About The Layout
The Illawarra Line is a prototype-freelance layout based on the Illawarra Region of New South Wales, Australia in the early 2000's.
While some locales try and adhere to the prototype, there has been some liberty taken on some parts of the layout to further optimise the layout for operations. In addition you will see a mix of trains from the early 2000's up to the 2010's.
The main locales featured on the layout are Bombo, Kiama, Berry, Bomaderry/Nowra, and the large Manildra plant along the Shoalhaven River. A fictional Town known as Kembla Junction and Kembla Heights has been added to provide additional operating session interest.
Layout construction began in January 2022, you can find a track plan at the link below:
Track Plan
The layout is a point to point style across 3 levels, with through staging on the lower level to make it easier to rotate trains for their return to the layout. The layout runs around the outside as well as along a peninsula, with a Helix seperating Levels 1 and
Aaron
Quick Stats
- Scale: HO
- Size: Approx 7m x 3.5m across two levels
- Layout Type: Shelf Layout with Centre Peninsula & Helix Seperation between decks
- Max Grade: 2%
- Track:
- Peco Code 83 Track, Fast Tracks #10 / Tillig Elite switches (Mainline)
- Peco Code 70 Track and Points (Sidings)
- DCC: NCE Pro Cab / WiThrottle
- Signalling:
- CATS / JMRI for Dispatcher Panel
- ESPHome for Control/Detection System
- WLED for Signals
- Node-Red for automations