The Requirement
• Two young sons – what other excuse does a father need!
Seriously though, I envisaged the boys enjoying doing the scenery, gaining DIY skills and I hoped that it would make a good introduction to electronics.
The Space
The loft space was converted to create two additional rooms in the house. One room replaced a ‘box room’ bedroom obliterated by the stairs up to the loft conversion, the other room was to be a playroom for the boys. The standard design was modified to push one wall back to make room for a model rail layout. Although the sloping ceiling comes down low such that the space is normally only fit for storage etc, it was my best opportunity of securing a permanent layout of reasonable size.
Scale
O gauge is prohibitively large and expensive although I’d love to own an O gauge layout. The choice was between 00 and N. In the end I decided that N was too small for children to easily work on. So 00 it was.
Track Layout
The layout space was approximately 11’ by 4’. I wanted it to be as visually exciting as possible with tunnels, inclines and bridges. If one train could pass over another, so much the better. With two sons, it made sense to have two loops. Sidings and a turntable were also a must. I had a 00 layout as a child, but remember being frustrated by two aspects:
1. The station was on the main loop such that trains passed through each lap.
2. The platform was only long enough for 1 and a bit coaches plus the engine.
I therefore wanted the station on a passing loop, and the platforms long enough to accommodate a 4 coach train plus engine.
If there was room for a village, so much the better.
The designed layout is:
The design aims have been met with different degrees of success. Two loops were achieved, with tunnels inclines and bridges and one loop passed over the other – however the inclines are a bit steep! The station is on a passing loop, but in order to get the platform length, it’s right beside the mainline!
Starting Out
We bought a layout from some neighbours that included
• A GWR 0-6-0T engine
• An HST125
• One Hornby controller (the old type with the yellow knob)
• An assortment of trucks
• Piles of track
I sourced some additional track/points and crossings from EBay and the boys put together their Christmas money to buy the Great Western Pullman set from our local model shop.
The baseboard was built in three bolt-together sections in the garage and carried up to the playroom. The whole assembly sits on a hinged stand so that it can be lifted to get to the underside.
We've got the two main loops built, the station area, and had a go at some scenery. Photos coming soon...
Tim.
