Page 9 - NMRA Roundhouse September-October 2019

and off the shelf models, such as an Airfix WW1 Male Tank Mk.1, which has been modified to look like a later variant, and a Corgi “Old Bill Bus” from their recent great war collection, which just happens to be the right size! All of which have been weathered to suit.
Figures also play a key role to bring many of the scenes to life, both on and off the trains.The majority of them are resin kits, produced by W^D Models, all of which have been painstakingly assembled and painted by hand by myself. I can’t thank Barry of W^D Models enough for taking the time to research and pro- duce these kits.Without his items, the layout certainly would have been a lot more sparse. The track-plan consists of an oval run with fiddle yard, a passing loop on the scenic side, plus two sidings, which serve the Artillery Battery.All the points are manually operated by dowel rods, which run under the baseboards.
Currently control for the layout is both DC and DCC, provided by a Gaugemas- ter DCC75 Controller, which allows me to operate the best of both worlds.The majority of the fleet run on analogue, however, one of my Bachmann Baldwin’s has been fitted with a digital sound de- coder, which adds a whole other level of running to the layout.
Researching locomotives used on the WDLR network was also another
very enjoyable experience of the build. Some of the most surprising finds was evidence of captured German locomo- tives being used, alongside British and Allied stock. Most of the Rolling stock is currently off the shelf RTR, made up of a mixture of MiniTrains, Bachmann and Peco models, which have been detailed, weathered and figures added. I’ve also recently completed my first 009 Kit,
which is of an iconic Protect Simplex Petrol Locomotive.
My core fleet of locomotives include: - Bachmann Baldwins 10-12-D (fitted
with Digitrains Digital Sound)
- Minitrains USA Baldwin 2-6-2T
- Minitrains Decauville Progres 0-6-0T
(W^D Transfers Added to Side Tanks)
- Minitrains Schneider Locotracteur
- Minitrains Brigadelok 0-8-0T (Captured
German Locomotive)
- Mosquito Kit Built Protect Simplex
Petrol Locomotive
From documenting the creation of the layout on my YouTube Channel SD- JR7F88, to taking it on the road around the country, I’ve been overwhelmed
by the interest and support for Ami-
ens 1918, especially during the year of Remembrance. From the start I always knew that recreating a scene, set in such an iconic, yet awful point in history was going to be a challenge, but after seeing and hearing people’s reactions, young and old, I’m really glad that it’s touched the hearts of many and brings back memories of those who served, to a new generation (much like myself).
By far this been my favourite project to date, and I’m certain it won’t be the last
military inspired build. I’m currently back dating a number of my 00 Gauge Fleet into Railway Operating Division (ROD) disguise. I’ve also constructed a WW1 Armored Train, based on a Russian De- sign, which of course will need a fitting layout to run on at some point.
For those who watched Channel 5’s “Great Model Railway Challenge” you may have also seen some WW1 inspi- ration in ourTeam,“The RailwayVideo Division” Blackadder Inspired Heat Build, called “Go Forth”.
Callum Willcox
September/October 2019 - ROUNDHOUSE 9