HappisburghHappisburgh (pronounced Haysboro) in reality is a small resort on the north east Norfolk coast. Behind the lighthouse on the high ground to the south of the little town spread acres of rich agricultural land and in the growing season Happisburgh sits surrounded by a sea of sugar beet. In 1896 the Great Eastern Railways’ directors met to discuss proposals to extend the line from North Walsham, first to Happisburgh, then south east along the coast towards Great Yarmouth. Unfortunately the GER decided that the proposal for the line to Happisburgh would not pay and so the town was never served by a real railway. However, Happisburgh is the setting of the MRC’s 7mm scale exhibition layout. For the purposes of the model, we have assumed that the proposed route eventually left the Norwich to Yarmouth line at Acle and ran up the coast through Horsey and Sea Palling to terminate at Happisburgh. With construction completed, we then imagine that another branch was built, curving northward to join the Cromer to Mundesley line at Paston. Thus the emphasis is on GER’s services to Great Yarmouth and Norwich rather than the M&GN’s to Mundesley and Cromer.
We have a fine and very varied collection of locomotives, coaches and wagons to provide services for Happisburgh. Our chosen period (1950’s – early 1960’s) may not provide a chance to portray gleaming locomotives in glamourous pre-grouping colours, but we are happy to live with elderly engines in uncleaned BR black, rust creeping through their paint, carrying lime streaks, stains and the odd battle scar, as they haul a motley collection of ex-suburban coaches in faded maroon or red. Of course, the newer, larger engines such as the B1, B17 and K3’s are slightly less unkempt and the BR Mk 1 coaches look presentable enough in their carmine and cream colours. However ‘new’ English Electric, Brush and Sulzer diesels, together with green liveried DMUs are just putting in an appearance and offer a shining and efficient contrast as the ‘the old order changeth’. Happisburgh Goods, situated just beyond the main station area, is a typical general purpose yard. This area, like the sugar beet factory, can be operated independently of the main control panel, giving much scope for intensive shunting activity. As the majority of our freight stock is fitted with 3-link couplings, the operator needs a fair degree of skill handling the shunting pole, together with a large measure of patience! To make operation somewhat easier in the busy station area, passenger and parcels vehicles, together with nearly all the locos, are fitted with ‘Kaydee’ auto couplers. Couplings are activated by electro-magnets and some permanent magnets, situated at strategic positions.
Nearly all the buildings are scratch-built and most are based on prototypes found at various former GER locations. Of particular note is the station building, where every brick was stuck on individually! The prototype can still be seen at Hertford East. Trackwork is predominantly C&L Finescale, with the mainline crossover and that in the refinery and goods yard being hand-built to fit the locations. A working turntable can be found at the station end of the engine shed which, together with the points and signals, is operated from the purpose-built control panel. One particular delight of our chosen period is the opportunity to incorporate some semaphore signalling with a mixture of pre-grouping and later LNER and BR(E) equipment. Happisburgh, in its full operational size, extends to nearly 51' and is 5' deep at Happisburgh Goods, with or without the station, is available for exhibitions as a stand-alone layout in its own right. It only requires a basic Transit type van and a crew of three. Happisburgh is due to retire from the exhibition circuit in 2011. In the meantime if you have any queries please contact Bob Smith on 01268 471645. Photography by Tony Wright, courtesy of British Railway Modelling and club members Because Happisburgh is a constantly evolving model, details may differ from those shown, or described here. |
