After Wednesday’s trip on the Kent & East Sussex Light Railway, I was reminded what a lovely prototype it is for branch line or light railway modelling.  So here are the station plans, taken from the National Library of Scotland site.  All date from around 1908.

Most would make an excellent model, depending on the available space.  The scenery is straightforward, as the railway winds its way through the Rother Valley levels.  It’s a delightful setting for the line – but maybe I’m biased due to my part-Norfolk heritage as I love the big skyscapes.

Headcorn

Biddenden

Tenterden

Rolvendon

Wittersham Road

Northiam

Bodiam

Robertsbridge

Rolvendon is a great design with it’s short platform and loco facilities.  But Northiam is most attractive in its simplicity.  And Bodiam could have the castle on the backdrop.

As for modelling the line in ‘N’, that’s difficult to do accurately, as there are few models available.  Modelling the preserved line, I guess anything goes.  Dapol made a KESR Terrier.  After that, one needs to head towards Rule 1 for a historic model.  The East Kent Railway had an ex-SECR ‘O’ class 0-6-0, and the KESR an ex-LSWR Ilfracombe Goods, so the Farish C class 0-6-0 wouldn’t be too out of place.  My favourite LSWR 0330 class saddle tank isn’t available, but maybe the new Farish J94 Austerity would fill in, if a little modern for the railway.  

Coaches might need a little kit building, to put together a motely selection of 4-wheelers.  Goods stock would be the easiest, perhaps.  All very tempting, but I’ve got too many projects…..