Several weeks have been occupied in the task of ballasting the tracks for the Leamington Spa General station tracks and sidings. Most of the work is now complete although further cleaning is necessary to make it look more realistic. Here is low-level view of the platform and main lines through the station area; notice the slight bend in the platform configurations.

And here is an areal photograph which includes the goods sidings between the GWR General (left) and LMS Avenue (right) stations:-

The photograph below shows the southern approach to the GWR General station – with the LMS lines on the right leading away from the Avenue station towards Rugby.

The following sequence of photographs show an express train arriving at the Leamington General platform 3. The platform canopy is now complete – including the supporting pillars and the signal gantry attached to the canopy girder structure. Some platform furniture will be added at a much later stage. The track will need to be ballasted before the platform is finally fixed in place. Trains have been successfully tested passing on both sides of the island platform.

 

 

 

Here is a view looking at platform 3. The platform surface has been paved and brick edging has been added to the platform base. More work is needed with the canopy sections and support pillars.

Below is a close-up looking down platform 3 in the direction of Paddington bound trains. Light is showing through the canopy roof and illuminating that section of the platform.

Below is the southern end of platform 3 and shows the GWR railings that skirted the rear edge of that platform.

The photograph below shows a view from the GWR Down platform 2 across to the island UP platform 3 – which has had its canopy roof recently added.

And here is the reverse view from the rear of platforms 3&4 showing the Down platform 2 in the distance.

A lot more work is needed to complete the canopy roofing on all platforms. The main benefit of adding the buildings and roofing at this stage is to check that the relative scaling is reasonable – and get some entertainment from running trains through the station!

Here is a photograph showing the view from the Leamington Avenue station footbridge across to the GWR station. The rear of the island platform building can be seen in the middle distance with the main building of platform 2 in the background.

The island platform is still under construction – the building is not entirely in its correct position. Work is now starting on the canopy for this platform.

Work has begun on the wallpapering of the GWR island platform buildings. The photograph above shows the two-storey lift shaft alongside the Wymans bookstall. The bookstall stands at the top of the stairwell that led down from the platform to the station exit – via the subway and booking hall.

Basic construction of the platform buildings is complete; 1mm and 2mm plasticard has been used throughout. Attention will switch to the platform canopy once all the wall and roof covering is finished.

The weather has turned a little chilly now that December has arrived, and all active work on the layout has stopped for a three month break.

However, in the last couple of days I have received back two locomotives that went away for repair: the A4 LNER locomotive ‘Lord Farringdon’; and the GWR locomotive ‘Powderham Castle’. Both locomotives were sent off in September to BR Lines for repair and service. This company offer a fantastic repair service for Graham Farish models, and I have run the returned locos around the layout to confirm they are ship-shape for the forthcoming season.

The winter months will be used to spend time indoors producing scenery. It is likely that I will start preparations for a backdrop at the far end of layout – to show the southern parts of Leamington town. There is plenty of work to be had on the paving of the GWR station platforms 1 & 2, as well as the approach roadway into the goods area of that station.

Then work can start on the building for the GWR platforms 2 & 3. But there is no timescale to worry about!

An empty platform 1 is shown on the middle/right of this photograph whilst a ‘Down’ express is leaving  platform 2:-

Here is a view across the tracks at platform 2; the canopy awning is not yet fully in place:-

Here is a view of the new canopy taken from above the station approach road:-

The staircase leading up to platform 2 is in the centre of the photograph. Eventually when the platform canopy is added to the model it will hide a lot of the detail you can see now.

The platform 2 restaurant is shown in the centre with the stone cladding and Art Deco doors.

The Wymans bookstall is situated at the position next to where passengers would pass have entered and left the platform.

A ramp is under construction (shown in white) in the foreground which will become the roadway leading down to the station’s car park. Note: the baseboard has been cut-away (on the right) to provide a better view of the station frontage.

The GWR entrance hall and canopy have been added to the front of the main building. The attached building has been also prepared with stone effect walling, windows and doors. All major modelling work has been completed on the street-facing side of the buildings. The platform side will require more thought and effort.