Getting going, finding inspiration--Mosney!

[Tractionman]

You know how it is, seeing some prototype and thinking, hmm now that would be good as a source of inspiration...

The dicussion on Sligo elsewhere is a case in point, but I keep coming back to something simpler, less is more, that kind of thing.

And then on Facebook a post on Mosney, piqued my curiosity. 

Partly it was seeing the signal box on the platform, looked just like this one I have

https://www.hattons.co.uk/23342/bachmann_branchline_44_010_hampton_hill_signal_box_scenecraft_range/stockdetail

and then then there is the simplicity of the track plan at Mosney, the double track mainline, the long loop, a bidirectional platform serving a holiday camp, in my mind's eye allows all sorts of interesting excursion traffic possibilities

At the same time the double track just looks great for watching those trains go by, eg

 

So folks, perhaps this is it? 

Finding inspiration as a cue to getting going with the layout, I am sure we all have the same kinds of prompts, the question is, will it become a reality?!

cheers,

Keith

 

 

[Mol_PMB]

A very good mix of passenger and freight trains through there.

In a landscape that is quite flat in the prototype, you would need some creativity to avoid the 'flat earth' often seen on model railway baseboards. I think the key would be to represent the levels dropping away down to the beach in subtle undulating dunes. i.e. allow for scenery below track level by having the track a few inches above the baseboard frame.

Photo from hgricer on Flickr; there are plenty more nice photos on there - search also Jonathan Allen's:

 

[Tractionman]

14 minutes ago, Mol_PMB said:

I think the key would be to represent the levels dropping away down to the beach in subtle undulating dunes.

Thanks yes it'd suit me quite well, I have about twenty feet length and two and a half feet depth for the baseboards, already in place.

I was thinking the viewing side would be from the sea, so the foreground scrubby and gorsey and flat, the trackbed raised above this slightly. I might need to invent a bit of a bank behind the station with a suitable backscene but aerial images of the holiday camp show a large green field, so it could be a fairly empty looking background. I'm eyeing up some dapol bungalow kits which look the part period wise! 

Cheers,

Keith 

[Mol_PMB]

Interestingly it looks like the character of the foreshore has changed over the years. In the 1980s and 1990s it was scrub and gorse (here's another hgricer photo, and one from Jonathan Allen):

042 at Mosney | Butlins established a holiday camp at Mosney… | Flickr

But more recently bigger shrubs and small trees have grown up, as in this photo by Finbarr O'Neill:

Here's a link to the IRRS track diagram:

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51569723683_0f65f19910_c.jpg

And a few more interesting workings from hgricer and Roger Joanes:

Note the evolution of the track and signalling too. In this photo the Up (southbound) line has been relaid with flat-bottom CWR on concrete sleepers, but the other two tracks are still jointed bullhead on timber:

 

[Tractionman]

That's a great cross-section of images! Thanks very much

The details here in the photos are very handy, eg the fencing along and behind the platform, the station lamps, the concrete facing of the platform (I was wondering about that as it'll be visible) and also the track arrangement, the crossovers to the loop, and the buffer stops at each end--and as you say the landscape along the line here, it all does look doable.

Plus the scope for running a variety of trains, of different eras, which appeals--blimey I might even be able to run some of my BR stuff too as these Butlin's camps were apparently based on a particular model, reapeated in other locations, flat ones too, in GB, like Lincolnshire, Yorkshire, and north Wales coast etc etc!

all the best,

Keith

[Tractionman]

well there's no time like the present!

so here's a mock up of the Mosney track configuration, I have used a single slip at one end to help compress things a bit, it's all track I have had knocking about for years, Peco code 100.

the old BR stock parked in the loop here gives an idea of the scale / size for full size passenger trains, enough for eight coaches plus loco which seems about right.

and my trusty Bachmann signal box may finally have a reason for being, it sits quite well.

all in all the formation needs to be raised by about an inch, to lift it up a bit, and then the foreground can be rough ground with some paths leading to the beach!

at either end of the running lines I'll have to invent some overbridges as scenic breaks, but I reckon this will be ok.

I have just bought some Dapol bungalow kits, they look about right to me for a 1950s holiday camp scenario:

https://www.gaugemasterretail.com/dapol-c021-kitmaster-detached-bungalow-kit.html

especially with those massive TV aerials!

the backdrop will need some thought, a lowish raised bank should do it, and some trees to screen, and a distant open looking landscape perhaps, the camp buildings at Mosney were set some distance away from the railway--this is where my bungalows will probably go, to give some interest/cover.

so this is the space (excuse the dust!):

 

onwards and upwards...

 

cheers,

Keith

 

 

 

 

[Anders112]

Hi Kieth, 

looks like a great layout and great idea with plenty of character.
 Here is a couple of videos of mosney in the 1990s. At the 10:40 minute mark 

you have a great variety between liner trains,Tara’s,cements and passenger

I’m doing my current layout on Drogheda station in the 1990s and have done hours of research of movement on the line, that I would be more than happy to share with you. 
wishing you all the best with the layout and more important to enjoy the process of it.

all the best 

Dave 

 

[Tractionman]

7 minutes ago, Anders112 said:

great layout and great idea with plenty of character.

Very many thanks @Anders112 it's been a long journey of much dithering! 

If I can keep things quite simple hopefully I'll have a chance to make progress and start running some trains

Cheers,

Keith 

[Auto-Train Original]

Scenery wise, I would exaggerate the embankment leading down to the beach. It would make the flat viewing perspective more interesting. 

[Colonel]

Looks like there are just enough trees and scrub at the left hand end to hide a hole in the sky. Real contrast between the lush green and the landward side and the dull scrub beside the sea.