Ideas for model railways that you might build!

[Class15]

I’m considering doing a model layout of somewhere near home, I’ve got quite a large collection of modern era freight locos (both diesel and electric) and I think the Primrose Hill Line might be easiest with no passenger services?

 

[Intercity110]

I’ve always wanted to do ‘90s WCML, but ‘70s WR seems pretty good. I may do a simple 4-line circular, with a tring-style station.

 

[LUYMun]

It's been a while since I was in railway modelling, but the idea of a small, end-to-end layout depicting a rural terminus in Hampshire had always floated my thoughts.

 

[Cowley]

It's been a while since I was in railway modelling, but the idea of a small, end-to-end layout depicting a rural terminus in Hampshire had always floated my thoughts.

What kind of era would you do?

 

[LUYMun]

Around the privatisation era, early 2000s at best.

 

[Cowley]

Around the privatisation era, early 2000s at best.

Nice. I’m picturing chalky hillsides some classic SR concrete platforms.

 

[Class15]

I’ve always wanted to do ‘90s WCML, but ‘70s WR seems pretty good. I may do a simple 4-line circular, with a tring-style station.

Both are great eras!

Around the privatisation era, early 2000s at best.

That would make good use of the 450!

 

[Sad Sprinter]

I'd always like to do a long end to end layout portraying a fictional Southern Region mainline. But more realistically, I've always had the idea of an Addiscome branch like layout in South West London centred around a small, fictional terminus called Upper Tooting. Situated between Tooting Bec and Tooting Broadway. I envisioned it a LCDR line branching of the "Ludgate Lines" in Battersea, running alongside the Windsor Lines for a short while before diving underneath them in a south-easterly direction. I envisioned two stations on the line - Upper Tooting and Wandsworth.

Stock I would use: Hornby class 466 NSE/Connex and Bratchell Models class 455 (peak hour services use a 455 hired in from the central division) - might stretch the artistic licence a bit and have some stabling roads at Upper Tooting for class 92s or even a Eurostar berth!

Don't know how id model the section into Clapham Junction through. I was thinking to make things easier model the Upper Tooting to Wandsworth section, and then "jump" the layout to a fictional LCDR terminus somewhere along Victoria Street. Might just model a simple island platform for the Clapham Junction terminus instead and simply "pretend" the other platforms are there.

 

[GusB]

I've been meaning to add my own thoughts about building a layout. It's very much at the "armchair modelling" stage of the project and not at all high up on the priorities list, but here goes.

Era - blue/grey - probably more early 80s than 70s (I reserve the right to add a bit of colour if I so desire). Scottish region, of course, and set "somewhere in the Highlands". I haven't quite decided which line yet, although I had the thought that basing it on West Highland or Kyle/Far North practice would eliminate the need to have "proper" signals. However, I may decide to model a different line in order to have a bit more flexibility in what I can run.

It's likely to be single line with passing loop, probably with some sidings to cater for some nearby industrial site or engineering trains and a disused goods yard with a distinct whiff of decline about it.

I have a thing for Sulzer type 2s and I would like to see class 25/6/7 operating with Mk1/2 stock, perhaps with the occasional 37. I realise that the earlier types don't really mesh well with the era of Radio Electronic Token Block (RETB) signalling, but nothing is set in stone yet and I'm willing to apply a bit of modeller's licence anyway. Short trains will definitely be the order of the day as I don't have a lot of space.

My main priority is de-cluttering and freeing up that space, which means construction will probably commence in the early 2030s...

 

[Cowley]

I've been meaning to add my own thoughts about building a layout. It's very much at the "armchair modelling" stage of the project and not at all high up on the priorities list, but here goes.

Era - blue/grey - probably more early 80s than 70s (I reserve the right to add a bit of colour if I so desire). Scottish region, of course, and set "somewhere in the Highlands". I haven't quite decided which line yet, although I had the thought that basing it on West Highland or Kyle/Far North practice would eliminate the need to have "proper" signals. However, I may decide to model a different line in order to have a bit more flexibility in what I can run.

It's likely to be single line with passing loop, probably with some sidings to cater for some nearby industrial site or engineering trains and a disused goods yard with a distinct whiff of decline about it.

I have a thing for Sulzer type 2s and I would like to see class 25/6/7 operating with Mk1/2 stock, perhaps with the occasional 37. I realise that the earlier types don't really mesh well with the era of Radio Electronic Token Block (RETB) signalling, but nothing is set in stone yet and I'm willing to apply a bit of modeller's licence anyway. Short trains will definitely be the order of the day as I don't have a lot of space.

My main priority is de-cluttering and freeing up that space, which means construction will probably commence in the early 2030s...

That just sounds like heaven to me. I love that era of Scottish railways.

 

[D1511]

I've been meaning to add my own thoughts about building a layout. It's very much at the "armchair modelling" stage of the project and not at all high up on the priorities list, but here goes.

