Our members have wide ranging talents, from building model trains to building scenery, and from building baseboards to wiring layouts.

We are always willing to share our experience and ideas, and on this page we show examples of our work.

 

The main example being shown on this page is the new DC layout Glenridding Lane which is currently under construction by members Joseph Kikta, Barry Cossins, Kevin Grace and Nik Smith. The context below will show the initial stages to the current stage of construction.

1. The Beginning.

The idea behind the layout was to go right back to the basics of railway modelling. The track design is a simple one with the main in road leading from the yet to be constructed fiddle yard splitting into 3 parts, platform, siding 2 and warehouse rail siding. Later during the construction once the main board is complete, there will be an additional part to the layout containing the fiddle yard.

The canal side of the layout has 2 parts to it. The first is a entrance/exit road to the fiddle yard this will lead to the canal side warehouse then it leads to the canal quayside. This area will feature a shuttle type operation, the idea behind this was to allow a train to be run constantly.

Once the track design was decided it was agreed to have MDF for the base board and the track to be placed on a cork underlay which was glued to the MDF baseboard using PVA glue . After this the track was pinned to the top of the cork underlay.

Track Plan in place underlay Track being pinned in place

glued to base board. by member nick.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Layout Electrics.

2).The layout uses a 12v DC system for track operation and uses some small electronic kits from the Model Electronics Railway Group (MERG) to provide control.

It is powered by a mains transformer that has 2 x 16v AC outputs which are converted to 12v DC by a small circuit board. One of these outputs then feeds a speed controller board which, via a cross over switch, feeds the main track.

The second 12v output is used to run a shuttle system on the dock side track which is automatic. A small 555 timer circuit employs a relay that is wired to reverse the polarity of the output to the track. This output is also first fed to a speed controller then to the track. The track is cut on one side at both ends which are bridged by a diode. When the locomotive reaches these points, it stops until the polarity of the track reverses and the train moves back along the track.

All of the electrics are mounted on a plate attached to the underside of the layout while the controls via fly leads are mounted on the rear panel.

 

Electrics Electrics Electrics

Image 1 Image 2 Image 3

The parts for the All the kits assembed Linked up to power

power unit kit and and linked together to supply and tested

shuttle unit kit Transformer. via multi meter.

assembled

prior to linking

to the transformer

and each other .

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

the layout has progessed a lot over the last few months below is a list of everything that been completed so far

 

terrace houses (Metcalf Kits)

 

Wearhouse (Metcalf Kits)

 

Warehouse loading dock/ railway siding dock

 

Glenridding lane Station (Home Made with various companies kits)

we are now working on the back scene more pictures to follow shortly