South Hants Model Railway Club

Midsomer Norton and Welton

SDJR (1919) 4mm/ft scale 18.83 gauge (S4)

This layout, started in 1987 and first exhibited in October 1991 is an accurate attempt at re-creating the atmosphere of the Somerset and Dorset Joint Railway.

It was originally built in EM gauge and as such was featured in the first two editions of 'British Railway Modelling' (March/April 93) (gracing that magazines very first front cover) and 'Model Railway Journal' No 95 (May 97).

After making it's final appearance as an EM layout at expoEM in May 97 it was converted to S4 and made it's debut as such at Warley (NEC) in November 98.

It is operated to reflect the period just after the First World War when visitors to the station were doubtless treated to the dazzling spectacle of trains in the Crimson Lake livery of the Midland Railway, the Prussian Blue of the Somerset and Dorset, and the Salmon Pink of the London and South Western!

Locomotives and rolling stock are mainly kit-built, although a few wagons are 'kit-bashed' to represent SDJR examples not found in propriety kit form. Buildings are all scratch built, with dimensions taken from reference drawings and photographs taken during site visits (the station and goods shed still exist). All signaling (including ground signals on the goods and colliery sidings) is fully operational. Rolling stock are fitted with a combination of three link couplings and Alex Jackson autocouplers.

The rural aspects of the scene have been encapsulated into a number of cameos, including the gang of platelayers and even the ubiquitous station cat, surveying the coming and goings with languid disinterest. On the platforms, too, groups of passengers in full Edwardian holidaymaker regalia wait patiently for their train, while the colour and perfume of the flower beds and the climbing roses on the signal box serve to enchant staff and passengers alike.

If you have any knowledge or experience of the real station , we would very much like to speak to you.

The S&DJR - Britain's Favourite Cross Country Railway

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Last updated: 21 January, 2006

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