How amazing this layout is, such an under-represented but magical era for the railways, I wish their were more layouts like this though I think without RTR support it’s unlikely to take off in a big way as fewer people today (particularly new entrants to the hobby) have the confidence to kit or scratch build, or the need being so well catered for by off-the-shelf locos. Perhaps newer tech like 3D printing may help. For my part, if I feel like there’s no enough 19th century steam, I ought to do something about it! Again thanks for sharing this amazing layout
A very talented railway modeller met him years ago at a show with my dad where he had some of his locos on display very friendly man a shame about his passing
Tour de force of scratchbuilding, of lineside as much as rolling stock, and evocative of Railway Mania. I imagine it as similar to computer revolution of the 80s and 90s. Lots of ideas flying about, not many of them stuck. Agree this layout has a unique historical value, should be at York. Been looking for this for a while, thanks for uploading!
Such an awesome layout, i never actually tought what cornwall originally looked like when moving until i saw Sharman's model. the victorian period and pre-groupinng in general are far too ignored in the railway community.
Such amazing modelling, virtually all hand made and lovingly detailed and liveried. I really hope this layout and all the rolling stock, locomotives, buildings and the like have all been kept somewhere safe and can still be presented - a true museum quality display to do it justice.
In the early 70s.Mike Sharman's work featured prominently in the model railway press but until now I've only seen black and white photos of it . It is also interesting to hear his voice. Thank you so much for posting this. I hope this layout has survived.
I used to see Mike regularly at exhibitions "in the day" and he was always a mine of information to the young modeller. It's thanks to him I'm so interested in the Crampton locomoitve and his book on the subject was a marvel. Good to see this.
What a talented modeler very nice layout. Commentary is excellent this chap sure knows his early pregrouping railways. I learned a lot watching this video. Pregrouping stuff just isn't available like it was when I was a kid. Books on the subject are rarely produced these days.
Plenty of out-of-print books come up in specialist model bookshops and online. If you work in this era you must commit to quite a lot of scratchbuilding although that is manageable if you select a very modest layout. Having said that, there are one or two specialists in the trade, e.g. Parliamentary Trains.
Don't know how the comment about vacuum brakes ended up here, however, Cramptons were so popular abroad that to take the train, 'Prenez le Crampton' became the phrase.
Hi to whoever. Fantastic layout. 😮 Can't help wondering how much better they would run if Keyser's motors were replaced with modern day ones. And just think what performance could be achieved if they were DCC. Paul. 👍👍👍
I saw Mike's layout at exhibition around 1972. Glad to see it still running. But with the sound of those K's motors surely a loco should be named 'Growler'?
Does anyone know what the current modelling scene is for this era? Can anyone identify any books that cover tyhis era of the railways, obviously difficult as a lot of it was pre photography?
Gee wiz Alex you pop up everywhere. Some say the layout went to the USA, others say it was sold off. The model of Cornwall in its original form was being auctioned on eBay last week, the only piece of stock I’ve ever seen for sale from the layout.
Gary Hodge 9 months ago It seems to have emigrated to America - www.rmweb.co.uk/community/index.php?/topic/114620-mike-sharmans-mixed-gauge-layout/page-2 - post 26
Thank you for posting this video. This layout is something very special indeed.
I agree. I wonder who now has it. Surely it must survive today.
It seems to have emigrated to America - www.rmweb.co.uk/community/index.php?/topic/114620-mike-sharmans-mixed-gauge-layout/page-2 - post 26
This layout has got to be one of the funnest looking ones to operate and build I’ve ever seen. I hope wherever it is it’s being taken care if.
I do hope this layout has been saved for posterity. It's a work of art, of that I have no doubt. The ultimate in scratch building, surely.
This man was a legend when I was a teenage railway modeller. Not only a talented modeller, he must have been one hell of a historian.
How amazing this layout is, such an under-represented but magical era for the railways, I wish their were more layouts like this though I think without RTR support it’s unlikely to take off in a big way as fewer people today (particularly new entrants to the hobby) have the confidence to kit or scratch build, or the need being so well catered for by off-the-shelf locos. Perhaps newer tech like 3D printing may help. For my part, if I feel like there’s no enough 19th century steam, I ought to do something about it! Again thanks for sharing this amazing layout
If the gods gave me my time again, I would build O Gauge broad gauge in the garden.
