Mistley

[Bar Side]

I was flicking back through some older railway-related photos for inspiration for a diorama when I came across a series of photos that I took on Mistley quay side back in January 2007. Mistley is a village in northern Essex, located on the banks of the River Stour next to the town of Manningtree. There was a very steep looped incline between the quay side rails and the much higher Manningtree – Harwich mainline.

 

The railway had long since ceased operation there with the link from the mainline removed (back in the early 80’s I think), much as was the case with Ipswich docks. However the tracks remain in situ as do railway related buildings. I picked a building which had been located specifically over the line for the loading of grain. The picture that provided inspired was:

 

 

I looked at the size & scale (using 1:76 – oo scale) and had a problem – putting the quay side along the front edge would mean that the building was at one end & the front view would be a bit dull. My photo was taken at an angle looking back from the quay side. So I had the idea to run the line from corner to corner & push most of the quay side off scene. Something like this:

 

 

A cardboard model followed to ensure that the challenge dimensions could be met:

 

 

This received a positive feedback, so I pushed on with the buildings, using card & paper. The structures were made from scrap card and printed photo extracts. This kept the cost right down as I was working to a budget of virtually £0. In the end I only purchased some corrugated card and some plastic struts:

 

 

 

The baseboard was a chipboard off cut and the track was some very old steel Hornby track dating back to my earliest train sets. Along the way it had been pointed out to me that there were two tracks and a set of pints within my chosen space, so a very old set of broken points were cannibalised:

 

 

The whole project, with last minute back scenes, came together in the last week of September. I must say that I am pleased with the way it looks. There is still a lot more I would like to do / change etc, but for now this is the finished article:

 

 

 

 

 

 

The full thread of progress can be found here:

http://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/index.php?/topic/39403-mistley/

 

Thanks to everyone who has taken a look & for the great positive comment.

 

Ivan

[Guest oldlugger]

Excellent work Ivan and by far one of the best entries this year.

 

Cheers

Simon