Layouts
Previous Layouts |
The Test Track |
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The last exhibition layout owned by the Boston MRS was Perbeck. It was sold on after the 2005 exhibition. Purbeck was bought by the then Exhibition Manager after the sale of a previous layout meant that the club had no layout to use at its 2005 exhibition The layout was an L shaped Terminus to Fiddle Yard configuration. When it arrived at the Club Room the viewing side was on the inside of the L and was also the operating side. This was not suitable for exhibition so the back scene was removed and replaced on the opposite side. Clear plastic was placed along the new frontage to protect the layout and the electrics were given a once over. The layout appeared in this form at the 2005 exhibition and was sold straight after to its new owner. |
The Clubroom is equipped with a large test track. This runs round the perimeter of the room. It has the ability to run 2 00 gauge DC operated locos at once on 2 independent tracks which are also equipped with loops to allow more then one train to be used per track. It is also equipped with DCC provided by a Leinz system with hand held controllers. If you are unsure about DCC then you can have a dabble here without incurring the cost of the control system. The DCC circuit is 00 Gauge and can be switched back to DC if required. The Club has also spent along time creating a 00 gauge 3rd rail circuit. This is Flexi track with a Z gauge rail laid in the centre for electrical Pickup. This is the perfect facility for your 3rd rail locos as the difference between this and the original Dubalo track work is astounding. The Test Track also has a circuit of N gauge. The main scale used by members is 00 with a few preferring HO american prototypes this means that the Test Track has more 00 then N although there are plans to lay a second N gauge circuit to allow more then one N gauge train to be used at once. Feel free to bring your own locomotives and rolling stock to run on our test track.
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The New Layout |
The Clubroom |
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Construction has recently began in earnest on the clubs new Layout Project. This is a Continuous Run layout. It doesn't aim to represent a real place but it is meant to be a main line where the normal 4 track configuration has to reduce to 2 tracks to cross a viaduct. Below the Viaduct is a Coal Yard with a working coal loader. Current plans are for this portion of the layout to be DCC operated with the mainlines DC operated but wired up to allow for DCC operation in the future as and when enough members equip their locomotives with DCC decoders. The Layout is currently at the Track Laying Stage so should you want to learn how a layout is built then come along and have a go. But be quick as progress is being made at a fast pace as it is hoped to have the layout basically complete for the 2007 exhibition. |
The Clubroom is equipped with a TV and combined DVD/Video player. This allows members to bring along their DVD's and Videos for us to watch but don't expect to be able to hear the commentary clearly. There is also a kitchen available to prepare cups of tea or coffee depending on what you prefer. These are usually prepared all together. There are also Toilet facilities.
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