Arfleton
A kind member of the public donated this layout to the Club in November 2023, along with a small quantity of stock, because he no longer enjoyed running it, he was more interested in the construction side. It consisted of a simple track plan – 4 loops and some sidings – ideal to watch the trains go by. Also included were a number of buildings both ready made from Bachman and Hornby along with some built up Metcalfe kits. It was DC operated with a Gaugemaster controller.
The plan
The N gauge team decided to refurbish the layout as a good way of developing skills and techniques. Doing this also offered the chance for training other club members and to experiment with different control technologies and to demonstrate what could be done in a small space at home by anyone.
First up the buildings were removed and carefully stored, then the track was lifted and cleaned. Next the chipboard baseboard (not ideal really) was strengthened with some cross battens and the top sealed with paint.
It was decided to simplify the track plan to make it more railway-like and also to make two loops and some sidings available for DCC operation, something not tried in the club in N Gauge. Also it was suggested that different methods of point control could be experimented with – wire in tube and servo being the first techniques to be tried.
Of course the layout will have scenery with all the buildings being refurbished and replaced onto the layout. A new back scene is also planned.
This is the progress so far to date. Further progress updates will appear here during the year.
The aim is to complete all this by October 2024 so that the layout could be included in our annual exhibition. We also aim to make the layout available for visitors to the show to operate.
Interested in helping us?? – then come down to one of our club nights and chat to the team. All welcome!