‘B set’ typical branch line stock from the inter-War years. Re-painted and detailed Airfix models with correct bogies and additional underframe detail.Dean clerestories, thought to be Slaters kits.A rake of three ‘Toplights’ from the Slaters kits.Full Brake, etched kit, make unknown.The ‘Clifton Down’ set, unlikely to have strayed this far south, but built because the Builder found them fascinating and a change from the usual GWR auto coaches. Etched kits, probably by Branchlines.The classic GWR auto coach, whilst not strictly accurate (being an amalgam of two GWR diagrams) the Airfix model was ground-breaking for its time. Here with additional detail, correct bogies and weathering, it still presents as a fine model.Built from Plastikard in the days when this material was ‘state of the art’ it demonstrates the superb level of craftsmanship Pat English brought to his work.
For a staunch GWR man, Pat English built a considerable amount of Southern passenger stock. The following pictures are a representative selection.
It would be fascinating to think that Watermouth could be a destination for a portion of the Atlantic Coast Express with a coach detached at, perhaps, Axminster Junction to be worked down to the coast.
Freight Stock
There are some 200 items of freight stock in the collection from a variety of sources. Before Watermouth was started as a layout, Pat English was scratch building rolling stock and some of his very early vehicles are in the collection today. He constructed a number of 10T open wagons from plasticard long before Slaters released their range of kits, and even today it is difficult to distinguish them from high quality injection moulded kits.
A wide range of kit manufacturers is represented, many no longer obtainable today, and latterly, Pat recognised the excellent qualities of emerging new RTR items which he modified and detailed to increase the stock list.
Much of the freight stock are mundane, run-of-the-mill vehicles typical of the working railway, but still delightful models, constructed and finished, often with carefully researched additional detail, to Museum quality standards.
A selection of these has been chosen along with some more unique items.
One of the earliest vehicles in the collection, circa 1970, this wagon is entirely scratch built from plasticard with only Studiolith W iron units, buffers and underframe castings bought in. The iron strapping and corner plates are embossed aluminium foil.Another scratch built wagon circa 1970. The underframe components are white metal castings, possibly ABS at this period. The Studiolith pressed tinplate W irons mounted on pieces of rubber band still function perfectly!Early etched kits, the horsebox by Colin Waite, the clerestory thought to be by Mallard.A beautifully observed wagon load aboard a ‘Scorpion’ carriage truck, thought to be a D & S kit.40’ Parcels Brake from a very old K’s kit, frequently vehicles like this were down-graded for branch line work.Northern visitors, the fish van is D & S, the ventilated probably Parkside.Etched kit, maker unknown.White metal kits, most likely ABS, the insulated van is scratch built but was never completed, awaiting underframe details.Typical examples of many, representing a range of kit manufacturers.These are from Slaters.A pair of ‘Mites’ thought to be ABS kits.And a flock of ‘Macaws’ with a ‘Loriot’ .‘Loriot’ etched kit, maker unknown possibly Jidenco.‘Crocodile’ RTR by Bachmann with very little modification.Another example of RTR stock, again requiring very little modification apart from additional underframe detail and improved corridor connectors.A ‘Serpent’ carriage truck, used for carrying farm machinery, carriages and loads not requiring a well-wagon, the holes along the side frame were for securing ropes. Etched kit, make unknown, possibly Jidenco.Express freight vehicles from Parkside kits.White metal kits, thought to be ABS.A six wheel ‘Siphon’ to Diag. 04 or 05 from the D & S kit.‘Brown’ vehicles were vacuum fitted freight wagons intended for travel in passenger trains. Usually designated for perishable goods or special livestock where speed was essential.Cattle were less well catered for in un-fitted vans in a range of designs.Bringing up the rear, appropriately enough, two ‘Toads’ branded ‘Watermouth’ and ‘Kilmington’ clearly intended for the Branch traffic. Etched kits from Frogmore Confederacy.
The Watermouth layout and collection represents some 45 years of one man’s modelling. Restoring and developing the layout has taken many hours of work by a very few dedicated individuals and there is still a great deal to do.
Currently Watermouth is erected at the Clubroom of the Helston & Falmouth MRC just outside Helston in West Cornwall. Work on the rewiring and new control systems was progressing well until Covid struck just over a year ago, since when very little has been able to be done. We are hopeful that 2021 will see trains running again and the layout re-erected in its entirety.
We would welcome any modellers living in the area, or even beyond, who would be interested in becoming involved, there is a vast amount to do! contact Steve Howe at the address below:
