Chris Leigh, Consultant Editor
My ‘Staines West’ branch line layout offered the prospect of a Western Region branch terminus in ‘N’ gauge without the need to use that horrible ‘N’ gauge device known as the ‘Rapido’ coupler. I only knew Staines West from 1962, by which time railcars and DMUS reigned supreme. Freight services had ended in 1955. If I modelled the station as I remembered it from 1962, with the goods yard derelict and overgrown, I could provide all the trains with which I was familiar – ‘54XX’ 0-6-0PTS on autotrains, GWR railcars, and – after 1958 – Gloucester RC&W railcars (Class 122) and from 1960 Pressed Steel railcars (Class 121). Only the coupling between pannier and autocoach would require a Rapido, for the outer ends of both could have cosmetic screw couplings: ‘54XX’ 0-6-0PT and Autocoach: Farish ‘64XX’ and Hawksworth autotrailer (ignoring the small discrepancy in wheel diameter between the ‘64XX’ and ‘54XX’ 0-6-0PTS. GWR railcar Nos. W20-32: Graham Farish Class 121 and 122 railcars: Dapol Ideally, I could do with a Class 117 three-car unit for the rush-hour through-trains to Paddington, but that will have to wait. Modelling hours this month: At least 36. Note to self: The garden needs attention...