Model Railway Engine Shed

[Olimpia Sawaia]

Afterleaving for a couple of days to let the adhesive set, I then trial fitted a locomotive inside the framing. Next, I moved the structure to the baseboard where I had already laid the track albeit securing it temporarily with drawing pins.

I now had the task of effectively cladding the sides of the frame. Richard and several other of my colleagues at GWR had kindly collected lots of used stirrer sticks during their daily commutes, saving the stick each time they had a coffee. This is recycling indeed! Who would have thought that a humble wooden stirrer stick would be vital when constructing a model of an iconic steam locomotive shed?

For the roof I used cardboard but I also had to make a centre vented section. This is not an exact representation but looks OK to me. With the structure complete, it was time for painting. I used my own judgment on the actual shade of paint. Although I consulted numerous colour images in books and online, different lighting conditions at the time the photos were taken over fifty years ago meant there were a variety of shades to choose from. I have tried to weather up the finished results.

You will also notice in the photographs a model of the coaling stage. This was built at the shed in the early 1950s to replace a wooden structure. I suitably weathered this building to add a bit more realism. My model version constructed using strong cardboard.

The aerial shot of the shed layout shows another building. This is the Midland Railway shed which in reality was slightly further back relative to the Somerset and Dorset building than in my model. Again, space constraints made this necessary. This shed was built of stone so I used cladding sheets (similar to this) over the original brick paper of an old cardboard model. I bought this model from my Godson James Russ, along with some his other model railway items to help fund him through University a few years ago.

I also built the boiler house and offices on the back of the shed. To complete the scene, I positioned a grounded wooden coach body to depict the one at the shed that was used for locomotive crew mutual improvement classes.

The Gaugemaster model railway shop has been providing hobbyists with high-quality model railway supplies for more than 40 years. Since 1989, customers have been able to visit our showroom in Arundel, West Sussex, while mail order and online shopping are also available.

Buses replace trains on the Arun Valley Line between Dorking/Three Bridges and Horsham/Littlehampton for several days over Summer/Autumn 2021 for planned upgrade works. The closures will be for nine days between Saturday 14th and Sunday 22nd August, Saturday 4th - Sunday 5th September, and Sunday 3rd October. This will affect your journey to Gaugemaster if you are travelling from this area. Check journey planners before leaving.

We are only a couple of miles from the main South Coast trunk road, the A27, and the historic West Sussex town of Arundel. From the north, both the A24 and A29 offer direct routes from the M25 and London.

Provide a home for your locos, giving them cover from the elements and a place for repairs and maintenance. It is normal to find a water tower and coaling stage nearby (see Ratio 540, 505, 506, 551 and Wills SS34 kits), and an Inspection Pit (Peco LK-56/156) was also often provided. Can be used as either a single or through shed. Multiple kits can be joined together if required. Supplied with pre-coloured parts although painting and/or weathering can add realism; glue is required to complete this model. Footprint 176mm x 90mm

PECO (Pritchard Patent Product Co. Ltd) has always been a forward-thinking family business with a long tradition of innovation. The business commenced trading in 1946 and is now in its third generation. Although the history of the company is of considerable importance, the present management prefer to use this knowledge and experience as crucial inspiration for the development of the future.

It is a two track design and measure just over 24" in length. It has printed clear windows and interior lighting. I am currently exploring the possibility of adding an exterior shaded lamp above the front doors, which Ace Trains have very kindly said I can use if I wish.

Although the overall design is inspired by the engine sheds produced by Hornby some 80 years ago, it does incorporate some major differences. for instance, it has arched doors and four roof lights instead of chimney stacks. The brickwork is more detailed, having some subtle colour variations on each brick to give it a little more realism whilst still maintaining that "coarse scale" look so it sits alongside other Hornby (or other makes) buildings and accessories perfectly.

