This 4mm/ft (1:76 scale) layout was designed by the group to represent a typical railway scene in South London, the major feature being the main line carried on a 20 arch viaduct.
The layout features two main lines merging at a junction with three tracks continuing on the 12 foot long viaduct until merging with another track that provides a link to freight sidings on a lower level via an incline.
The group has mass-produced the viaduct arches from resin cast in rubber moulds using the technique used on the club’s award winning 2mm Layout Alresford.
Stock is mostly BR(SR) EMUs/DEMUs plus freight stock and interregional trains.
Only the end of a station is visible which has two purposes to allow the bridge to form the major focus for the viewing public and to avoid station furniture that would date the layout to a specific period. Stock from the mid 1960’s onwards is run (starting with late BR(S) green livery).
The layout, which is still under construction is available for exhibitions. Dimensions of the layout are 36' long by 2'6" wide.
Apart from the extensive BR Southern Region 3rd rail units other unusual features are a fiddle yard traverser that slides inside a large parcels shed and possibly the largest OO fiddle yard turntable (some 7'6" long).
Buildings under construction include a three story high sub-station, a 4 foot long parcels shed, a greyhound stadium, a cement works, and a 1930' odeon style station building.
At exhibitions the layout is operated to a sequence - an accelerated 'timetable' designed to keep something moving at all times - ideally peaking at three trains moving at once. The sequence also helps reduce operator fatigue. All fiddle yard tracks are labelled with the initial positions of each type of train. Currently the sequence is displayed on flip cards although synchronisation to a computer display displaying extra information to the public is being considered for the future.
The EMUs are a mixture from most of the 4mm kit suppliers. MTK units (built at a time when there was no alternative) are starting to become outnumbered as MJT, Southern Pride and DC kits based units are completed. Most EMUs are MK1 based with some pre war stock including departmental units. There are a few DEMUs from the same sources. Freight stock is mostly ready to run as are loco hauled coaches and parcels vans. Locomotives include Lima 33s and 73s. Bachmann 08s and a kit built 08 share the shunting duties. All stock has the back to back gauge set to 14.5mm. The target is to have all stock that may be shunted fitted with Spratt and Winkle couplings. Stock intended for through running only has to be compatible within the set.
OO finescale track is used: SMP Scaleway nickel silver railed bullhead is used for the plain track. The points are handmade. OO finescale was selected as most of the groups stock was to that standard. Also it would allow new members to join the group and run their stock on this layout and PECO universal/Hornby based layouts. Subsequently Bachmann have expanded the range of finescale wheeled ready to run OO and Hornby have just started to convert too. Point motors are Fulgurex which were chosen for their power, slow action and ease of electrical control. It is intended to introduce route setting just as we had on our previous layout Southcombe.
The boards are made of softwood frames with plywood edges. The tops were originally a sundeala type of panel but warped very quickly - possible because it was reclaimed from an old building. All tops are now plywood. The legs bolt on and are to a standard design to help assembly at exhibitions. A previous layout had been put together at an exhibition in less than half an hour and although we have not set a specific target it would be nice to get close to that - especially as the new layout requires more rolling stock.
Page updated 22 Nov 2005
