Layouts
The following layouts have been described by the authors themselves. The Guild would like to thank them all for their efforts in preparing and presenting the materials, all of which include videos, in being prepared to share their wonderful efforts and in sharing and explaining the secrets of their modelling techniques.
An inspiration to all.
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Ashfield Park MPD
Richard Brennan
A representation of a BR western region MPD in steam days in the 50s.
Heaton Lodge Junction
Simon George
Simon talks to Jackie Kneeshaw about why and how the extensive modern image layout was designed and built.
The Marsham Branch
Dave Eccles
Welcome to my garden railway, The Marsham Branch, Norfolk and Suffolk Joint Railway. (The N&SJR was a joint railway by the M&GN and GER)
Last year (2025) saw the branch celebrate 21 years of operation. It had probably taken a further 7 years from inception to the first operation in 2004. As with any model railway, even in the garden, compromises have to be made and in this case a 16' shed was all that could be accommodated so I am realistically limited to trains of 5 bogie coaches or 13 wagons but for a rural branch line this is sufficient.
Operation is centred on the shed where Marsham station is based with a layout that is an out and back track plan. This enables single man operation when I'm doing so on my own. Half way round I have Whitwell Street which is a scenic'ed fiddle yard and between the 2 is a mix of single and double track, replicating the M&GN. A centre of attention for every visitor is my Harrison viaduct. This was designed and built by the late Gordon Harrison and it celebrated its 61st anniversary last year, 30 of which in my possession. More recent additions have been an extension beyond the shed accommodating a larger goods yard for Marsham (2018) and an intermediate station, Felthorpe Road (2025)
My modelling period is 1955-63 and when in normal operating mode I have a sequence based on the Norwich City branch of the M&GN in the mid 50s and this requires 3 operators with bell codes being the normal method of operation.
I feel honoured that the Gauge O Guild considered my railway to be suitable for videoing and becoming part of this virtual show. I hope you all enjoy the ride.
Colwich Junction
Paul Scott
This layout is built in a 50’x14’ loft space and is based on Colwich Junction just South of Stafford on the West Coast Main Line. Just North of Colwich station the double track main line from Stafford is joined by the double track line from Stoke-on-Trent and the Potteries. It then passes through the station and continues on to Rugeley and points South as a four track line.
Work on the model started in 2014 and much remains to be done. So far there are no signals, no station buildings and much detail work such as fencing is still to added. A large amount of stock is required to even begin to represent the trains that could be seen at Colwich Junction.
The train storage loops that feed the layout are situated on the other side of the room and are currently being rebuilt with fourteen loops on two levels and new control panels to accommodate existing and future train models.
Track on the scenic side was drawn up in Templot and hand built using C&L chairs with Slaters rail and 1.5mm plywood sleepers. Points are operated using Cobalt point motors and the layout is wired for DC and DCC operation.
Skipton Garden Railway
Roy Daffern
Roy describes his garden layout
Rosedale
Keith Newton
Set in 1899, Rosedale is a beautiful station in the Derbyshire Dales.
Chapel Lane
Jonathan Marcus
Chapel Lane is a small LNWR engine shed, based loosely on the real engine shed at Derby. The layout buildings are all based on real buildings in the area, and the sort of places near to LNWR rails.
Cokehampton
Brinsley Sheridan
Brinsley Sheridan will be 95 years old in April 2026, and Peter was asked by his daughter if he could help with producing a cab ride of his layout, Cokehampton. This he did, but also on the understanding that the layout might appear in the 2026 Virtual Show. Cokehampton has appeared before in the Guild Library, and the links are below. The commentary on the video is Peter talking with Brinsley about his railway.
Cokehampton also features in these Guild Library Programmes…
Susquehanna Valley Switching & Supper Society
Brian Scace
Watch the trains run round this extensive layout
Richard's Shed
VicGOG - Victoria Guild O Gaugers
How about this for a shed! 18m by 12m is enormous. This is modelling a layout with no need to worry about tight corners or having to limit the length of trains. Watch some fabulous locos haul trains around what will be an incredible layout.
Malahide Model Railway Museum
Michael Doolan
Michael takes you round the Malahide museum where various layouts to O scale are depicted. Including models of a monorail system, an LNWR line from Holyhead to Dublin, a tramway system, and the Midland and Great Western Rly. Fascinating.
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