Spent a very enjoyable time yesterday at the Warley show at the NEC where there was certainly a very varied selection of layouts on show and some very interesting bits to spend far too much money on. Also had a couple of very good chats with the War Office Loco Society and spotted some very interesting details on the films they were showing. Another very informative chat was had with Richard Johnson of DDC Concepts and am now a lot closer to deciding what to do about controllers and control panels. I think I am almost there now and shall report my findings shortly.

On another tack, I think I have decided on what to do with the buildings at the left hand end of the layout. i wanted something pretty substantial and have found a picture of (half!), a chateau in a state of advance disrepair that I think I might use. I can then keep up the open theme by modelling a court yard behind with stable buildings and can easily incorporate the remains of a smithy that I have found pictures of - just need to build it now!