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HEWISH GATES

Incorporating Hewish Sidings and Crewkerne Tunnel

This model railway layout sits on the opposite side of the oval from 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 built into the layout. Here, for space saving, a long tray at the front holds rolling stock .

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, railway cottages, passing loop and goods siding existed there. Nowadays only a single track and half barrier crossing remain.

Crewkerne tunnel lies between Hewish and Crewkerne. But, on the model railway it was better placed to the west of Hewish Gates. It provides an ideal exit off stage. At the other end the scenic break is disguised with a large tree.

Please turn the page for the track plan and more.

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TRACK PLAN

Hewish Gates Track Plan

Crewkerne Tunnel   Hewish Gates Signal Box Railway Cottages
plan view of a model railway
  Loading Gauge and Yard Crane Hewish Sidings  

About the Oval Curves

fromtscene at misterton

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 is a panoramic photograph created by stiching together indvidual photos in photo editing software. A fontscene is not an ideal solution. However, when viewed from particular angles it is almost passable, as shown right. Hiding the trains this way is quick to create, gives an impression of distance and an element of surprise as trains come into view.

Back to Hewish Gates.

Cover
Preface

Contents

Model Railway Layouts

Misterton Model Railway.
Hewish Gates Model Railway.
Locomotive Stud.
Train Scheduler.
Movies.
This Month's Special Feature.

General Topics

Editor's Timeline.
Editor's Blog (at blogspot.com).
Prototype History.
Live Steam.
Bibliography.
Google Friends.
Model Railway Directory.

How To...

Grow A Grass Embankment.
Grow A Deciduous Tree.
Make a TiNY Bus.
Measure Your Train Speed.
Add Sound To The Scene.
© Copyright 2008-2010: David Smith.
All Rights Reserved.