Castle Aching

[uax6]

I think that systems is very interesting, although I think i might remove a few of the triangles, so that trains run from one end to another. I friend has a system in a spare room. Three levels (climbing from knee height to shoulder height around the room) as one long line. Its fun to work, but keeping everything running can be a challenge, as they have to cross at the correct places, and every shunting move and train move moves the clock on....

 

Andy G

[The Stationmaster]

Glad you're beginning to feel better, and I really do like that entire-LR concept; very American, and a good way of getting in all those mentally-stored scenes that can never all be crammed onto one small layout.

 

You mention the possibility that stress might be part of what knocked you down. That thought crossed my mind when reading on your earlier posts. A good long course of fantasy railway modelling, spiced with actual railway modelling, is a great tonic.

 

K

 

PS: OK, I sneaked a look at Flint's House. It looks absolutely beautiful and I'm genuinely surprised that it hasn't attracted lots of potential buyers.

 

Agree with all K has said although as regards his PS I do wonder if that thatched roof puts off prospective purchasers; the price certainly wouldn't (or ought not to) put folk off - looks like a bargain to me.

[Edwardian]

Thanks, Mike, it's a bl**dy lovely house, and that's finest reed thatch with far greater longevity than straw; should last at least another 50 years! 

 

And it's only 48 minutes on the ECML to the Smoke!  I used to commute daily to the City.  I had a colleague who lived in Croydon.  He always ended up coming in at least half an hour after me.  I'd had a wider seat, armrests, table, plug socket, wi-fi and a buffet car.  He'd had a Network Southeast cattle-truck.

 

I just need to see it gone, as our lives are elsewhere now, and it is starting to represent a burden, which is a shame, because it is a smashing house and I don't want to end up resenting it.  We had an offer from an institutional purchaser (for a lot more!) in July last year, but they concealed the fact that the fund had not completed (the expected investment did not all arrive), so they pulled out, but only after many assurances that it was all on, they had done their survey, dates were set for exchange and completion etc.  On the basis of what we were told, we made our planned move north in time for the start of the school year in September last year. It's been rather a strain since then, and, for a period, we could not find accommodation and were very short of cash so that is why we ended up living in a touring caravan for some 9-10 weeks.  Thank God that's behind us! 

 

So, it is priced to sell quickly. 

[runs as required]

April/May is nearly upon us - that landscape east of Peterborough looks at its best over the next few weeks. Best of luck.

 

For an extraordinary little (eccentric) land-owner's railway have you ever investigated this story?

The Sand Hutton Light Railway

 

dh

[Edwardian]

Thanks, David.  As Kevin prescribes a course of "fantasy railway modelling" I might well take up your suggestion of writing the IOE&MR.  Actually, unlike the WNR, which has a loose and evolving back-story, I have a very firm idea about the IOE&MR, I think because it sort of grew around the house and because I lived for 8 years in the area.  I wonder, even if no model of it is in prospect, whether it would be legitimate to post my research into this unique, but strangely overlooked, prototype, of which, sadly, barely a trace now remains?  Well, if you at least read it, that'd be a gratifying start!

 

I have heard of the Sand Hutton, but that's about it, so I will enjoy looking that one up.

 

EDIT: Someone paid their bill today, so I was able to divert a fractional amount to purchase some transfers that I hope will be suitable for rolling stock on the WNR.  If they arrive with the promised super speed, I may have them by the weekend and be able to finish my coach and 2 wagons.  Hurray!

Edited March 22, 2016 by Edwardian

[Argos]

Hi Edwardian,

 

I can thoroughly recommend writing up a history. Having done so for the Taddington Branch it is surprising both the enjoyment generated and how the model starts to come alive with additions and details that wouldn't have become apparent without the history.

 

I'm looking forward to reading it already!

[NeilHB]

Edwardian - I've been following with interest. Norfolk was my home from home as a child - two weeks every summer spent round Hunstanton/Brancaster etc. - journeys over there from Leicester always had a stop off at Castle Rising so I became quite familiar with the place.

I really do like what you're doing with this project, particularly the buildings which are exquisite.

As Argos has already said, I would recommend posting the railways history as I am also interested in reading it please!

[ChrisN]

Stop me if I have said this before.  I always liked the idea of a whole railway and my original narrow gauge, the Traeth Mawr and Twill Ddu was always planned to have at least two stations, one from either end of the line, and perhaps more.  If you are going to do something like that then a history is probably vital, as it gives purpose to everything and you know why it exists and what its aims are.  My eldest son suggested I write a blog with postings by various people from Traeth Mawr about how the railway has affected them, I haven't but I may include bits in my thread.  When you are not able to get on with modelling it is something to do.

 

All the best with the house sale.

[Metropolitan H]

Another fascinating early line - to the north of P'boro - was "Lord Willoughby's Railway". It might help with the IOE&MR story, or just confuse matters.

 

Regards

Chris H

[Edwardian]

Chris, it's in there!  Havilah the 1850s locomotive for the line was sold on in the 1870s if I recall.  I was going to work it into the IOE&MR, but, when I decided upon the WNR scheme, I decided that a local estate railway would join the WNR and run into Castle Aching.  So it's very much on the list for inclusion!

 

EDIT:P.S.  I am still up at 00.55 because the Mem missed the 9 o'clock train from the Smoke.  Off to Darlington again just now!

Edited March 23, 2016 by Edwardian

[Edwardian]

Well, the operation to recover the Memsahib went off all right.  We both spent the day in bed yesterday (do I need to add the caveat "due to illness"?), but we're up today.  I'm feeling like semi-ambulatory death warmed up, but I'm up!  So, hope to get back to modelling over the weekend.  

