In the beginning this outstanding ‘N’ gauge exhibition layout was known as Acton Mainline, but following more than 100 show appearances it was retired. GEOFF BUTTLER is now the owner of the renamed and restocked marvel of the 1990s. Photography, Mike Wild.
Gauge: 'N', 9mm | Scale: 2mm:1ft | Size: 16ft x 2ft | Region: East Midlands/North East | Period: 2000-2021 | Control: DC, analogue
CROYDON MODEL RAILWAY Society exhibited Acton Mainline for 14 years at 125 venues throughout the UK and even on the Continent.By the end of this time it was decided to retire and sell the layout.
The layout was originally conceived in 1989 and its construction was led by Richard Dotterill amongst a group of talented ‘N’ gauge modellers. Its aim was to model the contemporary railway scene around Acton Mainline on the Great Western Main Line from London Paddington to Reading and the West which it did so superbly and in outstanding detail.
At the time ‘N’ gauge layouts of this calibre were rare on the exhibition circuit and its popularity came about through the builders’ attention to detail at the lineside and beyond as well as their fastidiously detailed locomotives and rolling stock.
The signature of the layout was its six …
