Rather than crack straight on with one of my main plans...

I decided to play it safe and do this plan...

probably the corner of a steel works. Unsure.

I've finally arrived at that golden area; started on a new layout.

This is a start on the mini lauout I proposed in the other thread...

It isn't my main layout idea but something to do while I finish sorting the loft out. Actually it serves severel purposes that will be more clear if they are listed.

1) Allow me to make copious amounts of balls-ups wich I hope won't be repeated on my more serious planned layout/s.

2) Allow some 'light relief' modelling if the other planned layout/s start to get stressfull or whatever. Being less serious I can just relax and not worry too much on accuracy.

3) To try different building methods and techniques, including turnout operation, wiring, lighting and a few other ideas I have up my sleeve.

4) To provide a small test track for future locomotive/rolling stock builds/conversions.

5) To provide a 'real' setting to photograph any models once complete rather than using my work desk.

6) Give me some wood working practice, other than a dabble at school over a decade ago I have none.

7) Have some fun! Mostly shunting due to small size. Also a testbed for coupling types.

As a first post on this I've brought progress. Without wishing to offend the baseboard is in my eyes a bit of an 'abortion effort.' It's not my first layout but it's my first attempt at any semi serious woodwork. It isn't that neat and a bit of a hotchpotch of scraps. The sides and top wete cut at a timber merchant though. Due to me having little experience, an uneven floor, a Mitre saw that I think is 'out' and 6mm plywood that I think us a tad thin-the middle section in the middle bows by a scale foot over 2 feet start to finish. Why? I think it wss the above problems, either way I'll try to learn from it for serious layouts later. Balls-up 1 complete.

Rather than start again I'm going to remidy it by packing it with Balsa wood strips (already started and it is leveling fine) this being an industrial layout (still not definetly decided what) will probably give the ground level that lumpy look anyway, so might actually help.

The board was pretty wobbily like a suspension bridge until I added all the strengthers. Nice and rigid now. The cut outs are for a bridge etc.

Construction is hot glue gun plus tacks. I tried screws but due to the plywood being so thin I snapped two small drill bits when doing pilot holes. Use thicker wood and a bigger pilot/screw. More lessons learnt. Seems this mini layout is proving worthwhile so far. Aside from the kack of skill, bodges and roughness, do you havd suggestions or comments? :-)