Great to hear that Topley Dale did not disappear altogether, although from your overview it would appear to be a new layout. Was really disappointed when it was dismantled as I assumed it was destined for the bin in the sky. Looking forward to future progress.
Great video, and its nice to see Topley Dale is getting rebuilt and worked on once again, I'm interested to see how the multi level works, gives such a lot of play value with the layout. Keep up the good work and I'll see you at Model Rail Scotland James
Looks good so far Mike, though a lot of work is still to be done! I'm rebuilding the station area on my layout, but because yours truly used OO gauge ballast for a OO gauge layout, instead of N gauge ballast. I've started the work this afternoon, as I type, scraping up some of the old ballast, on platform 6, with a view to taking up the track there this Saturday! The depot track is already relaid, so work in my March update concerns platforms 4-6, with 1-3 following another time. BTW I'll be at Model Rail Scotland on the Saturday, so look forward to possibly having a quick chat with you! Lastly, I love class 47s, so guess how many I have for my layout currently?
Thanks for the update Mike. Hopefully there will be some vid's showing the methods you will be using. With such a size of layout I guess the gradients to the planned lower level will be easier. Have you a maximum gradient in mind?
Exciting project👍💜😊✌️ As work is so extensive, alongside the concrete/Dowmac sleepered track, could you relay the wooden sleeper areas with PECO Bullhead🤔🤔
Thoroughly delighted with this rebuild project. Really looking forward to watch this evolve. The great central railway layout was a disappointment after original Topley Dale was dismantled.
We are looking forward to seeing what Mike does with the layout as time goes on. The big difference between Topley Dale and the GCR layout is that T.D. is Mike's personal layout, whereas the GCR one was a magazine project. 😊
Wow, Mike Topley Dale revamp I sure this is going to be awesome when completed. I do like the idea to be more modern this time around, and i will be well interested in seeing this all develop. I didn't realise that you have moved workshops. I hope everything is going well.
Wow! You certainly have your work cut out. Love Norton Bridge power box, the amount of times I've been in the actual Norton Bridge before it went, I think I'm going to have get one for my layout and alter the signalling 😅
Mike interesting video. What has happened to the O gauge layout which was under Topley Dale and feed your garden railway, which was feature in summer 2022 Hornby Magazine issues as a staff project? Will follow the revamp of Topley Dale with interest as a Modern traction diesel & electric fan.
The garden railway is no more (but all the track and electronics are in storage). There are future plans for O gauge, but the OO layout is the current focus of attention.
We prefer driving trains manually - the best running sessions will be with a group of operators getting involved with all the circuits (once it is built and fully running that is).
Hi Mike looks really good. Makes my 20ft by 6ft Acton Wells tt120 look small, but that will fit in the office too. Louis done a great job with the ttas in 120 too. Phils bridges look great but mine all done. see you at mk in autumn.
Please feel free to send us a few images of your TT:120 layout if you feel it's ready for possible publication. We would love to start featuring peoples TT:120 layouts in the magazine 😊
The O gauge is all in boxes and might come out again one day, but this is all Mike's private collection, so not everything will be used for the magazine 😊
I kind of like the idea of Topley Dale as it would look in a modern scene. I think you should keep some of the recognisable parts of the station and modernize them. Then keep the name Topley Dale. A lot could happen between the 1960'es and now. So it would also be a fun story to "write".
