“Hi Al,
I was looking for something different for my layout when I came upon the idea of a Caravan Park. It has been a fun build and has generated a ton of comments and interest.
There is a lot if information for the beginning or intermediate modeler. I explain how I came up with the design and demonstrate how I arrived at the layout. Eventually when the mail catches up with me, I will add lots of fencing (it’s on the way), the camping coach, need the turnout, need more tables, need to make a couple of green umbrella tents…the list goes on and on.
Two things happened I did not expect, one it brought back memories other people had of camping in their youth and two they laughed and brought up details in the British comedy, Carry On Camping. It is very funny and many folks sent me links and mentioned favorite scenes. It has been quite fun so far. There will probably be two more parts before it is complete. Maybe some of your readers would enjoy it too.
Rob”
Latest ‘ebay cheat sheet’ is here.
Best
Al
Rob, it’s pretty cool that your building your caravan park now, I’m currently in the middle of building a campground.my park is on a mountain in the middle of a forest.you gave me some great ideas. Keep up the great work. Looking forward to all the great tips.
Hi Farland, your camp site is looking great. Just to let you know your ‘Chipperfield’ caravan is not the makers name but the name of a famous British Circus. The caravan belongs to a range of Chipperfields Circus vehicles. Not to worry it still looks good.
Cheers Mike
Hi Farland.Really injoyed your build narration .Like how you think lol. Was wondering. I noticed the Uk diesel train going by.So you are in the UK and have an American accent. Cool. Thankyou for the video’s really injoyed them.I like that engine shed.I built mine from scratch and in the process of building a lift crane to lift a loco and move it.Hope it works out.Anyways thanks again.
Well done Rob , don’t forget I have reserved a pitch for the coming summer …just hooked the caravan up so should be over there in about 3 months ..Dave
Hi Rob,
Really interesting and well done video. Your techniques were fascinating to watch. The results were superb. The only thing I can suggest is to add a number of trees and some shrubbery. This would serve to offer your campers some more sylvan separation from your industrial areas. Otherwise your campers may feel they had driven long hours from their urban homes only to find themselves camped in a less than bucolic setting. I look forward to seeing your next video. –Tom
Rob, your commentary is the best I have ever listened to, so fluid and relaxed.
Your doing a fine job and judging by the rest of your scenery you are quite expert at it. Some great tips there. Hope the coach comes soon
Alan UK
Love the campground idea…..going to have to consider doing that….
Have you ever thought about adding a minature railway to the camping ground.
you could use z scale for the train and have OO scale figures riding on it.
Paul
Great job
There is a lot about this little park that reminds me of the KOA parks we sometimes stayed at in the 1970’s. KOA stood for Kampgrounds of America. They were a franchised chain of campgrounds (caravan parks) —
Most of their spots were “pull through”… What reminded me of KOA was the lack of trees and shrubs and the proximity to both the road and the railroad (railway?). It is also similar to a park on the north side of Ventura. Right next to the road, devoid of trees, and a short walk to the beach.
If one measure of a scene is the manner in which it causes someone to recall memories of times long past… You have done a truly outstanding job with your little caravan park! Excellent! — Or, given the setting… Brilliant!
John
a great how to. a caravan park is a great idea some thing i never thought of but they have been around for a many years. well done. look forward to more how tos.
Nice I take it is N gauge ?? from the size of every thing in your hands I have a 5th wheel RV myself Not been in a park by a railway though 🙂
What a cute idea – and very well done, too. I love the little campers!
an excellent build and idea!!
terrific detail
reminds me of when I was living in my caravan
just hobo-ing around the country
keep on runnin’
Love your imagination in always creating something a bit different to the rest of us.
Hi Rob, camping coaches were usually put in surplus bay platforms or goods loading docks at country stations, the idea being to generate more traffic with people coming there by train for a holiday. In many cases, once they were in place the track to them was removed, as they were no longer maintained for rail use. I don’t know of any placed away from stations or on open sidings. Sorry!
Rod
looks good
Your creativity and modeling skills are quite impressive, realistic and extraordinary. And your videos were most entertaining. Thanks for sharing.
Jim AZ
Rob:
I really enjoyed that series of videos!!! Especially the making of the lawn chairs.
Very interesting build. Thank you very much!!!!
Rob;
Just very well done, and of course, some drama thrown in for good measure. Like John, this scene reminded me of our first camping trip to Jamestown, Va. No internet in the late ’80s, so we picked our site from a book. About midnight of the first night a dull roar was heard in the distance, followed by a louder one, then the ground started to shake and light filled our camper or caravan. It was the midnight special freight, don’t remember whose track it was, but by the 3rd night, we all slept through it just fine. I viewed this on my phone, so may have missed them, but do you have fire rings?
Keep sending them Rob, and thanks.
Rob,
Great idea with the caravan, you never know what might perk up some where on any ones lay out. Never done building on ones lay out. Keep on building.
SDG St.Petersburg Fl USA
Oh Farland Howe You”ve done it again!
Why don’t you put picnic benches/tables between the trailer/caravan parking Free for the customer/camper to use.I also have a camp ground on my layout.
Great job Rob.
Farland
You are someone that likes the unusual. On a visit last year to the Kent and East Sussex railway I was impressed by their collection of camper van samoung which are, a GWR Toad [brake van] with the open veranda glazed in and a picnic dining set erected in the ‘sun room’, a gunpowder van with glazed windows blasted through equipped inside like a caravan.
Another feature seen on a visit to the preserved ‘Gan’ near Alice Springs, a bogie flat with a Bar-B-Q and deck chairs, and the essential ‘Eski’ for catering during runs. Oh, and the waist high welded stanchions with wire netting to stop you falling off and fall plates leading to the other flats forming the train. All open topped being Oz rain not a problem.
Hey Rob, one of your best. I was wondering about a wall between the caravan siding and mainline, but I think you suggested a fence. Would a 6 ft brick wall be better? Great job with improvising using ordinary stuff lying around (my layout is full of ‘rubbish’ waiting to be transformed). Its all about IMAGINATION eh? Ah, the serenity between waves, seagulls AND diesels on the mainline. I have been struggling with how to finish a space and you may have just given me an idea. The value of looking around and sharing thoughts is powerful. Best Wishes, Steve (Sydney).
Creative idea. Very nice.
Hi Rob
Your creativity and modeling skills are really impressive!
I really enjoyed the series of videos, nearly missed them not eaxpecting more than one!
Realy intreasing many thanks! AB Peter