TOLLESHUNT

This corner was originally intended for the jam factory at Tiptree which is one or two stations up the line and towards Kelvedon where the line was truncated. I did a mock up of the factory and really did not like the way it dominated the layout. Before settling on this branch I had had thoughts of modelling the Wisbech and Upwell tramway and only changed my mind due to lack of coaches (the coaches with steps to the ground) and the limited operations. However at Upwell there was a large yard area where large numbers of vans were assembled for intense seasonal fruit traffic. Some of the trains leaving were really huge for the tram engines used. This little yard area to the right of my layout is based on the Upwell yard but is of course only a fraction of the size. It will take 8/9 vans though which makes a train on this layout. There is a photo of it full of vans on Kimbo's thread on this layout. To make the ground the gravel was mixed with Polyfilla powder and it all soaked in dilute PVA. Dried, it is like rock. It then got a thin brown wash to tone in the blueish and whiteish areas.

Attached files

 

Rockers were very much in evidence in Essex in 1960. I rode a Royal Enfield 350 Bullet with a top speed of 90mph. Minimum was about 80mph as i remember. Castings are old ones by Langley models and I think the moulds are about as old as what they represent. I much prefer Dart now. And Monty's. George's engineering works is a a favourite meeting place as he is reputed to be able to weld anything; at the moment he has a muck spreader in for repair.

Attached files

 

I like my fiddle yards to be nice and tidy at exhibitions(or at home) as people do like to peer in. The effort involved in doing this is minimal, two five minute coats of paint and use of some ballasted track. To me they then look finished rather than a work in progress.

Attached files