The circular part of this layout is made from 9mm exterior plywood with partly aluminium bracing and was completed in 2001. PECO Streamline 'Fine Standard' Code 124 'bullhead' track is used and when the layout is set up as a circle is 13 feet across with two continuous run tracks, later changed to three, with a minimum radius of six feet.
In early 2005, work started on the planned eight straight boards to turn the circular layout into an oval. These boards were made in the same way as the boards for the circular layout. The layout is supported on square section tubular steel legs with bolts welded onto one end so that they can be screwed into the boards and rubber door stops on the other ends as feet. Four of the straight boards are used as a five-track fiddle yard while the others will be a station and goods yard.
Between 2005 and mid 2007, the track and wiring on the eight straight boards was completed with two main lines and a third track which is used as a goods line. The first running being on the 23rd of August 2007. The now 29 foot by 13 foot oval layout has PECO six foot radius points, switched using ‘H & M’ point motors and micro-switches from a single control panel. A ‘Codar 2000’ feedback controller is used to drive up to three trains at a time. This means that there is an opportunity to provide the layout with scenery and buildings. The layout has been built to display reasonable length trains and allows continuous running, those trains being run reflecting the varying interests of the membership. The layout is operated on the fourth Thursday of the month and if you are an 'O' gauge modeller we would love to see your models running on our layout! |