Hexworthy (009)

Hexworthy is a 009 layout depicting the terminus of a preserved narrow gauge railway on Dartmoor. Work on Hexworthy started back in 2017, although the build was interrupted by helping with my Son's layout Slugworth & Co, then my own Loctern Quay. The scenic board is 4' 6" long by about 14" deep, and for exhibitions has a 2' 6" long 5-track rotating traverser fiddle yard attached. 

The hamlet of Hexworthy lies in the middle of Dartmoor by the West Dart river. In the late 19th century a narrow gauge railway was built from the station at Buckfastleigh, on the edge of the moor, to serve nearby tin mines and granite quarries. Although abandoned by the middle of the 20th century, it was later revived by a preservation group who managed to reopen the line for tourists. Hexworthy station lies on the bank of the river by the ancient road bridge, served by regular steam trains it is now restored with a café in the old good shed and a children’s playground, while a siding is used by works trains.

I have plotted the route on a map, and even calculated the gradients.

The model is set in the real location and viewed as though looking across the river, with suitable scenery and a back-scene using photographs taken overlooking the spot, although of course there never really was a railway there. 

The scratch-built station has lighting and the playground is animated. 

A variety of tourist trains and the occasional works train can be seen featuring both kit-built and ready-to-run models, some of which may be recognised from more famous narrow gauge railways. In fact, the layout was designed to accommodate the emerging range of ready-to-run in 009 as well as some of my kit-built stock.

You can read the story of the build on the blog.