Like perhaps many of you I have started more than one layout only for circumstances to contrive its demise before getting too far.      The aim for this grand scheme is to address all those years of under-achievement, but there have already been challenges – not the least of which is a 250-mile house move.

Originally the layout was to have been in the garage, but it quickly became a dumping ground.  And it was cold, damp and dusty.  I do not recommend garages to anyone contemplating a model railway!

Once the house was sorted it was agreed I would have a dedicated shed in the back garden.  We found a ‘value’ company on the web, I dug foundations, family came around to help, and on the weekend the shed was delivered (as a very big kit of parts) it started to rain and continued raining for about 4 months.  I managed to keep the worst of the water off,  but couldn’t erect the shed until the following spring when it had aired off.   I had the panels for a 20’ by 10’ shed all around the garden drying out!  

The shed was eventually completed, including finishing the interior in Midland Railway chocolate and cream, based on interior photos of station buildings on the Keighley and Worth Valley Railway.   My wife made some curtains, and my mate Dave  (RMWeb Chris P Bacon) sorted the electrics and flooring - it was well lit, heated and insulated and was warmer than the house in winter!        The layout got set up, track laid almost to completion and after about 3 years a sudden change in family circumstances led to a move to the south-west, a new home and an opportunity to move the layout indoors to a dedicated room, providing 15mm was shaved off one end!    That's where I'm currently at - repairing the damage caused during the move (despite crating it up) and then finishing the small areas that were not quite completed.    One other aspect is that the new home had to be renovated, so the layout was stored in a (dry) shed for a year - and then I discovered one board had a bad dip in it, requiring strong supports to be screwed in to make it level once more.  Thankfully the framing in the other boards seem to be sufficient. 

I may yet have a challenge for the height of scenery at each end, due to sloping ceilings, but we shall see what happens as life progresses.