This week we are on the final stretch before Yamanouchi Oshika's next outing. The layout has been the centre of much activity, as testament to this rather unusual view showing work taking place on the layout!

And indeed, progress there has been. First up is the area behind the motorway flyover. As mentioned previously, this area was an unsatisfactory piece of black hardboard, used to display flyers and the like. This has now gone...replaced by landscape.

This landscape is intended to be quite bleak at this point, however it remains to be seen quite how many trees are required here beyond those couple already sheltering in the steep valley. Some variation to the grey cliff face has been attempted with various shadings.

Moving on, the apartment blocks have been constructed and located. These very useful looking buildings are from the Skynet (Aoshima) range... http://www.1999.co.jp/eng/10115167, and proved to be very popular with the club members who constructed them. They will be located towards the front of the layout, set in park land/gardens. We have plenty of trees for this!

The road is thin cork strip, painted with concrete coloured paint. It will be subject to some further weathering, however the cork texture certainly adds to the overall effect we are aiming for with the road surface. As can be seen, there is still much to do here; including fixing the road properly!

Next up we have the new access ramp to the yards. Originally access was beneath the motorway flyover. With the addition of the cliff face, this access has been obliterated. Now vehicles come in from the other direction, the junction being more or less opposite the upper industrial estate. David constructed this bridge and ramp from insulation foam, with a thin plywood fascia. Again, the road surface is cork, with the sections lined with a black pen.

Finally, Matt, John and Bob have been looking at the tramway. The intention is for this to be operational by the show in September. A shuttle unit is being dug out, so hopefully we should have some extra activity in the town area within a week or so...