East Midlands

Are you thinking about building your own route? or are you already in progress? Talk to the experts in here and find out the best way to do things!

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hertsbob
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East Midlands

Post by hertsbob »

Hi. Thought I'd share the progress with my current project.

This route is based on my Radcliffe to Harby & Stathern Challenge route, although so far there's very little left of the original. I am only going to be using 'default' assets in building the route, so hopefully it should be accessible to all.

For some context, the Challenge route is in beige(?) and the first stage of the East Midlands route will incorporate the original route plus the lines in red:



First up is Radcliffe on Trent looking East:

Click the image to zoom in



Looking West towards Colwick Sidings (which is a personal ambition of mine to build):

Click the image to zoom in



After topping the climb out of Radcliffe, we reach Saxondale Junction. The Challenge route (The Barnstone Branch) is the line joining from the left in this shot:

Click the image to zoom in



Here's a 'before & after' shot of Saxondale Junction (the left side is from the Challenge route):

Click the image to zoom in



Travelling West between Saxondale and Bingham, the Barnstone Branch bridge is apparent centre-left of picture:

Click the image to zoom in


We then reach Bingham West Yard:

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For the moment, the final stop is Bingham, with the West Yard shed in the distance:

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And the same again from inside Bingham goods shed:

Click the image to zoom in



More soon.

Cheers

Bob
"Smoke me a kipper, I'll be back for breakfast!"
Commander Arnold Judas Rimmer


Things have finally happened!
http://dereksiddle.blogspot.co.uk/
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trains06
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Re: East Midlands

Post by trains06 »

Looking.. interesting :)
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emrhd01
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Re: East Midlands

Post by emrhd01 »

Hi Bob,

As I only live about 2 miles from this Route (top left on the Map), it interests me a great deal.

Unfortunately I never got to see it in the flesh when it was open, so would love to drive it in RW, how it's changed today. Keep up the good work and I look forward to watching your progress in the future.
Rob.
Proud to be a member of the VW/SSS BETA Testing Team.
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hertsbob
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Re: East Midlands

Post by hertsbob »

Hi

I'm making things as accurately as I can, but am having to make educated guesses about quite a lot of the scenery. I have a family connection to the Nottingham area, and reading through the Alfred Henshaw series of books on the Great Northern in the East Midlands (published by RCTS) I realised that I had the tools to try and re-create part of what was the most incredible industrial history. And here we are!

Anyway, these next few shots finish off progress so far.

The East Siding at Bingham was apparently built to hold 80 wagons and a brake van. I reckon I could just about squeeze 75 into my version, but I settled for 70 and a 7F:

Click the image to zoom in



Moving over to the Barnstone Branch: Bingham Road station closed in June 1951. The distance from the town can be seen here and also, just below the two chimneys centre-left of screen, you can just about see our 70-wagon empties train, so it's no real surprise this station didn't even make it as far as Beeching!

Click the image to zoom in



Next up, Saxondale Junction once more; threading over onto the slow lines towards Radcliffe on Trent. By this point, we've been climbing at 1 in 165 for almost a mile, and with over 1/2 mile to go at 1 in 172, it's become a bit of a struggle!

Click the image to zoom in



Thankfully it's all (very) downhill from here!

Click the image to zoom in



Rolling down into Radcliffe on Trent:

Click the image to zoom in


Cheers

Bob
"Smoke me a kipper, I'll be back for breakfast!"
Commander Arnold Judas Rimmer


Things have finally happened!
http://dereksiddle.blogspot.co.uk/
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hertsbob
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Re: East Midlands

Post by hertsbob »

Quick update with a couple of before and after shots.

I've been using RWDecal to rebuild the original route, and here are some of the results.

East of Bingham Road - Radcliffe to Harby & Stathern route:

Click the image to zoom in



East of Bingham Road - East Midlands route:

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A point east of Saxondale Junction - Harby & Stathern route:

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The same location after a bit of a tweak - East Midlands route:

Click the image to zoom in



Cheers

Bob
"Smoke me a kipper, I'll be back for breakfast!"
Commander Arnold Judas Rimmer


Things have finally happened!
http://dereksiddle.blogspot.co.uk/
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hertsbob
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Re: East Midlands

Post by hertsbob »

Well I'm still going!

I've now completed/re-worked the areas around green lines on the map, and have just started track laying at Aslockton:



RWDecal has been fantastic; the new bits of the route look much better than the old, and they are significantly more true to life too. However, it's still a relief to say that I've reached the point where I can leave the Barnstone Branch as it is and concentrate on the route to Bottesford Junction(s).

Thought I'd post this shot taken between Bingham Road and Barnstone. Just because I like it!

Click the image to zoom in



Cheers

Bob
"Smoke me a kipper, I'll be back for breakfast!"
Commander Arnold Judas Rimmer


Things have finally happened!
http://dereksiddle.blogspot.co.uk/
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emrhd01
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Re: East Midlands

Post by emrhd01 »

Hi Bob,

Keep up the good work (we locals are watching with interest :lol: ) things are coming along nicely, well done you are making a good job.

Nice screenshot of the Milk.
Rob.
Proud to be a member of the VW/SSS BETA Testing Team.
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trains06
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Re: East Midlands

Post by trains06 »

Can't believe this isn't getting more interest! Ah well, Im watching it with keen eyes :)
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hertsbob
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Re: East Midlands

Post by hertsbob »

Thanks for the kind words chaps. Really appreciated.

Hopefully now I'm mainly going to be working on 'green field' areas, rather than going over existing scenery, progress will be quicker. Also given the diverging nature of lines I've ending up having to place scenery etc. to cover a huge area, although I've now almost reached the stage where I'll feel happy to be able to leave a scenic gap between the two lines (if you see what I mean).

I've found it's a bit of a nightmare re-painting existing fields and re-positioning existing scenery underneath decals and is a whole load easier when there's nothing there already! I can't say I'd totally recommend changing a route like this! :-?

Cheers

Bob
"Smoke me a kipper, I'll be back for breakfast!"
Commander Arnold Judas Rimmer


Things have finally happened!
http://dereksiddle.blogspot.co.uk/
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NickBradshaw
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Re: East Midlands

Post by NickBradshaw »

Trust me, there is plenty of interest, it may well be that many others are like me and are quietly watching, not only this, but other threads as well and only commenting occasionally.

Keep up the good work Bob, it is appreciated.
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hertsbob
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Re: East Midlands

Post by hertsbob »

Thanks Nick.

Although I'm mainly building the route for my own pleasure it's always comforting to know that one isn't working in a vacuum! :wink:

Cheers

Bob
"Smoke me a kipper, I'll be back for breakfast!"
Commander Arnold Judas Rimmer


Things have finally happened!
http://dereksiddle.blogspot.co.uk/
msey0002
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Re: East Midlands

Post by msey0002 »

Not much of a steam man, but that is fantastic, Bob
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RyanT001
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Re: East Midlands

Post by RyanT001 »

msey0002 wrote:Not much of a steam man, but that is fantastic, Bob

Nor me but I have to agree the route is looking great :)
almark
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Re: East Midlands

Post by almark »

Well done Bob,liking the look of that! :D
chrisreb
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Re: East Midlands

Post by chrisreb »

I am also watching this with interest having had a go at the original. Mind you I had shock when ploughing through lifted rails at some railworkings immediately after a bend!!

(Have they laid the track through the tunnel yet!!!_
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