Blakeney

Blakeney is a 4mm scale, EM Gauge layout based upon a GE line on the north Norfolk coast that “might have come from the Sheringham direction”.  The layout is largely a solo effort by Geoff Kent following the success of predecessor layouts such as High Dyke (GN) and Dunwich (GE). It was built to fit a space of 12’ x 8’. The spacious appearance of the layout is remarkable given its modest dimensions. The track is SMP with pointwork built using copper-clad strip sleepers. Buildings are mainly in Plasticard and groundworks largely plaster.The layout is now in the possession of Bill Wyatt-Millington, chairman of the EM Gauge Society and is shown here with his permission and with pictures taken and supplied by Tony Wright.

 

1954 built 11112, and originally allocated to Ipswich, is one of a batch from the Drewry Car Company. The loco is built from bits of Airfix and Craftsman conversion parts on a scratch built chassis. These locos were first introduced in 1952. Here she potters in the yard amidst buildings created by Geoff for this well composed scene. Adlards warehouse is based on a building in Boston (Lincs) and the Maltings from Ipswich.The lorry is scratchbuilt and the Fordson van is from a whitemetal kit.

 

Geoff took elements of the real railway for his inspiration. Here we see the main station building which is based on Wells. Travellers to Wells can see the real thing for themselves.

 

This picture just oozes the atmosphere of the 1950’s Anglian railway scene as we look towards the station building with the yard buildings and the Maltings in view. Geoff is a true “all-rounder” when it comes to modelling. He has a reputation of being good at modelling “everything” in layouts usually well beyond a standard that most of us ever hope to reach. This includes all the road vehicles in this scene.

 

Ivatt class 4 2-6-0 43094 (built from a Millholme kit) leaves Blakeney round the curve with a train destined for Yarmouth Beach. The signal box is a near copy of Brundall box and features an attractive window design shared by other GER boxes such as Acle and Ipswich.

Blakeney has featured in Model Railway Journals 65 and 142 together with British Railway Modelling Magazine May 2008.  More photos of Blakeney and other elements of Geoff Kent’s modelling can be found in Mixed Bag under the MRJ heading.