UPDATED APRIL 2018

Subject:

The layout is based on part of an engine terminal (MPD) on the Union Pacific (Wyoming , USA), in the late 1950s with a  turntable and  part of a large roundhouse: Big Boys in their final years, and the early days of Diesels and Gas Turbines.

Scale:

American O-scale (1:48 – 1/4″/ft, 32mm gauge)

 Context:

In the hot summers of 1957 & 58, the Big Boys were brought out of store for their final moment of glory pulling massive trains from the Californian fruit harvest east over Sherman Hill between Laramie and Cheyenne in Wyoming. This layout aims to capture what it was like fuelling, watering and turning these monster beasts for this 50 mile each way shuttle.

 Size:

12ft x 3ft 6ins (3650 x 1050mm) – see attached plan.

Track height = 54” (1400mm)

IMPORTANT: This layout is PENINSULA in style so is intended to be viewed from THREE sides – two sides and one end.

On the plus side this means it provides ALOT of viewing space (over 20ft) for a small layout with only 2 operators, but it does make it a challenge for exhibition floor plan designers!

PLEASE NOTE: Siting this layout in the normal ‘view from one side’ way will seriously reduce its visual impact!

See below for siting suggestions.

This layout also needs a single 13A mains supply (current draw <3amps) and a 6ft x 2ft table for stock maintenance

Costs:

This layout is transportable in an estate car so expenses are fuel costs + accommodation:

2  operators (one twin room)

1-2 cars’ fuel or 1 car + 1 train ticket

One Day Shows

In general, I will only accept invitations to one day shows if at least some set up can be done the evening before the show and (except for very local shows) if accommodation is provided for the night before the show.

Two reasons for this:

• Experience has taught me that transporting the layout to a show and setting up on the day of the show results in embarrassingly bad running of the turntable – it needs an overnight to acclimatise to the conditions of your hall.
• Travelling to and from a one day show in one day means a very long day and this is, after all, meant to be fun!

Siting suggestions:

• Against a wall (with other exhibitors/traders either side):

 

• As part of an island:

• In an island on its own:

This guidance is available as a PDF – if interested, please leave a comment and a copy will be emailed to you.