I'm sure there have been thousands of these things built, described, photographed, analysed, discussed, praised, dismissed, rebuilt, relaid and thrown away by the good members of this fine community and the great wide world of railway modelling beyond.

But none until now were made by me and I'd be lying if I didn't admit to a huge sense of pride and achievement in finally being able to say "I've built some of me own track". Not to mention relief.

So here it is in all its glory, one down 4 to go for the quay. Droppers and fishplates to add, ballasting, weathering and the small matter of installing it so that trains can run on it. But right now if I put a wagon on and hold the blades to one side or other, it rolls through in the appropriate direction, switching tracks just like it ought. Who'da thought it eh?

If you happen to come across this entry while searching for advice and inspiration on how to get started (like I've doing for a long time now), all I can say is give it a go - I hope you'll be pleasantly surprised.

Oh - and get Iain Rice's book on the subject, it is absolutely brilliant. The loop-to-quayside road is hereby dedicated to him.