An Epoch V České Dráhy Micro Layout in TT (1:120) scale – Alan MonkMicro Layout in TT (1:120) scale
Total operating area: 2m x 1.4m
Support - 2m/6ft Table, 2-3 chairs
Following an enjoyable railway-related trip to the Czech Republic a few years ago, I wanted to recreate some of what I saw and experienced in miniature. The trip included a railtour which wound it’s way along rural Central Bohemian branchlines and through sleepy stations, many still retaining a regular passenger service and wagonload freight workings, so I decided to model the terminus of such a branch.
I initially considered H0 (1:87) scale, but a friend pointed out the growing availability and popularity of Czech models in TT scale (1:120 scale, running on 12mm gauge track). Choosing TT would permit more railway in the planned space while the stock and models were still detailed enough to make the modelling aspect interesting.
Prototype branch terminus trackplans were studied and a typically Czech 3-loop + sidings arrangement was tested and found operationally interesting. The 2 nearest loops straddle the low platform, the rearmost loop is for shunting only and has 2 sidings off, 1 at either end. The old timber goods shed deals with wagonload freight whilst the loading pad often sees coal or timber workings. Passenger trains are mainly in the hands of the 810 class 4-wheel railbuses and trailer cars, with the very occasional loco-hauled substitute.
The baseboard is an Ikea ‘LACK’ 110cm floating shelf – these are lightweight, rigid and cheap (£10). A 5mm plywood fascia, backscene and endplates are glued and pinned to the Lack. Simple folding ply supports raise the layout off the table to improve the viewing height and align with the stock display stand and fiddle-stick support.
Trackwork is all from the German manufacturer Kühn with wire-in-tube point operation. The whole layout is electrically live, as such branches are operated on the ‘one loco in steam’ principle, with local manual control of pointwork and despatching. My home-built battery hand-held controller provides mains-free operation.
The structure kits and detailing parts were sourced direct from the Czech Republic
Locos and rolling stock are from a variety of sources, the 742 diesel is from Tillig while the 749 ‘Grumpy’ is an MTB offering. The 810/010 rail buses are all from the excellent (and cheap) LPH plastic kit, as are the bogie cement wagons. The various opens and vans are mainly SDV plastic or ES-Pecky resin kits – the Czech TT modeller is well supported by a variety of such ‘small series’ cottage industry manufacturers.
Please do ask if you have any questions about Czech railways, TT scale or the layout‘s construction.
Many thanks to Rich Self, Ian Lampkin and ‘JBr’ on RMWeb for their advice and support.
(The layout’s name translates to New City on Lack)
Total operating area: 2m x 1.4m
Support - 2m/6ft Table, 2-3 chairs
Following an enjoyable railway-related trip to the Czech Republic a few years ago, I wanted to recreate some of what I saw and experienced in miniature. The trip included a railtour which wound it’s way along rural Central Bohemian branchlines and through sleepy stations, many still retaining a regular passenger service and wagonload freight workings, so I decided to model the terminus of such a branch.
I initially considered H0 (1:87) scale, but a friend pointed out the growing availability and popularity of Czech models in TT scale (1:120 scale, running on 12mm gauge track). Choosing TT would permit more railway in the planned space while the stock and models were still detailed enough to make the modelling aspect interesting.
Prototype branch terminus trackplans were studied and a typically Czech 3-loop + sidings arrangement was tested and found operationally interesting. The 2 nearest loops straddle the low platform, the rearmost loop is for shunting only and has 2 sidings off, 1 at either end. The old timber goods shed deals with wagonload freight whilst the loading pad often sees coal or timber workings. Passenger trains are mainly in the hands of the 810 class 4-wheel railbuses and trailer cars, with the very occasional loco-hauled substitute.
The baseboard is an Ikea ‘LACK’ 110cm floating shelf – these are lightweight, rigid and cheap (£10). A 5mm plywood fascia, backscene and endplates are glued and pinned to the Lack. Simple folding ply supports raise the layout off the table to improve the viewing height and align with the stock display stand and fiddle-stick support.
Trackwork is all from the German manufacturer Kühn with wire-in-tube point operation. The whole layout is electrically live, as such branches are operated on the ‘one loco in steam’ principle, with local manual control of pointwork and despatching. My home-built battery hand-held controller provides mains-free operation.
The structure kits and detailing parts were sourced direct from the Czech Republic
Locos and rolling stock are from a variety of sources, the 742 diesel is from Tillig while the 749 ‘Grumpy’ is an MTB offering. The 810/010 rail buses are all from the excellent (and cheap) LPH plastic kit, as are the bogie cement wagons. The various opens and vans are mainly SDV plastic or ES-Pecky resin kits – the Czech TT modeller is well supported by a variety of such ‘small series’ cottage industry manufacturers.
Please do ask if you have any questions about Czech railways, TT scale or the layout‘s construction.
Many thanks to Rich Self, Ian Lampkin and ‘JBr’ on RMWeb for their advice and support.
(The layout’s name translates to New City on Lack)
A new back scene has replaced the previous one and is a brighter, longer version of a panoramic picture I took at the real Nové Město pod Smrkem, back in 2017
Nove Mesto na Nedostatku will be at the Bracknell Show on Sunday 30th October 2022. There will also be an article appearing in Continental Modeller October edition.
Exhibition Information:-
FRONT OPERATED and NOT Free-standing.
Total operating area: 2m x 1.4m
Support - 2m/6ft Table, 2-3 chairs
1 x power socket (optional)
1 operator (vegetarian)
Layout travels by public transport (train/bus)
Insurance Value: £500
Contact Alan Monk
alanmonk@gmail.com
FRONT OPERATED and NOT Free-standing.
Total operating area: 2m x 1.4m
Support - 2m/6ft Table, 2-3 chairs
1 x power socket (optional)
1 operator (vegetarian)
Layout travels by public transport (train/bus)
Insurance Value: £500
Contact Alan Monk
alanmonk@gmail.com