S Trowland Tales

[Rob R]

At the recent SSMRS agm I (somehow) became the custodian of Trevor Nunn's "Trowland " layout.
Don't panic, Trevor is still with us, he is just having a tidy up.

It has been sat on our dining table since the agm and today I had a chance to make a couple of ends to box it up properly and set it up in the garden to take a few quick snap shots with a very mediocre phone camera.
Eastern and Midlands Railway No 3a enjoys the spring sunshine.
Updates and future plans to follow - nothing drastic - a greenery (and water?) refresh and extra detailing.
Rob
ps More photos on the SSMRS website Trowland

 

[Dog Star]

Now that is a rather tasty layout that I have missed to date, thank you for the introduction.

regards, Graham

 

[JimG]

And you got it with all the locos and rolling stock!!!! Lucky bu**er.

Jim.

 

[Phil O]

I like the Barry slip, you don't see those modelled very often.

 

[Rob R]

I like the Barry slip, you don't see those modelled very often.

It needs a bit of TLc at the moment, one of the blades sprung at the agm. All in good time, it's not going anywhere (yet).

 

[Joe's Garage]

Hi Rob, I read the first bit with bated breath but you reassured us that Trevor is okay (?) Some stunning photos Rob of a stunning layout by a master.
As I have said before it was he, Sam Bonfield and Len White that got me back into "playing trains" way back in the 80s. Wicken might have been a test track but only Trevor would say that.
You keep tempting us WTs with S scale......keep it up.
Please pass on my best wishes to Trevor, he may remember me from the MRC days and chain shunting on the mill siding on Wicken.
What is likely to happen to Trowland?
Cheers
Julian

 

[Rob R]

Hi Rob, I read the first bit with bated breath but you reassured us that Trevor is okay (?) Some stunning photos Rob of a stunning layout by a master.
As I have said before it was he, Sam Bonfield and Len White that got me back into "playing trains" way back in the 80s. Wicken might have been a test track but only Trevor would say that.
You keep tempting us WTs with S scale......keep it up.
Please pass on my best wishes to Trevor, he may remember me from the MRC days and chain shunting on the mill siding on Wicken.
What is likely to happen to Trowland?
Cheers
Julian

Hi Julian,
Trevor is ok all things considered (anno domini etc) and was in good form at the agm earlier this month.
I don't see him very often but hopefully Susie will see this and pass your best wishes on to him.
What will happen to Trowland? Well, a few minor repairs (tie bar and a chimney on the cottage that I clobbered within 10 minutes of getting home ) and then a gentle scenic refresh.
Building interiors, quayside and goods yard clutter, greenery (aiming to be half as good as Sheepblokes, water ditto) and then start thinking about taking it out and about to exhibitions to spread the word about the one true scale.

Rob

 

[simond]

When is a Barry slip not a Barry slip? When does it simply become two points, nose to nose?

Do the blades need to be intertwined, or would an infringement of loading gauge be sufficient?

in any case it is a lovely bit of modelling and particularly so in the sunlight.

 

[Joe's Garage]

Hmmm...."one true scale...." I totally agree and it is getting some mention even in the Railway Modeller! I always remember how sweetly Trevor's locos would run.
May I ask publicly if he still builds locos as commissions or was the recent NE loco in the RM a one off?
I need to see what is currently available in the S Scale Society Parts.
Keep posting Rob
Thanks
Julian

 

[Osgood]

Thanks for the link to the SSMRS Gallery page - what a lovely selection of layouts and modelling!

 

[Rob R]

Hmmm...."one true scale...." I totally agree and it is getting some mention even in the Railway Modeller! I always remember how sweetly Trevor's locos would run.
May I ask publicly if he still builds locos as commissions or was the recent NE loco in the RM a one off?
I need to see what is currently available in the S Scale Society Parts.
Keep posting Rob
Thanks
Julian

Julian,
I understand that the NE loco on Blakey Rigg was built 2 or 3 years ago.
I wouldn't like to say for certain, publicly or otherwise as to whether or not Trevor is still building locos, but I suspect not.
If/when the other side gets up and running again please check out the S scale section, it has been quite active recently.
Rob

 

[Susie]

Dear Julian,

At nearly 85 years old, Trevor is having to step down from most of his railway modelling activities, hence his disposal of Trowland. Bear in mind, he started to build it when he was in his late 70s and could no longer hire a van for the big layout!

He and Judith are hoping to have an SSMRS meeting (and 85th birthday party) at their home during the summer, when East Lynn will be run, possibly for the last time, but who knows.

The engines he built for Blakey Rigg were done some time ago now.

Susie

 

[Joe's Garage]

Thank you for this Susie, as I said I was heavily influenced by Trevor back in the 80s and have always admired his modelling. I do hope he can at least still play trains on his birthday.
I still keep the MRJ No.10 handy as it must be one of those magazines that is regularly thumbed through with two articles that have influenced me since its publication. Wicken of course is one, then Guy Williams article on scratchbuilding a GWR 517 class loco No.202, which ran on the Abbotsbury Branch....my ambition to build this one day........! But the stumbling block for me is which scale, if Rob keeps up with his posting I could be persuaded to model it in S scale!
Please pass on my best to Trevor, not sure if he will remember me.
All the best
Julian

 

[IanB3174]

Quality, and in my favourite scale too.

 

[Rob R]

Trowland is now pencelled in for a couple of (long distance) shows next year, one in the South West and 'tother in the South East.
Details to follow.
Rob

 

[MartinWales]

Trowland is now pencelled in for a couple of (long distance) shows next year, one in the South West and 'tother in the South East.
Details to follow.
Rob

Where are you based then Rob?

 

[Rob R]

Martin,
I am in Mid Cheshire so Taunton is going to be a long day trip and Brentwood is my old club so a regular weekend away.
Trowland is really very portable and very quick to put up/take down as with all of Trevor's layouts.
The main restriction to showing at the moment is getting time of work - shifts with lots of weekends.

Rob

 

[MartinWales]

Martin,
I am in Mid Cheshire so Taunton is going to be a long day trip and Brentwood is my old club so a regular weekend away.
Trowland is really very portable and very quick to put up/take down as with all of Trevor's layouts.
The main restriction to showing at the moment is getting time of work - shifts with lots of weekends.

Rob

If you're ever after another operator, I'm in North Wales on the fringes of Snowdonia....also an S scaler!

 

[Joe's Garage]

Martin,
I am in Mid Cheshire so Taunton is going to be a long day trip and Brentwood is my old club so a regular weekend away.
Trowland is really very portable and very quick to put up/take down as with all of Trevor's layouts.
The main restriction to showing at the moment is getting time of work - shifts with lots of weekends.

Rob

Yes Rob, I remember Wicken being there one moment at the MRC Easter show then when I returned it had gone, packed up and off! I hasten to add it was at the end of the show! Very quick to put up and take down. A lesson for all.
Cheers
Julian

 

[Rob R]

If you're ever after another operator, I'm in North Wales on the fringes of Snowdonia....also an S scaler!

Thank you for the offer.
I will give you a call when as and when a suitable show is booked.