Photographs on this page courtesy of RAILWAY MODELLER
Littlewood is a totally fictitious layout representing BR practice from the late 70’s to the present day. Not being based in any particular location enables a wide variety of locomotives and rolling stock in many liveries to be used.
The track plan comprises a double track mainline which passes through three levels; on the middle level it is joined by two slow lines, making a quadruple section. The lower level mainline is equipped with overhead catenary for electric services. A disused branch line from the upper level has been taken over by a preservation society, who are in the process of restoring it for steam and diesel operation. An existing station ‘Redford’ has been renovated for use as a base for passenger services and locomotive restoration and a limited shuttle service is operating over part of the line.
The operation of trains on the layout is almost totally automatic, using a system of reed switches and relays, operated by magnets on the leading vehicle of each train. The automatic exchange sidings on the mainlines are a development of those used on Richard’s previous layout ‘Littleborough’, while the system used on the slow lines, because there are no sidings, is of a totally new linear cascading type.
Design and construction of the layout
began in April 1990. The track plan was mapped out using a Computer
Aided Design system and, once finalised, the resulting complex baseboard
shapes were generated from the same programme. The layout comprises
three 8’ x 2’ 8” multi level baseboards, each made from 6mm thick
plywood and designed to keep the weight to a minimum for transportation.
All the trackwork is PECO streamline (code 80) flexible track with live
frog points operated by PECO point motors. There are over 25 trains
moving around the various circuits, so there should always be something
on the move. The locomotives and rolling stock are a mixture of ready to
run, modified and repainted or kit built items.
The scenic contours were sculpted from polystyrene tiles, covered with papier mache and flock powder mixed with wallpaper paste. Most of the buildings are modified from propriety kits, for example, the structures in the town scene started life as continental kits from POLA and FALLER. Some, namely Littlewood station building and locomotive shed, were scratch built, based on local prototypes, by Gary. All buildings and structures have been painted and weathered to improve their appearance by Christine. Many fine details have been included, for example most buildings have TV aerials and some even have satellite dishes. The town hall is playing host to the annual Littlewood Model Railway Exhibition!
‘Littlewood’ was first exhibited at Retford in November 1996, six years and six months after I started cutting the wood for the baseboards. I think that if I had realised the extent of the work involved in this venture back in 1990 I may have had second thoughts, but once I started, I had to finish. One of the most common questions we are asked at an exhibition is ‘How long did it take to build?’ Well, over the years I kept a record of the hours and at the time of writing it has taken over 2000 man (and woman) hours. Of course, a layout is never finished as you can always find something to add or change. Some of the small details which go a long way to creating the overall effect can take a very long time to achieve, and many visitors don’t even see them. The layout is still relatively new and there a still are few bugs to be sorted out. Each show produces a small list of modifications, repairs or improvements to keep me busy before the next outing. We have limited the number of exhibitions to four per year, which gives us time to make changes or additions to the layout and stock so that there is always something new for the visitor to see. My thanks go to my wife Christine who not only puts up with the layout but also actively participated in its construction and even operates it at exhibitions. She particularly enjoys the Saturday morning of a show because she can go shopping. Also, my good friend Gary Atkinson has given up many hours of his spare time to construct the buildings, and much of the scenery. Without the help and encouragement of these two people I doubt if ‘Littlewood’ would ever have been completed.
This page was last updated on 02 October 2005