Society’s Layouts

| Home | Society’s Layouts |

This page is devoted to the Society's layouts.

The Test Track

The Society has a multi-gauge test track which caters for Hornby Dublo 3-rail, N gauge, 12mm (TT/HOm) gauge, OO gauge (two tracks), and a combined 2-rail/3-rail 32mm (O) gauge and 45mm (1/G) gauge circuit. The N gauge, 12mm gauge and OO gauge circuits have loops so that while one person is running their train, another can be setting up or removing their train.

Members sometimes need a gentle reminder that junior members should have priority for the first hour, and should let the next person have their turn after 15 minutes.

O Gauge – ‘Horton Road’

Based on a fictitious branch off the Broadstone to Brockenhurst via West Moors line (the ‘Old Main’), the 18'6" × 11'6" layout features fiddle yard to terminus arrangement with a 5' minimum radius. In addition, an industrial feeder line can be used to create a continuous run, but with a reduced minimum radius of 4'.

The layout has recently come out of store, and is being readied for its first exhibition in several years.

OO Gauge – ‘Wimborne, Dorset’

Based on the Society’s “home” station, this 18'6" × 11'6" layout is still under construction. Designed as a double-track ‘tail-chaser’ fed by a ten-road fiddle yard (five Up and five Down roads), the layout features SMP code 75 track and hand-made points. While the track plan is based on the early 1950’s, it is envisaged that it can be operated either as a steam era model, or as a modern day ‘what-if’ had the branch not closed in 1964–1977 period. For more details, click here.

OO-9 – ‘Tarrant Valley’

Our popular freelanced narrow gauge model railway was featured in the February 2006 issue of Railway Modeller. For more details please click here.

HO Gauge (North American)

Following the retirement of our freelanced ‘Willet Creek’ layout, The North American group are planning their next layout. Construction will not start however until Wimborne (00) is finished.

N Gauge

We do not have an N gauge layout at the present time. This is surprising, given the number of our members who are active N-scalers. The fact that most of them are also members of the N Gauge Society’s East Dorset Area Group could be the reason.