Beautiful layout Terran. I doubt anyone has trouble with public transport in Northern Heights, there's so much of it! I really like the posts opening shot of the tram and queue. Really lovely!
Ah, that old cardboard ABC Art Deco cinema! I had one of those as a kid and it fascinated me. I see yours is playing 20,000 Leagues under the Sea! A movie I saw advertised as a kid, but never caught up with until much later! I'll bet every piece on your layout has some special meaning or memory!
You are being astute Lewis for indeed most of the layout has a personal meaning or memory for me.
It is the layout I wanted to build when I was 10 years old back in the 50's. Growing up in London I had London Transport supply buses, trolley buses, trams and the London Underground. My parents didn't drive so all travel was public transport or on special occasions by taxi.
On Northern Heights a strategically positioned level crossing has all road traffic grind to a halt. Three tram lines and four trains run unhindered. The ABC cinema shows one of my favourite movies from the era. A friend is out walking her old English Sheepdog, Paddington Bear appears on platforms, I first heard Geoffrey Bond reading Paddington on BBC radio in the 50's. Station names are based on stations on the Underground's Northern Line. A statue of Noggin the Nog is being unveiled. Her Majesty the Queen is inspecting the Middlesex Regiment in my version of Ingles Barracks. Early Routemaster buses are at the garage prior to beginning their service life which would end up being over 50 years. Some of the items date back to my childhood train set, most of the model trains are pre 1964 in age.
My local steam branch line was referred to as The Northern Heights and ended passenger service in 1954 after a prewar scheme to electrify it and incorporate it in the Underground system. On my layout the transition to London Transport happened and the steam trains temporarily run prior to electrification. Trams that ended in 1952 continue in service and taxis are everywhere as you could never find one when you wanted one!
I was 65 before I started the build but it was worth the wait. Running model trains is the most therapeutic thing to do in a world of insanity.
A lovely collection. And great to see the crowded streets of Northern Heights.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful layout Terran. I doubt anyone has trouble with public transport in Northern Heights, there's so much of it! I really like the posts opening shot of the tram and queue. Really lovely!
ReplyDeleteMagnificent layout! SFZ
ReplyDeleteAh, that old cardboard ABC Art Deco cinema!
ReplyDeleteI had one of those as a kid and it fascinated me. I see yours is playing 20,000 Leagues under the Sea!
A movie I saw advertised as a kid, but never caught up with until much later!
I'll bet every piece on your layout has some special meaning or memory!
You are being astute Lewis for indeed most of the layout has a personal meaning or memory for me.
DeleteIt is the layout I wanted to build when I was 10 years old back in the 50's. Growing up in London I had London Transport supply buses, trolley buses, trams and the London Underground. My parents didn't drive so all travel was public transport or on special occasions by taxi.
On Northern Heights a strategically positioned level crossing has all road traffic grind to a halt. Three tram lines and four trains run unhindered. The ABC cinema shows one of my favourite movies from the era. A friend is out walking her old English Sheepdog, Paddington Bear appears on platforms, I first heard Geoffrey Bond reading Paddington on BBC radio in the 50's. Station names are based on stations on the Underground's Northern Line. A statue of Noggin the Nog is being unveiled. Her Majesty the Queen is inspecting the Middlesex Regiment in my version of Ingles Barracks. Early Routemaster buses are at the garage prior to beginning their service life which would end up being over 50 years. Some of the items date back to my childhood train set, most of the model trains are pre 1964 in age.
My local steam branch line was referred to as The Northern Heights and ended passenger service in 1954 after a prewar scheme to electrify it and incorporate it in the Underground system. On my layout the transition to London Transport happened and the steam trains temporarily run prior to electrification. Trams that ended in 1952 continue in service and taxis are everywhere as you could never find one when you wanted one!
I was 65 before I started the build but it was worth the wait. Running model trains is the most therapeutic thing to do in a world of insanity.
What a fabulous description Terran. Insightful and thanks for sharing your memories of London.
Delete