O Gauge, OO Gauge (under construction)
East Dean 'O' Gauge
Bridge end Jinty & coach click photo to enlarge
Based on a small through station, situated on a single track cross country route somewhere around Gloucester, enabling both Midland and Western stock to be run and is set on a gentle 90 degree curve, with a scenic section some 24 feet long, and with 8ft fiddle yards at each end, utilising a cassette system
Trackwork, which is C&L, is set at 31.5mm gauge through the pointwork to give a better visual effect, whilst still enabling the normal O gauge fine scale wheels of members stock to be used. An article on this aspect has been written by one of our members, and published in the Model Railway Journal, bringing some interesting comments. Pointwork operated by "Tortoise" point motors.
The signals have been positioned and they are fully functional using Servo's. It has been well received, with a lot of favorable comments. Also we had a number of exhibition invites, which is always very encouraging.
We would be happy to hear from any local modellers interested in becoming involved with the project. Why not pay us a visit one evening.
The New Club Layout
Our new layout has been designed to fit a long curve into one side of our existing test track. The new section will make the existing test track into a large D shape some 34 feet by 17 feet. When complete it will be a two road through station based on London North Western practise, with a goods yard to provide opportunities for shunting. The existing fiddle yard which has eight roads will be utilised. The name was selected by looking at an old map of the area in which we wanted the layout to be set and choosing a place which had the correct topography, including a canal. This proved to be adjacent to the ex LNWR line running between Whitchurch and Chester at a place called Grindley Brook. No station was shown, but having chosen the name we subsequently discovered that at some time a halt was built, so what we are building will assume that considerable rebuilding has taken place. By choosing LNWR origin, it is hoped that it will make it easier to construct the station buildings as in reality these were modular. We are hoping to make patterns of the various panels and have them cast. Assembly should then be relatively easy. This will allow more time for the more complex buildings. Club members also have existing stock suitable for this location. Discussion is ongoing as to whether a change should be made to DCC and if so the best way of resolving the problems involved in converting existing stock.
O Gauge Test Track
The new club test track has now been operating regularly on the first Thursday of each month and a few minor teething problems have been sorted out. Hopefully the Saturday afternoon sessions will be up and running shortly. The exhibition layout East Dean now has all the signals fully operational and we will all have to start learning the switching associated with them before the layout’s next outing.
For further details contact: Colin Gascoyne,
Tel: 01753 819773 or Email