The inspiration and project

I always find it difficult to justify my enthusiasm for railways to those who "just don't get it". Fortunately, for those of us blessed with appreciation of the permanent way, and all that runs on it, justification is not really necessary. However, there is no doubt that in creating "Doncaster" I am attempting to recreate, in model form, those aspects of the prototype which really excite me. So, for me, it is sleek, fast long-distance passenger trains (either making a tightly-timed station-stop on their long journey, or racing through open countryside at high speed) and big, powerful diesels working hard to keep their long, heavy block trains on the move. Of course, authenticity also demands increasing numbers of short multiple units busily going about their business.

The East Coast Mainline has all these things. And, of all the major stations on the route, Doncaster has an unrivalled selection of InterCity, regional, local and freight trains (operated at present by GNER, Virgin Cross Country, Arriva Trains Northern (on their own account and on behalf of the West Yorkshire Passenger Transport Executive), Hull Trains, Central Trains, EWS and Freightliner). The station itself has eight platforms (of which one, platform 3 is divided in two by a mid-platform crossover), four (platforms 1, 3, 4 and 8) are through platforms and the remainder (2, 5, 6 and 7) are bays. Between the lines serving platforms 3 and 4 run two high-speed through lines. Beyond the loop serving platform 8 run two through freight loops and beyond them are the sidings of the legendary Doncaster works.

I have translated into a continuous-run layout based upon a four-track loop approximately 30' x 15' onto which is grafted a major station (based on Doncaster), a motive power depot, DMU re-fuelling/stabling sidings and a modest freight yard. The station itself is the dominant feature of one of the 30' lengths of board; the MPD and DMU refuelling/stabling sidings occupy the two shorter lengths and I have left the second 30' board as a representation of the four-track EMCL running through open countryside (broadly inspired by the racing-track north of York).

Doncaster is not a layout for the perfectionist. I have neither the space nor the skill to create an accurate representation of what one actually finds at Doncaster. What I am attempting to do is capture the character of the prototype. The platform layout is accurate, but their length inevitably truncated. The prominent crossovers which divide platform 3 and permit access to the Sheffield lines and various freight facilities which lie southwest of the station are also modelled. Finally, I have incorporated the two bi-directional freight lines which run parallel to platform 8. However, space precludes any depiction of the major junctions which actually lie at either end of the station and so the track layout is otherwise a creature of my own invention and has been designed to afford the maximum flexibility in operation.


Construction

The layout sits in a purpose-built room measuring 30' x 20'. The baseboards are MDF with a hardwood frame - and I cannot take any credit for their construction; they were built for me. The track is Peco Code 100 and is glued to polystyrene ceiling tiles which are themselves glued to the baseboard. Time will tell whether they provide a stable foundation but I have, to date, avoided the need for too many temporary speed restrictions. In time, the entire track formation will be appropriately ballasted. At present, only the "country section" and MPD have been ballasted and I hope that the polysterene conveys the depth of ballast typically found on the ECML. Pointwork is also Peco. All 76 points are Electrofrog and, with one or two exceptions, are long. Even these give an unprototypical swing when the converging route is taken, and I remain on the look-out for a more suitable alternative. For the present however, Peco reigns supreme.

In time all the track will be painted. However, like the ballasting, this will be a long-term project requiring, as it does, a total possession whenever it is undertaken.

It is my intention to motorise all the points. However, at present I am concentrating on those which take trains from the main running lines into the platforms.

Control system

I was brought up on Zero 1 and found the prototypical operation which it afforded more than compensated for its many shortcomings. DCC was therefore the natural choice for Doncaster and it has been built for operation with the Lenz system. The layout is divided into three "power districts" each having its own independent power supply. There are currently three LZ101 handheld controllers; each enabling the operator to control the whole range of functions and capable of being plugged into any of the 8 control sockets located around the room.

Control for the points (at least those which are currently motorised) is via a conventional push-button panel and Capacitor Discharge Unit. I confess to having long wished for a realistic-looking signal panel. However, I am giving serious thought to transferring control of the points to the DCC system. This will require considerable investment in accessory decoders but will permit the points to operated from the same LZ101 handsets as currently control the trains as well affording the possibility of full PC-based control and feedback.

Trains

On the whole, I am endeavouring to model the ECML today. However, the limitations of my modelling skills have required some compromise. In particular, I have not yet attempted to model the overhead electrification, so whilst GNER-liveried HSTs provide a prototypical presence, they are not currently joined by 225s or 373s. Virgin trains have a major presence, with a rake of virgin-liveried Mk IIe/f coaches (considerably enhanced by the Keen close-coupling system) and two Class 220 Voyager units. Other service trains are formed of Bachmann class 158 and 170 units as well as two Lima class 156 units and a Hornby Class 155 and 142.

A shortage of serviceable stock can be eased by a 12-coach rake of Bachmann Mark I stock as well as an InterCity liveried rake of air conditioned Mark IIs (now operated by Fragonset, of course).

Freight stock is a mix of Bachmann and Hornby, with some excellent wagons (available from http://www.m-s-i-m.co.uk/ and pictured elsewhere on this site) from Electrotren of Spain recently making their debut. On the whole the rakes are long and operators are heavily dependant upon a fleet of 9 Heljan 47s and 4 Bachman 37s. Less effective, but still usable, are several Hornby/Mainline Class 56s and 4 Lima Class 67s. Sadly, the 3 Lima Class 60s are largely decorative; their poor mechanism making them enfeebled in performance.

Doncaster is host to a growing number of preservationists. Frequent excursions are operated by Hornby's excellent Merchant Navy "Clan Line", and Class 50 together with 4 Bachmann deltics, 1 Heljan Western, 2 Bachmann 40s, 1 Bachmann 44, 1 Bachmann 45 and 2 Bachmann 20s - all of which are, of course, available to the regular operators should their own traction fall short.  Advance publicity has already appeared promising excursions behind Hornby 31s and the glorious past of the ECML will no doubt be represented by the forthcoming Hornby A4 and A1!

The future

Ballasting, track-painting and point automation will themselves see me comfortably through to middle age. In addition, I must master building construction (the passenger facilities at Doncaster currently being non-existent), scenery creation and model enhancement.

Fortunately, we seem at last to be being well-served by the manufacturers of rolling stock, and I can foresee a major investment in Bachmann Class 66s and who-knows what else in years to come.

Otherwise, I hope to spend many happy hours simply running trains through their barren landscape and sharing the layout with family who have helped in its construction and friends who have come in along the way and continue to provide encouragement, inspiration and companionship.