I am in St Ives at the moment, We got the train from St Ives to Carbis bay, as I walked through the car park I commented about the original station to my wife. Great layout.
Absolutely brilliant model railway! Great narration and explanation of your modeling techniques. I was just touring the St. Ives branch via Google Earth and was day dreaming about what things must have looked like back in the 1950's. Thank you for filling in the blanks!
It was an act of official vandalism to bulldoze these places in the 60s and replace them with a small concrete bus shelter. So much beauty needlessly lost.
Sir you have a superb layout. It took me back to the early 1960's with the steam locos and the diesel units. when I was a young boy. Thank you for showing your hard work off. Long may it bring you hours of enjoyment.
I was 5 in 1954 when we travelled from Paddington to Carbis Bay on the Cornish Riviera Express and still remember it well. On Saturday mornings over the next few years the sight of the train making its way round the coastline to St. Erth and then Paddington was an awesome sight.
What an beautiful model railway of my favourite era of British Railways. I am 69 now, I wish I had worked on our railways in the 1950s, I started work on British Rail in 1970 age 15, I can just remember watching a tank locomotive dragging a rake of van wagons across a road crossing as I held my dad's hand and watched in amazement as the locomotive came slowly across, one of the loco crew took his cap off and waved at me.! I have never never forgotten that. It's funny what we remember, ask me to tell you what i had for lunch last week and I probably cannot remember.! Sorry I am digressing, I tend to do a lot of that, Lol. Anyway, well done sir, you have a truly amazing model railway. Best wishes to you and keep safe. 👍🚂. And best wishes from the East Riding of Yorkshire.
I spent many holidays in the fifties and sixties in the Camping Coach to the rear of the station and have lots of b&w photos of my family, most of whom are long gone. But the memories live on, especially as I have a scar to my face received by falling down the small ladder steps to the coach entrance. The coach was an amazing conversion and it was a joy in so many ways. Thank you for reminding me of those wonderful times. Don
I dont remember St Ives back then but the model is instantly recognised even though its now a single line platform with no buildings or loop etc as the town is served by Class 150 DMUs. The model is frankly amazing. I could be on the beach for a quick paddle and an ice cream before the next train. What a great hobby we have.
i'm not in the hobby but i really enjoyed watching this. Drawn in by the optical illusions and then wanted to watch the rest to find out how the tricks were done.
If this line had been in the hands of the preservationists combined with the popularity of St. Ives, I would imagine long queues and an entry fee to get access!
Your layout is wonderful. The West Country has an appeal all its own with the palms and very blue sea. Nice naturally lit room as well, no cross-beams blocking views!
I wish, when I was in my 20's, (50 years ago!) that I knew about branch line modelling? I think I would have stayed with the British outline railway theme! As an Ozzie, I'm now very parochial. Your modelling efforts are inspirational. Your ocean scene is brilliant. I don't think I've seen a better rendition! I love your method of attaching windows et al to styrene. I'll give that a run for sure. Thanks for sharing.
Convincing representation of a GWR branch line terminus. Imaginative integration of the back scene with the foreground. The use of a drone to take the photographs and all the work in photoshop has paid off! You have got the perspective exactly right which is a point on which many layout builders fall down. Thanks for uploading.
Standouts for we are: Your lighting, the felling of depth and elevation, adhering to photographic resources brings a realism that is hard to put your finger on but is missing when a modeller works from imagination alone. Real photographic textures bring an individuality to your buildings, often modellers are in love with their weathering technique and everything takes on a sameness of drab. Lovely work Paul.
What an incredible model railway. The amount of time & patience it must have taken to construct is results in a work of absolute beauty. Thank you for sharing it.
So very lovely and reminiscent of the past where these lovely places actually existed ! Hmmm! Anyways thank you so much for sharing not only your lovely model, but your techniques!
Magical! There is something beautiful about these branch lines of the earlier days.Your layout captures this. I love that in some areas you need to see past trees to be able to see the trains. Very realistic. I love it.
