Modelling the Old Olney (Midland) Station in '00' Gauge
The Full Story Of Its Construction (1)
Background
The idea to build the Olney railway station and yard had been voiced for some years, but was raised again at the club AGM in January 2011. A special general meeting of the club to discuss the possibility of a project was convened in March 2011.Items discussed were :
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Digital Command Control (DCC).
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The scale decided on was OO gauge.
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We would need to keep something moving to stimulate exhibition interest, implying a loop round layout.
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In the Olney context we would need three operators on at a time, needing up to six people travelling to exhibitions.
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It was agreed to carry on with the American N gauge project, to run at the same time as the Olney station project.
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A detailed study of the cost of new modelling equipment, materials, tools, boards, points, track, rolling stock and scenery, was required.
The meeting agreed, after some discussion, to adopt the Olney project in OO gauge. Some people thought the project too big to undertake. That meeting also agreed that small workshops could be held in the basic techniques of baseboards, electrics and scenery.
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Throughout the summer research was carried out on the Northampton to Bedford line and stations, before and after closure to passengers in 1962. Photographs and maps were borrowed and copied. There was an invitation to visit Piddington railway station (now a private residence), which many members attended and enjoyed. We saw some of the owner's photograph collection and had a look at the buildings on and around the old platform. We were also able to walk along the old track bed and to take photographs, all of which gave us a feel of what the Olney station would have been like.
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Barrie Trinder researched the history of the Midland Railway Station at Olney extensively, and has written an excellent article bringing together all the available information. I recommend that everyone read it. It can be found HERE, on the Olney Station History pages.
The Start
Ken Knowles volunteered to lead the project and based on a drawing to outline proposals, set out a number of points for consideration by club members', as follows:-
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Bridge End: Following the success - and lessons learnt - from the construction of the "Bridge End" layout, the new layout should be in OO gauge fine scale format and aim to be of exhibition standard.
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Space: The drawing suggests a continuous double track circuit layout, each track (up and down) capable of being operated independently (i.e. as two separate layouts) with fiddleyards. The resulting overall dimensions are 20 ft x 9 ft. This had clear implications on the space available within the club room, but the layout could be built in stages of a minimum two boards at a time. e.g. boards 1&2, 2&3, 3&4 and so on, ensuring that connections [track and electrics] were functioning between boards.
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Construction: Substance with simplicity is the key. Baseboards to be as already undertaken in previous layouts, but an underframing such as B&Q trestles should be considered.
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Programme: The time required to construct such a layout should not be underestimated. With the relatively modest manpower on hand and the limited level of hours per week, we are looking at two years or more. A target date (e.g. an exhibition) should be considered and a programme of works prepared - although this would doubtless be adjusted as time goes by.
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Cost: Hopefully the Club funds would meet this, the most expensive elements being baseboards, trackwork and electrics. This could be spread over the construction period - related to the programme and progress.
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Resources: This would require a commitment on the part of club members', but continuing reporting of progress in the local Press may prove fruitful.
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Operation: On the basis of two separate layouts, two operators would be required to work in the fiddle yard plus others active on "front of stage". The opportunity to take control at the front eg shunting movements, should also be considered. This would be a significant challenge to the Club and success could bring enhancement of reputation in the modelling world. At the same time, such success would bring a commitment if invitations to exhibit elsewhere materialise. So - in practical terms - the question of dismantling / re-erection and transporting the layout "to where ever" needs consideration.
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Early Progress
The WINRAIL computer design programme was used to start the detailed layout of the track and tables. With the help of maps, photographs and local knowledge, the piecing together of the the station and goods yard is underway. A paper scale drawing of the proposed layout was on display at the Club's exhibition in September 2012.
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It was decided that Digital Command Control (DCC) would be used to power the Track. The various systems available would be evaluated for ease of use and value for money.
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A number of old photographs were used to help design the layout: they include pictures of some of the locomotives that were used on the Olney line - the photographs can be found HERE, on the Olney Station History pages.