Lineside Look

Lineside Look John Emerson is a retired graphic designer and one time Editor of British Railway Modelling.

Also known for his Hayley Mills and O Gauge layouts, he now writes and publishes the quarterly LINESIDE LOOK online newsletter.

Merry Christmas - as it used to be ! - from Lineside Look.Next issue out soon . . .
25/12/2025

Merry Christmas - as it used to be ! - from Lineside Look.
Next issue out soon . . .

The replica 'Locomotion No.1' heads the Grand Cavalcade at Shildon on August 31st, 1975 at the 150th anniversary of the...
17/09/2025

The replica 'Locomotion No.1' heads the Grand Cavalcade at Shildon on August 31st, 1975 at the 150th anniversary of the Stockton & Darlington Railway. At the time we all thought this would be the last time it would be possible to see such a large number of steam locomotives gathered together, all in steam and under their own power. We've enjoyed 50 years of the railway preservation movement since then !

The LINESIDE LOOK was my illustrated modelling strip appearing in ModelRail from 1989 to 1996. Aimed primarily at 4mm sc...
12/07/2025

The LINESIDE LOOK was my illustrated modelling strip appearing in ModelRail from 1989 to 1996. Aimed primarily at 4mm scale D&E modellers - at a time when 'Modern Image' modelling was seen as something of a 'poor relation' in the hobby - subjects varied from realistic signals, buffer stops, detailing locomotives and stock, to Hazchems and authentic freight terminals. Although intended to encourage modellers to take a much more 'serious' and realistic attitude to their modelling, each subject was treated with a light-hearted touch, underlined by the loose style of illustration.

Some were ‘reprised’ in later years including this one about housebacks that has a ‘hidden’ family connection. Second from left is my great uncle Ted’s house, and immediately to the left is the back of ‘Topsy’s’ (Grocer and general store) while on the right is what used to be grandmother’s house, all situated in Naunton Crescent, Cheltenham, but unrecognisable today. Amazing what you can do with just a couple of pens and a few coloured pencils !

'Railway Mania' in the barn, photographed ten years ago by my good friend and DCC 'Guru', Brian. This wasn't the full ex...
11/07/2025

'Railway Mania' in the barn, photographed ten years ago by my good friend and DCC 'Guru', Brian. This wasn't the full extent of the layout, the goods yard in the middle distance being built on the rump of a reversing loop with a junction and incline that climbed up on the right-hand side to a proposed terminus, yard and loco shed complex (Kingsford) that would have crossed at high level roughly from the left to top right. This was all part of Pete Marshall's grandiose scheme which, sadly, he never lived to see completed. The junctions, incline and part of the loop were removed leaving what is seen here with the scenic part of Gifford Street over on the left. But it really was a case of a 'layout too far', the last trains running in November 2017 (a suitably funereal wreath being presented !) and the layout dismantled to make way for an equally large but far simpler and easier to manage project.

The orange roof Hornby-Dublo signal box will be very familiar to collectors, as well as modellers and enthusiasts of a ‘...
07/07/2025

The orange roof Hornby-Dublo signal box will be very familiar to collectors, as well as modellers and enthusiasts of a ‘certain age'. Announced in the September 1953 ‘Meccano Magazine’, it was part of the then new D1 series of models, all die-cast in aluminium by the Birmingham Aluminium Casting Co. Ltd. The rare green roof version will set you back a considerable sum of money ! The late Allan Downes built this 7mm scale version many years ago, the only differences being that it is a mirror-image of the original, and handrails have been added around the landing. It’s constructed in his usual material of textured thick card and was featured in the Summer 2023 issue of LINESIDE LOOK - who says railway modelling can’t be fun !

The July 2025 issue of LINESIDE LOOK is now available - please email if you haven’t received a notification or wish to subscribe. You can also use the new subscriber form on the website.
Photo © John Emerson

A regular feature in LINESIDE LOOK is 'Caught on Camera' - where I dip into the several photo collections acquired over ...
02/07/2025

A regular feature in LINESIDE LOOK is 'Caught on Camera' - where I dip into the several photo collections acquired over the years. Not all are of a publishable quality - more snapshot than well composed studies, some have exposure faults or are under developed. But some stand out - like this one by the late Roy Taylor of the Severn railway bridge following the disastrous collision of the Arkendale H and Wastdale H petrol barges on October 25th, 1960. © Roy Taylor/John Emerson Collection

The July issue of LINESIDE LOOK is now online for subscribers with an in depth look at SR 'Utility' vans - to subscribe ...
02/07/2025

The July issue of LINESIDE LOOK is now online for subscribers with an in depth look at SR 'Utility' vans - to subscribe visit the website at www.ogaugeonline.co.uk

July issue of Lineside Look published this Wednesday . . .
30/06/2025

July issue of Lineside Look published this Wednesday . . .

Address

Unit 6, Southview Farm, Burton Road
Sleaford
NG349QS

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Lineside Look posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Business

Send a message to Lineside Look:

Shortcuts

Share

Category