2023 Plans for the Layout

[@rogervipond]

Inspirational. It may not chime with what is essentially an urban setting, but you might like to look online for images of the abandoned Merrygill and Podgill viaducts, historically part of the old Stainmore Line, about a mile from the small town of Kirby Stephen in Cumbria. Once closely associated with the now abandoned limestone quarry nearby at Hartley. There's also a Heritage railway centre at the restored LNER station of Kirby Stephen East.

[@roystudds1944]

Great plans for 2023 Julian. Will look forward to seeing how your layout develops this year. Thanks for sharing and inspiring. Roy.

[@modellbahnjp]

A fantastic Layout. It lools beautiful. Have a nice evening.

[@timsully8958]

Hi Jules, glad to see you already have plans afoot for the new year! 😃 I am glad you decided to go for the raised approach into the shed like we talked about lasts year as I really do think it will enhance the 3D effect of the layout and give it genuine realism. I’m not sure you need to make the viaduct too high though as that offers rationale as to why the approach to the shed splits and rises relative to the main line because the latter had to duck under the old abandoned route 🤔 I still say you could put in a turntable 😜 Alternatively you could raise the approach to the shed further still and use that as rationale for an over bridge and thus cover for the tracks in the foreground with depot buildings. You could then have your abandoned railway going across the back slightly higher at an angle behind the shed and cross the tracks at the rear at a handy angle. Maybe even install an abandoned halt and steps down to the shed where once depot workers could alight to save walking back from the main station in days before the old branch closed 🤔 Whatever you do though I am sure it’s will turn out great. I like the ideas for the road that goes under the bridge but one thing I’d add would be access steps down for workers to save having to go back through the town if that is their walking route 😀 As for the raised section, you could just do an abandoned canal basin or something perhaps? Maybe install a wee neglected access tunnel parallel to the fiddle yard tracks…even an abandoned quay? You could call it Biscuit Basin in tribute to your self-control 😂 Cheers mate, great stuff as ever 👍🍻🍀

[@alastairwilson457]

Great ideas Julian...especially the disused viaduct which is quite a common feature in the UK

[@dinmorejunctionmodelrailway]

Hi Julian. I like your idea very much and look forward to watching your build videos

[@martynbuzzing3327]

And I thought removing my dining room ceiling was going to be difficult..lol. Good luck, its looks like an interesting journey.

[@jimrivett9926]

Very nice video. You have a very interesting layout and I am looking forward to seeing all the enhancements you are planning to make to it.

[@bensalt1185]

Think that the idea for an abandoned railway on a viaduct would be brilliant - I was in Somerset recently on a walk and came across an old Somerset and Dorset Railway one that was all overgrown as well, with a small stream underneath. Plan to add one to my layout somehow!

[@warrenpark5516]

Great video Julian, looking forward to seeing the results, keep up the great work

[@grahamblow9978]

Like the idea of the abandoned viaduct as a scenic break. Perhaps if it was curved it could come further over the three lines at the front to improve the illusion of them going off to the left and not a 180 turn.

[@StationRoadModelRailway]

Thanks Graham. I did look into a curved viaduct but the only potential issue is it will take space from the end of the depot area which I want to be able to maximise in length to accommodate the subtle incline.

[@onnomulder9775]

I am very curious about the end result Julian!!! Keep on the good work! Cheers Onno.

[@megamanmuppet]

Great layout and design.

[@kitchenhamfarm]

I like the idea of and abandoned viaduct basically as a scenic break as it adds some realism and hides a 180 degree return which is unavoidable in most cases but can be manipulated if you think outside the box as you do quite often julian all the best and happy new year.................tony

[@WobblyRunner]

I'd never considered an abandoned railway for my layout. That's a great idea 👍

[@StationRoadModelRailway]

Thanks Paul, and it's your channel that has been a significant source of inspiration to include an abandoned railway on the layout🙂

[@WobblyRunner]

@@StationRoadModelRailway 😊 nice one. Love the videos 👍

[@eugeniomarins2936]

Dear Sir, I am spookily reminded of Luther, Identity and other Brit telly police series, where nasty things would happen in the "businesses" located under railway arches... Cheers from a very ashamed Brazil.

[@StationRoadModelRailway]

My thoughts exactly, another opportunity to establish a gritty scene with dubious activities going on.

[@michaelwhiles5282]

Good to see your strikers are making as much progress as ours - also relived that you aren’t going TT 120 - only joking. Plans sound great.

[@PaulSmith-pl7fo]

Hi Julian. Great plans for 2023 - very exciting. I love the graphics showing the disused viaduct and the pointing hand! Chocolate biscuits: McVities' of course! Plain or milk chocolate?

