This is the first page which I have added to the site covering one of the layouts that I am building. In this case it is a layout which I have only just started, so there is not too much to see at the moment, although I do plan to add construction photographs and notes as the build progresses. First I think I should state : Although this layout is small I will not be racing to complete it. I tend to build a bit here and a bit there across a variety of scales, so do be warned that my progress on any single item is invariably slow. The layout measures 6" x 24" and is built from foamboard, which is the first time I have used this method. I do not currently have a name for the layout.
Firstly, why build a layout so small?
Basically because I tried building a larger layout and due to the reasons described above I did not seem to be getting any closer to the stage when I could add scenery and details, so I decided to build the smallest layout I could reasonably operate in the hope I would get somewhere this decade!
Originally I had planned to build the layout on a piece of chipboard shelving, but when I found that the width I wanted was only available locally in 6 foot lengths, which cost more than a sheet of foamboard, I decided to try that method of construction. This has generally been succesful, although one problem I did have was using a hot glue gun for the joints and finding that the glue was cooling and setting before I could make the joint along the full length of the layout. I suspect part of the problem here could have been due to trying to do this in a cold kitchen in December, perhaps building it in a warmer place would have worked better.
The one building on the layout - which I will add a closer photograph of soon - is based on a Wills Country Garage kit.
This kit is basically two of the domestic garages in one pack.
I have done a bit of kitbashing to create a building with doors spaced to give a reason for shunting a particular wagon to a particular part of the siding.
In operation the layout will use 1 locomotive and 5 similar length 009 wagons, which I have already constructed, and will be used as a shunting puzzle whereby 4 randomly chosen wagons will be shunted onto the rear siding in a specific order (to ensure that the right wagon is by the right door - less dragging of goods up and down the platform).
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