1965     Water Orton     2011

Club Model No.2  —  Modern Image

As surfers have undoubtedly noticed that progress my model of Water Orton station and its’ junctions has been painfully slow, in fact virtually none existent for some time, something I deeply regret. I feel that I should at least give some explanation.

 

You will have noticed that I have “hi-jacked” parts of the web site to express opposition to the building of HS2 (sorry Ken), which I feel will be the biggest financial and economic disaster to afflict our railways since Messrs Marples and Beeching. I will put my hand up here and say that I am literally a NIMBY, although “my back yard” does not quite cover it in my case, “my lounge” is literally a better description. However, I have never based my opposition to HS2 on that issue because I feel that digging up the Chilterns or destroying my home means little in the economic future of the UK. However, I am totally sure that HS2 will follow precisely the path of HS1 and we shall have a high speed white elephant, built at disastrous expense, when compared to European costs, which will eventually have to move general traffic at speeds which will be more in line with those presently seen on the WCML or which the WCML can achieve with mere signalling alterations. Our problem is that of increasing and much slower freight traffic and I feel that we would achieve far more by reintroducing some of the major alternate routes (or as close as we can) to allow freight, (particularly) and passengers more travel options for the £33+ billion cost, in particular the removal of freight from the WMCL, which would allow an increase in train frequency and speed of expresses, while longer trains and a better fare system would sort out over-crowding. Of course this suggestion is mundane, sensible and might even work, but it does not give our politicians a bright new shiny toy to wave in the air. I have been much involved with the Water Orton protest group for the last 18 months and struggling to get that message across; alone from when HS2 was announced. I shall now get off my soap box and continue with the model bit!

 

The government has announced its Compensation Package  which will allow the early purchase of homes which are be affected by the line; my next door neighbour being one of those who applied for such a purchase. You may have read much boasting regarding the level of HS2s “compensation”, millions have been spent with an average of £600,000 per home being given. The compensation to be received was to be judged at “pre HS2 blight” valuations. Now, I shall explain what really occurs.

 

My neighbour fulfilled every detail required to receive early compensation (including a 6month old baby).

He applied and was refused.

He appealed against the decision and was finally granted permission to proceed.

He obtained a current market valuation (post blight).

HS2 compensation was offered at a pre-blight settlement figure which was approximately 75-78% of the post-blight valuation. (I do not feel the actual figures should be displayed on this website, but they are known).

If compensation has been paid at £600,000 this would appear

 

 

 

 

to indicate that those properties have a present post blight value of some £800,000 and were probably valued at over £1,000,000 as a pre-blight estimate.

THIS IS COMPENSATION?

He has since moved home, in a house move attended by HS2s agents, which bore more resemblance to an eviction than a move of home!!!

I have this joy to come, maybe!

 

My problem is that I may have to find some 25% of the value of my present home in order to provide the facilities which my family presently enjoy and allow me to continue modelling and store the materials and tools I use, while having space for a model for personal use. I live in a small semi with a large garage and a reasonable garden and a loft conversion! My finances are such that I have a limited pension with which to save the monies required and investments which are now substantially reduced due to the economic climate. Water Orton is a large model with a very complex fiddle yard requiring substantial electronics and considerable money to finalise, even before one considers the cost of models to run on it, it remains my model rather than the clubs and was to available for exhibitions and club members to enjoy, shall we say “running rights”, a good railway term.

My problem is that I cannot be certain of the future, for while we have sufficient to live reasonably, I must cut expenditure as much as possible to fund the “25% HS2 tax” if it goes ahead and I find myself “evicted” into the street when I am 73. I live the furthest away from the club and the rising cost of fuel and continuing modelling expenditure have to suffer a cut-back. I therefore have moth-balled Water Orton, will not attend the club as much as I would like and have effectively ceased expenditure on new rolling stock and equipment.

 

As you may guess none of this causes me any joy, but it has given me a new insight/view of modelling. I am presently considering a project which will be based on frugality and its application in “Hard Times”; sounds like a chapter from Dickens!

 

Recycling will be much used.

Track-work will be as cost-effective as possible.

Electrics will be minimal (I shall attempt to out-do DCC  —  2 wires?).

It must be an exhibition level model.

The whole thing must fit into a family car.

 

It should keep me busy and solvent, hopefully!

I refuse to be a EX-MODELLER!

 

Watch this space, or close to it.

 

Water Orton is not dead;

It merely sleeps.

 

MPT

Happy New Year To Everyone .