glenmansbridge Posted October 8, 2016 Share Posted October 8, 2016 This little project is the result of one of those “I wonder if…” moments. In my case, “I wonder if I could fit a self-contained, scenic model layout into a Stanley toolbox”. Having purchased the largest plastic toolbox in stock at B&Q, thoughts turned to what type of layout to build. Although I now model in OO gauge, I soon realised that the only practical solution was to build in N gauge. Fortunately, I used to model in N gauge and still have a reasonable collection of locomotives, rolling stock, track, buildings and accessories. With a bit of experimentation, I found that I could build a layout consisting of a scenic board of 22” x 7” dimension, plus a fiddle yard (grand title!) of 12” x 3¾” that, when packed into the toolbox, would be inverted. The layout is small enough that plans aren’t really necessary to see what’s what, so I’ll just let the photos do the talking! Photo 1 – Just any ordinary Stanley 26” plastic toolbox….. or is it? Photo 2 – The lift-out tray is perfect for holding rolling stock Photo 3 – The layout in situ, complete with inverted fiddle yard Photo 4 – A closer look at the fiddle yard – just an extension to the running line and an isolated piece of track to hold spare stock. Note the use of cable clips as cheap, space saving buffer stops! Photo 5 – The layout in its entirety – just two points Photo 6 – A close up of the goods yard Photo 7 – Looking towards the tunnel mouth and the “rest of the world” Photo 8 – Looking towards the buffer stops and the countryside beyond Photo 9 – I’m sure the tunnel mouth is around here somewhere…. Photo 10 – The extensive controls – two rods to control the points, a switch for an isolating section in the platform road, the socket for the control and the connection to the fiddle yard – simples! Photo 11 – More space to store wagons! Photo 12 – A class 24 shunts the goods yard So, I hope you have enjoyed a trip to Leystan! Glen Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
glenmansbridge Posted October 8, 2016 Author Share Posted October 8, 2016 Hello Jim Thank you for your kind comments. The layout was actually built some time ago (started construction back in 2012), it's just been sitting quietly in a corner of the "railway room", until browsing through this section of RMWeb and reading about yours, and others, creations. I originally intended to use Fleischmann Piccolo ready ballasted track and bought their 3 way point and some flexible track. However, I found that the older Graham Farish rolling stock didn't negotiate the frogs of the point very well, so abandoned that idea and instead have used Peco code 55 medium radius points and flexible track. Regarding the scenery, originally I had a road overbridge at the entrance to the fiddle yard, but with such a narrow baseboard I couldn't get the road in the right place! Here's an early photograph of the original construction: The baseboard is simply a piece of mdf with a bit of strip wood for framing. Being a small baseboard and being very light, it doesn't need much in the way of bracing. The goods shed is a Bachmann/Graham Farish Provender store. All the best Glen Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium nick_bastable Posted October 8, 2016 RMweb Premium Share Posted October 8, 2016 very nice and certainly better than no layout NIck Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jerry1975 Posted October 9, 2016 Share Posted October 9, 2016 Very nice, I really like it. Jerry. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
steve1 Posted October 10, 2016 Share Posted October 10, 2016 Definitely my sort of layout even though I model in 3.5mm and 4mm. steve Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steam_Julie Posted October 11, 2016 Share Posted October 11, 2016 Like it! Julie Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
glenmansbridge Posted October 11, 2016 Author Share Posted October 11, 2016 Hello all Thanks for all your comments. As Nick said, better than no layout, although in my case this was a little diversion from another, long term project, for which I'll post details on RMWeb I due course! Glen Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steam_Julie Posted October 21, 2016 Share Posted October 21, 2016 Have you considered using a cassette of some type instead of plain track, as a fiddleyard medium? This would reduce stock handling and give you more operating flexibility. Julie Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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