A new 32mm Narrow Gauge Style, Garden Railway Layout

A new layout to make Model Engineering more Accessible

The two biggest factors which prevent easy access into our hobby are the time required to construct, test and prove the models and; of course, the associated costs.

In order to make our club more accessible for new model engineers and to attract new members, in 2024 we planned to build a new ground level 32mm Garden Railway within the grounds.

The main advantages of this scale are that it is significantly cheaper than the larger gauges and also; kits are available.

This will really help as many younger members do not have the necessary machinery or skills to build larger models.

With the above in mind, we set out to design our new railway. We want the drivers to have to drive the track rather than set the locos off and watch them run and so we came up with the track plan for Phase 1 is shown in the adjacent image >

Phase 1 Track Layout

The plan is to build the railway in a couple of stages to get it operational as quickly as is reasonably possible (bearing in mind we are a group of volunteers).

We have opted to put the new layout at the clubhouse end of the main grassed area - running adjacent to the existing raised track, with the facility to extend the railway in the future if it proves successful.

The track-bed construction itself is shown in the image adjacent - partly on embankments spanned by bridges cast in concrete joined with aluminium sections.

We have been very fortunate as to have had a significant donation which has allowed us to start the work toward achieving this new layout.

Raised Embankment Construction

Over the course of many months embankments were built up using reclaimed roof slates. These were set onto a concrete foundation, spaced at the top using hand-made jigs to get the basic structure. With this completed and the structure infilled sufficiently the next step was to be the trackbed - the final pour of fibre reinforced concrete over the infill was completed within the first section of embankment in early August and by the beginning of September the first section of track completely laid in land ultimately was demonstrated to visitors during our September 2025 public running event by our two youngest members!

A series of bridges were designed and constructed by one of our members and the track has now been ballasted with small granite chips as we proceed through 2026.

Supporting this Project

Your donation can make a real difference to help us reach our goal of enhancing and maintaining this layout.

Help us to complete this project by giving what you can today.

Donate now

Junior members have been encouraged to get involved throughout the process and have successfully assisted with the full construction process from inception; now the layout is completed they are building and painting the features which will bring this layout to life.

As with all railway projects, there will always be work to do associated with all the railways at Ravensprings Park and you can help us by joining us as a member to get involved, alternatively if this is not possible you can still help us by clicking to donate.

You can also watch progress at intervals by looking at the photo gallery below...