Then we have the extensive layout by the SR7mm Group.
Introduction to the SR7mm Group Railway
This O gauge model railway occupies most of a suburban back garden and is based on BR Southern Region (Central and Eastern Divisions) operating practices in 1958. We now have eight stations (including goods stations) with approximately 110 operating signals and over 100 point ends.
Construction commenced in 1990 using Peco and Marcway points and track. Steady development over the years has seen a new building, a new station, hand built C&L/Exactoscale track with 31.5mm gauge points, and near completion of a full signalling and control system with strategically placed CCTV cameras. Much work has also taken place on the scenic side of the railway.
On one side of the garden two buildings contain the London end of the railway. In the “Garage” is Smithfield, a high level terminus with four platforms plus a meat and goods depot and loco facilities. Adjacent is a low level fiddle yard representing the Widened Lines giving connections both prototypical and fictional to other regions, the whole area being inspired by Holborn Viaduct Station and its surroundings.
Both levels continue to the “Old Shed” with Great Victoria Street (GVS) (inspired by Blackfriars Station) having three low level platforms together with parcels bay, two carriage sidings and a loco depot. This station is mainly used as the London terminus, with a single track connection to the fiddle yard for inter-regional trains. An island platform serves the high level line which then crosses above the main station throat on a girder bridge.
On the opposite side of the Old Shed is a large goods yard at Southwark with its loco and milk depots, together with a single platform station at Bermondsey Bakers Yard.
Originally these were the only buildings, with the rest of the railway being out in the open with covers that had to be removed for running.
All three lines swing round 180 degrees to Coulsdon Station. This now occupies the far side of the “New Shed” although it is in a similar position and has a similar layout to the original station.
Platforms 1 and 2 serve the main line from GVS. The high level lines from Smithfield drop down to a junction with the Southwark lines just outside Coulsdon (with a separate Goods Loop from Southwark to Coulsdon) and then into Platforms 3 and 4. This end of Coulsdon Station with its various crossovers, Loco Spur, and connections to the continuous run and the Link Line (see later), is controlled by the Coulsdon A operator, although two signal boxes, Coulsdon A and Coulsdon B, are modelled.
After connections to two Berthing Sidings and a Coal Concentration Depot (CCD), the tracks from Platforms 3 and 4 join the main line then immediately split again at Coulsdon C signal box as they leave the New Shed.
Straight on is what is now a single line to Warrior Square Station. Originally this was a double track line to a three platform station called Bexhill (inspired by the real Bexhill West). Following construction of the New Shed this was downgraded to a single line with a single passenger platform (plus two carriage sidings) with the other island platform accommodating a bagged fertiliser depot. Removal of certain point blades and rails makes this now part of a large goods yard.
Onwards from Coulsdon C the tracks swing round a further 180 degrees to run along the outside of the Old Shed. Splitting into four tracks the two innermost lines drop down between the main lines to form a flying junction with a continuous run connecting back to Platforms 1 and 2 at Coulsdon B. The two outermost tracks continue on the level, the lines re-enter the shed, whilst curving through 180 degrees (on the opposite side from Coulsdon), finally approaching the two island platforms that form Bexhill Station.
At Bexhill, the goods yard, three platforms and the centre road are all directly connected to both Up and Down lines by a magnificent looking selection of points and crossings, all on a curve. The station building, concourse and raised ground frame controlling the loco release crossovers to the centre road are all models of Bexhill West station which was on the now closed branch from Crowhurst.
A “Link Line” running directly from Coulsdon A, serves Platform 1, but also has a crossover connecting it to the rest of the station.
A separate loco depot serves both the station and the sizeable goods yard. The latter has a connection to the Bexhill Harbour Board lines that has its own loco and shed.
A notable feature of the railway is the third rail electrification of Smithfield, Southwark/Bermondsey Bakers Yard, Warrior Square and Bexhill Platform 1 together with Platforms 3 and 4 at Coulsdon plus the Berthing Sidings and Link Line. Most of the passenger services between these stations are formed of electric multiple units with electric locos presently being built to work freight and other loco hauled services. A new depot to accommodate these locos has been built at Warrior Square on the site of an old turntable.
Other features are the wartime bombing damage still visible (damaged overall roof at GVS, partially destroyed loco shed at Bexhill, replacement buildings at Warrior Square) and the use of parts from an actual British Railways (W) NX (entrance – exit) signalling panel, ex Slough PSB, to control some of the junctions at Coulsdon C.
Operation is presently by telephone block (to be replaced, in due course, with wireless train describer’s/block instruments using tablets) normally with timetables (actually sequences) that can represent different days or times of day. Most of the railway can be operated in all weathers, being in buildings, roofed areas or with new metal covers that can remain in place for running. Warrior Square is now the only area that is weather dependent.
