Dave taught us so much about layout design, baseboard construction and electronic controls/wiring much of which we have used to construct “Prospect Road TMD”. I have written an appreciation of Dave for the February 2025 Gauge O Gauge Gazette describing the techniques he developed for building baseboards for “Little Siddington” which may be of interest to viewers.

We developed “Prospect Road TMD” as an exhibition layout and designed it to be easily assembled/disassembled and transported in one car. The idea was to provide a visually exciting showcase for the many finescale O gauge diesel locomotives in Barry’s collection.

The scenic part of the layout measures 10.5 feet by 2 feet in three sections with an additional 3 foot, 4-way traverser fiddle-yard. The backscene chosen is the well-known UK industrial scene from Gaugemaster. Mirrors are used at each end to visually extend the layout/reflect the backscene and lighting effects. This includes the engine shed (by Heljan) at one end and the pipework gantry (by Made in Manchester Models) at the other. The Peco track layout consists of a space-saving double-slip with just 3 other turnouts. This enables a lot of movement for locomotives between the shed for maintenance/inspection, to two refuelling points and on to staging sidings waiting for their next duty roster. Colour light signals control entry/exit to the “main line” off scene and ground light signals govern internal stock movements. The layout has been detailed extensively with model equipment and figures to really bring the scene to life. Much of these modelling materials were purchased at Gauge O Guild exhibitions including Guildex.

The layout is controlled by the Roco/Fleischmann Z21 DCC system using remote mobile ‘phones or tablets as handsets. This includes all locomotive movement, functions and sounds, point motors (Cobalt digital) and signals.

In the course of this video, a selection of locomotives with authentic current liveries will be shown in action. Detailing and weathering has been added to many models.

• Direct Rail Services (DRS) liveried Class 37 087 is a Heljan model;
• EWS Class 60 229 is a Heljan model;
• Rail Operations Group Phoenix liveried Class 37 084 is a Heljan model expertly repainted by Dave Lowrey;
• Green GBRf “Isambard Kingdom Brunel”Class 60 081 is a Heljan model;
• Loadhaul Class 56 030 is a Heljan model expertly reliveried by Simon George;
• Freightliner Class 66 569 was Kit-built and painted/liveried by Dave Lowrey;
• GBRf Cemex liveried Class 66 780 was Kit-built and painted/liveried by Dave Lowrey;
• GBRf Class 69 008 is a Heljan model reliveried by Dave Lowrey;
• GBRf Class 66 724 was Kit-built and painted/liveried by Dave Lowrey.

Finally, we hope you have enjoyed our presentation of “Prospect Road TMD”. The layout has been exhibited 10 times all over Ireland winning a Best Large Scale Layout at the North Down MRS exhibition in Northen Ireland. We hope to exhibit the layout elsewhere in the UK in 2025.