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R & M QUARRIES
By Richard Timms and Steve Hitchcock
History
Originally designed and built as G.C.S. Quarry by Dave Peacey of Swindon in 1990 and first exhibited at York in the same year, numerous shows up and down the country followed until, in 1995, Dave decided to retire the layout and move onto something new. The opportunity to purchase the layout and rolling stock was taken up by ourselves, who had made up Dave's operating team in the preceding years.
Our main intentions upon acquiring the layout were to replace the tired old coupling system, re-scenic the layout and extend and improve operations throughout. It took two rebuilds over four years to achieve all this and more besides, but the end result is now so far removed from the original that after some consideration we re-launched the layout in 1999 as R & M Quarries. A further six years’ exhibitions followed and in early 2007, a further five foot scenic extension and the third re-incarnation of the fiddleyard was built to allow for almost scale length trains. This was thanks in part to the revised standards and abilities of British outline models, partly due to persistent nattering of manufacturers by enthusiasts and also the demise of that stalwart of the ‘cheap and nasty’, Lima. A larger capacity – and variety - of stock has led to increased operations on a layout now into its second decade under our ownership.
The Layout
The main features of R & M Quarries are the two working stone loaders that dominate the far end of the scenic section. These are plywood structures over which plastic card has been laid, making use of Pikestuff and Wills materials. Most other structures and buildings are also scratch built but some modified kits are also used. Each loader has an internal manually operated mechanism that enables stone, in this case Woodland Scenics ballast to be loaded into waiting wagons. These mechanisms form the base of a large hopper within each loader and are able to hold a large amount of ballast for filling trains. Trackwork on the layout is a mix of the original hand built and both SMP and PECO code 75 whilst the new fiddleyard uses the latter throughout. The visible track uses fine Woodland Scenics ballast and substantial weathering. The scenery follows usual practice in being polystyrene blocks over which various fillers are spread and textures carved, again final scenic scatter and finishes being from the aforementioned Woodland Scenics range
Locomotives and rolling stock come from both the Bachmann and Hornby ranges (with a few remaining Lima 59,s) and comprises mostly classes 37, 56, 58, 59, 60 and 66, liveries are contemporary and include of course EWS as well as older Loadhaul, Transrail and Mainline examples, some Railfreight liveried items also turn up from time to time. We are now upgrading our wagon fleet from the PTA and PGA hoppers to include the latest JGA, MEA/FA and HTA styles now they have become available from Bachmann. A range of kit built vehicles are also being added and these are to include MBA and MC/DA ‘monster’ boxes. All stock has been weathered and fitted for Kadee coupler operation and much has also been re-wheeled for better operation. At one time we used American `Switchers` to shunt with as these ran so much better then than anything of British origins, well, until the arrival of the Bachmann 08 that is, six examples of which are now in use, mostly replacing the SW1500's, it is hoped to have some kit built industrial shunters in the near future. Also to be seen is the totally fictitious class 59 301 and train in RM GROUP company colours whose green and orange livery PREDATES that used latterly by Mendip Rail Limited, or indeed, Freightliner. And in answer to the question why are we using HTA coal hoppers on aggregate, well the official line is they are hired in for traffic flow increase by RM GROUP, in reality? They are mine and I like them! Incidentally, a fully loaded train weighs in at about three kilograms, Lima locos may rest in pieces! thanks to the arrival of Hornby class 60’s
In Conclusion
R & M Quarries has been designed to depict a typical modern stone loading terminal with relevant facilities, features and functions. We hope you enjoy watching this contemporary operation and if you have any questions, don't be afraid to ask. Please try to find one of the off-duty operators though, as getting stone INTO the wagons and not BETWEEN them takes a little concentration and, occasionally, a vacuum cleaner! We are always willing to discuss kadee use and if you would like our opinion on D.C.C. please ask, as this layout DOESN’T use it! Information for Exhibition Managers
R & M QUARRIES
Description
Type ‘U’ shaped terminus to fiddleyard Industrial quarry setting with two working loaders Scale 4mm / foot 16.5mm gauge ‘OO’ scale Mostly propriety and r-t-r with some kit built items
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