My Modular Layout

[John H-T]

Together with other members of my Model Railway Club I am building a module for the club's new moduler layout. As always things moved slowly at first so although I started gathering materials together in July, my idea for a Brewery Layout has already appeared in Model Rail and Model Rail Live produced by Chris Nevard. At least I was able to pinch one or two of his ideas including the wagon turntable! (represented on the last photo by a square of white paper.)

Progress was also slowed down while we reached a decision on the size of each module and how the modules had to meet. One main line is on the centreline and the other offset by 50 mm. The boards are 1100mm by 400mm.

I like to plan full size starting with a sheet of wallpaper backing paper and then progressing to the base boards once they were built. I have decided to have a second board behind the main board to give more depth. The layout can also be self contined with two short fiddle yards.

I wanted the loop to be capable of handling a four wagon train plus brakevan pulled by an 0-6-0T. Brewery shunters are a Hornby L&Y Pug and a Model Rail Sentinel, which allows wagons to be shunted into the brewery two at a time.

The first 3 photos show planning at the paper stage and the last two on the boards. The final photo after I can given the boards a coat of brown emusion paint. I decided to lay one sheet of cork on the front board covering the whole area where track is to be laid. The last photo shows planning to find where the cork will be trimed, hence the masking tape to prevent the cork sticking to the baseboard where it is not required.

Best wishes,

John H-T.

[Madcaravanner]

Interesting

Wish I had some spare cash would love to build an exhibition layout got some ideas but not the cash
Think Industrial sidings with mainline and loop with cripple siding as Clay Cross about 40 years ago

[Silver Fox Phil]

Looks very interesting John and I am very much looking froward to watching progress. I am not a modeler myself but I do enjoy looking at them. Thanks for sharing.
Regards
Phil

[swisstrains]

Another interesting project John.
How's the "Will Valley Railway" and your On30 logging layout progressing?

[John H-T]

Both the Will Valley Railway and the 0N30 layouts have suffered because of commitments at the EVR and the later is very much on the back burner. The Modular layout is getting me going again as it is part of club activities and I hope that the Will Valley Layout will benifit.

Here is an update on progress on the Modular Layout:

Track laying is complete on the front board and all that is left to do is the siding into the Brewery itself, which requires a wagon turntable. I have the kit.

The next job is to wire up the point motors and put in track feeds. The layout is going to be DCC.

The small unpainted board is the jig to ensure that baseboards line up.

I am looking at the possibility of a road over bridge at the right hand end hence the "structure". It would act as as scenic break between the neighboughing module.

Photo of my new NRM Compound to finish.

Happy New Year.

John H-T.

[Silver Fox Phil]

Looking really keen now and I love the shot of the Compound. Good stuff
Regards
Phil

[saxokid]

Interesting little stup you have John.....

[John H-T]

A quick up update on progress. I have finished the basic wiring so it should be possible to run trains through to neighbouring modules. Will find out at Club on Wednesday!

All the droppers have been wired up to the bus which is copper tape round 3 sides of the board and also to the sockets for connecting to the next module.

I am trying a system used by another club member: wiring the droppers to copper clad sleepers stuck to the underside of the board and then from there to the bus. Should make trouble shooting easier.

Two photos: one of the wiring on the underside and one of the front board without stock so that the track layout is more obvious. Track still needs to be laid onto the back board, but I need to make the wagon turntable before I can do that.

The groups of three copper clad sleepers are for wiring the seep point motors, which will be the next task once the current wiring has been proved!

Best wishes,

John H-T.

[springs branch mickey]

Looks very good John. I can't build for toffee.
mickey

[John H-T]

Originally Posted by springs branch mickey

Looks very good John. I can't build for toffee.
mickey

The big advantage of this project is that the module is very portable so I can take it to the club and get help from other members, so I get help and learn.

I have now tested the whole layout and it is all live. Two joints had to be resoldered and two extra droppers fitted. I used a Pullman Coach with lights for initial testing before putting a loco on the track. I have now had a loco run on all the tracks.

Best wishes,

John H-T.