Foundry Lane is the terminus of a short freight-only branch line set somewhere in the West Midlands in the early 1970s.  At one end of the layout is a traditional steam-era Goods Shed (which is based on a GWR prototype at Tettenhall); at the other end the line runs off scene to a canal basin, which is now used as a steel terminal.

Exhibition Appearances

Foundry Lane made its exhibition debut at the RMweb member’s day at the Chasewater Railway in July 2008.
The next booked exhibition is at the SRC show on 7th & 8th February 2009.

The layout
This is my first project since returning to the hobby and also my first experience of modelling in EM gauge.  For these reasons the objective was to produce a small, simple layout on which I could practice the necessary skills.  The track-plan is based upon the timesaver shunting puzzle, more commonly associated with US shelf-switcher layouts.

The track and turnouts were constructed using C&L rail and chairs laid on plywood sleepers from the EM Gauge Society.  Track templates were produced using Trax2 layout planning software, these were fixing to the boards and the track was constructed in situ.

The blue-brick retaining wall forms the main architectural feature, running along almost the entire scenic length of the layout.  This makes use of Wills and Slaters materials and acts as a scenic break between the layout and the fiddle yard.

The plan is to extend the layout to include an additional fiddle yard which will represent the off-scene steel terminal.

Rolling stock
Motive power consists of modified ready-to-run locomotives by Bachmann, Heljan and Hornby.  Appropriately for the era and area modelled, BR Derby-Sulzer Type 2s (class 24 and 25) make up the majority of the fleet; although occasionally locos from other regions appear on the trip freight workings.

Modelling freight stock is my main area of interest and therefore the layout is home to a growing collection of kit built freight stock, along with a few modified ready-to-run vehicles.  Traffic for the Goods Shed is handled in traditional ventilated vans, while bolsters and open wagons are used for the steel traffic.

Further information and photos can be found at:
http://foundrylane.fotopic.net/

Information for exhibition managers
The layout measures 2.7m x 0.4m (8’10” x 14”) overall and includes its own supporting legs and lighting.  The layout, along with two operators, travels in an estate car.  For more information and enquiries please contact Mark Forrest