The Copperfield Line- A Fictional branch line across 9 Microlayouts

[TerraNovaTrains]

The Concept

The Copperfield Line is my long-term model railway project that aims to represent A whole branch line across a series of small microlayouts, with each layout representing a station, a railway feature (tunnel, bridge, etc…), or a named geographic area. Each section can function as its own layout, or be combined as one big layout. 

 

It is also an opportunity for worldbuilding and story writing, as my plan is for the line and railway company to be fictional, but based on real/historical companies. This allows me to design new logos, liveries, maps and other graphics and props for the model, as well as create a fictional history for the line and stations.

 

This will be a long-term project, as owing to time, money and space the full layout will not be made any time soon (very much a dream layout rather than a starter one), but I will share my plans and ideas on here as im sure you are all more knowledgeable in these things than I am. I have had model trains for a few years, but have been in full time and university education for the past few years so have not had the time/money/space to make a permanent layout. 

 

Historical accuracy and realistic running operations are not a major priority for me, Im more interested in worldbuilding and crafting a story for my railway., through the pyhsical model but also props and graphics too (like old posters, railway logos and tickets etc...). 

 

The Story

The Copperfield Line is a fictitious branch line in The Fenlands and East Anglia region, inspired by the lines of the Great Eastern Railway and nearby lines. The name and some story elements come from Charles Dickens's 1850 novel David Copperfield. 

 

The layout follows the line from the mainline city of Strongford, through the countryside to a coastal town of Peggotty, with each section being named after a character. Some sections are focused on operations (shunting, etc), and some are fully scenic sections.  The line would be one branch of a wider network (tentatively named the Welland, Nene and Great Ouse Railway), and would rely heavily on salt, fish and agricultural goods as its main income source. It is not a very rich railway, and is somewhat neglected, but is nonetheless well-loved by travellers and locals alike.

 

The Modules

Each module is designed to fit on a ScaleModelScenery BB029 “Microlayout in a box” baseboard. These plans are hand-drawn (I have a crappy chromebook which cannot run decent track planning software), and are not perfect or final.  The layouts may look tight, but I have tested them out with a paper template baseboard with Hornby Set Track and they seem to fit the space fine. 

 

For the sake of file sizes: Heres the plans on Imgur. Each module has a real and model inspiration to help convey the idea a bit more. 

 

Thank you for reading, if you have any constructive suggestions I would love to hear them! 

 

 

[TerraNovaTrains]

Oh, Ive drawn a first draft Map of the line too:

 

[Graham T]

That's an interesting idea, looking forward to seeing how you develop it.

 

[TerraNovaTrains]

Clara Road: The Proto-Layout

I have finally began work on an actual layout, which Is intended to be a smaller, test layout where I can develop my skills before moving onto the larger modules. Clara Road represents a small workers station in a cutting, probably situated somewhere between Micawber Yard and Copperfield Lane. 

 

Its a very simple plan, a single through line and one small siding. The ends are flanked by Metcalfe single track tunnel portals, the shed is also Metcalfe and the back wall will have a retaining wall against it. The small station is a combination of the two Wills Kits halts, and is ideal for two-coach trains with Hornby or Hattons 4/6 wheel coaches. 

 

The baseboad is an SMS BB018 Layout-in-a-box, and it's a wonderful kit for £35. Very easy to assemble and very lightweight. Will certainly be using the bigger ones on future layouts!

 

Theres still a lot to do, namely the retaining wall, painting, securing and ballasting the track, cutting the end holes, fixing everything down and adding finer details. But im happy with the progress so far.

 

Edited January 3, 2023 by TerraNovaTrains