Photograph Series - Final Part (for now)

Everything you see in the photo, apart from the sky , is all "real" and part of the model railway, mostly scratch built and scaled in n-gauge; (approx)2mm:1ft.

Here we see a view looking over the farmers wheat field towards Cliddesden Station. The local farmer is reaping the field with his Mccomick reaper, and 2 horses. Women from the Women's National Land Services Corps are following to upend the bundles to form stooks to help dry the grain.

Shot with a Canon EOS 550D.

Ed

Photograph Series - Part 3

Everything you see in the photo, apart from the sky (backscene), is all "real" and part of the model railway, mostly scratch built and scaled in n-gauge; (approx)2mm:1ft.

Here we see  a view looking over the railway servants cottages and the station masters back garden, looking onto Cliddesden station. A freight train has just departed the station, and Alfred Vince (station porter) is pushing the station barrow with the coffin and the grieving father in tow along station road . Probably on their way to the church in the village.

Shot with a Canon EOS 550D.

Ed

Photograph Series - Part 2

Everything you see in the photo, apart from the sky, is all "real" and part of the model railway, mostly scratch built and scaled in n-gauge; (approx)2mm:1ft.

Here we see the back of Cliddesden station, and the sidings. The cattle are in the cattle dock, waiting for the next wagon to arrive.

Shot with a Canon EOS 550D.

Ed

Remembrance

Watching the excellent docu-drama 'The Somme' on More4 TV channel last night reminded about the immense human sacrifices made during that first world war battle. With a largely untested and volunteer army contingent from Britain it beggars belief the courage required to walk across no mans land towards a hail of bullets taking out comrades walking alongside. The strategy of the commanders whilst devised with good intent was portrayed as a flawed plan causing unnecessary human suffering.

Our model railway is set in August 1916. One month after the battle commenced and here we have a peaceful rural scene (blog header) almost oblivious to the events of war. It makes our creative effort seem frivolous by comparison. But think again because much of the bad things going on abroad was not widely reported. Whilst creating this rural scene in the heart of the English countryside we were vaguely aware of a war in progress elsewhere but probably like the people living at home in the time not fully in tune with the horror of it. It was only when families and communities learnt of the massive losses in The Somme that a sense of shock and realisation pervaded the nation. 

A reminder that life is not quite normal on our model railway is the Women's National Land Service Corps assisting with the harvest, covering for the men sent overseas. Other influences on home life at this time were the requisition of horses for use in the war. Our farmer here is fortunate to still have two horses to pull his reaper. Some farmers were only allowed one horse for the entire farm. Later in 1917 with the U boats decimating the Atlantic convoys spare land was given over to allotments and agriculture to boost home food production. Not a big impact here yet but plenty of unused land available around the station complex.

David

Photograph Series - Part 1

In a new series of landscape photographs showing the (nearly) finished (is it ever finished) model.

Everything you see in the photo, apart from the sky and smoke from the engine, is all "real" and part of the model railway, mostly scratch built and scaled in n-gauge; (approx)2mm:1ft.

Here we see the LSWR O2 (M7 in our case as no r.t.r), leaving Cliddesden station with LSWR 48' Brake Lav. Tri-Comp. I suspect very few people are on-board  It's 1916, war has started, and the line is about to close.

Shot with a Canon EOS 550D.

Ed