Copyright © 2002-2009, Crawley Model Railway Society [June 09]
‘Groenen Creek’
¼”:1ft Scale
On30 Gauge
Click image to view track plan
For construction pictures
of the layout, visit
For more pictures, visit
‘Groenen Creek’ is an On30 logging layout based on American practice
during the 1940s. It is freelance in design with ideas drawn from various
sources. One of our main objectives is to have fun and provide a layout that
is slightly different from many others. The layout is viewable on up to 3
sides and the baseboards measure 10 feet by 8 feet. We operate the layout
from all sides using DCC throttles and a master control panel in the staging
area.
There is a through station where the main (narrow gauge) line connects with
the logging line that climbs up through the trees to the timber felling
operations (off-scene).
Although the track plan is essentially an oval, we operate the layout more
like an end-to-end arrangement. To the west of ‘Groenen Creek’ are the
local mill, a harbour on the west coast and the cities of Redwood and Sloe
Rapids; to the east are the local quarry and Upwood Falls. In addition to the
services to and from these locations there are frequent trains up and down
the logging lane.
Most of the rolling stock is ready-to-run (RTR) with some kit- or scratch-built
examples. Many of the RTR locomotives are made by Bachmann with other
examples by Broadway Limited. Some of the locos are fitted with sound
decoders but not all – yet!
All the buildings except one are scratch built and based on prototypes
typical for the area. However we have been ‘flexible’ with the dimensions
to fit them all in! All the trees are hand-made by members and there are
over nn on the layout. The track on the main line is code 80 by Micro
Engineering and on the logging line it is hand-laid code 73. All the turnouts
are handmade by various club members and operated by Tortoise™ motors.
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