So, back to laying track. Ballasting being one of those jobs you love or hate, and I hate it. I want it to be quick, easy and to look good. So I thought I'd try a short test piece.

I cut the cork to width, slapped on some PVA, lightly pinned track down, then left it for ten minutes and turned it over to remove the excess ballast. Not bad, I thought. Now, how would I turn the shed upside down. So a quick trip to Argos to get a rechargable vacuum cleaner.

Tonight I started with the curve that will enter the station.

Pressed down the ballast, left it for the ten minutes and then vacuumed away.

Not perfect and will require a bit of touching up, but much easier than laying the track first, then dry ballasting and going over with an eye dropper.

I decided now would be as good a time as any to paint the platform edges. I wanted a well worn and faded look to it, so I used Tamiya flat white, fairly well thinned and dry brushed. Quite happy with the result.

So over the weekend I will fit a crossover between the platform ends. Progress a bit slower now as hand built pointwork is new to me. I need to get hold of some more tortoises, as I just have the one at the moment.

Still looking for a suitable bridge to cross at the far end of the station. I don't know what I really want here, but if I see it, I will get it.