A Potted Club History.
Three Counties Model Railway Society, (Formerly Mentmore Model Railway Group) is based near Aston
Abbotts, approximately mid way between Aylesbury in Buckinghasmshire and Leighton Buzzard
in Bedfordshire, and was founded in early 1998 by two local, Leighton Buzzard, residents and London commuters
Peter Boyde and Chris Meredith, who discovered their mutual interest in model railways whilst waiting for their early
morning train. Initially they pooled their knowledge and time, with work on an 'ad hoc' basis concentrated on Peter's small permanent
layout housed in a purpose built garden shed. When this project had almost been completed
work started building Chris's layout in his loft. Early in 2002, the two founder members were joined
by a third, Austin Marshall, following which, a decision was taken to hold meetings on a more formal basis.
Work continued apace on Chris's loft layout but it soon became clear that a loft was not the ideal place to hold meetings
due to the marked and rapid variations in temperature. In addition more space was urgently needed
in which to work on other projects, so another new member,Ron Harvey, offered the group the use of his double garage.
With an area available of approximately 55' x 10', the Group was able to start planning and construction of its
first continuous run layout. This was in 00 (4mm Scale) and based on L.M.S. & early B.R. practices
although other region's locos did feature regularly. All the trackwork had been completed and work continued
on the buildings and scenery although there is still much to do before the layout is complete, if one ever is?
A further member, John Page joined the Group in November 2006 and was able to continue working on his latest
exhibition layout. At the same time it was also unanimously decided, to increase the number of members, if possible,
by raising the profile of the Group and holding meetings on a weekly, rather than a fortnightly basis, as had
previously been the case.
The group contiued to meet on a weekly basis until 2009 when the garage it was using was required for Ron'a classic MG 'TD'
and it was reduced to meeting in other members homes until, aternative accommodation could be found.
Fortunately in early 2010 Bill Hallam came to the rescue, becoming a member and offering the society the use of a purpose
built, 50ft x 20ft, workshop as a clubroom. Following which the society was able to expand rapidly to the size it is today.


OUR LAYOUTS
We currently have a small freelance, 'tail chaser', 2mm scale ('N' Gauge) layout; two small (ish!) 4mm scale exhibition layouts based on L.M.S. practice with a further
4mm scale, minimum space L.M.S. layout under construction plus with a large, double track, main line, continuous
run 7mm scale ('0' Gauge) layout.
Plans are also being drawn up for two new exhibition layouts in 2mm and 4mm scales.
|