Beautiful layout, this is a prize winner if it had been on the exhibition circuit. Love the almost colonial feel of the buildings and surroundings, that Hotel could have been in Cape Town or Wellington equally well as St Ives.
Congratulations on a superbly built layout. The beach scene was just so realistic, as was the greenery. Indeed, every gives the feeling of excellence. You should certainly be proud of what you have achieved. I am jealous.
Absolutely amazing: I could easily retrace our steps during our holidays there last year, from the station to the bar and beach or down the path under the bridge after turning left walking along the hotel overlooking the station...👍👍👍
Bloody marvellous. I love it and the narration and back story. Maybe another update when you have done more tweaks or maybe a running session! It really captures that summer feel!
This is beyond brilliant, designed and built in such a short period of time. You have captured it perfectly especially with the bridge, buildings and backscene...the whole layout👌👍
Incredible. I envy that many of you enjoyed seeing places like this and locomotives of these sorts in your own lifetime. I can only venture to them vicariously through layouts like these.
Stunning model. Somewhere I've never been, but over th years I've followed many articles, mostly by CJF, on the St Ives branch, and I think I finally understand what inspires so many. It must be a great layout to operate, satisfying to build, and generally fun.
Proper job!!! It's a good representation of St Ives, especially with the full length platform. Brian Taylor's rendition of those balustrades is excellent, but I wouldn't expect anything less.
You must have put a lot of research into this layout build and it has not been wasted. The is so much detail to look at. I only wish is that this video could have been longer. Thanks for sharing. Martin. (Thailand)
Superb video production and commentary. As to the important thing the railway itself it is magnificent. I often look back at past times in my long life particularly childhood holidays. Halcyon days well away from what so many now see as troubled times.
Stunning. We visit St Ives every year (gutted we had to cancel this year due to covid) and often I’ve sat on Porthminster beach contemplating building a layout depicting SI in the modern era. An absolute credit this your modelling skills and eye for detail 🚂👍🏻
I addition to your wonderful eye for scenic detail, your narrative pacing and editing of this wonderful video are top-notch. A pleasure to watch and to re-watch!! Well done!!!
I have fond memories of St.Ives. but never Visited by Train. But your Layout is Magnificent..! It was almost as if I could smell the Ocean whilst tucking into a Pasty..! Thx for the Memories. I Left the Uk for Oz. And haven't returned but if I did, St. Ives would be a Must. Cheers kim in Oz. 😎
THE "SHUNT AHEAD RULE" WITH SEMAPHORE SIGNALLING. A back shunt arm ?? No such thing !!! I think you mean a "Shunt ahead" subsiduary arm. The St. Ives branch was of course a Single line, so had to operate under "Single line Token Block" rules. Which firstly meant Electro-mechanical Token machines had to be installed in all the signalboxes along this branch, as well as at the Junction box at St. Erth. So every train travelling between St. Ives & St. Erth had to be in possession of a "Token", before it could begin its journey. A "Token" was usually a 2-3ft long steel pipe with rings fitted to it at specific points. The position of the rings would ensure this Token would only fit in the Token machines at either end of the section of line the Token was made for. The Token machines at each end of this section would have a number of Tokens in them. But only ONE token could ever be removed from both machines, to ensure only one train could be on that section of single line. Meaning crashes between two trains on the single line should be impossible ! St. Ives would have had "Starter" signals for leaving each platform track. Then at the far end of the viaduct, the "Advanced Starter" which would most likely have also been known as the "Block Signal". A "Block Signal" means it is the Signal controlling access to the next "Block area" controlled by the next Signalbox along the line (probably Carbis Bay). So nothing can pass such a Signal unless the next box (Carbis Bay) can give "Line Clear" on the Block instruments, meaning it has NO trains in its Block, and give an electrical release to St. Ives box so it could pull the Block Signal to clear. However if there is a necessity for the purpose of shunting at St. Ives, for trains to pass the "Block Signal" for maybe just a hundred yards or so. So that they clear pointwork to allow them to reverse into a siding or other track. It becomes a time consuming problem to clear the whole "Block" to Carbis Bay just to shunt a train in the St. Ives Station area !!! Hence a subsiduary "Shunt Ahead" signal is placed beneath the "Block Signal" on the same post. A GWR "Shunt Ahead" arm would normally be a 4ft arm painted red with a large metal "S" painted white affixed to the arm. This Signal therefore allows the rule concerning Block Signals to be modified. The Shunt Ahead signal can be cleared by St. Ives box without obtaining "Line Clear" from Carbis Bay box. The Shunt Ahead signal can only be accepted by light locos, freight or ECS moves, NEVER a passenger train. And it instructs the Driver that he may pass the "Block Signal" at Danger for the sole purpose of shunting, and MUST NOT pass the "Limit of Shunt" board, which would be placed far enough ahead to allow such shunt moves, but also not nearer than 220yds from the Home Signal protecting access to St. Ives "Station Limits" for trains coming from St. Earth. This of course is just the "Tip of the Iceberg" in the complex rules covering just one unusual aspect of Semaphore Signal operation, which all Signalmen & Train Drivers had to memorise, as part of their jobs.
