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SWING
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Sneak Preview - SWING 2015
Rowland Emett's Wonderful Railways
Mike Walshaw and Michael Rayner have both been fascinated by Rowland Emett’s railway cartoons, published in “Punch” in the 1940s, some of which will be on display. Mike travelled on the “Far Tottering and Oyster Creek Railway” designed by Emett for the Festival of Britain Pleasure Gardens at Battersea in 1951. Michael’s Smallbrook Studio in the Isle of Wight offers a range of cast resin kits for Emett Railways to Gn15 scale on 16.5mm gauge track and Mike has now made up 4 of these models to be demonstrated on a simple ‘Emett Test Track’. The models have a very short wheelbase and one object of the Test Track is to see if curves of 1ft radius are really practical. Another object is to check the appearance of track built from 7mm scale bull-head rail with proper chairs and wide sleeper spacing, since normal 00 gauge track clearly does not look right.
Passengers The Hon. Mrs Hamilton and Col. Brigstocke await the arrival of Driver Firestone and Guard Theophilus Thunderer to start the 1:42 pm Passenger Train from Lulworth Cove to Durdle Door via Dagger’s Gate and Scratchy Bottom.
The 2:59 p.m. unremunerative Goods Train is ready to leave Lulworth Cove for Arish Mell via Smugglers Cove and Black Rock when the Train Crew finish their crab sandwiches.
0-4-0T “Nellie” basking in the sunshine on the new Test Track at Lulworth Cove.
Q dump - 1/35th scale: 16.5mm track gauge - By Nigel and Sue Tansley
Following the popularity of “Wipers”, we present “Q dump”.This layout is another foray into War Department Light Railways in 1917. This time the concentration has been on actual scenes, and much of the scenery, townscapes and railway operation is based on contemporary photographs, sometimes adjusted slightly to fit the constraints of the baseboard.
Operation is based on end to end running, with vehicles being collected from Q dump, loaded near the village, and being run down to the town. Empties are then returned to Q dump.
Q dump actually existed, and was an operational hub for the various internal combustion loco’s used by the W.D.L.R. The various types used by the British on the western front are represented. There may even be the odd steam loco.
Track is mostly hand-built (with some Peco 0.16.5 track) representing the types of track and formation used by the W.D.L.R. Points are “reworked” Peco, to give correct sleeper spacings.
Locomotives are based on proprietary chassis, chosen for running qualities and price. They are a mixture of Bachmann, Model Power and Tenshodo and the control is by Gaugemaster. The layout is wired so either operator can operate any part or all of the layout, and could be run by one person.
As with “Wipers”, the emphasis is to present an overall picture of W.D.L.R operation, with many “scenes from life” to catch the eye of bored wives and children !
| We plan to post some preview pictures here as details are finalised. |