My interest in model engineering goes back to my introduction to a metal cutting lathe at school. Since that time I have had a desire to create something useful from metal, rather than the scrap I usually produce. My first objective was a model traction engine but was talked into building a steam railway locomotive. At the time I only had a Unimat lathe, the scope was rather limited. I settled to building a gauge 1 engine because everything could be built on this miniature lathe. Somewhere along the line I fell in love with gauge 1 and for 13 years have been working in gauge 1, not much to show though.

Since the formation of RDMES I have had the idea that we could have a club gauge 1 track, but I have also been very active in the local Gauge 1 association, meeting other local members and running my engines on their garden tracks. The last two RDMES exhibitions have seen some of these gauge one enthusiasts exhibiting their models. I have also encouraged other members of RDMES to build in this gauge.

In April 2003 the society committee purchased some gauge one track and mounting boards with the intention of producing a track that could easily be erected but can be dismantled to be stored in a secure area. It was agreed to locate the track, when in use, in a currently unused area adjacent to the car park.

Work started immediately on the construction of foundations and installation of the track. Gauge one running days are now a regular feature, where members of the gauge one association can come and run on our site and possibly join RDMES, which may in turn stimulate them into larger gauges. Running days, weather permitting, will be throughout the summer on a Sunday, check the diary for the next running day.

Tony Halford

For photographs of gauge one activities click here.