Western Yard – OO Junior Section
Gauge: 00 – 4mm Code 100
Scale: 1:76
Period: Mixed Modern era and Steam
Type: Fiddle yard to terminus
Viewing Dimensions: Pasting Table
Working area:
Exhibition Ready: Mid 2024
An Elmscroft Community Centre Open day in June of 2023 seemed to inspire a number of Young people to approach the Club with a view to furthering their Model railway knowledge and skills. After discussions within and around the GRMC it was concluded that a Junior/Youth section could be set up specifically with that intention and give them opportunities to enhance these with a view to building their own layouts.
Over the School Summer holiday of 2023, meeting on a Wednesday, the Section began to construct a small end to end layout on a recycled pasting table. The meetings have changed since the school term started in September, initially to Monday evenings but latterly to Thursdays to accommodate family and parent/guardian commitments.
Initial activities have seen them practise track laying and cleaning, painting and ballasting, point and mains wiring, and scenic work which has included a back scene, a hill, roads and both full size and low-relief buildings. Significant progress has been made considering they’ve only had two hours a week to work with, but with guidance/assistance from club members (John Bond, Ken Tovey and Steve Dance) and their own enthusiasm it should be complete by Christmas. The photos attached will give you some idea of what they have been up to and most have been seen on our Facebook page. Its even helping one individual with his Duke Of Edinburgh Award!
The cost of this layout? At time of writing it’s £83.98 and is largely due to the considerable donations from the club and individuals alike. There will be some more cost involved but as a practice layout, its not that expensive.
So what’s next? Well, after this one is finished, it will probably remain in the club as a tool to continue developing skills by both new and existing junior members. There are plans for an exhibition layout in the pipeline and Hucclecote, Lydney and Cheltenham shows have already been approached but a separate page will be set up for that one.