Site resdesign: New page  
This is a new page added as part of the 2010 site redesign, see homepage for details.
Whilst working on the redesign I will endeavour to avoid broken links and blank pages, however there will be a transition period during which the same information may be presented on more than one page.


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!
The trackplan, not yet visible in the photographs, is basically one point used to form 2 siding and a headshunt. Each siding will hold 4 wagons, and the headshunt will hold 2 wagons and a locomotive. Uncoupling will be performed using a sliding permanent magnet under each track.
The plan is not original - possibly there are no original plans left for micro layouts - but is a direct copy of a layout I read about in 009 News (I can not remember the issue or the original builder, but I will look them up and add the details later.)
Even the building is something of a copy in that the original layout used the same kit as a basis, although I have varied the construction slightly.

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.
Currently the building is on a base which will be finished as poured concrete, and will be set to a height to act as a low platform.

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).



Progress since the latest photo
I have cut a slot for the magnets which I plan to use for uncoupling (they will move sideways from under the track when not in use to prevent accidental uncoupling). I covered this in clear plastic taken from a Peco tunnel mouth package so that I can see the magnets below the track during setup.
Once this was dry I began attaching some of the track, including the point.
The latest that I have done has been more work on the uncoupler to begin constructing a mechanism to actually move the magnets. Due to the way the layout will be operated I am able to connect both magnets to the same moving bar as it will not cause any problem to activate the uncoupling on both tracks together.
I do still need to give some thought as to whether this, and also the point operation when complete, will be operated just from the front of the layout or whether I will arrange it to be usable from the side as well. `