I'll be honest, the following is an expansion of an email I recently sent Dominik Mann, but all things considered, it's probably worth posting on here.

I've just about decided not to buy any more models for the time being, at least until I have formulated my long term layout plans (I'm leaning towards TT, in spite of the smaller range- N is just too small). Anything I work on in the short term will be using existing stock and track. However, in a case of "so near, yet so far" you can see here my circa 2000 IC set. Yes, I know the Steuerwagen should be a Bpmbdf rather than a Bimdf, and that the Bvm should have the DBAG keks, but as far as I know there is no 1:87 length Bpmbdf available and the other matter is a couple of minutes to apply a decal. To clarify, I'm debating whether to sell this lot as is, or buy three more vehicles and a loco to get a running set. I've had a look at fernbahn, and around 2000 the shortest IC I can find which is push-pull is eight coaches. The Bm is not exactly right in a shorter set, but I can live with it for now, and I could always convert it to a Bimd. As far as locos go, I could use a Piko Hobby 101 (not too expensive) or keep my eyes peeled for a Lima 120- I'm not sold on the Fleischmann or Trix models.

I'm also undecided about Steinrücken's future. I'm planning to move back to the UK in July, and I don't feel it's good enough to justify the expense of shipping it, nor do I feel it forms a sound enough foundation to make it good enough. The 180 degree curved station dissatisfies me greatly, as do the flat topped baseboards. I've learned some lessons and gained confidence through its construction, but now I am much less restricted with space (I could almost double its length) I could straighten the station. I'm also tempted to design something much more suited to shipping, more open framed (for greater contours) and possibly even ditch the station in favour of freight facilities. In the interests of using what I already own, the location would remain former DDR, as at present my only DBAGs locos which aren't ex DR are a 110 and a 364. If I'm being strict with myself and not buying anything else, it gets tricky! For the record, at present the fleet is a 364, 202, 219, 232, 110, 112, 2 x 143, 2 x 155, 628. The space I have to work with is a garage, 2.8 metres wide, 5.6 metres available down one wall (Inward opening door) and 7.3m down the other. I'd like to stick with a layout I don't have to duck under to operate. If trying to keep the station/yard mostly straight, this allows a scale 500 metre length, plus the same again plain track. Another possibility would be adopting Fremo standards, then I could have some real fun with various combinations of modules. I'd have to rebuild everything to do this though, including the sub-scenic storage tracks, as my boards are 600mm wide and Fremo uses a 500mm width.

I just don't think I can go for the next six months without a layout to work on, but at the same time I don't want to be wasting time and money. At this point I have stock, track, baseboard materials and a reasonable stock of scenic, detailing and building materials, so there's really nothing to hold me up except my own indecisiveness. Whatever I build, the number one operational want is shunting interest. Otherwise, a continuous run so I can watch the trains go by would be good, ideally with an arrangement which stops shunting interfering with passing trains. I suppose I could make a traditional oval with a yard feeding a branch which terminates at Bad Horn.

Anyway, enough witter. I have some squared paper, lots of batten and ply and time on my hands. What I lack is inspiration and motivation.