Small scale, big ambition

Julian’s folding 1940s world

We recently sat down with Julian, a resident at Tamar House for the past three years, to talk about the incredible project taking over—and then disappearing from—his room. After being referred to Abbeyfield by the Gosport Council, Julian found himself with the time and the inspiration to embark on a creative journey that has been two years in the making.

Inspired by the recent VE Day commemorations, Julian has been meticulously building an 00 scale model railway and airfield that pays tribute to the White Cliffs of Dover and the Abbeyfield community. From clever engineering to painting "tiny people," Julian shared with us how he turned his personal space into a historical masterpiece.

"It all started about two years ago. I’ve always had a bit of an interest in railways—I even built a set for my grandson once—but those VE Day celebrations really got my gears turning. I wanted to create something that captured that spirit, specifically the White Cliffs of Dover during the Second World War."

A big world in a small space

"The first thing people notice is the engineering. Since this is my own room, I didn't want the model to take over the entire floor all the time. I had to get a bit clever. I built the base on a hinge system attached to a set of drawers.

"The whole thing is 6 feet long, but when I’m finished for the day, the base just lifts up and folds flat against the wall. It keeps my room clear and usable, but the moment I pull it down, I’m right back in the 1940s and ready to go."

The tiny details 

"I work in 00 scale, where one inch equals six feet. At that size, everything is a challenge. People often ask what the hardest part has been, and I tell them straight: painting the tiny people. It takes a steady hand and a lot of patience!
But it’s the little details that make it special to me. I’ve got an airfield with barrage balloons, tiny animals in the fields, and a tribute to my home here—the 'Town of Abbeyfield' right in the centre of the layout."