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The Cornish Riviera Area Group exists as an informal get-together arranged to offer S4 modellers living throughout Cornwall an opportunity to meet and have a natter. We extend a welcome to all modellers interested in finescale modelling who might be interested in coming along for what we hope will become regular sessions. The other objective of the Group is to rebuild and restore the P4 layout 'Watermouth Riverside' and its companion 'Watermouth Junction' which has been in storage by the Falmouth & District Model Railway Club for several years following the death of its owner Pat English. As the Clubrooms are still in the process of being finished and fitted out, we are fortunate to have been offered the opportunity to erect and work on the layout off site in a large secure store room at the rear of Inter City Models shop in Porthleven. The proprietor, Pete Tisdale is a Scalefour modeller and Society member, and also a member of the Falmouth & District MRC. Pete has agreed for the P4 layout to be retained in this location for the foreseeable future, making the possibility of getting the layout up and running a realistic possibility.
The layout represents a medium sized terminus of an imaginary GWR branch running south from Chard to the coast near Charmouth. Just short of the terminus on the north bank of the estuary at Watermouth Junction, the branch is joined by a GWR/SR line running down from Axminster and Kilmington. The line crosses the tidal estuary by a timber viaduct and enters Watermouth Riverside which is also assumed to have a branch running on to Watermouth Docks. The station draws inspiration from Kingsbridge, Weymouth and Kingswear, Watermouth Docks is assumed to be an embarkation port for steamers to the Continent and the track plan is designed to accomodate busy summer passenger traffic, including a daily Sleeper to London and through trains from the Midlands, London and Taunton as well as local branchline services. In addition to the main terminus, there is also a smaller through station representing the junction for the GWR and SR routes. In the Master Plan, this station lies on the opposite bank of the estuary and a single line section on a timber bridge over the estuary links the two stations. Because this bridge has a weight restriction, 'large' engines come off their trains at the Junction and go to a small MPD, whilst the train is taken on to the main terminus by a lighter locomotive. The corresponding empty stock and light engine workings should allow for a variety of interesting traffic movements.
The layout was begun over 35 years ago and represents a pioneering example of early P4 modelling. Pat was a meticulous modeller and researcher (he was a History lecturer at Cornwall College by profession) and the layout was designed to strict prototype practice. Originally conceived as a 'U' shape with the stations on either side of the room, it was later rebuilt following a house move into a 'L' shape and the bridge over the estuary and Watermouth Junction were abandoned, (Watermouth Junction was given to another Club member who has also since passed away) Although never developed to a fully scenic finish, enough has survived to make a full restoration feasible, particularly since 'Watermouth Junction' has also since come into Club custody.
The baseboards were originally constructed on half inch chipboard and 2"x1" timber as was the custom of the time; track is fully chaired 'Brook-Smith' pattern with correct 2 bolt chairs and captures beautifully the 'flow' of the prototype. All this has withstood the years remarkably well, but as the baseboards were altered and rebuilt at various times, the depth of the baseboard members varies from board to board making setting up and dismantling unnecessarily awkward (the layout was never intended for exhibition viewing) Currently we are renewing the main baseboard framing with timber of consistent depth, and updating the alignment and fixing bolts with a more accurate and modern system. Then suitable support legs can be constructed allowing accurate alignment and levelling to be achieved. New baseboards representing the estuary and bridge connecting the two stations have been constructed and a suitable cassette deck system created to replace the original and highly complex fiddle yard that Pat constructed. (This item actually has the potential to form a seperate layout in its own right possibly representing an inner city depot or urban terminus approach)
As can be seen from the photos, the layout even in its present form is impressive, and we hope will encourage other Cornish finescale modellers to join in the project. Currently meetings and working sessions are held on the first and third Saturday of the month at Inter City Models premises in Porthleven, unless Pete is attending an exhibition and the shop is closed. If in doubt, or travelling from a distance, ring one of the contacts below to confirm.
So if you are resident in Cornwall (or Devon) or planning a holiday here, let us know, or call in at InterCity Models in Porthleven (http://www.intercitymodels.com) and have a chat with Pete - or better still buy something! and view the layout.
We hope this will be the start of an exciting project.
Contacts:
Steve Howe
01326 240768
stephenjhowe@btinternet.com
Pete Tisdale
01326 569200
pete@intercitymodels.com
other links:
www.scalefour.org.uk
http://www.scalefour...ps/cornish.html
http://www.scalefour....php?f=75&t=921
www.fmrc.co.uk
www.hvr.org.uk
