I sometimes look at layouts being constructed and those that are either complete or in the modification phase on social media and wonder how everything seems to go so smoothly. Not all of course but it does give the impression that this is such a simple pleasure. I am sure I'm not the only one who finds some aspects of railway modelling more of a chore than a pleasure and for me that boils down to wiring being the worst followed by track laying. I guess this is where being in a club might be helpful as those with a particular skill/preference can be allocated certain parts of the build? I enjoyed the planning and the frame work construction but from then on it has been hard to keep motivated. Because I went for DCC (love the sounds and the freedom to run wherever I want to) and because I wanted reliable running, I've been laying bus wires and connecting every piece of track as so many advise. Also connecting point motors and wiring the electro-frog points has been a chore not to mention the return loop.

I remember some (now many) years ago DCC being sold on the basis of just connect two wires and you’re done! Alas no! If installed to a standard that should give years of good running, DCC wiring is very extensive and far exceeds the wiring I have needed on previous standard DC layouts. 

Anyway enough grumbling, the truth is I can finally see the light at the end of the proverbial tunnel. Only the station and loco depot tracks are left to lay and through the experience gained so far these do not hold any fears. Wiring is all working, although a couple of things work that I don't fully understand, and the points are all functioning on my Z21 controller, even the route function is working.

The bus wires are being suspended under the track bed using these P clips and the cable tie bases. The wiring is starting to look a lot tidier than before.

I have painted the track bed before installing the upper station level and when all track is down I will ballast all visible tracks. Above shows the station board with underlay ready to recieve the track - apart from adding the turntable section the remainder of the track is fitted and tested. It ws then spray painted dark brown as a base coat, cleaned and re-tested - so far so good!

Instead of pictures this time I'm including a link to my YouTube clip to bring things up to date as of the end of 2021.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Npp8hFYK-KU

A broken toe has stopped play temporarily but I still hope to have all track completed by Christmas.

Cheers for now