Junior Layouts

Introduction

I am Convinced that the hobby must attract the young if it is not going to fade away, and am inspired by the joy that model railways be it Brio, Duplo, or something more sophisticated seem to bring to our grandchildren the club has two interactive children’s layouts available for shows. An additional larger G scale Thomas layout is run by a club member. The pair of these will fit in the back for a car and are available for shows and can both be set up and run for a one day show by two people as long as they are placed adjacent to each other.

Some of the clubs and members Layouts that might appeal to junior members. Available for shows.

Tomy Train Thomas the Tank Engine.

Description: Tomy Train track makes 3 separate but linked circuits, with some appropriate buildings. It comes with a selection of push along and battery motorised locomotives, lots of rolling stock and accessories. This is designed to be used and abused by children as young as 2 years (as tested on various grandchildren) with only light touch adult supervision to sort out rights of way disputes and change the odd battery.

Layout Measurement: 2340 X 920mm. It has its own legs and only stands 600mm off the ground.

Minimum total space required: About 4m (Width) X 2.3m (Depth) as there needs to be at least 600mm of access space for multiple children all the way round it, and preferably a bit more.

Electric: None. Locomotives are battery powered

Other requirements: none

Operators: Light supervision by a single operator. If co-located with another BSEMRC children’s layout no additional operators are required.

Thomas the Tank layout built by Matthew P

Thomas N Gauge interactive layout

Description: The layout has two independent tracks which run Tomix Thomas the Tank Engine trains (Thomas, James and Percy) with appropriate rolling stock. There are two controllers which have been modified to restrict the top speed to prevent an overenthusiastic child sending the rolling stock flying.

Layout measurement: 1200 X 500mm, it sits on top of a standard 6 X 2ft table. (We prefer the table to be supplied but can provide one if notified).

Total space required: 2.5m (Width) X 3m (Depth) as the operators need chairs in front and the supervisors chairs behind the layout.

Electric: One 13amp socket. We can provide a short extension to plug the two plugs we have into. All equipment will be PAT tested.

Other requirements: 4 chairs required for supervisors and operators. We can not provide these.

Operators: Two adults to supervise its use and change the locomotives periodically. At a one-day event the same adults can also supervise the Tomy Train interactive layout.

N Gauge Thomas layout , 2 independant tracks operatated by seperate controllers

G scale layout.

Project Managed by Matthew,

Built by David F, David T ,Frank, Bill,and Phil

Scale: G scale (1/24)

Description: This is a child friendly Thomas layout in G scale (1:22.5, think playmobile sized). It is not intended to be modelers work of art. There are typically two loops for continuous running and additional sidings. Locomotives include Thomas, Percy, James, Toby, Emily, Winston and Devious Diesel, most have appropriate sound and moving eyes. Rolling stock is mainly suitable Bachmann Thomas and friends wagons with some LGB novelty wagons for amusement. There is a selection of scenery which like the track is put up on the day and subject to variation but includes roads, vehicles, people (including Thomas related figures), animals, platforms and buildings.

Era: The Island of Sodor in the late 1950’s

Size: Minimum 14ft by 8ft but can be expanded in both dimensions (see below)

Space Requirements: This is a tabletop layout. It requires a minimum of six 6ft x 2ft tables (giving the 14 x 8ft size). All tables must be the same height. The size can be expanded in one or both dimensions for every 2 additional tables provided. For example, 8 tables can be configured as 18 x12ft or 20 x 8ft. It is sometimes possible to use tables of different sizes but please enquire before assuming this will be adequate. If a size larger than the standard 14 x 8ft is required extra track has to be organised (by me) so I need to know the size / number of tables available in advance. An additional 2-3ft operating space is required at the back and on one side of the layout (the exact amount is flexible).

Environment: This layout can be run indoors or outside in reasonable weather conditions (ie: dry (a must), warmish (for the operators) and not too windy.

Control: Massoth DCC

Power: A single 13 amp socket is required. The controller has been PAT tested.

Transport: The two operators and all the equipment (but NOT the tables which must be provided by the organisers) fit in an estate car. No additional transport required.

Where am I based? Near Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk

Contact details: Matthew Porteous, email: mjporteous57@gmail.com

and a few pics of the layout