We currently have eleven layouts at various stages of build in the Club Rooms.
Modern Traction Group’s layout
Banks Road The MMRS Modern Traction Groups layout is 'OO' gauge and is based on a fictitious small terminus station called 'Banks road' (named after the group member, Ron Banks, who sadly passed away).....It was built on baseboards that were used in previous club layouts and the group salvaged as much as they could from the old layout that they were building in our old (larger) clubhouse. |
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The layout runs British modern traction: This includes diesels from the Green days right up to the latest EWS/ DRS etc traction. DMU's may also be found alongside the freight.The layout is run end to end and includes a DMU maintenance area, a Traction Maintenance Depot, a number of sidings/carriage/wagons and a cement works. The layout is fully controlled by DCC. The track has also changed from Peco Code 100 to code 75. Electrofrog turnouts are being used to maximise smooth running. There are only a few members in the group so if anybody wishes to contribute or just come down and run some (DCC) stock, they are most welcome!
‘OO’ Gauge GWR Steam layout
CWMBACH-YN-TRIARDD "A SOUTH WALES INDUSTRIAL CAMEO" It’s the late 1930’s, and the South Wales coal mines are starting to recover from the recession. Millions of tons of coal are being mined every year from the South Wales Coalfield. Not only is it being transported to all parts of the United Kingdom, but it is also being exported abroad from the many docks in Cardiff and other Welsh ports. |
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The iron and steelworks are again back in full production, and require large quantities of iron ore, limestone, coal as well as other commodities for continuous production. And all of this traffic is carried by rail - and in South Wales that means predominantly the Great Western Railway (GWR).
Cwmbach-yn-Triardd is a set in a fictitious location, but is typical of the many industrialised valleys that existed in South Wales in the 1930’s. Unusually Cwmbach is one of the few of the South Wales valleys which offers a through route from the Cardiff docks directly to the English Midlands and the North.
The heavy railway traffic through the valley and the town of Cwmbach is made up of both local and long distance goods and passenger services. As well as the GWR the long arm of the LNWR reached into this part of South Wales and after the Grouping in 1923 the new formed LMS railway company maintained the earlier opportunities of the LNWR to exercise its running rights along the route.
So while the rolling stock and services are mainly GWR a number of LMS services can also be seen passing through the town.
From the south of Cwmbach, and from the Cardiff Docks, the northbound trains enter the Cwmbach Valley, passing over the major stone built Cwmbach Viaduct which spans the valley, down through a cutting and into the town of Cwmbach and its railway station. They continue past the iron and steelworks and into a tunnel on their way north towards England.
At the north end of the iron and steel works there is a single line branch which disappears into a tunnel to serve a large (but unseen) marshalling yard for the iron and steel works.
At the south end of the town, there is a branch line from a small colliery in an adjacent valley which also joins the main line south of Cwmbach Station.
Given the topography of the area, many of these local railway lines vie for the limited space available for railway lines.
THE LAYOUT
The layout originates from 1996 when the Club moved to Brassey Street. It has developed over the past twelve years, and has been designed to offer a constant view of moving trains on the main and branch lines to interest the spectator. There is regular shunting moves in the iron and steel works yard and in the small goods yard next to Cwmbach station, where there is a busy three road engine shed.
The layout is DCC controlled using the Lenz system. To help provide an intensive service of trains, a computer generated programme has been put together to allow the layout to run for approximately one hour without operator assistance. After the hour the programme can be repeated.
More conventionally the layout can be controlled without the computer using the Lenz hand-held controllers. A few DIN plugs have been installed on the outside of the layout to enable visitors to have a go at shunting and changing the points.
Bob Powell (July 2008)
RECENT CHANGES
Since completion, the layout went to several exhibitions - most recently the Merseyside exhibition in 2013. It has now been moved into the clubhouse annexe where several areas are being reworked in between 'playing trains'!
