Morning all

It seems a bit odd that the first entry in this blog for my layout "Diddington" is about planning its successor!

I've learned a lot from Diddington, both in terms of what ideas I would use again, and what I would change. I was finally prompted to start working on a new layout design because of pressure on space; Diddington has shared its home with a band's rehearsal room; plans are afoot to convert the room in to a full blown recording studio, which isn't compatible with a model railway sharing the space (It spoils the acoustics).

I think it would be useful to post details of the planning process. Hopefully some will find the planning progress interesting, and I am hoping that by posting the planning process it will generate feed back which will help me improve the finished model.

I have considered a number of schemes. All are set on the Kettering - Cambridge line in the 1950's. I considered making a model based on the Western end of the line, possibly a small station based on Cranford in "0" gauge, or an exchange between the industrial Ironstone workings of the East Midlands, with industrial locos, and mineral trains hauled by 8f's and 9f's. I've settled on something a bit further east, set on the section of the line between St Ives and Cambridge. This allows the greatest variety of workings and locomotive types; Cambrige - Kettering services worked by Ivatt class 2's and J15's; Cambridge - March services worked by D16's, J17's;J20's and K1's; Through freights via March and St Ives worked by WD's and O1's (come on Bachmann O4, the razor saw awaits) Cambridge - March parcels trains worked by B17's; Oh, and a 1960's interlude with green diesels. I can't have A4's but then life isn't perfect. A lot of the stock will be reused from Diddington, which cuts down some of the work.

Having got to this stage,the first step in the more detailed planning process was to consider the criteria, both prototype and model, for the new layout:

Prototype Considerations:

• Period - 1950's steam
• Location - GE in East Anglia, Kettering - Cambridge Line
• Double track
• A platform mounted signal box, based on St Ives (Cambs)
• A small goods yard
• A level crossing
• Through freights

Display Considerations:

• "Diddington" was conceived as a home layout; It was only much later I decided to exhibit it. I have enjoyed showing it, but putting it on show reveals some drawbacks, and the new layout will address these
• Boards will be high level, with a proscenium arch, and "wings" at each end, so the viewpoint is directed into the layout. Being East Anglia, the are no hills and tunnels to disguise the exits from the scenic section, so I will have to use strategically positioned buildings and trees. The high level view point does give difficulties, in that it can exclude members of the potential audience, such as children and people in wheelchairs, so I'm still thinking about this. I am also mindful of the Disability Discrimination Act.
• Operation from in front of the layout, so the operator can interact with the audience, but the control panel to be sited at the end of the layout, so the operator does not block the audience's view of the display.

Model/Construction Considerations:

• The new site will be smaller, so the size needs to be kept down
• A smaller size will make the layout more easily transportable
• "OO" gauge; Home made PCB pointwork with SMP plain track, as "Diddington"
• All points electrically operated with Tortoise point motors.
• Automatic couplings. Aim for totally "hands off" operation.
• A properly signalled layout with working signals operated by ex PO relays.
• Make boards from Ply. When the layout plan is finalized, a cutting schedule can be prepared.
• A 'roll up" cloth back drop, rather than the fixed backdrop on "Diddington"

Having thought those through, layout planning can begin. My starting point was "Bildeston" in Iain Rice's book "Layout Design - finescale in small spaces, though the track pal I am working on bears little resemblance to the plan in the book. I'll put it up in a couple of days, as I would like some input as to its fidelity to prototype, and the placement of signals and catch points.

That's all for now; The next installment will be the track plan.