Incredible layout. i love the st Ives branch line and many of the features were instantly recognisable. I am considering modelling Hayle harbour as it was in the 50s and 60s when the power plant was operating, and modelling a section of the mainline possibly Hayle to St Erth. I may have to model that in either T of Z gauge given the size of the area, even then i suspect compression will be required.
Fantastic video - what an amazing layout, thank you for explaining your techniques as well, very inspiring. Looking forward to seeing more of St Ives in the future
What a beautiful layout. Wish I had your skill! A very good video too. A quick pace to ensure it's not overly long and several little scenery tips and tricks. Great stuff!
I am in St Ives at the moment, We got the train from St Ives to Carbis bay, as I walked through the car park I commented about the original station to my wife. Great layout.
what a wonderful model
Absolutely brilliant model railway! Great narration and explanation of your modeling techniques. I was just touring the St. Ives branch via Google Earth and was day dreaming about what things must have looked like back in the 1950's. Thank you for filling in the blanks!
Nice job...!!
I could not take mu eyes of the buildings when I could. I have bookmarked this video, so I can come back often. Than you for the video.
Incredibly atmospheric. Some model railways draw you in, and this is certainly up there with them. Superb.
The sedum trick for trees was quite a revelation. What a gorgeous layout,
Your enthusiasm and effort is to be admired. Congratulations on a wonderful layout!
It was an act of official vandalism to bulldoze these places in the 60s and replace them with a small concrete bus shelter. So much beauty needlessly lost.
Sir you have a superb layout. It took me back to the early 1960's with the steam locos and the diesel units. when I was a young boy. Thank you for showing your hard work off. Long may it bring you hours of enjoyment.
I was 5 in 1954 when we travelled from Paddington to Carbis Bay on the Cornish Riviera Express and still remember it well. On Saturday mornings over the next few years the sight of the train making its way round the coastline to St. Erth and then Paddington was an awesome sight.
What an beautiful model railway of my favourite era of British Railways. I am 69 now, I wish I had worked on our railways in the 1950s, I started work on British Rail in 1970 age 15, I can just remember watching a tank locomotive dragging a rake of van wagons across a road crossing as I held my dad's hand and watched in amazement as the locomotive came slowly across, one of the loco crew took his cap off and waved at me.! I have never never forgotten that. It's funny what we remember, ask me to tell you what i had for lunch last week and I probably cannot remember.! Sorry I am digressing, I tend to do a lot of that, Lol. Anyway, well done sir, you have a truly amazing model railway. Best wishes to you and keep safe. 👍🚂. And best wishes from the East Riding of Yorkshire.
Quite incredible
Brilliant layout and a perfect reminiscence of St Ives and that unique feel of Cornwall.
