This page uses Cascading Style Sheets to present the content in the best possible manner. If you can see this message, then CSS (or JavaScript) is not enabled in your browser, and the page will not appear as the designer intended.

LMSS Masthead

Fostering Interest in Research & Modelling of the London, Midland & Scottish Railway

Inkerman Street

Restoration And Extension

2 Initial Restoration

A preliminary examination showed that the intervening years had not been kind to the model and, with an invitation to Warley in late 2012 on the horizon, an assessment of the work that could be completed within the timeframe was made. Attention turned to those features having the greatest visual impact.

The first casualty was the mill which formed the backdrop and was found to be badly warped and distorted beyond reasonable repair effort so it was retained as a pattern for possible replacement. The cottages behind the station, apparently from Bolton and out of character with a Salford location, were also beyond repair and consequently scrapped.

George Godfrey checked over and refurbished the electrics as necessary in order to secure, as far as possible, a trouble free operation.

David Hunt strengthened, repaired and freshened up the paintwork of the shops and pub which occupy such a prominent position at the right hand end of the layout.

The viaduct, another prominent feature, though an anomaly in the real Salford, had been faced with brick embossed card which was damaged in several places. This was stripped off, new plywood sides fitted and Slater's English bond brickwork applied. The balustrade, of card, was detailed on one side only and was replaced with rivet embossed nickel silver sheet and brass angle.

The late Carl Legge's superb L&YR signal box had a roof that didn't fit properly, so this was stripped off to reveal what appeared to be two previous attempts at re-roofing. A new roof was laid onto Carl's original base and gutters, downspouts, bargeboards and flue all repaired and refitted. The damaged access stage handrailing was also repaired and painted to match the original. David Hunt supplied gable end nameboards that were inserted into frames and attached.

Internally, there is still work to be done, although the block shelf has now been hung from the roof timbers instead of bracketed from the window frames as Carl had originally built it. A track and signal diagram has been hung over the lever frame, but the block instruments are not L&YR so will be replaced as will the superfluous single line token machine. When the signal diagram is finally approved, 26 levers will be painted in the appropriate colours, the box being of the 30 lever type.

The station buildings have survived remarkably well, albeit only detailed on the side visible to the public. However, the framework supporting the roof canopy has deteriorated badly and will have to be replaced. It was propped up on blocks of wood invisible to the public for its two exhibition outings! Some support columns are missing for which replacements will have to be cast.

The remaining work was largely cosmetic involving resurfacing of the coal yard, roadways and level crossings, applying fresh grass to the embankment, replacing missing chairs on the scissors crossover and general tidying up.

The platform starting signal was in a sorry state and much work will be required once a decision has been made as to whether it can be reused, depending on the final signalling arrangement. Also, as regards signalling, the slotting mechanism for the distant arm of the LNWR viaduct signal is missing and needs to be replaced, even though it does not have to be operational.

Part 1    Part 3

Site contents Copyright © LMS Society, 2024