The Redhill Standard Brick Company was a good find Tanker and being able to find exactly the right engine for the narrow gauge line on Steve Flander's website was an added bonus. If you're having problems finding photos of a particular area check out the University of Cambridge's 'Britain from the Air' archive https://cudl.lib.cam.ac.uk/collections/landscapehistories/1 Their search engine can be a bit annoying to use though.
Or failing that try the Britain from Above website. https://www.britainfromabove.org.uk/en/search?keywords=Merstham&country=england&year=all
I've been helped out more than once by old aerial photos when I couldn't find anything else in the way of photos.
Thanks Annie! "Britain From Above" is a very good friend of mine indeed. How else would I have gotten Haywards Heath finished without it? I also have an excellent aerial shot of London Victoria tucked away for when I finally make it that far in the project - I know exactly where Battersea Power Station goes thanks to that! :hehe:
I think this is going to be one of those "little lost railways" my grandpa always used to talk about. You know, the ones that were local, tiny lines that never really stood out when in operation. As he once told me, They came and went like the wind Alex, known only to the people that lived near them. I'm just happy to have discovered the line in the first place! Surrey is the last place I expected to see 2ft Gauge Lines!
Did a little bit more looking and while it looks like the Company itself was in Redhill, the sand pits and brickworks were in Helmensthorpe. That tri-branch yard formation was actually built for their locomotives use instead of being a goods yard for Merstham. Makes sense in a way. I also found a lead on this mystery line..
Imma buy me that book.
Tanker46,
Great news on your progress. It's all very exciting to see the screenshots and hear how quickly your route seems to be falling into place. You are closing fast on London, Victoria. The miles are melting away. I'm following with great interest. Pace yourself though.
Thanks for the concern Gary. I will make sure to keep at an even pace.
Honestly, I'm following the same style as Pflindey's GCR Mainline - my main priority is laying the track, road and landscaping before I set down towns and scenery. Of course there are crucial lineside scenics that need to be put in so I don't lose my train of thought! London is going to force me to take a good long while to finish. So many houses...
Brighton, Haywards Heath, Three Bridges and Redhill are the four main areas I've practically finished - and there are several revisions I will end up doing once I get feedback from the beta. A lot of work to do before I start extending the route to Kent!
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