Teesside Steel (O Gauge)
O Gauge
Scale per foot: 7mm to 1ft
Scale ratio: 1:43.5
Gauge: 32mm
Prototype Gauge: Standard gauge
Teeside Steel measures approx 16' by 2' and all fits into the back of small/medium van.
At the beginning of the 20th century, Teesside was the leading steel producing area in the world. Over 100 blast furnaces were in use producing one and a half million tons of iron per year, most of which was ultimately turned into steel of various types.
During the 1950s and 1960s many plants closed as they became uneconomic and rationalisation further reduced the steel output considerably resulting in the steel making industry in Teesside becoming a shadow of its former self. A former Lord Mayor of Stockton-on-Tees, on his retirement, remarked “Once we made steel for the world, now all we make are excuses!!”.
In 1976 work began on the construction of a new blast furnace at Redcar capable of producing two and a half million tons of iron ore per year. Sadly this, the last furnace on Teesside, was placed under care and maintenance 2010.
This model railway is based on two companies; the South Durham Steel and Iron Company who provided the basic iron and steel and the Cleveland Bridge and Engineering Company who turned the finished steel into bridges chemical plants and other large scale projects.
The ‘dirty’ end of the layout depicts the electric arc furnaces which turned the raw iron into steel and the coke irons which provided the fuel for the blast furnaces along with the by-products of gas, tar and acids. Towards the centre of the layout is the furnace along with its ancillary hot blast stoves and cleaning plant.
The (relatively!) clean end depicts the heavy engineering works with the welding of large components and shipment of completed bridge sections to various aspects of building maintenance and the facilities for refreshment.
The period of the model is set in the 1950s and early 1960s prior to the unification of the steel making industry in the form of the British Steel Corporation.
Although much research and effort has gone into ensuring that the building and processes are as accurate as possible, there are some scenes that inject a little humour into the layout. Along with several sea gulls and ubiquitous posse of works cats we are sure you will find something that will raise a smile.
It is often said that a model railway is never complete. “Teesside Steel” is no exception as there is a pipe bridge carrying hot gasses to construct as well as a crane for handling of large plates and girders in the steel yard. After that, who knows??
Sept 2010
Cupar Model Railway Show.
- - Winning The Bill Scobie Memorial Trophy for Modelling Excellence - -
Scale per foot: 7mm to 1ft
Scale ratio: 1:43.5
Gauge: 32mm
Prototype Gauge: Standard gauge
Teeside Steel measures approx 16' by 2' and all fits into the back of small/medium van.
At the beginning of the 20th century, Teesside was the leading steel producing area in the world. Over 100 blast furnaces were in use producing one and a half million tons of iron per year, most of which was ultimately turned into steel of various types.
During the 1950s and 1960s many plants closed as they became uneconomic and rationalisation further reduced the steel output considerably resulting in the steel making industry in Teesside becoming a shadow of its former self. A former Lord Mayor of Stockton-on-Tees, on his retirement, remarked “Once we made steel for the world, now all we make are excuses!!”.
In 1976 work began on the construction of a new blast furnace at Redcar capable of producing two and a half million tons of iron ore per year. Sadly this, the last furnace on Teesside, was placed under care and maintenance 2010.
This model railway is based on two companies; the South Durham Steel and Iron Company who provided the basic iron and steel and the Cleveland Bridge and Engineering Company who turned the finished steel into bridges chemical plants and other large scale projects.
The ‘dirty’ end of the layout depicts the electric arc furnaces which turned the raw iron into steel and the coke irons which provided the fuel for the blast furnaces along with the by-products of gas, tar and acids. Towards the centre of the layout is the furnace along with its ancillary hot blast stoves and cleaning plant.
The (relatively!) clean end depicts the heavy engineering works with the welding of large components and shipment of completed bridge sections to various aspects of building maintenance and the facilities for refreshment.
The period of the model is set in the 1950s and early 1960s prior to the unification of the steel making industry in the form of the British Steel Corporation.
Although much research and effort has gone into ensuring that the building and processes are as accurate as possible, there are some scenes that inject a little humour into the layout. Along with several sea gulls and ubiquitous posse of works cats we are sure you will find something that will raise a smile.
It is often said that a model railway is never complete. “Teesside Steel” is no exception as there is a pipe bridge carrying hot gasses to construct as well as a crane for handling of large plates and girders in the steel yard. After that, who knows??
Sept 2010
Cupar Model Railway Show.
- - Winning The Bill Scobie Memorial Trophy for Modelling Excellence - -
During Construction - August 2009
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