LAYOUTS
COOMBE VALE
A GWR Branch Line Terminus (1950’s) in ‘N’ Gauge
Club owned, but kept by Stephen Ash
COOMBE VALE features a small fictitious GWR branch line terminus station, possibly as might have been seen in North Somerset.
Fiddle Yard
Station and Platform
Cattle Pen
Maintenance
Area
Area
Disused Line
Although this is a GWR Terminus, passenger trains are not restricted to just Western region stock; some Southern and Midland locos will be seen, due to its location close to the Somerset and Dorset Joint Railway. In addition to passenger traffic, this layout provides considerable scope for mixed goods, cattle, coal, and general parcels.
The period is 1950s, although licence is given to run passenger stock of an earlier or later vintage. Much activity will be seen, although, in reality, such a station may have had but a few years before closure, with only a small amount of movement.
The points (turnouts) are operated by rod and slide-switch, thus providing both mechanical operation and electrical switching (see Hints & Tips section). The branch line approaching the station duplicates as a partially hidden ‘fiddle’ yard.
LAYOUT HISTORY
COOMBE VALE is a small ‘N’ Gauge layout, originally built by the Club to use a small display cabinet that was in their possession. The idea was to demonstrate how small a space was needed to run a model railway, using the cabinet for display and storage of the layout. The layout was constructed to appear as a working diorama.
The layout was left in the Display Case for many years. One night it was decided to try out the layout. The track was cleaned, and a couple of locos stuttered their way along the track. Removing the layout from the case made members question whether the display-case itself had any real value. A decision was made to put it to auction. The case fetched £60, which was put into Club funds. However, the problem now was what to do with the layout! Some ‘N-Gauge’ Club members thought it worthwhile to renovate the layout, and position it on a new sub-frame. This work is now completed and the layout has been extended slightly in depth and length. The additional length was required to lengthen the single line beyond the station to overcome previous shunting difficulties. The depth was increased to add more scenic detail to front and rear. The layout now measures a modest 4-feet x 1-foot.
GWR Tank Loco, with two very rare four-wheel ex-Somerset and Dorset Coaches, waits at the platform, ready to depart.
GWR pannier tank at station, with LMS Jinty passing through to siding.
LMS Jinty takes a load of empties into the siding, alongside Goods shed.
Coombe Vale has two visitors Thomas and James. It’s a special “Thomas and Friends day”, and the ‘kids’ just love it!
The layout can be operated as a “Thomas the Tank Engine” and friends exhibit, when it can be run with four locos, ‘James, Percy, Diesel, and Thomas himself. The layout may then be re-named “Sodor Vale”.
Alternatively, Thomas can occasionally make an appearance, as a special attraction.
The layout can be operated as a “Thomas the Tank Engine” and friends exhibit, when it can be run with four locos, ‘James, Percy, Diesel, and Thomas himself. The layout may then be re-