Introduction
About the Kingswear Layout
An overview of the model railway, its scale, scope, and purpose.
Why Kingswear?
What makes the Dartmouth Branch and Kingswear such a compelling prototype for modelling?
Layout Overview
Scale, gauge, standards, and the overall size and form of the layout.
Acknowledgements
The people who contributed to the research, design, and construction of the layout.
The Prototype
The Kingswear Branch
Origins of the Line
The development of the railway from Newton Abbot to Kingswear.
The Railway and Dartmouth
The relationship between Kingswear station and the town of Dartmouth.
Traffic on the Branch
Passenger traffic, goods traffic, and seasonal variations.
The Character of the Line
What made the Kingswear Branch so distinctive?
Kingswear Station
The Development of Kingswear
How the station and yard evolved.
General Layout of the Station
An overview of the platforms, sidings, and facilities.
Passenger Facilities
Platforms, station buildings, and passenger handling.
The Quay and Coal Traffic
Handling of coal brought by the coasters.
The Carriage Sidings
The Forward Sidings
The Turntable and Locomotive Facilities
The Ferry Connection
Track Layout
The Prototype Track Plan
Evolution of the Track Layout
Key Features of the Layout
Track Plans and Maps
Signalling
Kingswear Signal Box
The Signalling Layout
Signals and Their Functions
Ground Frames
Block Working on the Branch
Prototype Operations
Passenger Services
Carriage Handling
Goods Traffic
Coal Traffic from the Quay
Locomotive Movements
Typical Daily Operations
Locomotives
Locomotives Used on the Branch
Typical Motive Power at Kingswear
Seasonal and Visiting Locomotives
Coaching Stock
Passenger Coaching Stock
Typical Train Formations
Summer Traffic
Goods Rolling Stock
Goods Wagons
Coal Wagons
Special Traffic
Research
Photographic Sources
Historic Photographs
Photographers and Collections
Dating and Interpreting Photographs
Maps and Plans
Ordnance Survey Maps
Track Diagrams
Signalling Diagrams
Engineering Drawings
Documentary Sources
Working Timetables
Operating Notices
Railway Documents
Official Records
Books and Publications
Books
Magazine Articles
Online Sources
Designing the Layout
Origins of the Model
The Original Idea
Early Planning
Developing the Concept
Layout Design
Design Philosophy
Balancing Accuracy and Practicality
Selective Compression
Representing Kingswear in Model Form
The Model Track Plan
Overview of the Layout Plan
Comparison with the Prototype
Key Design Compromises
The Staging Yard
Purpose and Design
Train Storage
Handling Trains in Operation
Construction
Baseboards
Baseboard Design
Baseboard Construction
Support and Framework
Transport and Storage
Track Construction
Track Standards
Track Materials
Building Plain Track
Point Construction
Special Trackwork
Ballasting
The Turntable
Prototype Turntable
Design of the Model
Construction and Operation
Signalling Models
Signal Construction
Signal Types
Operating Signals
Electrical Systems
Power Distribution
Wiring the Layout
DCC Control
Point Control
Detection Systems
Control Panels
Modelling Kingswear
Buildings
Station Buildings
Goods Facilities
The Quay
Domestic Buildings
Scenery
Landscape
The River Dart
Vegetation
Weathering
Structures
Bridges
Retaining Walls
Trackside Details
Rolling Stock Models
Locomotives
Coaching Stock
Goods Wagons
Weathering and Finishing
Operation
Operating the Layout
Principles of Operation
Train Sequences
Passenger Workings
Goods Movements
Carriage Handling
Timetables
Model Timetable Concepts
Operating Sessions
Exhibiting the Layout
Preparing the Layout for Exhibition
Transport and Assembly
Operating at Shows
The History of the Model
Building the Layout
The story of how the layout was constructed.
Exhibitions
Where the layout appeared.
Publications
Articles and coverage of the layout.
Later History
What happened to the layout after its exhibition life.
Gallery
Photographs of the Prototype
Photographs of the Model
Construction Photographs
Documents and Drawings
A reference library of relevant material.
Track Plans
Signalling Diagrams
Maps
Historic Documents
References
Books, articles, archives, and other sources were used in researching the layout.
Further Information
Links to related projects, research, and resources.