The layout is built on a 2mx1m board and is fully portable, so that it can be used for shows, exhibitions etc. The layout was built with an European landscape in Germany in the 60's, and shipped to NZ as a display unit for Martins Toy Store in Auckland. For many years it was stored and used at the Marklin Club rooms in Auckland until I purchased it in 2002.
The layout has been fully renovated, and I am continuing to upgrade it. The layout is in K-track and is of 2 loops with a goods yard. The inner and outer track, have been linked with turnouts on the front of the layout. All signals and points are operated using Marklin K83 and s88 decoders, through an Intellibox. This coupled to a laptop computer and digitally operated via Peter Clapcott's program.
While the layout is operated digitally, either analog or digital loco's can be operated on the layout. At present the layout is operating 3 locomotives. The digital Loco's are controlled through the Intellibox. Nearly all the buildings have had lighting installed and it is my intention to have smoke units installed into some of the houses. You may notice that there are some non-European scenery on the layout. This is due to the fact that I had the layout on display at the ASB Bank, and I have not removed that anomaly - makes for a bit of fun, but has received some criticism from purists.
The mountains along the back of the layout are detachable, so that the scenery can be changed if necessary. The other unusual feature is that the trees are all easily demountable. This is helpful when the layout is being transported, or should I wish to change the scenery from a summer layout to a winter one - or spring or autumn. The trees have the stem of a rivet inserted inside, while the head of the rivet is moulded into the plaster of the layout. This gives stability to the trees as well as making them easily removed. The plaster does not crumble each time they are changed. I am currently working on an extension which can be added to the RH end of the layout. This piece is a 1mx1m extension which will enable me to use the layout with up to 5 trains, all being controlled via the computer.
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