MiniatureNews

West Not many miniature railways are launched with a royal train,but the Bath & West Railway had this honour in June last year,when HRH the Duke of Kent opened the line.Operated by East Somerset Society of Model & Experimental Engineers at the Royal Bath & West Showground near Shepton Mallet in Somerset,the line has ambitious plans.Initially a short loop around a workshop and club room,the 5"/7 1 / 4 " line is being extended to a full 800 metre circuit. Already complete is a (very!) long straight.Under construction is a return loop around a small lake,including a 30 metre viaduct and a substantial bridge. The work should be complete in 2007 producing one of the best lines of its type in the West Country. location OS183 ST633 397 showground www.bathandwest.co.uk railway contact Roger Davis web www.essmee.org.uk tel 01749 677195

PHO TO: ESSM EE

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RIGHT The long straight is complete.Note the concrete slab construction LEFT from this current railhead the line will swing left around a lake and back to the station

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Miniature Railway 1