Scratch-Built and Show-Stopping: Recreating Harmans Cross in Miniature with 5 Inch Gauge Display Track
- emma4691
- 2 hours ago
- 4 min read
Now and then, a project comes along that really stops you in your tracks. One of those special builds is this brilliant 5-inch-gauge, 1/12-scale model of Harmans Cross station, created by Keith Jarman of the Northampton Society of Model Engineers.
Keith brought the finished piece to the Midlands Model Engineering Show, where it took pride of place on the NSME stand and gathered plenty of admirers. And once you hear the story behind it, it is easy to see why.
Why Harmans Cross?
Harmans Cross holds a special place in the history of the Swanage Railway. The original line opened in 1885, closed in the 1960s, and was later revived by volunteers. The “new” Harmans Cross station opened in 1989, the first new station on the preserved line in fifty years.
Keith set himself the challenge of recreating the waiting room side of the station. Remarkably, this was his first venture into railway modelling.
Scratch Building from Start to Finish
Keith did not have drawings or ready-made plans, so he relied entirely on photographs and a sharp eye for scale and detail. Over six months, he scratch-built the entire scene from everyday materials.
A few highlights from the build:
Station building – dagger boards individually cut from lolly sticks, roof built and shaped by hand
Platforms and stonework – ABS sheet, carefully scored to imitate brick and stone.
Fencing and panelling – coffee stirrers and lolly sticks (the modeller’s best friends!)
Platform lamps – aluminium bases and poles, with lanterns made from CD cases; each lamp has nineteen separate pieces
Benches – garden wire frames with coffee stirrer slats
Backdrop – a view of the Purbeck hills, inspired by Keith’s childhood holidays in Swanage
The whole display has real character. You can tell it has been built by someone who genuinely enjoys the craft.
How a 5 Inch Gauge Display Track Completed the Scene
On the NSME stand at the Midlands Model Engineering Show, Keith’s model drew people in all weekend. The detail, the proportions, the colours, everything works together to capture the feel of the real Harmans Cross.
Running along the front is a length of our 5-inch gauge True Scale Display Track. It frames the model perfectly and gives the scene the sense of being “ready for the next train”.
And yes — Keith even included a PNP Railways advertising board on the back fence. This small touch made our day!
Why We Love Projects Like This
Keith’s model is not just a station in miniature. It is a celebration of:
Creativity
Patience
Skilled handwork
Railway heritage
And the fun of making something from scratch
It is also a great example of what can be achieved with a simple, reliable display base and a lot of imagination.
We feel very proud that one of our products played a small part in helping Keith present his work so beautifully.
Thinking of Creating Your Own Display?
If Keith’s project has sparked a few ideas, our PNP Railways Display Track Kits are a great place to start.
They include everything you need to build a realistic length of track:
Pre-drilled sleepers with a wood grain effect
The correct number of chairs, screws and rail
All the components to build either a 1.25 metre (4 foot) or 2.5 metre (8 foot) section
A neat, tidy base that suits locomotives, rolling stock, dioramas or workshop use
Add a simple wooden board and some 8mm limestone chippings, and you have a clean, sturdy display ready in no time.
Whether you want something practical for the bench or a polished base for shows, these kits make life a lot easier, and the results speak for themselves.
A Little Black Friday Bonus
To celebrate the brilliant work Keith has shared — and to give you a gentle nudge if you are planning a display of your own — we are running a Black Friday weekend offer on all Display Track Kits (1.25m and 2.5m lengths).
Use the code HARMANSCROSS15 at checkout to receive 15% off your display track kits.
This offer is valid this weekend only and ends at midnight on Monday, 1st December, so be quick if you want to take advantage.
3½" Gauge - Display Track Kits - 1.25m or 2.5m Lengths
5" Gauge - Display Track Kits - 1.25m or 2.5m Lengths
7¼" Gauge - Display Track Kits - 1.25m or 2.5m Lengths
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a 5 inch gauge display track?
A 5 inch gauge display track is a realistic, true-scale section of miniature railway track used to support locomotives, rolling stock or dioramas. It provides a sturdy, authentic base for workshops, exhibitions and photography.
How do I use a 5 inch gauge display track kit?
Our 5 inch gauge display track kits include pre-drilled sleepers and the correct rail fittings, so they are very straightforward to assemble. Fix the chairs to the sleepers, mount the track on a plinth if you want a cleaner finish, and add ballast for a more realistic look.
What lengths do PNP Railways 5 inch gauge display track kits come in?
PNP Railways offers display track kits in 1.25 metre (4 foot) and 2.5 metre (8 foot) lengths. Both are designed to replicate full-size railway construction and are ideal for building high-quality display bases.