I spent many holidays in the fifties and sixties in the Camping Coach to the rear of the station and have lots of b&w photos of my family, most of whom are long gone. But the memories live on, especially as I have a scar to my face received by falling down the small ladder steps to the coach entrance. The coach was an amazing conversion and it was a joy in so many ways. Thank you for reminding me of those wonderful times. Don
I dont remember St Ives back then but the model is instantly recognised even though its now a single line platform with no buildings or loop etc as the town is served by Class 150 DMUs. The model is frankly amazing. I could be on the beach for a quick paddle and an ice cream before the next train. What a great hobby we have.
i'm not in the hobby but i really enjoyed watching this. Drawn in by the optical illusions and then wanted to watch the rest to find out how the tricks were done.
This is by far the best layout I’ve seen, the way that you’ve done the scenery really makes the layout an outstanding piece. Love it
I agree 100%. Fantastic layout. I feel as though I'm there.
The integration of the backscene is seamless.
If this line had been in the hands of the preservationists combined with the popularity of St. Ives, I would imagine long queues and an entry fee to get access!
One of the most realistic model railways I've seen.
An inspiration to anyone thinking of getting into model railway.
Your layout is wonderful. The West Country has an appeal all its own with the palms and very blue sea. Nice naturally lit room as well, no cross-beams blocking views!
Outstanding, what a fantastic water idea.
I wish, when I was in my 20's, (50 years ago!) that I knew about branch line modelling? I think I would have stayed with the British outline railway theme! As an Ozzie, I'm now very parochial.
Your modelling efforts are inspirational. Your ocean scene is brilliant. I don't think I've seen a better rendition! I love your method of attaching windows et al to styrene. I'll give that a run for sure. Thanks for sharing.
Convincing representation of a GWR branch line terminus. Imaginative integration of the back scene with the foreground. The use of a drone to take the photographs and all the work in photoshop has paid off! You have got the perspective exactly right which is a point on which many layout builders fall down. Thanks for uploading.
Your model takes us all back to 1950s, even those of us born later, thanks! 😃
What an excellent layout, I have had holidays to Carbis Bay in the last few years and instantly recognise the layout of St Ives.
Simply stunning piece of modelling. Beyond brilliant.
Absolutely love this! Fantastic layout and such a great way of doing it too...
Standouts for we are:
Your lighting, the felling of depth and elevation, adhering to photographic resources brings a realism that is hard to put your finger on but is missing when a modeller works from imagination alone.
Real photographic textures bring an individuality to your buildings, often modellers are in love with their weathering technique and everything takes on a sameness of drab.
Lovely work Paul.
2 years? Thats quick, what an awsome job, even for a layout of this size . Looks great, you should be proud of what you have achieved 😎👍
Stunning and in just a couple of years, just so good!
What an incredible model railway. The amount of time & patience it must have taken to construct is results in a work of absolute beauty. Thank you for sharing it.
So very lovely and reminiscent of the past where these lovely places actually existed ! Hmmm! Anyways thank you so much for sharing not only your lovely model, but your techniques!
Magical! There is something beautiful about these branch lines of the earlier days.Your layout captures this. I love that in some areas you need to see past trees to be able to see the trains. Very realistic. I love it.
WOW. Especially the trees and the beach waves
II have travelled along this branch line many times. You have captured the essence and detail perfectly. Congratulations and thanks.-
Beautiful layout, this is a prize winner if it had been on the exhibition circuit.
Love the almost colonial feel of the buildings and surroundings, that Hotel could have been in Cape Town or Wellington equally well as St Ives.
The better days, perfectly captured, stunning...👍😁
The Sedum trick for trees is excellent. Did i see sea gulls circling that engine shed!?
Yes I saw that. Bit of photoshopping very well done.
What a fantastic layout with great commentary providing a insight into the construction process. Thank you for sharing. Merry Christmas.
My goodness! The detail and craftsmanship makes my jaw drop!
@5:19, love the swimmers and you did a great job giving them motion.
Congratulations on a superbly built layout. The beach scene was just so realistic, as was the greenery. Indeed, every gives the feeling of excellence. You should certainly be proud of what you have achieved. I am jealous.
