallery/124/5731-090722140626.jpeg) (https://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view&id=124023)
(https://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/gallery/124/5731-090722140720.jpeg) (https://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view&id=124024)
(https://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/gallery/124/5731-090722140845.jpeg) (https://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view&id=124025)
(https://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/gallery/124/5731-090722141116.jpeg) (https://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view&id=124026)
(https://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/gallery/124/5731-090722141642.jpeg) (https://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view&id=124027)
(https://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/gallery/124/5731-090722141732.jpeg) (https://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view&id=124028)
(https://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/gallery/124/5731-090722142026.jpeg) (https://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view&id=124029)
(https://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/gallery/124/5731-090722142244.jpeg) (https://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view&id=124036)
A video clip of watching the trains go by. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zzZ248yxBFU (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zzZ248yxBFU)
Amazing memories andy
thanks for the great pictures those who've supplied them. I'll have a look to see what I can integrate into the book.
@AndyRA (https://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/index.php?action=profile;u=5731) you can certainly tell the ex-signallers amongst us :D
Hi, @montyburns1982 (https://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/index.php?action=profile;u=5231) :
Just a thought, but couldn't your publishing company help you get permission from the national model railway magazines to use some of their photos in your book?
This would have the advantages of (a) allowing you to choose the photos you want (that are relevant to your subject) by looking through old magazines, and (b) getting really high-quality photos.
It's just an idea; I have no idea if this would work in practice.
Meanwhile, here are a few photos of 'Ferryhill' in the banger blue era. I normally operate 'Ferryhill' in the steam/green diesel transition era and eagle-eyed readers will see some remnants of that era in the photos.
Ian
(https://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/gallery/124/3276-200722192005.jpeg) (https://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view&id=124312)
(https://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/gallery/124/3276-200722191704.jpeg) (https://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view&id=124310)
(https://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/gallery/124/3276-200722191800.jpeg) (https://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view&id=124311)
Wonderful project ...
... have you been in touch with Grahame Hedges? I'm sure he must have LOADS of useful material - photos of his own layouts, and material gathered (but not necessarily used?) for NSpirations magazine?