THE ULTIMATE MULTI-LEVEL LAYOUT

Size: 12ft 4in by 8ft

This is probably one of the most complex layouts I’ve designed. What I call ‘the wedding cake’ design started as a simple doodle to check how tiers or terracing would look. Satisfied with the compositional appearance, I set about working out track plans on three levels, with a solitary gradient between two of them.

One of the most important considerations is to assess how each level will be viewed. There’s partially concealed track, in several places, on two levels, sunken cuttings and a substantial gradient rising up in two places, plateauing partway, to serve one of two goods yards on a third level.

The lowest is a self-contained oval, representing a sub-surface section of the London Underground. Surrounded mainly by retaining walls, it’s important to be able to look down and into what are, effectively, cuttings. The mid-level needs to be below eye-level but situated at a height that feels prototypically comfortable with the lowest level. Finally, the upper goods yard level could be at eye level, though I suspect slightly below would be more suitable. Of course, this is all subjective and is dependent on the builder’s height when standing, or seated on a chair or stool.

While access is going to be quite tight there are several possibilities; part of the central street scene or other scenic sections without track could be removable. Open access panels in the sides, particularly near the station, bottom right, and underneath the high-level goods yard, top right, would all ease opportunities for maintenance and recovery. l Thanks to Peco for allowing us to reprint the track plans, which can be found in the Peco Setrack OO/HO Planbook. The fifth edition is out now, priced £3.95, from all Peco stockists.