MODEL PHOTOGRAPH GALLERY

This page is devoted to photographs of YOUR model trams and layouts. They need not be of Blackpool prototypes as the intention is to provide a showcase of tramway modelling which will be of interest to others and provide an incentive for others to join us in our hobby. The photographs do not have to be taken by the builder of the model, they can be taken by anybody as long as they have given permission for them to be published on this page.

Here's the result of the latest cooperation between Alan Kirkman and Len. The result of a commission, the livery was completed using photographs of the prototype and then after much work in the computer decals were produced and then applied to repainted and motorised Corgi railcoaches.

A material not featured on Gallery before is cardboard. These trams have been constructed by Peter Watson. He has made his own drawings on his computer and coloured them to produce a "picture" of a "flattened" tram, cut around the outside and then bent the "flat" into shape.

At the time of writing, these trams aren't powered and there isn;t a layout for them to run on but this may change in the future. Having seen the Alphagrafix range of card models, and being unhappy with some aspects of the Hadfield plastic "Vam Bac" kits Peter decided to "have a go" at producing his own kits in card, both for his own amusement and to see if he could do it. I;m sure that everyone viewing these photos will agree that the Peter has certainly achieved his aims. Would you be interested in purchasing any of these models? If there is enough interest Peter would be happy to print some for you. You could motorise them fairly easily by making a chassis from Plasticard or cutting out the windows, glueing the printed sheet onto Overhead Projection film then glueing together as if it was a card kit, inserting plastic strip to support a chassis and motorise using your favourite method. Len can put you in touch with Peter if you are interested.

Having now designed and made a number of card models (see the Gallery page for photographs) Peter Watson has had to construct a diorama in order to show them off properly and this photograph shows an English Electric Railcoach in wartime livery on the prom with the sea in the background. The whole diorama is made from card with the exceptiion of the upright pole supporting the overhead which is made from a wooden skewer, the crossmember which is made from a straightened paper clip and the overhead wire and the two support "wires" holding up the crossmember which are all made from cotton. He is now working on a couple of new trams - hopefully, you'll see the results here in due course - but no details at present. For those who have expressed an interest in these models I can say that Peter is in the process of writing instruction sheets etc., so the models will be available as kits in the not too distant future and he is also hoping to set up his own website, details will appear here in due course.

Peter's latest model is of the Coronation class trams and will give an idea of just how good these cardboard models can be. Peter is already working on other Blackpool tram models and hopes to make available kits for accessories and Blackpool buses later on.

The latest result of collaboration between Len, who produced the decals, and Alan Kirkman, who did everything else, is this Blackpoool Brush Car. A straightforward relivery of a Corgi Brush car with the addition of rooftop advertising boxes made from Plastruct box section and a working pantograph to replace the original "dummy". The model has also been motorised.

Every so often there comes a tremendous advance in modelling. Technological inprovements often make this possible but still relies upon the skill of the modeller to take full advantage of the advances. Peter Whiteley has utilised his skills by using extremely small light emitting diodes (1.6mm x 0.8mm)to create models of Blackpool illuminated trams. As can be seen from the photos, the result is truly spectacular, especially when viewed in subdued lighting. To see these trams running on the layout amongst the ordinary trams is an awe inspriring experience. Peter has a number of trams on his layout, not all are Blackpool trams, and the layout isn't based on any particular location. Nonetheless, it does prove the point that an imaginary location can be just as effective as the model of an actual location.

This photo shows the Rocket followed by Standard 159 emerging from the rear of the layout onto the front viewing area of the layout. Photographed from the rear of the layout.

The same trams are seen here at the same location but photographed from the viewing area. Although stating the obvious, at first glance this appears to be a photograph of real trams instead of models.

Here are two more photographs of the Rocket tram. The first was taken at the same location as the previous photo the second was taken at the extreme left hand side of the layout. Its nice to see a reminder of my schooldays - The Eagle comic delivery van.

