SM32 Gauge Garden Railway
Photo supplied courtesy of Paul Phillips
To accompany the ‘O’ gauge layout, the club has an extensive SM32/16mm scale garden railway.
This was conceived by the head of the Permanent Way Department who became frustrated by the constant need to replace plastic sleepers that had been burnt. The Mamod live steam loco proved irresistible to some members, although out of gauge with limited route availability, it provided a welcome change from the whirring sound of an electric motor and produced the spectacle of real steam.
The big drawback came with the type of fuel used to heat the water. The solid fuel tablets, although effective at boiling the water, had a tendency to crumble and drop from beneath the loco onto the track. This intense heat would melt the sleepers and roofing felt burning with an invisible flame, making it difficult to spot before the damage was done.
Much to the disappointment of the Mamod owners, these types of loco were banned. The solution was to build a line suitable for live steam operation.
An interesting track plan was devised incorporating bridges, tunnels and a spiral. The track to be used was the chunky, narrow gauge outline Peco SM32, very suited to use with live steam. This was agreed on by the Club committee and as it was fast approaching the Club’s 40th anniversary, the project was to be known as the Ruby Line. It was to be connected to the ‘O’ gauge line at two places, the SM32 being the same gauge, allowing standard gauge stock to run onto the new line. Work commenced in late 1995 with the route surveyed, cleared and marked with wooden stakes. These were driven into the ground at the correct height for the track base allowing for the differing gradients, the steepest being the spiral at 1 in 40. It was quite a challenge to build as the line had to twice pass under the main footpath into the site and twice cross over the ‘O’ gauge main line.
The Ruby Line at Quarry Junction
The line was completed in the summer of 1996 and proved popular with not just Brambleton members but those of other organisations, so much so that the need to expand was soon talked about.
Again, an ambitious track plan was devised with the result being The Millennium line, built to mark that occasion. It can be operated separately, or joined to the Ruby Line by an array of link lines creating a giant loop or figure of eight along with numerous other route possibilities. It offers 80 yards of level track with sweeping curves and a large junction station which doubles up as a covered steaming up area. With the ever-increasing popularity of 16mm scale, this line too was soon running at capacity so an extension was constructed in time for the Clubs 60th anniversary.
The Millennium Line Tar Loop
The Jubilee line added another circuit complete with deep cuttings, a tunnel, two large bridges and a covered steaming up area. More expansion followed with creation of the Coronation line, completed in time for the ascension to the throne of the King in 2022. This line incorporates challenging gradients, two passing loops and a tunnel.
The Coronation Line looking towards The Gun Emplacement
A further extension, the Platinum line, is under construction and due to be completed towards the end of 2026. This will celebrate the Club’s 70th anniversary and contain a loco service station and a tunnel.
The method of construction for the SM32 line is to dig a trench about a foot wide following the route, being careful not to disturb the wooden stakes marking the track level. The depth depends on the surrounding terrain, clearly if the line is to be level and the terrain rises, the trench will be deeper. The bottom of the trench is filled with about six inches of crushed hardcore then approximately five inches of concrete poured in. Light weight concrete blocks (215mm x 440mm) are then laid upright in a line and allowed to sink in the concrete until level with the nearby stake. The joints between blocks are filled with mortar after the concrete has dried. If the line rises more than the height of a block above ground level, shuttering is used to retain the concrete. If there is a significant curve, the blocks are cut to a suitable length before laying and canted slightly as they are being positioned in the concrete.
The Platinium Line under construction.
The SM32 track is pinned directly onto the top surface of the blocks using 1 inch steel panel pins. The light weight blocks readily accept small nails and hold them tight. This method of construction has proved to be robust and reliable with only slight settlement and movement of the concrete blocks, which is to be expected when building in a wood. The track needs very little maintenance, just the occasional tightening and realigning of a joint although the removal of excessive moss which grows between the sleepers can prove tedious.
A typical running session on the SM32 line will see a variety of live steam loco’s from manufactures like Roundhouse and Accucraft along with home built examples and even the occasional Mamod! The majority are radio controlled fuelled by gas, but the intricacies of coal firing is gaining in popularity. The simplicity of a diesel outline, battery electric loco appeals to many and complement the live steam loco’s. The rolling stock can vary from a full rake of Ffestiniog bogie coaches to a few slate wagons.
Brambleton has an extensive SM32/16mm scale garden railway and enjoys a close relationship with the West Herts Area Group of the Association of 16mm Narrow Gauge Modellers who meet once a month at the layout throughout the year culminating in the popular New Years Eve steam-up.