Silver Sidelines

Continuing my journey around the layout I thought it time to return to the Branch Junction and catch the ex GWR branch train. Bachmann Dukedog ready and waiting The next station down the old GWR branchline is the ‘Halt in the Corner’ or more simply the ‘Passing Loop’. The Halt in the Corner Neither the station nor the passing loop featured in my original plans. Trains leaving the Branch Junction for the Main Terminus via the old GWR line (literally the Great Way Round) followed a circuitous path around the outside of the layout eventually appearing out of a tunnel at a suitably lower level by the engine sheds. Outside the engine sheds – the branch tunnel exit in the background It soon became obvious operationally that a passing loop was needed midway along the Branch – both to enable trains to pass each other but also to provide some temporary storage. At the same time I was thinking how best I could utilise an Autotrain. Historically modellers would simp...