PaulBee Posted March 21, 2012 Share Posted March 21, 2012 Hello All, I'm a newcomer to the railway scene and railway modelling in particular. I've been contemplating a model railway project for some time and after discovering this site and following some excellent build projects and witnessed some remarkable modelling skills I have finally decided that it is time to make a start. After much (probably too much) deliberation I have settled on 7mm Narrow Gauge as my preferred starting point. I intend to start with a small industrial end to end shunting type project with an inglenook puzzle style operation to build my modelling skills. I'm now based in Poole, Dorset, have no local knowledge of early industrial railway activities and wondered whether any members might have any thoughts they'd be willing to share on a local theme that might suit my first foray into railway modelling. Many thanks Paul Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium petethemole Posted March 21, 2012 RMweb Premium Share Posted March 21, 2012 I'd suggest looking at the Isle of Purbeck narrow gauge systems that served the ball clay industry. There should be masses of information in local libraries and archives as well as the internet, there's a museum at Norden and it's not far to go to look at locations. Pete Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Mike Bellamy Posted March 21, 2012 RMweb Premium Share Posted March 21, 2012 Hi Paul Welcome to RMweb and to 7mm Narrow Gauge. You are in a good area for narrow gauge manufacturers - look out for Kevin Trim (Dorset Kits) and Adrian Swain (Wrightlines) A couple of NG modellers on here from around your area are David Taylor (DLT) and PaulRhB who may be able to help with local knowledge. Have you found the 7mm Narrow Gaguge Association yet? http://ww.7mmnga.org.uk/ Why not come along to Narrow Gauge South - organised by the Wessex Narrow Gauge Modellers - and so thats another link to NG in your area. See Arthur's posting here http://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/index.php?/topic/53433-narrow-gauge-south-2012-saturday-april-14th/ and the show web site here http://www.narrowgaugesouth.org.uk/cms/ If you want to travel a bit further, then 7mmNGA have their exhibition at Burton on Trent on 9 June Good luck Mike Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Mike Bellamy Posted March 21, 2012 RMweb Premium Share Posted March 21, 2012 There should be masses of information in local libraries and archives Ah! that reminds me - for access to local libraries try a PM to 'Western Sunset' Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
PaulBee Posted March 21, 2012 Author Share Posted March 21, 2012 I'd suggest looking at the Isle of Purbeck narrow gauge systems that served the ball clay industry. There should be masses of information in local libraries and archives as well as the internet, there's a museum at Norden and it's not far to go to look at locations. Pete Thank you the info Pete. I have a little time off owing over the weekend so now intend to visit the museum at Norden Paul Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
PaulBee Posted March 21, 2012 Author Share Posted March 21, 2012 Hi Paul Welcome to RMweb and to 7mm Narrow Gauge. You are in a good area for narrow gauge manufacturers - look out for Kevin Trim (Dorset Kits) and Adrian Swain (Wrightlines) A couple of NG modellers on here from around your area are David Taylor (DLT) and PaulRhB who may be able to help with local knowledge. Have you found the 7mm Narrow Gaguge Association yet? Why not come along to Narrow Gauge South Good luck Mike Hi Mike, Thank you for the warm welcome and info. It is remarkable that with all the online research performed to date I never uncovered those two local manufacturers. It's good to know that there are local suppliers to support. The Association did come up in searches though and their site contained some very useful info. I'll keep any eye out for Dave and Paul too. The Narrow Gauge South show is definitely in my diary and looking forward to it. The library tip could also be useful. Thanks again Paul Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Mike Bellamy Posted March 22, 2012 RMweb Premium Share Posted March 22, 2012 It is remarkable that with all the online research performed to date I never uncovered those two local manufacturers. It's good to know that there are local suppliers to support. I know that there have been several 'rants' about the way that Mr Swain conducts his business on the 7mmNGA Yahoo Group as he doesn't have a web site or use email. To order you need to contact personally and be prepared to wait if what you want is out of stock. He purchased the business a couple of years ago from Kay Butler and there was a large amount of stock involved which he had with him at the Shepton show in February but when that goes, I understand that it is only being replaced in batches. The same applies to his ABS business - again a lot of stock at the Kettering O Gauge show. We can't force him to have a web site or use email - he's quite happy with the level of business as it is and I strongly suspect that this is to keep the turnover level below the VAT threshold as that would bring added complications and of course increase his retail prices. Information below copied from UKModelShops.co.uk ABS/Wrightlines, 39 Napier Road, Poole, BH15 4LX 01202 672891 Catalogue 5x1st class stamps Dorset Kits, 8 Southwood Close, Ferndown, BH22 9HW 01202 875570 I'll be at NG South helping Paul Martin with EDM Models http://www.ngtrains.com/ and Phil Traxson with Port Wynnstay http://www.ngtrains....ortwynnstay.htm two more suppliers to add to your list !! Mike Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold PaulRhB Posted March 22, 2012 RMweb Gold Share Posted March 22, 2012 Hi there, yes ring Adrian at ABS and as he lives in Poole you'll be able to arrange to pop round to collect things too. Oakwood press have two good books, Railways of Purbeck by R Kidner that includes the clay tramways, there's also Colin Stones book Rails around Poole Harbour. Narrow gauge wise there's Fayles & Pikes clay tramways around Corfe and Norden, The Royal Naval Cordite Factory at Holton Heath, Various brickworks had temporary lines too, The Vitacress Watercress beds also had a railway and if you like the S&D the the Brewery at Oakhill in Somerset. There are also a couple of lines that were horse or hand worked that could have evolved to steam power for a model The Brownsea Island pottery tramway, Swanage Pier Tramway. Ivo Peters also photographed the Clay tramways on Purbeck if you can find his narrow gauge book, sorry I will have to search out my copy to find the title. