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5th February 2025.

 

Research and Planning in Preparation for a Model. An illustrated talk by Vernon Larcombe. 

 

Vernon began by attempting to lower our expectations of what was about to come. He suggested his original title for the talk was far too grandiose and it was more about his own ‘Personal Ruminations’. He then presented us with a series of disclaimers. However, as suspected, his self depreciation proved totally unfounded, what followed was an extremely well planned and enlightening talk. 

 

In the first half, we were introduced to numerous on and offline research resources and guided through ways in which to utilise, manage and store relevant information. Vernon warned of the dangers of trusting stand alone documents and that captions were often found to be incorrect. Wherever possible, individual items of found material should be cross referenced with others. He also warned of the dangers of ‘Rabbit Holes’, falling down one these can lead to hours spent in pursuit of interesting, but totally irrelevant information (I can vouch for that!)

 

In the second half, Vernon informed us that eventually, decisions have to be made, plans need to be drawn up, and that even architects get it wrong sometimes. We simply have to go with what we’ve got and compromises will inevitably need to be made. He then showed us how he had utilised his research material to generate the CAD drawings needed for his 2mm scale model of a station building. We were warned of the pitfalls of brick counting, due to a multitude of historic brick sizes, also over reliance on colour references, due to fading and the use of whatever paint was available at the time. Vernon admitted that research can become addictive and in extreme cases, prevent anything ever actually getting made. 

 

We then had the privilege of seeing the fruits of Vernon’s extensive research and modelling skills, in the form of an exquisitely detailed 2mm scale model of Dawley and Stirchley station building. 

     

Anyway, that’s enough from me. What better form of aide memoire, than the slide show itself. Vernon has kindly agreed to allow his slide presentation to be posted on the ASRM website, (subject to the editing of copyright material). Thank you Vernon for an excellent talk and this slide show, which is a valuable research and planning resource in itself.

 

Andy Butler

 

A PDF version of Vernon's presentation can be found HERE.