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Another new member; Bekonscot Light Rly, UK
Topic Started: 24 Oct 2006, 05:20 PM (490 Views)
Timbo
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Timbo
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Hi all

Have just joined the forum. I am one of the designers/operators of the 7.25" minimum gauge "estate railway" at Bekonscot Model Village in Bucks.

Our current stock includes a Maxitrak Hudson 0-4-0BE, Pfeifferbahn 0-4-0BE and a Bo-bo BE tram. My own Maxitrak Opal steam loco is under restoration for high days and holidays, and our new major loco is approx 50% complete.

Our circuit is quite short but involves varying repeat loops of parts of the circuit to give a longer ride. We are hoping to redesign the main circuit this winter to incorporate some unusual elements and give 30% longer ride.

The railway has been a very successful addition to the main attraction - the 77 year old model village.

I've also just "rescued" a large quantity of equipment from the derelict Himley Hall Miniature Railway nr Dudley; the weekend that the diggers moved in to rip most of it up.

We're always very keen to have visits from enthusiasts, so do pop along - there's also the original 1929 Gauge 1 model line which runs for 10 scale miles through the scenery in the village.


Pics etc at http://www.bekonscot.com

Cheers



Tim
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MTA
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I went to Bekonscot before you were open, so will have to go again when you have some stem running ;) Welcome to the forums :D
"If the fascination engendered by locomotion at the present day is so intense, the attractive powers of locomotion in miniature must of necessity be greater still"

W.J. Bassett-Lowke. August 1911
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Ian_Holmes
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Hello Tim:
Welcome aboard.
Must make a note to put Beckonscot on the list of places to visit next time I'm over from the U S and A

Ian
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colinpeake
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Hi Tim, welcome to the forum!

It's always good to have operators on board, don't forget we have a 'construction' section to share your experiences!!

Colin
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peterbryant
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Welcome to the forums Tim. Sorry I have not replyed to your email as of yet, I have been very busy! I look forward to visiting Bekonscot one day and see how things are turning out. Sounds really good!

Peter
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Timbo
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How odd to be termed "an operator" - it's the first time I've really thought about that!

We just built the railway as a bit of fun really; we hoped it'd cover costs after a few years but it did so in the first season. So the management board decided it should stay. In fact, it's now known as "Bekonscot Model Village & Railway" such is its draw. We're carrying about 30% of our total visitor numbers, which is pretty good given the line is only open school holidays and weekends.


The BLR is a lesson to prove that there's ALWAYS room for a railway. There are some nifty features to save space: the main circuit is in an area 50ft x 80ft; with a landscaped corridor leading to the terminus. The extended route will use the same space but include a figure of eight, two triangle junctions and a viaduct. Hmmm.

The terminus features 30ft platforms (alternating departures and arrivals when two or three train running) which meet at a set of points, mounted on a turntable. This sprung/pneumatic point means that we can quickly either use it as a headshunt or spin the loco on the table; in a very small space. This leads directly into the new loco shed. The shed contains a three road cassette traverser - they can be slid across to despatch stock, or can be secured to act as the headshunt. Suddenly all of those hours as a kid playing with Hornby and Cyril Freezer's trackplan books came in useful!

The passing loop is the site of our first station but does allow us to run three trains with token operation. Hopefully we'll be going semaphore in 2007.

Quite excited about the new loco; it's a huge narrow-gauge shunter outline one, 2ft wide, using maximum traction bogies (bogies are not really visible) and ride-inside cab. It's actually very attractive and puts us firmly in the Heywood style of operation.

But with my tiny Maxitrak Opal and my next planned acquisition, the "minimum gauge" concept is going to be diluted somewhat. Oh well, it's all about having fun!

All we need now is some more space...
Tim Dunn
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MTA
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Maybe you could hold a gala at some point and invite 7 1/4 loco owners to come and run their engines for a day to bring in the passengers? I for one would definitely come down, also when my 7 1/4 B4 is built ;)
"If the fascination engendered by locomotion at the present day is so intense, the attractive powers of locomotion in miniature must of necessity be greater still"

W.J. Bassett-Lowke. August 1911
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Timbo
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Great, we're certainly looking to run some test visits in 2007 - but will your B4 negotiate our 20ft radius curves!
Tim Dunn
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I havent built it yet! Although my dad is looking for a 7 1/4 steam loco for himself, hes noticed an Isle of Man 0-6-0 Caledonia at Preston Services... But they charge ridiculous prices... <_<
"If the fascination engendered by locomotion at the present day is so intense, the attractive powers of locomotion in miniature must of necessity be greater still"

W.J. Bassett-Lowke. August 1911
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