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The Proposal

SeddonvilleBranch

Entry posted by SeddonvilleBranch

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Hi guys, I'm Matthew. I've set up this RM Web blog to show developments in my currently proposed Chasm Creek micro-layout.

 

Firstly, I think it is important to give you a bit of a background on where this is set. Westport is a major town located in the North-West of New Zealand's South Island with a population of around 5,000. It was established in 1861 when European gold miners settled in the area. A large port was set up near the mouth of the Buller River, and when the settlers decided to move their mining focus from gold to coal, a small private railway system was established. This railway system served coal mines at Te Kuha in the Buller Gorge, but the main line was the Seddonville Branch which headed North-East out of Westport to extract coal from Waimangaroa (Denniston), Granity (Stockton), Ngakawau (Charming Creek) and Mokihinui. The steep and bush clad terrain caused engineering problems that had to be overcome, so the lines and tramways were naturally quite spectacular with tight curves, gorges, bridges and wire rope inclines. A National Film Unit documentary well illustrates this-

 

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The area I have chosen to model is a small scene in the Seddonville Gorge next to the Mokihinui River. The line tunnels through a rock face, and a sweeping curve begins inside the tunnel. After emerging, the line continues to sweep around on the riverbank, over a small 1894 bridge, and into a fern fern-clad cutting. A road takes a similar route on a path cut into the hill, and passes over a more modern 'art deco' style concrete bridge typical of rural New Zealand. I want to try out model foliage techniques, experiment with building prototypical track, and create a realistic and captivating landform.

 

I'll keep you posted
Matthew

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Richard Jones

Good luck with your model - this time last year we were driving up (slowly) from Queenstown to Picton (then on from Wellington to Auckland) we had an overnight stop at Cape Foulwind (Omau Settlers Lodge Motel) and a very nice meal at The Bay House.

Hope you got space to incorporate some "crazy" features like the single carriageway/railway line bridge and the line across the middle of a roundabout!

Best wishes

Richard

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SeddonvilleBranch

Good luck with your model - this time last year we were driving up (slowly) from Queenstown to Picton (then on from Wellington to Auckland) we had an overnight stop at Cape Foulwind (Omau Settlers Lodge Motel) and a very nice meal at The Bay House. Hope you got space to incorporate some "crazy" features like the single carriageway/railway line bridge and the line across the middle of a roundabout! Best wishes Richard

Thanks Richard! I don't think there will be too many 'crazy' features just yet, just a practice on making the scenery in a small diorama. The Kumara roundabout is a little bit modern for my liking however :)

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SeddonvilleBranch

We spent a couple of nights on the Gentle Annie Campsite on the Mokihinui River in 2014. Great spot.

Thanks, I suspect that would have been nice. Hopefully I can replicate some of that scenery

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Richard Jones

The scenery is absolutely stunning down the West Coast of New Zealand, just a pity it has to rain so much to make it that lush! I could just imagine the "haul road" to Westport Lime as a steam hauled 3' 6" gauge line - would have been much nicer than those overgrown tipper trucks!

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Mikkel
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This sounds and looks good already. And refreshingly different! Nice presentation too, I look forward to following this.

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