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"Read Me First"


MikeOxon

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(the following explanation is intended to help any new readers to find their way around this blog)

 

Since I started this blog in 2013, I have used it as a diary to record my progress in creating a Victorian GWR branch line. Since the blog follows the meanderings of my mind, it has no real structure and this 'introduction' is, therefore, an attempt to help a new reader to find his/her way around.

 

There are two main strands: firstly, the documenting of my exploration of the construction techniques needed to create 19th century locomotives and stock, of types that are not readily available. This includes descriptions of how I have constructed kits and also developed some 'scratch-building' methods, including home-made lettering and lining.

 

The second strand describes the creation of a local scene, which includes the buildings and landscape features and, equally importantly, the personalities who determined what services were needed from a railway serving the local area.

 

My 'train set' started many years ago as a Hornby Dublo layout for my then young son. The plan was taken directly from the Hornby Dublo Handbook of 2-Rail Track Formations (1st edition) and I added a narrow-gauge (009) section for additional interest. This has evolved into the plan shown below:

 

273024241_NorthLeighvignettes.jpg.559e363754b43ae2332ac4a03cccb08f.jpg

Layout Plan with Vignettes

 

A 'back story' has gradually evolved, in which my layout has come to represent North Leigh station on a never-built branch from the Cotswold main line towards Witney (planned in 1849 but never executed). This fictitious line diverged from the Oxford, Worcester & Wolverhampton Railway, near Stonesfield, and then headed southwards, through North Leigh, to Witney.

 

WitneyBranch1849.jpg.c81bc79c36db98c21c0b77b86b619abc.jpg

1849 Map showing unbuilt line to Witney

 

 

My layout represents a junction, just outside North Leigh station, where the line from Witney emerges from one of several short tunnels along this hilly route, with a cut-off route towards Worcester, diverging through a narrow cutting, while the original Oxford line enters the station, where there is also a passing loop. Two sidings serve the local creamery and a cattle dock.

 

The narrow gauge section represents an equally fictitious system, serving the local stone quarries and a saw-mill, which brings traffic to an interchange with the main line at North Leigh.

 

As well as imagining the railway, I have also devised a number of local characters to populate the scene. There is a real manor house at Wilcote, with mediaeval origins, where I have created a fictitious Victorian family, including the Lord of the Manor: Sir John Wilcote, and his daughters Amy and Blanche, and (probably) a younger son: Charles. Other characters will no doubt appear as I establish further details of the scene.

 

The 'contents list' at the right-hand side of the blog provides some guidance to the various topics that I have covered so far.

 

Mike

Edited by MikeOxon
Restore images

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6 Comments


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  • RMweb Gold

"Highly recommended by the Michelin guide to model railways" :-)

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Nicely structured blog, now I suppose I'm going to have to re-read it ! LOL

Agree with Mikkel too :)

 

 

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Thanks for the comments and 'likes'.  I've noticed that a number of my photos have appeared on Google, so I wanted to clarify the distinction between my fantasy and reality.  I am waiting to see an original 'Amy Wilcote' painting at auction :)

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  • RMweb Gold

Ah yes, a Google pictures search brings up this for example. I don't blame people for thinking it's a real painting.

WilcoteManor_DAP_Benson.jpg.3b9ed5bd9148a556c9f888103409eb19.jpg

Edited by MikeOxon
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Followed the link from your comment on my blog. I see what you mean! We have a lot of similarities, i like your track plan a lot, especially that you managed to get both a continuous run on the NG and a reversing loop on the SG which give a lot of space to your sidings. 

 

Will spend a bit of time looking at the rest of your posts! 

 

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Many thanks for looking in, Metjig.  I'm pleased you find my little layout useful to your own planning :)

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