Hazel Valley-OO gauge

Gauge: OO ; 16.5mm, Scale: 4mm to 1ft.

Hazel Valley is a layout loosely based on railway practice and operation on the Hope Valley line between New Mills South Junction / Gowhole Yard and the city of steel, Sheffield. Parallel to the main line are exchange sidings for the freight traffic and a branch line that winds its way under the main line to serve the nearby limestone quarries and cement works and a small market town.

Black 5 hauled train and motor coach at the road overbridge.
Black 5 hauled train and motor coach at the road overbridge.

Scenic details portray the nature and tranquillity of the Peak District which is only disturbed by the passing of trains and the bleating of sheep. Trains depicted cover the London Midland region of British Railways practice of the mid 1960’s and our operating sequence will show different classes of steam locomotives and early British Railways diesels. Most trains pass by, but occasionally certain trains call at Hazel Valley station as part of the stopping passenger service along the route.

Blue Pullman diesel train passing the signal box.
Blue Pullman diesel train passing the signal box.

The branch line also carries a sparse passenger service to support the population of the small market town. Some freight trains are diverted into the exchange sidings for marshalling and for moving on or off the branch line as well. 1966 is the year we are running trains, the year in which the Midland route from Manchester to Derby was experiencing the beginning of a gradual rundown through the Beeching cuts of that time as well as the formation of our society.  The route was also used for testing diesel motive power.

0-6-0T loco shunting the sidings.
0-6-0T loco shunting the sidings.
Steam-hauled freight train on the main line.
Steam-hauled freight train on the main line.
D0260 Falcon in lime green livery on passenger service.
D0260 Falcon in lime green livery on passenger service.

Hazel Valley running sessions

You can bring your loco’s and rolling stock and run them on this large and impressive layout. Please note the rule that, in order to qualify to run your models, you must arrive early enough to help to put the layout up as well as stay to help take it down at the end of the session.