82G in O gauge

Factfile

• Gauge: O
• Scale: (7mm/ft)
• Era: 1957-1966
• Location (depicted): Bristol area
• Owner: Warley MRC (club)
• Dimensions: 28ft x 3ft 6in
• DCC Control with sound
• Run: end to end

On shed with 21C121 Dartmoor, to its left a GWR 14XX. 82G is renown for its display of varied locomotives - note the small 0-4-0 behind 34021.

82G is an O gauge model railway layout loosely based on sheds of the BR Western region. The layout is almost 12 metres in length and is operated by DCC with locomotives being equipped with DCC chips, some of which are equipped with sound. The layout is in an end to end configuration and has been extended over the years, having featured twice in British Railway Modelling (October 2010 and May 2013). See pocketmags.com/BRM to download these issues.

A busy shed scene with ex-works Whittington Castle being serviced after a run up from Devon. Entering the lifting shed is SR USA dock tank 30069.

• The original layout was designed so that the off-stage area started half way down the main running shed building, with the exit (and entrance) track disappearing into a tunnel behind the lifting shed and factory building.
• In the new extension the layout has been extended by 60%, enabling the members to complete the running shed buildings and to provide more sidings and stabling points.
• Several of the existing baseboards had a narrow extension piece permanently fitted to the front, which has enabled the members to provide new trackwork passing in front of the extended running shed. It provides a front link between the existing layout and the newer extension.
• The former track exit through the tunnel behind the lifting shed and factory building has been retained, entering onto the extension via the other end of the tunnel and opening out to a twin track which now exits beneath a double track over bridge.
• The extended end of the layout is now framed by a large viaduct running front to back across the full with of the baseboards.

Rebuilt Royal Scot 46143 'The South Staffordshire Regiment' and ex-GWR 2-8-0T No. 4231 rest between duties.

 
There are typically four locomotive drivers operating at any one time, all orchestrated by a shed master, who will direct which locomotive goes where and does what and will control the setting of the pointwork and locomotive pathways. This, they believe, will prevent errors and disasters, where one loco could otherwise easily cross the path of another if not properly controlled.

Stablemates: GWR 14XX No.1469 and 21C1 No. 34021 Dartmoor.

Conclusion

82G is a large layout for an individual project build, but quite manageable as a team as part of a club. Shed layouts are great for displaying a collection of locomotives, but the lack of running lines can make operation a little repetitive at times.

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