Trenches - OO9 Narrow Gauge

Trenches is a representation of the narrow gauge railways in Northern France/Belgium used by the Allies to supply the front lines during the First World War. The left of the layout represents the connection to the standard gauge system and in the station are coaches from an ambulance train. They were used to take casualties from the front to hospitals in France or back to the UK. Eventually there were more than 30 trains for the British forces, with the coaches built in Britain.

The lines pass through a ruined village and across cratered ground to an advanced depot where there is a live firing range and old trenches used for training troops. From here to the front line trenches the supplies were transported using horse or manpower. As well as bringing supplies, the railway took back casualties, expended shell cases and empty ammunition boxes.

The basic scenery is made of 2" foam insulation and much of the ground cover is dried tea leaves. The buildings are a mix of readymade and scratch built.

The layout is 17' by 2' with dc control

It has been exhibited at :-

Model Rail Scotland - February 2018

Tolworth Showtrain (South West London) - November 2018 - Winner of Best Layout Award

Renfrewshire Model Railway Club Exhibition (Johnstone) - 2019

Cathcart Model Railway Exhibition (Clydeside MRC) - October 2019

Model Rail Scotland - February 2024