I have been wanting to build a small layout for some time but was not sure what to do. I model B.R. in the early 80s until the end of Speedlink in '91. Trying to design a small layout running both passenger and freight during this time would be hard to achieve. Steam modelers do not have this problem. The move away from 10-foot wheelbase to longer vehicles exacerbated the problem I had.
My interest is in freight trains, as I find these far more interesting than passenger trains. As an example, a VDA van can carry Cook-in sauces, Spillers pet food, rolls of news print, Cider, fertiliser, steel products, car components, bagged china clay, bagged cement, etc or used as a barrier vehicle.
Looking back at old photos of an 08 dragging a single Cargowaggon through Didcot station provided just the inspiration I needed. Checking the track plan from the British Rail Track Diagrams, Western Region (Quail Map Company) book and checking the site of Dicot Distribution Centre on Google Earth spurred me on. I like Hereford yard but that would have to wait for another day.
Looking through The Freight Only Yearbook, No 2, Michael Rhodes & Paul Shannon, page 63 gave me just what I was looking for. The same picture appears in the book - Modelling The British Rail Era, Flemming, Flint, Gibbons and Taylor on page 44. Warrington Dallem Lane sidings was built on the site of a former steelworks. Following this would limit the traffic I could run. I decided to make it a Distribution Depot. The diagram below is the plan I have settled on:
I have added a transit shed as I would like to be able to unload flat/open wagons away from public view when exhibiting the layout. All too often these types of wagon are run on and off a layout loaded???
The final width of the layout hasn't been determined yet but will be between 1'6" and 2 foot. Total length will be about 8 foot. Heavy use will be made of a sector plate in the fiddle yard and I will be using DG couplings throughout.
- 3
3 Comments
Recommended Comments
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now