The two views below show the right hand side of the layout. The photo on the left is taken from the middle of the layout looking toward the right end whilst the photo on the left is taken at the end of the layout looking toward the centre of the layout

Peter runs trams from a number of different companies on his layout as this view shows. Amongst thetrams in the depot are models of those from Sheffield, Glasgow, Liverpool and Blackpool amongst others.

In the photograph on the left two trams, including a Blackpool single deck tram pass in the centre of the layout whilst in the photograph on the right a Blackpool Dreadnought tram is closely followed by a Glasgow tram in the "open country" section of the layout. This is on the left had side of the layout.

These two model Blackpool trams, and the two above have been built by Andrew Peters who has motorised them using Tramalan motor units

These photographs have been taken by Alan Kirkman and show his model of Centenary class tram no.644 (made from a Blackpool in the Box kit) in Bispham and Clevelys Kitchens all over advertising livery which was photographed on one of his layouts. The current for the motor is collected from the fully working overhead through the pantograph in the prototypical manner. Bispham and Cleveleys Kitchens have had an all-over advertisment on Blackpool trams for a number of years, their first being on an OMO car.

A view from above to show the roof and pantograph

The tram working in heavy traffic conditions

Alan has been modelling trams for a number of years and exhibits his layouts at a number of exhibitions each year. It is a well known fact that photographs are more critical than the human eye, consequently, every small mistake on a model appears worse than it is when seen by the naked eye. Its regarded as "cruel" to publish photographs of models at a greater than life size because any mistakes are even more obvious. However, Alan is an expert modeller whose work stands up to such scrutiny. Please don't let this stop you submitting photos of your models and/or layouts, we promise that we will show them at, or smaller than, life size and you'll be surprised to discover just how good your models are.

A big "Thank you" to Wally Sayer for taking these photographs of his model trams at the Littlehampton Hobbies Exhibition, as well as those taken at his home. The prototypes of Wally's models come from a wide variety of locations and run on his layout together to give a lot of enjoyment to spectators. The models are accompanied by literature and photographs of prototype trams.

Even when not is use, Wally's model trams are available for instant display inside his converted writing desk, although there isn't room for all of them in there. Whilst many modellers will delay for months, or even years, before constructing a kit which they have purchased, Wally doesn't let the grass grow under his feet. Seen at the front right of the trams on the writing desk is a model of Blackpool and Fleetwood "Boxcar" tram No.40 which Wally built in less than two weeks after receiving it from me and which featured on his layout at Littlehampton (see it on the layout in the phtograph immediately above, just behind and to the left of the red and yellow Post Office tram).Wally kindly arranged some of his other trams for these pictures. The two models of St.Pauls Cathedral have been made by Wally although there's no indication of who the "Human Model" behind is!

Whilst Wally's layout is quite compact, a much larger layout has been built by Jim Halsall. This runs from what I call an "Urban" setting to a "rural" setting. Jim runs a wide variety of trams on his layout, a number of which will be seen in these photographs. The running route for the trams is to leave the interchange station with the buses and proceed to the left of the block of buildings facing us, around the block and follow the tracks to the bottom right of the photo.

Taking the upper track of the two shown the tram then proceeds to the right past the terrace of houses. The Blackpool "Open Boat" is proceeding toward the bus/tram interchange.

Continuing its journey to the "rural" area the tram proceeds past the shops and garage before passing under the railway bridge (thank goodness the train stopped in time!)













Having passed under the railway bridge the tram continues straight on, turning right at the far end of the block. The double deck Blackpool "Balloon" tram is returning from the "rural" area to the "urban" area. The Bedford OB single deck coach driver may be using the roadside facilities which were once a familiar part of the scene although much rarer these days.









Having arrived at the factory the tram either takes the "short cut" to the church or proceeds through the "rural area" on the right before arriving at the church. In either case, it then begins the return journey to the "urban" area. There are a number of "interesting happenings" on the layout. If you look carefully, you can see a wedding party leaving the church following the wedding ceremony.








The "sort cut" taken from above the church. The tram at the bottom is just leaving the rural area and passing the horse drawn carriage waiting for the happy couple with the cars for the guests being decorated with the traditional white ribbons. A tram is just entering the short cut at the top.


