An interesting weekend, much interrupted by excellent Rugby - Argentina were magnificent - but I did get some modelling done. The Jinty is getting its black paint coats applied (more on that later) but I was also able to start on the actual layout baseboards. The right end of the layout is a simple 600mm x 800mm module covering one cabinet base. To its left will go the 600mm x 600mm turntable module. I am using two 10mm thick MDF panels glued together so that the turntable and cassette modules will match in depth. The panels are strengthened below and screwed into the metal rails that form part of the IKEA carcass, forming a very rigid base for laying track, etc.

The edge around the front and side will be filled with a decorative IKEA strip which is 10mm thick and 80mm high. This will provide a tray like lip to protect the layout and its contents. It will be decorative on the outside, matching the IKEA doors but will probably be covered with scenery (brick wall?) on the inside. The gap at the back is designed to take hardboard paneling for the back scene, though I intend to have a low relief retaining wall in front of the back scene to provide depth and the correct illusion of a shed crammed into a small available space (using Monument Lane 3E as reference).

Here is the latest version of the Sketchup design to place the above paragraph in context:

The next job will be to fit the left hand panel but this needs more work and will have to wait until I get the turntable module and cassette, etc. So it is back to the Jinty and other projects.