CHESTERGATE AND MILNE

Here you will find a few pictures of my home based layout which featured in 'Model Rail, magazine August 2008 Issue No.121 as previously mentioned. The views are mostly of the MILNE side of the layout as I am currently working on the CHESTERGATE side as and when I get some time.

This is a general view of Milne looking from the town end

A view of the church with a wedding in progress, this whole scene was created by my wife and she made a pretty good job of it. The green Zepher 6 reminds me of my 3rd car which was exactly the same colour, YUK.

Milne station with the depot turntable in the foreground. A Black 5 (Hornby) re-painted etc. No.45171 is on the turntable being made ready for its next turn of duty. An Inspectors saloon sits in the siding.

Turning almost complete as an express passes through headed by Jubilee (Bachmann) No.45562 'ALBERTA' heading for Chestergate. This locomotive has now been re-numbered 45629 and re-named 45629 'Straits Settlements', a photo will be uploaded soon.

Inter-Regional traffic, an Eastern Region B1 (Bachmann) No.61008 'KUDU' heads a fitted van train and passes the Jubilee heading for Chestergate. Chestergate is an exchange station for traffic to and from the London Midland to Eastern and North Eastern Region with regular workings to Scotland and the south.

General view of Milne Motive Power Depot and the approaches to the station. On shed are a variety of classes from Midland and Eastern Regions plus Standard classes 4 & 5. Diesel classes are BR Sulzer Type 2, a Brush Type 4 and an English Electric Type 1. We have not reached TOPS classifications yet. On the branch line (centre top) the daily milk arrives behind an Ivatt Mogul whilst an 8F heads a long rake of bogie bolsters on the main line.

The southern road bridge at Milne with A1 No.60158 'ABERDONIAN' heading south passing Ivatt 2-6-2 Tank propelling the branch push-pull.

This is the current view of CHESTERGATE EXCHANGE Station which still requires a significant amount of work to complete, the main station building is being built from Perspex and clad in Slaters plasticard. An English Electric Deltic Type 5 sits on platform 3 awaiting the 'off'. Chestergate has seven platforms, a general goods yard on the Down side, a coal yard on the Up side and the junction is just off the photograph to the top right.

I will replace and add more images as time permits.

I hope you have enjoyed your visit.

Mike McManus