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 .

Hewish Gates Track Plan

Crewkerne Tunnel		Hewish Gates Signal Box	Railway Cottages
	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 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.

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