INTRODUCTION AND BACKGROUND

The LBR exists in a small and picturesque corner of North Essex. Construction started in Autumn 2005, but despite the proximity of the station to the town centre, very few of the town’s residents were even aware of its existence. However, this changed rapidly when steaming sessions began in late December 2005. Many passers-by have been startled to see a small train steaming apparently under its own control across the viaduct that now stands near the front of our property. The reaction has been amazingly positive (what is it about models that fascinates almost universally?) - and it has become something of a local talking point, and some days even pulls a small crowd. I need no better reason to stop and have a chat with passers-by!

Getting on my soapbox for a moment, I must admit that I find highly scaled model landscapes unappealing. No matter how good, they end up looking like toy villages. No offence meant here - each to his own - but I am trying the explore the possibilities of natural surroundings and large scale to create a line that functions prototypically and looks, sounds, smells and feels like the real thing. You can’t do that with indoor models! So no miniature villages or cartoon characters for me! I will provide what infrastructure is necessary to complete the illusion, but no more. I found Marc Horowitz’s exposition on garden railway aesthetics very convincing and close to my own ideas.

My main scenic asset is the old, tall privet hedge that marks the site boundary: with careful management, it should resemble a line of mature trees and provide a frame beyond which next-door’s shrubbery can provide the rest of the woodland backdrop.

The strip of land to the side of our apartment in a renovated Victorian school is so shaded that very little will grow, and so narrow that we had given up any chance of making a garden of it. In fact, we rather like the outlook into next-door’s shrubbery. However, while I was glancing at it one day, a penny dropped. Perhaps it would be possible to realise a childhood dream...

It took very little time to get out there with a tape measure, and discover that while the site was a useable 15 metres long, it was mostly less than 1.8 metres wide. However, where the site opened onto the frontage, there might just be sufficient room to make a 180 degree turn.

The idea of trains running not through a conventional garden rockery or lawn, but alongside a real woodland began to appeal.

Further investigation revealed that the site also slopes down from back to front by about 50 cm, although most of that was contained in the front few metres. There is also a slight drop from right to left. Clearly, this was going to be a challenge...

And at this point, I should acknowledge the kindness and encouragement of Peter Hayward of the Haggerleases Light Railway, whose emails have provided much help and advice to this novice...