Absolutely amazing: I could easily retrace our steps during our holidays there last year, from the station to the bar and beach or down the path under the bridge after turning left walking along the hotel overlooking the station...👍👍👍
Bloody marvellous. I love it and the narration and back story. Maybe another update when you have done more tweaks or maybe a running session! It
really captures that summer feel!
This is beyond brilliant, designed and built in such a short period of time. You have captured it perfectly especially with the bridge, buildings and backscene...the whole layout👌👍
Sorry about the water guys, it’s just me drooling
Quite the most engaging video of an avowedly team effort version of an enchanting model layout of Snives.
Thank you for brightening up the day.
Incredible. I envy that many of you enjoyed seeing places like this and locomotives of these sorts in your own lifetime. I can only venture to them vicariously through layouts like these.
Stunning model.
Somewhere I've never been, but over th years I've followed many articles, mostly by CJF, on the St Ives branch, and I think I finally understand what inspires so many.
It must be a great layout to operate, satisfying to build, and generally fun.
Proper job!!! It's a good representation of St Ives, especially with the full length platform. Brian Taylor's rendition of those balustrades is excellent, but I wouldn't expect anything less.
Just love this, captures the ambience of a Cornish seaside town brilliantly , superb video .
That's good. I like the technique of showing the prototype and then the model. Some excellent modelling. And great explanations.
You must have put a lot of research into this layout build and it has not been wasted. The is so much detail to look at. I only wish is that this video could have been longer. Thanks for sharing. Martin. (Thailand)
Absolutely brilliant layout.
Great layout - love the use of old and new school techniques. Kudos to the sea especially.
Not sure why I watched this but so glad I did. Superb in every way.
Stunning detail, wonderful
Wonderful idea - you've captured the essence of this beautifully! Very well done indeed!
I am so in awe of the fantastic attention to detail that you have created...this is just amazing!!
I think Mr Freezer had an obsession with St Ives in his many track plan books.
Superb video production and commentary. As to the important thing the railway itself it is magnificent. I often look back at past times in my long life particularly childhood holidays. Halcyon days well away from what so many now see as troubled times.
A beautiful model ! I remember getting a lift to and from work on the same type of local shown at the beginning . But it was a mat rough grey colour .
Stunning. We visit St Ives every year (gutted we had to cancel this year due to covid) and often I’ve sat on Porthminster beach contemplating building a layout depicting SI in the modern era. An absolute credit this your modelling skills and eye for detail 🚂👍🏻
I honestly thought this was real. I stayed in the hotel pictured in the layout! Phenomenal
Great layout! Your thorough research paid off.
aaaaaaaahhhh.......one man's dream brought to life... irresistible.
Thanks for sharing it with us.👍
One of the best layouts ever.....
I addition to your wonderful eye for scenic detail, your narrative pacing and editing of this wonderful video are top-notch. A pleasure to watch and to re-watch!! Well done!!!
I have fond memories of St.Ives. but never Visited by Train.
But your Layout is Magnificent..! It was almost as if I could smell the Ocean whilst tucking into a Pasty..!
Thx for the Memories.
I Left the Uk for Oz. And haven't returned but if I did, St. Ives would be a Must.
Cheers kim in Oz. 😎
What a model railway, amazing scenery
You have my admiration and envy ... marvellous modelling
THE "SHUNT AHEAD RULE" WITH SEMAPHORE SIGNALLING.
A back shunt arm ?? No such thing !!! I think you mean a "Shunt ahead" subsiduary arm.
The St. Ives branch was of course a Single line, so had to operate under "Single line Token Block" rules. Which firstly meant Electro-mechanical Token machines had to be installed in all the signalboxes along this branch, as well as at the Junction box at St. Erth. So every train travelling between St. Ives & St. Erth had to be in possession of a "Token", before it could begin its journey.
A "Token" was usually a 2-3ft long steel pipe with rings fitted to it at specific points. The position of the rings would ensure this Token would only fit in the Token machines at either end of the section of line the Token was made for. The Token machines at each end of this section would have a number of Tokens in them. But only ONE token could ever be removed from both machines, to ensure only one train could be on that section of single line. Meaning crashes between two trains on the single line should be impossible !
