Alan sent in these photos of his layout to share. I’m sure you’ll agree he should be very proud!

Here’s what Alan has to say –

The theme is South Wales in 1956-60, when I used to go to school by train. It is purely fictional and is suppose to be a small branch line.  It is 00 scale.

It’s DC controlled so isolating sections have to be provided.  It is a terminus to Fiddle yard type, two F/Y’s actually.  The main one has 7 roads and the lower one has only one.  Both are turntable types which means I don’t have to handle the stock too much.  The lower one is accessed by a tunnel which also houses a short spur for either a diesel railcar or auto train.

I use a Gaugemaster dual controller as both tracks are independently controlled although trains can cross between the two.

I enjoy authentic operation more than just watching trains go by.  The shunting operations are much more interesting which are carried out by the station pilot.

Most locos used are tank engines but I do have 5 tender locos, three of which are used on the high level track, but that’s another story.

Some points are electrically operated, but a lot of retro fitted ones are mechanical.  I prefer the latter.  All uncouplers are manually operated using my own method of levers.

As there is a coal and timber merchant on the canal basin, a creamery, Brewery, Mill and two goods sheds, there are plenty of shunting movements to keep me busy.

I hope this is of interest.