Charlton Road West
Charlton Road West is an O gauge (7mm/ft) end to end shunting layout designed to be portable for exhibition use. However, it also features tracks that disappear off scene at both ends to enable connection to further modules.
In normal use, removable cassettes are attached at each end with either powered tracks or re-railers used to facilitate the off-scene storage or replacing of rolling stock.
Charlton Road West features a motive power depot for locomotive servicing and stabling with refuelling and washing facilities.
Baseboards
The baseboard is 12 feet by 2 feet and is in two sections which fit together in a box arrangement for transportation. It has been designed as a monocoque structure for strength while attempting to minimise weight, and four proprietary builder's sawhorse style stands are used when the layout is on display at exhibitions.
The monocoque structure enables the use of thinner plywood than might normally be expected to be used, and this is topped with a layer of 5 mm foam board to provide a smooth surface for the track.
All track and points are from Peco. Every piece of track has at least one pair of dropper wires attached, and the two halves of the layout are connected by a 1mm section curly cable to ensure adequate power is supplied to the layout. All points have live frogs and utilise frog juicers.
Control
DCC (Digital Command and Control) has been fully utilised with the ESU Ecos command station and additional ESU mobile controllers. All point work is controlled from the screen of the Ecos, by DCC Concepts Cobalt digital motors synchronised with colour light signals.
Charlton Road West
Locomotives and rolling stock
All locomotives are sound fitted and are a mixture of Heljan, Dapol, Bachmann Brassworks and some kit built. EFE Rail, Ellis Clark Trains and Little Loco Company items can also be seen running.
Preferred decoders are from ESU in order to enable and maximise the benefits of Railcom Plus with the Ecos. These are also able to be fully personalised using the ESU Lokprogrammer. Some models have Zimo decoders factory fitted. All the larger locomotives utilise "XL" or "L" type decoders (or equivalent) with inbuilt power packs. All smaller stock with 21 pin MTC, Plux 22 or 8 pin decoders are stay alive fitted to ensure trouble free running.
Most speakers have been upgraded with use of the larger ESU Earth Mover (or similar tablet style) speakers. These often require additional programming to reduce the bass and volume, so they do not drown the sound of the smaller locomotives.
Rolling stock is a combination of Heljan, Dapol and kit built with some 3D printed and bespoke brass commissions.