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New 00 Layout installed at Hounslow West (TFL) Station
The Club was invited by Transport for London to provide a 00 model railway in conjunction with a project to commemorate the extension of the Piccadilly line to the newly rebuilt station in 1933 and the 160th anniversary of the start of London Underground services
Two parallel 1/76 (‘00’) model railway tracks front an illuminated art mural commissioned by TFL from designer Dan Maier (extraordinarydesign.com) It is housed in a Grade II listed ‘Passimeter - an early design of portable ticket office, located at the station.
The tracks are not ballasted or provided with scenery, but this striking backdrop of a lampshade wrapping around the inside of the passimeter provides a fine setting for the trains.
Local Art Deco buildings frame the Charles Holden designed heptagonal booking hall of 1933, a time when when Hounslow was rapidly developing. As far as was possible with commercial models,, the two trains represent the steam and electric eras at Hounslow West (previously ‘Hounslow Barracks) station.
Carriages for the steam train are appropriate to the 1884 -1905 period. Not exact models, but a very close likeness with a ‘varnished teak’ finish. First, Second and Third class travel was provided.
A steam locomotive model appropriate to the carriages is not available so a later London Transport steam engine has been substituted. L97, an ex-GWR Pannier tank, built in 1930 is one of a batch acquired in 1961 from British Railways and was used on surface lines engineers trains, until the end of steam on LT in 1972.
The electrified period is represented by the iconic 1938 tube train. Taking innovative features from earlier experimental railcars, one in particular stands out - they were the first trains in the UK to put all the electrical equipment under the floor. Previously this occupied considerable passenger space.
The trains in action
Pic: N. Didi (TFL)
You have to test them.
Steve W and Paul R-H
Pic: N. Didi (TFL)
Twickenham & District MRC thank:
TFL staff associated with the project for our opportunity to participate.
Hounslow West station staff for their assistance.
Dan Maier of Extraordinary Designs for creating and guiding the project
https://extraordinarydesign.com
The Model Centre (TMC) for sourcing and supplying most of the railway materials on schedule and within budget.
© Extraordinary Designs
Mock up of the lampshade mural art.
Pic: Paul Raven-Hill
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