Yeoton Wharf

This blog is intended to chronicle the design and construction of my new 3mm scale, mixed gauge exhibition layout. This is a logical development from my previous ‘Broad Gauge’ layout “Bagborough West”. Having been the first and only one lo build a 3 mm scale, 7’0″ gauge model I am mad enough to now attempt a mixed gauge layout. The gauges are 21mm and 14-2mm. ie Brunel’s 7’gauge and the standard gauge or as it was known in his time, narrow gauge.

The plan is based on the North Devon Railway which ran from Exeter to Barnstable. It was initially leased lo the Bristol and Exeter Railway but was taken over by the London and South Western Railway in 1862 having been changed to mixed gauge in 1860.

In 1824 plans had been put forward to construct a canal, to be known as the Public Devonshire Canal, from Weare Gifford on the river Torridge near Bideford on the North Devon coast to Topsham near Exeter on the South Coast. the planned route was similar to that later used by the North Devon Railway. I have imagined that the canal was actually built and that there was a canal/railway interchange built near Crediton where the river Yeo runs near to the railway. At the interchange there will be a goods transfer facility and also a Maltings.

The standard gauge trains are operated by the LSWR and the broad gauge by the Bristol and Exeter and later by the GWR after it adsorbed the B+ER in 1876.