'Bobbington' OO home layout in the USA

[Thom]

Just for the fun of it here are some pictures of 'Bobbington', a South London location that I modeled between 2010-2012. Since then I build my exhibition layout, 'Angloshire', and cannibalised quite a few building from this layout. Thatched Cottage Antiques, Prince Albert pub, Grace Brothers Department Store, Ben's Books, the Post Office, and St Thomas Abbey Church are now on 'Angloshire.' I never did get around to ballasting the track.

 

Starting the day at the West end of Bobington one can see the Boy Scouts up on Wynter Hill. Must be camping as I could see two tents. What is that one lad doing in the bushes? 

 

Looking across the high street towards Druid's Glen with the aqueduct and the Hogwarts Express crossing the viaduct. I did see some deer in the glen but by the time I got close enough to take a pic they had gone. The castle like Hossack Tunnel portal next to the disused WW2 pill box is rather impressive for a single track tunnel. The aqueduct and viaduct are both modified Metcalfe models.

 

A Network Southeast class 108 DMU crosses the viaduct while a class 121 railcar crosses the high street heading towards Tovidian Junction. A bus waits in front of Thatched Cottage Antiques.

 

Looking from the rear of the antique shop one can see the war memorial across the street from Greggs Bakery. 

[Thom]

The war memorial was erected after the Great War, (WW1), and after WW2 plaques were added to remember those who died during that war as well. A gentleman reflecting on the sacrifices of the brave men and women who served and died for their country. 

 

A school master explaining the memorial to his school boys. The memorial was originally at the centre of Bobington but as the town was built up it was moved to a more reflective setting. One wonders who though next to railway tracks was a good  idea. Me thinks the lads will want to get some gingerbread men at Greggs after they are done there.

 

A Wessex class 153 railcar heads towards Tovidian Junction making yet another bus wait. Across the main railway tracks is the Salvation Army and the Drumm Street Station signal box.

 

The Prince Albert pub with some people waiting at the bus stop on Stapleton Road. Although the weather was great, the pub landlord has not put the tables and chairs out on the patio yet.

[Thom]

Looking past the burned out St Joseph Roman Catholic Church across Abbey Road to Hutin Baptist Church. Next to that is M&S Simply Food convenience store and there is a FGW Riviera Sleeper train passing through Drumm Street Station. The burned out church is a detailed Airfix building with a balcony added.

 

Looking down the high street towards the roundabout. Grace Brothers Department Store is on the left past the Chinese takeaway. The two Victorian semis on the right have especially lovely front gardens. 

 

A closeup of the front gardens, stone posts and cast iron fencing. I loved the Gothic fencing. The building on the right with the green doors is a pub called Major Major. It was closed for renovations so I could not go in and have a pint of Clarkes ale.

 

A rear view of the Victorian semi detached houses, looking over the vicarage, showing the back gardens.

[Thom]

Behind the Victorian semis is the vicarage. I was well impressed with the finely manicured lawn and it looked like the vicar had some large statues in the conservatory. The Anderson shelter from WW2 is still in the back garden.

 

What a waste to have the lights on the council car park lit during the day. This is a great view of St Thomas Abbey Church, though.

 

Looking up from the car park to the Post Office. Yep, that's an old Routemaster bus stopped at the bus stop.

 

A great view of the cruciform shape of St Thomas Abbey Church. The annex on the right is actually part of the original Norman Abbey. The cruciform church was built in 1856. The weather was perfect for punting on the river.

[Thom]

The Abbey Road zebra crossing and roundabout. Waterton Butchers is on the left next to NatWest bank. Pickfords warehouse is across from the bank. That is certainly not Austin Powers driving his Union Jack Jaguar.

 

Pickfords Removers & Storers warehouse. Historic Burns Mill is on the right and is a part of British Heritage. Unfortunately it was closed when I went to visit it.

 

Here you can see the footbridge over the railway tracks at Drumm Street Station. The bright red classic Mini pulled in right before I took this pic. I do love red cars.

 

The council recycling containers are next to the bank. Rumour has it they will be moving them down Bitchingham Road to the Sainsbury's car park.

[Thom]

A police officer crossing the zebra crossing while an older taxi waits.

 

Looking West up Abbey Road.

 

Looking up Abbey Road towards Druid's Glen. A FGW train is waiting at platform 2.

 

Drumm Street Station. They took down the old platform lamps but have not replaced them with new ones yet. Poor planning if you ask me. The Station is an older Lima plastic kit based on the old Chichester Station.

[Thom]

A BR class 101 DMU leaving Hossack Tunnel passing the signal box coming into platform 1 at Drumm Street Station.

 

Looking back down the high street before heading back to my friend's flat in Bromley. The blue 1970s Reliant Scimitar is actually Princess Anne's old car. 

 

Greggs Bakery on the left and the rear of Prince Albert pub on the right. It's the end of the day and the shops are closing. That's it for this day's exploring South London.

 

This shows the basic overall view of most of the layout.