Swiss Chris Railways
Bondale Layout Design
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BONDALE - STOCK AND POWER
While needs to build and run the layout, although might seem to be quite large, I have in fact
rescued a lot from previous layouts. So leaving the rolling stock requirements until later we'll
start with.
CONSTRUCTION
As my carpentry skills are limited (I even have the capability to make a circular saw go round
corners), I wanted to keep the woodwork to a minimum. The boards are all 1/2" chipboard and
are placed on dexion supports. Even though I am using boards from older layouts, I still need
more Dexion where I need 1 more pack to finish it.
TRACK AND LINESIDE EQUIPMENT
The track is a mixture of Peco code 100 and Roco. The Turntable at Bonton is by Fleischman,
and at York, a motorised Hornby unit. The points motors are mainly Peco above board types
except in hidden and non-scenic areas where they are PL10 on mounts and York Also uses 12 of
the Peco Smartswich slow acting motors, with 2 Gaugemaster and are used (with one
exception) by their own track. The Roco track uses its own point motors, and there is a
Fleischmann motorised uncoupling ramp in the Transformer factory siding
The overhead catenary in Leoton is Märklin K, a system I have found easy to install and use
even though it doesn't look to scale. It will also be used in Bustham. In hidden / non scenic areas
it is a homebrew of brass tubing for the masts with copper wire for the spans and old Peco rail
for the contact wires.
BUILDINGS
Having had a couple of free Metcalfe Models with Railway Modeller Magazine I found them
easy to put together and modify for lighting. I am also impressed by the sturdiness of the
completed models, so Mrs. Anderson's Factory is all Metcalfe, and when the track is completely
pinned down at Bonham, so will the station building. The plan is for low relief buildings at the
back of Bonton along with full depth station buildings and brewery. All buildings will have either
white or amber LED lighting.
CONTROL EQUIPMENT
I’ve recently upgraded to DCC for control of the layout using a Gaugemaster Prodigy 2 with a
2nd hand controller wireless remote, and a USB link for computer control. This has now been
aided by Digitrax DCS52 Zephyr Express for control of accessories. The locos a gradually being
converted by installation of decoders. The later models being “DCC Ready” or, in the case of the
Midland Pullman set, the decoders were already fitted. Older locos are having to have the
decoders soldered in. Progress can be seen below (green boxes show converted locos). The
points (switches) are being converted from 2 way toggle switches to Accessory decoders with
DCC Concepts ADS8fx Accessory Decoders, and can be controlled from the PC using JMRI.
Digitrax and Digikrejs occupation sensors are being added controlled by a Digitrax DCS 50
Zephyr along with Multi Aspect signalling. The signalling is 3 aspect and controlled using NEC
light-It decoders. There is also the option for automatic train control and rostering.
Useful links. These people have been helpful during my conversion to DCC. I have no financial
links with them although I am a customer
Ken @ John Dutfield in Chelmsford https://www.johndutfieldmodelrailways.co.uk/
Kevin @ Coastal DCC https://www.coastaldcc.co.uk/
The JMRI panel for Bondale. Turnouts and signals can be changed by clicking on the icons. Routes can be set up and
stored. When the occupancy sensors are installed, any occupied track will show up in red, and the signals affected will all
have their aspects changed automatically. The turntable at the top left can also be controlled by the system. Eventually it
will lead to train automation, with trains departing according to timetable.
ROLLING STOCK
Although my interests are mainly LNER, as with so many people, over the years my stock has
grown in a non-specialised manner and now also contains North British, LMS, GWR, Southern,
BR and Privatisation stock
LOCOMOTIVES
The rolling stock requirements are that I can run the layout in different periods, from Big 4 days
through BR steam, Diesel, 70’s, 2000’s. My favourites are LNER, the company my Great
Grandfather worked for. Of course this would include the A3 and A4 class with Gresley and
Pullman coaching stock. As this is a joint line with LMS, I have included 3 Stanier Pacifics.
During Big 4 days freight duties are carried out by O2 (LNER) and Beyer Garrett (LMS) . There
are also visitors from the South Coast With Southern Merchant navy and West Country / Battle of
Britain Class with the Southern Belle Pullman service, and the South Coast Express Maunsell
set. And visitors from the West Country / Wales with GWR kings and Castles hauling Chocolate
and cream coaches. A full list of motive power can be found HERE.
COACHES
Amongst my coaching stock I have Gresley Teak and suburban, LMS Composites and mail, GWR
celestory to go with The lord Of The Isles And a set of Hawksworth coaches for the Kings.
Pullmans (Lit) and Maunsell SR (Lit). Blood And Custard Mk 1’. S, Extra Mk3 coaches for the HST
including a buffet car. And extra coaches for Eurostar. Most sets have a Restaurant car.
Gradually all unlit coaches are being converted using Bridge rectifiers and LED Strips. Most
coaching sets run as 6 / 7 coach rakes permanently coupled together.
For a list of coaching stock see HERE.
Freight
For goods trucks, some go back to the 60's with flat bed, various mineral wagons, helicopter
carrier (with helicopter), Freightliner containers, Dapol Crewe 150 covered and coal wagons
with various names on them. Mrs Anderson also has a fleet of refrigerated 12 ton trucks to
transport her Yorkshire puddings and Scotch Eggs. These were built from Parkside Dundas kits.
A more detailed list will follow