Eight Dollar Canyon. US H0 a 16ft diameter circle.

[dasatcopthorne]

A US based layout by Carshalton & Sutton MRC. 

 

It's a long time since Eight Dollar Canyon appeared here to this is by way of a re-introduction.

 

Unusually, it's a circular layout of 16' diameter currently using DC for power. By the time we get to Warley it will be a DCC layout.

 

We've just completed a weekend at The Great British Model Railway Show at Gaydon.

Here's an overview of the layout to give you an idea of what to expect.

 

Dave

www.csmrc.co.uk

 

 

Edited December 19, 2023 by dasatcopthorne

[Keith Addenbrooke]

Thanks for posting this - it’s not a layout I’ve come across before (first time I heard of it was the post in the Exhibition Forum last week).  Please do tell us more…Thanks, Keith.

[dasatcopthorne]

Some Layout History.

 

Design started in 2005 and boards form an Octagonal shape having its extremities at 16' diameter.

The 'outside (public)' has three tracks and some sidings on a constant radius. Inside the background is a 'fiddleyard' of three complete circles.

Trains enter and/or leave the fiddleyard via crossovers under the hill behind the trestle.

 

Development was slow and bare boards appeared at our own show in 2006. Picture 1.

 

The layout has been exhibited a few times in the South East but because of its shape & size, it doesn't get that many invitations.

Currently it uses DC but will be converted to DCC during the next year in readiness for Warley 2023.

 

Because of clubroom space demands, it lives in a member's garage meaning we are currently unable to set it up complete other than at a Show.

 

Here are some early photos.

 

 

 

 

 

[dasatcopthorne]

A couple more shots of Eight Dollar.

 

The two area where there is a 'cliff' at the back will be re-modelled and a third line will pass into/out of tunnel mouths to enable a third complete circuit. This will enable three trains to circle at the same time as well as switching in the local sidings.

 

Dave.

[dasatcopthorne]

A couple more shots of the layout.

 

 

Edited November 15, 2022 by dasatcopthorne

[dasatcopthorne]

Eight Dollar usually has three trains on the tracks as well as a few boxcars in the industry stubs.

 

Up until now two out of the three trains would normally be seen making their way around the layout but things are changing.

 

Not only the conversion to DCC but a second tunnel is taking shape, allowing a third train to run simultaneously.

 

 

[dasatcopthorne]

Eight Dollar can be seen in its new configuration at the Warley Show next November.

 

Dave.

[dasatcopthorne]

New third track is in place now together with the new crossings into the fiddleyard.

 

Unlike previously, all six new crossings are 'Frog Juicer' controlled.

 

Dave.

[dasatcopthorne]

Now that the new track has been laid, the next step for Eight Dollar was to strip the scenery form the 'trestle' board in readiness for new details.

 

Dave.

 

 

[dasatcopthorne]

The Trestle board has now had new terrain applied.

[dasatcopthorne]

Eight Dollar Canyon.

 

A short update.

Other than some retouching of the layout's background scenery, it is just about ready. Converted to DCC, extra track, rewired and the Trestle Bridge and Canyon face rebuilt.

 

See you at Warley.

[dasatcopthorne]

Eric has been at the grass again.

 

Dave

 

[Talltim]

On 23/04/2023 at 12:00, dasatcopthorne said:

New third track is in place now together with the new crossings into the fiddleyard.

 

Unlike previously, all six new crossings are 'Frog Juicer' controlled.

 

Dave.

All those diamonds and they are hidden!

I like the concept of this layout, and the way it has several different scenic sections

Edited October 6, 2023 by Talltim

[Chappers]

Here is the Hiawathia on the crossing whilst at Warley