Over the last couple of weeks, I've been building some of the Ratio kits which form the main railway buildings of the layout. As my first venture into scenery in UK N, I quite enjoyed getting to grips with these.

First up is the goods shed, which is where the engine shed used to be on the old layout:

In keeping with the other buildings, and the original layout, I've opted for GWR colours of light and dark stone, rather than WR brown and cream, the idea being that not only has this station not had a lick of paint since before the war (or they're still using up local stocks!)  but that I could run some pre-nationalisation models if so desired.  This isn't too fanciful as some GWR backwaters did retain traces of the older colours right until closure.

I also constructed the GWR signal box:

This is arguably a bit on the large side (the 4mm one was the much smaller Highley-style box) but I'll just pretend that it controls more than just the visible track - perhaps there's a junction or set of sidings just off-scene. Another enjoyable kit but I found the instructions a bit skimpy. The etched windows are a nice touch, though. I sawed off the enormous chunky base that the model is supposed to be mounted on.

In addition, and taking in a view of the layout as a whole, now mounted on a rather rakishly curved sheet of extruded foam:

I also made the carriage shed, and I've made a start on the station building to get a feel for how it all fits together.

This view also shows a test-fitting of the backscene. I've cut recesses in it which will allow the operator to work the points and uncoupling

magnets,  but once finished, the rear scenery will rise up to box these in from the front, with a stone-built retaining wall and steeply sloping hillside. I've opted for a relatively high backscene by N standards (about 12 inches in total) which I hope will help place the models the context of the landscape.

One thing that's maybe worth a mention is that there'll be no backscene on the right-side end of the layout, affording a view along the scene, as well as it into it. There'll also be no "proscenium arch" as such - just a dainty lighting support cantilevered off the backscene. The idea is to break away a bit from the New Layout Design Orthodoxy (NLDO) of a high vantage, wings, arch etc, as popularised by Iain Rice et all and which has understandably become the norm. It's popular because it works, and is very effective at framing a scene and constraining viewing angles, but with this one, I want the layout to be viewable from a range of angles and elevations, yet still be well-lit and appear "finished" to a decent standard. To this end, the intention is that it'll be operated from a tabletop (so no trestles or legs needing transport) and be equally suited to viewing from a seated or standing position. I think this works in a valleys context because in reality you could be at almost any given elevation in relation to the scene, so it won't look "wrong" to be looking up, down or sideways! Anyway we'll see, it could all crash and burn!