Now the that the scenery had been started in earnest, I decided that any changes would only be cosmetic.I had a plan, and was going to stick too it...(famous last words!!)

More items were being added to the layout, which resembled a winter wonderland- everywhere was all white!!

The yard crane on the loading bank in the goods yard made an appearance ( Wills),also the GWR water crane next to the loco-release at the main platform, followed by a grounded van body (both Ratio)

The signalbox however was a temporay structure, a rather battered Hornby WR timbered affair with internal staircase.

Peco bufferstops also made an appearance - removing the need at last for the large red pins at the end of each siding.!!

The location of the layout had now to be considered- with regard to the rolling stock, architecture, industry and period modelled.Various options were explored - the real Sproston is a small hamlet in Cheshire, just west of the M6 motorway near Holmes Chapel, and does not posess a station.

The West Midlands,Shropshire, Worcestershire Somerset and Cheshire were all proposed, anywhere really that has mostly red brick buildings, a dairy industry, and WR/LMS locos and rolling stock...as of yet no firm decision has been made.

The period was chosen as I was born in 1956, enjoy 60's music, prefer steam - but don't mind the early (green) diesels and railcars, and have an affinity for the ex GWR, with a passing interest in the LMS. ( even though I hail originally from East Kent- what a traitor!!..)

.I also liked the idea of a mix of Blood and Custard/Maroon coaching stock, and locos in black or WR green, with either the "ferret and a dartboard" or "lion on a unicycle" totem on them...(Pure selfishness!!)

The layout remained in this 'snowscape' for some time as I pondered over the next stage of scenery, eventually I suffered from "snow blindness" and painted all the area with artists 'Burnt Sienna' poster paint which made things much more bearable...

The final new item at this stage was the Ratio GWR cattledock, a lovely model, but a pig to fit all the fine wire railings on! still I think it has turned out o.k - just needs some obedient cows to populate it!