Thorpe Green
N Gauge DCC/JMRI
Building on the valuable lessons learned from the group’s first ever layout build as new members of the Club, Poynters Lane, the decision has been made to retire the layout and recycle as much as possible into a brand-new project.
Our new project, Thorpe Green, is a larger N Gauge layout and will feature multiple automated movements. The layout will use full computer automation, with DCC control operated through JMRI software. In other words, the computers will be helping to run the trains — although we still reserve the right to blame them when something unexpected happens.
It is hoped that much of the initial build will be completed in time for our exhibition in August 2024. We are aiming to have a running layout by then, although, as with all model railway projects, there is still a long way to go and plenty of opportunities for tea, discussion and head-scratching along the way.
We currently have vacancies for N Gauge members. If you are interested in becoming involved with Thorpe Green, or any of our other projects, we would be very pleased to hear from you. Please visit our Contact Us page to arrange a visit.
1st floor, Going up!.
Great progrees is being made by the Thorpe Green team, as you can see, they have starrted adding the structerel backscene board, installing partly curved corners (thats sound odd!) but the backscene flows nicely with no sharp corners in view. this is also compliments by some really clean work by one of the team with there laser cutter, cutting the upper level itmes, which you can see in the last picture, I think youll agree this is coming along very well.
Update 04-11-2024
Update 08-04-2024
Turntable Time.
This evening we made progress with the turntable which will be controlled by a nema17 stepper motor and an arduino microcontroller. The ultimate aim is for it to be part of an automated sequence driven by JMRI.
Update 04-03-2024
We are on Track!.
So moving on from our last update, we have been making good progress with the lower level track laying, infact we are nearly finished with the lower tier... then the fun starts!!
Update 12-02-2024
Starting on the track laying
So this time, having set out the plan, we move on the actually making it, You will see that the turntable hole has been cut and this first cork laid, this runs up to the first board joint where copper clad pads have been installed. We have continued and the lower level cork has been completed, and very nice it looks too, it will be a real shame to cover it really. But cover it we must, and we have started with the first section of track being laid.
Update 29-11-2023
Setting out our plan.
So this time, we have been setting out the plan for the lower level of the layout, pre printed sheets of A4 paper had been printed from the master plan, these were painstakingly stitched together by the team to give and overall impression of where everything is planned to go. There has already been one small modification due to a rouge support clashing with a track, but this has been addressed now.
Update 21-11-2023
Baseboards and Support
Thorpe Green baseboards and support/transport infrastructure arrives in the clubhouse, being placed on the first floor the guys get straight on with the work of assembly. Moving quickly on to the painting and bolting up the two halves of the layout.