 

Heartfelt thanks go to the staff of the Virgin East Coast 2200 service on 22 March for looking after the very ill Memsahib and ensuring that she ended up in Darlington, rather than Newcastle. 

[cornamuse]

Hope the 2 of you are back to full health very soon!

 

And yes, you DID need to add the caveat, if only to stop us getting jealous

[Edwardian]

Well, maybe it's the influence of certain recent posts, but, while I was, this morning, painting up some long neglected Aidan Campbell figures, I was put irresistibly in mind of a certain 'Edwaudian' song [twirls moustache caddishly]:

 

She was young, she was pure, she was new, she was nice,
She was fair, she was sweet seventeen.
He was old, he was vile, and no stranger to vice,
He was base, he was bad, he was mean.

Edited February 1, 2019 by Edwardian

[Nearholmer]

She was paaw but she was 'onist,

though she came from 'umble stock,

And 'er 'onest 'art was beatin

Underneaf 'er tattered frock.

 

But the rich man saw her beauty,

She knew not 'is base design,

And he took her to an 'otel

And bought her a small port wine.

 

Altogether now: It's the same the 'ole world over!

 

(Which I think is probably Victorian, but was doubtless still popular in the Halls in your period.)

 

K

[Edwardian]

Madeira M'Dear - Flanders and Swann

 

She was young, she was pure, she was new, she was nice,
She was fair, she was sweet seventeen.
He was old, he was vile and no stranger to vice,
He was base, he was bad, he was mean.
He had slyly enveigled her up to his flat
To view his collection of stamps
And he said as he hastened to put out the cat,
The wine, his cigar and the lamps:
"Have some Madeira, m'Dear!
You really have nothing to fear.
I'm not trying to tempt you, that wouldn't be right;
You shouldn't drink spirits at this time of night.
Have some Madeira, m'Dear!
It's so very much nicer than beer.
I don't care for sherry and cannot drink stout
And port is a wine I can well do without.
It's simply a case of "chaçun à son goût".
Have some Madeira, m'Dear!"

 

Unaware of the wiles of the snake in the grass
And the fate of the maiden who topes,
She lowered her standards by raising her glass,
Her courage, her eyes and his hopes.
She sipped it, she drank it, she drained it, she did
And quietly he filled it again
And he said as he secretly carved one more notch
On the butt of his gold-handled cane.
"Have some Madeira, m'Dear!
I've got a small cask of it here
And once it's been opened, you know it won't keep
Do finish it up, it will help you to sleep.
Have some Madeira, m'Dear!
It's really an excellent year.
Now if it were gin, you'd be wrong to say yes,
The evil gin does would be hard to assess
(Besides it's inclined to affect my prowess)
Have some Madeira, m'Dear!"

 

Then there flashed though her mind what her mother had said
With her antepenultimate breath:
"Oh my child, should you look at the wine which is red
Be prepared for a fate worse than death!"
She let go her glass with a shrill little cry.
Crash! Tinkle! It fell to the floor.
When he asked "what in Heaven?" she made no reply,
Up her mind, a dash for the door.
"Have some Madeira, m'Dear!"
Rang out down the hall, loud and clear,
A tremulous cry that was filled with despair
As she paused to take breath in the full midnight air.
"Have some Madeira, m'Dear!"
The words seemed to ring in her ear
Until the next morning, she woke up in bed
With a smile on her lips, an ache in her head
And a beard in her earhole that tickled and said:
"Have some Madeira, m'Dear!"

 

Ha-ha-ha! Mmm...

 

Recording here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jycUzz5CCpw 

For a video of a spririted stage performeance (slightly sanitised for the US audience): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OW_zi8n4HDQ

[Northroader]

The chorus went:

"It's the same the 'ole world over,

It's the poor wot gets the blame,

It's the rich wot gets the pleasure,

Ain't it all, a bleeding shame?"

Is Castle Aching big enough for a music hall? There's one round the corner at Paltry Circus, but I'm afraid we can only offer the Ladies Orphean Society at Washbourne.

Edited March 26, 2016 by Northroader

[Edwardian]

Well, over the border in Cambridgeshire, the Eldernell Strollers do a good line in G&S productions, and I had thought that they might 'tour' as far as Castle Aching.  Probably in the principal Inn, which might boast first floor assembly rooms.  

 

There are links between these two lines.  Both were promoted by the GER to gain access to markets or to foil rivals, and both bear the mark of a retired military gentleman, reminiscent of the more celebrated Colonel Stephens, who was the chief promoter of both these, and, doubtless other, independent concerns.  In fact, I have a feeling that, in due course, research will reveal his influence up and down the country.

[Bedders]

This puts me in mind of the excellent Armstrong and Miller take on Flanders and Swann - 

[Nearholmer]

.

Edited March 26, 2016 by Nearholmer

[Northroader]

That post's highly enigmatic?

[Nearholmer]

That post is because I realised that what I'd written made no sense, but couldn't work out how to completely remove a post.

 

Variations on this enigmatic theme may follow.

 

K

[Edwardian]

Highly enigmatic posts?

Edited February 1, 2019 by Edwardian

[Edwardian]

That post is because I realised that what I'd written made no sense ...

 

Never stopped me!

[Edwardian]

By the way, Northroader, the Washbourne Ladies Orphean Society has a standing invitation to perform at both the Castle Inn Assembly Rooms, Castle Aching, Norfolk, and the Corn Exchange, Fenmarch, Cambridgeshire.

 

(Brabbin & Fyffe will not be on the billing!)

Edited March 26, 2016 by Edwardian

[Northroader]

I'll pass the invitation on, although I'm very concerned that their route will take them through that sink of depravity called L****n.