Stichting Behoud Leemspoor
Bert van Rhijn (2005)
Bert van Rhijn brought a surprise to our meeting of 9 September 2002 in the shape of his brickworks layout. 'De Opruiming' (translates as 'The Clearance') is a museum brickworks with its own preserved railway named 'Stichting Behoud Leemspoor' (Clay Railway Preservation Society). Behind the backscene is a train turntable enabling loaded trains to be exchanged by empties.
By mid-2003 this layout had evolved into a fully scenic diorama with impressive scenery and operating characteristics. Bert was at the Valkenburg NG shows of 2003 and 2004 with his layout, where he had a great deal of success. The layout was featured in the Continental Modeller magazine and appeared at the Rail2004 show in Leiden on 12/13/14 November 2004.
Click on images to enlarge (JvM=Jan van Mourik, MT=Mick Thornton, TP=Ted Polet).
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Left: the plan was drawn by Bert van Rhijn. Right: an overview of the layout (photo Bart in 't Veld). |
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Left: details at the back of the loco shed. Right: an impressive scene showing Bert's excellent eye for detail. (photos Bart in 't Veld). |
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During the Valkenburg shows of 2003 and 2004, the layout was in continuous operation. Bert uses the Greenwich coupler to advantage - this really is the only coupler suited to light industrial narrow gauge models. An unusual modern image theme and very well built. photos: JvM (upper left/right, left centre) MT (others). |
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Steam at the brickworks! Left: a Kerr Stuart 'Tattoo' saddle tank, right: a Barclay (or Orenstein & Koppel) well tank (TP). The effect of the mirror at the back of the yard next to the works building can be seen at right. A modern scene on the left with the excavator digging a slot for a cable to be laid (TP). |
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Left: Bert van Rhijn and Arjan Straathof contemplating… Bert's ingenious turntable fiddle yard (right). photos TP. |
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Two new locomotives recently built: A Ruston (left) and a much-altered Peco Jeanette kit on a Fleischmann chassis (right). Photos by Ian Turner. |
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