About
The Beds Area Group
We are a friendly and welcoming group with approximately 35 members and one of the longer established Local Area Groups of the Association of 16mm Narrow Gauge Modellers. We meet on the first Sunday of the month at Eaton Bray Village Hall, nr Dunstable LU6 2DJ, where we have two portable layouts providing the opportunity to run either 32 only or 32 and 45mm gauged locos depending which is operating on the day. A wide range of locos are always to be seen running ranging from scratch or custom built to commercially made models. We also organise and run the very popular annual Steam in Beds show. If you feel you may be interested, come along one Sunday, and say hello.
Membership
New members are always welcome, and our membership year runs from 1st September to 31st August and our current membership fee is £40.00. For further details and an application form please email membership@bag16mm.org.uk
Portable Layouts
We have three portable layouts as follows:
Ridgmont, named after the location of our first meeting venue. It is a scenic layout to exhibition standard and measuring 10 x 4.0 metres with two 32mm gauge running tracks, passing loops and storage sidings.
Eaton Downs, which is a non-scenic layout measuring 7.2 x 4.8 metres, but because of its modular construction it can be configured to 8.4 x 3.6 or 6 x 6 metres. Its unique feature is the use of fish plates for continuous rail connection for 32 and 45mm running.
Papplewick Green, is a small demonstration layout with 32mm track which is easy to transport and used to publicise the Beds Area Group and the 16mm Association of Narrow Gauge Modellers. The materials used in the construction were generously donated by John Kinross.
Other 16mm scale exhibition layouts owned by Beds Area Group members are:
St Genny’s and Aberwyn, are 32mm scenic layouts both built and owned by Andrew Neal.
Prayle Grove, is a non-scenic layout built and owned by Graham East and is a regular visiting layout having both 32 and 45mm gauge tracks.
Wags Wharf, owned and run by members is a two-rail electric layout featuring a steam operated beam engine. This layout is now on permanent display at the Pitstone Green Museum.
Safety First
All live steam locos must have a valid boiler and gas tank certificate along with an annual steam test before being operated on the Group’s layouts on Meeting days. Failure to do so will invalidated the Group’s insurance. Only battery powered and gas fired steam locos are permitted.
Boiler and Gas Tank Testing
Given prior notice, boilers and gas tanks can be tested at meetings to the current regulations using 16mm Association test equipment. Please email boilertester@bag.org.uk for further information.
Visitors
Visitors who are members of the 16mm Association are most welcome to come along and run a loco providing they have certification as stated under Safety First and follow the Group’s Rules of Operation. Only battery powered and gas fired steam locos are permitted.
Affiliation
We are affiliated to the Federation of Model Engineering Societies, who offer help and advice and attractive insurance schemes written specifically for the model owner and model engineer.
Useful Information
Association of 16mm Narrow Gauge Modellers: www.16mm.org.uk
Pitstone Green Museum: www.pitstonemuseum.co.uk
Federation of Model Engineering Societies: www.fmes.org.uk