Coastguard Creek - New Forest Coast

If you wanted to add a smaller mill, what about basing one on the nearby Eling Tide Mill, just a little further up the line near Totton, the tide mill and the tiny attached Toll House on the bridge would make a pretty detail, in fact it's probably the Only pretty detail in Totton ( I worked there for a while) with the tidal pond to one side of the bridge and the marina (once a small commercial dock) to the other.

 

I Know a rail line came very close, certainly the old line can still be found behind the anchor inn which is at the other end of the quay side to the mill, which suggests to me that it probably ran along the top of the quay at one point, if only because I cannot see why else they would curve the track round there.

13 hours ago, DGO said:

If you wanted to add a smaller mill, what about basing one on the nearby Eling Tide Mill, just a little further up the line near Totton, the tide mill and the tiny attached Toll House on the bridge would make a pretty detail, in fact it's probably the Only pretty detail in Totton ( I worked there for a while) with the tidal pond to one side of the bridge and the marina (once a small commercial dock) to the other.

 

I Know a rail line came very close, certainly the old line can still be found behind the anchor inn which is at the other end of the quay side to the mill, which suggests to me that it probably ran along the top of the quay at one point, if only because I cannot see why else they would curve the track round there.

You raise a great point! I've only looked at Eling Tide Mill once before (via Google Streetview), but having another look now, it is certainly a lot smaller and more manageable than Ashlett Creek. My design for Coastguard Creek is still very much in the planning stage, and I have been playing around with various ideas lately; it would certainly be nice to get a tide mill on the layout (especially since there are/were at least three tide mills along the New Forest Coast). Eling would be a much better bet, and I do love the little toll booth and bridge as well.

 

Take a look at this link to see an old map of Eling overlaid on a modern aerial photo - that should help show where the line on the quay went up to; it appears there was a landing stage near to the mill at one point.

Thanks for the recommendation - it gives me more ideas to experiment with!

I just discovered 10 mins ago that Eling had a saw mill, as well as the grain mill, the line went from Totton station, it starts right next to the end of the platform on the Down Side, and certainly in the 90's the level crossing gates were still on the high street, but they have gone now, and the line seems to have mainly just been covered, often crudely with the result that in many places Google Earth still shows lines poking through, apparently the line was still in operation in the 1960's with a steam powered crane that also acted as a shunter . https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/3698117 a tramway linked into the branch line via a turnplate with another turnplate halfway down the branch serving the Creosote works.

 

I only knew about Eling mill because as I said I worked for a while at Totton but I live on the edge of the New Forest at Barton On Sea, one day work finished early and I decided to go and see Eling Mill as there's a sign close to the station that points to it as a tourist attraction, a quick cycle from Totton took me to a pleasant location on the edge of the tiny Bartley Water and only the second Tide Mill I've ever seen, they still grind corn for the tourists by the way. Or did when I visited. Once upon a time the Eling Channel which runs down the western side of the River Test must have served the Creosote Works and Eling wharf, but the with the closing of the Timber Yard and Creosote works (One tank remains) there would have been no need to keep dredging the wharf and a and so it looks like the channel only serves the Mill area now and a few Yacht Moorings.

 

Once lockdown is over their visitor centre is well worth a visit https://www.elingexperience.co.uk/ 

 

 

That's precisely why I love using Google Maps and the NLS maps - the amount of old railways and industry you can find even in your local area is quite surprising. I've you haven't done so already, create an account with Britain From Above - that alone gives a fascinating aerial photographic insight into history. Granted, it may not be as comprehensive as modern satellite photos, but it's much more interesting!

 

Either way, there's plenty to think about, and plenty of industry and inspiration along the New Forest coast. The only problem is condensing it all onto one small layout!