Welcome to 'Nanpean Wharf'                           Based On Nanpean in Cornwall

Welcome to the Manor Lane 'Special Projects' page, where my friend and I are working on a detailed scale model for our local model club, progress on which is being recorded here.

My co-worker for this project is the much respected proprietor of 'Level 5 Models' and his work can be found on the following pages :

http://level5models.fotopic.net/list_collections.php ( general page )

Please click on logo for Nanpean specific 'RM Web' page

The actual cornish location of Nanpean is the setting for this detailed model, which is designed from the start to include the main topographical features of the site.

This is no train set, but better described as a detailed, 1:76 scale working model of a real and prototypical location, built for our club as a demonstration in 21st century computer aided modelling techniques......i.e Templot Track Planning !

Before any railway features were even thought about though, the landscape was carefully pre-modelled at 1/4 scale, to enable the cutting of the baseboards and structure to be pre-planned in great detail, taking account of weight and structural issues.

This offered the advantage of bang up to date and groundbreaking modelling techniques, that are far removed from the standard 4ft x 2ft baseboard arrangement, where we are embarking on the making of a model of a place...not a trainset.

As a result, this model of Nanpean should turn out as a fair representation of the real place, instantly recognisable by anyone who is familiar with it.

Our chosen time period is not really set in stone as we hope to leave the model 'open', meaning that the road vehicles and Locomotives will set the period, the wagons on site being 'current' for a great many years and not so changeable.

Our model of Nanpean is not particularly big as portability is designed in for the ease of other club members to transport it.

For the purposes of the Manor Lane publicity machine, the corporate colour scheme is set as Rail Freight Distribution with the depot plaque being that of St Blazey, also in Cornwall.

This is much the same as Manor Lane's depot plaque being that of the Hither Green Depot Oast Houses.

The core Locomotive fleet assigned to Nanpean operations are modelled from the various types based at St Blazey over the years.

Class 37's and Class 50's are currently being procured although greater variety will no doubt appear in future.

Manor Lane has a sub-pool of two Locomotive's - 47 711 and 50 149 'Defiance' - specifically for the project and these will be used when required.

Please enjoy the following workshop photo's.........progress will be reported here when possible.

Working extensively from the above model (which is 1/4 scale of the actual layout), the full size basebaord frames are now finished, hopefully you can see the resemblance....

The plan was to be a bit more original than our other club layouts, which in all honestly are a bit dated, and designed in a way of seeing trains with a bit more perspective, hence the layout is 6' deep, with the track taking the diagonal to give the longer run (approx 7')

Loads of 'lightening' holes have been drilled, and in the ends of the boards these have been enlarged to double as carrying handles

The circles cut that were cut out have been reused to form mounting pads for the alignment dowels (C&L), the square bits are reinforcing where the bolts will go

 

The roadbed and track bed are made in one complete piece, this will be fixed to the baseboards while they're all bolted together, then cut through at the board joints when set.

 

Here it is roughly in place, but still with a fair bit of 'fitting' to do!

 

Some stock roughly in place to see how it looks. There is another bit of road still to add that heads into the top left corner (somewhere for the bus to go!)

 

This shot sort of replicates the photo of the real location which inspired the model, the 37 is standing just over an open industrial sort of level crossing.

The photo in question is on page 56 of 'China clay trains in colour'.

 This is how the layout will be viewed, looking down the road.

 

Layout construction by J Numan 2008

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The following two Manor Lane Loco's are for use on the layout when complete.......