Chelfham Station Model
RailReality Model of Lynton and Barnstaple Chelfham Station
Bought and reviewed by John Cockcroft
Gazette - August 2022 (Vol 21 No.12)
RailReality are a producer I haven’t heard of before, and it is a great thing that new technology is generating new and exciting products at a time when many of the older established producers are withdrawing from the O gauge market. RailReality are marketed via eBay (key in ‘RailReality’) where a lot of these new producers can be found, often at amazingly reasonable prices.
This model is one of a series of Lynton & Barnstaple station models that RailReality is producing in 4mm scale, including the much more elaborate Woody Bay station. When I first saw the models on eBay I saw a note below which mentioned that these models can be produced in any scale. What is more, now that Dapol have announced the production of ready-to-run L&B locomotives a model of a station offers the opportunity of interesting layouts, either based on the real stations or some might-have-been imaginative extension.
So I emailed Jonathan at RailReality and enquired about the small Chelfham Station model being produced in O gauge. “No problem” he replied (that was on a Wednesday). He said he would advertise the O gauge version on eBay when he had produced it … at the weekend! By the end of Sunday it was on the site and I ordered it – it came by Tuesday. That’s what I call service! Furthermore, I must confess I was a bit dubious, but the model that arrived at a cost of £38.50 including postage is really high quality and will form the basis of a very nice model.
So much for eulogy. The model is 3D-printed and hand-finished plastic. There is none of that squirted sausage nonsense that cheap 3D products used to have. It is very strong and solid and comes in two parts – walls and roof. In some of my photos there is a misalignment of the roof on the small gable – but that is due to my incompetence and it fits perfectly. In fact the windows and doors are separate, but can be delivered fixed in place or detachable. I wanted them detachable and they are held in place with Sellotape.
The roof is a convincing representation of the diamond tile roof of the prototype but the walls are smooth except for some representation of decoration above the windows. At the back there is a small gabled extension and also the representation of a small wooden storage box all of which are as prototype. The gable-end bargeboards have a gap behind them, as per the real thing, and the whole model is thoroughly convincing. I suppose that the window glazing bars could be filed a bit thinner but that is up to the modeller. The prototype was a stone structure so how you represent that is up to you – paper or some embossed finish is quite possible because the smooth walls are plastic and should take suitable adhesives.
I don’t propose to use the model on a L&B layout because it is really very like many typical small stations on almost any railway. It can be covered with brick representation or timber boarding, either horizontal or vertical – or simply depict a rendered finish. The detail on the roof is not too deeply indented and the substitution of tile, slate, corrugated iron, or even canvas covering would be easily represented.
The original Chelfham station was heated by a stove that had an ugly metal chimney sticking out of one end and up the wall – a length of black tube is supplied for that. But modelling one or more chimneys is not difficult and I think I may do that.
If I get the inclination, I may submit an article about the changes I make – whatever they are! But as a basis for a strong and firm foundation for a building it is something I would recommend
Jonathan also said in our email correspondence that they were looking for other prototypes to produce, so some of you may have good ideas. Besides Woody Bay they also do Bratton Fleming stations and a selection of LNER standard 8-wheel tender body variations. Prices and availability in O gauge are available on request.
I don’t know the limitations of the technology or the equipment they use but they inform me they have multiple machines so can keep up with demand. I suppose they can be specific prototypes but they would be best if they could be expanded to wider use. They say they can produce almost anything provided they get clear reference designs. Anyway, it’s really good to find that model railways are still being catered for by new technology – bring it on!!
