Over the last few weeks, I've dug my Paynestown project out of the attic and made quite a bit pleasing progress.

To recap - and unfortunately my earlier pics were lost in the image crash - I built a 4mm layout with the same name in 2010, then sold that a few years later.  I'd always said to myself that might have another go, this time in N, provided there was an easy route to getting a 56XX, vital for a layout set in former GWR territory in the South Wales valleys. Thanks to Sonic Models announcing just that engine, I was able to start making plans (for Paynestown).

Again, to recap, I decided to have a go at using the Finetrax system of Code 40 track parts. I'd had a lot of experience with Peco Code 55 track on my American layout, and while I was satisfied with it in that context, I felt the possibility of a small layout, with small locos, invited the idea of attempting finer trackwork. Early in 2021 I ordered a bulk pack of points and plain track components from Finetrax, and set about making my first point in N! This went quite well, although it appears that the Finetrax products have now been revised to make assembly even more straightforward, something to consider were I ever to go another layout in Code 40.

Back in 2021 I got as far as completing the basic trackwork, as well as beginning to ballast some of it, but the sidings were mere stubs and there was no fiddle yard as such. I've now completed all the sidings, revisited the ballasting, and added a rudimentary "stub" fiddle yard just for play value for the time being. The whole thing is about 5 foot long, and won't be much longer once it's fully embedded into its scenic context. It'll be narrow, too, emphasing verticality rather than depth.

I took some rather ropey photos with my wife's camera.

These can be related to some pics I found of my old Paynestown, showing the general similarities.

These were taken at exhibitions after I'd sold the original, so the stock wasn't mine, but it gives a flavour of the layout. The new one will be similar but different - certain common features (such as the carriage shed) but some other changes, such as no engine shed, and no road bridge under the tracks.

Hope this is of interest, and with luck there'll be more progress in the coming months.