A name has been found for the layout after much searching as we wanted to give as much credibility and local interest as possible, with stock movements from as diverse an area as believably practicable.

Looking at the rail maps of the area, Uttoxeter stood out as a triangular junction with direct links to Stoke, Derby and the Churnet Valley Line, and close to the service operated over the GNR line to Stafford.

Clearly Uttoxeter would not be a feasible option in the restricted space available to us (it would not be easy in OO either), so reference was made back to the map and the Churnet Valley line; it was noticed that the villages of Little Cubley and Great Cubley were not far away.

We are now in a part of the country that is far from any coast and is ideal for military production, which would also mean transporting workers to the area. So, a spur from the Churnet Valley Line could have been constructed, the facilities later being occupied by engineering works still requiring workers to be transported to the area, and rail access for incoming materials and outgoing products by a connection to the private tramway.

The name chosen is (the fictitious) Middle Cubley and the layout is being built in the Midland Railway style.

The 5 main boards now have all the track laid, wiring has been connected to all track and pointwork and tested by temporarily twisting wires together prior to building the control panel – it was a great moment when a loco ran over every combination of track setting.

We have started track ballasting and station platform construction also all pointwork operating cranks are in place.

The photos showing rolling stock on the track gave us accurate positions for the location of uncoupling electro magnets,  many of which are now fitted.

The inset track (tramway) for the industrial area is proceeding well with the completion of the base card inlay ready for the scenic surfacing at a future date.

When the boards are lowered in the near future for completion of wiring we will complete the exhibition fiddle yard and a scenic turntable section which brings me to my appeal for help.

Help! Help! Help!
If anyone has drawings or photos of a Cowan Sheldon 60 or 65 ft turntable I would be most appreciative if I could  borrow them to enable me to draw up plans for our project. Please contact me at the clubrooms, or by emailing me here.

Mick Mills