Era - blue/grey - probably more early 80s than 70s (I reserve the right to add a bit of colour if I so desire). Scottish region, of course, and set "somewhere in the Highlands". I haven't quite decided which line yet, although I had the thought that basing it on West Highland or Kyle/Far North practice would eliminate the need to have "proper" signals. However, I may decide to model a different line in order to have a bit more flexibility in what I can run.

It's likely to be single line with passing loop, probably with some sidings to cater for some nearby industrial site or engineering trains and a disused goods yard with a distinct whiff of decline about it.

I have a thing for Sulzer type 2s and I would like to see class 25/6/7 operating with Mk1/2 stock, perhaps with the occasional 37. I realise that the earlier types don't really mesh well with the era of Radio Electronic Token Block (RETB) signalling, but nothing is set in stone yet and I'm willing to apply a bit of modeller's licence anyway. Short trains will definitely be the order of the day as I don't have a lot of space.

My main priority is de-cluttering and freeing up that space, which means construction will probably commence in the early 2030s...

My plans are for something about 150 miles or so south of you, but same era, same ScR locos - except for some whistling ones with a higher RA index!

 

[Purple Train]

I have several plans floating round my head, all of which depend on de-cluttering the space I have spent several months resolutely cluttering! Currently my favourite one is a fictitious ex-GER branch terminus with a bit of freight (in N), though that would probably be biting off more than I can chew given a) anything in the area post-1959 would need electrifying and b) I'm not sure how much modern image stuff there is for Anglia.

My second-favourite plan is a station set on a fictitious branch linking the Jewellery Line at Galton Bridge with the Cross-City Line at Longbridge. This kind of suffers from the same problem but at least it would take up (slightly) less space and have a less weird backstory than the previous plan

My third-favourite plan is a shunting puzzle. This is increasingly tempting as the de-cluttering becomes less and less successful!

 

[Narrowgauge725]

I spent a long time photographing the closed Meltham branch. My plan was to build it as a preserved line for steam and the obvious piles of junk to Lockwood then have a ‘main line’ running across the viaduct on a loop. Sadly moved house so it only got as far as the base boards.

 

[DJ_K666]

At the moment I have one under construction, which is a layout to entertain my daughter, boards for another and the startings of a third. Then the one I'm planning for my loft and maybe one at my club. I'm involved in building a friend's UK outline HO layout on the construction front, though thats more a case of being an extra pair of hands as HO isnt my scale. In addition I'm rejuvenating the club Harry Potter layout, although I don't count that as 'mine'. So a good few to be getting on with. I'm also building a portable test track. To set up, test locos and stock and then pack away and can be carried in a suitcase.

Plus a few rolling stock kits to do over the course of the year.

 

[Sad Sprinter]

I came up recently with the idea of a “Victoria International” station. Essentially a fictional part of Victoria station that’s set on a viaduct. Basically a Southern Broad Street, that was converted to be the main Eurostar terminal. I’d always wanted to operate long Eurostar sets slowly over complex South London junctions. I’d imagine it would join the real life Chatham lines at a point where Grovesnor Carriage sidings are in reality. If I had space I’d model part of a fictional exit out of Victoria too.

 

[DerekC]

I know what I want to build. It's the terminus at Bishops Waltham (Hampshire) - branch from Botley - as it was in about 1930, but with a difference. It assumes that the Bishops Waltham and Petersfield Railway proposed in the 1880s was built later as a narrow gauge (2' 6") light railway. Maybe mixed gauge on the branch with through n.g. trains heading for Botley. Whether I ever will, who knows?

 

[AM9]

Many years ago (in the early '60s) I had a Peco Streamline book of suggested layouts. One that caught my eye was a city centre terminus in a cutting. It had ISTR three platforms with an overall roof and plenty of scope to model the throat with a reception siding and a loco bay, all no doubt good opportunities for buying lots of Peco pointwork.
The idea appealed to me with no issues of distant skylines and fields, and allowing the whole thing to be in an engineers blue brick lined box some 12-18 inches wide and platforms as long as could be accommodated in a room, with a sharp bend (cut and cover) to fiddle sidings. To me it looked a micro version of Liverpool St, a station that I was very familiar with. I even had a story to justify it (in AM9 world of course):

During the boom in commuter traffic in the late 18th century, there was a fear that the new Liverpool St might not be able to cope with the expansion so they speculatively acquired land to extend a pair of tracks westwards from the about to become goods depot of Bishopsgate, taking a route along Great Eastern St., (conveniently named) towards what is now Old St./City Road junction, terminating in a small overall roofed trainshed. I was aware of the disused Royal Agricultural Hall near Angel (now the Business Design Centre), that looked like a station to me anyway.​

Despite a few steam trains still running into London on the GEML in the '60s, it would be quite valid to have the odd ones amongst some EMUs with operating OLE. I was not a rivet counter and had visions of knocking up some suburban slammer EMUs from the few LHCS models that were around, and maybe attempt an AM9 from then current MK1 model coaches, - the scope was endless.
Regrettably High School took more and more time and the idea was shelved, then it was work, domesticity and it became a fanciful dream.