[@StationRoadModelRailway]

Thanks Paul, milk chocolate of course🙂

[@iansngauge]

Some great plans for the new year! I really like the idea of the viaduct as a scenic break with an abandoned railway running across the top! When I lived in the North East of England many years ago the area was littered with abandoned railway routes! These were mostly being used by nature lovers as it was surprising how quickly they had been reclaimed by nature! I look forward to seeing your progress during the year! All the best,Ian.

[@K-Fred]

Julian, I think you are one of the top talented creators and practical innovators in the model train world. I've really enjoyed watching as you build your vision. I'm looking forward to what is coming up next!!!

[@petervincent9848]

Sound interesting look forward to seeing it

[@zaklex3165]

Just catching up on all these...about the only thing I'd consider is instead of the scenic break viaduct being straight across at an angle, I'd curve it slightly towards the front edge of the extension to make those 3 tracks appear to head off in a more straight fashion, as opposed to seeing the curve under the viaduct...but that would take some scenic shenanigans to do.

[@martinpattison1567]

The layout plans sound good to me in theory, but I am not sure about all the things you want to do, there may be some chances, but that is what this hobby is all about and makes it a challenge. I like the idea of the viaduct. I think most layouts are missing this point. even as a feature in the background. Martin. (Thailand)

[@worthingtonmodelrailway8628]

Great idea with the Viaduct, Farmhouse and hill area seems to maybe need a little more thought but I'm sure you'll make it work!

[@StationRoadModelRailway]

Thanks for the kind feedback. You may have now caught up on the latest videos that show the hillside transformation coming together.

[@henrycook1474]

The viaduct idea is a very good one. If you haven’t seen it, Micheal from Chandwell has modeled a very similar kind of viaduct to what your thinking of. May be worth looking into for some inspiration.

[@StationRoadModelRailway]

Thanks Henry, I'm an avid watcher of Micheal's channel.

[@paulnorval9646]

Very interesting and thought out solution to covering the end tracks with an abandoned viaduct Julian, looking forward to your projects this year.

[@garth_4367]

The abandoned viaduct plan sounds great, it should make for a fantastic scene break. I look forward to seeing it and the layout develop. Your videos always motivate me to model, so thank you.

[@michaelchester8997]

Pure genius.

[@douglasmilburn6879]

Absolutely inspiring your vision and outlook is as good as always. Looking forward to seeing your vision becoming a reality, keep up the good work

[@minos5548]

plans your going to do will make a really good layout into a brilliant one. Looking forward to watching your progress happy new year by the way to you and your family

[@SFRATON]

Great plans and ideas Julian. Layout looking cool especially the abended viaduct line and village town/ scene behind it. Hope it all goes well. Take care Kevin

[@jamesfrancis7025]

Loving the plans you have and looking forward to seeing your progress in the coming months.

[@gary5737]

Hi Julian. Recently discovered your fabulous site and am in the process of catching up with all your previous blogs. As a suggestion for the viaduct and dismantled railway scene. Have you seen the pictures of the old Victoria Railway Station, Sheffield? The line used to be the Sheffieldmend of the Woodhead electrified route; The station is now converted into hotel, whilst retaining its old character. All the very best from the UK.

[@StationRoadModelRailway]

Thanks Gary. I think I've seen some urban explorer videos that have covered aspects of the Victoria Station and the old lines that traversed Sheffield.

[@barryturner2916]

Who's going to be a busy boy then Julian (lol). Love the idea of a disused line to help with a scene break, allows you to add another interesting area/build, forward planning is the key to a successful build and to do it in bite size keeps your interest focused looking forward to your next update, stay safe regards Barry..

[@arthurthorpe5445]

A lot of detail work so looking forward to seeing how you tackle it all sounds great but I am sure you will change your mind along the way which is the right way until you start you can never be sure of the plan. Keep up the fantastic work and videos it's very motivating and educational for me and I am sure it is for many others too.

[@MrVinnyh]

Sounds interesting Julian, The viaduct great idea, the way you showed the computer mock up meant me think of the Great Central Railway's link line / bridges build. At the end of the new depot might I suggest a canal bend coming under the depot via a tunnel between the road (might not fit, but camera angles given looks a possible idea). The edging on the hill at the moment looks too clean, the farm house is right as it gives a purpose at the T junction of the village, Barns generally have a large area for stock or tractor movement's around them, which would cut away your hill side. I look forward to watching what ever you chose to do this year.

[@StationRoadModelRailway]

Thanks Vinny. By know you may have caught up on the latest video regarding the hillside transformation and farmyard.

[@chazzyb8660]

Julian - that is a great idea for the disused track on a viaduct at the end of the layout, I look forward to seeing it. It could be wider than double track even with former point-work and signalling infrastructure still partially in place? Martin Zero has been exploring the bridges over the rivers in Manchester, for years, so there might even be scope for water at the far end, though that might be pushing it. Worth a look though for the at first confusing intersection of levels, used and disused, as well as how it interacts in the urban landscape. The new changes in level of the marshaling yard will make it all very interesting and serves the idea of distracting you further from the actuality of that final bend at the end of the garage. The plans for the hillside and end of the street also seem to make more sense than the current set-up. Fun times ahead for 2023.

