PatB Posted April 9, 2017 Share Posted April 9, 2017 My c1950 copy of The Model Railway Encyclopedia makes mention, and contains a few small illustrations, of a large, stud-contact, 0 gauge layout under construction for public exhibition at Chessington Zoo. Presumably it would have been a typical 1950s tourist attraction type layout with numerous trains lapping continuous circuits, although a photograph of an extensive control desk suggests a measure of manual operation rather than automatic control. A quick search on the net fails to reveal anything more, although I suppose useful results may have been swamped by extensive advertorial for Chessington's current attractions. Does anyone remember the layout and does anyone know of any further information on the web? I confess my curiosity to be idle rather than constructive, but I have a bit of a nostalgic thing about old and defunct railway attractions and the photos piqued my interest. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Limpley Stoker Posted April 9, 2017 RMweb Gold Share Posted April 9, 2017 My c1950 copy of The Model Railway Encyclopedia makes mention, and contains a few small illustrations, of a large, stud-contact, 0 gauge layout under construction for public exhibition at Chessington Zoo. Presumably it would have been a typical 1950s tourist attraction type layout with numerous trains lapping continuous circuits, although a photograph of an extensive control desk suggests a measure of manual operation rather than automatic control. A quick search on the net fails to reveal anything more, although I suppose useful results may have been swamped by extensive advertorial for Chessington's current attractions. Does anyone remember the layout and does anyone know of any further information on the web? I confess my curiosity to be idle rather than constructive, but I have a bit of a nostalgic thing about old and defunct railway attractions and the photos piqued my interest. It wasn't there in the mid-50's- but I remember the redundant London tram parked at the entrance. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
robertcwp Posted April 9, 2017 Share Posted April 9, 2017 Much too young to remember the 1950s as I wasn't around then but there was a large HO layout there in the late 1970s. I think it was a mobile thing in a trailer as I'm pretty sure I saw the same thing at Brighton on the seafront. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
brigo Posted April 9, 2017 Share Posted April 9, 2017 Much too young to remember the 1950s as I wasn't around then but there was a large HO layout there in the late 1970s. I think it was a mobile thing in a trailer as I'm pretty sure I saw the same thing at Brighton on the seafront. Didn't the Fleischmann importer (M&R ?) have a layout in a trailer in the 1970's and I think they were based in Brighton or nearby. Brian Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
robertcwp Posted April 9, 2017 Share Posted April 9, 2017 Didn't the Fleischmann importer (M&R ?) have a layout in a trailer in the 1970's and I think they were based in Brighton or nearby. Brian Yes, and it was probably that layout. I think it moved around a bit. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold The Johnster Posted April 9, 2017 RMweb Gold Share Posted April 9, 2017 Yes, and it was probably that layout. I think it moved around a bit. Kemp Models? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Loconuts Posted April 9, 2017 Share Posted April 9, 2017 As a child living in South London in the 1950's I was taken on a trip to Chessington Zoo to see this layout amongst other things. All I recollect is that it was Southern based and had a lot Southern electric units on it. I cannot say if it was 'O' gauge or gauge 1, but it definitely not 'OO'. Loconuts Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium St Enodoc Posted April 13, 2017 RMweb Premium Share Posted April 13, 2017 Kemp Models? M&R Model Railways I think. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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