The "rural area". Note the "band concert" being given in the bandstand and a St.John Ambulance Brigade member ready to give first aid should it be needed. The fishermen would probably be upset if the swans on the pond are frightening the fish away. Thanks to magnets fitted to a motor under the "water" of the pond and pieces of metal inserted in the swans, they move about the surface of the pond as if swimming.

Because all these kits have been sold, and I can't therefore be accused of advertising, I'm including this photograph of Jim's model Blackpool Coronation car, made from a Blackpool in the Box kit, traversing the rural section of his layout.

My thanks to Jim for taking the trouble to photograph his layout especially for this page becuase it is a permanent fixture in his home and doesn't appear at exhibitions. This layout has recently featured in Model Rail magazine, issue No.23 dated September 2000.

That there are many ways to incorporate one's interests in a layout is well known and the reason why there is such variety in model railway and model tramway layouts. I am particularly grateful to Paul Booth for sending me details and photographs of his layout which were taken at the Wakefield Model Railway Exhibition. Paul has cleverly combined his interests in fairground rides with his interest in trams and road transport to create this very attractive diorama.

Here we can see how Paul has incorporated a beach scene with the fairground, road and tramway on the cliff top. A similar situation, if not exactly the same, pertains in a number of well known seaside resorts all over the country.

Here we can see the fairground with its rides and the road and tramway access. This layout shows just how much interest can be packed into a relatively small space and capture the viewers attention for quite a while as all aspects of the layout are viewed.

Alan Brown can still recall his first ride on a tram when, at the age of four when he caught a tram from outside Blackpool South railway station and went to Sanley Park on the Marton route. He can also remember the noisy sounds of a double decked tramcar running along the badly worn track in Lytham Road. Having such fond memories of his childhood in Blackpool its not surprising that Blackpool trams feature on his model tramway layout which is an end to end type but being fully automated features continuous running. This is achieved by using reed switches fixed in the track which are activated by magnets attached to the trams. This operates relays which switch the appropriate circuits on and off.

The photograph on the left shows Alan's model of "Brush car" number 631 which is a Corgi die cast model which Alan has motorised using a Tenshodo motor bogie. This is seen again on the left in the photograph below. The tram on the right in this photo is known as an "Open Boat" although when introduced in the 1930's was officially known as a "Luxury Toastrack". Alan has made this model from a Hadfield plastic kit which has been modified using a Tramalan conversion kit.

The photograph below shows Alan's model of a "Progress Twin Car Unit". These are also conversions froma Hadfields plastic "Vambac" kits plus white metal conversion kits from Tramalan.

Alan's trams are powered from the overhead just like the prototype but at the moment the overhead is made from inverted "Z" gauge rail but plans are in heand to install proper overhead wire when time permits. The "Balloon" car shown above is another Corgi model powered by Tenshodo bogies. This is a relatively simple way of producing a tram without the difficulty of painting, a technique which is proving invaluable when making models of trams with an "allover" advertising livery which would normally be extremely difficult to produce.

Two of the new "Blackpool" trams from Corgi are the latest additions to Alan's fleet. The Blackpool part of the description is in inverted commas because - although sold as a Blackpool tram by Corgi - it only vaguely resembles a Blackpool "Pantograph Car" which in reality was a much longer tram with more side windows and carried on two bogies not the four wheel truck of the model. Alan has motorised the trams for use on his layout. Whilst not prototypically correct, they are novertheless attractive to look at and certainly add interest to the layout.

