A MODEL railway enthusiast's intricate layout has caught the imagination of the miniature modelling world.
The detailed work, entitled 'Engaine-cum-Hardy,' is the creation of Robin French, 67, of Storr Gardens, Hutton and features a brewery siding, a locomotive engine shed and a functioning coaling tower.
That is despite being built on a space of only 5ft by 3ft 3ins to a minute scale of 2mm: 1 ft.
But to look on a map you may find it difficult to locate the station featured amid the scenery.
"It's an N gauge layout (having a very narrow distance between the model's tracks) and it was hard to build so it's a play on words," said the railway enthusiast.
"I've had people ask if it's based on the real Engaine-cum-Hardy and I've had to tell them there isn't such a place."
The model took around nine months to build, although Mr French insists it is "always a work in progress".
It has been exhibited all across the South East and now adorns the pages of this month's Railway Modeller magazine.
"The hardest part to get right was the turntable, because when it rotates 180 degrees you've got to make sure it's level when it turns around as the locos can't go over a bump in the tracks," he said.
"My principal aim was a layout capable of no less than four concurrent operational movements.
"I didn't want a simple 'roundy-roundy' oval, or a straight-out and back' terminus or yard-shunting layout. I wanted both – I wanted it all – and I think I've achieved it."
While former bank manager Mr French accepts there is an element of 'boys and their toys' to the hobby, he believes the skill could also be viewed as an art form in its own right.
"I think it's important to decide what you want from a layout," he said.
"It's great to build a model but what are you going to do with it afterwards?
"Modelling is in a way almost like painting in 3D; it's like painting a picture. I'm not an artist by any means but I am creating a picture that moves."
Chelmsford and District Model Railway Club is holding an exhibition at King Edward VI Grammar School in Broomfield Road, Chelmsford, on October 19 from 1.30am until 4.30pm.
