Shed Building Plans

Layout inspirations 2 Ashburton

Ashburton by John Birkett-Smith
Viewed at The International N Gauge Show 2006
Featured in Model Railway Journal #94 (April) 1997




For me this was the stand-out layout at The International N Gauge Show in 2006. What captivated me about this GWR branch layout was the scenery. The grass looked like real grass! I spent 10 minutes just taking in the view, then realised that the operator had gone off for a tea break and no trains were running. It didn’t seem to matter. I hunted down a copy of the MRJ feature, which reveals a clever baseboard construction approach and a sector plate that swivels under the scenery - not something I’d seen before (nor can I describe it well either!).

Anyway, check out John’s web site of the layout here.


Layout inspirations 2 Ashburton

Layout inspirations 4 Moorcock

Moorcock by Andy Calvert
Viewed at the N Gauge Society 40th Anniversary show 2007

Id heard all about this layout on the Yahoo! N Gauge forum as it has legendary status. Was it worth all the fuss? Yep. A great example of N Gauge modelling - full-length trains, sweeping curves and great scenery.

Moorcock is still on the exhibition circuit despite the demise of its builder Andy Calvert. It also being reburbished - its quiet old. Anyway, I didnt have my camera with me in 2007 when I saw it, but here are some great photos and a video on the N Guage Society web site.

Pictures are here.

Video is here.

Enjoy.


Layout inspirations 4 Moorcock

Layout Inspirations 1 Bishop Wearburn

Bishop Wearburn by John Spence
Featured in Railway Modeller, October 2004 and Hornby Magazine October 2008
Viewed at Southampton MRS Show 2009




These layout inspirations are in no particular order, nor have I necessarily even seen them in person. But in each case there’s something (or often several things) that inspired me to have a go, perhaps even emulate one day. Its purely a personal, subjective token of admiration and envy.

In the case of Bishop Wearburn, the double track main line, sweeping curves over 20’ and the bridge all encapsulate what’s possible in N gauge. I read the feature in the first Hornby mag I bought (“N gauge and Hornby – surely some mistake?”) and made sure I made it to Southampton to check it out. I was the bloke who just watched the trains go by for 20 minutes at the end of the show. John was operating and is very approachable, giving me tips on baseboard construction (“If building a loft layout make sure you build it in sections – you will want to move it one day…”). Thanks for that, John, and for tolerating the sad chap spotting your trains.

More pictures are here courtesy of Mike Boydon.


Layout Inspirations 1 Bishop Wearburn