Isle of Man Network

[AlistairS]

I started this project a few years ago purely as a short section of track to run the Beyer Peacock 2-4-0Ts I was working on... but its grown into a bit of a monster!!

I've not done a huge amount on it for a while, but now I'm back travelling with work, and spending time in hotels, I'll hopefully be able to kick off a little more activity!!!

It was hard to decide what time period to do this in, but I've settled on a bit of a composite era around the 1910s/1920s/1930s (when the knockaloe camp was still open), but it won't be 100% accurate to a specific year!!!

ALL of the track has been laid for the main steam routes (IoMR, Max Northern, and Foxdale Railway, and the Knockaloe branch into the arm camp)...
The map below shows current extent of the route.

Current Network Map

For those who are familiar with the Island and might recognise the routes, I've laid half of the Manx Electric down from Ramsey... then I realised my enthusiasm was getting the better of me... and at the moment I don't have ANY intention of creating trams too, so I've stopped that for now!!!!! ...although I do like the thought of Groudle Glen... NO!!!! maybe WAY into the future!!!!!!

Now turning my attention to the scenery, I've decided to start with the main Douglas to Peel route, and I've started at the Peel end first (being slightly less complicated than Douglas!!!! My intention is to release version 1 once I've got to Douglas and got at least one loco and a few items of rollingstock working!!!!!!

All still very WIP, but I'll keep posting as it progresses!!!!

This is what it SHOULD look like...
http://www.photobydjnorton.com/RailwayP ... ossing.jpg

Hope you like the pics below.... until I get the Peacock's into the Game, Richard Maxted's beautiful "Skylark" is doing sterling work as a test loco!!!!!

View of Peel Station

View of Peel Station & Harbour

[DocklandsProject]

Good luck with it Alistair. The important thing is to enjoy creating it.

[gordy712]

when will the isle of man route be relased

[pjt1974]

I'm sure you'll be all stocked up as far as reference material is concerned but if you get stuck for something, give me a shout, I might have something lying around that may have the answer.

[gordy712]

okay thanks

[AlistairS]

when will the isle of man route be relased

I don't have a timescale, but it's such an enormous project think I'll definately release it in stages.

My first stage of the route is to do the section between Peel and St Johns. I've been concentrating on the scenery around Peel, but all the track layout is in at both St John's and the Army camp, and I've sorted all the gradient profiles according to a very good reference book.

In terms of Stock;
I have the modelling done for the original 'small boiler' locos, six different 4-wheeled coaches, and a couple of open wagons.

If I can get those into the game, and the first section of railway done, then I'd release a 'phase 1', but I think I'm still a fair way off that!

I'll post some more pics over the weekend.

[AlistairS]

I'm sure you'll be all stocked up as far as reference material is concerned but if you get stuck for something, give me a shout, I might have something lying around that may have the answer.

Excellent! I think I'm okay for now, but I'm sure I'll take you up on that offer at some point!!! ☺

My main reference is volumes 1 to 3 of 'The Isle of Man Railway' by James Boyd. Although I've got a few other good books, especially about the locos... It is also amazing how many photos you can find through Google! Lol.

[johnrossetti]

Looks like an interesting project. congratulations. Are you using a genuine 3 ft track or one that looks like it ? I have been trying to find a 3ft track and stock for my Puggy Line so using 2' 3" at the moment.

[AlistairS]

Looks like an interesting project. congratulations. Are you using a genuine 3 ft track or one that looks like it ? I have been trying to find a 3ft track and stock for my Puggy Line so using 2' 3" at the moment.

I started using 2' 6" track to do some of the early track laying... but I was struggling to try and get everything aligned, and just wasn't happy with it!

Although by and large I am trying to use Freeware or my own bespoke scenery, I really didn't want to get into making track assets as well as everything else...
..fortunately I came across the Durango & Silverton route, so unless I get enough inspiration to make new track and replace everything, I'm afraid that will be one of the few prerequisites for the route! ... However, to be honest, it's actually a fantastic little route anyway!!!!

[jeceris]

Loving your work Alistair!! I'd love to see your models!!

I've embarked on a similar mission to recreate the IOM network.

When I started building I was unaware of 3ft track and I have no skills at creating assets so opted to recreate the route in Standard Gauge. I've kind of gone for present day with vintage stock and a company taken over by BR (to suit the rolling stock available!) but with the old lines still open.

I've been working on tracklaying and scenery at the same time (I'm very new to TS and threw myself in at the deepend!) And I'm having to adapt the scenery to suit my poor knowledge and the assets available (modelling the quaterbridge was impossible for me!)

Some Screenshots are linked to below:

http://s234.photobucket.com/user/Euphgi ... 20-%20IOMR

[AlistairS]

A bit more progress... this time on the Locos... a few videos of Progress....

https://youtu.be/DgyAaqI9HZA

https://youtu.be/7j1ZXYCjAIY

https://youtu.be/2qF7xhP_w0k

Hope you enjoy...

[92212]

Fantastic work Alistair!!

[davvydo]

WOW!!!

[AlistairS]

My first bit of custom scenery - nearly ready to add onto the platforms at Peel station.

Before anyone say... yes, I know this doesn't look like Peel station... this is the 1873 original building (only replaced in the 1910s).

PEEL STATION