Sankei Valley – layout description

Sankei Valley – a Japanese layout in Z Gauge

The layout is a total length of 2.4 metres and stands on its own support frame.

Sankei Valley has a double track main line serving a two-road station. A short road into a bay platform accommodates a shuttle service on a single track branch and serves also as a headshunt for two short sidings. There is a five road ‘fiddle yard’ and storage sidings behind the professionally painted back scene (which features Mount Fuji, of course).

Pre-ballasted track and points used are Rokuhan, a Japanese  manufacturer comparatively new to Z gauge;  the overhead catenary is non-working.

Rolling stock is from a number of Japanese manufacturers and includes both diesel and electric locomotives, electric multiple units, modern passenger coaches and freight wagons all sourced direct from Japan. A Shinkansen (Bullet Train) appears from time to time. Buildings are made up or adapted from laser-cut card kits and these too, are genuine Japanese.

On the left we have the older part of the town with its small shops and restaurants. Towards the centre and a little lower down the valley is the commercial centre with tower block offices and the railway station.  The model features lighting of the streets and buildings. The right-hand end, where both the branch and main lines enter a cutting leading to short tunnels, is rural.  In between are busy roads also provided with lighting.

Sankei Valley is based on some of the different regional companies and liveries of Japan’s railways. The setting is imaginary.

To find out more about the layouts being worked on by the Oxford and District Model Railway Club, then please click here.