Helland Wharf

Owner:                      Mike Walker                

Location:                   Marlow, Bucks

Contact:                     07791 544426    mikewalker@solgarth.eclipse.co.uk  

Layout size:              8 feet x 2 feet

Layout shape:         Straight  (fiddle / scenic section / fiddle)

                                      Viewed / operated from the front only but rear access required. 

Operators:                One. 

Tables:                       One only,  for stock, tea and cake.  A chair or stool would be appreciated.

Electrics:                    One 13A socket. {I carry extension leads}

Scale:                          00 gauge. 

Period /Era:              British Railways 1950s to late 1960s

Based on:                  Ex-L&SWR Wenford Branch in Cornwall. 

Layout lighting:       Self contained LED. 

Insurance value:    £1000.00.

Expenses:                 Travelling to/from venue from Marlow.  One car.  Overnight accommodation may be required depending on distance and length of show.

Description 

Helland Wharf was inspired by the classic photographs of Peter Gray and others showing the Beattie Well Tanks and later 1366 small panniers squeezing between the cottages at Helland on their way to Wenford Bridge.  The layout was originally conceived as a “photo plank” and a test bed for new techniques but evolved into a small exhibition layout.

The track is Peco Streamline code 75 bullhead and the power supply traditional DC analogue – I’m a great believer in keeping things as simple as possible.  The buildings are scratchbuilt replicas of the cottages on each side of the line.  Motive power, which includes the Beattie Well Tanks, panniers and Class 03 diesel shunters are all ready-to-run models and the rolling stock is a mixture of RTR and kit built.  All are weathered.

Despite its small size and simplicity, Helland provides much of interest to the viewer.  A sequence is operated involving the running of both empty and loaded clay trains, then mixed goods which pause to shunt the siding on their way back towards Wadebridge.  The sequence starts with Beattie Well Tanks then repeated with the panniers and finally once more with the diesels.  This covers the period from the early BR era up to the late 1960s  Modeller’s licence is evoked to assume the siding was not lifted in 1960.

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Photos by Andrew Burnham