Uckfield Model Railway Club

This is the Club's first essay in 7mm scale modelling. It originated from the pipe dream of one of our members, whose ambition for a long time had been to build a model of Fairford station in Gloucestershire. However, the limitations involved in building and running an exact prototype location have led to several modifications to both the track plan and the scenic aspect.

Much to the chagrin of several of our members, the operating company remains the same. Thus the model represents a Great Western Railway branch line terminus of rather unusual design, a legacy from the intention to extend the prototype beyond the buffer stops just past the locomotive shed, which in fact never materialised.

In common with most country termini the main traffic is coal, mainly for domestic consumption, along with milk, cattle and general goods. Sometimes at exhibitions you will see salt arrive which we assume is for a local blanket industry. The local passenger service portrayed is one in which we would have the viewer believe that the operating company is trying to improve by the introduction of one of its famous diesel railcars.

The reason that this portrayal of a much modified Fairford has been built in the "senior" scale is that the aforementioned Club member received a 7mm kit of a G.W.R. 48XX (14XX) auto tank as a present. A 70ft auto coach soon followed and this inspired other members to build further locomotives and rolling stock, causing the Club's interest in 7mm to snowball. As anyone who has caught the "bug" will tell you, the "7mm condition" is very contagious and in many cases the "patient" never fully recovers. Therefore several of our members are fully committed 7mm modellers, whilst Kennet has provided all of us with many hours of entertainment, exasperation and education in the art of building better layouts and models in all scales.

More Pictures

The goods shed and office	The station building
The thatched cottage	Ready for deliveries!
Waiting for the train	The turntable
More passengers await	The engine shed

(Click here to download larger images of the pictures)