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Mike Bellamy Posted March 22, 2012 RMweb Premium Share Posted March 22, 2012 Thanks Paul - glad you found this one other wise I would have sent you a PM ! Mention of watercress reminds me that Critchel is one of the layouts due to appear at NG South in April and I believe that layout is based on the harvesting of watercress and its transport by narrow gauge railway. Mike Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold PaulRhB Posted March 22, 2012 RMweb Gold Share Posted March 22, 2012 Mention of watercress reminds me that Critchel is one of the layouts due to appear at NG South in April and I believe that layout is based on the harvesting of watercress and its transport by narrow gauge railway. Well worth talking to Roy Wood about it too, a very interesting chap. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Mike Bellamy Posted March 22, 2012 RMweb Premium Share Posted March 22, 2012 Well worth talking to Roy Wood about it too, a very interesting chap. At the risk of going off topic, the other Roy Wood is an Honorary Doctor of Music at Derby University http://www.derby.ac.uk/graduation/gallery/honoraries/roywood Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold PaulRhB Posted March 22, 2012 RMweb Gold Share Posted March 22, 2012 Ivo Peters book is 'Narrow Gauge Charm of Yesterday' some on Amazon now at sensible prices. There's a few of the clay lines but it's worth it for anyone interested in UK narrow gauge. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RailWest Posted March 22, 2012 Share Posted March 22, 2012 As this does not seem to be specifically S&DJR, I wonder if this thread might be better served in the 'Narrow Gauge Modelling" forum??? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
PaulBee Posted March 22, 2012 Author Share Posted March 22, 2012 What can I say - thank you all for taking the time to respond. I have found some very useful info online and managed to locate and order a couple of the publications mentioned. The ideas are coming thick and fast now (need to rein them in a bit!) and I'm very happy with my choice of gauge and scale to start things off. The clay industry narrow gauge systems around the Isle of Purbeck are fascinating and will suit my initial concept for a first railway modelling project perfectly. Phase one will be to get a loco kit and a couple of rolling stock kits built over the next month to test my skills and test a few track layout ideas and siding lengths and may well post a project progress thread (in the Narrow Gauge Modelling Section) in the hope of gaining modelling tips along the way. Thanks again Paul Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
PaulBee Posted March 22, 2012 Author Share Posted March 22, 2012 As this does not seem to be specifically S&DJR, I wonder if this thread might be better served in the 'Narrow Gauge Modelling" forum??? Possibly and thanks for the tip, but the modelling reference was primarily used to demonstrate the kind of local (Poole) industrial railway information I hoped to find and couldn't think of a better place to start. Regards Paul Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold PaulRhB Posted March 23, 2012 RMweb Gold Share Posted March 23, 2012 Plus Oakhil brewery and the others all provided traffic directly onto the S&D Good luck Paul Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Ian J. Posted March 23, 2012 RMweb Premium Share Posted March 23, 2012 I agree, this isn't really an S&DJR subject. I will get it moved to the narrow gauge group. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium DLT Posted March 23, 2012 RMweb Premium Share Posted March 23, 2012 Hi Paul, You're living in a pretty busy place for modellers, there are a number of Clubs based in your area. theres a Poole Model Railway Club, and one in Wimborne as well. The only group I'm personally familiar with though is "The Central Southern 0-Gauge Group", who also meet in Wimborne. I know they have narrow-gaugers amonst their ranks, and they hold an Exhibition in October (every two years) Their website is http://www.csg0g.org/ All the best, Dave. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold PaulRhB Posted March 23, 2012 RMweb Gold Share Posted March 23, 2012 Further to Daves info, Colin Stone (Rails to Poole Harbour) is a member of Wimborne club and very knowledgeable plus a really nice bloke and Roy Wood (Critchell) is a leading light in the O gauge Wimborne group Details of the Wimborne club meetings http://www.wimrail.org.uk/meetings.html Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
oldexpat Posted March 25, 2012 Share Posted March 25, 2012 Dear Paul, Rather than be specific (clay mines etc) you may think of storage sidings, (timesaver shunting puzzle) or wagon and loco repair works (good excuse for part built wagons/ locos etc). best wishes, semaj James Corsi (Ruritania State Railways) Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
PaulBee Posted March 25, 2012 Author Share Posted March 25, 2012 Dear Paul, Rather than be specific (clay mines etc) you may think of storage sidings, (timesaver shunting puzzle) or wagon and loco repair works (good excuse for part built wagons/ locos etc). best wishes, semaj James Corsi (Ruritania State Railways) James, thank you for the ideas, so many options that I keep flitting from one to the next by the day at the moment. I particularly like the repair works theme. I have a couple of books about the local area arriving soon so that will help. In the meantime I continue to research options and paid a visit to Norden Station and museum today. Heres a couple pics from the trip. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold PaulRhB Posted March 29, 2012 RMweb Gold Share Posted March 29, 2012 Hi Paul, nice to meet you tonight and here's some more specific corruption prompted by our chat. What's possible in small spaces http://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/index.php?/topic/3355-claverton-engineering-0-165-micro-layout/page__fromsearch__1 And also add this specialist NG forum to your favourites - ngrm online, well worth joining too. Giles, Mike and Dave are equally active on both forums so there's more of there stuff to explore too. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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