Opening the box
It was just before Christmas, and RAIL’S Managing Editor Nigel Harris commented to me about how people seem to be moving away from large tail-chaser layouts towards micro-layouts. Nigel had clearly seen Chris Nevard’s latest miniature marvel, the pint-sized ‘Brew Street’, which we featured in the January issue (MR230). It measures 65cm by 30cm, and while not the most thrilling layout to operate, it’s yet another wonderful piece of modelling art. Everyone has a different reason for building a layout. ‘Brew Street’ is typical of Chris Nevard; it reused otherwise surplus items so it’s economical, and small enough so that he didn’t get bored building it. That said, the move towards even greater realism continues to gather momentum. Whether this is down to needing to build a layout that matches the standards now being set in model train manufacturing, or because it’s now easier than ever to see what modellers in other disciplines are achieving, it’s impossible to say. But more and more thought is being given to lighting a layout to make it look its best, selecting subdued, natural colours… the list goes on. We can even get off-the-shelf bullhead track from Dccconcepts and Peco to lift the standards of realism even further. But one thing never seems to go out of fashion: the Branch Line Terminus layout. Unless you want crack expresses or 50-wagon coal trains, the ‘BLT’ has all the desirable layout ingredients. Passenger trains, goods trains, shunting, locomotive depots (sometimes even with a turntable) and some kind of local industry or settlement; you can have it all and in a reasonable amount of space. To give you an example, Chris Nevard’s ‘Combwich’ has all these features, including a small quay, and it’s only 14ft long. At one stage we couldn’t move for ‘BLTS’ but they were predominantly Great Western in origin and a little on the twee side. Layouts based on Ashburton and Watlington were particular favourites. However, we’ve scoured the country to bring you ‘BLT’ layout ideas from around the country, from the wilds of the Scottish highlands to the suburbs of London. No longer is the ‘14XX’ the only branch line power you need: LNER ‘J39s’, Midland 0-6-0s, Class 27s and even London Underground ‘S Stock’. We have ‘BLT’ layout ideas to suit most interests. But as we’ve become more receptive to new construction techniques, we’ve also become more open to the concept of modelling somewhere or something a little different. Take the former Furness Railway terminus at Lakeside (illustrated above). In its heyday, it must have been a fantastic place, set against the background of Windermere. It would make an excellent pre-grouping layout… An even more eye-catching one could be set in the 1960s, with a grubby ‘Black Five’ at the head of blue and grey Mk 1s at the only platform still open, as a diesel-hauled demolition train arrives to lift the now redundant sidings, covered in weeds, reminding the traveller of times past. ‘BLTS’ – the possibilities are endless!