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WEST HIGHLAND LAYOUT   by Trevor Hale.

This is the latest EM gauge layout by Trevor Hale, which depicts a remote station on the Scottish West Highland Line, based loosely on Crianlarich, in the Loch Laggen area. An acurate model of Crianlarich itself was considered, but a scaled down scenic area of a 30ft was just too much to contemplate. There will be an imaginary link to the Ballaculish to Conell Ferry line, which will employ the use of non-corridor compartment passenger stock.

The scenic area is 16ft long with off-scene end curves and rear fiddle yard, providing a continuous run format (roundy - roundy). It is to be based in the 1968 - 1971 time period, so a prdominance of class 27 and class 29 locomotives will be featured, with the occasional class 20 and class 37 on freight.

The large island platform (typical of the area), will feature a main station building with subway access and adjacent signal cabin. There is a small goods yard and near derelict steam shed for the stabling of engineers wagons and the occasional loco. to the other end of the station, there is a single track viaduct (the class 26 is pictured for test purposes).

The baseboards are all constructed from plywood, using an open frame design with risers to the trackbed. Pointwork is C&L individual components with copperclad strengtheners, with Tortoise point motors for remote operation, and wire in tube for the yard and loco shed. The photographs shown on this page, record the progress to date - only 5 weeks after baseboard construction started!

The West Highland layout gallery is featured below - Please click on a thumbnail to view the larger image.