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Scenery Showcase: Porthcove, A Step Back In Time

By Jess, 11th April 2025 | Customer Gallery

Introducing Porthcove: A Step Back In Time

For our Scenery Showcase, we're diving into a fascinating and charming OO scale project – a 1920s coastal fishing village named Porthcove, created by one of our very own: Railway Modellers Club member Andy Moore.

This old fishing village has a distinct charm, shaped by its close connection to the sea and the daily rhythms of fishing life. The crisp, salty scent of the ocean blends with the rich, earthy aroma of wet wood and fresh fish. Narrow, cobblestone streets wind through the village, lined with quaint cottages, their walls and roof tiles weathered. The houses boast whitewashed or timeworn stone exteriors, with weathered doors and colonial-style windows that invite the refreshing sea breeze.

At the heart of the village is the small harbour, where fishing boats are docked. Aged by constant exposure to the elements, scattered with crates, lobster pots and barrels. Boats are secured to their mooring posts with aged, rusted chains, their hulls weathered and worn from years of service. "Cornish Fisheries" stands at the water's edge, the air filled with sounds of seagulls calling and the clatter of fishermen unloading their catch — hake, mackerel, cod and shellfish — into wooden crates.

The fishing village is small, and everyone knows each other. The local pub, is where the fishermen, tradesmen and families gather after a long day, sipping pints of ale, sharing stories, and discussing the tides. In the evenings, as the sun sets, the village quiets, with only the occasional clink of metal as fishermen prepare for the next day's catch. The 1920s bring an air of transition to the village; the world begins to modernise while Porthcove still clutches onto traditional ways of life.

Traditional horse-drawn carts carry fish, with fishermen still clinging to older, smaller boats for their daily work. The village is dotted with small stores - "E.Hillman Hardware" overflows with tools, and carts are being repaired at the wheelwright. Men wear woollen caps, thick sweaters and blazers, women wear long skirts, shawls, hats and umbrellas to protect from the elements.

Overall, the 1920s fishing village is a place where time seems to slow down, and the lives of its inhabitants are deeply intertwined with the ebb and flow of the sea. It’s a community built on hard work, resilience, and an enduring connection to the natural world around them.

Build a 1920's fishing village on your layout or diorama!

Fancy having a go at building a scene like this on your layout? Andy's used a lot of our own kits and detailing accessories, so we've put together a diagram and a shopping list to show you what's what…