Beresford Junction

Thanks for the reply. As you can see I've already had my first trim, and perhaps another line will go on reflection. I've still got a large amount of real estate to play with. I think I just need to crack on and get something done, even as just a learning exercise that will be re-done st some future time. I'll have a search for the buffers thread/discussion - here is mine awaiting me working out a plan.

This is my attempt at less is more - it might not look like it. I've taken the building away and also removed one of the four tracks that used to go into it. So now we have: - three tracks going into a terminus station - one siding for something - probably where the class 08 will live that will have to shunt the carriages around - three engine yard lines (shorter than before) - two short sidings off other main line in sort of a quarry. To hide the corner, the construction team have been building and embankment that will have grass/bushes on this side and a brick retaining wall on the other to create a cutting. Protruding above the current cardboard shape, will be a 2cm (i.e. 5ft) brick wall. Once I've got this built, I'll then decide if to a. leave the other side as the gentle slope b. have an equivalent brick retaining wall one on the other side c. completely cover in with a removable cover to make a tunnel I can't quite imagine it right now, but as you can see both tracks disappear out of sight if viewed from lower down. Hopefully with the extra 2cm and some bushes/trees it'll be even better. Keep checking back as I'm sure by next time I'll have had another change of plan ;-)

Oh and I forgot to add I took my Hornby class 56 apart as the fans had stopped revolving. I seem to have fixed this but also found one of the interior windows had come loose and was rattling round inside - something else for my list. I also didn't know that the cap doors open - only noticed the springs from the inside. Worryingly though two of the spring loaded buffers have come out and won't re-seat themselves back in - might have to glue them as they keep coming loose, but that sort of defeats the point of them being spring loaded. Perhaps time to leave Hornby behind?

I've decided (as I often do) to change thing again. It was all looking a bit too busy, and I also didn't like seeing the corner, so tonight I've been building a hill to disguise the corner and also removing the refueling point and the station buildings on either side of the track with one at the end - photos to come soon.

Last night was more cutting and sticking of the cork underlay - very boring. then later on I was building some more platform for the station - seen here in situ, however I've just noticed it's not quite in the right place and the platform/building at the top needs to be moved to the left a couple of inches. The station buildings were going to be symmetrical, but then I changed my mind (again). I also took some overhead shots, which show the track layout better.

And for those who are interested, this is the rest of the area to be done - currently used as a dumping ground. It is 10' x 6' so should give me some good space for a small station halt, i.e. somewhere for the trains leaving the main terminus to go, another TMD / engine yard along with sidings for shunting. It's currently DC, but I plan to make some of it DCC.

I'm currently working on a layout (10' x 9') in my basement. I have recently got back into railways and modeling after a break of about 30 years. I spent a lot of time messing about and getting nowhere, constantly changing my mind, but after reading the advice on the posts here I decided to just start (and finish) a small part and see how I got on with that. I'm currently at the stage of having done the major woodworking, decided on the track plan, created the hard scenery and I'm now just sticking down the cork ready to lay and ballast the track. This side of the layout will consist of a terminus station: a TMD and some sidings: However that was before I had to strip it all away and do the track laying properly: I plan on posting updates here and on the Beresford Junction blog site ( www.beresfordjunction.co.uk). Comments and suggestions are welcome - famous last words..... Phil