The basis of the layout, proposed to be based on “Aysgarth” station, takes the inspiration from three areas: cement traffic to Weardale, limestone traffic & MOD traffic to Redmire, and a preservation cum private railway concept of the Wensleydale railway.
The trackplan will initially represent a terminated form of Aysgarth station in North Yorkshire. The left hand end (limited access over stairway) will represent a preserved area. The right hand end will represent BR operations, notably for MOD traffic. Both BR traffic and preserved traffic will have separate branch exits from the layout to the right (towards the removable fiddle-yard). But both will also have running rights over each other.
This concept will allow the operation of any 00 (or HO) stock that the members might have in a realistic setting. Operations will include BR passenger (predominantly utilising units but with substitute loco-hauled services and specials), private passenger (utilising steam & preserved diesel locomotives/units), BR freight (with Speedlink and block freights), historic demonstration freights, and lastly, not forgetting 'Member’s Specials'.
Stock for Cement and MOD traffic is readily available from that already within the club, but stock for Limestone traffic is limited. However, on discussion with a major kit manufacturer, Limestone stock will soon become available, and it is therefore proposed that as a club project, a rake of these wagons will be purchased and built by individual members as an exercise in kit building using kits of various raw materials.
The layout will require a number of buildings, some maybe kits but others will be scratch built. These will form another club construction exercise. A further development will be front and back scenic boards to allow the layout to be used for exhibitions. The scenery on these sections will again form a club exercise.
The electrics for the layout will be conventional cab control allowing at least two simultaneous movements. Relco type units will be used as will motorised points and signals. The ability to override this wiring with DCC will also be incorporated to allow "chipped" stock to be run.
A longer-term development will see the layout being modified to allow exhibition continuous running as per the true Aysgarth station. The circular boards from the Test Track will be used to give all or part of the end curves. New fiddle yard boards will however eventually have to be built to complete this development.
The original idea for the ‘layout on the wall’ project, known as “Tickenham”, has been dropped, in favour of “Aysgarth”, based on a real location.
