Milland Valley Railway

Durbridge (Dursley) in wartime

Thursday, October 30th, 2008

Of all the places that would be the desinatination of a Dunkirk troop evacuation train from Dover, one of the least likely must be Dursley.

Friday May 31st 1940 Train no V.162 Departed Dover 10-15am; Arrived Redhill 12.53 pm Departed 1.01pm Route via Reading and Yate (Gloucestershire)

There is no record of its arrival time in Dursley or what facility the troops were accommodated in upon arrival.

This was the 44th evacuation train of 79 operated that day, of which 61 left Dover

An average of 536 troops were accommodated in each of the 560 trains that were operated from 27th May to 3rd June 1940.

In total 300,563 troops were evacuated from Dunkirk and thence by train from south coast ports.

Perhaps a special on the layout…

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Durbridge goes to Fareham Show at Wickham

Thursday, October 30th, 2008

G0SH had an enjoyable two days at the show on the first weekend in October.

Despite many “promises” the station building didn’t appear but the layout performed reasonably well on only its second outing. The main problems were on derailments on the pointwork giving access to the Lister sidings.

The layout looked good and attracted some attention, including Salisbury club possible invite for 2009

Thanks to all the crew -David, TonyH, Paul, Stewart, Tony W and Colin (I think he was there!)

Thanks to Fareham MRC for their hospitality and sharing their van - they are doing the show again in 2009

Its just those stairs at Fort Widley-I’m sure that they add a few each year

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Durbridge to attend SHMRC show 1st March 2008

Saturday, December 22nd, 2007

For the first time a Gauge 0 layout will be exhibited as a club exhibit at the forthcoming South Hants Model Railway Show.

Durbridge has been under construction for many years, but in the last 12 months or so, with work sessions on Wednesdays work on electrics, track, scenery and buildings has progressed so much that the SHMRC committee can risk their reputations on presenting a non-P4/EM layout. (or is it we’re cheap!)

This means that a group best known for the quality of its witty conversation, Tunnock Wafers, coffee consumption and the fun of running (playing) trains, now has to turn itself into a well organised planning and production unit, to achieve a half reasonable layout for 1st March.

Lets hope that the wit and fun doesn’t disappear in the pursuit of transient fame and fortune on the exhibition circuit!

The show will be held at the Crookhorn College of Technology, Stakes Hill Road, Waterlooville on Saturday 1st March 2008. Full details will appear shortly in leading model railway magazines and local press. For 0 gaugers there are, I believe a further four 0 gauge layouts amongst the 15 layouts currently invited.

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G0SH on Australian tourist map

Sunday, June 24th, 2007

A look at the South Hants MRC’s web site has convinced one Australian tourist, who models in 0, to visit us at Fort Widley, whilst he is on a vacation to the UK in July.

Steve, who comes from New South Wales, models American Narrow Gauge, hopes to visit us on a regular Wednesday session whilst staying with some of his family in Bath.

For our part, we are now under the “cosh” to have the layout suitable for a proper running session.

What will his views be on our grass colour?

Watch this space…

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Club/Group layout

Friday, May 4th, 2007

The layout is a branch terminus to fiddle-yard based originally on Dursley in Gloucestershire, but plans are under way to move the location slightly to the Midland & South Western Juction Railway, as part of expansion plans to turn the layout into an L shape with a larger station area/ fiddle yard
The layout is currently 8.54 x 0.915 (28′x 3′) constructed in 7 sections.

Electrically the layout is currently DC with two controllers-one for the industrial sidings & one for the station area & “main line” Plans are under way to convert to DCC

Operationally the current layout has the potential for a fair amount of shunting & the arrival & departure of regular passenger services of either push-pull type or GWR railcar. With the move of location to the M&SWJR there will be the possibility of military specials- both freight & troop & inter-regional excursions.

The members have a mixture of stock from most of the “Big Four” & BR. With the new location GWR, LMS, SR, BR is generally acceptable, although we will try & keep the era to one of the following in any given operating session -late 30’s; 40’s (lots of black locos); BR green diesels (Maroon, Green or Choc / Cream coaches)

We anticipate 4 to 6 operators & 3 cars for exhibition crew & transport

Photos to follow

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Milland Valley Railway

Archive for the ‘GOSH’ Category

Durbridge (Dursley) in wartime

Durbridge goes to Fareham Show at Wickham

Durbridge to attend SHMRC show 1st March 2008

G0SH on Australian tourist map

Club/Group layout

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