I’ve always been fascinated by coarse scale 7mm railways I’ve seen on my travels. I used to visit one in Hitchin in the very late 70’s/early 80’s but I have never found any pictures.
My parents bought my a book around that time that featured 7mm course scale and the evidence is still present today which pages were revisited frequently.
The situation wasn’t helped by visiting a railway in Rugby. I’m sure it was here trains were signalled with a mixture of real and homemade block instruments with bells. (this is something I can do methinks)
I already model in OO, G in the garden and 12 inch to the foot at work so there was simply no chance of me scratching the coarse scale 7mm itch with the available funds. Then I was given around 150 feet of track. This was followed by other donations and the occasional frivolous eBay purchase. Last week two substantial Bassett Lowke motor bogies found their way to me. Now I have track and the means to make something move.
I’m not rushing ahead yet but I want to plan ahead. Space is allocated for a railway. Things need to be acquired to enable construction to start. The first thing that springs to mind are conductor rail chairs like this one..
Does anyone still make these? My initial thought was to use ordinary chairs with a wooden packer beneath but these look far superior.
The dream of a sparky non dcc railway stands a good chance of coming true.