The Hintock Branch-1930's Dorset Joint GWR/SR Workings in OO

[HillsideDepot]

 

 

I'm pleased with progress to date.

 

 

 

I should think so, it's looking great John.

[Andrew P]

My trip to "the meadows"-Las Vegas, gave me a lot to think about and with it I returned refreshed and renewed by the fascinating experience. It was well worth doing  . So now back home I have spent some little time this past week on my Port Bredy endeavours. It's also been exceedingly hot with 100F+ by late afternoon so my cool lower ground floor is a pleasant place to be.

 

And, below in no particular order is where I'm currently at. These are working shots and nothing is properly finished but they do illustrate how things are going.

 

I'm pleased with progress to date.

 

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Looking very nice indeed John.

[john flann]

Adrian, AndyP I'm glad you approve and that other's "like", thank you.

 

Now I can see the way forward at the front I can turn my attentions to the LH end and the background. For the former you can see the mock-up for the backs of two  rows of terraced houses abutting the station yard, behind the station I'm thinking along similar lines, possibly more houses and a foundry next the Farmer's Co-Operative. Port Bredy might seem to be getting a little built-up, but the Branch did reach right into the town and it's to be expected development followed. Even so trees will be present to break up  the scene and add colour, shape and depth.

 

For, of course, it's not enough to think about the railway itself but what lies beyond the boundary fence or wall.

 

It's prototype, West Bay in contrast perched on higher ground, surrounded by open fields and some little distance from the few scattered houses near the harbour. All rather bleak.

 

I'm also happy to note I seem to be be moving up the learning curve with the new camera. There's a nice amount of sharpish detail, revealed by a right click, in images by order, 1,4 and 5.

[john flann]

Hintock has it all:

 

 

Weathered stock

 

 

Tranquil scenery

 

 

and Panniers.

 

(I thought these would be of more interest than the current progress at Port Bredy which is adding flashing to the chimney stacks and adding the ridge slates etc, prior to painting the roofs. When that's done it might be time for some photography.)

[Spannerman]

As always excellent pics of fantastic modelling. This really is a layout to emulate.

While I love all the pictures you post of the finished article, seeing how you progress a model is very informative.

 

Atb

 

Nik

[Andrew P]

Hintock has it all:

 

018-1.jpg

 

Weathered stock

 

039-1.jpg

 

Tranquil scenery

 

025 (2)-1.jpg

 

and Panniers.

 

(I thought these would be of more interest than the current progress at Port Bredy which is adding flashing to the chimney stacks and adding the ridge slates etc, prior to painting the roofs. When that's done it might be time for some photography.)

Very nice indeed John.

[john flann]

Glad gentlemen you liked that posting. I'm sure I can find some other images to make another post on similar lines. Thanks too Andy for your approbation.

 

Nick: I do tend not to post pictures of how I do things, I have nothing to hide (except at times poor workmanship) but I do work pretty fast and having to stop and take pictures I find annoying. So I don't generally do it.

 

I have however, through this thread and on prior occasions illustrated my techniques and two examples are at #76 of 13/10/12 and of 27/1/13. See too RM of May 13 for a fully illustrated article showing construction of the HFTS's warehouse.

 

One thing I will say however, is that the first thing I do before constructing any buildings is to decide what windows I shall use. I do this principally because they have to be in character and practically the openings are much easier to cut out at the first stages.

 

Here also at Port Bredy I have made an effort and illustrated how I did things and will continue to do so. See my recent posts about the LH corner.

 

It was kind of you to add your note and of course, if you have a particular question I shall be happy to answer.

[Spannerman]

Thanks for the reply. I don't have any particular question's, the comment about how the model progresses was actually to say I was enjoying the build of Port Brady and seeing how it comes together.

 

Atb

 

Nik

[john flann]

Thank you gentlemen for your continued interest, I have been struggling with this for a little while and though I was making progress I wasn't entirely satisfied. Something just didn't seem right and I couldn't fathom out what it was.

 

 

Well, I had my Eureka moment and above shows where it led me (you'll have to go back and look at previous images) for once i had removed the large clump of plonked vegetation on top of the river bank and in front of the wooden building and replace it with a nice smallish tree all became clear.

