We started the OO-gauge Ruddington layout in 2002, and it
has become an important educational tool in showing visitors what
Ruddington station and the surrounding area were like in the late
1950s and early 1960s when it was of course part of an important
main line. It is primarily aimed at the general public rather than
other model railway enthusiasts, but naturally it has to be of a
standard acceptable to both model and prototype railway enthusiasts
since they do form a significant proportion of our visitors. In
fact it is our local visitors who are often the most stringent
judges of the layout, looking very carefully at our handiwork.
The sheer size of the layout makes an immediate on visitors. The
layout is 32 feet long so we are able to run expresses
realistically at a scale version of the 70mph they regularly passed
Ruddington, with the windcutters also running at an appropriate
speed.
The locos and rolling stock are a mixture of ready-to-run and
kit built, whilst the buildings have been custom-built (and in this
context I must mention the artistry of Richard Tilden Smith, whose
buildings do so much to set the scene)
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We are fortunate to have more rolling stock available than can be
accommodated on the layout, so we can ring the changes regularly.
Some of the locos have stood up to our regular high-speed running
and heavy-duty operations better than others: we would mention the
Bachmann K3 and J39 and the Hornby 9F as having proved particularly
durable, as well as being appropriate for the layout. There also
has to be a special mention of a Silver Fox Models Co-Bo which
sometimes makes an appearance (presumably thrown out by the
Midland), and has shown itself to be infinitely more useful than
the prototypes.
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It is interesting to find that there is less enthusiasm
for the P2 2-8-2 on its occasional visits than for the local A5
4-6-2T or the B2 "Sir Sam Fay" 4-6-0.
Perhaps this is something to be considered by those people
contemplating new-build locos (and if anyone does win the
lottery...).
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There are a few mistakes: there should be a crossover under
the 50 Steps Bridge, but it was not shown on the Ordnance Survey
maps we consulted (we did not have access to the railway plans at
the time) and by the time we spotted it on photos it was too late
to modify the track without total disruption. Above all, we are
very grateful for the help we have received from Gee Dee Models and
Sherwood Models, and we would be more than happy to see anyone who
is interested in joining us - we do have a number of thoughts for
future projects.