We are Chris and Jennifer Nicole, modeller and better-half living in Hull.

We visited Hull MRS's mini show at Paragon Station in August where Jennifer won a Blue Highlander Hornby train-set on the raffle.

One of my colleagues in Hull MRS challenged us, "If you build a layout with that, we'll show it."

They know too well my tendancy to get enthusiastic over a new project then run out of steam before achieving much.

I have too many ideas and no decision.

Jennifer is made of different mettle. When she decides something will be done, it gets done, and usually very soon.

We accepted the challenge.

Soon afterwards, we visited Railex North East where Jennifer had chance to look at a load of excellent layouts and pick up ideas for her layout.

One very helpful layout and operator was Croft Depot. This is a small shunting layout built into a neat cabinet.

The operator was encouraging visitors to have a go at shunting the yard.

Jenn had a go, asked questions and took photos.

Another layout was Foston Mills. This is a 7mm layout with a lot to recommend it.

However, it was the layout's 'history' that took our interest.

Foston Mills is based on the North Holderness Light Railway, one of those railways that were planned but never built. In real life they started a bus service instead.

North Holderness is practically our backyard and has featured in some of my previous planned layouts. This gave us a potential background for Jenn's layout.

Well supplied with ideas and enthusiasm we headed home to make plans...

More later.

Jenswell has just received an invite to Hull MRS 2012.