The layout is a 7mm (O Gauge) layout, which is a larger size than most home layouts. The scenic section is roughly 4.8 metres (16′) long, and 80cm (2′ 6″) wide. However, there is a fiddle yard for storage behind the scenes, meaning the layout is 4.8 metres (16′) by 2 metres (6′ 6″).
Bubbleton has two platforms (one large platform, and a bay platform) for passenger trains, a goods area (with a private goods yard for a chocolate factory), and a depot area for the fuelling and maintenance of Diesel Railcars (Class 121 / 122).
Set in the 1960s as a terminus of a branch line, it features working colour light signals which along with the point motors are computer controlled. To make this work, there are block detectors which can work out where trains and locos are on the railway, although they do not individually identify what is there.
The layout is controlled by a DCC system from MERG (currently 3 of the team members behind the layout are MERG members), and alongside a Raspberry Pi running JMRI, this system provides control of the trains, points, signals, and provides feedback onto screens of what is happening on the layout. We have both handheld wired controllers, but can also operate the layout via mobile phones / tablets.
