Following a complaint from a Mr M Oxley received at Waterloo, the area manager and civil engineer where requested to look into the situation. They reported back that the complainant did have a valid complaint. In recognition of this they sent him a letter offering him a free 1st ticket to a destination of his choice. He took up the offer and the railway issued him a period return to London Waterloo.

The lengthening by 15 feet and the raising of the platform height by 9 inches was sanctioned and have now been carried out. During the rebuilding there was a temporary platform constructed using scaffolding poles and planks constructed the other side of the bridge. This didn’t provide any shelter and was as a result unpopular with passenger.

Photograph of the platform removed from the foundtions

Photograph of the start of the extension works

photograph of the extension complete

Some people think that when they have not got it completely right, that it's back to square one automatically. This is usually not the case, there is usually a way to correct the situation. In the case of the platform at Clovelly Road, I misunderstood the diagrams which show the minimum dimensions for platforms. I took my dimensions from the 2mm Association website. I took the height as from ground level, but when I revisited the website and look again the dimension was measured from the rail head.

I have also taken the opportunity to reduced the length of the platform base, so that it does not overhang the edge of the baseboard. Before I finish the platform off, it is my intention to add the baseboard edge. This will have several functions to protect the scenery from damage during transport and to provide a clean edge to the layout when being operated.

I have stripped the platform to it's foundations. I have then re-built with it's upper surface which is 2mm higher than the original one. I have taken the opportunity to extend the length of the platform. When I built the model I reduced the length of the platform, so that the platform to appear overpowering. I went slightly too far, in that the locomotive has the stop completely under the bridge, to allow the coaches to be alongside the platform.

I also had not put the step, which in the days before BR introduced the Mk1's was usual practice. This now makes the gap smaller, when combined with the raised platform surface. It will still be larger than for many main line companies stations. The prototype used steps which lived on the platform to make alighting easier and the doors were locked between stations, to both prevent the unwary from stepping into space and also to prevent passengers from opening doors when the train was not at a platform. It was not unusual for passenger, on this or other light railways to remain on board during shunting operations of mixed trains.

Now the platform is looking better, it's time to add the waiting shelter and a fence to stop passengers falling of the back of the platform. Unlike mainline companies the company used they used 4 bar fencing similar to fences used by farmers to prevent livestock leaving the fields to wander on the railway. This was done to keep costs down and allow local workers to be able to carry out repairs without the need for special materials.

Julie