Welcome to the map
page of the
FSMR site.
Below is a map showing the layout of the SMR. The engine shed is
on the far left and the tunnel is mid picture. The line is run in a balloon
shape at the lake end and is just under 2 miles in total,
trains take on average 14 minutes for a round trip at scale line speeds!
Description of the line
Trains leave the car park station
and run around the top curve on a falling gradient down through the 50 metre
long tunnel to the lake. At Haven, the line diverges on a sprung point, passing
lakeside junction box taking the left road to cross the river Eye on Haven
bridge and then run parallel to the river along the back straight.
The line then crosses a small stream at
Colby's culvert before rounding the sharp curve to cross the river again on
Jenny's bridge. The railway then enters the wooded section, called
appropriately Chestnuts and runs on a rising gradient to badgers bend, before
clearing the woods and running along the eastern shore of the lake.
The line then crosses the lake out-fall on the
spillway before arriving back at the Haven Lakeside box to rejoin the Haven to
top curve section via the sprung point.
The train now has to re-climb the
long gradient up the bank and through the tunnel back to the top curve, no easy
task with a full train and wet rails, and a severe test of driver and
Locomotive!
Arriving at the top curve
points, the train can either run directly into the station, or run into the
triangle head-shunt, to be reversed or piloted back into the station to be
facing the correct way around.
If run "straight in"
during multiple engine operations, a locomotive will be waiting in the triangle
to back on to the station ready for a quick departure, the train leaves and the
"trapped" loco(s) can then run out backwards following the train, to
then run forward back into the head-shunt via the top-curve point. They are then
watered and coaled ready for backing onto the next train.
Operational details
Normal signalling operations use
one signalman in the station box controlling all train movements, the main
station gantry and all point-work around the station and triangle, including
the new switched diamond. as well as various other
interlocked signals. A single line token controls all access to the top curve
section and beyond onto the main railway. All train guards are in radio contact
with the signalmen, operation control and each other ensuring a smooth and
efficient service and fast response to any problems.
At heavy passenger times, a
second box is opened at Haven, controlling access to the Haven back to
You might also like to view the
aerial view of the line here
View Larger Map