MRC Track plans

Simon Smith

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Mar 23, 1998, 3:00:00 AM3/23/98

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Can anyone help?

Back in the early 1970's (I think!) Model Railway Constructor did a series
of various track plans in various gauges. I'm trying to track down a copy
of the OOn9 plan that they published. It was a small, very winding Welsh
slate quarry with tunnels bridges etc running down to a dock.

I know it's a long shot but I hope someone can help or point me in the right
direction.

Many thanks,

Simon.

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Anthony Coulls

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Mar 25, 1998, 3:00:00 AM3/25/98

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Simon Smith wrote:
>
> Can anyone help?
>
> Back in the early 1970's (I think!) Model Railway Constructor did a series
> of various track plans in various gauges. I'm trying to track down a copy
> of the OOn9 plan that they published. It was a small, very winding Welsh
> slate quarry with tunnels bridges etc running down to a dock.

You may be thinking of David Rowe's "Under Milk Wood" trilogy of layouts,
incorporating the Thomas Slate Quarry, Henblas Farm and Llareggub town -
a "very backward sounding place". April 1977 MRC had photos and article.

Two brothers did something similar around the same time, but I can't
remember which MRC that was in. In RM in the late 70s was also Dick
Wyatt's Dovey Valley Railway, which was my inspiration for 009 modelling
for years.

The last time I saw Under Milk Wood was in 1994 in a craft "village" in
some converted buildings in Aberaeron. In 1991 it was stored above the BR
station in Aberystwyth in the old "Aberystwyth Yesterday" exhibition. I
have no idea how it got to either of those places, or indeed if it still
exists, but even in 1994, unlit and not working, it was still a classic
of modelling.

Anthony Coulls

Mike Kerslake

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Mar 26, 1998, 3:00:00 AM3/26/98

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On 25 Mar 1998 09:01:10, Anthony Coulls wrote:

>The last time I saw Under Milk Wood was in 1994 in a craft "village" in
>some converted buildings in Aberaeron. In 1991 it was stored above the BR
>station in Aberystwyth in the old "Aberystwyth Yesterday" exhibition. I
>have no idea how it got to either of those places, or indeed if it still
>exists, but even in 1994, unlit and not working, it was still a classic
>of modelling.

Dave and Shirley Rowe was at the recent Kidderminster exhibition with their
Exbridge Quay layout. As expected it was stunning and seemed to attract the
most comments and largest rugby scrum around it. It was notable in that it
seemed to have very little actual railway content, concentrating more on
the boats and harbour activities with just an occasional train going across
the fully working retracting bridge.

Under Milk Wood was my inspiration for getting into 009, and just recently
after two visits to the Kidderminster SVR station junk shop I was able to
re-purchase the two RM issues (April & May 1972) which detail the
construction of UMW. My original copies were given away back in 1985 when I
lost interest in modelling (this sorry state of affairs has not been put
right!).

UMW was a fantastic piece of modelling. I remember borrowing the radio play
soundtrack album from the library just to learn more about the characters
and places modelled.

Best regards
Mike Kerslake

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Ian Wilson

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Mar 26, 1998, 3:00:00 AM3/26/98

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Dear Simon,
You could try visiting a swapmeet, I have seen many copies of Model Railway
Constructor dating back several decades at them. You can find details in
Railway Modeller

Ian Wilson
>

Iain A Fraser

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Mar 26, 1998, 3:00:00 AM3/26/98

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If you let me know which you are after I may be able to help as I have
quite a few here.

Iain

AEROLITE BOOKTRADERS
Transport Book Supplier
http:/www.aerolite.u-net.com

Simon Smith

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Mar 28, 1998, 3:00:00 AM3/28/98

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Anthony Coulls wrote in message <351938...@nmsi.ac.uk>...

>You may be thinking of David Rowe's "Under Milk Wood" trilogy of layouts,
>incorporating the Thomas Slate Quarry, Henblas Farm and Llareggub town -
>a "very backward sounding place". April 1977 MRC had photos and article.

I remember it well, if only for the name! but it's not the one I'm looking
for.
They did a whole series of track plans (just the plans, they were never
shown built) in every guage from Z to O on a whole range of subjects. I
still have all the others stored in my mothers loft in Jersey but I cut out
the OO9 plan because it interested me the most and it needed the least space
and surfice to say I put it 'somewhere safe' and now can't find it.

All I can remember is that it was a bit soryt of Welsh slate quarry-ish that
was _VERY_ winding through lots of tunnels, bridges etc down to (I think) a
quay at the bottom. The baseboard was quite small, 3'x2' I think although I
could very well be wrong.

I'll keep looking!

Regards