This is my current project, set up on a cabinet top in my apartment in France which I use for R&R when not working in West Africa. Lack of space precludes any other type of layout except a small branch line and as I like large (and small) steam locos then a detailed fictional late 1950s LMR shed in the Birmingham area seemed a good idea.

There is no prototype, rather a set of ideas translated from numerous sheds in the West Midlands. Monument Lane might have been a good prototype but its layout simply would not fit the space. So I adopted a nearby lane in the Jewellry Quarter for the fictional model. Legge Lane is mostly derelict these days but I remember growing up there when a lad.

The track layout is unusual, relying on the turntable for almost all switching. There is only one other switch in the yard. This was forced by the lack of space. This is actually prototypical as most Midland sheds were constrained by their surroundings (Monument Lane, Coventry being but two examples).

In designing the layout, thought was given to the LMS cafeteria method of servicing a steam locomotive, so the turntable is actually used in a specific progression from arrival to storage to departure of each locomotive.

The shed roster is being accumulated and will number many more than the eight which will actually fit in the four road shed. So far all are LMR but a few foreigners may visit from time to time. The roster currently includes many Bachmann RTRs, an old Wills Finecast 4F, and several metal kits waiting completion. Some of the RTRs will be upgraded with Comet chassis.

Some key design parameters:

Size - 186cm x 40cm

Track - Peco OO code 75 Finescale

Wiring - DCC

Turntable - Peco turntable kit, motorized with Meccano motor, etc.

Structures - Scalescenes shed, various kits and scratch built items

Backdrop - Scalescenes brick arches, tunnel to rest of the system fiddle yard

The next post will add a few photos.