Birmingham Society of Model Engineers Ltd.

Our facilities

Location of Premises

Illshaw Heath Road
Illshaw Heath
Hockley Heath
Solihull
West Midlands
B94 6DN

Telephone No. 0156 470 3444 (Club opening hours only)

Ordnance Survey grid map reference SP 13187 74347

How to find us

Leave the M42 motorway at junction 4, turn East on the A3400 towards Henley in Arden. At the first round about turn right into Kineton Lane (sign posted Illshaw Heath), over the motorway and past the houses on the right, take the right hand fork (Kineton Lane) and in a few yards join Illshaw heath Road turning right. The entrance to the ground is on the left past the cottages in 100 yards.

From Stratford upon Avon on the A3400 enter the village of Hockley Heath, over the canal bridge, past shops on the left and turn left into School Road by the Estate Agents. In approximately 1 mile, under motorway, straight over the cross roads by the bakers into Illshaw Heath Road. The entrance to the ground is 100 yards on the left past the cottages.

Number of tracks

Three – Raised 3 ½” and 5” gauge.
Ground level 5” and 7 ¼” gauge.
Garden railway, Gauge 1, Gauge 0 and16mm.

Raised track

Steel track on wooden sleepers, fully signalled with steaming bays. Anti-tip bar not fitted. Minimum radius 12 meters (40 ft.). Loading and unloading facilities provided. Track length 319 meters (1035 ft.). 12 and 24 volt electrical supply.

Ground level track

Steel track on wooden sleepers, track circuited, fully signalled with steaming bays, turntable and carriage shed. Minimum radius 15 meters (50 ft.). Loading/unloading hydraulic lift. Track length 342 meters (1113 ft.). 12 and 24 volt electrical supply.

Rolling stock

Passenger cars are available for both the raised and ground level tracks. Vacuum brakes are fitted as standard.

Garden railway

Both tracks are brass rail on plastic sleepers with two lines for both gauges. The O gauge track has a 12 volt electrical supply. Both tracks are approximately 55 meters (180 ft.) in length. Steaming bays and turntable provided.

Toilets

Ladies, Gentlemen and disabled toilets with hand washing facilities.

Club room

Large purpose built clubhouse, having comfortable accommodation occupies an elevated position overlooking the tracks and ground. It is equipped with a kitchen to provide refreshments for the members and visitors.

Tunnel clearances

Raised track

A. Tunnel height – from rail 1.6m (5ft 3in)

B. Tunnel width 1.8m (6ft 0in)

C. Tunnel height from rail 1.2m (3ft 10in)

D. Rail height from ground 432mm (1ft 5in)

E. Tunnel radius 1.2m (4ft 0in)

F. Funnel wall height 1.1m (3ft 8in)

Ground level track

A. Tunnel height from rail 1.7m (5ft 5in)

B. Tunnel width 1.8m (6ft 0in)

C. Maximum carriage height from rail 1.5m (4ft 11in)

D. Maximum carriage width 609mm (2ft 0in)

E Minimum distance between stock & track obstruction 279mm (11in)

F. Minimum distance between stock & tunnel wall 559mm (1ft 3in)

G. Minimum stock clearance 609mm (2ft 0in)

H. Minimum distance between tracks – rail centres 1.2m (4ft 0in)

J. Tunnel radius 1.2m (4ft 0in)

K. Tunnel wall height 1.3m (4ft 2in)