Whilst finishing off Barrow Hill I inevitably started thinking about what next - I guess we're all guilty of that during builds? Then, whilst browsing on RMweb one day, I came across Geoff Forster's blog of his layout 'Penhydd' - this, in my humble opinion, has to be one of the most perfect models I've ever seen. It has everything - a station, three goods sidings, roads, lots of perfect greenery and potential for lots of expansion. It offers loads of operational fun and makes for a great photo setting. I was thinking of moving up the fine scale ladder and experimenting with automatic coupling anyway so thought a small GWR branch terminus would be the way to go.

Geoff kindly allowed me to copy the track plan simply because it couldn't be improved upon. Code 75 track and points have been used. It's worthwhile noting that a move up to this finer profile track will prove a little difficult if you're used to the robust Code 100 like I was. It doesn't like any undulations in the base board and I spent a lot of time fiddling about with cardboard wedges to get it all level.

There are six isolated sections - each of the tracks roughly split into three at the points - and standard Peco point motors to control the points. The sections are controlled by simple switches at the end of the baseboard and the points by a homemade stud probe. The wiring under the board ain't in the least bit pretty to look at, but it all works fine.

I've used Spratt and Winkle couplings on all the stock. I got a starter pack from MSE who offered a superbly quick service (3 days to arrive here in Ireland from the original order request). Like everything fiddly there was a lot of apprehension about mounting them - the lower method was used and is highly advisable if you're a novice like me. There was a few mistakes and the chains were really awkward to make and put together, but the first one went on without too much bother. When tested over the supplied magnets I was both surprised and delighted that it worked brilliantly first time. The magnets have been sunk into the base board and glued in place. Mikkel (The Farthing Layouts) has written a superb article on how to mount and use these couplings to their full effect which can be found on this link http://www.gwr.org.uk/procouplings.html . I was careful about following both Mikkel and Geoff's advice about not painting the couplings so ordered a bottle of Brass Black from Eileens Emporium - another superb service (arrival time from order was also 3 days). It's worthwhile noting about how it is important to get the track perfectly level if you want to use S&W couplings - if it ain't then you'll get no end of problems with the stock uncoupling where it's not supposed to.

A close up of the superb Bachmann Pannier Tank. I also have a Hornby GWR Pannier from the Rail Road range which is a great little runner, but once you've purchased the Bachmann one there's no looking back.

The following is a link to a video I've made of the Pannier in action.

I'm toying with Cheslyn Hay as a name for it. This is a real place in Staffordshire and was the home of Rosemary Brick and Tile where I worked as a maintenance man in the 1980's. It did have a rail link which had long been abandoned when I was there, but I'd like to eventually expand the layout so it could incorporate a small add on of a brick works. Suggestions, comments are most welcome.

Mike