RTJ

Steve, Do both! I have a 4mm Monkton Combe layout ('Titfield' of Thunderbolt fame - on the ex-GWR Limpley Stoke line, nr Bath) and also a 7 mm layout of the same but imagined if the line had joined the S&DJR (yes, there was such a plan!). (I once had a 4mm 'Wellow' (S&DJR) layout) I've yet to finish the Monkton Combe layout but already am already thinking of a 7mm Broad Gauge Layout OR Midford Goods layout (ex-SDJR nr Bath) on a 2.0 x 0.5m baseboard. Yes 'O'gauge can seem more expensive, BUT, if one has a limited space (say 2.5m long) then a small loco , a few wagons, two points and a few yards of Peco bullhead will give a lot of pleasure and the rolling stock just has more 'presence'. Thus the cost difference isn't that great. Join GoG and you'll get help all the way! R

In answer to a few points from various contributors (thanks by-the-way....much more civilised (at present?) cf the debates on the GoG Forum!) 1. I wasn't suggesting one HAD to anneal brass (after all, all it is is heating it up, plunging into cold water and then bending to shape). I've hardly ever needed to do it. 2. There are good 'primers' on getting started in 'O' gauge. Tower models do one (http://www.tower-models.com); scroll down to 'O' gauge , and then "starting-up in O Gauge". Peco also do a good booklet (https://peco-uk.com/products/your-guide-to-o-gauge-railway-modelling). AND of course there's the Modelling section in '7mm RM web' and, of course, especially, on the GoG website (just avoid the toxic politics). https://platform1mrc.com/p1mrc/index.php is also a friendly source for 4 and 7 mm scale stuff. Be blessed that RM web doesn't have management structures where acerbic politics are played out. I still would encourage anyone interested in 7mm stuff to join GoG - if only for a year - just to try it out! R

Exactly Poly! Costs may include travel and business expenses- hotel bills + meals etc. No breakdown, however. As a slight aside, if you are a member of GoG, the 'discussions' of the reform group and up-and-coming elections are now getting even more acrid and personal. NOT a good advert! R

Annealing brass is quite easy. (Got a gas cooker, or, even better a cook's butane torch-?). Cleanliness, a good flux, a good 60W soldering iron + LEADED solder and you're away! I have a feeling Steve that you're really raring to go...you're just on the brink aren't you...and you know, just know, you've got to take the plunge! In the meantime a Dapol 08 'Gronk' plus a few yards of 7mm Peco rail and you will be hooked...honest. R

Steve, "... Hang on! Motor, wheels, axles, pickups all have to be sourced separately ..." I think you'll find that 'Big Jim' (of Connnoisseur) will sell you motor+simple gearbox(and gears). Wheels from Slaters come with axles; you don't need plunger pickups. Bad News: Jim is so busy with present orders he's not taking any more new orders until September! I think with the advent of 3D printing many kits in the future will be nut&bolt and glue fixing. Go for it Steve...! R

RE: GoG. Yes it can come across as a steam-centred old man's organisation. However, the Gazette is generally excellent and the forum contains a wealth of excellent modellers giving excellent advice. The problems are: 1. A luck of accountability - especially in the area of finances. Guildex at Telford, excellent showcase though it is, had been losing (a lot of) money for ages -but details are hazy. 2. A management that appears to be poor at communication to its members and somewhat 'aloof' at times. They seem slow to move forward, slow to embrace beneficial changes. Many would appear to be stuck in an 'engineering background' and view modelling 7mm in that light. 3. My main gripe is that part of the forum where one can voice such misgivings - constructive criticisms of course. The vast number of people here are fine - well-intentioned, experienced individuals. But we all know that it only takes a few to spoil the party...and there are a sizeable number of grumpy old men who would appear to trawl through any posts and find pleasure in trolling. Yes, it can get personal, and it seems ages before the mods step in. Having said that, there are some professional people who are also guilty of inferring the worst possible case interpretation. There have been many people I know who have left GoG just for that reason. I, and others, usually implore them to stay but just to read the Modelling section. I myself have given myself a 6 month sabbatical from that area. It's not worth the stress of seeing another rude posting. I think the idea of opening the Modelling section to all is a good idea. I think we ought to change the Guild name to something else.

