Flynn Steel Terminal
Here it is, my first ‘proper’ layout. Firstly I owe thanks to RMWeb member Hugh Flynn – whom I have named my layout after. The guy is a legend and spends his free time designing model railway layout plans for free to other forum members. Thanks Hugh.
Layout overview
The layout is going to be set in the 80′s – 90′s to allow me to run some of my ever growing fleet of diesels and associated wagons. However it was apparent that I was going to have to make a few essential purchases in order to have the ‘correct’ type of stock – what a shame.Alex on RMWeb made the following suggestions:
08 BR blue
a pair of 20s one in blue one in old railfreight (could operate them as a pair!)
maybe a 25 or 26 in blue (depending on region)
a couple of 31s either in blue, sub-sector or old railfreight,
a ‘few’ 37s, liveries as above as well as large logo! Proposed Metals Ltd Edition heavyweight from Bachmann would be a winner here!
a 45 in blue
A few 47s in a multitude of different liveries
And of course your 50s!
I would also have a couple of 56s and maybe a 60 if you are operating into the 90s!
With my plan in mind I commence construction of the baseboard necessary to house my new layout. All went went too. I used 18mm x 40mm timber batons from B & Q and a for the top I used 9mm plywood. Plywood was suggested as an alternative to MDF and Sundeala for a couple of main reason – they maybe more but they escape me right now. 1) MDF has to be cut with care due to the toxic nature of the dust created and can absorb moisture and warp 2) Sundeala isn’t that cheap and has a tendency to sag under too much weight.
Baseboard constructed, it was time to lay the plan out in 1:1 scale on the baseboard and see how it looked, it looked great. So stuck the whole thing onto the baseboard with PVA so I had a plan to lay the track onto. Perfect.
Next phase – the bit I was looking forward too – Track Laying. For this task I am using Peco Streamline 100 flexi track and turnouts (That’s points).
It was after I had laid about 70% of the tarck I realised that I had made a bit of an error. I hadn’t made the traverser for the fiddle yard area. DOH! Whilst trying to ignore my obvious cock up and also to allow me to press on with the layout, I got it wired up for DCC and even manage to install DCC point motors with the help of my younger brother Pete.
