Not on the actual modelling (one track panel is all there is so far) but in aquisiton!

Four box files - with the scenic section in the middle two - the end boxes for cassette-type f/y's and storage.. I've also sent off fairly large odrers to Shops 1-3, 'Masterclass', Ultima' etc.

The driving force? RETIREMENT !! We learned on Friday that subject to unforseen problems, we'll be mortgage-free on 29th Feb so we will definitely be 'leaping' that day! I'm jusr short of the 'big 65' - but have an 'enlightened employer' who lets us retire at sixty and gives us our entire Annual Leave entitlement if we do so... I reckon to 'pull the pin' on 4th March, walk out the door & not look back!

Now on to the 'nitty gritty' - the box files are only 'standard' ones from WH Smith (£7.99 for three). Following BCNPete's comment about the height of the tunnel mouth, I did check out various stationers for deeper boxes, but they do not seem to be easily available. However, this is actually not a problem.. Whilst the portal arch is very high (about 21' to the Keystone and 30' to the decorative portal arch) the box depth should allow me to model the distincive portal complete to the parapet. Close inspection of the image that I have tends to indicate this portal is very much a 'false front' as I can detect the actual 'normal' tunnel commencing some few yards inside the tunnel. Might even model this as the f/y entrance...

Track will be code 40 on PCB sleepers, with a trackbase of 2mm thick 'Depron Foam' - a very close cell urethane nore commonly seen in fast-food boxes. Being emminently 'scribable' I will probably use it for the tunnel portal as well. The cutting at this point is lned, with the lining 'stepped back' - I'll look at casting them from a master.

Right 'snuff' for now - got to do an entry for 'Ambridge'!

Regs

Ian