Tonight, Something that I came across on a CD of scans I've acquired.
Waimate has a unique trackplan which sets the station as the stub end off a turning triangle. The engine depot was located in the middle of the triangle, with the other 2 lines leading to Studholme and Waihao downs. It also received a Gordon Troop designed station (one of 7 I believe).In this photo we can see the tracklayout is quite interesting for shunting with several sidings off the main yard. Also note the G horse box and the Ua gas wagon, as well as the three legged crane.
It would be relatively easy to incorporate this station into a layout as an island peninsular, and it could be very useful in an exhibition layout as an 'unhidden' yard.
From a history point of view, nothing survives today, and the site of the station is now the town swimming pool. Part of the line out to Waihao downs has been converted into a walking track, and out towards the downs there are plenty of reminders that a railway once ran through.
(See the September 2007 Railfan for more info and an excellent article)
7 comments:
Here is the actual caption we wrote for that "excellent article" (blush):
"Waimate station, circa 1921, and an intrepid cameraman has climbed the 90 feet to the top of the newly-built grain silos to take this rare elevated view of the station precincts. The local carriages served both Studholme and Waihao Downs trains; presumably the celestory van in the foreground was a spare. The yard wagons include a G horsebox, a Ua gas tanker for the lighting in the carriages and the ever present highsiders. (Colin Dash Collection)"
Yes a real family favourite!
Compact yard with lots of shunting opportunities. Lots of modellers licence.
Mr Bond you could even incorporate it in a modern image layout!
Modellers license would have the branch still open and tapping the forestry in the area now coming to maturity.....Double DC's loading long ling of log wagons out to Timaru for export. Or even a collection point for the dairying boom to rail the milk to Clandeboye (lots of OM's!).
Another lovely george troup station,I'd love to have the plans for this lost relic.
Gordon Troup did not design stations. His father George did.
Thanks for catching that.
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