AXEBRIDGE Scale: 4mm - 1ft. Gauges 9mm ('009' ) by Paul Windle

Size: 6ft x 2ft (1.8m x 0.6m) (plus operator space), Operators: Two, Transport: One car.

The Axebridge, Allyn and Minehead Light Railway was promoted in the 1880s to carry iron ore down to the coast for export. Unfortunately, by the time the wrangling over the exact route to be taken, Parliamentary approval and the actual building of the line were completed, the iron industry boom was over and Axebridge Quay almost silted up! So the line had to exist on local traffic plus some stone from a coastal quarry. This now had to travel inland via a tenuous route involving the Moorton – Minehead Light Railway and Roth Valley Tramway to the standard gauge at Ramton.

When the quarry was awarded a major contract to supply road stone, a new fleet of high capacity hopper wagons were produced. These were actually built by the Roth Valley workshops as they stood to gain from the onward transport.

The model depicts the scene just as the new wagons have arrived, along with a Hudswell-Clark diesel shunter. The old Peckett ‘Skiddaw’ is still in frequent use. However, Baldwin ‘Daphne’ usually handles the hoppers, but occasionally a large Hudswell-Clark diesel is seen. A mixed train still runs twice daily. Usually Baldwin ‘Helvellyn’ is in charge, with spare wagons stored on the old quayside tracks. These must be kept clear of the road as occasional lorries run to warehouses along the dockside. Other locos appear from time to time. Bagnall ‘Allyn’ and Hunslet ‘Phoebe’ are most likely to be seen, but trainspotters should watch for others too.

For now the future of the line looks good – but who knows how long the road stone traffic will last?

Enjoy watching the trains while you can!

Contact AXEBRIDGE by 'phoning Paul on:- 01482 501065 to book for your Show or for further details.

Ref: Railway Modeller October 2020

This layout can be seen at the following Shows:

Page updated 18th October 2020

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