 

[Gloster]

Many years ago (in the early '60s) I had a Peco Streamline book of suggested layouts. One that caught my eye was a city centre terminus in a cutting. It had ISTR three platforms with an overall roof and plenty of scope to model the throat with a reception siding and a loco bay, all no doubt good opportunities for buying lots of Peco pointwork.
The idea appealed to me with no issues of distant skylines and fields, and allowing the whole thing to be in an engineers blue brick lined box some 12-18 inches wide and platforms as long as could be accommodated in a room, with a sharp bend (cut and cover) to fiddle sidings. To me it looked a micro version of Liverpool St, a station that I was very familiar with. I even had a story to justify it (in AM9 world of course):

During the boom in commuter traffic in the late 18th century, there was a fear that the new Liverpool St might not be able to cope with the expansion so they speculatively acquired land to extend a pair of tracks westwards from the about to become goods depot of Bishopsgate, taking a route along Great Eastern St., (conveniently named) towards what is now Old St./City Road junction, terminating in a small overall roofed trainshed. I was aware of the disused Royal Agricultural Hall near Angel (now the Business Design Centre), that looked like a station to me anyway.​

Despite a few steam trains still running into London on the GEML in the '60s, it would be quite valid to have the odd ones amongst some EMUs with operating OLE. I was not a rivet counter and had visions of knocking up some suburban slammer EMUs from the few LHCS models that were around, and maybe attempt an AM9 from then current MK1 model coaches, - the scope was endless.
Regrettably High School took more and more time and the idea was shelved, then it was work, domesticity and it became a fanciful dream.

This sounds as though it may be Cyril Freezer’s ‘Minories’ design, one of his best known. I think that a number of examples of it, or variations of it, have been built: a bit of Googling (other search engines are available) of Cyril Freezer Minories will allow you to check.

I will belatedly add that I have just found that it has an entry on Wikipedia!

 

[Cowley]

This sounds as though it may be Cyril Freezer’s ‘Minories’ design, one of his best known. I think that a number of examples of it, or variations of it, have been built: a bit of Googling (other search engines are available) of Cyril Freezer Minories will allow you to check.

This was the version of it I always wanted to make:


I’d have slightly reversed it to make it a little bit more like Penzance though.

 

[Sad Sprinter]

I came up with another Minories style plan recently, well more a Marylebone than a Minories. A small, 4 platform terminus adjacent to Victoria called London Queen Street. It would be a homage to the time I was 4 years old visiting family in Cardiff and getting the train to Cardiff Queen Street and being so excited. London Queen Street would be a South London Broad Steeet, a small, quiet terminus that acts as a terminus for a hodgepodge of infrequent local services around South London - a London terminus to my previously mentioned Upper Tooting Branch. Unlike Broad Street, I would model long distance traffic as being the West End terminus of an LBSCR mainline to Portsmouth. All depends on the space I have; perhaps I’d get Queen Street, Upper Tooting and a long distance terminal (Southsea Victoria) to model, or maybe I’d just have to do Queen Street then a fiddle yard. I have plenty of old hornby track so only the baseboard and the rolling stock would be the expense.

I appear to be building quite a railway empire in my head: Queen Street, Longhedge, Clapham Junction and Upper Tooting and Queen Street to Southsea Victoria via Portsmouth Harbour. How I’d love to have a large bank of switches changing the points in the station throat during a simulated peak hour.

 

[Gloster]

I have occasionally vaguely thought of a West London version of Minories. It would be in the Museums district of Kensington off the Cromwell Road and would join the West London Line in the West Brompton area. The main service would be down to the South Western Division lines, the London & South Western Railway being the supposed builder, via either Putney Bridge or Cremorne Bridge. This would give a fair variety of outer-suburban destinations, but there could also be ones on the Brighton section, the West Coast Main Line and even on the GWR or the GWR & GCR Joint. There are lots of opportunities for variety: if you modelled it in the Big Four era, which I wouldn’t as I would go for the BR Blue one, you could get all four companies in.

 

[Ianigsy]

I have occasionally vaguely thought of a West London version of Minories. It would be in the Museums district of Kensington off the Cromwell Road and would join the West London Line in the West Brompton area. The main service would be down to the South Western Division lines, the London & South Western Railway being the supposed builder, via either Putney Bridge or Cremorne Bridge. This would give a fair variety of outer-suburban destinations, but there could also be ones on the Brighton section, the West Coast Main Line and even on the GWR or the GWR & GCR Joint. There are lots of opportunities for variety: if you modelled it in the Big Four era, which I wouldn’t as I would go for the BR Blue one, you could get all four companies in.

Plus the occasional London Transport pannier tank!