Cwmbach-yn-Triardd is a set in a fictitious location, but is typical of the many industrialised valleys that existed in South Wales in the 1930’s. Unusually Cwmbach is one of the few of the South Wales valleys which offers a through route from the Cardiff docks directly to the English Midlands and the North.
The heavy railway traffic through the valley and the town of Cwmbach is made up of both local and long distance goods and passenger services. As well as the GWR the long arm of the LNWR reached into this part of South Wales and after the Grouping in 1923 the new formed LMS railway company maintained the earlier opportunities of the LNWR to exercise its running rights along the route.
So while the rolling stock and services are mainly GWR a number of LMS services can also be seen passing through the town.
From the south of Cwmbach, and from the Cardiff Docks, the northbound trains enter the Cwmbach Valley, passing over the major stone built Cwmbach Viaduct which spans the valley, down through a cutting and into the town of Cwmbach and its railway station. They continue past the iron and steelworks and into a tunnel on their way north towards England.
At the north end of the iron and steel works there is a single line branch which disappears into a tunnel to serve a large (but unseen) marshalling yard for the iron and steel works.
At the south end of the town, there is a branch line from a small colliery in an adjacent valley which also joins the main line south of Cwmbach Station.
Given the topography of the area, many of these local railway lines vie for the limited space available for railway lines.
THE LAYOUT
The layout originates from 1996 when the Club moved to Brassey Street. It has developed over the past twelve years, and has been designed to offer a constant view of moving trains on the main and branch lines to interest the spectator. There is regular shunting moves in the iron and steel works yard and in the small goods yard next to Cwmbach station, where there is a busy three road engine shed.
The layout is DCC controlled using the Lenz system. To help provide an intensive service of trains, a computer generated programme has been put together to allow the layout to run for approximately one hour without operator assistance. After the hour the programme can be repeated.
More conventionally the layout can be controlled without the computer using the Lenz hand-held controllers. A few DIN plugs have been installed on the outside of the layout to enable visitors to have a go at shunting and changing the points.
Bob Powell (July 2008)
RECENT CHANGES
Since completion, the layout went to several exhibitions - most recently the Merseyside exhibition in 2013. It has now been moved into the clubhouse annexe where several areas are being reworked in between 'playing trains'!
TT Group’s layout
Market Northop The TT scale (3mm to the ft. 12mm track gauge) was introduced in 1957 by TRI-ANG. Market Northop is a 28ftx10ft continuous layout with a centre well. It was started in 2003 and replaces the previous TT layout Castleby. Market Northop is a fictitious layout somewhere in between Lands End and John O’Groats in the late 40’s and the mid 60’s so a wide range of stock is represented (plus some Scot Rail). The baseboards are open plan, all made from 3/8in ply. |
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Track and points are hand built using code 80 flat bottom rail soldered to copper clad sleepers laid on cork then ballasted, all the points on the viewing side of the layout are hand operated through slide switches which also change the polarity to the point frog. The fiddle yard points are operated by a mixture of post office relays and slide switches. Market Northop station is scratch built using plans from a station in the north east. Chadith, the lower station is also scratch built from Great Western plans. The town scene is mainly scratch built but the low relief houses and shops are 3mm card kits by Bilteeze. The goods yard area has a mixture of scratch and kit built buildings which requires some more detailing. Work is in progress on the left hand side of the layout with a farm house, out buildings and surrounding fields being built.
The stock running on Market Northop is a mixture of original and modified Tri-ang, kits by Bec, Gem, 3mm Scale Models, the 3mm society and Branch Lines are also widely used. Plans for the future include modification to the entrance to the goods yard and working signals.
The stock running on Market Northop is a mixture of original and modified Tri-ang, kits by Bec, Gem, 3mm Scale Models, the 3mm society and Branch Lines are also widely used. Plans for the future include modification to the entrance to the goods yard and working signals.