Connoisseur models do a 'starter' diesel kit. The instructions are the best in the market (downloadable for free). A soldering iron IS needed though - and a few simple tools. see: http://www.jimmcgeown.com/Loco Kit Pages/Drewry 0 4 0 Diesel Shunter.html Lots of other kits to choose from! No connection etc. R

Andreas, Apologies, I see you did post the OS reference (https://maps.nls.uk/geo/explore/#zoom=21&lat=51.36941&lon=-2.36013&layers=117746211&b=1). (Don't know how I missed it!). R

Midford Goods yard. Hope I'm not hi-jacking this thread - if so then Mods please alter. I use a Mac, but have AnyRails (a free download) for use on Windows 10 using Parallels). It's bit of a faff going from one to the other but do-able. I now model mainly in 'O'gauge (7mm) rather than 'OO' (4mm) but still have all my old 'OO' stuff (from my old Wellow layout: http://rtjstevens.co.uk/wellow.html) , and have all the track/points etc to complete it 'for free'. The other advantage of modelling the Goods yard in 'OO' is that Peco do a yard crane that's very similar to the one in the yard. Above is a rough track plan 'as was' in 'OO'. It fits on baseboard 1.0 x 0.4m However, it lacks a bit of running interest. I've always wondered what the S&D would have looked like if it hadn't been subject to the Beeching Axe, & had joined with the GWR nr Limpley Stoke (there was such a plan), and had run double track: This is 1.8 x 0.42m. With'O' gauge: Compressed into 2.5x 0.5m. Notice the headshunt. (Always do-able on the 'OO'plan of course). All track:Peco. I originally wanted the x-over portion to be on the Bath end of the plan but was frustrated ( in 'O'), that it wouldn't fit. The painted background would be easy - very rural except for Midford castle (my Grandparents almost bought the place when they moved from Templecombe between the wars. Just imagine growing up in the 50s and 60s with the S&D down the hill!). Reading the above I realise I HAVE hi-jacked the thread - apologies . Mods please feel free to move. Richard.

Good question. Perhaps after closure it was the responsibility of Bath City Council? R

Andreas, Re your last paragraph (above). Apologies, I have virtually no recollection of the area other than following a load of wet and muddy runners. I seem to recall it (the embankment) was largely overgrown even then (late 1960s). Silver birch evident. and rosebay willow herb. Please can you send me link to the OS map you were using? Re Midford Goods Yard - Sod's law...I chucked out all my more-than 6-months-old mags inc No 287. Keep us all updated - please. Yours, Richard.

Good point. A friend of mine is in Wellow ----I could always ask him...? I may wish to model Midford Goods yard...perhaps we could join up? (Only joking!)

Also: https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.flickr.com%2Fphotos%2Fmidlandexplorerboy%2F8419736618&psig=AOvVaw0Sw0ZXcf7kGVVFvHlymjlq&ust=1593420025841000&source=images&cd=vfe&ved=0CAIQjRxqFwoTCLi2jK-OpOoCFQAAAAAdAAAAABAJ Just google ' watery bottom viaduct' Richard

Our school X-country course ran under the viaduct. (I was in the X-country team). In the late 1960's a student/holiday job was to weed the whole of the embankment on that side of the viaduct. I look forward to pictures of your project. My next one could be a compressed version of Midford Goods Yard (I now model in 'O' gauge). Best wishes, Richard

Have you looked at the Bathintime website? eg https://www.bathintime.co.uk/the-somerset-and-dorset-railway-line-at-the-west-end-of-lyncombe-vale-bath-1968-53235.html Richard

Scorpio or Warren Shephard? Thanks. (If the latter are the positions of the rivets etched/stamped-out on the sheets of does one need to overlay a paper pattern?) Richard.

Hi Ian, no it's just a Gaugemaster sheet. I agree ... a little bit like the area around Midsomer Norton. BW Richard.

In my review for a magazine I wrote: In summary, this is a good, detailed, relatively inexpensive kit, especially when one realises that wheels and motor are included and the 4mm version is almost the same price. Many of the parts are of a high quality, the etches are clean and parts are easily cut out. Some of the soft metal parts are not quite up to the same standard, but can be remedied - or not on show. It is not, in my view, a beginner’s kit despite the fact that this is only a four wheel loco with no coupling rods or valve gear to assemble. My major gripe is with the instructions and lack of pictures. John will supply such pictures by email on request but why not include them (or at least a web link) in the first place? I also think a photocopy of the lost wax parts still on their sprue, with labels attached would be very useful as well as a picture of the underneath of the chassis showing the position of the cogs and chains. Naturally, pictures of the real thing are obligatory. Overall: recommended. 8.5/10. I think I've overdone the weathering somewhat and I wish I'd used a satin varnish ....next time!

Still waiting for more paint so roof, boiler and driver just blu-tacked in. R

Hi, yes, Halford's grey primer (red on the cab roof - but only 'cos I'd run out of grey). Satin black from Amazon to complete. Still to weather and varnish though. Can give more details tomorrow if you need them. R

Almost there....weathering yet to do and yes, the guard irons look too long to me too. I'm not sure if I have the correct regulator handle. (?). The motor and pick-ups are in. Will post more of a 'build' later.

Coming along... It's a good kit-- lots of excellent etches...only let down by my poor skill and some 'open' instructions with very few pictures. Good value for money there's an 'OO' version for £140 and this the 7mm version (from a different manufacturer although I suspect some cross-fertilisation) is 'only' £185. There's more details of the build and history of these diminutive locos on the GoG site. Richard. Thanks...now waiting for some black spray paint! R