The 0 Gauge Section currently has two working layouts, both 7mm finescale.
Taw Magna
Taw Magna has been under construction by the O Gauge section for the last 20 months.
The club's 2005 Exhibition was the first public showing of the layout.
Although all the trackwork and buildings have been completed, much detailed work remains to be done
on the scenery: for example, signal and point rodding, improvements to scenery and all those added
little extras remain to be completed. The size of the layout has been kept small as it is primarily
for exhibition purposes and to prevent the more senior members suffering from backache when we move it.
The layout is based on GWR Branch Line practice somewhere in the West Country.
It has been designed to be run as a GWR scene in the 1930-40’s and as BR practice in the 1950’s until
the Beeching closure plan. Long term, the group are considering adapting the layout to also represent
a preserved line. The current buildings will be removable so changes can be easily made and so introduce
some of those modern structures that are often seen at such sites.
This will give the group an excuse to run anything they want from a dock shunter to a 47 diesel!
Trackwork is basically Peco with handmade C & L pointwork built by O Gauge section member Don Neighbour.
Buildings are mostly scratch built with the station based on Abbotsbury. The Goods shed is a modified
card kit. Most of the Locos and Rolling Stock are kit built, and made by group members.
Kirkby Grandfield
The O Gauge section's previous layout was based on Kirkby Stephen on the Settle & Carlisle railway.
This is a very substantial model and was originally about 55 feet in length.
The layout is named Kirkby Grandfield in memory of Geoff Grandfield, who was a founding
member of the 'O' Gauge Guild and late president of our club.
This layout, now minus its ten feet of fiddle yard at each end, is permanently erected in the club house.
A removable loop is being constructed so that we can enjoy continuous running with much longer trains
than has been possible previously. The extension will only be erected on O section club nights (Friday)
so that it will not interfere with the other sections on their meeting nights.