TT scale
East Baston (exhibition layout) East Baston is the name of the new TT layout at the Merseyside Model railway Society. It is an end to fiddle yard layout built on four four-foot scenic baseboards plus the fiddle yard which is fitted to use cassettes. The trackwork is all hand built to 12mm gauge. The points are all hand operated. Leaving the fiddle yard are twin tracks which curve past the chemical works which are served by a long siding and having a small shed for the resident shunter, be it diesel or steam. This siding also gives access to the main loco shed. This is a two road covered building which, with two small sidings, is fed from a turntable. |
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The main line now approaches East Baston Station. A track leads off to the right to serve the canal basin. Barges and possibly small coastal vessels use the basin for loading/discharge of cargo. A stable exists for the horses of non-powered craft. The station has one major platform with a run around loop to release the train locomotives. There is also a bay platform leading off the line taking freight traffic to the goods yard and shed.
Rolling stock is based on equipment of the period 1945-1975 and thus steam and early diesel units can be seen. Being situated somewhere in the southern midland it is possible to see LNER and Southern stock, but the majority is GWR, LMS and British rail. Although nominally a branch line with there being twin tracks the railway authorities occasionally use the route to East Baston for test purposes. Thus the odd modern van or waggon will appear – maybe even Scotrail!
Rolling stock is based on equipment of the period 1945-1975 and thus steam and early diesel units can be seen. Being situated somewhere in the southern midland it is possible to see LNER and Southern stock, but the majority is GWR, LMS and British rail. Although nominally a branch line with there being twin tracks the railway authorities occasionally use the route to East Baston for test purposes. Thus the odd modern van or waggon will appear – maybe even Scotrail!
British N Gauge
Unnamed at Present A British outline layout, based on the late steam, early diesel era, 15ft long and 3ft deep is now being built. It will be (very loosely) based on the Golden Valley line and specifically Pontrilas. It is still quite early in the construction stage and tracklaying is still to start so if you have an interest in N Gauge and would like to be involved please contact us. |
N Gauge
Unnamed at Present Our newest layout created by new members to help improve their skills. It currently measures 12ft x 5 ft with a fiddle yard at the back |
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EM Gauge
West Kirby Joint Depicts the through station at West Kirby (now demolished) in an end-to-end layout in EM gauge (4mm to the foot). Track is laid and scenic work is in progress.West Kirby had two stations, the Wirral Railway and the London North Western and Great Western Railways. These two stations remained separate and although a plan to build a new combined station in the 1930s was proposed, in fact only the Wirral line station was rebuilt. This layout under construction at Merseyside Model Railway Society aims to recreate the joint line station until its closure in 1962, when services from Hooton were withdrawn. |
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The train line from Hooton to West Kirby was a single track. At the terminus in West Kirby there were facilities for watering and a passing loop existed, along with a turntable. Although a ‘terminus’ the line continued beyond the station to the North and made a connection with the Wirral Railway. This allowed a good network for transferring goods between the two railways.
West Kirby’s joint station was opened on 19th April 1886. It was the Great Western and London North Western Railways’ extension to the 1866 branch line from Parkgate. The extension ran from Parkgate through Heswall, Thurstaston and Caldy, terminating at West Kirby. |
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In 1923 the London Midland and Scottish Railway became the joint partner with the Great Western Railway but very little changed and service patterns remained constant. As the LMS had taken over the Wirral Railway consideration was given to the idea of building a new station at West Kirby which could accommodate both lines. This potential plan never materialised.
As a second stage the layout will include a construction/ model representation of the 1930s combined station which was never built. No plans exist for this; however the present LMS-built stations at West Kirby and Hoylake will provide inspiration through the design and style.
The choice of a period and the choice of a joint line allow us to have a wide choice of locomotives and rolling stock. For the second stage we will have to build electric stock as no models exist.
The joint line station fits onto a baseboard measuring 12ft by 2ft plus a fiddleyard at one end. When the second stage is added it will create a layout 12ft by 4ft with fiddleyard at both ends.
