This compact ‘OO’ gauge layout was DAN EVASON’S launch back into the model railway hobby following a chance purchase of Hornby Magazine and a visit to the Warley Show. Dan reveals the story behind Tunnel Lane. Photography, Mike Wild.
Gauge: 'OO', 16.5mm, Scale: 4mm: 1ft Size: 8ft x 18in, Region: Midland, Period: 1940s, Control: DCC, NCE Powercab
Above: LMS ‘3F’ 0-6-0 3520 steams towards Tunnel Lane halt with a mixed goods alongside the canal.
After trawling endless YouTube videos of end-to-end style layouts, I decided to build one for myself. I really liked the idea of having to work the layout with locomotives coming in and out and wagons having to be coupled and uncoupled. I didn’t want a layout that just went around in circles.Another aspect I liked about some of the layouts I had seen was they sat inside a fascia surround which gave them a forced perspective and somewhere to discreetly hide the layout lighting.
I had a long-standing desire to build a model railway. My journey started with a classic train set which my dad built for me when I was little. I remember sitting watching the trains go around for hours. I never forgot that experience, but sadly as I grew up the trains were packed away and adult life took over. I dab…
