LowerUphamMike

Yes, the Newquay area would definitely offer opportunities for a much greater variety of traffic. Had the Padstow branch survived into the seventies there is a small chance that Padstow could have become a south-western version of Kyle of Lochalsh, but it’s probably unlikely as there wouldn’t have been the same volume of fish traffic and although like Kyle Padstow is relatively remote from major centres of population, it is still very close to a busy main line. It is the remoteness of Kyle and Mallaig that ensured the relative longevity of the continuation of freight. But a layout based on Padstow, but modelled with the traffic seen on the Kyle line up to the 1980s with short loco-hauled passenger and freight trains, with the odd mixed train perhaps would be interesting. Depending on the era, substitute the Scottish class 25, 26, 27 and 37s with WR 25s, 31s and SR 33s and a very interesting layout could be enjoyed, with plenty of shunting running round etc.

As others have said, it would be an hourly (at best) two-car sprinter Monday to Friday, plus Weekends in Summer, hourly weekdays in Winter and two-hourly on Sundays. There would be just a single track with a simple waiting shelter, situated on a cut-back single platform, well away and fenced-off from from the remaining former station buildings which will all have been re-purposed. No realistic chance of through services or sleeper trains, many visitors to Padstow and neighbouring Rock are second home owners and arrive with lots of possessions/clothes etc which they shuttle between their homes in gigantic brand new SUVs. I suppose the weed killing train would make an annual visit, and once or twice each decade a steam special top and tailed with a heritage diesel loco may perhaps make an appearance. I know the area very well, so I think my thoughts would be pretty accurate. But hey, it’s your layout so I shall look forward to seeing how it all works out and wish you all the best.

Absolutely beautiful! Whatever you do, please don't ever sell it. It takes up next to no space in the home, and yet it provides such a tranquil focus to just drift off and remember some wonderful times and events which obviously have such personal meaning to you on your journey through life. Thank you so much for sharing this lovely little layout with us and I hope you will continue to enjoy it for many, many years to come.