New OO Gauge Layout
February 2012
Tony, John, Peter and Dave busy assembling points [photographer: Gary Kerr]
Track plans have now been drawn up and, as usual, numerous changes made to fit in with what we wanted. Not withstanding this, progress has been made in assembling the C&L point kits and construction work has started on the baseboards. These are being fabricated in high density insulation boards with a plywood edge to give mechanical protection. One of our club members has a home layout using this material and, whilst exhibiting East Dean at model railway exhibitions, advice has been taken from Gordon Gravett and his layout 'Pempoul'.
February 2011
During our AGM a proposal was raised to replace the existing test track, (it’s been in existence for some twenty years in various guises), and is beginning to show its age. Further discussions with existing and new members at one of our open days was a desire to have a OO gauge scenic layout as several members like to watch their stock run through something other than ‘bare boards’.
The final decision was made on adopting a southern location and Elham in Kent was selected, from the Elham Valley line with a small goods yard, level crossing at one end of the station platform and a signal box situated at the other. In adition full station plans were available as well as a beautiful scratch built station building already made. Dimensions were taken to see if the track plan would fit the area available.
OO Gauge Test Track
OO test track [photographer: Gary Kerr]
Our OO gauge test track consists on four oval loops of OO track and fifth of On3/O16.5. One of the OO tracks can be operated under DCC, the On30 is DCC only.