Aims of The Society

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Aims of The Society

The Broad Gauge Society was formed in 1980 to promote research into and the modelling of the British 7ft 0¼in gauge railways of the 19th Century. It currently has over 300 members and meetings are held on a regular basis.

Most Broad Gauge lines were built by the Great Western Railway and associated companies, many by the famous engineer Isambard Kingdom Brunel. The London & South Western and Midland Railways also owned and operated Broad Gauge lines for some years. The last Broad Gauge trains ran in May 1892.

The Society publishes a bi-monthly News-Sheet giving news of forthcoming meetings, new kits and other items of interest to members.

The Broadsheet is published twice a year on glossy art paper and contains articles on prototype and modelling subjects. Copies of back issues are available to new members.

A4 Data Sheets are published with most issues of the News-Sheet. There are now around 60 sheets in the New Series covering coaches and waggons plus 49 sheets in the Old Series covering permanent way. Members may purchase copies of these with new sheets being issued free to all members.

The Society also publishes A3 drawings and A4 data file sheets. The data file sheets include a wealth of hitherto unpublished material from the Public Records Office and elsewhere. There is also a sheet with recommended modelling standards.

The BGS have published several books and booklets, normally available only to members, but the 2001 publication "Taunton In The 1880s" was also distributed to a few booksellers for sale to the general public.