Modelling Matilda

That's not prototypical!

I'm not what most would call a 'great modeller', but I really enjoy giving it a shot! This leads me to today's post - my attempt at modelling a OO scale light railway station.

Yes. This is what I meant in my last post about a dangerous 'swerve' into OO...

Day 1

The station in question is 'Matilda-on-the-Waltz'. This came about as the result of faffing about with station signs and an attempt at building a Stephens-y style station building (made almost entirely out of corrugated plasticard). Naturally the two combined to create a rather naff station on the HT&CJR (see previous post for some info on the railway).

Looks a bit unstable!

It was a relatively simple build as I had plenty of spare bits and bobs about my room and plenty of motivation to make something new. Before we get to the finished product, I should probably give a brief history of the area. In fact, our author friend from the previous post has yet again given kind permission for me to reproduce some of his work here:

Matilda was set up by Francis Warburton III in 1920 to house workers for his newly acquired quarry. It was built upon the former town of Coleburn which was taken over by the army for the use of training engineers in 1914 and abandoned in 1919.
The fairly new town had a very strong Australian influence as most of Warburton’s workers had followed him over from there. This was the source of the town’s name - Matilda being a reference to the famous Australian song ‘Waltzing Matilda’. This carried over to the station that served it: ‘Matilda-on-the-Waltz’ which was never as popular as its Victorian predecessor.

HT&CJR No. 3.

Eagle eyed (or other eyed) readers may have noticed the rather big picture of a curious looking tank engine above. It's a static model (for now, anyway) that was bought from Shapeways. I think it's quite nice. Here's some information about her:

No. 3 ‘Matilda’ Ex-MER 2-4-0T - Purchased in 1922 after being sold off by the Port of London Authority for a very small sum, this little oddity was a favourite of Stephens. It was lightweight, fast and most importantly it was cheap to run!

In Service - It did most of its work during the railway’s summer seasons taking excursions into Southern territory. After a long working life, No. 3 was left in a siding at Matilda-on-the-Waltz in late 1936 and was slowly taken apart from 1939 until 1942 before the last parts were sold for scrap in the autumn of that year.

The Bundoran Express has had a bit of a diversion...

I finished the station fairly quickly and I think that it's come out surprisingly well. 

"Should we get on this one?"

At some point I hope to have this station on a layout, but for now, it's nice set fodder.

A better view of the coach body.

I wonder when the next train is...

Mrs Miggins devours her sandwich.

A familiar guest.

As with every model railway, this project is far from completion. But, for now, have some footage of K&ESR No. 3 (on loan with a pair of Stanier suburbans) at 'Matilda-on-the-Waltz' at some point in 1937.

Stuart