Kirkbean Playmobil Exhibition 2012 - railway display

[playmofire]

Well, I've finally loaded my photos of the Beachtown and Seaport Coastal Railway layout at this year's Kirkbean Playmobil exhibition up to photobucket.  Although the theme was the same as for this year's Knaresborough display (here's a link to it: http://www.playmofriends.com/forum/index.php?topic=10598.0), the actual layout was quite different, mainly because Diane came to Kirkbean with me and so the front passenger seat wasn't available for Playmobil, plus there was less space in the boot as we were staying at Kirkbean for three nights.

So to start with, four overall views of the layout.

First of all, two from the Seaport end:





And now two showing the Beachtown end:





The dividing boards down the middle representing hills are to give the impression of distance between the two towns and, I thought worked quite well.  Originally, I had planned to have the hills at the sides straddle the track with a hole cut through to represent a tunnel, but this was too complicated on space and rather fragile for travelling.  (It is nearly 200 miles from where we live to Kirkbean.)

[playmofire]

Some detail now of Seaport.

As a seaport, it has a harbour so we'll start with that showing the pier/breakwater with the goods siding on it.  (Diane is helping the young boy with the "find the frogs" competition!):



A later view of the harbour with a steam fishing boat alongside the harbour wall (Elaine's Sinter Klaass boat) and a couple of trucks on the siding waiting to be picked up by the evening goods train:



A close-up of one of the local fishing boats unloading its catch:



And finally, a bot pf recreational sailing in the harbour:

[playmofire]

Now a look at Seaport station.

As can be seen from the queues at the ticket office, it's a busy railway station, especially with people wanting to travel to Beachtown further down the coast with its excellent beach:



The station building is a custom using part of the old Steck railway station.

The platform's crowded with passengers waiting for the next train:



Beachtown is a popular resort for religious conferences where people can go and meditate and study.  Here a nun and an Orthodox priest are in conversation while waiting for the train:



The are also offers coastal walks (in fact, the walk along the cliffs from Seaport to Beachtown is one of the most spectacular coastal walks in the country)and at the other end of the platform a couple of walkers are also waiting for the train, obviously intending to walk from Beachtown to Seaport:

[playmofire]

Away from the platform, passengers from an earlier train (the service is very frequent) are heading for their final destination.

Some are going by bus:



Others by taxi:



While a courting couple are meeting up again (they haven't seen each other since last February at the Knaresborough exhibition!):



Lastly, a view of the newsagents, which is part of the station building and offers a wide selection of newspapers, magazines and books for travellers:

[playmofire]

Now a look at the Seaport goods yard.

As you'd expect, fish is a main freight item and the main fishing business has a large warehouse and processing store in the goods yard:



Here's a general view of the yard:



And a detail of the local bakery van loading up with raw materials:



The station cat is always popular:

[playmofire]

I'm off for my supper now so I'll call it a day and post more photos tomorrow.

[basilsdad]

This is wonderful, Gordon.  I wouldn't change anything it is just perfect!  This was my favorite picture:

[skypurr]

Great photos Gordon, I love the painter with the half painted door 

[bonniebeth]

This is a wonderful diorama, Gordon! It looks great, thanks for the pics.

[playmofire]

Thank you for your kind comments folks, and I'll start with some more photos before I go out to the garage to continue unpacking from Kirkbean.

First, a look at the town of Seaport with a shot from the goods yard looking along the High Street.  The station is the building on the right with the clock, while on the left, beyond the warehouse is a house and a terrace of cottages.   The Seaport & Beachtown Fire Brigade is on it's way to an incident.



Now looking in the opposite direction, with the school crossing patrol holding back a couple of schoolchildren who have come in by train while the fire engine goes by:



The local post office is being kept busy with letters being delivered:



and letters being posted:



And, finally, in our look around Seaport, the reason for the fire brigade turning out - someone's been a bit careless with their car maintenance (maybe they forgot to disconnect the battery before starting work on the engine!):