Set in the era of British Railways (Southern Region) in the mid 50's to mid 60's. Mostly operated with Small tanks and tender engines.
The layout is 8ft long and was inspired by Martin Brents Arcadia published in the March 1981 Model Railways magazine.
Slightly elongated scenic area but virtually identical track layout.
Watershoot Bays first outing is at the Minehead exhibition on the 6th August.
A new venue this year at the West Somerset College, Bircham Road, Minehead, Somerset, TA24 6AY.
Open 10am to 4.30 .
Possibly the star of the show was Mel Marsham's 7 inch model of S&DJR 7F loco 53801.Not yet completed but well on the way.
Posed with 53801 was an excellent model of a S&DJR Wells Branch road van.
A superb couple of exhibits which greeted visitors at the hall entrance.
Sodham Hall Light Railway in 7mm scale 9mm gauge by Toby Hollins-Jones
Goathorn, by Peter Hollins, in 26mm Gauge representing 3ft 9 inch gauge based on the clay workings on the isle of Purbeck and Promoting the Purbeck Mineral and Mining Museum at Norden on the Swanage Railway.
Mostly pictures of the progress made on Watershoot Bay.
The pasted newspaper has been applied to the cutting and tunnel mouth. Just have to wait for it to dry- not long in this heat I hope!
Once this part and the back scene boards are fitted it will be very basically ready to show at the Minehead Exhibition on August 6th.
A Smallbrook Studios kit of a converted Road Van is one of the first visitors. The tedious part is working out where to place the uncoupling magnets for stock distribution. The passenger stock is easy as two rakes are used and are fixed length. The goods stock- also to be in rakes is another matter as there are several differing lengths to take into account.
The fiddle yard extension is removable and the layout is hinged to fold in half. This has the added bonus that there is no need to split the wiring as it is permanently fixed together.
The only removable part is the Clay Dries chimney- a resin casting by Bachmann.
The passenger stock has modified proprietry couplings which have a small staple fitted through a hole in the dropper which is soldered into place.
Most of the goods stock is run in rakes of 4 so the centre wagons don't need alteration.
The magnets for uncoupling are fitted under the baseboard and are invisible to see. The uncoupling points are indicated by figures or scenic items- all I need to do is remember where they are!
The layout can be run in either GWR or British Railways (Western Region) so stock is split into the two periods.
One era in the morning and one after lunch.
St. Mewans first outing is at the Moors Valley exhibition on 25th/26th June 2022.
If you visit please do say hello.
