The first layout was built whilst I was living in Dwygyfylchi (North Wales) in 2003. It was a DC, "N" gauge set-up and the initial inspiration came from a visit to a Model Railway shop in nearby Betws-y-Coed. This layout lived in the conservatory of our home.
The set was then relocated to an upstairs bedroom where it remained, very much as the original layout, until it moved for a short period of time to Hazel Grove near Manchester. In 2016 it moved to Buckinghamshire, with another house move.
The layout was initially located in a reasonable sized shed and was eventually totally rebuilt in a design that in the main forms the current "Laddie" layout. A second layout was added but this was changed on many occasions before the outline design of the current "Bowmore" layout was formed.
In 2022 the train shed was doubled in size and had a major structural refurbishment.
The existing layouts were re-sited and a few alterations were made along with the creation of a 3rd layout "Grouse".
The existing layouts were re-sited and a few alterations were made along with the creation of a 3rd layout "Grouse".
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All three layouts have motorised points in all locations and the "Bowmore" has one of it's lines utilising a "shuttle" unit.
The layouts share a total of 23 locomotives of all types and eras, and the shed has a simple test track to assist with maintenance. The track, locomotives, scenery, etc has come from a variety of sources including online specialists, eBay, exhibitions, and from a superb local shop, "AGR Model Railway Store", in Leighton Buzzard.
The layouts share a total of 23 locomotives of all types and eras, and the shed has a simple test track to assist with maintenance. The track, locomotives, scenery, etc has come from a variety of sources including online specialists, eBay, exhibitions, and from a superb local shop, "AGR Model Railway Store", in Leighton Buzzard.