East Dean
Based on a small through station, situated on a single track cross country route somewhere around Gloucester, enabling both Midland and Western stock to be run and is set on a gentle 90 degree curve, with a scenic section some 24 feet long, and with 8ft fiddle yards at each end, utilising a cassette system
Due to main line maintenance works East Dean gets busy [photographer: Peter Storey]
Trackwork, which is C & L, is set at 31.5mm gauge through the pointwork to give a better visual effect, whilst still enabling the normal O gauge fine scale wheels of members stock to be used. An article on this aspect has been written by one of our members, and published in the Model Railway Journal, bringing some interesting comments. Pointwork operated by 'Tortoise' point motors.
The signals have been positioned and, using servos, they are fully functional but not interlocked with the points. It has been well received, with a lot of favourable comments and we've had a number of exhibition invites, which is always very encouraging. During exhibitions East Dean is operated to a sequence of events rather than a timetable. The sequence has been worked out to permit a variety of locomotives and rolling stock to be used and hence shown to the viewing public.
There are more photographs of East Dean on the Layout Photos page.
We would be happy to hear from any local modellers interested in becoming involved with the project. Why not pay us a visit one evening.
Grindley Brook (The New Club Layout)
Test loco checking point operation and section switching [photographer: Gary Kerr]
Our new layout has been designed to fit a long curve into one side of our existing test track. The new section will make the existing test track into a large D-shape some 34-feet by 17-feet. When complete it will be a two-road through station based on London North Western Railway (LNWR) practise, with a goods yard to provide opportunities for shunting. The existing fiddle yard which has eight roads will be utilised. The name was selected by looking at an old map of the area in which we wanted the layout to be set and choosing a place which had the correct topography, including a canal. This proved to be adjacent to the ex-LNWR line running between Whitchurch and Chester at a place called Grindley Brook.
Peter and Dave - Painting Everything White [photographer: Gary Kerr]
No station was shown but, having chosen the name, we subsequently discovered that at some time a halt existed; so what we are constructing will assume that considerable rebuilding has taken place. By choosing LNWR origin it is hoped that it will make it easier to construct the station buildings as, in reality, these were modular. We are hoping to make patterns of the various panels and have them cast. Assembly should then be relatively easy. This will allow more time for the more complex buildings. Club members also have existing stock suitable for this location. Discussion is ongoing as to whether a change should be made to DCC and if so the best way of resolving the problems involved in converting existing stock.
The track has now been laid and wired up. Test running of various locos and lengths of trains has shown up the odd minor problem that needs resolving and a start has been made in weathering/painting the sides of the rails, landscaping and platform construction.
There are more photographs of Grindley Brook on the Layout Photos page.
O Gauge Test Track
The test track consists of four ovals of track. One of the straight sections having a passing loop for each oval so that trains can be made-up without interfering with the running locomotive. One of the ovals can be operated using DCC. Its been operating regularly on the first Thursday of each month and the few minor teething problems have been sorted out. Hopefully the Saturday afternoon sessions will be up and running shortly.