In the 19^th Century, passenger and goods traffic was much less, and photographs of the period often show short trains of four or five four-wheelers. The train above actually ran, and there’s a photo to prove it.  Probably because of the way our eyes interpret these things, a short train of four-wheelers looks more realistic than the equivalent train of modern bogie carriages. At the same time, platforms and sidings were much shorter.

Measurements bear out the possibility of a realistic 19^th Century layout in a small space:

These two station layouts are reproduced from a scale CAD drawing showing a Stirling Q tank loco with vehicles from the SER-Kits range. The points and curves are 1200mm (4ft) radius.

In the top diagram, the tank loco can run forward, run round the train and pull it out of the station, all in a little over 1 ½ metres. In the bottom diagram, the left-hand crossover is shortened by using a Y-point, and the right-hand crossover replaced by a turntable, following SER practice at Bromley North and Caterham.    The turntable is big enough to take an 0-6-0 tender loco without any overhang, yet the total station length is actually reduced to just over 1.3 metres. (I haven’t built either of these layouts, so if you’re tempted, draw them out full-size to make certain. The clearances for running round are just enough – SER carriages are a scale 7ft 3in. wide – but allow more if you can.)

In the top layout, there can be added interest with a carriage and cattle dock coming off the run round. Private carriages for the gentry (represented by the landau kit) were often loaded onto carriage trucks and attached to trains while their owners travelled in a private saloon carriage.

The bottom layout shows how quite a long siding can be fitted in. Three way points were common in the 19^th Century (before slips came into use) and would be useful for adding a second siding.

Of course, all the above could apply to any 19^th Century railway. However three points are in favour of the SER: firstly it has quirky and fairly unusual vehicles such as the passenger brake van and brake 2^nd with their ‘birdcage’ observatories; goods vans and brake vans were outside framed. Secondly, there’s a huge range of drawings and photographs available, painstakingly gathered by enthusiastic members of the HMRS and SECSoc to assist the scratch builder.

Finally, there are few, if any, 19^th Century railways other than the SER for which there is a dedicated kit and parts supplier. If you look through the catalogue, you will see that there are passenger and goods locomotives as well as a wide range of goods and passenger vehicles. Provided I remain in good health, I expect to continue to increase the range of wagons, passenger vehicles and especially locomotives.  Watch this website!

If you’re convinced, visit the page Modelling the South Eastern for detailed information