Design and Build:

The initial build was based around a solid 9mm plyword frame. The trackwork is all Peco and is DCC controlled. The backscene was the starting point of the scenics and one that was generated using an A.I. system called DALL-E to turn text descriptions into my landscape background. This has generated many comments while at shows.

Then we have the scenics, which is the usual mix of chicken wire, polystyrene blocks and plaster bandages, all while trying to keep the main structure as light and strong as possible. A lot of bark blocks were used for the many cliffs, they look great and are obviously very light, so a bonus on both levels. Then came the ground cover, static grass and the trees... so ... so... so.. many trees!

Buildings are a mix of ready-made, laser kits and 3D prints. The whole layout was then populated with plenty of wildlife,including familes of squirrels, dozens of pigeons, geese and even a couple of ospreys. Young and old are kept very busy at shows hunting the wildlife between the passing trains.

Future projects could include working signals and level crossing, night and day lighting and track automation. See the POSTS and GALLERY tabs above for more information on the continued progress of the layout and be sure to sign up for our newsletter to be kept up to date.

NGG16 Garratt

The Big Beast

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Feòrag Historic Information:

The arrival of the mighty NGG16 Garratt in 1951 marked a dramatic increase in the hauling power available to the Glynoch & Rathmor Railway. Brought to the Caerwyn Isles primarily to handle the increasingly heavy Ministry of Defence traffic over to Falachfaen, its combination of enormous pulling power and ability to negotiate the G&R’s sharply curved and steeply graded narrow-gauge routes made it ideally suited to the task. It soon became one of the most distinctive locomotives on the islands and, many years later, even enjoyed a rather unusual working holiday.
In the late 1990s, the G&R Garratt was loaned to the Welsh Highland Railway for two years to assist with operations on the newly restored railway. In return, the G&R welcomed two very different Welsh visitors to the Caerwyn Isles — a magnificent Double Fairlie and the delightful little Britomart — creating one of the more memorable locomotive exchanges in the railway’s history.
The Garratt benefited considerably from its Welsh adventure. As part of the exchange, it received a full restoration and mechanical overhaul at Boston Lodge Works, together with a complete repaint into the striking emerald green livery of the Welsh Highland Railway. When the time came to return home, the G&R decided that its splendid new appearance should remain. The WHR lettering and branding were retained too, becoming an affectionate reminder of the locomotive’s two years away. More than a quarter of a century later, the great Garratt can still be seen thundering across the Caerwyn Isles in its unmistakable emerald green and WHR livery — a little piece of Welsh railway history that has become part of the G&R’s own story.

NGG16: At a glance

Manufacturer - Beyer,Peacock & Co
Built - Manchester, England
Year built - 1945
Length - 14.76 m
Weight - approx. 62 tonnes
Tractive effort - 21,553 lbf
Original service - South Africa
G&R service - From 1951
Principal G&R duty - MOD & freight

Design and Build:

Feòrag Station area

Glen Feòrag Viaduct

Exhibiting and Media:

While this layout is intended to be exhibited as a stand alone item, it has been designed to be compatible with the Dartmoor 009 groups module setup allowing for a much larger system for running and exhibiting trains. From the wonders of Alexandra Palace to a tiny village hall tucked away in the Devon countryside. It has also featured in the modelling press on a number of occasions, including the Railway Modeller (June 2025) and the 009 News Magazine (November 2025). For the latest exhibition dates and layout news, join our newsletter to keep up with all things G&R.