 

The building suits very well. It's ex American HO that I've had for years. A nice size and an interesting construction. I cleaned it up, added a stone chimney, as will I a door and re-painted it. A post and wire fence will go along the edge of the bank to the culvert and the bank itself vegetated.

 

But more important I realized I had wrong shaped trees toward the rear. They were tall, thin and pointy,( they were off my American layout). What was needed were some rounded luxurious English trees more suited to West Dorset. Those there presently, of course need more foliage and being set properly. That will be done.

 

Along the wall at the end in are the backs of the houses in Channel View Road. And proceeding to the right I squared up the Station Master's house in line with the station building-and looks much better, and which has gained a small wooden extension at its LH end. Also so can be seen at platform end where will be the the Signal Box and next a new construction for the foundry of Percy Flew.

 

 

A closer view. The yard is quite roomy and will be very useful. It may gain a crane; however, it might make it look  fussy. I prefer always an uncluttered open look.

 

 

On a final note, I'm pleased with the images for they are much improved. Probably better still if I had used the tripod.  

[Andy R]

Hi john. Now a " virtual" reader from Venice, enroute back to NZ.

Nice progress and I always enjoy reading your thought processes in evolving the layout and its components(town planning?).

Regards Andy R

[john flann]

AndyR, good of you to get in touch and when you are safely home and caught your breath, perhaps you will tell me how you got on at Buckingham.

 

No, we can't get away from town planning, in my mind's eye the station is on the eastern edge of Port Bredy. The railway entered following closely the River Brede and the station and yard is on made ground. The harbour tramway then runs but a short distance to it. Houses were  built around the station. as did local industry gather. Channel View Road is rather a misnomer as the houses only look toward each other. But they are on slightly elevated ground and from that is a fine view over the harbour across West Bay to  the sweep of Chesil Beach, Portland and the English Channel.

 

I think that what lies outside the railway boundary is just as important as within. It is an essential element in the credibility factor.

[Gwiwer]

It is always good to drop in to the peace and quiet of the Hintock world.  The occasional hiss of steam and clank of buffers adds to, rather than detracts from, the complete sense of time and place.  I recently drove through "Port Bredy" while escorting my 19-year old neighbour through the south-west of England.  On a warm but misty day we stopped atop Portesham Hill for a moment and switched the engine off just to breathe in the rural tranquility.  Cows munched the grass noisily though eerily unseen in the mist.  A lark sang somewhere above us.  There was the distant chug of a tractor and a hoot from the valley below which might have been the Midlander on its way down the branch .........

 

 

 

Channel View Road is rather a misnomer as the houses only look toward each other. But they are on slightly elevated ground and from that is a fine view over the harbour across West Bay to Portland and the English Channel.

 

I think that what's lies outside the railway boundary is just as important as within. It is an essential element in the credibility factor.

 

Absolutely, John.  

 

I see nothing wrong with having a fanciful if slightly misleading name such as Channel View Road. There would be more than one such in the real UK named perhaps when there was actually a view or in the hope of boosting house prices through a slight exaggeration of fact.  I too have geography and place names extending "off board" which help to create the overall picture in my mind's eye.  From all the comments I have had the required effect is also created in many other eyes too.

 

Keep up the excellent work.

[john flann]

Rick, you always put it so very well. In that locality and Dorset itself there is a sense of "magic" in the air. If I've captured a little of it with Hintock then I'm well content. You certainly have it of Cornwall with Penhayle Bay.

 

And I know it's not just the fancy of ex-pats like you and I.

 

(There is actually a Channel View Road on Portland and its from where I got the name.)

[Gwiwer]

 

(There is actually a Channel View Road on Portland and its from where I got the name.)

 

 

There is another in Eastbourne which is at right-angles to the sea-front.  You therefore do get a Channel view as you walk down it to the beach but not from any of the houses on either side.  In fact for most of its length you don't even get the former as it has a slight bend not far back from the beach preventing any view of the sea along most of its length.

 

Another exists high on the cliffs above Dover which does indeed offer a Channel view but through something of an industrial estate and over the arms of the Western Docks.

