BACHMANN HO SCALE MODEL - GANDY DANCER

A short write up on one of my smallest, but millimetre for millimetre probably the most fun model I still have. Known as a Gandy Dancer, it's a pair of workmen on a pump trolley. Unusual as you won't see these on the network now but back in the day would have been the permanent way gang main means of getting up and down some branch lines to check track, or clear fallen trees and so forth. 

This model is produced by Bachmann and I believe its still popular in HO scale. 

We had a few of these for some reason and they appeared on several of the model layouts that we had including the BBC Railway Club.



I have taken it to recent open days at the Hillingdon Railway Modellers where it's motored around the OO Gauge test tracks there for a while though if you run it at speed it will begin to overheat so best to take it nice and slowly. Also you need to be careful that people don't think the track is free as it's often anonymous while it's crawling around the outer track there only to find another loco running up behind it.

THE FAWLEY FORESTER [HASTINGS DIESELS LIMITED]

The 7 mile Fawley branch line, also known as the Waterside line had a passenger service for about forty years until the service was withdrawn on 14 February 1966 and now, with the exception of the occasional enthusiasts' railtour, the line serves the freight needs of Marchwood Military Port, having also served the same function for Fawley Refinery until 2016.

In the final few years of passenger operation the service was provided by Hampshire DEMU's so it's very fitting that this railtour is run by the Hastings Diesel company and aims to promote the possible reopening of the line to passengers. 

An earlier DEMU Railtour at Fawley in the 1970s

This special outing has been chartered by the Three Rivers Community Rail Partnership to run three shuttle-trips between Southampton Central and Fawley, on the old Waterside Line through Marchwood and Hythe. Its passenger service was withdrawn in 1966, and freight trains ceased serving Fawley oil refnery in 2016. 


Rather than send the train empty to Basingstoke to begin the charter, we made it an outing in its own right. Our train will run via the L&SWR Main Line to Southampton Central, then make its frst of three shuttle trips to Fawley, calling at Totton in both directions. After returning to Southampton it will then make two further shuttle trips to Fawley. The train’s third and final departure from Fawley will be the start of its journey back to Hastings.

As always, our train has a well-stocked buffet car selling hot & cold food and drink throughout the day at reasonable prices.

SOUTH DOWNS GROUP 7mm NARROW GAUGE EXHIBITION MAY 2017

Sat 6th May 2017

Felpham Community College, Felpham Way, Bognor Regis, West Sussex PO22 8EL



OPENING TIMES:  10am - 4:30pm
ADMISSION:  Adults £5.00  Concessions £4.50
  
SWING has now reached its ninth year and continues to grow returning to the same venue as last year for a bigger and better exhibition. The aim is simply to showcase some of the best layouts inspired by industrial, narrow gauge or light/tram prototypes on the circuit steam era to modern practice. 

You can be assured of a warm welcoming and friendly atmosphere. Come & join us - we can promise an interesting and inspiring visit. "Kids go free" with fee paying adult. Discount for 7mm NGA, Gauge O Guild & OO9 members. 

This event will once again support the work of the Canine Partners charity. https://caninepartners.org.uk/

List of Layouts Attending :
Benter Railway - OO9 
Buccerbury Town - OO9 
Coleford - OO9 
Cotehele Quay - O16.5 


Cracklington Quay - O16.5
(left). 






Fursdade - OO9 
Fulton Terminal - HO STD 
Graig Wen - O STD 
Minions World - Gn15 
Port Wynnstay 
ST Mary's - O16.5 
ST Reetham - 1/35th 
Slindon Vale Light Rly - O16.5 

Trenance Downs OO Gauge
China Clay action near Trethowal (St Austell)

Trenance Downs - OO Std (Right) 

A layout in OO gauge that gives a flavour of branch line activity in the 1980's rail freight era

Yellow Ridge Mine - 1/35th 

Zevendaal - HO STD


List of Demonstrations :
Roy Hickman - Scenic Demo 
Solent models - Demo 
Michael Tucker - Model Buildings

List of Other Displays :
Lyton & Barnstaple Trust 
Amberley Working Museum & Heritage Centre 
Live Steam Ride on Railway

Map of location below, approx 1 mile from Bognor Regis Station. 
(Southern Rail Services from London / Brighton)