Colinwood
Somewhere in Leicestershire
Colinwood is a new layout in development by St.Neots Model Railway Club in Gauge O (7mm Fine scale). The layout is being developed to work both as a Standalone end-to-end layout and as a scenic module that can be plugged into the Gauge O Guilds modular layout.
The layout began under the stewardship of club member Colin McCallum who sadly died in a road traffic accident in 2023 and never got to see the layout come to life. A decision was taken within the team to name the layout ‘Colinwood’ in tribute to Colin and we continue to work to bring his idea to life. To ensure as many club members as possible can run their Gauge O stock, the team aims to show steam in the BR period from 1960 - 1965, but more commonly, you will see stock from the 1980s to the 2000s, with preserved stock appearing occasionally on steam rail tours.
Geographically it is based "Somewhere in Leicestershire" with the station being loosely based on Shackerstone (part of the Battlefield Line today) which is sited near to the Ashby-de-la-Zouch canal lending itself to our concept with the railway crossing the canal.
The team have chosen to curve the layout in order to create a more interesting view of trains travelling through the Leicestershire countryside, other key elements of the layout include the Station building with footbridge, water tower and coal stays, a roll-through goods shed, twin bridges crossing a sunken canal lock which together with the railway line serves the Maltings with its separate boiler house and chimney.
The team are now 2 Years into the build and so far the main line tracks are laid, lock fitted, Station, Maltings and associated buildings under construction. The layout has been exhibited as a 'Work in Progress' at the Gauge O Guild shows; Guildex 2025, Kettering & Wigan in 2026 and is going to Guildex again in September 2026.
The St.Neots team have not only been building the Colinwood scenic section but have also been heavily involved in developing the Guild’s modular layout with intense work taking place through the summer to get the modular fiddle yards, end curves and transition boards finished.
Technical Specifications
Track & Gauge
Control Systems
Built in 7mm Finescale
Custom-Built pointwork due to the curved design
DCC system is a Lenz LZV200 unit with an LV103 Booster. Turnout control with interlocking is via a custom JMRI Panel. Loco Control is via WiThrottle Server or Lenz LH101 handset.
Scenery & Landscaping
The 'Maltings and Canal Lock are J S Models Laser Kits
Station and Goods Shed are L-Cut Creative Laser Kits
Platforms are XXX Laser Kits
Rolling Stock
To be supplied by club members when exhibiting
BR Late Steam and Heritage Specials
1980's to modern era Freight and Passengert
The Build Process
A visual look into the planning, construction, and detailing of the Colinwood layout, showcasing our methods from baseboard to finishing touches.
Basis Reference Photos
Here are a some photographs taken on a club visit to Shackerstone Station, a major reference point in the landscaping and building styles seen on the Colinwood layout.