[NHY 581]

Thank you gentlemen for your continued interest, I have been struggling with this for a little while and though I was making progress I wasn't entirely satisfied. Something just didn't seem right and I couldn't fathom out what it was.

 

DSC_0027-1.jpg

 

Well, I had my Eureka moment and above shows where it led me (you'll have to go back and look at previous images) for once i had removed the large clump of plonked vegetation on top of the river bank and in front of the wooden building and replace it with a nice smallish tree all became clear.

 

The building suits very well. It's ex American HO that I've had for years. A nice size and an interesting construction. I cleaned it up, added a stone chimney, as will I a door and re-painted it. A post and wire fence will go along the edge of the bank to the culvert and the bank itself vegetated.

 

But more important I realized I had wrong shaped trees toward the rear. They were tall, thin and pointy,( they were off my American layout). What was needed were some rounded luxurious English trees more suited to West Dorset. Those there presently, of course need more foliage and being set properly. That will be done.

 

Along the wall at the end in are the backs of the houses in Channel View Road. And proceeding to the right I squared up the Station Master's house in line with the station building-and looks much better, and which has gained a small wooden extension at its LH end. Also so can be seen at platform end where will be the the Signal Box and next a new construction for the foundry of Percy Flew.

 

DSC_0030-1.jpg

 

A closer view. The yard is quite roomy and will be very useful. It may gain a crane; however, it might make it look  fussy. I prefer always an uncluttered open look.

 

DSC_0032-1.jpg

 

On a final note, I'm pleased with the images for they are much improved. Probably better still if I had used the tripod.

 

Lovely views, John.

 

Trees are funny things. I toyed with adding a few to Sheep Lane but they didn't sit well and I felt they crowded things. I do like the tree to the rear of the station building. Really adds a 'cosy' touch to that corner.

 

One of my favourite layouts for trees is Penhydd. I hope you don't mind me posting a link, John.

 

http://thechroniclesofpenhydd.blogspot.co.uk/search/label/Around%20and%20about%20Penhydd?m=0

 

Rob.

[john flann]

No Rob, it's well worth looking at. My trees are as you realize only there currently to see what works. They are by no means in their final placements nor full leaved splendour.

[Andy R]

Hi John: we are back and I will PM you with my thoughts on Buckingham operations day. It was serious fun. I did post a brief thought on my hawkinsfield thread.

Andy R

 

 

AndyR, good of you to get in touch and when you are safely home and caught your breath, perhaps you will tell me how you got on at Buckingham.

 

No, we can't get away from town planning, in my mind's eye the station is on the eastern edge of Port Bredy. The railway entered following closely the River Brede and the station and yard is on made ground. The harbour tramway then runs but a short distance to it. Houses were built around the station. as did local industry gather. Channel View Road is rather a misnomer as the houses only look toward each other. But they are on slightly elevated ground and from that is a fine view over the harbour across West Bay to the sweep of Chesil Beach, Portland and the English Channel.

 

I think that what lies outside the railway boundary is just as important as within. It is an essential element in the credibility factor.

[john flann]

 

For the last week or so, this week and forecast for next are temperatures of 100+F (40+C), so I thought I'd take a trip to Hintock with its fresh summer breezes off the sea, some broken cloud and moderate sunshine.

 

 

On arrival I heard a train approaching in the distance and a whistle as it got nearer.

 

 

It turned out to be a SR goods from Dorchester and with one of that sheds O2's in charge. A happy sight.

[Removed a/c]

Temp are to be the same here in Southwestern Ontario, thanks for the trip to Hintock It's a roaster, stay cool ! 

[mullie]

Weather in the Hintock area is also very good. This is the view over Portland Harbour from grove Point this afternoon.

 

 

 

 

 

[john flann]

That's delightful Martyn I appreciate the gesture.

 

Some views are unchanging and that is one of them. A pleasant nudge to my memories and a nice walk for you up from Reforne.

 

And gentlemen, thank you for your likes.

 

My regards.

 

PS, is that tarmaced path at the bottom LH the track of the old railway?

