Morvallon - French narrow gauge layout on display in the Netherlands

[Barry Ten]

On the weekend I revisited the excellent Dutch narrow gauge museum located at Valkenburg, near Leiden. Other than the chance to take an enjoyable ride behind steam or diesel traction, and look at the marvelous collection of full-size locomotives and rolling stock, the museum also contains quite a few quality model railway exhibits, most of which appear to have been donated to the museum over the years. The museum hosts a model railway weekend once a year - the next one is coming up at the end of this month - but for now most of these exhibits were in static form.

 

I was particularly taken with this beautiful French-themed H0e narrow gauge layout, which was displayed in a well-lit cabinet and viewable from three sides. Unfortunately there wasn't any information about the model and by the time I'd taken a train ride, I forgot to ask the very helpful staff. The station name is Morvallon, and after Googling - and coming up with some very similar images to my own - I see that the layout appears to be the work of Anneke Boelens and Len de Vries. I have the faintest recollection of seeing a similar layout at one of the big Dutch exhibitions but that may be my imagination playing tricks.

 

The model appeared to be about 5' x 3' in size, consisting of a simple loop of track with a station scene on one side, a central divider, and a more pastoral scene at the rear. I thought it was superbly done, and my head was buzzing with similar ideas for the rest of my trip. Unfortunately these pics were all taken with the camera in my hand, but hopefully give some idea of the lovely modelling on display.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[RhBBob]

Very beautiful with most of the classic French road vehicles of a certain era, plus the iconic station building.

 

Thank you for sharing these with us.

 

As you say, the kind of layout that sets you thinking 'why don't I ?'

[shortliner]

A touch of Dennis Allendens LE MORTIER GUMOND - with probably the smallest station/goods-shed ever - and similar to a multi gauge model built by Giles Barnabe, name escapes me

 

http://groups.yahoo....ail/message/742

 

http://groups.yahoo....il/message/4310

[DLT]

Very nice indeed barry, a good find. I will draw attention to it on the Narrow Gauge Forum.

 

Cheers, Dave.T

[cp409067]

"Morvallon" featured on the cover and in a five page article in Voie Libre, No 24, Juillet 2003. As Len de Vries had a connection with the layout I imagine it was also published in the Dutch language Rail Magazine.

 

CP

[Barry Ten]

"Morvallon" featured on the cover and in a five page article in Voie Libre, No 24, Juillet 2003. As Len de Vries had a connection with the layout I imagine it was also published in the Dutch language Rail Magazine.

 

CP

 

I'll have to have a look through my back issues of Rail.

[invercloy]

Valkenburg is a great place, isn't it? Shame you didn't go this coming weekend as they have their annual model railway museum coming up.

 

I visited the show in 2010, photos of my visit here:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/16967289@N02/sets/72157624949930406/

[Barry Ten]

Valkenburg is a great place, isn't it? Shame you didn't go this coming weekend as they have their annual model railway museum coming up.

 

Yes, as I said to my wife, it was very inconsiderate of our friends to schedule their wedding in Leiden a week early...