Vintage Hornby Dublo Layout

Here are a few views of my vintage Hornby Dublo Layout. The layout is built on a standard board size, 8ft x 4ft, with an extra 7in on the short side, making the total size 8ft x 4ft 7in. I changed the layout during filming to remove the reversing loop and install the turntable, which isn't very realisitic in operation!

[@barryjenkins4742]

Hi from a dublo 3 rail collector in new Zealand, a great HD layout with nice realistic running, enjoyed watching, and cheers to all dublo fans

[@Robutube1]

Dublo's got a special noise - I love it!

[@nickdoughty518]

I set up something very similar during lockdown. Invested in a remagnetiser and was amazed how everything could be restored to as-new condition..

[@peterjohncooper]

Fascinating. Thank you.

[@medwaymodelrailway7129]

Great new video .loads of detail.

[@ciaranburke3243]

Nice setup 👌

[@flippop101]

Great video, superb models.

[@davidcann4329]

You've got a nice collection of rolling stock and buildings on your layout. It's good to see so much variety and it looks and sounds great.

[@skin150263]

Thanks for the comment, I'm glad it looks OK

[@tonyhill6296]

Very good setup. Love the (not too fast) speed that you run the various trains. Have subbed!
Building my collection of HD 3rail. So well engineered. 🚂🚂 T

[@skin150263]

Thanks, I don't want it running too fast considering the age of the track and rolling stock. The three rail system is definitely well engineered and the build quality of the rolling stock and locos is very good.

[@tomellis4750]

Oh yes.

[@ewoodrailway]

Really nice set up, I've subbed

[@skin150263]

Thanks very much, I'm glad you like it.

[@RailwayWorld]

Super layout. I like the track plan, it suits the vintage models.
What is the overall size ? Love the old Dublo 3 rail ! Hard to beat.

[@skin150263]

Thanks for the comments, I'm glad you like it. The overall size is 8ft x 4ft 6in. The original track plan was taken from a Hornby Dublo layout booklet from the mid 1950s I've added to that a bit and also fitted some of the Tri-ang overhead catenary so that I can run the EM2 and steeple cab locos. I've also converted a few other Tri-ang locos to run on the three rail track.

[@RailwayWorld]

@@skin150263 Thanks, it looked close to a 4x8. Were the Tri-ang 3 rail conversions difficult ?

[@skin150263]

@@RailwayWorld In the case of the steeple cab loco and the EM2, I just connected the pickups together and bypassed the track/catenary switch so these locos only operate from the overhead catenary. The 9F, dating from Triang Hornby days, has a couple of tender pickups similar to the Hornby Dublo Castle and 8F, with the pickups on the driving wheels connected together. The Blue Pullman, double ended Transcontinental diesel and the DMUs have the existing pickups connected together, and I glued a small piece of copper clad board to the Paxolin panel underneath the motor bogies and then soldered a skate made from 6mm wide springy phosphor bronze strip. The only thing was that I wanted to make sure I didn't do anything that can't be undone, so that I can return them to the original two rail operation if required. I also have a Class 47 and Class 29 that date from Hornby Railways days. I have made a skate for these, the Class 47 has pick ups for both rails on the dummy bogie end and so was fairly easy, but the Class 29 needed a wheel swap in order to make it connect to both of the running rails.

[@NR23derek]

Duchess of Athol? I had one of those as a kid

[@jimthorne304]

Nice layout. How do you manage with the cross over in the station? I put one in against a platform and discovered that there's insufficient clearance for any locos other than the N2 and the diesel shunter.

[@gerardburton3741]

Hi, looks like you have managed to get almost every H/D loco they made. You do not seem to have the 2 0-6-0 engines, The R1 and the diesel shunter. Unless of course you just did not show them. Nice impressive layout..... :)

[@skin150263]

Hi Gerard, glad you like the layout. I've got one example (but not all the variants) of every Hornby Dublo three rail loco, apart from the AL1 overhead catenary electric loco. The R1 was only made for two rail operation, but I did convert one to three rail and it runs OK. I probably just wasn't running the diesel shunter when I made the video.

[@petersouthall6699]

id love a track plan?

[@skin150263]

It's based on Fig 18 on this page, with various additions www.newrailwaymodellers.co.uk/Forums/viewtopic.php?t=49874

[@Notch8Films]

What size is the baseboard please

[@skin150263]

I've put this in the description, it's 4ft 7in x 8ft

[@petersouthall6699]

whats the size please

[@skin150263]

I've put this in the description, it's 4ft 7in x 8ft