Welcome to the birth of my new layout CARLSDEN set on the GW/GC Joint line set in the 50's, 60's, 70's or 80's.
The GW/GC Joint line was the last Main Line Steam railway to be built in England which finally opened for passenger traffic on April 2nd 1906.
The Great Western & Great Central Joint Railway by Stanley C. Jenkins and published by The Oakwood Press together with 'The Final Link' by Dennis Edwards & Ron Pigram published by Midas Books cover all the history saving me going into great detail. There are also plenty of details on the Web for those who prefer to browse.
I have produced a basic map of the Line and it's connections to existing lines just to confirm the location and it is by no means an accurate production. The line north of Ashendon Junction to Aynho Junction was known as 'The Bicester Cut-Off' and opened to GW passenger trains in 1910. The main objective was to cut the journey times between Paddington and Snow Hill by utilising the Joint line and the Bicester cut-off.
The fictitious station of Carlsden is on the site of Saunderton Station between High Wycombe and Princes Risborough with the usual 'Modellers Licence' in full effect. The scenic section will be 12' x 2' with a fiddle yard capable of holding a rake of 10 Mk1's and 40 10t Minerals to enable prototypical running to be attempted. The track layout will be from Blackthorn Station, on the Bicester cut-off, as it suits my needs. The buildings are from Beaconsfield on the Joint line as I worked there in the early 80's as a Booking Clerk with fond memories of everything original including card tickets!
Later I will discuss the attraction of the line as far as operational interest goes as the list of Steam Locomotive classes that were used covered all the Big 4 and Standards. Most Mainline Diesel traction has also been noted working the route in the 60's, 70's and 80's.
I have many unpublished B&W pictures from the line in the early 60's taken by my late Stepfather, Bill Dudley, which I intend to share in the due course of time. There are also a few in the 80's taken by myself along the line.
Layout plan and more to follow.
Peter.
