Belfast central

[Liverbird81]

Any irish modellers ever attempted a 00 scale of central station Belfast

[Flying Scotsman 4472]

Not that I'm aware of. From a passenger point of view it has to be one of the most hated stations in the country. Nowhere near the centre of the city and a cold and depressing place.

[BosKonay]

Would be certainly make for an interesting model!

Nice straight lines

[Flying Scotsman 4472]

There's no character about the place I could think of a lot nicer stations to do a model of on the NIR network

[BosKonay]

Sometimes it's nice to model something ugly

[Liverbird81]

Yea I totally agree although it is and has been the vocal point for nir, and it ain't so depressing now

[heirflick]

Sometimes it's nice to model something ugly

 

you could try making a copy of the mother-in-law ... things dont come much uglyer!!!!

[Warbonnet]

Sometimes it's nice to model something ugly

 

Yep, this model of Birmingham New Street is an example of that. http://www.p4newstreet.com/

[201bhoy]

Yeah, it's actually quite nice and airy inside. And it's near enough the centre to be honest, and I agree with Boskonay about it being nice to model something ugly. The platforms have nice curvature too

[Glenderg]

....a cold and depressing place.

 

+1

[Hunslet 102]

Belfast Central was the forward thinking planning for the railway system in Northern Ireland back in 1976.The planners really got that one right,with central nowhere near the centre of Belfast.It replaced Great Victoria Street and Queens Quay,once two magnificent stations in their day,but by then both in run down states.

 

With regards doing a model,it has good potential,especially in a smaller area,as the station part over the lines can act as a good scenic break.The platforms have a nice gentle curve to them and there is good operating potential,albeit mainly railcar operations,freight being virtually non-existent.

[Flying Scotsman 4472]

Sometimes it's nice to model something ugly

 

You are joking right. Something nicer on the NIR network to model would be Whitehead, Lisburn, or Antrim stations. If you wanted a more modern station maybe the likes of Bangor, GVS, which both have bus stations included or Newry station

[kevrail]

Here are some pics of Central which may be of use

[kevrail]

And a few more

[201bhoy]

Belfast Central was the forward thinking planning for the railway system in Northern Ireland back in 1976.The planners really got that one right,with central nowhere near the centre of Belfast.It replaced Great Victoria Street and Queens Quay,once two magnificent stations in their day,but by then both in run down states.

 

With regards doing a model,it has good potential,especially in a smaller area,as the station part over the lines can act as a good scenic break.The platforms have a nice gentle curve to them and there is good operating potential,albeit mainly railcar operations,freight being virtually non-existent.

 

I suppose you could always pretend the Bleach Green line opened earlier, then you could have the timber trains going to Derry! You could also have a pretty good variety of rolling stock, with both IE and NIR mk2s, mk3 push-pulls, even Cravens being hauled by 201s and 071s!

[Warbonnet]

 

I suppose you could always pretend the Bleach Green line opened earlier' date=' then you could have the timber trains going to Derry! You could also have a pretty good variety of rolling stock, with both IE and NIR mk2s, mk3 push-pulls, even Cravens being hauled by 201s and 071s![/quote']

 

That would add some operational interest. And you would be safe in the knowledge that nobody else is modelling it. Some of the greatest layouts are based on urban grime and grot. Tetleys Mills, New Street, Hornsey Broadway etc.

[jhb171achill]

I have to say Belfast Central wouldn't strike me either - but if NIR consisted of more lines and had freight, you could have all sorts of stuff going through it. But if modelling a station to show through traffic, Drogheda would suit better - it's even got curved platforms too! And NIR as well as IE stuff....

 

Or Dundalk.... if gthe DNGR and INW lines were still open, 2600s to Greenore, and timber empties heading out towards Clones....

[Flying Scotsman 4472]

. 2600s to Greenore

 

Now that I would love to see that would really pull on the heart strings.

[Glenderg]

I had a look at Belfast Central from a bird's eye perspective, and if you have about 10 feet for the station and a width of 3 feet you could fit it all in. Add another 8 feet for the approach and a nice curve, and it would make an interesting diorama, especially if you got a bit of the Lagan in there. You wouldn't have the ugly west facade to look at, nor have to model the taxi mon at the front door.

 

 

R.

[BosKonay]

Could make a lovely exhibition piece with plenty of stock flying up and down

[Liverbird81]

Thanks guys I'd luv to model parts of the Belfast to larne line probaly central,York rd , bleech green, maybe carrick or white head I know there is a lot better layouts could be built but it's the line I travelled when I was young so to me it has good prospects to be a nice layout it's goin in my garage so should be good it will be a long term project

[Guest hidden-agenda]

I live in Carrick so if you pick a station and want some pics let me know. Bare in mind quite a few stations have changed over the years and bus shelters have replaced the buildings at some stations.

[Liverbird81]

Will do cheers hidden agenda I know the station very well frm greenisland although I havnt been in the station for about 12 years or so

[16miller]

At least there still is a railway station in Belfast, I lament the passing of GV & QQ, but the way Stormont was going we're lucky to be able to get a train in NI.

[jhb171achill]

Another idea: Great Victoria Street as it would have been like if sympathetically restored and modernised today instead of closed in '76... Or Waterside if in modern guise....