A very sad event.

Y

yb281

Registered
Since the passing of Peter Jones in April 2009, his truelly inspirational Compton Down Railway has seen the occasional train being run by his daughter Kes and friends. However, the family have recently decided to sell the house and as a result the railway has had to be demolished.

This video shows the last ever train to run on the CDR and it's subsequent demolition.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6t8GbGzzNLs&feature=share

Personally it breaks my heart to see this happen (as it did with the demolition team), but things move on and pretty much everything that could be salvaged has been transported to Tywyn where it will find a new home on the Llechfan Railway at the rear of the Talyllyn's Wharf Station.

Long live the Compton Down and thanks for so much inspiration Peter.
 
Tis sad indeed Mel, looks like its going to a nice new home though.
 
Very sad Mel. At least his book keeps his line immortal. Such a stunning modeller and his ability to get just the right atmosphere is legendary.
 
:(
 
Sad indeed, but Compton Down is immortal on film.
 
A very sad sight.
 
Well done Mel for a respectful and very atmospheric and evocative piece of film. It must have been a very emotional day. Peter was an inspiration. Tragic loss to the hobby.
 
Tony said:
It is very sad that he died with so much still to achive heres Marks Found film about Compton Down for those who havnt seen it
http://www.mefeedia.com/video/23772329
Tony
Click to expand...

Well posted Tony
A nice vid that gives a real flavour of the line in its last incarnation. The music, especially the two pieces at the end are really evocative and great for Dave Gilmour fans.
 
Sandy said:
Well done Mel for a respectful and very atmospheric and evocative piece of film. It must have been a very emotional day. Peter was an inspiration. Tragic loss to the hobby.
Click to expand...
I didn't shoot the film Sandy, it was done by a friend who gave me permission to share it here.
 
I was really hoping that a "garden railer" was going to end up buying the property (It was advertised in the 16mm Association magazine), but obviously alas, no.
As stated on my website, Peter and the Compton Down were my BIGGEST inspirations in this hobby - I can't even bring myself to delete the few Emails that I received from him!

Luckily, I managed to aquire one of his scratchbuilt "Compton Steel" loco's and a rake of flat wagons to accompany it - I now intend running it tomorrow as my "Birthday Special" and as a "Farewell Compton Down" working. :(
 
This is an inevitably melancholy thread - and raises the question: how will we mark the closure of our systems when the time comes? Simple end to a normal day's service, park the stock, followed by cutting the current? Formal last train? Run a demolition train?

GH
 
I always planned to live forever but perhaps I'm too scared of the reality. In my case I fear it will have to be torn up and rid of, my lads aren't interested.
There are no pockets in a shroud and the one thing this video has done is convinced me to go out and get that Lanxess GE 4/4. So thank you for that Peter, and the lovely book.
 
Or a celebration? Peter Jones line has been dismantled by those who appreciated it, with care, rather than demolished. The fact that his writings will live on longer than any of us in archives of magazines and through books and film is a fitting tribute. There are many other lines that have inspired like the Compton Down and I won't be suprised if one or two on here aren't equally as well regarded in years to come.
Even threads on here have shared layouts and inspired others, just look at the length of some, so I guess several have reached as many people as Peter's writings.
What I think is superb is that his layout was considered important enough for some to be saved in a place where many can go and see it. To have your work on display on the first ever preserved railway, now that's some tribute.
Compton Down's atmosphere was probably just as much about the images his writing created so lets hope they have some of his writings diplayed too.
Cheers to the man now playing trains with no limits ;)
 
Thank you for sharing this - sad yes but inevitable at some point as these things just don't last forever - not in a physical sense.

I never saw the CDR but have visited the new site at Tywyn a number of times so it is a pleasure to see that whilst the CDR itself passes into history elements of its physical makeup are moved and preserved just like a full sized heritage line.

However the impact of the CDR and the scribblings of its creator have inspired so many and will continue to do so that as has already been stated both the CDR and Peter Jones pass into immortality.

The CDR is gone - long live the CDR!
 
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