An advantage of using a London terminus is that it is suitable for use as joint station with trains from two regions (similar to Moorgate). Our working assumption is a mixed LNER/ SR station capable of being set in any era from 1900s to 1970s but initially in the 1920s to suit current members tastes. The name, Smithfield, was chosen based on a members’ vote. Smithfield market is close to Farringdon station and the layout is assumed to be served by the Snow Hill tunnel and the widened lines, although any detailed historical justification is a little hazy!

The key features are: Urban terminus with three passenger platforms, one of which can be used for parcels;

A goods yard with warehouse to allow a significant goods/ shunting operation;

A milk dock; Bottom road is on a falling gradient behind the station and gives access to a 4 ft cassette for through goods traffic to Billingsgate market or similar (enough for 0-6-0T plus 5 vans + brake van);

Main passenger platforms are 7-8 feet in length allowing room for loco plus five suburban (c.50 ft), four mainline (c. 60 ft) coaches or an 8 car Gresley Quad Art (just!). Top road acts as headhunt for goods yard;

Turnover loco/ pilot sits in spur by warehouse;

Total length of c.19ft (excluding fiddle yard) to fit in area in front of windows in clubrooms;

Four scenic boards in two pairs which fold onto each other. Hinges would be located on top of retaining walls.

The layout is DCC controlled so as to exploit the advantages of DCC in larger scales (sound/ stayalives etc.) and to facilitate wiring and give experience of wiring a layout explicitly for DCC which is a first for the club. We use NCE Powercab with a 5A booster. Point control is manual through working DCC point rodding and wire in tube for the yard points with Gaugemaster Autofrogs for polarity switching Scenics are still being finished and you will see some card mockups still on the layout. Buildings to replace these are underway as are the last few arches for the retaining wall.