[@207rb]

Until I saw the image I was thinking your plan for the bridge/viaduct would be no good but i was wrong and it looks really good. Especially the angle you have it at. The only thing is I can't imagine a structure like that being abandoned in an urban environment.

[@StationRoadModelRailway]

I've come across multitudes of abandoned viaducts (including the examples shown in the video) which run smack through urban settings, and definitely much more so during the 1960's when the era of this layout is set.

[@JamesFletcher]

Julian I think your videos are superb. Keep up the good work my friend. I would really like to know (perhaps this is a potential video?) what other ideas you considered before you settled on your current track plan. I've seen the footage of your first layout which was a figure of eight, so I was wondering if you simply wanted to stick to what you knew? As somebody who is planning a build, it's really interesting to hear what design considerations people go through when in the planning phase. Apologies if you've already covered this and I've missed it. Again, keep up the good work and that viaduct plan is a winner! 👍

[@StationRoadModelRailway]

Thanks James. Over the years I've found there's two main ways folk tend to plan/build their layouts. 1. Before lifting a hammer or any other tools/materials, the entire layout is fully pre-planned (on paper or computer) down to track, urban structures and scenic landscaping; or 2. The evolving/fluid layout where no specific plans are set in place beforehand, and the layout tends morph and grow over time. I'm the latter of these two methods where Station Road has very much morphed over time, more than doubling in size and complexity.

[@Teesbrough]

Julian, your 2023 project plan puts me to shame! The abandoned viaduct scenic break sounds a very good idea. As you say, there are plenty in the UK but one you might particularly want to check out is Weekday Cross, Nottingham. This is where the Great Central came into the city from the south, on brick viaducts with a girder bridge over the top of Nottingham Midland’s platforms. As the ground rose towards the city centre there was a junction with a line coming in from the east, then the tracks disappeared into a tunnel which emerged at the south end of Nottingham Victoria station (closed 1966). Today much of this route, heavily adapted and reworked, is used by Nottingham’s trams: NET.

[@StationRoadModelRailway]

Thanks Will for the tip on Weekday Cross, I've had a look and it's a great source of inspiration and Ideas.🙂

[@GazzaLDN]

Perhaps rather than abandoned, it could be a viaduct being repurposed into a Tram or Light rail way with an engineering train laying new tracks.

[@pierre-de-standing]

Happy New Year Julian (I hope it is not too late to say that!). An immediate thought is that you should have some catch points to protect the main line.The viaduct is a pretty interesting idea. Layout is looking very good. Looking forward to the next updates!

[@StationRoadModelRailway]

Thanks Jane. Catch-points is one aspect I haven't looked at yet, but it's definitely something I want to incorporate where they might be needed.

[@vincenthuying98]

Dear Julian, love the plans you’ve just shared. Think the disused or abandoned rail line on the viaduct may work stunningly. Both as a scenic break, plus as a visual part of the Station Road layout. Especially the kind of askew placement will allow you to tell either the abandoned rail line’s story beyond the 2D restriction of the backdrop. Same counts for the functioning rail lines. In addition to the abandoned viaduct, on its left hand corner, as you’ve shown it, I humbly think a construction site will fit great on the spare ‘triangle’ formed by the left hand side of 180° curve. Could either be a motorway, or groundwork for suburban expansion. On the ‘fill in’ between the existing hill side and goods yard, to change the direction of the road into a t-junction is an excellent idea. Making the road disappear beyond the edge of the layout on an angle allows for so much more possibilities than the rectangular one. Love your plans for the hill section. Nevertheless, I am still wondering if you will consider expanding the scenic section above the lower lines all the way to their edge. Considering the main views you show of this section is from the station side, it may allow for some forced perspective scenes, which will enhance the visual presence of the city scape. Which, of course justifies the presence of the station and the passengers it serves.

[@StationRoadModelRailway]

Thanks Vincent. I like the idea of a construction scene in the far corner, possibly the emergence of some 1960's brutalist modern structure.

[@garryhansford3743]

Excellent plans for 2023 … Scalescenes have an under arch workshop kit … would suit your abandoned viaduct quite nicely.

[@StationRoadModelRailway]

Thanks Garry. I haven't quite decided whether to go down the Scalescenes route (with some kit-bashing) or going completely scratch-built, I'm leaning more towards the later.

[@jamesbraxton6132]

Before you get to involved with the layout. Go outside and enjoy the weather.

[@dylansheppardmymodelrailway]

There is a channel called one Manc he explores old railways and canals and old industry 👍👍👍

[@StationRoadModelRailway]

Thanks for the tip🙂