Briford. My N gauge model railway

[TWICK9]

BRIFORD
My N Gauge layout is set in the transitional period of British Railways, and is set in the southwest of England in some fictitious place where Western & Southern Regions share the main lines.
Briford was started six years ago and was basically finished five years later although work is still ongoing as far as scenery detailing is concerned. The layout is 9’x10’and to aid access and help give an eye level view the baseboard was built 3’ 6” off the floor. There are hidden sidings which store the 18 complete trains for main and suburban lines. The layout is run on DC with Gaugemaster controllers, as most of the 38 locos are old it would not be worth converting them to DCC, I can run four trains + a shuttle into the bay platform at one time. There is over 300’ of Peco code 55 track on Briford all points are electrically operated with the ones on the hidden storage sidings being worked through a diode matrix system which sets the tracks at the push of a button. On the 40’ of roadway there are over 200 vehicles; All buildings and platforms are light at night as are the roads in the town.

[Chris]

Looks like you've got a nice layout there. Any chance of some more photos?

I have been wondering about using diode matrices on my own layout, initially on the station throats but later on the hidden sidings. However, I need to research it further before commiting myself. Are you using capacitor discharge?

Best wishes,
Chris.

[TWICK9]

Hi Chris, Just realized where I've heard your name before it was on N-SCALE. Yes I am using a CDU I use it on 24 volts, It will throw 8 points simultaneously, It took me a while to get my head around the diode matrix but once I got into it, It became quiet straight forward I have it so the selected track is lit by a LED on the section switch. Before I was constantly getting derailments in the hidden storage sidings with points set wrong, the black box on the right in the photo with all the wires houses the three matrices that the control the main line and local storage sidings. Regards Brian.

[Chris]

Well Brian, that very neat baseboard does appear to conceal a rat's nest of wiring. I haven't looked under my layout for a while - I'm not looking forward to it. I'm hoping to control all the track power selection, pointwork and signals through a multiplexed path to cut down on wiring. Not sure what to use for the power itself though. The Marklin controllers are not the best but they will have to do for the moment.

I like your control panel - very neat. And the road scene almost looks as if it was real and that the bus is about to pull away!

All the best,
Chris.

[TWICK9]

Hi Chris. I found this article very helpful with regard to the diode matrix, Its Steve's Page on Diode Matrix Turnout control, rail.felgall.com/dm.htm for some reason it won't go straight to it, There is a smaller control panel at the other end of the layout so that I can move locos in the engine sheds while the grandchildren play trains on the main panel, Hope the article helps. Brian.

[Chris]

Hi Brian.
Thanks for the link. Actually, it was that article that got me thinking about diode matrices. But then I lost the address so it's good to see it again.

That second image was a real inspiration, but it makes me realise just how much I still have to do. I am full of envy!

My thoughts on at panel are to have four controllers (loosely up, down, branch and hidden sidings. Each track section will be able to be switched to one of two controllers or off. Probably the first two will be at one end of the panel and the other two at the other end with a mimic panel between. However, that is in the far future.
Near future requires a long thin panel with a couple of rows of switches to give me some operability but keeping things really simple. I was also thinking of an outward facing controller so that the kids at the exhibition could control one of the trains (at a reasonable speed and forward only). It might add some interest for them.

[TWICK9]

I was also thinking of an outward facing controller so that the kids at the exhibition could control one of the trains (at a reasonable speed and forward only). It might add some interest for them.

Hi, Chris, I had to modify my Gaugemaster controllers to stop the grandchildren from going flat out and then slamming into reverse, also had to isolate the point switches. The greenery on the right of that second photo is no longer there as I removed it to increase the operating well. Regards, Brian.

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Just uploaded a few photos of Briford in the Photo Gallery. Brian.

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A couple more photos of Briford. Brian.

[Richie]

That's a really nice layout you have their Brian.

[TWICK9]

Thanks, Richie.

[Richie]

When I get to that stage I may be asking you for advice on modelling. :)

[TWICK9]

Any time, cheers

[TWICK9]

This is one of my Briford Videos. YouTube - BRIFORD 4 Brian.

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Its been a while since I posted photos of Briford, so here are a couple of the station approach road from each end and one of a rather dirty class 47 climbing the bank.

[rustynath]

Every time I see this layout im humbled :)

I doubt I could make anything that imppressive fit under my bed :(, not that I have the skills required!

I love the picture of the house with the police car outside - very nicely done ;)

rustynath

[TWICK9]

Sorry I've been so long answering rustynath, Thanks for your comments. Size isn't every thing or so they say, so it doesn't matter what size your layout is as long as it gives you pleasure, thats what this and every hobby is about. Regards,

[TWICK9]

Two older photos of Briford loco sheds.

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A few more of Briford.

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Have put some larger photos of Briford in Members photos gallery.

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Many years ago I bought a Lima class 31 mainly because it was cheap. but after getting it home I saw how over scale it was, so it just sat on a shelf for six years. then I thought I'd use it to make a little scene in a siding. but it still looked a bit on the large side so I put a gantry over it to help take the eye off how over scale it was, and this is the result.

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Two more photos of Briford Loco sheds.

[Caseyjones82]

A beautiful layout. I have been watching your posted videos on youtube. Superb effort congratulations.

[TWICK9]

Thank you Alex, And welcome to the forum.

[Caseyjones82]

Brian,

Thank you. In my 10 years of railway modeling I havn't seen something so impressive. In many model railways I have seen over the years quantity seems to be the major perspective over quality in larger N-Gauge layouts. It is great to see the size of your layout and even greater to see no quality and detail have been lost. It also proves what can be accomplished in N-Gauge by running full length trains in a space of 9'x10'.

[TWICK9]

Thanks Alex. Here's a couple of the Diesel shed.

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All but one of Brifords Diesel fleet.

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And all the steam locos on Briford

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A few more of Briford, mostly small scenes on the layout. I know some of the cars are dear in the first one, but the price stickers on the cars where put on years ago when the real cars where the latest models.

[TWICK9]

Briford video part eight. YouTube- N Gauge Briford 8.

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two more photos of Briford.

[stubbsy]

That layout is fantastic

wish i had that sort of space for my layout:D

awsome work.

cheers

stubbsy:)

[TWICK9]

Welcome to the forum stubbsy and thanks for your kind comment on Briford, your 14'x8' L shape should give you loads of room in N.

[stubbsy]

thanks Brian i should have enough room to do what i am after, if it has half the visual impact that you have acheived then i will be chuffed:D

i should have a rough track plan sorted in the next few weeks but have a lot on my plate at the moment as wife is in hospital and have a 3 year old son who thinks he is a jedi knight/fireman sam at the moment to contend with as well.

once again great layout

stubbsy:)

[TWICK9]

Hi stubbsy, You can do it. Don't forget I've been modeling in N for 40 years now and your just starting. Hope your wife gets better soon and good luck with the Jedi knight. Regards

[truman06]

Very nice layout, obviously spent alot of time and effot on it!

i will get there one day! meanwhile i have bought some peco rail and code 100 from this guy: worth a try!

here is his website www.thewireman.webs.com

or i email him on thewireman@live.co.uk

Mrs Truman :)

[GWR1962]

Great layout! Tidy as they say in Wales.

[TWICK9]

Thanks GWR1962,
But I'm sorry to say it's mostly gone now, I still have lots of photos though, which I will post at some point.