The group models British Outline to P4 Finescale standards, 4 mm to 1 foot scale on 18.83 mm gauge track.
Our layout Brixcombe appeared in Model Rail in March 2017.
We have taken it to many exhibitions, though there is still work to do and an extension is now planned (see below)
We have a large oval P4 test track on the boards that have the club OO test track.
Brixcombe Extension
The P4 group have commenced extension of their Brixcombe layout to depict part of the quayside of the small harbour at Brixcombe.
The first rail access to the harbour was a Narrow Gauge wagon-way constructed to link the nearby quarry to the quayside. The original traffic was predominantly slate, and was horse-drawn.
The Brixcombe and Hillhead railway was completed in 1874 and shortly afterwards a siding was extended beyond the station area to provide access to the quayside where fish were landed. This was originally constructed to Brunel’s Broad Gauge. In 1892, with the conversion to standard gauge, the opportunity was taken to extend the track-work on the quayside and provide access to other nearby organisations desirous of rail access. Space is typically at a premium in waterside locations and this is very much the case at Brixcombe so the Standard Gauge line in places is integrated with the Narrow Gauge track
We will model the quayside area using P4 and OO9 track and standards depicting both timber-sleepered and inset track. This will not only provide a challenging modelling scenario but also the extended layout will offer a more interesting running experience, adding significantly to the timetable and operating sequence we have established for Brixcombe. The Extension to the dock also enables a more direct loading of the fish trains at the fish market, eliminating the double handling Brixcombe merchants normally had to do – getting all that fresh fish direct to distance market places more rapidly!
Incorporating the Dock includes some small change to the existing layout, changing and extending the lines past the Station building. Work is now underway and can be seen at our Club’s October 2024 Model Railway exhibition in Aldershot where the new board will be shown in an ‘under-development’ state. The track plan below highlights what is currently planned but it is not too late to make some minor tweaks!
The dock scene will contain quayside facilities, various warehouses, houses, a pub or two (of course) as well as a portion of the harbour where ships will be moored, loaded and unloaded. Vessels will include the classic late eighteenth century sailing ‘Brixham Trawlers’ which dominated the deep-sea fishing fleets on the South Coast for many years.
The existing P4 team would welcome some help with this project, so if you are interested in building track (P4 & 009), dockyard scenes, 009 stock, buildings, marine vessels etc. why not get in touch and join us.