A very talented railway modeller met him years ago at a show with my dad where he had some of his locos on display very friendly man a shame about his passing
Charmining and wonderful work, bringing the era alive.
Tour de force of scratchbuilding, of lineside as much as rolling stock, and evocative of Railway Mania. I imagine it as similar to computer revolution of the 80s and 90s. Lots of ideas flying about, not many of them stuck. Agree this layout has a unique historical value, should be at York. Been looking for this for a while, thanks for uploading!
This is superb. Exactly what need to fill in the huge gap not represented of the Crampton era.
This is absolutely insane, I would love to see an updated video in HD
Such an awesome layout, i never actually tought what cornwall originally looked like when moving until i saw Sharman's model. the victorian period and pre-groupinng in general are far too ignored in the railway community.
Such amazing modelling, virtually all hand made and lovingly detailed and liveried. I really hope this layout and all the rolling stock, locomotives, buildings and the like have all been kept somewhere safe and can still be presented - a true museum quality display to do it justice.
Great to see older models
track work, scenery, rolling stock, locomotives an integrated work of art.the whole greater than the parts.
In the early 70s.Mike Sharman's work featured prominently in the model railway press but until now I've only seen black and white photos of it .
It is also interesting to hear his voice. Thank you so much for posting this. I hope this layout has survived.
That is insane it’s broad standard and narrow gauge on 3 rails! It’s a masterpiece
I used to see Mike regularly at exhibitions "in the day" and he was always a mine of information to the young modeller. It's thanks to him I'm so interested in the Crampton locomoitve and his book on the subject was a marvel. Good to see this.
What a talented modeler very nice layout. Commentary is excellent this chap sure knows his early pregrouping railways. I learned a lot watching this video. Pregrouping stuff just isn't available like it was when I was a kid. Books on the subject are rarely produced these days.
Plenty of out-of-print books come up in specialist model bookshops and online. If you work in this era you must commit to quite a lot of scratchbuilding although that is manageable if you select a very modest layout. Having said that, there are one or two specialists in the trade, e.g. Parliamentary Trains.
Definitely one of my best loved layouts. And the Cramptons are one of the reasons single wheelers are my favourite locomotive types
Don't know how the comment about vacuum brakes ended up here, however, Cramptons were so popular abroad that to take the train, 'Prenez le Crampton' became the phrase.
Very interesting, the early stages of the railway revolution are fascinating!
What an amazing model railway!
Hi to whoever.
Fantastic layout. 😮
Can't help wondering how much better they would run if Keyser's motors were replaced with modern day ones. And just think what performance could be achieved if they were DCC.
Paul. 👍👍👍
I presume that all of the broard gauge at least - if not all must have been handmade. outstanding work.
And the standard gauge since he used EM gauge for the standard gauge. Closest to mass produced are the much modified Tri-ang Rocket coaches.
@@johnd8892 Those rails look like bronze or some other non bright metal as they looked more realistic?
I saw Mike's layout at exhibition around 1972. Glad to see it still running. But with the sound of those K's motors surely a loco should be named 'Growler'?
Does this wonderful layout still exist?
Outstanding skill .
Very fascinating!
Do you have any more of the series. Looks like a good set of videos
Does anyone know what the current modelling scene is for this era? Can anyone identify any books that cover tyhis era of the railways, obviously difficult as a lot of it was pre photography?
Anyone know if they put rail scale on DVD I had it on VHS and had this article on one of the tapes
This is far and away one of the nicest things I've ever seen, where is this layout now?
Answer is in some of the comments below.
Gee wiz Alex you pop up everywhere.
Some say the layout went to the USA, others say it was sold off. The model of Cornwall in its original form was being auctioned on eBay last week, the only piece of stock I’ve ever seen for sale from the layout.
@@douglasmcdermott2830 I hope it went to a good home in both cases....
That’s very cool how did you get the footage Is that layout still around
Modelled history.
Is this layout still around?
Gary Hodge
9 months ago
It seems to have emigrated to America - www.rmweb.co.uk/community/index.php?/topic/114620-mike-sharmans-mixed-gauge-layout/page-2 - post 26