De Havilland Model Railway Society
Model Railway Exhibition
Ludwick Way Methodist Church
Welwyn Garden City
26th April 2014
There were 24 exhibits at this exhibition, most of which were model railways. “Bringing the History of Smallford Station to Life” was represented by Alastair Cameron’s model of Smallford station in about 1960. He described it as a ‘work-in-progress’. However, it was in such an advanced state that it could take its place, with pride, in public exhibitions. It is not intended as a ‘full-on’ working ‘layout’, as most of those in the exhibition were; rather, a representation of more-or-less what the station looked like in the chosen period, but the train was capable of moving, and this was demonstrated from time-to-time.
The model proved to be a popular attraction, evoking memories in many who were familiar with the area, and was the catalyst for quite a number of tales told that day.
The Smallford model/project display area, as seen on entering the room.
A closer view of the model.
The station and its outbuildings (‘N-Gauge’ scale is approx. 2mm to 1 ft – about 1/150th of full size)!
The train at the station, about to ‘shunt the yard’ (i.e. drop off/pick up 1 or 2 Coal/Scrap wagons).
The eye-catching, untypical, private-livery Banana van – BR Brown + Dirt was the norm….
The 370 bhp Diesel Shunter (forerunner of the common Class 08), the last of the locomotive classes to be seen on day-to-day work along the Branch.
A typical ‘common stock’ coal wagon of the period.