A bit more meat on the bone now from the previous 'vague' dimensions.

We've dispensed with the idea of a common 'Brighton' fiddleyard fed from both the north and from the Lewes Brighton platform, mainly because of the tight curves needed to get to/from the latter. Instead we have a separate shorter fiddle yard of 8ft for 'Brighton' on the basis that through trains via Lewes would only be loco + 4 coaches + van from Eridge (which also assumes an 8ft FY) or short coast route trains from Eastbourne.

We have also incorporated a 14ft hidden section between Lewes and the viaduct, which can simulate Lewes tunnel and also provide a couple of storage loops to 'hide' Brighton main line services. In exhibition this can also provide space on the front for information displays and even a 'time buffer' by holding trains for a minute or so to give an impression of greater distance travelled.

If the full ensemble ever made it to fruition, we'd be looking at 126 ft top to bottom and 73 ft left to right. Just for context the main hall at Railex measures 160 ft x 120 ft (thanks David ).

However, the beauty of this is that it can be built and/or exhibited in many configurations. The first component likely to see the light of day will be FY + scenic section + Balcombe + scenic section + viaduct + FY, totalling a mere 92 ft, or the first scenic section could be omitted to give 80 ft. This also assumes a new bespoke scale Ouse Viaduct - the current short-term one is only 8 ft long.

Another alternative would be Brighton FY + Lewes + scenic + Eridge + FY, with additional FYs on the London and Eastbourne lines out of Lewes. Total 73 ft x 44 ft.

We did lay out the 10% scale Templots for Balcombe (left distance), Lewes (front left) and Eridge (right) on the floor of John's garage, but it's difficult to judge the real scope from that:

It will be DCC by the way (as Eridge is going) with the idea that a driver could walk with his train all the way from departure to arrival.

Could be fun!