CONSTRUCTION

 Page updated: 13/11/11

'Callow Lane Goods' is now under construction and is my first layout built in P4 . Callow Lane was the only intermediate station on the former Midland Railway branch from Westerleigh Yard. The line was originally built to serve the local collieries in the Coalpit Heath area, but a few years after the line was opened, an extension was constructed to the GWR main line just to the west of Coalpit Heath station. This connection enabled the through running of goods services from South Wales to Westerleigh Yard, although in later years it saw less traffic. A passenger service even ran for a few years from 1910 to 1925, Callow Lane even meriting a small station until it succumbed to competition from local bus services.

A number of colliery branches originally branched off this line, although by 1964 only the modernised pit at Frog Lane was still in operation. At Callow Lane itself, there was a connection to Cuthbertsons chocolate factory, the private siding to which crossed Callow Lane via an un-gated level crossing just up the road from the main B.R. line.

The model depicts the line in it's final years, when it saw goods and parcels traffic only.

Callow Lane was planned to be only be 7 feet in length but I took the decision in 2007 to lengthen it by 2 feet and re-design the scenery. The layout still comprises of two baseboards, both of which are 4' 6" in length, and which bolt together with insides facing each other for transport.

The track plan is quite simple and was originally based on the Iain Rice plan 'Minimal Goods Depot' in his book 'Designs for Urban Layouts' (Atlantic Press). The main difference is that I have two lines coming in from the fiddle yard, so that I can 'arrive' the train on the incoming road and then run it round prior to shunting, in view of the exhibition visitor. As a result of the extension to Coalpit Heath, the the other difference from the Iain Rice plan is that it is a through station.

I have built two B7 and one A6 turnout kits from the P4 Track Company and cannot praise them highly enough. They were the ideal confidence booster for someone who has never built P4 track before. The track plan also features a 3-way point, which I scratchbuilt from steel rail and copper clad sleepers, and which has had cosmetic chairs glued on afterwards.

The remains of the gated access to Cuthbertsons chocolate factory at Callow Lane in 2008

Locos currently include some converted R-T-R diesels and small steam tank engines typical of the period, such as a 'Jinty' 0-6-0T, a Pannier tank and a 14XX 0-4-2T, the latter being one of only two of my existing OO locos converted to P4.

The conversion of most R-T-R diesels is normally reasonably straightforward. The 08 has Ultrascale 'drop in' wheelsets, which come ready quartered and fixed on the axles to the correct gauge.  Although I subsequently eased some clearances around the brake rigging and fitted new pick-ups, I actually had it running in about 10 minutes. It's a quick job to ream out the Bachmann coupling rods, which are secured onto the crankpins by 16BA nuts supplied by Ultrascale, although I have now fitted the Brassmasters replacement rods, which do look better.

Callow Lane level crossing under construction. Photo taken at CamRail 2008. The temporary Hornby 'Skaledale' M.R. signalbox just visible on the right has since been replaced.

Callow Lane level crossing under construction. Photo taken at CamRail 2008

A more recent view of Callow Lane level crossing, with the replacement M.R. signalbox on the left.

The signalbox is a modified Ratio kit, completed in 2011. The windows are etched replacements from Modelex (formerly produced by Churchward Models), with additional items added, including interior detail.

A converted Heljan Hymek shunts on the running line next to the signalbox.

An older photo showing a Class 25 and a 33 in the goods yard. The goods shed is a temporary Hornby 'Skaledale' structure, a permanent building is currently under construction from a Townstreet kit. The shunters cabin on the right was modelled on a structure still standing at the west end of Exeter St Davids. The track has since been ballasted and point rodding added.

I have now completed the track work on Callow Lane, the wiring and the control panel. The track in the scenic are has been spray painted, first with red oxide and then with a track colour (mixed from Humbrol enamels). This was not the end of it, though, as I have since individually painted and weathered each sleeper and ballasted the main running lines and part of the sidings. Most of the sidings will feature 'ash/mud/grot' ballast, which will be applied using a method shared with me by Chris Nevard, who used it to stunning effect on some of his excellent layouts, in particular 'Catcott Burtle'. The method involves using Humbrol Air Dry clay applied between the sleepers and tamped down/re-wetted and smoothed until the desired effect is achieved. The treated area will then be painted with water and/or oil-based paints.

A view looking towards Westerleigh Yard. The shunters cabin is on the left, a row of modified Howard Scenics cottages is on top of the bank to the right.

Taken outside, these cottage backs are built from the Howard Scenics kit, albeit modified to suit the space available.

Please note that all written and photographic material on this website is the intellectual property of and copyright Tim Maddocks 2011 unless otherwise credited.

Much time was initially spent building wagons and parcels stock for Callow Lane, which did distract somewhat from other tasks, such as actually getting on with the layout itself! Fun though they are, wagon kits are the 'enemy of hard work' in my view - after a hard day at work it's all too easy to collapse into the chair and just build another wagon!

After much badgering and friendly ribaldry from Simon Castens on RMWeb and elsewhere, I agreed to take the very incomplete layout to CamRail at Bradford-on-Avon in July 2008, where it seemed to acquit itself fairly well. The CamRail appearance seems now to have resulted in the ever persuasive Chris Challis getting me to agree to enter 'Callow Lane' in a 'Small Layout Challenge' at RailWells in August 2011