The Emett Festival Railway a Puffin cut-out book published in 1951. Four pages of instructions and twelve thick card pages containing all the sections to be cut-out and built (those wishing to can fit a clockwork motor!) designed to fit standard 00 gauge track.
This lovely little book came into stock recently, sold this morning, and is now on the way to its new home in France
I can’t begin to imagine how anyone would put this together – but I love the designs!
The Far Tottering and Oystercreek Railway which serves the cloud Cuckoo valley links Far Tottering to the sea at Oyster Creek, calling at Wisteria Halt, Friars Fidgetting, Abbots Grumbling, and Wastecote Fancy. There is a section which is now disused, the Witch-hollow loop, which served Hangdog Heath, Sygian Halt, and Duckwallow Marsh. As nobody ever went there, this branch was abandoned.
More recently a coastal section was extended to Dog-fish Point and Smugglers Reach. The main business is now taking bird watchers to Tottering Woods, hens and pigs to Fidgetting Market, and excursions to see the Paddleboats in Starfish Bay Neptune , and Wild Goose.
Nellie is the pride, joy, and bulwark of the F.T. & O. The Directors believe that she incorporates all that is best in railway practice. There is absolutely no nonsense about her. Flying engines, nautical engines and such-like fiddle-faddle, may come and go at the whim of whosoever is the engineer at the moment, but Nellie will always remain the solid bastion upon which is reared, in one form or another, all that is most delightf ul and desirable in prime movers.
In an age when the other railways seem to be getting drabber and drabber, the Directors earnestly hope that the example of Nellie will be taken well to heart, and that perhaps there will be a return towards engines which, besides transporting the body, will have something for the eye and mind.
Update July 2016: The featured book is now sold. March House
books closed on my retirement in 2015, but I am still happily blogging here at
March of Time Books. Your visits are always appreciated.
Some many moons ago I was presented with a colour photo-copy of the engine section of this book. I then took B/W copies and pasted them to thin plastic sheet. I cut out the 'bits' and used them to build a loco which has travelled many miles on my layout, many kilometres in a van between exhibitions and still lives at my home in her travel case.
ReplyDeleteEmett was indeed a remarkable man.
Adrian Hoad
I saw Adrian's Emett layout, Far Twittering and Oyster Creek, at an exhibition many, many years ago. It was as charming and outlandish as the books. He was an incredibly skilled modeller and electronics whizz, deeply humble and very approachable. I believe he left us a couple of years after he wrote this.
DeleteHello Bernard, thank you so much for leaving a comment. I'm sad to say I never did get to meet Adrian or visit one of his exhibition's.
DeleteThat is brilliant Adrian. I've been wanting to the exact same thing for years, but never been able to find a copy of the book. Back when I lived in the UK there was an Emett machine in Leeds that I walked past nearly every day. I'm also an Adrian :)
DeleteHello Adrian, thanks so much for your comment! I would love to see your Emett train in action, do you visit the toy and train fairs in Yeovil? You probably already know about Smallbrook Studio http://www.smallbrookstudio.com/page1.php but if not I’m sure you would enjoy a visit. Barbara
ReplyDeleteJust seen the Repair Shop repeat and was reminded of seeing the model at an Ideal Home Show in Bingley Hall Birmingham in the 1950's Another year they had Sammy the Shunter. Great Memories! Would love to see any other models. Think I had a cut out book too.
DeleteHi Neville, this is another of those books I regret selling. I was busy being a bookseller and delighted to sell it at the time but I've retired now and have time to reflect. :-)
DeleteCan you please tell me if your excellent photos, included in your fascinating March House Blog, are all meant to be the same size? They seem different, such as the cover illustrations, and the first two-page spread.
ReplyDeleteHello John, thank you for your kind comment. The images are all different sizes. Are you wishing to use them for something or are you just curious? Barbara
DeleteJust watched the model on the Repair Shop Repeat. Saw the model at the Ideal Home Exhibition in Birmingham in the late 50's. Sammy the Shunter another year. Would love to see it again.
ReplyDeleteHello Neville I can't believe I missed that episode of the Repair Shop (twice!) especially as I usually watch it. Will have to see if I can find it on catch up.
DeleteI think the cut out book is legendary - and this is the only one I've ever seen. At least one model was made up, with a Hornby Dublo mech underneath it - it appeared in the Meccano Magazine. A few years back, when the travelling Emett exhibition came to Birmingham's Gas House I took my grandson and a friend; they loved it. The receptionist told me he had yet to see anyone leave the display who wasn't smiling. I operate a working model based directly on Emett's drawings, (named Pipet Crewcorum - its on youtube - Bournville MRC exhibition, April 2024) which similarly delights its audiences (and yes, I did see the Repair Shop episode) Emett was a creative genius; utterly 'English', greatly loved and deeply missed. We need him, and his gentle humour, more than ever these days.
ReplyDeleteHello John, how right your are! Thank you for commenting on my blog. It's ages since I posted anything but it's good to get your feedback. I will be looking for Pipet Crewcorum on YouTube. All the best, Barbara.
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