Sinxce the above photographs were taken Alan has been busy constructing his new layout which he calls Upson Down which is in TT3 ish scale. This isn't too accurate a scale as Alan is motorising the Lledo "Days Gone" trams using Halling motors and running on 12mm gauge track. The layout is based in a ficticious location and is a fully automatic museum style layout that has continuous running on two levels and five tram stops. "The whole idea of the layout is not the accuracy of the scale but to encourage others to have a go at making a tram layout of their own" said Alan. The layout is very compact, being only 2foot (approx 600mm)long by 1foot 6inches (approx 450mm)wide and is thus ideal for transportation to exhibitions. The layout has laready appeared at Totally Transport in Blackpool and the Festival of Model Trams in Manchester (both 2006) The trams are powered at 4.5 volts dc and the relays at 16v ac. Alan motorises the trams by removing the two plastic threaded plugs underneath the tram. The motor is placed into the tram from above instead of from underneath and involves cutting all of the lower deck out and filing to the correct size. The motor units are then fixed in place using epoxy resin. The tram is then reassembled and stuck together. This photograph shows one of the top level curves/tram stops whilst the one below shows the tram depot which is situated on the lower level.

Dans models of two Standard Cars. The one on the left has an open balcony and is in the earlier red and cream livery whilst the one on the right has a closed balcony and is in the later green livery. No.147, which has recently been returned from America and restored is now running on the Promenade in this livery.

Using the latest kit from Tram City Dan has produced this model of a Boat Car.

This is Dan's model of "Princess Alice" the only open top Balloon car in the Blackpool Transport fleet. Converted back to open top form it was named by HRH Princess Alice herself in 1985.

Dan has made a collection of Blackpool trams using Hadfield kits which he has modified by "kitbashing" or converted using Tramalan conversion kits. This is a picture of Dan's collection in its display cabinet. Many thanks, Dan, for sending in the photographs which show just what is possible with a little ingenuity and careful "carving".

Andrew's layout helps to illustrate the wide range of model tramway layouts which exist, from the very simple such as John Adams's to the highly detailed such as Andy's, from the very large such as Jim's which takes up a whole room to Paul's which takes up only a few feet, each in their own way giving immense satisfaction to their owners. Why not join in the fun? Tramway modellers are friendly folk who are always prepared to give help and advice to everyone.

When sending the following photographs to me Christopher Clough said the he was so envious of the model trams featured in this section of the website that he had delayed sending any photographs of his models because he felt that they "fell short" of the standard of the models and layouts pictured. Many people think of model tramway layouts as small and simple affairs but as this diagram of Christoper Clough's model tramway layout shows they can be both large and intricate.Having moved from a shed in the garden, the layout is now housed in a spare bedroom. The layout uses live overhead to power the trams which run on Peco code 100 rail. The street running section is of Meadowcroft origin from the late 1960's and early 1970's whilst on the light rail section the poles are wooden dowelling which is a method Len's not heard of before but is just as effective as metal poles. Brass tubing is used elsewhere. The layout provides some sixty feet of running track, three routes and a depot. At the moment work is underway on a tram/bus interchange. Christopher is using the same method of producing grooved track as is being used on Blackpool in the box instead of the rail filled with polyfilla with the groove produced using an oversize wheeled truck as per the existing track. Collection from the overhead is by Sommerfeldt pantographs while one tram uses a Meadowcroft trolley pole, which is now many years old. Christopher's fleet of trams is not confined to Blackpool prototypes as he also runs Leeds and London trams as well as a Boeing Vertol Articulated tram.

This is the tram depot on Christopher's layout with Blackpool trams to the fore. The Leeds trams can be seen in the depot and the London tram outside the depot on the right.

These are more photographs from Christopher Clough's model tramway layout.

The photo below on the right shows two Blackpool "Standard" trams running on the layout. Taken from this viewpoint it is hard at first glance to realise that this is a model

Please don't be put off submitting photographs of your layout and/or model trams because you don't think they are as good as the ones pictured here. Photographs of "below standard" models are particularly welcome as they serve as an encouragement to other modellers to have a go. Remember, the more models that you build, the more experience you gain and thus each model you make is better than the previous one. All the modellers whose work is featured in these pages had to start from the beginning and made many models before they reached their present standards. Photographs can be sent in any form, conventional photographs - of any size - and slides can be sent by Royal Mail (Special Delivery is advised for slides). They will be returned to you after scanning. Alternatively, they can be sent as jpeg files by e-mail but please keep the largest dimension to 250 pixels either wide or high.