Project 24 - Battledown Flyover #23 (What is that laying in the grass?)

One of the aspects of modelling a real scene, especially countryside, is that the scene is generally open and uncluttered. Sometimes it is a good idea to add some objects for extra visual interest. 

Battledown Flyover is a case in point. Except, when works are being carried to the bridge or permanent way a lot of equipment can be seen laying about and some of it remains when the work is finished. We have already seen on the model, sleepers laid against the bridge arch and a length of rail buried in the grass but, Look at this photo. What is that laying in the grass next to the wagon wheels?

I have seen about ten photographs aimed at passing trains that also show the object. It seems those wheelsets and the object in question were in place from about 1961 to 1965. An earlier photograph from the 1950s shows them closer to the bridge and a later photograph from 1967 shows a similar arrangement further up the line near the now demolished Worting signal box. None of the photos give a close enough view to determine exactly what it is. 

I thought it may be a pallet or the body of a permanent way trolley. I decided to investigate trolleys and came upon three photos of railway flatbed trolleys. A character of these was the unusual spoke design of the wheels. There are seven spokes, each one curved. Closer examination of the Battledown photos revealed that the wheels also had seven curved spokes. That sealed it for me. We are looking at a flatbed trolley with its wheel sets removed. 

Furthermore, the trolley seemed to be upside down but, why are the wheels separate? Perhaps it is to dissuade trespassers from using it on the track since this place in the 1960s would often be swarmed with enthusiasts and photographers. Some even climbed the embankments and at least one stood by the track on the embankment next to the bridge to film a train coming through it at speed!

Another photograph showed an oil barrel nearby that was only there for a short time (I guess). All these objects have now been modelled.

What is that laying in the grass?

To Part 1.

Project 24 - Battledown Flyover #22 (Change to Plan)

I did not intend to accommodate the down Basingstoke to Southampton line because it would be another dead end like the up line but, featureless. After all it is the bridge on the (dead end) up line that is the main point of interest on this layout. 

When I came to consider landscaping the east end of the layout I discovered that the baseboard is wider than expected here and that prototypically part of the omitted down line would be visible as it sweeps in to join alongside the west of England main lines.

So, I have now added a short length of the down line. There is only enough baseboard width to run the track to the bridge and you can see from the inset in the photo how it meets the edge of the baseboard.

I decided not to power this track. It is therefore, simply part of the scenery. With hindsight I wish that I had widened the baseboard to accommodated a full run of track. The baseboard only needs about 75 mm more width at the west end. Also, I could run the track onto the non-scenic lifting section for even greater length (although the curve would be too tight for some locomotives). 

It would be possible to increase the baseboard width at the west end without too much trouble (if I feel like it in the future). For now, the short piece installed is essential to be true to prototype and it may be useful for photographic sessions.

To Part 1.

To Part 23.

Farnham & District 49th Model Railway Expo

I remember when entry to a model railway exhibition was £5 before Covid and after Covid it increased to £8 and today it is £10 and if you have children in tow it will be more. I don't blame the club exhibiting for the rise. It is just the rise in costs generally, probably brought on by geopolitical influences.

The poster at the entrance boasted over 50 layouts on show but I counted less than 30. In fact the number of layouts and traders seemed little different to previous years although an extra room was opened this year indicating a larger exhibition.

The quality of layouts was extraordinarily high, leading me to abandon my usual thoughts of choosing a personal best in show. Instead I'll highlight three layouts that depicted unusual scenes not normally seen at a model railway exhibition.

Moors View (N) depicting a wintry season

Buggleskelly (00) A diorama accurately depicting
the station from the film Oh Mr. Porter

Brief Encounter (00) All monochrome. Based
 on the 1944 film Brief Encounter

I made one planned and two unplanned purchases from traders. A bag of static grass to complete my Battledown Flyover layout, a 'morris minor traveller' car that took my fancy and the book 'Main Line To The West - Basingstoke to Salisbury' which has detailed historical information of the line, including Battledown Flyover.