St. Ives would have had "Starter" signals for leaving each platform track. Then at the far end of the viaduct, the "Advanced Starter" which would most likely have also been known as the "Block Signal". A "Block Signal" means it is the Signal controlling access to the next "Block area" controlled by the next Signalbox along the line (probably Carbis Bay). So nothing can pass such a Signal unless the next box (Carbis Bay) can give "Line Clear" on the Block instruments, meaning it has NO trains in its Block, and give an electrical release to St. Ives box so it could pull the Block Signal to clear.
However if there is a necessity for the purpose of shunting at St. Ives, for trains to pass the "Block Signal" for maybe just a hundred yards or so. So that they clear pointwork to allow them to reverse into a siding or other track. It becomes a time consuming problem to clear the whole "Block" to Carbis Bay just to shunt a train in the St. Ives Station area !!!
Hence a subsiduary "Shunt Ahead" signal is placed beneath the "Block Signal" on the same post. A GWR "Shunt Ahead" arm would normally be a 4ft arm painted red with a large metal "S" painted white affixed to the arm. This Signal therefore allows the rule concerning Block Signals to be modified. The Shunt Ahead signal can be cleared by St. Ives box without obtaining "Line Clear" from Carbis Bay box. The Shunt Ahead signal can only be accepted by light locos, freight or ECS moves, NEVER a passenger train. And it instructs the Driver that he may pass the "Block Signal" at Danger for the sole purpose of shunting, and MUST NOT pass the "Limit of Shunt" board, which would be placed far enough ahead to allow such shunt moves, but also not nearer than 220yds from the Home Signal protecting access to St. Ives "Station Limits" for trains coming from St. Earth.
This of course is just the "Tip of the Iceberg" in the complex rules covering just one unusual aspect of Semaphore Signal operation, which all Signalmen & Train Drivers had to memorise, as part of their jobs.
Really enjoyed watching this. I love the beach scene and how the backscene blends in so well.
Nicely done! Great commentary, too. Thanks for sharing.
A quality UA-cam video! Congratulations on a job well done!
An amazing layout, brought back some fond memories
Excellent video. Excellent model. Stunning scenery. Really inspiring.
Incredible layout. i love the st Ives branch line and many of the features were instantly recognisable. I am considering modelling Hayle harbour as it was in the 50s and 60s when the power plant was operating, and modelling a section of the mainline possibly Hayle to St Erth. I may have to model that in either T of Z gauge given the size of the area, even then i suspect compression will be required.
Just brilliant layout.i am planning my layout and the ideas you show there.
We help me no end
Superb concept and brilliantly executed !. I love it
The detail is superb.
What a fantastic atmospheric layout, loved it.
Fantastic video - what an amazing layout, thank you for explaining your techniques as well, very inspiring. Looking forward to seeing more of St Ives in the future
Wonderful layout
This is brilliant, thank you. So many useful tips, in the scenery and in the voice over. What a terrific model!
Can I book a weeks holiday there. Beach looks super, just as I remember it while working a season at the St Ives Bay Hotel overlooking the station.
Gorgeous location!! Yes!! I’ve actually been on the DMU and parking the car just outside the town.
Well done Paul, still a train nut, I am doing similar but in Dublo and in 5". Love your detail of construction, trees and buildings.
And the award of my favourite Western Region Layout goes to....
What a nice source of inspiration. Very beautiful and amazingly made. Thanks for sharing.
Well done and advising great information. A total work of art. Great layout.
What a beautiful layout, well done!
This is just superb. Very, very well filmed too!
The steel and concrete on the bridge. Roofs with lichen. Slates and lead. Like being there !
Outstanding work!
What a beautiful layout. Wish I had your skill!
A very good video too. A quick pace to ensure it's not overly long and several little scenery tips and tricks. Great stuff!
How Britain has changed.
Wow the trees are my favourite part!😂 It's amazing, all of it though. Great job 👍👍