In August 2012 I reviewed the current state of the fledgling South Bay Railway and decided that one section of the layout needed a little more interest. An aggressive ground cover had taken over and required constant thinning. The ponds and rivers on the layout were always popular so I decided to add a new small creek to the layout.
Rather than have the creek lead to another pond where the runoff drained away underground I designed a 25 foot sluice to deliver the water to an existing river on the front of the layout. existing river on the front of the layout. This resulted in perfect spot for a mill - elevations permitting.
I purchased a kit from 'Stoneworks' that supplied plans and parts for the wheel, control sluice, and raceway. The mill building was scratch built from photos. I added a retaining wall from plastic lumber to create a mill pond.
The pond sits on the edge of the St. John River on the front of the layout and the mill effluent joins the flow.
The mill is now in full operation and in the video you'll see a couple of locals who have arrived to pick up some milled grain! One is a little more industrious than the other.
Play the Video to See Murray's Mill in Action!
Murray's Mill viewed from upstream. The end of the 25ft long sluiceway can be seen directing water into the control sluice.
The creek enters a basin that collects water into the long sluiceway as it exits from under the mainline viaduct.
Murray's Mill as seen from below with water spilling over the mill dam. Sam and Ernie are loading bags of flour into the red pickup.
