Back
Gainsborough Model Railway O Gauge Layout
Not just a layout but a working re-creation of a journey from Kings Cross station, in London, to Leeds Central station on the route up the east coast, back in the good old days of STEAM.(although on this visit I did note the appearance of one or two early diesels). It's not just a layout that runs trains round and around in a circle, like your conventional display layout, but one which runs the train has they would have been back in the age of steam, running to a schedule, with engine changes at the two terminus, and, with interlink commuter services, mixing with the big boys, the non stop and stopping trains. The layout is situated in one large building, once an old school, which has been the layouts home since 1949 and runs at different levels through three rooms.
To control operation the trains are passed between signalling locations, in the old fashion way, by signal men talking to each other through bell ring & block communication. An astounding layout, one which never fails to impress, even after my fourth visit. Add to all of the above,is the scale, O Gauge, which helps add to the realism.
Above:Kings Cross Station as it was. Trains having arrived engine first await the departing train, arriving from the nearby shed, having been readied by its crew, to couple up, to lead its train, engine first, down to Leeds. A time consuming operation to uncouple the arriving engine, shunt it forwards to the buffers, leaving the rake of coaches free for the departing train, recreated to perfection by the amazing team of operators/signalmen. Once the train has departed the removed train will reverse to the sidings, be turned on the turntable ready to head out another train later in the schedule.
Above: A picture of an up passenger train heading for Kings Cross entering Doncaster station.
Above: A train with a rake of Pullman coaches, headed by an A3 Pacific, awaits signal clearance at Retford for its onward journey to Kings Cross.
Above: A view of Leeds Central terminus station,clearly showing the intricate loops that lead to and away from the station on which the trains travel. The turntable can be seen, which is used to turn the arriving trains ready for their next operation.
For more information click on the Gainsborough Model Railway Club