2007 GSM DVD

A review.

A tipsy moment the other week and I said I would do this. I quickly realised just how contentious it could be on sobering up. However, a promise is a promise so here we go.

I've bought all the DVDs produced by GSM and edited by Fred Turner. This one is easily the best yet. Eighteen Quid for Three DVDs full of action, it’s a bargain and no mistake.

They show a broad range of railways, from luxury to budget. I don’t want to go into great detail, as some of the surprises will be ruined: there’s a lot going on in some of the clips. So I'll briefly list the railways with a short note about each. I should also say that I will not make any negative comments here. If the layout is not to my taste, I still can see the many hours of labour that has gone into it. They are all excellent in their own way and are to be commended as such. I have pinched loads of ideas from the first DVDs and this year’s crop is no different. Buy it, watch it through a time or two then go through with the PAUSE button to hand and a notebook and pencil. You’ll be surprised what you can learn.

Please note: If you are the owner of one of these lines and take exception to what I have written about your line. Firstly please accept my humble apologies, I am nowhere near the standard of the lines/rolling stock on this DVD.   Then contact Jason to have the comment deleted.

 

 Sierra Central and South Western

Unsurprisingly it is based on American 3 Foot railroad practice. The owner uses mainly Bachmann stock, and the raised nature of the line makes a marvellous trestle bridge necessary. From the film it seems that the single line with passing loop meanders round in a convoluted circuit. Its planted up and laid out to represent that south west part of America.

Angel Falls and Smoky Gorge

This railroad runs mostly diesel locomotives of American parentage, although there is a distinctly grubby Mallet too. I am guessing another raised single track road but due to the complexities of the layout it is impossible to tell, which is a good thing. When I first looked at this line, I wondered how the stock stayed on the track, as, to my eyes; some of the track is adventurous to say the least. But it really does work and looks the part too.

The Grass Roots Railway

The owner of this line, as far as I understand it, is/was in the middle of a house move so plonked the track down temporarily. As a railwayman, I know that temporarily can mean 30 years so he should beware! The track is laid in a circuit around a lawn and the film shows a procession of the stock available.

SODOR

This line has evolved over the last year or two and slowly but surely gets a little bigger. The basic line is a circuit but there are lots of extra loops and sidings to maintain interest. The latest plan as far as I understand is to turn "secret siding" into a whole new main line. I'll be watching with interest. (STOP PRESS: it’s already happened!)

The Emerys Valley Railway

…. Has taken over the whole garden in a big way. Its at least three circuits and features a huge bridge and viaduct. This must have been a massive undertaking as the whole railway is set in concrete and brick. A preponderance of buildings, mainly European, and accomplished planting complete the picture.

Soar Point Railway.

European and American stock on this line. The majority of it seems to be raised off the floor and the scenery is sculpted nicely. The film depicts two stations, one a terminus and the other, (called Soar Point) a through station. Again, I am unsure of the format but would guess a dog bone with two tracks in the centre part and some loops.

 

The Pendle Bank Mining and Mineral railway.

This raised line is being run automatically in the film, the one island platform station has a level of service that I wish Lichfield Trent Valley had! A good selection of stock including a lovely half  Fairlie is noted. Also a rather nice bridge jumps out of one shot. There does seem to be a glitch or two in the automation though as a couple of rough shunts are seen.

The Derwent Valley Railway.

WOW! They drive fast round here! Almost exclusively LGB and laid at ground level, a fine and varied cavalcade keeps you entertained. From the film it seems to be a double circuit with loops and a reversing loop or two. I was going to say this is a railway for train watching, but there’s so much going on that it would be difficult to keep track......

The upper Quinton Line.

Almost all trains operated by American diesels. This selection also shows some visiting traction too. The multi level single line has a loop for a island platform station and a train storage area. Its so well planted, the line almost disappears into the scenery at some points. A ride on a log train reveals all.

Linz Gstadt Bahn.

Evolution not revolution is the phrase here. This G Scaler started indoors, with an LGB starter set, a place many have started. The outside layout is slowly getting bigger with the latest addition a climb to one of three stations and a reverse loop in a shed. Linz station is the main area of activity.

The Dutch Connection.

Again a nicely planted single track close to the floor. I did like the planting on this line, but, as I am not a gardener I have no idea what the plants were. The railway is mostly set with concrete blocks to keep different levels of raised beds from invading the tracks. This works well and looks far better than it sounds.

Lodest and Larivane.

A raised dogbone with the ends of the bone planted architecturally with one end having a pond. A nice selection of live steam and IP Engineering are the stars of the show hereabouts. I particularly like the Stroudley improved green that some of the traction is painted in. The best shots though, for me, are the ride on with the VoR.

The Hagley Railroad.

Needless to say it’s brilliant in every way (Is that OK boss?) Naaa It’s a good railway, he’s made some neat bridges and uses American stock after a change of heart a few months ago. It’s at ground level for the most part, with a raised loop too. Worth watching for the intricate slab work alone. Disc cutter level six work there.

The Dorchester Railway.

I ‘m guessing this line has been around for some time, well it fits snugly into its surroundings like a real railway. Consisting of mostly LGB stock on a multi level line. Mature shrubs and plants abound and there are some splendid buildings too. Babbling water and a bustling freight train on a summers day….What MORE could you want???

 

OK that’s me done. Here are fourteen brilliant railways for eighteen of your English pounds. A bargain.

If you wish to find out more about getting hold of your copy of this Triple DVD set then please visit the G Scale Mad Forum and visit the Shop section and you will find all the details there.

 

If you are still not sure then why not sit back and enjoy this 10min video preview showing a small sample of the 4 hours of railways featured on this years DVD pack.

 

Cheers, John the shunter. 2007.