Edinburgh Junction

Right... Edinburgh Junction, is a fictional 00 gauge model railway based near Edinburgh (hence the name). It currently runs on 2 baseboards, making up a 1800x2400mm baseboard. The layout runs on normal Hornby track, with Gaugemaster underlay for better running. The layout has a station, with 3 platforms, a siding/engine shed, and a mainline. The platforms are made from Metcalfe kits, which are really easy to use. The station building is also a Metcalfe product, along with the Parcels office/Waiting room just down the platform. With Platform 1 for the shorter, more local trains such as my 156 and 153, this allows the platform to take upto 3 carriages. Platforms 2 and 3 on the otherhand, are mainly for the mainline, long distance trains such as my 390, and any occasional charter services. This allows any trains upto 4 carriages (not very long, but long enough for the layout).

The mainline is only a formation of 2 tracks, but with platforms 1 and 3 splitting off from the lines, this allows for the trains. The clockwise track, you can access both platforms 2 (on mainline) and 3 (branched off). The anti-clockwise track, you can access the thru line, for passing trains such as the daily ballast train, or speedy passengers (on mainline) and platform 1 (branched off). From platform 1, heading anti-clockwise, you can go straight on, rather than joining the mainline, to go to both the sidings or engine shed.

At one corner of the layout, is a new hill, which will have a tunnel, allowing the mainline to pass through. This is currently being constructed out of plywood, wire mesh, modelling rock and scatter grass. This will be completed by the end of August 2009.

More news, pictures and gossip on the layout will be available from time to time. I will try to update you as much as I can, so dont worry!

I have pictures on flickr, videos on YouTube and news and gossip on RMWeb, so please check out the links page to see them.

The video above, is of the advert I have created for Edinburgh Junction. The link for it can be found here at www.youtube.com/watch?v=YZice-hwQtQ

NEWS 29/11/09: Extension board and track have arrived

After my parents deciding that they were going to get me the track, I handed over a list of track, and they got it for me. That track, was all of the stuff, appart from the 2x R608s (silly me). So after gettting the baseboards, timber and a length of flexitrack (that would have repalced the curves), I got home and put everthing together. Cut the flexitrack down, and hammered on the fishplates. Didn't go very well. Damaged a load of fishplates, and I had to use the Peco ones, not the Hornby ones on my SetTrack. Very dissapointed. Going back to square one, and getting my curves. I had a spare R609 left over (made up of 2x R608s), so I cut it in the middle, to make 2x R608s. They weren't brilliant, but they got the shape. Placed them in just to see, and realised I needed them. But for the join between the curved point and platform 3.... what was I gonna use?

An R608 was just to short.... and the track cutters gave a rough edge to the track, meaning I couldn't connect it easily. Ah! Get my hacksaw out, and cut a bit off! So I did so, and and I got a nice neat edge to the track. Also, a bit of sleeper manipulation to be able to put a fish plate in, glue the sleepers in place and voila! I have a manipulated R608 from an R609!

Really happy with my self atm, for doin' that! Ended up with an extra 10cm on the board, so need to think of what could be added to that extra bit (the board was meant to be the same width as the control panel...)

1. Parcels office & waiting room

2. Platforms (1 at the top, with 2/3 island, and 4/5 on the island terminus)

3. Waiting room

4. Station building

5. Pub

6. Workers platform/departmental platform

7. Bus depot

8. Signal box

9. Footbridges

10. Level Crossing

11. Engine Shed

12. Workshop and office

13. Sidings

14. Phone Boxes

15. Loco stabling point

16. Nature reserve car park on raised sections (retaining walls down to track level)

  Counting since 27th July 2009