 

That journey up from Portland to Easton with the O2 pulling hard and standing on the open vestibule of the gated stock and looking out at that view is indelibly etched on my memory of when I was boy.

[mullie]

That's delightful Martyn I appreciate the gesture.

 

Some views are unchanging and that is one of them. A pleasant nudge to my memories and a nice walk for you up from Reforne.

 

And gentlemen, thank you for your likes.

 

My regards.

 

PS, is that tarmaced path at the bottom LH the track of the old railway?

 

That journey up from Portland to Easton with the O2 pulling hard and standing on the open vestibule of the gated stock and looking out at that view is indelibly etched on my memory of when I was boy.

Yes it is John,  the photos I posted on here a few weeks ago were taken along that stretch of path. You can't get much further at rail level as the port company have fenced across the route. There will be more on my Flickr thread once I've uploaded them. It seems incredible looking at the path of the line that someone could even think of putting a railway here but the stone was and is such a valuable commodity it must have seemed worth it.

[Gwiwer]

Some of that old railway route is now incorporated into the South West Coast Path which meanders through Hintock Country on its 630-mile way from Minehead to Poole Harbour.  Of those 630 miles i have walked 570 but not the Bexington - Portland - Lulworth section which matter must be corrected as soon as possible.  I did give more than a passing thought to Hintock when I last stayed in the youth hostel at Litton Cheney and walked from there down to the coast at Bexington thence to West Bay, Lyme Regis and ultimately reached Beer for the day's effort.  

 

Maybe next time I'll carry a print of one of John's photos with me.  I could then rest awhile at some spot perhaps near to Abbotsbury and allow my mind to merge the real and model worlds as it has done before thereabouts.

[mullie]

Some of that old railway route is now incorporated into the South West Coast Path which meanders through Hintock Country on its 630-mile way from Minehead to Poole Harbour.  Of those 630 miles i have walked 570 but not the Bexington - Portland - Lulworth section which matter must be corrected as soon as possible.  I did give more than a passing thought to Hintock when I last stayed in the youth hostel at Litton Cheney and walked from there down to the coast at Bexington thence to West Bay, Lyme Regis and ultimately reached Beer for the day's effort.  

 

 

Some of that old railway route is now incorporated into the South West Coast Path which meanders through Hintock Country on its 630-mile way from Minehead to Poole Harbour.  Of those 630 miles i have walked 570 but not the Bexington - Portland - Lulworth section which matter must be corrected as soon as possible.  I did give more than a passing thought to Hintock when I last stayed in the youth hostel at Litton Cheney and walked from there down to the coast at Bexington thence to West Bay, Lyme Regis and ultimately reached Beer for the day's effort.  

 

Maybe next time I'll carry a print of one of John's photos with me.  I could then rest awhile at some spot perhaps near to Abbotsbury and allow my mind to merge the real and model worlds as it has done before thereabouts.

 

If you are coming to Portland look me up as I live near the George, a nice pub and one of the oldest buildings on Portland. Also just up the road from where the station used to be. I cross the old railway bridge every time I walk into Easton. John's layout really does catch the flavour of the area, our most recent escapade was to drive up the coast road and onto Beer just a few days ago.

 

Strange really that I live here but am developing a slice of 1948- 55 East Anglia in my garage!

[john flann]

Rick: you know that part of w Dorset very well indeed. You can see it, or have seen it for real. Me, it was a long time ago and now only in my imagination.

 

And if you do perchance on another visit take an image of mine I hope you'll tell me which one.

 

Martyn, it took a long time for the E&CHR from Portland to Easton to get there, 35 years, 1867-1902. It never made any money.

 

When it did arrive passenger traffic always was minimal and outward stone mainly cut and dressed or masonry from the stone mills out on West Cliff or at Bottomcombe. Most off the Top went out by the Merchant's Railway down to Castletown and thence by rail or ship. Inward was a steady traffic in coal and supplies to the Verne and HM Prison with domestic for the islanders. Sheepcroft Yard dealt with much of this.

 

By the way there's nothing strange about modelling East Anglia in your Dorset garage, I'm modelling West Dorset in my Rocky Mountains basement.