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Hazelwood Junction is built to N gauge
so that members can use ready-to-run stock. The layout was started in 2006 and is based on
the line from Hazel Grove through Middlewood to Disley, New
Mills Central and Hayfield Junction.
Running sessions are usually on the first Wednesday of each month. Helpers are always welcome.
Since
this photo in February 2007 the layout
has progressed rapidly under the guidance of group leader
Wally Pugh (pictured). |
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At the monthly meeting in August 2007, Hazelwood Junction saw its first train able to complete a circuit. |
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The layout's electrician, Frank Gordon, reckons that he has used 3855 feet of wire and soldered about 2000 joints (some more than once).
There are 3 double slips and 19 other points on the layout operated by 22 point motors. These in turn operate 22 microswitches, 9 add-on switches and 14 relays. The relays switch the track wiring to suit the setting of the points. Five controllers can keep plenty of locos in operation.
Finally there are 13 section isolation switches and 12 push buttons (to release in the fiddle yard) and to assist the operators in keeping track of the layout are 59 LEDs: 13 red for live sections, 12 for indication of which controller is in charge of sections where track possession can change and 34 which show which way the points are set. |
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At the running session in December 2008, John Sherratt's photograph shows a bird's eye view.
The cliffs hide the storage loops and point motors.
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July 2009
Showing the footbridge and the station building, which is a mirror image of the real building at New Mills. |
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November 2009
The sandstone cliff scales about 100 metres long and 20-25 metres high.The cliffs actually exist at the Sett Valley Trail, New Mills, Derbyshire.
Construction uses wire mesh, kingspan foam, polystyrene and plaster bandage, all covered with about 2cm of plaster. Working from photographs taken of the cliffs, much of this plaster is cut away to form the shape and structure of the rock walls. |
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August 2010 photos by Wally Pugh
Track ballasting is now complete.The ballast was bought from Geo Scenics, using stone from the area being modelled. The ballast was loose laid and then fixed in place with the usual mixture of dilute pva with a drop of washing up liquid. So that moving parts of points were not clogged up a ready mix was used, laying about ten stones at a time! |
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The layout is looking much more complete, although there are still lots of details to be added.
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The station and platforms are still to be finished, the signal boxes and goods shed to be erected, the roads surfaced and houses built. |
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August 2011
The cliffs are now painted and the next step is for grass, bushes and trees to "grow".
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Also needed are working semaphore signals, two on the station platforms, a gantry near the tunnels and a two arm signal for the passing loop on the main line.
The yard may have ground signals at a later date. |
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The group members are very friendly and welcome anyone with an interest in N gauge. If you can also do a bit of modelling, or want to learn how to, so much the better. |
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