The Pandemic lockdowns prompted SIMON MARSH to build his first layout in many years - and it shows what can be achieved in a small space in ‘OO’ gauge. Photography, Trevor Jones.
Lockdown Sidings started with a spare 3ft 7in x 2ft plywood baseboard kit, two turnouts, a desire to see whether after a very long break from the hobby and several false starts I could actually still build a model railway, and plenty of time during the first coronavirus lockdown.
All I really wanted to do was to learn lessons by practicing simple wiring and other skills before moving on to a larger layout, but once I had some track down and operational one thing led to another, and it took on a life of its own.
I decided to develop a concept - something that I find is necessary to maintain a degree of overall realism and keep my interest going. I have always been drawn towards the late 1950s and early 1960s and I have lived most of my life in Kent. I prefer rural areas to towns and cities. Clearly, given the small space and a desire to keep everything on the one board a complete station with run-round loop and all the facilities was out of the question.
Above: As yard staff go about their duties, South Eastern & Chatham Railway (SECR) ‘P’ 0-6…
