The emphasis will be on modelling specific trains known to have run on the line, both passenger and freight. Where possible, the specific locos and coaches will be replicated. In order to have passenger trains calling at Thurstaston, the date will be set in the station's final summer, 1951. A timetable of trains through Thurstaston has been made based on the 1953 passenger and 1952 working timetables.
In order to allow for a more varied collection of rolling stock, history will be amended slightly so that the station remained open and the passenger service survived until final closure in 1962. This will be the excuse to allow me to include some might-have-been's, such as GWR Railcars, BR Railbuses and DMU's in the future. It will also allow me to show the two final freight trains passing at Thurstaston, and possibly one of the demolition trains. From the evidence, the station changed very little between 1951 and 1962, so can represent any date in that timescale. The four periods are desribed in the following table:
| Period | Time | Description |
| 1 | 1951 - 1956 | This forms the majority of the display sequence. Trains will be as accurate a representation of trains that ran on the branch as I can achieve, including correct loco and coach numbers where possible. This will require a minimum of 6 steam locos, 3 rakes of coaches and numerous goods wagons for through and stopping freight. At least 2 further rakes of coaches have been identified for potential future builds plus an LMS push‑pull set with BR Standard 2 84003 as these ran in the last few months of passenger service in 1956. |
| 2 | 1956 – 1962 | There will be a 4F or a
Class 24 diesel hauling an empty van train for the recently opened
Cadbury's factory at Moreton heading towards West Kirby for
the
connection with the Wirral line. The remainder forms the might have been part, and uses modeller's licence to extend the passenger service from 1956 until 1962. Stock for this will be the last to be built, and will include a GWR railcar, Park Royal & AC railbuses and a Gloucester single car DMU. Towards the end of this period will be the single van freight photographed a week before closure, shown here. |
| 3 | 07/05/1962 | The final freight trains on the branch crossed at Thurstaston on the day the line closed, and this will be recreated. This will require 2 locos plus wagons. |
| 4 | Post-closure | After closure, the track was lifted starting from the West Kirby end. I may build a representation of the demolition train. If so, the loco actually used on this is likely to be changed from an 8F to a Hudswell diesel shunter I've already built as an excuse to use it. |
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