Parsons Vale Carriage Sidings 
Rob Owst OO gauge 4mm scale
Parsons Vale represents a BR(W) carriage sidings in the late 1970’s, the layout is firmly inspired by the Malago Vale carriage sidings adjacent to Parsons Street station in Bristol.
The sidings were used for the stabling, cleaning and servicing of coaches and travelling post office stock, with a number of shunting moves during the day taking stock to and from Temple Meads station.
Many of the real structures at Malago Vale are replicated on the model and selective compression has been used to recreate the cramped nature of the sidings which were surrounded by housing although space constraints have meant the Bristol to Exeter mainline is not modelled.
Carriage sidings are rarely modelled due to the length of layout required and the relative lack of operational movement, but through using the footbridge as scenic break, the scenic area of the layout is less than 5’ long.
While the majority of stock movements are coaches, parcels and motorail stock a lack of road access to the site meant that all waste was taken away on 2 specially converted Lowmac wagons while fuel oil for the train heating boiler is also delivered by rail, adding operational interest.
