It has been an interesting year, my first since deciding to retire and my first with serious intent to create something worthwhile with my modelling skills. Looking back, it is hard to see exactly what has been achieved, because there have been some significant changes to the designs and philosophy of the two projects that were under way a year ago.

The most significant change was the decision to switch from 00 Gauge to 0 Gauge. This came about because my eyesight and finger joints together conspired against the fiddly jobs that 00 Gauge modelling often provide. I simply could not fix lamp irons to my GWR locos.

This change of scale also meant that the Shipston-on-Stour branch has gone into temporary storage while the Gauge 00 locomotive collection (RTR and kit built) has also been stored for the time being. I do occasionally come back to these and hope to be able to complete the kits that are under way.

But Gauge 0 has taken over and Legge Lane II has been the main thrust of my modelling in the second half of the year. Pivotal to this was my joining the Gauge 0 Guild and visiting their Telford exposition in September.

Earlier in the year I set myself the task of learning SketchUp and this has been put to good use in designing Legge Lane II, its cabinetry and some of the buildings. This virtual aspect of modelling can be most satisfying but I look forward to completing the real layout in the months/years ahead. Planning and research are good but the making of things is better.

Integral to Legge Lane II is the turntable as the layout has no points (even though I have built two C&L kits) due to size restrictions and curve limits (6ft radius).

To get started I was fortunate to be able to spend a small inheritance on a ready built Lee Marsh Jubilee, 45688 Polyphemus and a Sidelines LMS Period III coach, assembled and painted by Malcolm Binns. These top of the line models form excellent go by's for my future modelling efforts.

(Photo by Lee Marsh)

If you have been following this blog recently, then you will know that there have been two ongoing projects - the Connoisseur Jinty, now completed, and the Metalsmith 60ft Turntable. The Turntable should be finished early in the year as I now have all the bits and pieces to complete it.

I have learned that in Gauge 0 there has to be a certain amount of forward planning. This applies to future locomotive kits as much as anything. I have two tender locomotives in mind, one of which already has a £50 deposit paid. These should keep me busy in 2016.

The operation of Legge Lane II will be interesting and will involve DCC. I have promised myself an upgrade to my old DCC system and have been recommended the NCE PowerCab. The person in charge of the layout will be the Shed Foreman and operations will involve receiving and dispatching locomotives to the rest of the system as well as supplying coal and removing ash. The scenic part of the layout will offer an opportunity for populating the layout with shed staff from Modelu.

So, a reasonable TO DO list for 2016:

Legge lane II

1. Complete the turntable kit

2. Cut out inspection and ash pits prior to laying and wiring track

3. Start and complete at least one locomotive kit

4. Complete designs for structures and begin to build basic shells (shed, coal hole, etc.)

Shipston-on-Stour

1. Work on first module (station and goods shed area).

2. Complete modifying locomotives (Dean Goods, 48XX, Dukedog and Midland 3F)

The temptation will also be there to go back to some of the Gauge 00 kits (Royal Scot, Coronation, 4F I bought a few years ago. I probably need to put these all aside for now and focus.

And that is probably my New Year's Resolution in one word!