A few people have expressed an interest in my larger scale modelling activities, not really the norm on here so you understand the interest when just a wagon is bigger than the human baby! So, with a bit of luck what follows is an account of the world of 5 inch gauge railway modelling.

Hope this ok on here Andy and all the mods (if not chuck me out with a shout of 'and stay out' ) but 5 inch gauge is basically model engineering and is usually associated with the miniature railways found in many parks across the country. But like those modelling in the gauge 3 society, theres a small group of us who build scale wagons and run scale train operations on a large scale.

As could probably be gathered from my posts in the london underground section, my interest lies with the Metropolitan railway, naturally our models reflect this (when i say our, its me and my dad). My dad lived by the Met at one point and so my interest was invoked when he built a 5 inch model of the Metropolitan-vickers bo bo electric (of same class as Sarah Siddons). And about 3 years ago we got into the 5 inch gauge world nd now run a set of 5 coaches, 9 wagons (with three more coming) and a radio controlled electric loco. Impressive really considering only three years and the loco is 5ft long and a two man lift, as are the coaches!

The group we run as part of is called the GL5 or Ground level 5 (mainline) association. Rules are simple. Build wagons, dont carry passengers, no narrow gauge, run proper trains and most importantly, have fun! It was set up a fair few years ago by Doug Hewson and brent hudson, to run scale trains in a prototypical manner, many of you on here wil recognise. The group has nearly 500 members and runs at various club and private ground level tracks around the country.

I myself dont have track (though with luck that could soon change slightly!) but have built two wagons and with three more on the way, as well as doing parts for the majority of the other vehicles in our collection.

My interests also lie in studying the real vehicles with intent (yes it does sound like a crime...) to model

Right, if your still with me, this blog with a bit of luck will be my workbench,what i have done, what i get up to, and hopefully entice a few of the other 5 inch modellers on RMweb out! Dont ever tel me you havent room for a railway!

You may well of seen this stuff at the acton depot open weekend a few weeks back if you went, so yes its us, and its big!

Anyone interested can find more photos on my flickr http://www.flickr.co...s/33124243@N06/

Edit- and oh yes thank you to Mike (dinmore Manor) for use of the last pic and letting me drive his engine (LSWR O2 tank) all afternoon at Brents track last december!