Mortimer Street Depot

Mortimer Street Depot was built by my Dad and I over the past several years. The origins of the layout are hotly debated between my Dad and I - I think it was his idea, and he thinks it was mine! The layout has an elaborate back story...

'Mortimer Street depot was a steam shed near a major junction station in a busy city serving many routes. As often happens, a new wagon maintenance shed was built and then the depot was closed, deemed to be uneconomic. Shortly after closure of Mortimer Street depot, serious faults were found in the viaducts leading into and out of the principal station. These routes had to be closed whilst urgent repairs were carried out, which blocked entry to the new main depot (itself an updated steam shed).
This identified a need for a stabling and light servicing area for locomotives that could no longer use the closed main depot. The solution was to re-open Mortimer Street Depot on a temporary basis as a stabling and running light maintenance area. Fuelling facilities were provided to be used if necessary and the wagon repair shop adapted for light maintenance on locomotives. The main shed building had already been partly demolished at the far end, so no locomotives were permitted to enter the shed. Crew facilities are at a minimum, but the movement of engines is mainly handled by local crews. Due to the importance of the main station with passenger and freight trains from all over the country and the vast nature of the diversions, a wide variety of different types of locomotives may be seen.'

A small layout (7ft by 3ft 4inches - it was the size of ply leftover from Dad's main layout) with one point (again, left over from Dad's main layout). Buildings were scratch built by Dad and rolling stock is a mixture of RTR Dapol/Heljan and kit built locos.

Its been to a couple of exhibitions in 2022 including Bawdeswell, Bury St Edmunds and the Seven Valley Railways O gauge show. The diary for 2023 was sparse until a late booking for Statfold Barn's exhibition at the beginning of April has kick started a few outstanding jobs including finishing the back scene and other small improvements. 

Layout is based in Attleborough, Norfolk and requires 2-3 operators. Willing to travel. 

Mortimer Street Depot.pdf