Originally, I had no real plans for the two sidings on the right side of Addleford Green. Eventually I settled on a creamery building for the rear siding, my interest mainly being in having a different form of traffic on the layout. I had a loose idea that the other siding would have a goods shed, likely based on those present on the real Hawkhurst branch. But in reality it would have meant two large structures (the other being the engine shed) close to the front of the board and I felt it would look a bit cramped.

As with my decision for the creamery, I was eventually swung by the availability of some lovely rolling stock! I acquired a couple of beautiful SR cattle vans and decided they needed a cattle dock. I started by looking at the available space: a rather awkward spot at the front right-hand corner of the layout.

The Hawkhurst branch didn't have a cattle dock at any of their stations (that I have seen or read about) so I had to take inspiration from other areas of the country. Pictorial examples of these seem to be very scarce online! After pouring over what I could get, I eventually settled on a design and drew up some plans, working out how it would all fit. Instead of the cattle dock being accessed from the ground level, I decided it would be approached from the right... off-screen, so to speak. The ground was raised to accommodate this.

From my plans I started to build the actual structure out of plastikard. The steps were made from L shaped strip glued to a piece of plastikard set at a 45 degree angle, a method I have found quite effective in previous builds. The thick strip of plastic running around the edge would mimic a line of coping stones I spied on the prototype.

A few test fits as I went along made sure that the structure would fit in the very specific space and shape available!

Next up was to create the top surface. I used two different Slaters Plastikard sheets, one to create a paved edge and another that closely resembled the kind of square-textured concreate surface where cattle would stand. I assumed this was for better drainage and cleaning. Leaving a small gap between the two sheets created a simple drainage gully.

Then I worked out where all the fence posts would go. This was done in conjunction with a couple of my cattle wagons, offering them up to the model and ensuring the gates lined up with the doors on the wagons. It was also important that both vans would line up perfectly with the pens when coupled together. Holes were drilled to accept posts. 

Once I was happy that the main structure was ready to have its posts installed, I painted it.

Drains were installed. I should have thought of this long before! I carefully hacked out small square portions of the surface and dropped small etched brass drain covers in. They may not be the correct type, but they were all I had to hand and I think they look passable from a distance. 

I used Wills 419 Concrete Posts and Gates. This is a really useful pack containing many of the small details that are also included in their own cattle dock kit. I painted up the posts and gates using a white spray primer. I purchased some thin round strip plastic that I knew would fit through the holes in the posts and sprayed those matt black.

Then assembly began. It was fiddly and took waaaay longer than I had anticipated! Some advice: make sure you have drilled through every post hole before you begin - it may be laborious but it's worth it! I'd also recommend threading your posts onto the cross poles BEFORE gluing the posts onto the actual model. I did mine the other way round and it was a bit of a headache. What was I thinking?!

Getting these things to line up was tough. This is where pre-drilling the holes at a nice straight angle really helps. 

Part two will show more of the completed structure, along with the concrete apron I installed on the track that serves this dock.

All for now,

Jonathan