2mm/N Gauge
Presented Gary Atkinson
This is a model of the western approaches to the 3-mile 66-yard tunnel at the hamlet of Woodhead on the Sheffield to Manchester former Great Central route. It represents the period1954 to 1981 when the line was electrified overhead at 1500V DC. Most trains are hauled by Class 76 (EM1) and Class 77 (EM2) locomotives. These are made from modified resin body kits formerly made by Cenpro. The hillsides are made from expanded polystyrene insulation blocks covered with Woodland Scenics materials. The rock face is made from plaster of paris type material poured into a rubber mould then cut into pieces and glued into position. All buildings are scratch-built from plasticard or Peco stone walling with the exception of the row of cottages which I have adapted from a Kestrel kit. Track work is Peco code 55 finescale ballasted with Peco scatter material mixed with wallpaper paste. The double track tunnel mouth is a modified S & N Mouldings item and the two single track bores are scratch-built from cardboard with the stone effect made from Polyfilla. The buildings in front of these houses the pumps for the cable cooling system. The old tunnels are used to run 400KV National Grid wires. The catenary is scratch-built from brass I section and 0.3mm diameter brass wire. The layout is a rebuilt and extended version of my previous Woodhead layout that appeared in Model Rail and BRM magazines.