Allanstown is a minimum-space 16mm layout designed to combat symptoms of FORORP (Fear Of Running Out Of Railway Projects). In truth, running out is never going to happen. Like many others I suspect, I compiled a list of things to do when confined to barracks, and despite several weeks of fairly intense activity it is not much shorter than when first drafted. Much has been done, but much has also been added.

 

This particular project arose when I came across a small square coffee-table languishing in Garage No.3, declared surplus to requirements after long domestic service dating back to Edinburgh in the 1970’s. I wondered if it could form the basis of a layout using IP Engineering’s wooden track. Initial measurements suggested it would be very tight, but I remembered garage No.2 at one time held a slightly larger piece of plywood that might sit on the table and offer a little more space. Cautious exploration revealed that it still existed, and could well serve in the required role.

 

The track, as delivered, is a good example of the laser cutter’s art, in the form of several sheets of plywood with curves and straights etched in close proximity to long thin sections that formed the rails. Offcuts from between the track were used to make a jig to glue the rails in position, and it all fitted together neatly. The instructions said that heavyweight steam engines were not recommended, which seemed good advice.

 

I had no grand ideas as to scenery, but pressed into service a set of wooden buildings obtained a while ago from North Pilton Works, namely a station shelter, lineside hut, signal box and workmen’s cabin. A garden shed, dog kennel and rabbit hutch completed the line-up. The scenics were a fairly random collection of scatter materials from the overflowing Box of Scenic Stuff, applied in the spaces between pathways made from filler in Jigstones moulds. Another set of moulds were used to make the components of a rockery, and some spare figures were placed in suitably artistic poses.

 

Some cautious test runs showed the finished product was adequate for small battery locos with minimum wheelbase. Some derailing incidents were traced to rails slightly out of alignment, but once these were corrected trains ran smoothly. Once of the virtues of this type of layout is that manual intervention is minimal. You can just watch the trains go round, which I did on a sunny afternoon when I might otherwise have been away down south on a family holiday. Which I considered preferable remains a tightly-guarded secret. As to the name, Allanstown commemorates a member of Southport MRS who passed away during the building of the layout.

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