HEWISH GATES, SIDINGS & CREWKERNE TUNNEL MODEL RAILWAY LAYOUT
This model railway layout (constructed over a period of six months in 2008/09) sits on the opposite side of the oval to Misterton. It measures 12' x 1'. The objective here was two fold. Firstly, a good stretch of line in open countryside to view trains in action and secondly a place to assemble trains for running through Misterton, known in the hobby as a fiddle yard*. A survey along the line west from Crewkerne reveals the perfect location to model - Hewish Sidings.
*Fiddle yards are usually located 'off stage'. Here, for space saving, rolling stock is contained in trays at the front of the model railway layout and train formations assembled on one or more of the four tracks.
Hewish
In reality Hewish is a hamlet to the west of Crewkerne and nearby is a level crossing known as Hewish Gates. In the 1960's a signal box, ralway cottages, passing loop and goods siding existed here. Nowadays only a single track and half barrier crossing remain.
Crewkerne tunnel lies between Hewish and Crewkerne. Not so on this model railway layout. Due to space limitations it is located west of Hewish Gates. It provides an ideal exit off stage. At the other end the scenic break is disguised with a large tree.
| Crewkerne Tunnel | Hewish Gates Signal Box | Railway Cottages | |
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| Loading Gauge and Yard Crane | Hewish Sidings | ||
About the Oval Curves
The tracks that close the oval are not landscaped. This is partly because they are lifting sections for access and if landscaped would be prone to damage. But, the main reason is to give an impression of distance between the two scenic sections, which is achieved with a photographic poster showing countryside placed in front of the railway tracks, hiding the trains from view.
The front scene at the Exeter end (shown below) is a panoramic photograph created by stiching together indvidual photos in photo editing software. You can see where the poster joins the scenic boards. I agree it's not ideal. Perhaps a different landscape created by an artist would blend better.
However, when viewed from particular angles this scene is almost passable. Hiding the trains this way is quick to create, gives an impression of distance and an element of surprise as trains come into view, particularly as they emerge from the tunnel.
