The current layout is 5.6m (18'-4") long, 610mm (2') deep and comprises 6 boards.
The core of the layout originates from a previous O-16.5 layout called Cottesmore West that was created and exhibited by 5 friends many, many years ago. The team were all Twickenham MRC members:- Geoff Thorne, John Langridge, Laurence Murray, Roy Thurston and Stephen Brown. The layout was modular and there were many ancillary boards. When Geoff moved into a new house with space for a big workshop, it was decided to sell Cottesmore West station with some of the ancillary boards, and start a new layout. Roy, Laurence and John kept their modules. Johns was called Worton Court and covered two boards, which Geoff inherited after John passed away. It was decided to reuse these baseboards as the core of the new layout and they became the engine shed and power house boards.
The two boards had been stored in Johns loft and had suffered considerably, but progress was made and a four board layout including a 'proper fiddleyard' went on the exhibition road. However, the weekly modelling sessions needed a new project and so two extra boards were planned, that became Edwards and the cottages. After Roy then Laurence passed away, Geoff and Stephen continued exhibiting Worton Court, but when required, were able to enlist two friends, Chris and Ted, to share the operating load. This included the Birmingham show at the NEC in 2024 with both and Farnham (October 2025) with Ted.
Until October 2025 the boards had always been 525mm (1'-9") deep. This stemmed from original transport restrictions in that this was the widest board John could get into his Hillman Imps back seat. After exhibiting at the NEC in 11/2024, the next Wednesday project was to build a 3" extension along the entire front of the layout, increasing the depth to 610mm (2') deep. This included a new 'long' siding in the station, which added more operating interest. What could possibly be the next project?
It is believed that Roy's boards passed to group of NG enthusiasts and may well be gracing exhibitions still, albeit in a different guise.
