Owner – Phillip Chudley
Gauge – P4
Layout Size – 20x8ft
The layout was originally built by a professional model maker, Colin Hayward, as a result of taking a school party on a historical visit. It was one of the very first examples of a layout built to P4 standards and it made its debut at the South Hampshire Railway Modellers exhibition in October 1981. Colin kindly donated the layout to the East Hampshire Area Group of the Scalefour Society in 1993 and since then, a number of modifications have been made by various members of the group. The track work has been completely reconstructed and fully chaired on a removable sub-baseboard. The portion of track in the passing loop has been correctly represented with flat-bottom rail, ballasted with shingle as on the prototype. Turnouts are operated by means of Tortoise point motors. More recently, the “green” scenic work, station platform and line side fencing have been completely reconstructed and the beach has been added.
The layout today is presented around the time of grouping (1923) allowing both LSWR and SR stock to be run. Motive power includes an ex-LBSCR D1 class tank and Terriers. All are fully compensated. Rolling stock includes Gate stock sets and various coal wagons from local merchants. In the near future, it is hoped to model the original engines and the two composite coaches to allow representation of trains as used from opening through to 1909.