Now that I've written the history and dreamt up the rationale, it's now time to think about the layout.

Attached is the first draft of Litlington, my chosen station. I am hoping to draw up a nice 'pen and ink' plan, but wanted to make sure everything 'fits' properly.

It is pretty much as per the 'Route Guide' published recently, except I've decided that the brewery entrance would be better 'offstage' - it just seems to suit the open feel of the place a little more. There is room for a few changes - I'd quite like to fit a flint-built cottage on there somewhere - but I'm quite happy with what I've come up with so far.

'Fits', of course, is a bit subjective - there is 'no room at the inn' for an 8' long lump - and of late I've been erring towards the smaller, portable (who said exhibitable, quiet there, the Mrs is watching ) layout as my 'weapon of choice'. On that note - I have been reading of the 'Jigsaw' design principle, which sounds ideal, particularly as I've always had an aversion to the (often unavoidable!) 'baseboard join chasm' often seen, and the plan has been designed with this in mind.

Would welcome any thoughts, especially on the Jigsaw method as, apart from in a couple of Iain Rice's books, it isn't something I have read a lot about.