Carterton
18 miles west of Oxford lays the small town of Carterton. Founded in 1894 and previously renowned for high-quality tomatoes produced by the smallholders of the village, it has now grown into a town serving the largest RAF station in the United Kingdom. Despite its relatively modern history, most people are surprised to know that Carterton used to boast its own railway’s station. Once a halt on the Fairford Branch, Carterton sadly lost its station when all passenger services were withdrawn in 1962, and the branch was finally lifted in the 1970s.
Built by Chris Chewter, the model shows Carterton as it existed in the late 1950s and early 1960s. This a reminder that the Great Western Railway and later the Western Region of British Railways was about moving people, and wasn’t all chocolate box scenes. An echo of its wartime past when troops disembarked for RAF Brize Norton and RAF Broadwell, many sadly never returned. More history about the Fairford branch and the Carterton station can be found here.
Whilst it’s nowhere near the most attractive station on the Fairford Branch, it shows that just about any location can be modelled. The layout has proven to be a piece of history, with many people remembering their times travelling by train when Carterton was connected to the railway.
Modelled in OO, and measuring 14 ft long by 2ft wide (4271mm x 610mm), with fiddle yards at either end of a 6ft scenic section. All buildings and structures are laser cut and designed by the modeller. Topography is made from builders expanding foam with static grass over. Trees are seafoam. The back scene is a bespoke image stitched together and printed.
Carterton has been designed to be taken to exhibitions and events. It recently was part of the Carterton Library event in February 2023. Should you wish for Carterton to attend an exhibition, then please contact the Oxford & District Model Railway Club by clicking here.
To find out more about the layouts being built by the Oxford & District Model Railway Club or it members, please click here.
