On the 5th and 6th Oct we ventured down to the ESSMEE duel gauge miniature railway in Somerset. We have been once before without a loco, but this was our first visit as new members of the club. The track is 7 1/4" and 5" and has an active and varied range of members. Formed in 2005, the ESSMEE line is the longest railway we have taken our little Planet loco to at 1/2 a mile long. Members are interested in various forms of engineering, everything from live steam, traction and static engines to aircraft engines and clocks. Some at the weekend were local and others were from all parts of the UK and camped in the grounds.
This was their October open weekend where all rides for the public are free (donations were, of course, welcome).
They have a substantial 5" marshalling yard connecting to another smaller one about 75 yards away and also to the main duel gauge line. On our arrival, we were welcomed to the club by the Chairman Robin Duys, who directed us to the clubhouse to drop off our Coffee and Walnut cake donation (first things first!) We then met Chris, Alan and David. After an introduction and a safety briefing, Alan offered his beautifully made set of wagons to us to take round.
Alans Wagons with his scale guards van, complete with working break leaver, opening windows and folded newspaper!
Ralph arrived with a substantial set of mineral train wagons (of which he has even more at home) and invited us to take them on the main line.
Below: Ralph also invited us to take round his amazing set of mineral wagons.
We were expecting to see some excellent locos and we weren't disappointed. One of which was this excellent, fully remote controlled Class 20 (one of at least 2 good examples present).
Below: This Warship was another fine example.
There were plenty of public visitors enjoying the 7 1/4" railway. Here we are being diverted passed the station as they board "Saint Leonard".
The signalling was a full time job for at least 2 of the members. My son spent plenty of time in the signal box learning the basics. From what I can gather, close to the station and steaming bays, the Semaphore signals work on compressed air as do the points. Smaller LED signals and hand operated points are used throughout the rest of the line. The points used where the 5" marshalling yard line joins the main line are powered locally by a 12v battery and manned by a member with a radio.
The track close to the station is very complex and needs much experience before any amount of confidence is gained I should imagine. All signal operations were reflected on the main board above the operator. This is the most complex box a have seen so far on my travels- impressive stuff.
Above: The signal box. The club also boasts a fully equipped workshop.
Many other impressive steam engines were present including these lovely traction engines.
Below: My son was happy to show younger members how to run our loco.
Below: Crossing one of 2 bridges spanning the substantial river that runs through the site.
Below: The complex track layout by the station and below that the entire 1/2 mile layout that follows a small river and around a lake before returning to the station. One of the next additions to the line will be the new tunnel thats already taking shape.
Thanks to all the members and volunteers at the ESSMEE for making us feel so welcome, for a great weekend and some lovely cake! The club is open all year so we plan to go down again very soon and get to grips with some live steam. More to come...
Useful links:
The Holcombe Inn (where we stayed)