Lawton Hey - 00 Gauge
DESCRIPTION
Lawton Hey is a small market town which saw a degree of industrial development in the nineteenth century, some of which has gone in to decline. Although there are buildings which have fallen into decay, others have been re-purposed by small commercial concerns. Its fictional location is such that it benefits from multi-regional railway connections, and even now, in the 1960s, facilities have been upgraded to accommodate diesel locomotives as they gain a foothold over steam.
The layout is viewable from all sides, and features a main line which passes through distinctly different landscapes, whilst a branch line connects at the main station. The electronic control systems have been developed by members of the group, with further developments being in the pipeline.
The vast majority of the scenic items are scratch-built, with many of them incorporating 3D printed components designed and produced in-house. Look out for the servo operated uncouplers, again developed by members of the group.
To cater for the needs of all group members, Lawton Hey benefits from being able to be operated in either Digital Command Control (DCC) mode or Analogue (DC) mode. In DCC mode, wireless operation is one available option.
Brian Dunn.
November 2022
Photographs taken by Brian Dunn
A lengthy train of loaded mineral wagons head south through the countryside.
A V2 with a heavy train passes over the branch line and approaches the curved viaduct spanning the valley.
A 3F tender loco rests in the single road shed of the once bustling steam depot.
The imposing 'Lawton Paper' building is entirely scratch built. The office block end of the building has an impressive staircase and each floor is populated with scenic items designed and 3D printed by club members. The factory end of the building will soon receive similar treatment.
A diesel maintenance and refuelling facility now stands on a site once devoted to the needs of the old order. The modern structure is scratch built and features many in-house 3D printed parts.
The rail-served warehouse at 'Dunn's Yard' is now home to a number of smaller commercial ventures, and its loading dock sees a small amount of traffic.
A train of china clay hoods comes north behind a Class 37, as a Class 25 drags an abnormal load through the single bore tunnel.
Coal from the north meets clay from the south.
The station building at Lawton Hey exhibits a style reminiscent of North Staffordshire Railway architecture. Here the forecourt and booking hall are at street level, whilst the platforms are elevated. Some of the supporting viaduct arches house small business concerns.
Dereliction and decay stand beside a once popular small hotel. Laser cutting, 3D printing and other methods have been used extensively in these scenes.
'Victoria Works' proudly displays it's crest and the date '1881' as it stands alongside the once busy canal wharf. It's diminutive size is somewhat overshadowed by the towering railway viaduct.