I spend a lot of time looking at the layouts I build as they progress, I really do. It wouldn't surprise me if I spent as much time looking as I do actually constructing. The relationships between the size of the structures and the space between them is very important to me. I've seen way too many nice looking small layouts ruined (to my mind anyway) by the builders need to cram track or features in there. For example, I'm sure there are modellers who would think it a good idea to have a siding running into the workshop at the right. Not me, I did consider it but I discounted it almost immediately. It didn't fit in with my small layout ethos.

I study all aspects of the model, getting all kinds of ideas from where the walkways will go around the loaders to the size of the trees hiding the fiddle yard exit.

Talking of the fiddle yard it time to give some thought to its construction, using the lid of an APA box....