O & O9 gauge, by John Cavell. At our 70th anniversary exhibition on 17 and 18 October.
17 and 18 OctoberCorfe Hills School, Broadstone
The story: what is left of Crossways Wagon Works, founded in the 19th century, has been saved by a preservation society. It is now a working museum, where the society's rolling stock is restored, repaired and maintained. Much of the original site was sold off before preservation, so space is tight and a traverser was put in. Weight limits mean a narrow gauge loco moves the stock around. On the north side, a new visitor centre and stores, with the manager's office above, were recently built with help from the National Lottery.
The facts: O gauge needs a lot of room. Well, not always. The scenic part of this shunting puzzle is only 33in by 19in (840mm by 480mm), and unusually, it has no points and no curves. Narrow gauge is used alongside standard gauge, just as it was at Horwich and Crewe works. The space-saving traverser follows those at Swindon, Didcot, Derby, Pecorama and Felixstowe.
Crossways has no connection with the Dorset village of the same name. Do come and see it: you will be most welcome and, John hopes, amused.
