OK, so first things first (at risk of boring my regular readers and contributors to tears!) - another plan.

Combining the best bits from previous ones - reintroducing the river which guides the eye, a bridge over said river - and keeping the shed and station building as a view block. I've also 'flipped' the layout - whilst I liked the idea of passenger trains traversing the length of the layout before pulling into the station, it would have produced an issue with operation, in that the loco would have to 'propel blind' the stock into the loop. This variant allows bunker-first operation in, before pulling the stock into the loop, running round, then coupling up to return forwards to Alfriston. On a more practical level, the 'narrowness', which benefits the jigsaw is kept too.

Buildings

One thing I want to do is have a definite 'LBSCR Flavour' - so instead of using kit built buildings, I plan to build four of the five structures shown in the plan above from scratch (The odd one out being the coaling stage). I may live to regret this!

One of my biggest sources of inspiration for the project has been the Wild Swan book 'The Cuckoo Line' by A.C Elliott. At the back are drawings (to 2mm/foot scale) of various buildings along the line.

Starting with the Station Building, I think that of Hailsham (pg 142) suits it well. A quick Google reveals this photo from John Law on Flickr; http://www.flickr.com/photos/johnmightycat/5631935654/

The Engine Shed will also be that from Hailsham (Page 144)- the real thing was demolished in the 1880's, but as I've moved it to another location, I felt it only fair to give the old thing an extended lease of life!

The Water Tower will be that of Heathfield ( http://www.flickr.com/photos/16913586@N03/6466195117/ from 'heffle-senior' on Flickr), but without the hoist (described as unusual on the excellent www.lbscr.org website - http://www.lbscr.org/models/IW/structures.htm#Water_Tower ) . (Page 152)

Finally, the Goods Shed - this is the Goods Warehouse from Rotherfield (First picture on http://www.disused-stations.org.uk/r/rotherfield_and_mark_cross/index.shtml)

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