BRANCASTER Scale: 4mm - 1ft. Gauge 16.5mm ('00' ) by Hull Miniature Railway Society

Size: 16ft x 2ft (4.8m x 0.8m) (plus operator space), Operators: Three, Transport: Two cars.

The Railway Modeller magazine’s 1999 part work supplement, Railway Modelling Explored, featured a layout project which described the step-by-step construction of a model railway from start to finish.  Brancaster was that layout, and is presented here again by Hull MRS and made available for Model Railway Shows after some renovation and updating. Railway Modelling explored was very much a beginners guide to the hobby and the aim behind the project was to show the construction of a 00 gauge layout using     traditional techniques and proprietary equipment.  The layout features Peco Streamline flexitrack and pointwork with buildings and scenic items being produced from card and plastic kits, all items readily available from the local model shop. In fact it is now possible to buy ready produced items as a visit to the trade stands at most Model Railway Shows will highlight.      

The layout was originally designed with the modern house in mind; then being only 12 feet (3.6 metres) long in total, and could have been easily accommodated in a spare bedroom or down the wall of the garage.  It is exactly the sort of layout that is well suited to the average enthusiast who, like most of us, has limited space and spare time at his/her disposal. The layout has now been extended to improve the operational potential at Model Railway Shows.  Brancaster itself is a small town on the North Norfolk coast which was never actually served by rail.  The layout represents what a station might have looked like, had one actually been built, and is set in the late 1950s and early 1960s just before the end of steam. It supposes that the Great Eastern Railway encroached into Midland and Great Northern territory, with a line passing through Brancaster. All the rolling stock is ready to run from the likes of Hornby and Bachmann stable, Although originally built for DC, operation is now by a Lenz DCC control system although other DCC systems could be used.

Contact: Brancaster using Brancaster as the subject; to book the layout for your Show or for further details.           

Ref: Railway Modelling Explored issued with Railway Modeller 1999/2000

This layout can be seen at the Following Model Railway Shows:

Page updated 1st November 2019