I have been developing this for about 30 months (on and off) and I am only now getting close to finalising the design which I am happy with. Although it is primarily made to sit on British model railway layouts, I am also considering making it with some uniquely American advertisements for use on American layouts, however I'm not too familiar with American locos and I would appreciate some feedback as to whether 24" is long enough (now now, no jokes!!!).

This should appeal mainly to tinplaters and although I don't have access to any of my engines now I believe 24" should accomodate even the longest tinplate engine. I wonder if this would accomodate a single track of standard gauge. What is the height and width of the opening?

very nice! ...but, if i could make one suggestion. add an access door? a hinged door would be exceptional, but even a litho'ed door would give some more external modeling flexibility (adding a path to the door off a parking lot, say). the rear wall looks like it has plenty of room.

That is a very good suggestion, and actually Allen Levy opt Ace Trains suggested it to me only a few days ago. His suggestion was a printed access door and a small office window (to allow a bit of light to show from the interior lighting at the back). So, something along these lines will definitely be incorporated on the finished models.

I meant to thank Overlandflyer for his suggestion, but I got a bit confused with Sam's reply, sorry. Anyway, thanks for the suggestion Overlandflyer, it is something that I will definitely incorporate into the final design. I think the time and expense required to make tooling for a hinged access door, isn't really justifiable, but I agree it would have been lovely to have been able to do this, so a printed one is the way to go.

I meant to mention that if anybody has any other suggestions as to what advertisements I should use on the walls (for both a UK version and an American version), or any aspect of the design...or anything else really, please post your suggestions here or drop me an email. Thanks

Rob, one thing to keep in mind as you consider the various 'add-on' suggestions, is the overall price point. I know my customers here in Canada are more price conscious these days. I'd like to think we'll be able to offer your Engine Shed to many of our Ace Trains customers/owners for example, and I hope the price can stay in your original ballpark.

Whatever additions are included they won't affect the the overall price of the production models. Allen Levy (of Ace Trains) has very kindly offered the lamps which he used on his water tower for inclusion above the doors. I'm currently waiting for a price for these, but if they fall within budget I think these would make a lovely addition.

A huge amount of infrastructure was devoted to their care, with repair shops, coaling stages, ash pits, water towers and the engine sheds themselves. Some of these motive power depots were huge facilities indeed, covering a large area with additional sidings for stabling locomotives between duties or while awaiting servicing or repair.

Normal approach speeds were very low, buffers at the end of a pit would be very inconvenient and take up valuable space. An old sleeper across the rails, metal chocs or even a slab of concrete would be more than adequate in nearly all cases.

We shall start off with the account by local enthusiast Bill Ashcroft of the Sunday morning in early 1967 when he was walking along Watkin Lane past the back of the shed, pushing a pram containing his baby daughter, but without his

Now, the shed was built in such a way that, should an accident like this occur, only one section of wall would be demolished. As will be observed in the accompanying photograph, each road had a large lintel and vertical gaps in the brickwork, and, as a result, a large loco-sized doorway appeared, totally unplanned, in the place of the personnel access door which had formerly been in the same position.

From what I can remember of GW sheds there was a cast wheel stop bolted on the inside face of the rail. Vaguely similar to the part of the one in the pic nearest to the wall. Full size stop blocks would have consumed valuable space especially on radial roads in roundhouses.

I recall an ex-driver telling me of a similar event at Bricklayers Arms, where drivers in the canteen were startled by a great crash - and the canteen lady came running out complaining that one of their engines was in her kitchen!

'Now, the shed was built in such a way that, should an accident like this occur, only one section of wall would be demolished. As will be observed in the accompanying photograph, each road had a large lintel and vertical gaps in the brickwork, and, as a result, a large loco-sized doorway appeared, totally unplanned, in the place of the personnel access door which had formerly been in the same position.'

I recall we could walk straight into each pit at the 'office end' of Lees MPD. Conventional buffer stops would have made this awkward and fitters would have had to enter the pits from 'tother end only.

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