Barrie Island - The Club Test Track

Exhibition Manager Details 

With the Club concentrating on the construction of exhibition layouts, it was decided in 2014 that a dedicated test track was needed that could be assembled quickly in the Club Rooms, allowing members to test their locomotives and rolling stock. The first version of the test track was constructed during October 2014. Although it was never intended to be an exhibition layout, it has since made a number of appearances at model railway exhibitions. The layout is designed to operate primarily on conventional 12-volt DC control, although provision was made from the outset for operation using a DCC system if required. The layout was soon christened "Barrie Island", being named after one of our members, Barrie Summers, who regularly brings along his prized locomotives to test on the layout—although they do not always perform quite as he hopes! During June and July 2016, a third running circuit was added, allowing more trains to be operated simultaneously. In the spring of 2022, the test track was completely rebuilt on a new baseboard to create the Mark III version. The layout continues to provide many hours of enjoyment for Club members during club nights. Further modifications were carried out in September 2024 with the addition of a centrally positioned 9mm gauge track suitable for both 009 and N gauge trains. Like the outer circuit on the main test track, this line can be operated using either conventional 12-volt DC or DCC control, making the layout even more versatile for testing a wide variety of models.

Exhibition Details Layout Owner : The Redditch Model Railway Club.

Number of operators required : two to three 

Layout size : 6ft x 5ft