The layout is built in EM gauge, the base made of blue installation foam in order to make it lightweight and portable. The boards are bonded to 3mm ply sides and 9mm ends, metal dowelled and bolted together and supported by simple lightweight trestles.
As a second stage the layout will include a construction/ model representation of the 1930s combined station which was never built. No plans exist for this; however the present LMS-built stations at West Kirby and Hoylake will provide inspiration through the design and style.
The choice of a period and the choice of a joint line allow us to have a wide choice of locomotives and rolling stock. For the second stage we will have to build electric stock as no models exist.
The joint line station fits onto a baseboard measuring 12ft by 2ft plus a fiddleyard at one end. When the second stage is added it will create a layout 12ft by 4ft with fiddleyard at both ends.
The layout is built in EM gauge, the base made of blue installation foam in order to make it lightweight and portable. The boards are bonded to 3mm ply sides and 9mm ends, metal dowelled and bolted together and supported by simple lightweight trestles.
OO Finescale Group's Layout
Unnamed at Present Since all the upheaval of the move from Brassey Street last April, we have settled into our new clubhouse just up the road. The new layout we started in Brassey Street had to be scrapped as it would not fit into the space in the new OO room. The OO group have been busy planning and building a new layout once we cleared and modified the room to our requirements. |
We started with the fiddle yard on the wall side. This yard is about 32 ft. long leading into the paintwork and has 9 tracks. Up and down lines with 4ft radius curves at each end lead on the the main baseboards. These baseboards have been excellently made in Mike's workshops and erected in our room.
The track plan was drawn out on lining paper and fixed to the wall. Then the cork gang got to work laying cork where needed. The track plan consists of up and down main lines coming through a large station with bay platforms. There is a branch line coming in from each end for local trains. Behind the main lines there is going to be a lard M.P.D. with coaling plant, turntable, ash pits etc.. There will be a diesel depot and refuelling points further down. There will also be a goods yard, shed, sidings and a coal yard. The main line will pass over and under roads and a canal. The whole layout including the curves at each end will be 35ft long but can be shortened to 20ft by taking baseboards out for exhibition. We can also have only the M.P.D. section. Since the sad departure of several key modellers, this well-constructed, DC-controlled, 23ft by 7ft continuous run, steam-era layout has been taken on by a new team. More track is being laid and wired and scenic work is starting. If this appeals to you, please come and join the new modelling team. |
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00 gauge dcc
Rosial Central A large double track inverted figure 8 on a 13'x10' baseboard with a drawbridge giving access to a DCC control area.The layout has large 6 track through station (Rosial) with 3 large platforms allowing H.S.Ts of 7-8 carriages,also a small terminal station for a 3 car d.m.u. set.The layout has 2 maintenance and refueling depots, with a rail and road industrial area,plus 6 track sidings and goods shed.A large amount of electrics are almost completed with 11 merg boards operating 42 points.A tunnel is almost completed but a road bridge has yet to be started.Most all the ballasting is completed and with lots of scenery still required to be finished.New modellers interested in modern image are very welcome. |
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HO N&W American
Norfolk & Western 1940/50s This will be a model of a Norfolk and Western location and will include an engine terminal, business tracks and a coal loading facility. It will use the fiddle yard boards from the previous layout, Mauch Chunk PA. HO scale 3.5mm to the foot; 16.5mm track width. Continuous run 21ft x 11ft (with central well), using DCC. The 16-track fiddle yard from Mauch Chunk PA has been shortened and will become the yard for this new layout based on the N&W. If you are interested in learning to lay track & pointwork, wire a layout to DCC and build scenery this is a great opportunity. Non American-modellers are very welcome. |
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00 Gauge
Hornby 3 Rail This is a members layout built on na 6ft x 4ft board. The track and rolling stock are supplied by two members who are also members of the Hornby Railway Collectors Association. |
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