Exebridge
by Paul Hopkins (Email: phemail1@yahoo.co.uk)
Exebridge is not a brand new layout, it was originally Mervyn Turvey’s Alston layout and for those who saw it in its original condition, it was a double track continuous run layout, incorporating interchange sidings to a narrow gauge mine quarry. It could be viewed on three sides, the most pleasing scenic feature on the main line being the viaduct crossing a creek and river. It has ended up in my custody, and with some sympathetic modifications and track enhancements it has been transformed into a GWR or BR(WR) cross country line somewhere in Devon and retains 12mm trackwork sourced from the 3mm Society.
The new track layout incorporates a junction station with three platform faces one of which is a loop platform for the branch line train. A small country goods yard has also been incorporated into the station area, which includes a village street with shops, car workshop and garage, and a bus garage. The majority of the new buildings are scratchbuilt or made from modified kits, the station buildings are based on Teignmouth from the Heljan range, the delightful pagoda hut was scratchbuilt by the late Peter Gentle whilst most of the other station furniture originates from the 3mm Society. Much of the original country scenery has been retained especially the creek and the viaduct, with some makeover to put it into a summer setting. The fiddle yards have been remodeled to ease some of the curves and provide maximum capacity for the number and length of the trains operating on the layout.
Initially the layout was planned to be pre-nationalised GWR era, but has since progressed to more modern times, reflecting the BR changeover period from steam to diesel traction, with examples of the hydraulic locomotives and diesel multiple units as well as the various steam types. Southern trains haven’t been forgotten, working interchange services as Southern in the west of England at this time remained steam hauled mainly with Bulleid pacifics and Maunsell moguls and 2 or 3 car carriage sets.
