Hi all,

So, after some help here with arranging the throat parts of a fiddleyard, below is a picture (from Anyrail) of the arrangement I'm likely to settle on for the common fiddleyard parts that I hope to use for various 'vignettes' of the S&P's line. It's designed on the principle of 'adaptable modularity', so that different lengths and widths of arrangement, and different track exit positions on the scenic sections, can be made and the fiddleyard parts should always be able to be connected to them.

I have used Peco Code 83 for the side 'throat' and curve sections. I have a fair bit of old Peco Code 75 that I intend to use for the straight yard boards. For the scenic sections (in mauve) my intention is to use something like C&L or Exactoscale components. The wiring will be DCC only, with multiple buses (track power+signal; 12v acc power; 16v acc power; lighting power) using circuit breakers for each point board and/or related boards so that wrong running into points set against won't stop being able to change the point's position.

I'm hoping to be able to build my own MERG point accessory decoders to power already acquired Tortoises, Fulgurex and Peco Solenoid motors.

The curve boards already exist from part of an old test track layout from where I used to live in London. Minimum curve is therefore approx 32in/812mm. Stock will have back to backs adjusted to improved running, and check rails on the Code 83 pointwork may need adjusting, but as they are metal, I'm hoping that won't be too much of a problem.

I've learnt a bit more about how to align the boards using pattern makers alignment dowels, particularly how to retrofit them to my existing boards of my own construction. I'm hoping that means I can reuse them rather than dismantle and discard (for recycling, if I have to).

As I work through ideas in my head, Sayersbridge (the S in S&P) is turning out to be something of an analogue for Salisbury. However, it's very important to realize it isn't Salisbury as in my fictional geography it sits somewhere between Salisbury and Exeter. As such it's taking on a significant flavour of Salisbury, but with more than a dash of Templecombe and Yeovil thrown in, together with some unique elements. There are a number of differences to how it would look (nothing like Salisbury from a buildings point of view), and a few differences as to what would be running through it and terminating at it. I hope that goes some way to explaining some of my question threads regarding what services ran on the Waterloo - Exeter services.

Sayersbridge, however, is too big for me to tackle at the moment. So my focus will be on the 'vignettes' of sections and stations on the S&P line proper. I think that's more manageable for now.