The 1960s around Southport and Liverpool were the inspiration for STEVE JOHNSON of Grimy Times to build this stunning urban landscape in his single garage at home. Steve reveals the full story of this soon to be dismantled layout with exclusive KeyModelWorld online images and video. Photography, Mike Wild.
Above: 70048'departs Southpool station ahead of LMS pioneer diesel 10001 much to the delight of the young train spotters.
SOUTHPOOL was originally going to be a loft layout but when I decided to start Grimy Times Weathering, I needed a workshop as well which changed its location in the house overnight.
The decision was made to convert the garage and make it integral to the house, so it was centrally heated and most importantly had easy access to the kettle. By sheer coincidence the space I had in the loft was virtually identical to what I had in the converted garage. I realised that with a bit more planning my business and 'OO' gauge model railway could be combined in the same room.
Above: A Stanier ‘Duchess’ is captured between the arches of the overall roof.
This decided the design and construction style for the layout as all my business working space would have to be incorporated under the railway. The layout's overall dime…
