It has now converted to the Massoth Digital System capable of running up to 32 locos at any one time!
With it's new track layout, larger curves and turnouts and ample storage sidings. It is Gauge 1, the scale is around 1/24th, the track gauge is 45mm and the whole layout is a freelance fun layout based on European practice.
The whole history of this garden railways dates back several years when the owners were in business. Modern houses were never designed to have large model railways in them so the obvious answer was to put them out in the garden. Modern materials are used in the track work which allows them to be left out in all weathers. The rail is solid brass and the sleepers are of UV-protected plastic. We have built all the wooden structures, bridges, bents and buildings, treating each with a weather-proofing preservative.
The joys of the Massoth Digital System is many. The main ones are the fact that there is no need for isolating sections and that there is a permanent voltage on all the tracks. This means that locos continually smoke if you wish and that lights in the carriages stay lit.
Basically, the railway is one large continuous length of track encircling the house with passing loops and various sidings. The track has been modified and the curves increased to a minimum radius of 6 feet so that any loco can now be run. There are also two long separate cog lines, each with sections of cog assistance on the steep grades which, eventually, meet at Woodend station (below).
Starting your journey on the main line at the large main station at Woodend (above) the line runs at high level around the patio area, eventually reaching the town of Lakeside and stops in the station.
This line then continues around the front of the house, where it divides, at Normanton Junction, the lower line runs across a 12 foot long trestle (above) and down the side of the house.
Whilst the upper line now known as the "High Line" climbs on a maximum 2% grade to Colinwood Station which has a through goods line. There is also a cog line from this station down towards the front of the house to a village called Badger's Drift. As the line approaches the curved trestle there are storage sidings behind the station. The line then rejoins the lower line after crossing a bridge and eventually reaches it's starting point at Woodend station.
Near the front of the house there starts a line which runs through a tunnel, through the village of Itsall, past an industrial complex, then climbs, via a rack system onto 2 bridges then down into Woodend station, then after a short break returns.
Both cog locos have fully operating pantographs and draws their power from the overhead catenary. Occasionally a steam rack loco works the line through Itsall. Directional lights as well as cab lights makes for interesting running at night. Both cog systems are still on the old analogue system.
The lower cog train starts it's journey at Woodend then descends 12 feet of rack then winds it's way under the mainline, crosses the lake by a 65 inch long arch girder bridge behind the main line station to terminate at a station building which is part of Lakeside station. This train also reverses back to Woodend automatically after a short break.
Passenger and goods trains on the main line also run through Woodend. Troublesome reverse curves have been straightened out and any length of train can be run. A new loco servicing area for both steam and diesel has been built.
The new Massoth hand held controller is radio controlled and it's display shows numerous facts such as a picture of the loco being controlled and it's name or number, your choice, the current being drawn by that loco, it's direction and whether it's smoking or not, lights on, station announcements and so on. You can leave a particular loco running whilst you run another then easily switch back to the previous loco.
The joy is that you do not have to remember which loco has been programmed with which number just scroll through the list on the hand set and select!
It was whilst we were trying to run in adverse weather conditions we found several bad electrical connections. The rails had expanded and then contracted several times causing the fishplates to make a poor contact. We looked around for an answer and came up with rail clamps which are easy to fit over the existing fishplates even when the track is fastened down. Made of brass with stainless steel bolts they blend in with the rails and ballast. Since fitting them, we have not experienced any electrical problems.
Revised February 2009
