Whilst we wait for someone else with more knowledge to write about this beast then here are a few notes.

Gas Works is not a continuous run and The Summit was not available for long periods during its construction so there had to be somewhere for the boys with the big stuff! (7mm) to test and run in their kit built and proprietary locomotives and stock.

When all the other layouts are under development you can rely on the trusty test track.  This one has twin circular tracks and a twin DC controller.  The outer track has a set of points built-in to show how well the loco being tested carries the point work.

Don’t be fooled by the simple circular track – I have seen this at least two exhibitions where other layouts could not be taken and have actually helped run it at one of these.  The track can be draped in a green cloth and it clearly demonstrates O gauge trains as sometimes the front almost reaches the tail!

The construction is simple, it’s a modular baseboard which chocolate box connectors joining each board.  The whole thing is rested on a great number of yellow and black Stanley saw horses which are cheap, light and just the right size.  All this can be fitted in the back of an estate car, hence its availability for exhibitions.

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