Acle: Layout Details
| Layout Size | 20ft x 8ft |
| Operators | 4 |
| Transport | Van Required |
Acle railway station was built in 1883 and is located on the Norwich to Great Yarmouth Wherry line. The line was opened by the Great Eastern Railway becoming part of the London and North Eastern Railway (LNER) in 1923 and part of BR eastern region in 1948. Acle has the only passing loop on the line between Brudall and Yarmouth allowing for the crossing of trains. The booking office, station masters house, signal box, footbridge, platform shelter and goods shed all survive and are little changed externally, but the goods yard roads were lifted sometime in the 1980/90s. Historically the station handled local farm produce, livestock from the cattle market just to the north of the station and had coal facilities, a goods shed, cattle dock and loading ramp. It also saw Birds Eye frozen fish through traffic from Great Yarmouth and heavy passenger through traffic in the summer taking holiday makers to Great Yarmouth.
The layout is built to 00 scale on 12 boards, 8 scenic and 4 for the 12 road fiddle yard, measures 20 feet by 8 feet and is supported on permanent folding legs. The layout needs 5 operators for an exhibition.
Track is PECO code 100. Points are operated by PECO solenoids, working semaphore signals are Dapol, and auto uncouplers designed and made by a group member are operated by solenoid.
The layout is wired for DCC and operated using a Roco Z21 Wi-Fi system. Control is through the Z21 app on members iPads and iPhones.
There are historic photographs of the station and these have enabled us to recreate an accurate model of the station. Our representation of Acle is set in the 1950s/1960s a period which saw the replacement of steam with diesel traction enabling a wide range of members locomotives and stock to be run. However, running Great Eastern and LNER locomotives and stock does not look out of place as the station buildings which are all scratch built and have internal detailing and lighting have seen little change over the years.
The layout scenic area is currently undergoing renewal.