Newton Heath Works

Purbeck Clay

Quintus

Western Thunderer
I am finally getting around to posting a few photos of our Newton Heath Works layout, originally built for the MRJ Cameo Competition (which we were fortunate enough to win).
The layout has been exhibited a few times, and appeared in various modelling magazines, so apologies if some of the photos have appeared in print, I have rather lost track, but hopefully some will not have appeared before.
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J_F_S

Western Thunderer
I really like the "Coaling plank" I wonder if it was copied from real-life or created - either way it is sheer genius!

Howard
 

Quintus

Western Thunderer
Think I saw this wonderful model at an exhibition. Martin Finney was one of the operators and it had function side tipplers operated by a ram that came up out of the trackside?
Dave.
The layout was designed by Martin, and together, with a little help from some notable modellers, we built Newton Heath Works.
The standard gauge track is to 31.25mm gauge, and the narrow gauge is 16.2mm, thus tightening up clearances whilst enabling finescale O and O-16.5mm stock to run on the layout.
The rather discreet tipping mechanism was also designed and built by Martin.
Our last outing with the layout was at Pendon Museum in December, and unfortunately Martin was unable to attend.
Here is a photo of the layout in it's entirety. 20251206_161210~3.jpg
 
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Quintus

Western Thunderer
The Purbeck Mining and Mineral Museum at Norden have preserved the foreman's office, so measurements were taken to enable an accurate model to be made.
Here is the Simplex passing said office with a rake of skip wagons.
The stunning backscene is the work of Gordon Gravett, note how the colours blend in perfectly with the foreground scenery.
The tree on the left was made by Tom Mallard, proving that his talents are not confined to building superb locomotives
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Quintus

Western Thunderer
The little Bagnall emerges from the loco shed, revealing the various items inside the shed essential for maintenance.
The unusual bond of the brickwork on the loco shed is copied from the real thing.
The line in the foreground rises to go over the bridge and on to the mines and pits._DSC2481 (1280x719).jpg
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Andrew Young

Western Thunderer
Thanks for sharing the photos. It’s a cracking layout and was a worthy winner of the cameo competition and I’ve enjoyed reading about it in the magazines. Sadly, have yet to see the layout at a show but hopefully one day will rectify that.

Cheers
Andrew
 

Quintus

Western Thunderer
Thanks for sharing the photos. It’s a cracking layout and was a worthy winner of the cameo competition and I’ve enjoyed reading about it in the magazines. Sadly, have yet to see the layout at a show but hopefully one day will rectify that.

Cheers
Andrew
Thanks Andrew.
The next outing for the layout will be at Basingstoke 14th/15th March, sadly without Martin Finney.
The layout was a joint effort between Martin and myself, with others previously mentioned.
It was his wish that we went ahead with the show, which maybe it's last public appearance.
Regards
Mike
 

jonte

Western Thunderer
Mike:

There’s a designated forum here for Cameo Comp entries:


Might be worth asking Dave or Adrian to relocate?

Jon
 

Quintus

Western Thunderer
I rather thought the cameo competition forum was moribund, nothing posted lately, and after all, the competition was six years ago!
The competition was a great motivator and brought forth many wonderful layouts.
Is it time to move on?
Regards
Mike
 

jonte

Western Thunderer
I rather thought the cameo competition forum was moribund, nothing posted lately, and after all, the competition was six years ago!
The competition was a great motivator and brought forth many wonderful layouts.
Is it time to move on?
Regards
Mike

You can still access the forum despite there not being much traffic these days, but I take your point, Mike.

The only reason I made my suggestion is that I like to read and perhaps reread a thread at my leisure, and it makes everything much easier to locate if it’s in an appropriate /more obvious area of the forum, in my case anyway. For instance, I wouldn’t have automatically searched first in the Gallery area for your layout; my next port of call would have been layouts, of which are there are a couple or so, and then onto Members/Talks etc..

All is well, of course, when it exhibits in New Posts, but when you wish to browse at leisure, it’s not an option.

Anyway; all academic now I know where to find it.

Jon
 

Quintus

Western Thunderer
I wasn't quite sure where to post the thread. Originally I thought to post just a few photos, but I suppose we all know how that can develop!
Maybe area 51?
As the layout is not under construction I thought it wasn't really appropriate.
Regards
Mike
 
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