This time around we will get down to making something. As has often been said before “actions speak louder than words”, so down to action.

I have recently returned from the Model Engineering Exhibition at Sinsheim in Germany, a truly magnificent show and surely an inspiration to any Model Engineer worth the calling. 7, yes SEVEN kilometres of 5” and 7 1/4” track with umpteen locomotives both steam and electric powered, all pulling trains of wagons and coaches, some (most) familiar but some of a strange variety to British eyes. Anyway, what a motivation to DO something.

As I mentioned in my previous article, I am a member of the 7 1/4” Gauge Society - hence my connection to your Chairman and Editor. The Editor of the “7 1/4” Gauge News”, our house magazine, a gentleman alas now deceased, but at the time of our one hundredth edition, asked members for a big effort to make Issue 100 a bumper issue. For my contribution I designed and described a simple 4 wheeled wagon of narrow gauge type, easy to build and useful to boot – which I called “The £100 Wagon”, a contrived way to incorporate the one hundred theme.

Anyway, it may cost slightly over that figure to make, now because of inflation and political shenanigans etc.

To get to the point, I have vested your Editor with a set of drawings and notes to enable any Taunton member to build one or more of the said wagons and have suggested that the drawings and notes be available at a small price to aid your Society's funds.

The work involved is simple woodwork, non machining metal work but machine metal work to make wheels, axles and axle boxes - nothing too difficult.

If you have D.I.Y. Tools plus a small (1/4”) electric drill you are set up. I am sure that someone can machine four wheels, two axles and four axle boxes for you.

I understand from your Editor that you have a friendly foundry nearby and so wheel castings are not a problem.

I hope that the drawings and notes are clear and comprehensive but if any queries arise, then I am sure that your Editor can contact me to clear matters up.

Just for interest the Wagon design is based loosely upon wagons used on the three-foot gauge in Eire, a design I presume originating from the drawing offices of the C.I.E. at Inchicore. Further details in the book “The West Clare Railway” by Patrick Taylor by the Plateway Press, a fascinating book full of photographs and drawings and a cracking good read, too!

I will leave it at that for now, there is plenty to keep you occupied.

But be warned, there is more to come!

Editor’s Note.

I have the master copy of the Drawings and comprehensive Construction Notes—consisting of 5 Sheets of A5 and 4 Sheets A4. This is a marvellous opportunity for the Junior Members to make something (Simon and Patrick!) and does not exclude senior members. A sheet of plywood will cut up to make three wagons and if there is sufficient interest, I will ask our friendly highly skilled Carpenter and Joiner (Mark!) to cut up a sheet for us and you need only pay your 1/3rd share of the cost. Similarly, with wheels and axles and axle boxes, I can ask Andy W to supply those ready-machined for you to make construction easy, again at your share of the cost.

The Drawings and Notes will be £10 a set..