3 ½” Gauge Association

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3 ½” Gauge Association

This topic has 13 replies, 10 voices, and was last updated 4 November 2012 at 21:45 by David Hawker 3.

Viewing 14 posts - 1 through 14 (of 14 total)

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7 October 2009 at 17:46 #904
Alan Church
Participant
@alanchurch85600
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7 October 2009 at 17:46 #44017
Alan Church
Participant
@alanchurch85600
For many years I have organised a 3½” Rally at the track of the Bristol SMEE. This event gives owners in this gauge a chance to run their loco’s without the hassle of carrying public passengers, and having larger 5″ loco’s trying to push then along. Every year we get more and more Loco’s turn up, including some that have been in stored for some time. As long as they have a current Boiler Certificate they can run. I get the same comments every year about how nice it is to see locomotive’s in this gauge, and how once upon a time they were the main gauge to been seen running at club track’s.

So I pose the question there is a association for 7¼”, 5″, and 2½” so why not 3½” gauge. Do you think there should be one?
7 October 2009 at 19:24 #44021
Tony Martyr
Participant
@tonymartyr14488
I do think a 3½” association could be of use to those of us with machine tools that can’t manage 5″ or larger, which must be many.

I am building a ‘William’ in this gauge and these forums are my only contact with fellow workers in the same gauge. My local club is mostly 5″ and larger and meetings tend to be exclusively about track rules and maintenance!

Incidentally I got the chasis running on air for the first time ever today so am feeling somewhat ‘chuffed’!
8 October 2009 at 16:24 #44035
PETER AYERS
Participant
@peterayers98304
re 31/2 inch gauge association.

Great idea I hope it catched on

Peter A
8 October 2009 at 17:28 #44037
Baz
Participant
@baz89810
I agree entirely with Tony and Alan. I would most certainly join if such an association existed
9 October 2009 at 18:09 #44060
Bob Youldon
Participant
@bobyouldon45599
I for one would join, I think it’s a great Idea, my workshop is geared to 31/2″ gauge locomotive building, I find it a most pleasing size to work in, lift and manhandle and when complete still having sufficent power to do a useful job of work, What about bringing this idea to the readers of ME through the editors Smoke rings or postbag pages?

Count me in,

Regards,

Bob. . . . .
9 October 2009 at 19:30 #44065
David Clark 13
Participant
@davidclark13
Hi There

I will ask in Smoke Rings.

regards David
9 October 2009 at 22:11 #44074
Alan Church
Participant
@alanchurch85600
Well as I said in my initial post we have been holding a 3½” gauge rally at the track site of the Bristol SMEE for many years with good attendance. How about having a rally at your track in 2010? It’s quite easy to organise. Letter’s to various engineering magazines informing then of event and when, plus e-mail secretaries of local clubs. Hopefully we shall have one in Bristol next year. Time and date to be agreed asap.

Alan
5 November 2009 at 14:04 #44757
J W Barr
Participant
@jwbarr
David, having seen your remarks in Smoke Rings, I also am in favour of forming a 3½” Gauge Society. I will approach the club of which I am a member (Leyland SME) and see if a 2010 Rally would be supported. Keep up the good work as they say.

Rgds,

John Barr
5 November 2009 at 21:26 #44785
Alan Church
Participant
@alanchurch85600
Having read the remarks in this forum about a 3½” gauge society which I originally suggested I feel there is sufficient interest to form one. A good start would be to have a rally in this gauge at a Society track be it north or south of the country etc and see what interest there is. At this moment in time it looks like, that we will not be having a 3½” gauge rally in Bristol in 2010. So what do you think?

Regards

Alan Church
9 November 2009 at 20:01 #44898
trevor [the goolie]
Participant
@trevorthegoolie
it would be agreat idea ihave not joined a club yet as i am new to the hobby have only got a lathe and drill space and budget limited,my nearest club is leeds .hope a society is formed would love to join.

regards trev mouncey
6 February 2011 at 14:48 #63665
Richard Mullard 1
Participant
@richardmullard1
Hi All.

Not being a regular reader of model engineer, did anything come of the formation of a 3.5″ gauge association.

Rich
7 February 2011 at 21:06 #63756
Alan Church
Participant
@alanchurch85600
As far as I know the answer is NO. However various clubs around the country have held there own 3.5″ gauge rallies which I am told have been quite successful. So maybe it may take off. Myself due to health reasons I now build in O gauge. However if you go to the Bristol SMEE website there are dates for a 3.5″ gauge rally in September 2011
4 November 2012 at 21:45 #102792
David Hawker 3
Participant
@davidhawker3
I think it's a great idea, hopefully we shall soon hear more about it.

David Hawker
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