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Merseyside Live Steam & Model Engineers

5 inch gauge Railway and Model Engineering Links

The information on this page is in no particular order, nor comprehensive, despite appearances to the contrary. Compiled by me, Jonathan Brown, back when this site was put together in 2006 the emphasis is on the UK, and on 5 inch gauge, since that is the gauge at my local club, and on battery locomotives because steam is just too complicated for this bear of very little brain. To be clear: I have not put companies I like or would recommend before those I don't or wouldn't - just compiling the list was hard enough, without getting into arguments as to merit! I last checked all the links in January 2012, when I deleted one and updated six - the rest were fine! The link I have personally found most useful is this.

Directories, Discussion Groups and Associations

Google Directory - Recreation > Trains and Railroads > Miniature

The 5 inch Gauge Miniature Railway Group on Yahoo Groups.

The Ground Level 5 inch Gauge Main Line Association

Miniature Railway World

This pretty comprehensive site, with pictures, is a database of miniature railways in the UK.

5" Gauge Directory

..."an attempt to catalogue UK web sites that contain 5" gauge railways, locomotives and rolling stock. It is not intended to include sites belonging to Dealers, Manufacturers or Model Engineering Societies which are already well catered for"...

The Model Engineering Clearing House

A wonderful site, full of useful information, including a useful list of UK model engineering clubs and societies with contact details.

Northern Association of Model Engineers

This association of model engineering (and associated fields) clubs and societies includes my local club amongst its members, and also includes a list of member clubs.

iRail

An index_old of all railway and model railway related websites in the UK and Ireland.

Model Engineering and Locomotives

Google Directory - Recreation > Trains and Railroads > Miniature > Manufacturers

Model Engineering Products Bexhill

Check out their price list for a fairly comprehensive list of electric locomotive and rolling stock parts.

Blackgates Engineering

Blackgates supply drawings, kits, and somesuch - with a wide range of locomotives.

Compass House

A wide range of battery electric locos, rolling stock, kits, accessories, and second user and part built sections. They make a gorgeous looking 08 class diesel, which I covet, but shall never be able to afford...

Ride on Railways

The main products of this company are the Trojan and Hercules battery electric locomotive kits. These may not be (for the most part) true to some exalted BR prototype, but they do appear to be popular, reliable, and even (relatively) cheap. The staff seem friendly, and open to suggestions and feedback, but most important of all, the Trojan is available with a Y6 Tram Engine body kit. For those not in the know, the Y6 was the predecessor of the J70 (which looked the same), upon which a certain Thin Clergyman based a Railway Engine by the name of Toby.

Polly Model Engineering

Not surprisingly, the popular Polly 5inch Steam Locomotive is made by this company, who also sell a range of engineering supplies.

Maxitrak

This company sells a wide range of steam and diesel locomotives, as well as road vehicles, track and accessories.

Roanoke

This company manufacture and sell steam and diesel locomotives, although only one, an 0-4-0 petrol, comes in 5" gauge, as well as rolling stock and components.

Get on Track

Amongst other items, this company sells three reasonably prices 5" gauge electric locomotives.

Station Road Steam

As far as I can make out, a second hand shop for all things steam, including, if you are lucky and someone else doesn't get in their first, just the loco you've always wanted...

The Miniature Railway Supply Co.

Rail, signs, points, lamps and more...

The Engineers Emporium

The word "emporium" does seem to set the tone; a lovely letter head completes the image, leaving me for one keen to motor on down and peruse their extensive catalogue, which, for the purposes of this page, includes 5" gauge steam locos!

Cromar White Miniature Railways

Although mostly seven-and-a-quarter, there is some 5" gauge stuff in there!

Doug Hewson's Models

A good selection of products and links, including a Driver Training Day to help you to learn to drive a 5" gauge steam locomotive.

PNP-Railways

Whilst only offering one 5" gauge electric locomotive, there is a goodly selection of other stuff on this site, and a marvellous degree of enthusiasm!

Aristocraft

This company sells several things, including rolling stock, most notably some gorgeous (and I mean gorgeous) carriages in several gauges, including 5" - want several!

Controllers

4qd

4qd make and supply an astonishing range of controllers for battery electric vehicles of all shapes and sizes. To help you decide, Ride on Railways have liased with them to come up with a list of the things you might need for one of their battery electric locomotives, which you can find here.

Miniature Railways

Corris Hill 5 inch gauge railway

This site also includes some useful information and links regarding Ride on Railways' Trojan battery locomotive, with Y6 tram body, amongst others.

Chingford & District Model Engineering Club

These people are to blame. I grew up ten minutes up the road from Ridgeway Park, and am in no doubt that my passion for trains, trams, canals and such can be traced back to riding around their elevated track. Thank you CADMEC!

Wells & Walsingham Light Railway

Walsingham would be wonderful, glorious, inspiring and more than well worth a visit even without the railway; but once you add in the sound of a steam whistle to England's Nazareth, perfection gets that little bit more perfect!

Canterbury & District Model Engineering Society

A comprehensive site, with much for the 5" gauge enthusiast.

Sound

Steam Engine and Whistle Sound Generator Kit

This kit is available from Maplin Elctronics. Some soldering in of bits is about all that is required, although I have seen a report that the speaker isn't up to much, but that is easily replaced. Having made one, either my soldering and such aren't up to much, or the unit isn't up to much...

Electronics

Kelsey Park Sports College Electronics Club

I have found this a very useful and informative guide to beginners electonics. Had I gone to this school I suspect I would be earning lots of money as an electrical engineer somewhere...

Maplin Electronics

Maplin supply most everything, and have the singular advantage of having a store five minutes away from where I live...

Rapid Electronics

Another supplier of everything from resistors to elephants...

Trams

Ron's Liverpool Tram Site

This site covers the tram system that operated in Liverpool up until 14th September 1957. A sad day indeed.

Merseyside Tramway Preservation Society

The MTPS run one of the few operating tramways in the country, from Taylor Street Tram Depot to Birkenhead Ferry Terminal, using a variety of heritage trams and two new(ish) Hong Kong trams, which look traditional anyhow! Birkenhead was the home of Europe's first tramway, which opened on August 29th 1860, and ran from Woodside to Birkenhead Park.

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