3mm scale, 14.2mm gauge

Brian & Phil Parker

Set in the later days of steam, Flockburgh represents the end of a small branch line on the border between England and Scotland. Dr Beeching’s axe is hovering but with a mix of locomotives the branch struggles on. Healthy goods traffic ensures survival for now and a steady trickle of passengers still use the service provided. On Tuesdays the cattle dock is still the scene of plenty of bustle as the local farming community brings their livestock to market.

The layout is built as a test bed for 3mm scale stock. After several 4mm layouts, a change was needed to keep up our interest in modelling. 3mm scale offers the ideal compromise between detail and ease of construction. Thanks to the efforts of the 3mm Society there are enough kits to allow us to build a layout like Flockburgh without re­sorting to too much scratchbuilding.

Locomotives and rolling stock are mainly kit built from etched brass, plastic and white- metal kits. Couplings are Spratt & Winkle mark one's operated by permanent magnets. Trackwork is scratch built from code 60 rail and copper-clad sleepers. All points are op­erated by PECO point motors.

Buildings make use of Daler board and Plasticard and are based on photographs taken of prototypes from around the country. The station and goods shed are based on proto­types from the Cawood, Wistow & Selby light railway.