I'm a scalescene fan, too. I have the medium station kit so its nice to see it made. Much preferable to the Metcalfe in my view - much less fussy and generic BR. Also, a definite plus on the platform length. Five plus loco seems good to me, although Im trying for six but that might mean undesirable shortening, elsewhere. But - here's a thought - back in my boyhood (60's at Newcastle Central) I'm sure locos occasionally parked clear of the platform? Not a problem for the crew, surely, as they often had to mount from the ground anyway, and they'd be on from the shed? So long as they could see the Guards flag I can't see a problem. I rarely saw platform water-cranes used as both Heaton and Gatehead locos would be topped up. 'Don't know about Kings Cross - Edinburgh,etc, though, but I can't recall seeing them used. But for your terminus they'd coal and water at the sheds after turning, I imagine?

Regarding my stuff. I think I'll post at retrospective periods on work already done (Later in the year, the way its going, otherwise my posts'll take forever. I seem to think you might have done it that way, initially?

Anyway, the layouts developing very well.

Cheers, Brasso aka Tony

PS: What I love about your layout is that it looks as though its fun to operate and never boring, which is the point of a personal layout, surely.

Hi Tony

Yes, I agree about the platform lengths I can just fit 6 carriages if the loco is just in line with the end ramp. Thats also the thing I wanted when I started with regard to plenty to do when operating. I didn't want a too restricted "exhibition" style layout. I wanted something that I could happily let trains zoom around the loops without being watched or derailing and still have plenty of other things to do with shunting puzzles and feeding various sidings. I feel I am spoilt for choice at times thinking "where shall I go next" B)